He is here!

It has been over a month, so I thought I might need to update you all! First, let me tell you about his birth. On Thursday morning at about 9 a.m., June 2, I received a call from Dr. Whitten's nurse and she had a change of hear. The nurse said she the doctor would put me in and "make a plan". I was thrilled, and suprised! Joey and rushed around to get ready and told the kids he would come back for them once we knew more.


At the hospital, my nurse was Tammy P., a friend of mine. What the Dr. Whitten decided, once she came in to check me, was to give me Cervadil. It is a medication designed to thin the cervix. She also said that once they put it in, I would have to lay flat for two hours. Until midnight, I could only eat Jello. After midnight, no food! Those two hours were not fun, especially for my bladder! That afternoon Joey went to get the boys and they came by to see me for a while before their game. All through this, I had contractions (which I had been having for days), but they got stronger as the day went on.


At midnight, they started Pitocin. My cervix had thinned slightly and I had dilated to "a good two". I knew the Pitocin would be no fun, but I was ready for him to get here! They told us that around mid-morning, we would have a baby. I knew it was worth it. As I guessed, the contractions got stronger quickly. Jameson decided he did not like the contractions and his heart rate dipped each time I had a contraction. They had also noticed this earlier. After about three hours, they stopped the Pitocin. The contractions, however, did not stop. At about six a.m. they gave me an epidural. That was a great relief!


The doctor came in about 7:00 to check me. She told me that they would try to the Pitocin again to see how Jameson would handle it. Dr. Whitten warned me that if he did not do better, they would have to do a c-section. They said he may not be able to handle the stress of laboring all day and then delivery. Thirty minutes later they stopped the Pitocin and told me that we would probably have to have a c-section. After a few minutes, they confirmed it. I was upset and was afraid it was my fault for having them induce me. They assured me that it was not my fault, but I was still really nervous. They got me ready and it all seemed to happen very quickly. I do remember that the anesthesiologist was named Buddy because we made jokes about Buddy the Elf!

During surgery, I could feel much tugging and pulling. At some point I remember feeling some pain in my chest, but otherwise it was pain free. Joey sat behind me the whole time. I can remember hearing the doctor say, "There he is." I saw him briefly as soon as he was born and I started crying when I heard him cry for the first time. Joey got him and brought him to me. As soon as he heard my voice, his eyes popped open very wide and Joey laughed. I couldn't believe all the hair he had and how little he was! He weighed only 7lbs 12 oz and was 20.25 inches long. Immediately I noticed that he looked like Justin.

Joey then took him to the nursery and the boys got to see him. I was sewn up and moved to my room. Everything was very hazy for a while. The nursery brought him to me pretty soon and the boys got to come in and hold him. I know some other people came in and out that afternoon, but I was very out of it. I was surprised by how major a surgery it turned out to be.

After a couple of hours I was moved to a regular room in the mother/baby section. Again, many people were in and out. I felt terrible and at one point thought I was going to be sick. They gave me plenty of pain medicine, but I still hurt pretty badly. Jameson did not sleep very well that night and it was possibly because he was a bit overstimulated from being passed around too much. They decided to limit the visitors the next day so we could rest better. We got to stay in the hospital for a few more days and each day I could move a little better. Jameson was just perfect and I loved looking at him. I still do!

One thing that has surprised me over the past month is how wonderful Jackson and Justin are with Jameson. They want to hold him and kiss him all the time. It is so sweet and it makes my heart feel so full. Jameson does little but eat and sleep. The only "trick" he can do is stick his tongue out when someone sticks their tongue out at him. We had his picture taken last week, although a bit late for newborn pictures. It just took some time for us to adjust and get used to our new normal!

Recently, we made the decision that I would apply for a one year leave of absence. It was a difficult decision. We really feel that this was all part of God's plan. It took us a while to get pregnant and Joey got a new job that could allow me stay home. Also, this school year will be very difficult for Justin. It just seems meant to be. Now we will wait to see if my leave is approved. The first 12-weeks is covered by FMLA, but I plan to help get everything ready for the new school year.

So, welcome to the world Jameson Carter South! I can't wait to see how you change the world!