My Birth Story

It began Thursday afternoon. I had just had a doctors appointment. There had been no real progress - still about 1 cm and 40% effaced. I was 4 days overdue, so they did a Non Stress Test, the baby was doing great and I wasn't having contractions. I left the office feeling like I would never have the baby!

Later that afternoon my friend Raigan offered to come over and do a pressure point pregnancy massage. We weren't convinced it would work, but were happy to hang out with each other. No great expectations. About half an hour after she left, around 5 o'clock, I started having what I thought might be mild contractions. They were coming every 5 minutes. Ryan and I had plans to meet his parents for dinner, so we went ahead and met them. The contractions kept coming through the meal, so we decided to walk around outside for a bit after dinner.

After a long walk, we decided to head home. If the contractions didn't subside after resting for a while, we would go to the hospital. Around 10:30 I told Ryan I didn't think they were going away and that this may be the real thing. Off we went to the hospital!

When we got there we were told to walk around for an hour because I still hadn't dialated more. We walked for an hour, came back. I had made a little more progress, but not much. We were told to walk again for an hour. By the end of that hour the contractions were really intense. It was about 3 in the morning at this point and I was exhausted and the contractions were between 2 and 3 minutes apart. After that hour I was finally admitted at 3 and a half cm and given an epidural.

Contraction moniter

Very shortly after the epidural I shot up to 5 and a half cm, and stayed there for a while. I was given a small amound of Pitocin to move things along. We made calls to the family and rested for a few hours. I was checked again around 9am or so and was 9 cm! Around 10:30 I called the nurse in and told her I thought it was time to push. After pushing for almost an hour, Owen Parker made his way into the world at 11:45am. 8lbs 5oz, 21 1/2 inches!

Proud Dad

More Owen Pictures

Kissing my cutie pie

Going on our first walk to Papa Johns to get some dinner

Cute squidgy face

Hanging with Uncle Jesse

First bath - he didn't like it

Quick Pics

I only have a few minutes before Owen's next feeding, but I have to throw some pictures up! Last night was the roughest so far, but I am so enjoying my little man! How could I not? Look how cute!!!

His favorite thing to do - rest on daddy

This is Owen's angry face - I had the flash on


Resting on Grandpa

Playing with daddy

Hi

Hi all, I wanted to post a quick update while I have a minute! Someone has been keeping us very busy :) Owen is here! I am totally in love and could not ask for anything more. I adore his personality, his quirks, all the little things that make him him. He is so fun to watch. I could study him for hours! Thanks for all your prayers and kind messages and comments. It's so nice to have friends and family rejoicing with us!

Hopefully I will be posting some pictures of Owen and my birth story in the next few days - whenever Owen decides it's okay to take a nap in his bassinett instead of on mommy :)

Happy Birthday to Owen

Happy Birthday to Owen, Happy Birthday to Owen, Happy Birthday to Owen

Owen Parker Jones
8lbs 5oz 21.5inches
11:45 AM 9/19/08


Thank You Tara

At 10:30pm on 9/18 We went into the hospital after I had been having contractions within 5-7 minutes for over 5 hours. A little over 13 hours later we had our beautiful baby boy. I'll share the story in more detail when we get home from the hospital.

Unfortunately we haven't gotten many pictures with our own camera but if you would like to see some check out Tara's blog.

Still Overdue

So we haven't received a call from the hospital yet. Because of this, I made an appointment with my doctor today to check on the baby. This is a different doctor than I saw on Monday. It seems like with different doctors come different news.

Ryan called into the hospital this morning. They had no updates but said they were hopeful we could get in before the weekend, Monday at the latest. It turns out, after talking to my doctor today, that because I'm still only about between 1 and 2 cm the "induction" is actually...I'll spare the details... just going to be them giving me something to help with the cervix. Then they will send me home for a few days and schedule for me to come back for the official induction. Of course this is assuming I don't go into labor on my own in the next few days. All of this is confusing, especially since I am hearing different things from different doctors.

My doctor did have me do a Non Stress Test to make sure the baby is doing well, which he is. This gives me peace to know he is safe to continue in there for a few more days if need be.

All your prayers are appreciated. It feels like this has been a long road with no end in sight, and although I know Owen will come in the perfect time, until we get there, it's a constant battle for me to be joyful - instead I feel weary and frustrated. I never imagined going past 40 weeks, and I think I may set a new record - (one I didn't want to set) among my friends for the longest pregnancy. Nora, I think I'll have you beat around 7:30pm tonight, and Carrie, weren't you 5 days overdue? - I hope you get to keep your spot in first place!

Change of Plans

So as I wrote in my last post, I was scheduled to be induced this afternoon at 4:30pm. Around 12:30, Ryan and I were at lunch when I got a call from the hospital saying they were too full and would have to put me on the waiting list and would call as soon as there is a bed available. Although I was a little disappointed, I think the new element of surprise is kind of fun, plus Ryan is off work and I'm enjoying his company. Today we ran several errands, got lunch, walked around, and did some projects around the house. Time flies when you're having fun :)

I'm praying this hiccup will give me and my body more time to prepare for labor, and maybe I will go into active labor on my own before the hospital calls me back!

40 week Update

Appointment went well this morning. We had an ultrasound first thing, the baby is doing great. He is head down, in good position. Pretty cramped, tho :). He is measuring about 7 lbs 6 oz, give or take.

Still about 1 cm or so. She stripped my membranes so I'm hoping that gets things rolling. And, here's the big news. If I don't go into labor here in the next few days they've scheduled me for an induction on Wednesday at 4:30pm. There is an end in sight!

That's the update. Please keep us in prayer as we walk through these next few days and prepare for parenthood! We can't wait to meet Owen!

Due Date

Today is my due date. My doctor said a few weeks ago "most first time parents see their due date come and go with no baby". That's been stuck in my head all day.

I feel great today. I can tell after my afternoon nap that the baby dropped some, I hope that is a sign of good things to come (-and quickly!).

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow at 10:10 - hopefully we will know more then!

Keep you updated.

Owen's Nursery

Finally posting pics from Owen's room!

This picture was drawn for Owen by my niece, Taylor

The same rocker I was rocked in when I was a baby

Now we're just waiting on this little guy!

A morning with my niece...

First stop, Starbucks



"Dinay?!"


Mmm, sweet bread





Flirting with the little boy outside




Off to Target....

I love you Bella Boo!