And the 4th J Has Joined Us!

Just after last night's post, we retired for what we thought would be our usual repose.  However, Baby Boy J had other plans for us....

Jenny woke with painful contractions about 12:40 am.  Following the advice of her doctor, we decided by 1:30 that this was the real deal and began making preparations to head to the hospital.  Our ever awesome neighbor and friend Karyn agreed to sleep on our couch so that Jadyn could sleep through the night in her own bed, and just after 2:00 we headed to Swedish Hospital on First Hill.  After parking and finding our way to the triage area for the birthing suites, we were admitted about 2:40.  Baby was monitored for a bit, and a little after 3:00 we were in a birthing room.  By about 3:15, Jenny was cleared for pushing our son into the world, and Joseph James King arrived at 3:32 am, two days ahead of his scheduled due date.  Mom, Dad, and Joseph are all happy and healthy, though a little tired due to the middle of the night event.

Jadyn visited her new brother at the hospital a couple of times today, and we are all in love.  Enjoy some lovely photos!

 

7 lbs, 12.2 oz, 20 inches long

 

We feel so blessed and lucky; thanks to all who contributed to this successful welcoming!  And now, much deserved rest for Mom, Dad, and Joseph....

And April Begins....

This morning, Jadyn complained, "Baby Brother is taking a long time.  He's still not here, and it's April!  I want to meet him."  Sounds like Jadyn has big-sister-intuition....  Dr. H saw Jenny today and all signs are indicating that our son will arrive before the end of the work week.  We ate carry out food tonight, so that we didn't have to cook, and now we hunker down and wait.

Here are some recent photos of the beloved child with us right now.  This past weekend, our weekly trek to the coffee shop was in the rain.  She ordered the frosted peach scone (she mostly just licks the frosting off), and then shared one of her headbands with her friend Madeline for part of our visit.

These coffee shop buddies are just 3 months apart in age!

Jadyn is a master staller at nap time.  This weekend, she wanted to play hide and seek under her blanket.  She buries herself under cover, then says, "Mommy, say 'Where's Jadyn?' "  So we say, "Where's Jadyn?  Where did she go?  She was just here a minute ago....  Is she under the desk?  No....  Is she in the bathtub?  No...." The mound of blanket shakes with anticipation and giggles audibly.  She just loves the game!!!  She did finally succumb to sleep, though, which is always good for everyone.
 

Before the weekend was out, she rearranged her magnetic letters on the refrigerator, as you can see.

And here is evidence that we are ready for the little one to arrive.  We hope the next post will include pictures of Baby Brother!

One Week to Go (?)

This whole week we've been on pins and needles, as Jenny gets more and more uncomfortable, and we wait patiently to meet our newest family member.  The little guy still inside is very active, which triggers contractions throughout the day and night.  But he's been content to stay in the warm darkness of the womb.  Jenny's energy level is overall pretty good, but she has ups and downs, too.  News at Tuesday's OB appointment made us think we might meet the baby a little early, but we've made it to 39 weeks as of today, and so he may simply be waiting for his due date.  Check back here soon for more news and pictures!

38 weeks and Counting!

So, this week has been a little hectic!  A late evening couch-jumping incident turned ugly when Jadyn's face met the edge of the coffee table.  The next morning, significant swelling and bruising had developed, and we made a precautionary visit to the pediatrician, who ordered an X-ray and then a CT scan.  No breaks or bleeding were found, but those few hours were very challenging for Mom and Dad!  Jadyn was fantastic for all the doctors and medical imaging, saving her most stubborn and contrary moments for at home with her parents (of course).  Everyone is very grateful she was pronounced A-OK.  She is healing quickly and has been in excellent spirits through the whole ordeal.

About 21 hours post-impact

About 36 hours post-impact

3 evenings later

Jenny feels like she is going to burst, and Jadyn has been enjoying all sorts of baby things we've been assembling, organizing, preparing, including the beautiful cradle that Grandpa Frank made for us.

We still try to get outside as much as we can to enjoy the slowly warming weather.  It's so great to see the trees blooming in the spring!

Still loves zooming around on wheels!

A few more fun photos to share....

Post-bath cute!

Jadyn loves to read through her books on her own

Jenny has another OB appointment in a couple of days, and we'll see if we get more info about when Baby Brother might arrive.  Jenny has a hunch it will be soon, and her friend Gabbi, who is in midwifery school, claims Jenny is getting "coconut creme pie face."  Apparently THAT is a sign of impending labor.  Who knew?  This week is spring break for Jenny's college, so she is not required to be on campus at all, freeing Jenny up for much-deserved rest (if she will ever take it!!!).  Will BabyJ#2 be a March baby, or an April baby???

Full Term

This week Jenny passed 37 weeks in this pregnancy, which is considered full term.  No bed rest, no other medical alarms have sounded -- we appear to be in the clear!!!  At Jenny's OB appointment on Tuesday, the doctor told her that she expected to see Jenny again next week, still pregnant, as there are no new developments to the contrary.  Jenny's blood pressure is holding steady, her weight gain and external measurements are right on schedule, and baby's heart rate was again in the 150's on the doppler radar.  So it's business as usual around here, and we still have a bit time to decide on a name for the little guy.  Jadyn is no help, as each time we ask what we should name him, she replies, "Just Baby Brother."  ;-)  So will we get to April 6th before meeting this guy, as was originally forecasted way back last summer at the first OB appointment?  Only time will tell....

Less Than a Month to Go

Most likely, we are less than a month from meeting our son.  Jenny had another doctor appointment today, and everything is looking great -- steady, normal weight gain; slightly below average blood pressure, baby's heart rate hovering around 150 bpm; baby head down and ready to go.  OB appointments will be weekly now, so there will be another update next week.

Preparations at home are progressing.  The crib is assembled and in place, with a new crib mattress, and the changing table is ready for use.  Baby boy clothes are washed and somewhat organized, and there is a suitcase getting loaded little by little with all sorts of goodies for the hospital.  Jadyn is still looking forward to meeting her brother, and says strangely cute things, such as, "After baby brother comes, Mommy can go running more."  Excitement is in the air!

Baby Shower and More

Jenny's colleagues had a baby shower for her and another colleague who is expecting.  Lots of fun!

Bumping baby bumps!

While Jadyn did not attend the event itself, she had a blast that evening carefully inspecting all the new things for her baby brother.  She even attempted to try on most of his new clothes (nothing here was anywhere close to her size, but that did not deter her).

 

Some of Jenny's colleagues are quilters, and they made this one for BabyJ#2.  Amazing and beautiful!  We are so impressed and thankful!

This is the quilt they began years ago for Jadyn, and they presented it at this gathering.  Perfect timing for a Big Sister gift!

Here is Jadyn all snuggled up under her new quilt.  We are so appreciative of their generosity, and she loves having a special quilt for herself!

This week's OB appointment confirmed Jenny is tracking "normal" for weight gain and external measurement of the baby's size at the current gestational age of 34 weeks and a few days.  Baby's heart rate is around 150 bpm and Jenny's blood pressure is a little below normal (which is normal for her), so there has been ZERO indications for bed rest or other work and/or activity restrictions.  Baby is still super active, kicking, elbowing, rocking his bottom from side to side, and he even hiccups for short periods several times a day.  Dr. H is nearly 100% certain he is head down, facing toward the tailbone, and suspects he doesn't have enough room to get his head out of the "bowl" in Jenny's pelvic girdle, so he is likely to remain head down for the rest of the pregnancy.  The next OB appointment is in two weeks, and after that the appointments will be weekly.

Without the forced rest, Jenny is finding out just how exhausting it is to work full-time, parent a 3 year old, AND grow a baby.  Yikes!  We can meet this guy at anytime now, so we are making final preparations....  Childbirth refresher class - check!  Install infant car seat - check!  Preregister with the hospital - check!  Big box of newborn diapers and lots of wipes - check!  We'll rearrange the bedroom and set up the crib in the next few weeks, and start washing all the new newborn sized clothes, too.  Will we meet him early, at the end of March?  Around his due date of 4/6?  Later than that?  We shall see, we shall see....