Finlee's Fast Arrival into our lives!

Everyone say hi to 

Finlee Calvin Jackman

Born December 5, 2013 @ 10:27 pm

7 lbs 11 oz, 20 1/2 inches long

The Birth Story

I woke up Thursday morning around 4 am with strong braxton hicks contractions in my lower belly and lower back but they were irregular so I didn't think too much of it. I had been having braxton hicks contractions for months but these were getting a bit more painful. 

That whole day I could feel things were different. I had tons more pressure to where I could hardly sit at the computer. I had to take brakes and lay on the couch because it was so uncomfortable. Spencer was already so excited about the contractions that night he told me to only call him at work unless I was having the baby. That way he would know it was serious. He ended up getting 5 phone calls, but none of them were from me, which killed him. 

I decided to go on a walk because they say that walking helps wiggle the baby down into the birth canal and boy was that a hard thing to do. I was almost waddling and kept getting the contractions, but again not regular so I kept telling myself that I wasn't in labor. Later on that night we were watching an episode of Lost, yes we are hooked, before going to dinner with some friends at 7:30 and I started timing the contractions. They were coming every 7 minutes almost on the dot, but not that painful so I thought that it still wasn't the real thing and i'll just keep an eye on it at dinner. We went to get into the car to go to dinner and as I am putting one foot into the car I had to stop because I was having the strongest contraction yet. As I was letting it pass, I felt a little pop or punch down low from Finlee and then my water broke. It was such a strange rush of excitement and nervousness. I couldn't believe it had happened but I was so happy. Spencer gave me a blessing and we headed out to the car to go to the hospital. By now the contractions were much more painful and starting to get closer together.

Of course, when we got to the hospital the nurses were taking their time thinking I was going to be in labor for many many hours, as many first timers do. I had to finally ask for medicine for the pain before they even really checked me or progressed to anything more than just laying there. It had only been about 45 minutes since my water broke and I was dilated to a 5 and 90% effaced. So they got me into my room and hooked up. During all of this Finlee was looking great. His heart rate was fine with no signs of stress. 

At this point I remember thinking to myself "I should be able to rest in between contractions but I feel like they are getting closer and closer." Things were moving a lot quicker than any of us thought. Spencer barely got 3 phone calls in to family letting them know I was in labor and then things started to move fast.

I was dying for an epidural but the anesthesiologist was taking forever. I was squeezing Spencer's hand off and I just wanted the pain to go away. It took him about an hour to come and when he came he said it might be too late for one. I thought I was going to die. I told Spencer I couldn't do anymore. Luckily he decided to do a spinal epidural which is lower and more direct. When the medicine began to spread I was in heaven. Then my doctor showed up a few minutes later, checked me and said, "Want to have a baby?" It was time to push. It only took about ten minutes of pushing and he was born. They placed him on my chest and he had his eyes wide open. He wasn't crying, just fussing, and he was alive and breathing!!!!

Spencer and I began to cry together as we looked at our healthy, breathing baby boy. He had made it here safely, after a long 9 months of worrying and waiting. He was here after we lost his brother a year and a half earlier. So it really felt like we had been waiting 2 1/2 years for a little baby to come into our lives. I kept crying uncontrollably because I couldn't believe he was here safe and sound. It was such a miracle how this pregnancy and delivery all worked out. I am so grateful for the protection our loving Heavenly Father gave to Spencer, me and Finlee. 

So from start to finish, 3 hours after my water broke, Finlee came into this world. I always told people I wish that I was one of those women who have quick labors but I didn't realize that I was going to be like that. It was nice to get him here so quick, but the thought of almost not being able to get an epidural sounded like the worst thing in the world. 

After that, things went so smoothly. He is a good eater, he passed all his testing and checkups. We stayed in the hospital about a day and half and then got to come home Saturday afternoon. My parents drove down Friday and spent the weekend with us which was nice. 

So here are some pictures to document the hospital stay.

Walking into the hospital to have little Finlee! I was excited, nervous and in pain. Maybe you can tell in my face!!

 Minutes just after having Finlee. 

Finlee's weight!

 Loving our little baby. We both couldn't sleep mainly because we just couldn't take our eyes off him.

 He hated his first sponge bath but loved the heater. This is him relaxing in the heat!

 Dad caught some funny pictures of Finlee!

 Happy little family in the hospital.

 Looking up at dad. I love it when he does this! He loves Spencer's voice. I think it is because Spencer talked to my belly every night after the accident, telling Finlee memories of his mom and sister.

 Getting dressed to go home. He was wide awake.

Christmas is here, and I thought it would never come

I always love when it is Christmas time. I love getting the decorations out, buying a real Christmas tree, listening to music, picking out gifts for family and friends, yummy food, parties, and time with family. But this year I knew things would be different because of our little one on the way. Luckily we have a date set for when he will come, but he could come early, so that helps in knowing what time we have left to get things ready.

We went with our friends in town to go pick out and chop down our own Christmas tree and it was so much fun. Spencer's dad and brother came with us and helped us pick a good one. We got it up that day and started to pull out decorations. Just a few days into December and I already have all the decorations up and done. I guess I have a lot of time on my hands, or i'm feeling the nesting set in, but I love getting it up so we can enjoy it all month.

 I'll have to post a picture of the tree at night since the lights look better at that time!

I really enjoyed decorating this year because Spencer did a lot with me/for me but more because a lot of the decorations are from my mom, his mom and my grandma. It was stuff they were getting rid of, but I love it because it has meaning or came from someone special. The icicles in the tree are my favorite addition this year. I got them from my grandma as she was getting rid of some decor over the summer. They are plastic so easy to handle but they really make the tree look great.

Pregnancy Photo Reel

One week left until this baby comes. We set December 11th as the day for the doctor to induce me, unless he comes early (I highly doubt it!). He is measuring big, as I probably have already said, so this way we get him out before he is too big:) 

Everything is looking good with Finlee. Heat rate has been good, movements good (though mommy would like more movements sometimes just to know he is doing good in there), good fluids, good blood pressure, no swelling. But as for the other not-so-good stuff, I do have those too. Sore back, sore belly from him kicking me in the same spot, heartburn, hard to move, not sleeping well, peeing ALL THE TIME, tired, etc. But I shouldn't complain. I just want those of you who think i'm having this perfect pregnancy to know I'm not, but I'm trying to love the great parts.

So for some last pictures of this pregnant women, here are a few that we took at home. 

Our Thanksgiving Weekend...oh and a birthday

Just a quick update on birthday activities and also thanksgiving. 

Spencer surprised me early for my birthday with a cooking class. We have been wanting to take one together for along time now, and it was so fun. It was in this nice Kitchen ware shop downtown and they cooked a thanksgiving meal which was yummy. Then on my very day, we slept in, Spencer made me breakfast, we relaxed around the house, watched the U of U game, went out for dinner at a yummy pizza restaurant, then saw the Catching Fire. It was a wonderful day with my awesome husband.

For one of my gifts, Spencer made this candy bar poster for me. I thought he was very creative with his choices and words! I loved it. 

 (The poster reads: Hi there my little Dove. Even if it did Take 5 tries, I just wanted to say thank you for marrying such a Hariboy. You're the Swedish Fish I ever caught. There are many Reese's I love you, but one of them is that we can just sit and Snicker. BeTwix me and you, i'm glad I put a ring on your Finger.)

Now for Thanksgiving. It was such a fun weekend. Spencer's Dad and Matt drove down to spend it with us which was so nice of them. The boys went and played football with some ward members Thanksgiving morning, then we went bowling, came home and had dinner, then played some fun games, had leftovers, and watched a movie. It was perfect and relaxing and the food turned out great. We used the recipe from the cooking class for the turkey rub and it turned out good. We also invited some friends from our ward over for all the festivities because they had no family in town and it was so fun to have them with us.
Just like everyone, I have so much to be grateful for. My list would be lengthy and I bet you all have very similar items on your lists. But to mention a few that are very dear to me, I am grateful for a wonderful husband who loves me so much and treats me so well, for a healthy baby who is almost here, for a smooth and healthy pregnancy, for family, for the plan of happiness and this wonderful gospel, etc.

This was Matt's first time coming down to see Flagstaff so we tried to show him some of the great things. We took him down to Sedona which was really nice. The weather was perfect.

 We were able to go on a little hike with some great scenery around us.

 They also brought down their 4-wheelers and were able to go on some fun trails. The only bummer was that at the second spot they wanted to check out, they hit a rock and got a flat tire so that ride ended a bit early. Luckily no one got hurt and they had fun.

 Then to finish off the weekend, they came with us to go cut down our Christmas tree with some of our friends. We had to drive about 30 minutes but we got a very good smelling Pinion pine tree. It is a little sparse looking but I really like it. And it is fun to have a tall tree this year since we have vaulted ceilings.

You'll get to see the tree up and decorated hopefully in a few days since we are still decorating it.

35 weeks, only 5 more (well unless he comes early)

I know I shouldn't want him to come so early, but I honestly just want him here safe and sound. We are ready for him! 

I had my stress test yesterday and I got a little nervous. They always hook me up, have me lay on my side, drink some apple juice and then for the next 30 minutes they check to make sure his heart rate is normal which is usually between 140-165. They look for a few times where it goes up to the 160's because that shows normal activity. I started out laying down, but not on my side because thats what the nurse said. My doctor came in and had me move over to my side, just to get better readings because he kept moving to the other side of my belly and the monitor was having a hard time picking it up. Once I moved over to my side, his heart rate kinda dropped a bit to 135's. She didn't seem really concerned, but she kept checking it and saying that we should do an ultrasound to just double check he was doing ok in there. I didn't know if I should freak out or just relax. 

Just before the ultrasound she shocked him, which made him jump instantly. She said that was good, he had a quick response and it got his heart rate going more, but man I almost wanted to cry. She startled my baby so much. Poor baby.

Luckily the ultrasound was great. They check to make sure there is enough fluids, which I had a lot (that's good), they check to see he is moving (he was practicing breathing because we could see his lungs expand), they check the heart to make sure it looks like it is beating well and then we listen to it and the monitor can tell us if it is regular. So everything looked good, but then she changed my appointments from once a week non-stress tests to once a week ultrasound and then also once a week non-stress tests. That means I'll be in the office twice a week now just to make sure we are watching him closely. I couldn't decide if that made me feel more nervous or more relaxed. I felt more nervous because I was hoping all was perfect and there wouldn't need to be a change in thing because he is doing great. But now with the change does that mean he isn't doing good? Or if I should relax because now I get to go in more often to check up on him. 

I think it didn't help that on top of a not smooth appointment, Spencer was out of town so I was feeling alone and scared. Luckily he gets back tonight, and I know he will help calm my nerves. He can also give me a blessing which I really would love.

Most of the time I just feel that he will get here safe and sound, but then there is that terrible fear that maybe something will happen. You honestly just never know and it is all out of my hands. I just have to change from praying about 50 times a day to 100! No, I know it will be ok, I just hate feeling stressed and nervous. Especially if we still have 5 more weeks to go. We'll see. I don't want her to take him early, but if they need to I'd be ok with 2 weeks or so early. 

 The above picture is of his lips and chin. Tilt your head to the right and hopefully you can see it.