Smiles for a Snow Day!

We got a little bit of snow this morning, so we were on snow schedule - 2 hours delayed on all schools - so Jakob got to do a little bit of playing in it before preschool. Not much snow to do anything in except stomp, kick and crunch it.



Here's a picture of Sarah and Jakob today, first smile of Sarah's captured on film!

Brother and Sister

Here are a few pictures of Jakob being so sweet to his baby sister. He is also hanging out under her Baby Einstein play gym, "Because big boys can fit under it." You may also notice a certain K-9 that has to be part of the pack too!







Sarah's sweet little face, with her little red, peely cheeks.

First MD visit

I took Sarah to her first Pediatrician visit today (Mark had to go back to work and Jakob stayed with his Nana). She is doing great, her weight only went down to 7lbs 4 oz. She is nursing wonderfully - thanks to some great help from my friends Wendy and Carla - both LC's, her latch is so much better and the milk is a flowin'! Sarah's skin has started peeling - oh those overdue babies and their reptilian ways!! Her cheeks are peeling like crazy, poor girl. Hopefully it will be all over with in a couple weeks.
Sarah was awake the whole appointment, very exciting. Sarah actually gave a little smile to Jakob today while he was talking to her - she loves to watch him when he talks! Don't we all!
Signing off to maybe take a nap!

We're Home

Sarah Makena Watson - the day we left the hospital - not to happy to have been changed into her new outfit!


We made it home around 5:30 pm last night. We introduced Sarah to Roxy first on the lawn, she did very well accepting her into our home, of course she was caught a bit off guard when Sarah started to make noise!


Jakob promptly greeted Sarah with his rocket ship that he built and his little "babies" (kitty cats). Jakob has been great, he kisses her a lot on her head (as he has a cold) and helps me wih getting the nursing pillows, water, diapers etc. He has been acting out to get attention and says a lot of things like "I don't wear diapers... I don't drink from boobs... I have teeth... etc." All to be expected.

We had a pretty rough night last night, Sarah is a night owl and is having a hard time latching on the breast - which makes for a painfully long night. Sarah is a total spitfire and really strong - as we all thought after being in the womb 10 days past her due date and taking 28 hours to get out!

As far as I go, I am doing ok, the nursing is hard work, it's all different than with Jakob. I may have fractured my tailbone in labor - but more likely severely bruised it because it's getting better pretty quickly. I'm taking vicodin for that, but not too much as it makes me a little sick and constipated (in case anyone wanted to know that!). All in all I am glad that I decided on the vbac,it was an amazing experience - but I'm glad I don't have to do it again - at least we don't plan on it! It was way more work than I envisioned (28 hours - come on!!) but seriously life changing!! I'm proud of myself and Mark for sticking in there with me and being an amazing birth partner - very patient and strong to stay awake for all those hours with me! Although, I do have to say that Mark was actually sleeping probably for about 20 minutes or so prior to me dilating to 10 and when they said that I was 9 1/2 cm, he jumped up off the bed, eyes barely open and said "What, what did I miss, what's going on?" I'll never forget it - it was too funny, when he realized it was time, he jumped into action, kept it cool and coached me when needed. I only opened my eyes a few times during pushing to look at the midwife and to look at Mark - my strength. And a tough 1 hour of pushing later and Sarah was born.



Also, Amber made the vbac a wonderful experience for us, she was there to support me but also to support Mark and to get info to all of you on the blog - so great! I know Mark appreciated the massages and the chance to take a nap. I really appreciated the lightheartedness that you brought to the labor and the food and constant help with bringing me the much begged for ice chips and water and of course the arm to rest my head on in between pushes! There are no word to explain how much we appreciate you as a friend - cheers Amber!



Thank goodness my Mom is here to help us, she has been cooking, cleaning and going to the store for us all while playing with Jakob - and getting some baby time! Thank god for Moms!!


Sarah is changing so much so fast, the swelling in her face has gone down so fast. We now realize that she is me in the eyes and eyebrows and Mark in the mouth,chin, toes and hands! She doesn't look as much like Jakob as I originally thought but still in some pictures she does look like him from the side.
Our little loves sleeping today

Say Hi to Sarah Makena

Sarah was born at 12:06 am today- she and Jessica are both healthy and doing well.

Jakob is very excited to meet Sarah, so I'm off to pick him up from preschool.  We'll post some more photos soon...

LABOR!

Jess has been having contractions every 3 to 4 minutes, approximately 45-60 seconds in duration for over 1.5 hours now. Apparently all the urging Sarah needed was the threat of a c-section tomorrow. We'll be headed to the hospital some time tonight.

The Pregnancy Continues

We went to the midwife today, I've been having some pretty regular contractions today but again I am not dilated! Sarah's NST was normal and the amniotic fluid level was fine. Sarah seems to be quite content in there, again she hit the midwife while I was getting my cervix checked! So, the plan at this moment is to hope I go into labor tonight. If the contractions cease, I will go ahead with a c-section probably Thursday - not sure yet. I'm really hoping labor will progress a bit tonight!
Will keep you posted!

Still Pregnant!

Yes it's true, I am still pregnant, now 6 days past due. Sarah just is not ready to come out, I think she is pretty cozy in there! In fact when the midwife checked me yesterday, Sarah's response was to hit her fingers like "Get out of my home!" Unfortunately I am still not dilated, but baby is doiing well per the non stress test. We did schedule a c-section for Wednesday the 16th. If I go into labor before then, great! So, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Will keep the blog as up to date as possible!

Due Date

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the pregnancy. Today is my due date, and nothing exciting is happening. No contractions, no nothing! So frustrating. We have done EVERYTHING that has been suggested to get labor started and not a thing has happened. I have a midwife appointment on Wednesday, hopefully she can do something!
I remember my due date coming and going with Jakob, it was just as frustrating but he did eventually come. I think I have about 1 more week to go into labor and they'll probably take her c-section after that as I can't be induced. I am heading out on a walk with my friend Amber, we'll see what happens!
It is freezing here in Portland, I swear that my body is holding onto the baby to keep myself warm!!
Anxiously waiting Sarah's arrival!