Jackson Fenway Parker is here

Jackson was born at 2:53 p.m. November 24. He weighs 7 pounds 3 ounces and is 22 inches long.

Friday Update 37 weeks, 2 days

Just wanted to get a note out, as it looks as though I might not be updating for a while.
The doctor called yesterday and told us that he thinks the day before Thanksgiving will be GO TIME! Although the boy looks good in there, I continue to get contractions. Since he is full-term now and healthy as a horse from what we can tell, we will go ahead and schedule a C-Section for the day before Thanksgiving. At that point I will be 38 weeks. The time is yet to be determined. We should get confirmation sometime late on Saturday.
So exciting - this is actually happening! What a journey...

November 17 - 37 weeks

We had an appointment last week where the doctor actually gave me a high-five. I think he is just absolutely tickled that we have made it this far. I know that his main job is that of a fertility specialist - so seeing one of his problem children make it this far, seemed quite thrilling. All appears great in there - the little man is moving around as much as he can. Personally I think he is looking for more space. We will head back to the doc tomorrow to see if anything has changed. It was just amazing news to know that he is over 7lbs - and that was LAST week. I guess babies are supposed to be growing like weeds these days. I'm ready whenever he is. I wouldn't mind a November baby, but if he hangs in until to December, then that is the plan. The reality is so close, yet seems impossible to quite imagine at the same time.

35 weeks and still cookin'

We have continued to get rave reviews at the doctor each week. Reassured that the little man looks good, is healthy, and right on track for a healthy birth. My blood pressure remains low, contractions minimal, and all other signs point to a plan that is working. With mom in town from NY, I have been able to continue the prep for baby arrival. She does the laundry, grocery shopping, dog walking, and organizing that I feel needs to be done before he gets here. It is so refreshing to feel as though I am getting things done, while still following Dr. orders. We have 28 days left if we make it all the way through. I would shoot for the week before Thanksgiving if it were in my hands, but we all know that it isn't... :O)

According to the ultrasound he has hair, and chubby cheeks. Although they only measure his weight once a month, he continues to show growth. I feel his kicks under my ribs quite a bit. We are so excited about meeting our son. Still in awe, and very excited.

Week 32 contractions!

So there I was thinking Braxton Hicks contractions were rearing their ugly head more these days, when someone mentioned I might want to call my doctor. ME? Call the doctor? That couldn't be farther from the truth - I felt like a call to the office put me in the "overreacting" first time pregnant lady category. But with gentle words I was convinced to call. The first nurse I spoke to told me to head to triage. Well, triage to me meant MASH 4077 - with blood and dying people all over. No offense Nurse lady, but I wanted a second opinion. You always call the person who will give you the answer you WANT, right? I dialed up our laid back fertility nurse and gave her the rundown. She was reassuring, and told me to get my blood pressure taken at school and then call her back. Blood pressure was fine, and I was feeling good. UNTIL, she answered the phone and told me the doctor was calling the hospital and I was to report to triage. Ugh. Seriously?

So off I went, shaking my head the whole way.
Parker met me in the parking lot and in we went. We were registered, taken to a waiting room for 10 minutes, and then placed in a room where I was hooked up to belly monitors. They began to track the fetal heartbeat along with the contractions that were occurring. Yup, they were real. It was almost as if my body knew it was being watched. I had one contraction that took my breath away and lasted for 6 minutes! After a few hours, and a dinner for Parker of Funions and cupcakes(thank you vending machine), we had a visit from a man I had seen before. He reported that we were waiting on my doctor to arrive (Really? This can't be good...), and that he wanted to see if I was dilating at all. If I were a betting girl that day, I would have lost miserably. Again, to my surprise - I was 1cm along.

Around 9:30pm our doctor came in to tell us we would be staying.
I would be given magnesium through an IV to slow the contractions, steroid shots to prepare baby lungs 'just in case' he was to make an early appearance, and we would be monitored 24hours "for a few days". DAYS?

Within the hour I was wheeled up to labor and delivery. IV's were placed, blood drawn, shots given, and catheter placed. I was not allowed anything - no water, food, etc. for the next 16 hours. Have you seen a pregnant lady who hasn't eaten in that long?

The next 5 days were spent at the hospital. I got to know the wonderful sensations that come with magnesium. Not only the ones that naturally come with such a muscle relaxer, but also the ones that come when the night nurse hooks you up to a double dose on accident!! Think 16 Candles wedding scene when she takes the muscle relaxers and rubs her face. I was a comedian in the making trying to make words with no use of my tongue!

My room was next to the C-section delivery room, so I spent many an hour listening to women being wheeled in and out with their bundles of joy.

I enjoyed endless cartons of cran-grape juice and boxed scrambled eggs.

By Friday afternoon(we arrived Tuesday) they decided to unhook me from all the things that were keeping me immobile. The ability to walk again was outstanding! They continued to monitor the baby and contractions - which had most definitely slowed and lessened in intensity. It was Sunday afternoon when the real saving grace walked through my doors. I was offered the chance to leave. I was overjoyed! Sleep in my own bed? Eat real food again? I knew it was safe to go, or it wouldn't have been offered. I celebrated inside as the doctor went over the rules. I was to maintain bed rest for the most part - showers, brief walks around the house, etc. were ok. If the contractions got over 6/hour I was to call and return.

We took a tour of the NICU before leaving - we had signed up for it so that we could see the options just in case. I knew at last check our little man was 3lbs 4 oz - and I just had no idea how big or little that really was. The NICU there was amazing. 40 spots for premature babies to be cared for. I was awed and reassured by what I saw.

So home we went. Since then I have been very good.
I'll spend 15 minutes sitting in a chair outside each day just to breath in the goodness of the fall air. I feel a million times better now that I am home. Contractions are down to about one an hour, and the little man is still kicking around like crazy.

Tuesday afternoon we went in for an ultrasound. We are thrilled to report his growth now stands at 4lbs 11oz! I will get ultrasounds twice a week from here on out. We will look to cross one hurdle at a time. 34 weeks being the next one. I see the OB next Thursday for another update.

Phew!
What a week.
This little one is truly a labor of love. We continue to realize how very blessed we are, and know that we will do whatever it takes to ensure his safe arrival into our lives!

October already! 30weeks

I met with the doctor today and got a refreshing update on all that is happening within! Our little man continues to flourish. The most recent ultrasound looked good, with nothing to worry about. I was also pleased as punch to hear that I passed my glucose test "with flying colors"!

My stomach is measuring about 1 week ahead. My blood pressure is low, and all the other tests point to "normal".

Week before last we decided to go to Dallas and enjoy some time together. We headed back to the hotel where we were married to take some quiet time as man and wife. We lovingly refer to it as our mini-baby moon.

We are just amazed at how fast this time is passing us by. Hard to imagine that in 2 short months we will be welcoming him into our lives.

Almost 28 weeks!

Wow, with the start of school, we didn't even consider updating the baby blog! My apologies to those of you who have been checking back for updates. Thanks mom and dad for reminding me to get on an fill everyone in! :O)

Last Friday was my glucose test, and although I had heard many a nightmare about drinking the terrible orange drink, it really wasn't all that bad. I have to admit, after drinking my pre-surgery gallon of ICK, I had visions of the same. The small bottle was a walk in the park in comparison. No results on that yet - which will determine if I am at a greater risk for gestational diabetes. My tummy continues to grow, although I have been a little more careful with the type of food I am eating. Two appointments ago, when I had put on the 9 pounds in three weeks, I thought it might be time to skip a hot fudge sundae every once in a while!

This time, I only gained ONE pound - which of course caused my doctor to ask some questions and be sure that I am not holding back TOO much. I think I've found a good balance. My students, even in the 8th grade, continue to make comments that make me smile. One last week told me how much bigger I looked than the week before. I'm glad I can find it humorous, and not take offense in a moment of higher than normal emotional instability. Me? Pregnant and unreasonable? Not that I know of. :O)

At last weeks appointment, Dr. B. told me that the ultrasound show signs of swollen kidneys in baby Parker. Although the detail can be amazing, it is also sometimes cause for premature concerns. We will just wait and see - sometimes they are back to normal by next viewing - sometimes they continue to expand, which means there might be a blockage. There are many things it "might be", but it's nice to find peace in knowing there is nothing we can do. No sense worrying over nothing! I'm sure all will be well. He also told us we were looking at 11 weeks out at the longest. The little man is measuring 1-2 weeks ahead. Goodness how time has flown! So, we are excited and awaiting the arrival of our little man. He moves and kicks, and truly seems to respond to his daddy's voice.

Speaking of daddy, Parker has kicked into father mode already - talking about cars they will work on together, guitar playing, throwing the ball. It seems like an eternity away when that will be possible, but I'm sure it will be here before we know it!

On a side note, I think my intense need to clean this weekend might have been signs of "nesting".

Ahhhh...the adventure continues...