First week home

Ok, that last post was a little much for some, I am sure. So, I'll just stick with posting pics this time. Enjoy!

Cutie Pie

Long fingers!

First sponge bath

Sleep deprived mommy

Tired girl in the swing

Emi & Jess

Proud Daddy

Jessica Nicole Record

Baby Jessica Nicole was born on Aug. 1st, 2009 at 7:25am. She weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. & was 19 1/2" long.

WARNING: Long & Graphic labor details! LOL

I started having contractions every 8 r 9 min. at 11pm on Friday. By 2:30am they were pretty strong & every 5 or 6 min. So, I called the hospital & woke Craig up & told him we needed to go to the hospital. He said "Are you serious?". I thought "NO.... I'm waking you up at 2am for a joke!" I didn't say that though. So, we called grandma & she came over & we headed out. The bumps in the car seemed so exaggerated!!! Holy cow it was really uncomfortable!

We got to the hospital & there were 5 people waiting behind the desk. I asked if they were waiting just for us & they said I was the only one there that night! So, Dr. Scott checked me & I was 4cm dilated. I thought he was kidding! I had been 3cm for 2 weeks! I thought for sure I would be more than that! So, He broke my water to speed things along & the nurse asked if I wanted to get in the jacuzzi. So, I did that. It felt really good, but man did my contractions start coming strong! So, I got out after about 20min & Dr. checked me again.....5cm. So, I was making progress, just not as fast as I had expected, especially after my others were so fast. So, I asked for Nubane. If that didn't work I was going to get the epidural. The Nubane made me feel so loopy in between contractions. I felt everything during them & they hurt like crazy, but in between I was able to relax a little. So, I didn't get the epidural. I SHOULD HAVE, but didn't.

The baby was 'face up', so I had really bad back labor!! It was horrible. Craig said he could see my backbone all deformed & curved weird. No wonder it hurt so bad. I had him pushing on my back as hard as he could & it still wasn't hard enough! I was in SO much pain. By this time I was 7 cm & it was too late for an epidural. As the Dr. was checking me I went from 8-10cm during a few contractions. It seemed like it took forever, but it really was only about 1 hr of really bad contractions, but I had never felt that before. I had always had epidurals. I really don't think I was expecting that at all. If I had been more prepared maybe it wouldn' t have been so traumatizing! Pushing was weird. It wasn't the same feeling as with the epidural. It hurt like hell! It didnt' feel right, it was just weird! 3 or 4 pushes & she was out. Luckily, she was small. I think I may be paralyzed right now if she were any bigger! LOL

After she was born the Dr. got looking at the placenta & said it was small & that there was a piece missing. He told me he needed me to be calm & relax. I said 'ok' He said 'I have to reach in & get the rest of the placenta. If I don't get it I have to take you straight to surgery to get it out or you could hemmorage."I freaked out a little. He told me I couldn't be tense or he wouldn't be able to get it. So, with no medication & having just delivered a baby, He had to reach his WHOLE HAND in me to get it out! He got it though & we were so relieved! Until.....he told me he had to do it again to make sure it was all out!!!!! I felt like I had just delivered triplets!!!!Holy cow! I'm still debating which was worse, the delivery or that!!!

The Dr. said that it was a 'Bi-lobal'(sp) placenta. Where the placenta forms in 2 pieces with a bridge in between, instead of one whole piece. He said that could be the reason she's small, the blood flow wasn't quite right getting to her. Everything is healthy though, so that is good.

I'm not sure if it's hormones or what, but every time I think of the labor & delivery I get all emotional & start crying. I really don't know why. It was very traumatic for me & I really felt like I could have died right there that day. I am so blessed that the Dr. knew what he was doing & that everything turned out the way it did. I don't know why people go through that pain on purpose without medication. I'm healthy & we have a precious baby girl who is also healthy. That's all that matters in the end, but I sure don't want to go through it again!! She is SO worth it though.

She is the most mild-mannered baby we've ever had! She is so sweet & we love her so much!

The kids absolutely adore her. Especially Matthew!!! Remember how he didn't want a brother or a sister??? Well, he sat & held her for over an hour the other day & kissed her & talked to her. It was so precious! They are all SO good with her. She is the perfect addition to our family! Definately the baby in my dream!!