Just Because

Home Coming for Jude

It's a....

Beautiful Boy!

Daniel "Jude" Ashley arrived last night at 8:06pm.
He was 7 lbs. 13 oz. and was 21 inches long!
We are so very thankful for him!

I will give you the short story: I was contracting regular all afternoon and my doctor wanted to check me out at the office before sending us to the hospital. He said he thought i was in early labor- so it would take a while but when ahead and sent us to the hospital. He was predicting the middle of the night- of course i was thinking it would be a lot quicker than that since my other babes came quickly. I tried to be a patient, submissive patient- but tried to encourage the giving of an epidural quickly since with Nathan the anesioligist wouldn't try and with Naomi it only kicked in at the in. I really wanted the dream delivery of all those women who say they never feel any pain and the doctors have to wake them up to push the baby out. Of Course- before the time they got that first bag of IV fluids in me i was dialated completely and was dying!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew we were in trouble when the nurse checked me for the first time and then immediately walked out of the room without saying a word to us. In followed a team of frantic medical help and the doctor quickly ran in. What happened after that was a blur...Eric immediately went into -"you can do this" mode as i just wanted to jump out of the bed and run out of the hospital. I really was out of my mind in crazy pain. I felt like i had to appologize to the doctors and nurses afterwards b/c i really was a crazy person.
So, from the time my water broke and the time Jude was born it was 1 hour and 20 mins! The Lord really was my strength! I am so thankful I am a Christian- i don't think i could of done it in my own strenth!

I instantly fell in love with sweet Jude! Somehow when they placed him on my chest- i could endure the rest of the pain of getting "fixed up" and slowly began to fofget what just happened to my body. I didn't get to hold him for long b/c he was having some trouble breathing and had to take him to the level 2 nursery. My doctor said sometimes babies that have quick deliveries do not have much transition time in the birth canal and cannot transition to breathing on their own quickly. We got him back in the room by midnight- but then had to send him back at 4am and now have him back with us. I think he has transitioned now and we are just loving on our new sweet, sweet baby.

I have really been so full of thankfullness all day. The Lord's gifts to us have been so lavish! I know i could never earn or deserve God's gifts- but i have really been overwhelmed with how gracious and giving the Lord has been to us undeservingly.
I just love newborns- they remind me of God's miracles and His tender mercies toward me.
Thank you Lord for sweet Jude- may you be glorified and exalted by his life!

when are you coming baby?

I am 38.5 weeks along and still no baby. I am thankful....but a little shocked. I really thought I would of gone earlier...but today i am fine with it. My dr. offered to induce me yesterday, but due to the fact that epidurals don't take wonderful on me i am scared to death it will be a long painful labor with no helpful medicine. My Dr. assures me that it shouldn't take long since my body is progressing like it is- but I think we are gonna just stick it out. If we get to my due date(30th) I will definitely reconsider. Maybe keeping this baby in will make them fat, happy, very developed and make my dream of having an easy, non-stomach problem baby come true.

I know many of you want me to post a picture of myself with child...but i just cannot do it- it is not a memory i really want to remember. Just picture a very out of shape pregnant woman who looks like they are about to bust. I am trying to enjoy this time- without being selfish about my weight- after all I will have the rest of my life to get back in shape, right?

By the way, i used to be convinced this baby was a boy- but i really will be surprised - i have no clue! I am so excited we didn't find out the sex- it gives me something to look forward to through this pain that awaits!

Happy 4th Birthday Jacob!

Friday was my nephew Jacob's birthday. Sorry your mom tricked you with trick candles! We love you Jacob!

first french braid

Getting Closer?

Well, we had a visit to the OB Assessment at the Hospital on Sunday b/c of close and painful contractions. I will spare you all the details...but my body is getting ready but my Dr. really was on the fence if we should go ahead and progress in labor or try to stop it...since i was just 35 weeks. He decided ( since we live close) to give me a shot to try to stop my contractions and see if i could hold off at least another week. It really has helped stop the active labor...now it is just sporadic. I have really tried to do nothing as well and can tell when i am on my feet too much.

He said the baby would probably be able to breathe o.k.- but other developmental problems would occur(ie. feeding, sucking, sleeping...etc.)I was relieved when labor was stopped b/c of my track record with fussy babies and i was really worried the baby would not be developed enough. I go again to the Dr. on tomorrow...but do not expect any change in things since contractions have stopped.

Who knows...these babies are all so unpredictable- this shot could help me make it all the way to the end of January or not. I am trying to just enjoy these days reading books and laying on the floor with my two big babies.

Thanks for all of you who care.