Sweet

Last night Jack got his first bath experience at home, since his umbilical cord fell off earlier in the day. 

He was less than thrilled about the whole thing. Hopefully he will like it better the next time!

Chillin' in his new towel from Mimi and Papa, throwing up three fingers.  He's already a smart cookie! :)

Hanging out on the light bed. At today's doctor appointment we got the ok to stop using the lights and just continue to monitor his color, feeding and pooping but he should be good to go. 

So that meant we get to snuggle with him again, which is how he spent the afternoon! 

Maddie and Joseph posed with their stars on the stork. They both still want to love on jack as much as possible. Tonight after their baths, Jack was wide awake, so the kids got to hold him during story time. Maddie proceeded to give him lots of kisses, including full on Eskimo kisses. Joseph also made sure to tell me that he loves jack, and that "he's even prettier today than he was yesterday" - such a sweetie!

First days

Jack's first couple of days have been full of meeting family and friends. 

Joseph was beyond excited to meet his little brother. He has been beaming with pride every time he sees him and gets to interact with him. Maddie has also taken to jack and wants to touch him constantly. 

After getting a clean bill of health, we attempted to fit this lanky little boy into his newborn going home outfit. It barely fit! Looks like we will be in 0-3 month clothes pretty soon. 

Our first night at home was pretty good. He nursed every two hours, but probably could have gone longer between feelings. I just didn't want him crying and waking everyone up. 

Today we had a check-up, where the lab work revealed that his bilirubin levels had gone up from "elevated" to "treatment" levels. A medical device company came by this afternoon with Jack 's new bed for at least a few days. We go back tomorrow and wed to have his levels checked, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that he will be off the lights soon. 

Mimi is staying with us this week to help out and we sure are glad to have her, especially as my sleep deprivation sets in!

Practicing parenting a newborn

Apparently this is how you parent a newborn, according to Daddy. 

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- Joe VI

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- Joe VI

Welcome to Jack!

9.6lbs and 22 inches. Jack and Lauren are both doing great!

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- Joe VI

Thundercats are gooooo!

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- Joe VI

Progress!

9, thin, and low. The nurse guesses she'll be ready at the next check. 

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- Joe VI

7

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- Joe VI

6

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Napping

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- Joe VI

Still at a 5

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- Joe VI

Updates

Carol this morning: 

Ashley is SUPER excited so let me know if she is texting too much. I will try to help reign her in. 

First text for status? Carol. 

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- Joe VI

Epidural is go

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- Joe VI

Doctor just broke the water

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- Joe VI

Hurry up and wait

Lauren: are you taking a picture?

Me: yep. It looks like a pretty accurate depiction of your mood. (Showing her the picture)

Lauren: can I see? (Reaching for the phone)

Me: no, you can't delete the picture

Lauren: expletive. 

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- Joe VI

Checked in, hooked up, and pitocin started

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- Joe VI

Last day

To start our last day as a family of four, joe and I took the kids for donuts. But seeing as how it was also "take your kid to work day," we opted to eat those donuts in dad's office. Cause that's totally what he does all day ;)

After the breakfast treat, the kids and I said goodbye to Joe and headed to the zoo. The weather was beautiful and we had a great morning exploring in Africa, and checking out the polar bears and penguins. 

The zoo recently rebuilt their playground, and Joseph kept asking to check it out. So we spent our last minutes on the playground and in the discovery barn, where Maddie thought the meerkats were super fun to watch. 

By 12:15 it was definitely time to hit the road so we could get back for naps and a work call I had scheduled. Both kids had a lot of fun, and although all that walking did nothing to kick start labor, it was a great way to spend the last day of this pregnancy. 

Tomorrow is the big induction day, at 39 weeks 6 days. Although I haven't had a lot of progress to date (I was 1cm dilated and 75% effaced I think at my appointment Wednesday) I'm hoping labor goes smoothly and we will have a heathy newborn to share lots of pictures of tomorrow!