155 Days Ago.

155 days ago, approximately six months ago, at around six o'clock at night, I was standing in my kitchen making macaroni and cheese for Ethan.

Not long before then I was at my OB's office. She told me I was dilated to 4 and I would be having my baby any time now.

So as I was making macaroni and cheese I started having contractions. I ignored them and continued making Ethan's dinner.

When Brett walked into the kitchen and saw me standing there with my head on the counter, taking deep breaths, he insisted that I sit down.

I kept making dinner.

I was in denial and truly thought I was not having my second baby, at least not that day.

In just 2 short hours my contractions were only 3 minutes apart and we were off to the hospital, and I was still in denial.

Within minutes of being at the hospital my contractions were a minute apart and I was being wheeled into the delivery room.

As the pain was getting worse and worse, it suddenly hit me, "Oh crap. We're having another baby. I'm actually going to give birth to a baby boy in a few hours. We are going to have two boys. We are responsible for two little people."

My entire pregnancy had gone by so quickly since I was taking care of Ethan, working, cleaning, playing, and just plain living, that I forgot to think about the end result.

I mean I thought about it but I didn't really think about.

So it hit me. I was having another baby.

I started to feel nervous, anxious, excited, sad, happy…all the things that I'm most certain every woman about to give birth feels.

Then ten hours later, we met Jacob Nathan.

When I saw him all my fears and anxiety melted away.

I was in love. Again.

In just the few short six months he has been here our life has changed dramatically.

Some days have been the best I have ever had. Some days have been the worst I have ever had.

I wouldn't change any of it.

I love him tremendously. I love the dynamic that he adds to our family. I love his little face, his little hands, his little scrunched up nose. I love every bit of him.

I'm so very grateful for what took place 155 days ago.

 

Jacob Nathan Lewis.

He's here! 

Jacob Nathan Lewis was born on August 31, 2010 at 6:41am. 

He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 22 inches long. 

The action started the evening before when I started feeling contractions around 5:30pm. They were pretty strong, but 6-8 minutes apart. I thought I would ride it out for a while and see if they progressed. Brett was supposed to leave around that time for a concert. I told him to go, since I thought they were just going to stop again like they had done in the days before, but Brett decided to stay home. Good choice on his part. 

After about an hour, and Brett making a frantic call to my mother, I called the doctor and she said to go to the hospital. I called Aunt Pam and she came over to stay with Ethan, and Brett and I were off to the hospital.

The car ride over was not fun. The contractions started getting stronger and I was getting extremely uncomfortable. I was checked in around 8:00pm and my contractions started getting really intense and extremely close together. By the time they had moved me into the labor and delivery room they were a minute apart. Crazy!! 

By this time I was dilated to 4 and 50% effaced, and I said, bring on the epidural. The nurses had a heck of time administering the IV and every time they would my vein would collapse due to the contractions. It took them 5 tries to find a good vein. I don't like being poked that much. During that time I was in so much pain from the contractions I couldn't believe it. I have no idea how people do it without an epidural. I'm not as tough as I thought I was.

Once I finally did get the epidural, things slowed down a bit, but I was still progressing nicely. At some point, I think around 2:00am I was dilated to 8, the contractions were a few minutes apart, and then I just stopped progressing. After some time, they gave me a small dosage of pitosin to get things going and that did the trick. After having my water break about four times, throwing up, having the chills, and getting a few naps in, I was ready to push.

Lovely hair on my part, I know.

The nurse said she wanted to do a trial push before my doctor got there just to make sure we were headed in the right direction. So she told me to push as she counted up to 10. We made it to 3 and she told me to stop. Jacob was definitely on his way out and she wanted my doctor to be there for the delivery. As soon as my doctor got there, she had me start pushing, and 4 pushes later, out came Jacob. They couldn't believe how quickly it all happened. I couldn't either really. I mean the kid is huge! How on earth was I carrying so much baby in me?

Not the best photos, but it's what we've got.

From that point on everything has been going smoothly. All of Jacob's test came back great and the pediatrician said he looked wonderful.

We were released from the hospital the next day and life as a family of four has begun. 

When I have more time I will post more pictures from the hospital, plus post pictures of how life is different around these parts. 

Nine Months.

This is for my mom.

This picture was taken exactly 3 weeks until my due date.

I go to the doctor today and I'm hoping she tells me I'm dilated to like 5 and she'll want to induce me. Wishful thinking...maybe? 

I'm very excited to meet little Jacob.

Hospital Already?

Last night Brett and I spent our evening at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

I hadn't been feeling too good on Sunday afternoon and Monday so the doctor wanted to have me checked out. I was feeling light-headed, dizzy, really tired, and couldn't catch my breath. It made me a little nervous since I didn't do anything like that with Ethan so I gave the doc a call. She was concerned about my blood pressure among other things and told me to head on over to the labor and delivery floor at the hospital. 

Thankfully we got right in, they hooked me up, drew my blood and started monitoring me. 

While we waited for the blood test results and the EKG to be done, we got to hear the little guy loud and clear on the monitor. His heart rate was perfect and he was extremely active at times. We usually only get to hear his heartbeat for a minute or two at the doctor's office, so it was awesome being able to listen to his little heart beating for all that time.

After 3 hours we learned there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, except for the fact that I'm pregnant. 

They told me to make sure I drink tons of fluids, especially since it's getting warmer, and rest as much as possible. I had a feeling nothing would be wrong but it's always better to have everything checked out, just in case.

And aren't hospital gowns so attractive?

7 months.

I'm 31 weeks today which makes me actually closer to 8 months than 7 but I thought an update was in order. I'm still feeling pretty good and the doctor says everything is looking great. My belly is growing at a good rate, although I am a tad on the larger side, and the baby's heart rate is at  about 145, which is great. My weight gain and blood pressure have been right on track and my glucose tests came back normal. I now have to go to the doctor every 2 weeks, which seems crazy to me that I already have to go so often. The only real bummer has been the back pain and lower pelvic pain I have been experiencing. I didn't do any of this with Ethan and let me tell you it is not comfortable. Also not so comfortable is the constant rolling and punching this baby is doing in my belly. I'm grateful that he's alive a kickin' in there but a little break would be nice. My bladder would be grateful too, I'm sure of it.

So now the waiting begins.

I'm becoming more anxious about the delivery which I find surprising. I never thought I would have these feelings since I've done it once before, but maybe it's because I know what to expect this time that makes me more nervous. You kind of go in blindly the first time around.  I'm also nervous that something will go wrong during the delivery, like the cord will be wrapped around the babies neck, or I'll have to push for hours on end with no baby resulting in a cesarean. Or that he's breach and I'll have to have a cesarean regardless.

I'm also anxious about how everything is going to work once the baby is here. I'm a planner and I like order. I like that I have a routine and a schedule, and Ethan flows very well with that schedule. I fear that everything will be turned upside down, which I know it will be for a little while, but that it will never return to normal. And that I'll be this crazy frantic wife and mother for eternity.

I know this all sounds a bit crazy and writing it out makes me laugh, but it's the truth. I also know this is what happens when pregnant. It's only natural for my mind to wander and worry, I just need to keep it in check and remind myself that ultimately I'm not in control. At the end of the day I trust that everything will be fine, even if it doesn't go according to my plan.

Over the last few days I have thought about Proverbs 3:5-6 which reads,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

6 Months.

I'm 25 weeks pregnant already and I can't believe how fast time is flying by. 

Things are still going really well. Our last doctor visit went great. I gained the most weight this past month but I don't feel any bigger than the month before, if that makes any sense. The baby's heart rate was great and my belly is measuring at a good rate. Next up is the blood sugar test that I need to do and I'm not looking forward to fasting (I eat first thing in the morning), drinking this nasty liquid stuff and having blood drawn again. I hope it's the last time I have to visit the lab for blood work. I've also been experiencing some minor heartburn which I have never had and I'm so thankful for Tums.

Our next big challenge is finding a name for this little guy. We are at least talking about it now, which we really haven't until the last week or so. I know we still have time but I want to call him something other than baby.

I'm really getting excited to meet this little guy and see how Ethan will interact with him. I just know they are going to be best buds and I can't wait to experience life with the two of them.