One Month Update

I've discovered it's way harder to sit down and blog with a baby because when he sleeps you end up doing things around that house that need to get done. But I have everything done right now so here we are!

The last month has been the happiest of mine and Dan's lives. We have the best, most perfect little baby boy. I can't believe he is ours. He has changed a lot in his first month of life. Here are some things about him:

• He smiles and coos a lot. It's the cutest thing ever. And he makes this little squeaking noise that melts my little heart.
• While he is longer than he was at birth, he's not a lot chubbier, except his cheeks. He has only grown out of like three things, still wears mostly newborn clothes, and is still in newborn diapers. I tried putting him in size one when we ran out of newborn ones, and we had a leaking diaper followed by a poop-out. So we bought more newborn diapers.
• He likes bath time. I think it's mostly that he enjoys laying in the warm water and having it poured over him. But he doesn't scream like he did the first few times!
• The longest he has slept at night was seven hours straight, but most nights he wakes up to eat every 2-4 hours. Which is okay. I actually am not really too tired (but I go to bed when he goes to bed around 9:30). 
• He is awake more than when he was little, and a lot more alert. He likes to stare at lights and pictures on the walls, and he'll focus on things really well. He's stopped going cross-eyed like he did sometimes when he was fresh.
•  His hair is growing a little and it's definitely blonde. He has a decent amount in the back, and not very much on the sides. It's super cute when you brush the top back and it sticks up. Cutest baby ever!
• He enjoys car rides and being in his car seat, as long as it's moving. He falls asleep pretty quickly when we get in the car to go places. 
• We've decided that he looks a lot like baby Dan did, except with my eyes.
• He sleeps in the crib now! The first few weeks he wouldn't, but we've gotten to the point where as long as we have music playing and he's swaddled, he'll sleep in his crib. Which is great.

Pretty much, he's the cutest, sweetest, and best baby ever. We are so grateful and blessed to have him in our lives. The good times when he is awake and happy more than make up for the times when I get a little frustrated because he is crying. Which isn't very often because I know how to make him feel better usually. But he is the most amazing little person, and I can't wait to see what kind of little man he becomes.

And of course, here are a bunch of wonderful pictures and videos of our little guy:

Jameson Daniel Johnson: The Birth Story

I'm not even sure how to begin this, because it really was such an amazing experience. And Dan likes to tell me I add way too much detail when I tell stories, so just be ready.

I guess I'll start with the fact that I wanted to have this baby super bad starting at 39 weeks. So we were pretty much doing everything we could to try and induce labor. That night, I could feel myself having contractions. They didn't hurt at all, but they were a little more than five minutes apart. We went to bed and when I woke up, I was having them and they were closer together (like 3-4 minutes apart). So we grabbed everything that had been packed for weeks and headed to the hospital. I was checked in and we were told I was having contractions, but I was still at a 1. After 3 hours, the contractions started to go away and they sent us home, telling us that when they started to hurt and I couldn't talk or walk through them to come back.

The next few days were pretty hard because I had gotten excited that he was going to come a bit early. I was so uncomfortable and so ready to have him. So I kept doing things that week to try and induce labor, but nothing was working. I would have contractions on and off, but they never got strong and they always went away. 40 weeks came and went. I didn't take an official picture because I was so upset about still being pregnant. Then Sunday came and went, then Monday, and then we got to Tuesday March 5th. I was 40 weeks and 3 days, and throughout the day, my contractions started getting a little more intense. I think the contractions became strong enough to say I was in early labor around 3:30pm. I was having a hard time breathing through them, and while I was hopeful, I tried not to be too optimistic because I didn't want to go to the hospital and get turned away again. I did manage to take a picture of how pregnant I was, though:

So that night I made dinner and was trying to do things to distract myself while still trying to get baby ready. I was walking in place while reading The Hunger Games, and the contractions were progressively getting a little stronger. I wasn't really timing them because I didn't think they were strong enough, and it kept getting me down when they weren't super consistent. Around 7:30pm I went to the bathroom and noticed some blood. I got excited, but it wasn't very much. I told Dan, and we decided that if I had a little bit more, we would call the doctor. Around 8pm I went to the bathroom again and there was quite a bit more blood, so we called the doctor and she told us to come on in to get checked out. We got excited, put everything in the car again, and left for the hospital.

We got checked in at 8:30pm and found out I was still at a 1. I was pretty frustrated by this, because I had been at a 1 for four weeks. They called the doctor in, and we told her that we had an appointment the next day to get checked out again and have a non-stress test and an ultrasound, and she said that since it was a slow night and we would probably get induced in a few days anyway, she would just go ahead and induce me then. Honestly, I would have hugged her and started crying if I didn't have the belly monitors on my tummy keeping me in bed. We said thank you like a million times and she said to start me on the picotin at 11:30pm.

I was still having contractions on my own and they were getting closer, so we walked around and I drank some liquids to get things moving. This is me being happy we were going to have a baby and happy I wouldn't be pregnant anymore:

After walking around a while, they were getting stronger and I was having to stop because they were hurting. So we went back to the room and found out while I was still at a 1, I was getting very effaced. So we watched some of the Thunder game and then at 11:30pm, they came in and induced me!  The contractions weren't unbearable, and I knew that I was going to get an epidural (duh), but after like and hour and a half, they started getting super intense.We tried to ask for some pain medicine, but she said that until I was dilated more, I couldn't have any. We had a great nurse, but I was frustrated because they hurt more than anything I've ever felt before. She said we should make a goal that I am dilated enough to get the epidural by 7am. Now this was at like 1am, so I was not having it. I actually said my goal was baby by 7am, but she told me that probably wasn't realistic (in a very nice way, of course). So I endured probably two and a half more hours of horrible contractions. They were like every minute or two, and they lasted for a long time (at least it felt like it). I kept thinking "another one already?" because it felt like every time one would end, another one would start. I really was having a hard time getting through them. I think I stayed nice to Dan and the nurse, but I could not get relief in any position I was in. Dan kept telling me he felt super bad for me. He gave me a blessing some time during this that I would be able to endure the pain, and it helped me to be able to focus during each one and think over and over in my head "I can do this." He was amazing during the whole thing, and did exactly what I needed. At I think 3:30am I finally got some pain medicine because I was more dilated, but it wasn't the epidural. It made me feel pretty loopy, but I was able to endure the pain better. I had a hard time opening my eyes and it was actually really weird. But after an hour it wore off and I was really beginning to think I could not do this and there was no end in sight. I don't know if I was more dilated by that point or if the nurse just felt super bad for me because I was trying so hard to handle them, but at 4:30am I got the epidural. It was hard to sit still while I was still having painful contractions, but I was able to do it. Dan watched the anesthesiologist give it to me, and she was really great about telling him what she was doing the whole time. When they finally started giving me the medicine, I was able to relax and I felt SO much better. It's clear how much better I feel in this picture:

Dan and I were both able to take little naps then for a little over an hour, and then I woke up around 6am and they checked me again and told me that they were going to start getting everything ready for our little guy! Dan and I were watching TV and messing around on our phones while they got the delivery tray and baby station set up. We were able to get a last family photo of just the two of us, and it is very special, even though I look gross, so here it is:

I don't know exactly what time I started to push, but we had two new nurses at that point and they wanted me to try and break the amniotic sac on my own. So they got the wonderful stirrups out (and had to help my legs into them because I couldn't feel them) and we pushed on a contraction. When they say "ready to pop," well, I was ready, because POP went my water and it actually popped all over the poor nurse's arms. I felt really bad and was like "I'm sure that's not the first time that's happened" and she was like "Oh, it's happened one or two times before." Oops. Anyway, there was meconium in the fluid (baby had pooped inside) so they had to get the NICU people down in our room for the delivery just to make sure he was okay.

So at this point we were ready to go. My epidural was perfect because I was able to feel pressure so I knew it was about time to push, but I couldn't feel any pain. I could wiggle my toes and sort of lift my right leg, but it was just enough so that I was able to have a really perfect delivery. I don't know what time it was when everyone came in and it was time to start pushing. Probably like 7:45am was when I first pushed. I was surprised by how many people were in the room, but I really had no problem with it. So the doctor was there and she told me to push through the first contraction and I did. And there was his head! And then two more contractions and pushes later, Jameson Daniel Johnson was born at 7:53am. They kept telling me to slow down my pushes because I was apparently an amazing pusher. You hear about people who have to push for a few hours, but it only took me three pushes to get our little baby out! I commented on how weird it was to see a baby suddenly right there. I had been looking at the ceiling while I pushed because I didn't want to see anything, so they had to tell me to look when he was out and crying. He had a short umbilical cord, but Dan cut it like a champ and he was crying a bunch (Jameson, not Dan), and then the nurses took him over to the little baby station in the room and checked him out while the doctor sewed me up. I didn't have time to get an episiotomy because it happened so fast, so I tore pretty long, but not deep. Dan was able to get his first picture, and he was just so perfect.

The NICU people checked him and he was great. Dan was the first person he saw when he opened his eyes. After they cleaned him up and weighed him and everything, they brought him over to me so I could meet him! He was so perfect. Honestly, I can't imagine a more perfect baby. And because he wasn't in the birth canal very long, his head is perfect and just everything about him is perfect. He is a champ feeder, and he already is one ounce away from being back to his birth weight. At birth, he was 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and he is 19 1/2 inches long. He has super big feet and pretty big hands, and he is just the most amazing little baby boy.

Classic baby picture.

7 pounds, 11 ounces!

Our first family photo. Trying so hard not to cry.

Daddy holding his little man.

My tummy is so squishy!!

He loves grumpy faces. And he has beautiful big eyes.

The outfit we planned on taking him home in. The newborn pants were WAY too big!

The actual outfit he came home in.

All ready to go! So tiny and cute!

I also took a few perfect little pictures that looked awesome in black and white:

When we got home, our friends had put up a sweet sign and some fun balloons to welcome him home.

I honestly never thought I could be so happy. Dan and I tried for over a year to get pregnant, and having him here in our lives makes it so worth the wait. He is perfect in every way, and I love him more each day. He has Dan's little dimple chin and we think maybe my eyes. I worry about him so much and want him to be safe and happy and I can't imagine anything ever happening to him. He really has changed our lives in such a big way, and I would not change anything about him. We are so blessed, and I am so grateful for eternal families so that we can be together forever. It's amazing too, how much more I love Dan seeing him in this role. I won't get mushy about it, but I have everything I have ever wanted and I can't imagine being any happier than I am right now.

39 Weeks: How to Induce Labor

Now that I am 39 weeks, the baby is completely fine to come at any time. I know that 37 weeks means you are full-term, but they want you to be at least 39 weeks before you give birth (at least the March of Dimes does). Anyway, I will admit that the past week, I have been stepping up the labor-inducing game. I am very much ready for baby to be born and get out of my belly. I don't think I am getting any bigger, but when I compare pictures, it seems like I still am. Anyway, Dan had his last test on Thursday for a week and a half, so it would be ideal if our little boy came sooner rather than later. Here are a few things we have been doing to try and induce labor (and yes, even old wives' tales are credible at this point):

• Walking. I walk a mile every morning on the treadmill, and the past few days we've been walking at the mall at night. This actually is proven to help, so we pretty much walk until I can't move at night.
• Red raspberry leaf tea. I am drinking 1-2 cups a day. It is an herbal tea that is supposed to help strengthen your uterus so that when the time comes, labor won't be as hard. I've also heard it can help induce labor, so duh, I'm on board.
• Pressure points. Massaging or rubbing some parts of the body is supposed to help induce labor. There's a spot in the webbing between your thumb and pointer finger, two spots on your ankles, and another on your neck/back that are supposed to help you have contractions when they are held or massaged. 
• Baths. Not hot ones, but nice warm soaks in the bath are supposed to help you progress. I've had a few, and if nothing else, they are at least nice and relaxing!
• Spicy food! On Friday for date night, Dan and I went to a delicious little Mongolian barbecue called HuHot. I got two plates of pretty spicy food, and it was SUPER GOOD. My lips were burning and I had heartburn. It was really yummy, but unfortunately, it did not do anything for me the next day, except make me want to go back again for dinner.

• Pineapple. Today Dan bought an entire pineapple for me to eat. Apparently, canned pineapple does not work the same way. But there's some chemical in the pineapple (that's also in kiwis, that we also bought) that is supposed to help with labor. So he cut up an entire pineapple and told me to go to work. I got about halfway through this plate. The rest is in the fridge for tomorrow :)
  
  
  
   
  Of course there are a few other things like evening primrose oil and castor oil, but I think the risks outweigh the benefits so those are not happening. So now we are just waiting for our little guy to come. Hopefully he comes in the next week, because I do not really want to go anything over than that. Most first-time moms go over the expected 40 weeks, but I am trying not to think about that. Hopefully I won't have a 40 weeks picture, but if I am still pregnant in a week I'll be sure to snap a picture so we can officially document how large and in charge my belly has gotten. Because for real, it's huge. Get this baby out of me!!!
  
  
  

37 Weeks: Nursery Reveal and Final Preparations

Well I only have three more weeks, aka 21 days, until my due date! Dan and I are so excited, and we can't believe it's so close. I frequently am amazed that this baby has been inside of me for eight months. The fact that he is now considered full-term and would probably be 100% healthy if he was born right now is so crazy to me. It really is amazing that people can reproduce and make little people.

Anyway, this past week I have been doing the final things to get ready just in case he comes early. We have everything in his room ready, we have his car seat in the car, we have our bags packed, and I even made a bunch of freezer meals with my friends. I am still going to make some more vegetarian ones, but it's not urgent, because we currently have 14 meals and 8 calzones all ready to go in there.

Here's a picture of (almost) everything I packed in his diaper bag. His going home outfit is on the left :)

Our freezer. As you can see, there is still a little room!

And now, for the nursery reveal! I absolutely love it. Everything is so perfect, and I know that even though it's going to get all messed up when he comes because we're actually going to be using things, it's fun to go in there and just look at how nice it looks now.

The recliner and lampshade I covered with leftover bedding fabric.

Our adorable subway art that I made. One for Nebraska, the Rockies, and the Jazz. Yay!

A straight shot of his crib with the banner hanging above.

The window, changing pad/dresser (I've had it since I was 3!), and crib.

The crib and bookshelf in the corner.

Bookshelf with all his little books, and my baby bag! In case you are wondering, yes it is all packed :)

The closet and the banner above it.

Half of his closet. Aren't his little clothes the cutest!?

The other half of the closet. Blankets, pacifiers, safety stuff, and bath things.

An inside look at the bedding I sewed.

Another shot of the crib and bedding.

So pretty much, if he comes soon we will be ready. We are hoping he doesn't come before the 22nd, because up until then Dan has a bunch of tests at school. But any time after that is good. I would be 100% happy with him coming before his due date because I am so huge and uncomfortable and excited and ready to sleep on my tummy again haha. You know you're very pregnant when you have to push yourself in three shoves to roll over in bed. For real.

And here's my lovely 37 weeks belly picture for your enjoyment:

P.S. For anyone who cares, my scripture cover tutorial that I made with Becca back in May now has 2338 views! Aka, that one post has 400 views less than this entire blog that I have had for a few years. I am very proud of myself :)