Jackson...Coming Home

On January 6th, after 3 nights in the hospital, we decided it was time to go home. This was my longest stay in the hospital out of all my kids but I knew that coming home was going to be somewhat chaotic so I was happy to let our insurance company pay for an extra night in the hospital. My recovery was going very well as far as the c-section goes, but I was having a horrible reaction to the tape they used in the OR which meant that I was taking benadryl and a steriod to try and control the itching.

A few pictures of Jackson as we waited patiently to be discharged!

First time in his carseat.

Meanwhile the kids were at home patiently waiting for us to arrive. I suspect they weren't sitting this still for more than a few seconds.

Matt and I pull up to our house and find a massive card display in the front yard. Matt had decided to have a "Card in the Yard" display done in the front yard welcoming us home.

Carson is very happy to be the first to hold Jackson.

Then Jason.

And finally Madison.

Even Daddy gets a turn...after Jackson soils his first outfit.

New clothes=happy baby.

All the kids needed to hold him one last time before heading to bed that evening.

Jackson....Days 2 and 3 in the Hospital

On Tuesday, Matt went home and picked up the kids to bring them back to the hospital. Grammy was unable to come because she had gotten sick the night before and wasn't feeling well.

They were all very eager to hold Jackson.
Carson.
Jason.

And Madison.

Jason spent some time sitting with me in bed examining my IV and all my bracelets.

Carson getting another turn with Jackson.

Later that evening Matt captures a picture of me trying to get some rest.

Meanwhile, Jackson wasn't having any trouble getting a little rest.

On Wednesday, Mom and Dad took the kids to preschool and then came to the hospital....mom was finally feeling better....and very eager to see and hold her 9th grandchild!

Jackson William....January 3, 2011

On January 3rd, 2011 I checked in at Shady Grove Hospital to have my scheduled c-section since our son seemed to be very content in the womb. The day really seemed like a normal day as Matt went to work in the morning and Mom and I took the kids to preschool. Then Matt and I headed to the hospital around 11am and waited in the waiting room for my nurse. I even had a few moments to go and visit a friend from Outback who was being induced that very day. My nurse than escorted us to the OR prep area and then it all began to get real....putting on the hospital gown, climbing into the hospital bed, getting hooked up to an IV, getting hooked up to the monitors, etc.....I wasn't too nervous or anxious but knew that I would be soon. Once I was in the operating room, I began to get a little anxious...of course it wasn't helping that after the spinal was given to me I began to get really, really hot and nauseous! Once I threw up I began to feel a little better and it helped when Matt was finally able to join me to sit next to me and keep me calm. It seemed like forever as Dr. Apgar cut through scar tissue carefully to get to my uterus but within a few minutes he was pulling our son out. They knew immediately that he was a big boy and it was confirmed when they put him on the scale and he weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. (my guess exactly, by the way). He was 20 1/2 inches long and scored a 9 then on 10 on the apgar scale.....wonderful!

Waiting, waiting, waiting....

Matt had to get the scrubs on too......

Matt's first look at Jackson William....right after he was pulled out and after his cord was cut....we have this exact pose with each of our kids.

The transfer from the operating room bed to my hospital bed....it's very cool that they put the baby at the bottom of the bed to be wheeled to recovery along with you.

In recovery....feeling a bit out of it, but still able to snuggle with Jackson.

A few shots of Jackson in the nursery before making his way to our room.

He's hungry....

He finally arrives at our room!

A video of him getting cleaned up in the nursery.

Time with Grammy and Grandpa

I can always count on Grammy to take plenty of pictures when they come to visit. Here are some pictures she took prior to me coming home from the hospital.

On New Year's Eve she provided everyone with noisemakers and we had a little celebration before putting the kids to bed!
Even Grandpa enjoyed playing with the legos!

And Jason was very happy with the completed project.

Madison all dressed up for church.

Grammy with the 3 grandkids....before there were four!

While Matt and I were at the hospital, they held down the fort and had lots of fun with the kids.

Playing dominos was a big hit with all of them. Madison has even learned how to play very strategically.

They all enjoyed a video here and there.

Jason wanted to make sure Carson wasn't lonely while we were away. Notice how Carson is wearing the same hat in the last few pictures. Supposedly it was like his security blanket while we were gone....he wore it all the time.

Jason and Madison pose quickly for a picture before we come home from the hospital.

Christmas 2010....Round 1 and Round 2

Christmas morning began early for us....as every morning is in our house. The kids really enjoyed opening with their presents and playing with them.

The kids check out the motorcycles that the boys received from the Hubert gang.

And Madison is very pleased about receiving her first zhu zhu pet and accessories.

And they really enjoyed playing with the keyboard that we got them to share....the sharing part they didn't enjoy as much.

On December 30th Grammy and Grandpa came into town so we had round 2 of Christmas on the 31st.

The kids are eager to get started!

I think Grandpa was the most excited about his gifts.

The kids look on as Grandpa opens his gifts.

They all received new bathtowels.....so they gave them a trial run.

Madison displays her new outfits.

And the boys are thrilled with their transformers.

Madison trys on her new coat, hat, scarf, and mittens.

And shows off her new easel.

And plays with it once it's set up.

Matt works at getting the race track set up for the boys.