It's a Boy!

James David Michael Parson was born at 7:22 am on Tuesday, November 28. He weighed 8 lbs 8oz and was just under 20 inches long (4 oz. and 2.5'' less than Joshua!).

I was not expecting to go into labour for at least another week because I had convinced myself the baby would be late so, even when I was having horrible contractions, I thought they were false or pre-labour. The contractions started at 4pm Sunday and by 3am we had to go to the hospital for medication for the pain. At that point I was only 2 cms (out of 10) so they gave me morphine and sent me home, saying it could be another few days. By 6am I had Joe call the hospital and ask what else I could do because I could not cope and the morphine was not working. They said to have a bath which definitely did not work! We drove back to the hospital and got there at 630 am. When they checked me I was almost 10 cms and ready to push. I was shocked and screaming for an epidural but there was no time. We waited the 15 minutes it took the doctor to get there from home and then 12 minutes of pushing and he was out (large head and all). ;)

It was extremely painful but I'm definitely in better shape post-birth than I was with Joshua.

Joe has the next 2 weeks off and we are home and adjusting to our new family so if anyone wants to stop over for a visit, please feel free to give us a call!

Some Pregnancy Photos

We had our pregnancy photos taken at Custom Concepts Photography on the long weekend in November. We won't officially get the pictures back until we have the newborn and Christmas family ones taken but here are a few that Clay and Jeannine posted on their blog (http://beta.blogger.com/profile/04846761507711289867). I hope they don't mind that I stole these. ;)

Joshua was only happy and cooperative when he was being given smarties or playing with the hockey equipment ... thus, in the first picture he's holding a hockey stick and in the last one is eating a smartie. His new favorite word and game is "hockey". *L*

39 Week Update

I had my 39 week doctor appointment with Dr. Kornelson today. I have only met him once before, when he was breaking my water and giving me an epidural with Joshua (18 months ago), but he somehow remembered me! He has an amazing bedside manner, I must say!

The baby is measuring at just over 41 weeks, which is apparently the same as Joshua did at this stage. The heart rate is 130 and my weight is UP (a lot).

The doctor took the extra time to feel around my stomach and tell me exactly how the baby is positioned and which direction it is facing, etc ... A nice change!

My appointment was for 130 this afternoon but Dr. K was delivering a baby and would "be back any minute" so I waited around for a long time and finally got in to see him at 4pm. Thank goodness I had left Joshua with his Grandma and Grandpa during the appointment!! Thus, when Dr. K offered to check my cervix and sweep my membranes (which induces labour) I did not even realize my mouth was open until I heard myself say, "That's okay, you are running so far behind and don't really have time to do that today. We can wait until next week". Am I crazy?!? I regretted the words the minute they were out of my mouth but it was too late ... he agreed with me and said he'd see me next week, if not before ... I am such a dumb girl! :P

Thoughts 2

Our visits with Sarah always make me feel better. I now know that I can handle the labour, delivery and new baby any time he or she chooses to arrive. Even if it is sooner rather than later. ;)

Some Thoughts

There is now less than 6 days until my due date and yet it feels so far away! I was more prepared and ready for this new baby 2 weeks ago than I am today. In fact, the closer it gets, the further away it seems. Hopefully my thoughts will change before the day of delivery!

Matushka Sarah is coming over tonight to meet with us and go over birthing plans so maybe that will help me become better prepared and feel more ready ...

38 Week Appointment

I had my 38 week prenatal appointment today with Dr. Driedger. He had 2 women in labour at the hospital (one was already pushing) so he was in a bit of a hurry but he did manage to check all our vitals and tell me the baby is still healthy and growing with a heart rate of 150 bpm. Also, he said they will usually induce 7-10 days after the official due date (usually 7) so I won't still be pregnant at Christmastime, as I feared. :P

One way or another this baby will be on it's way by December 9!! :)

My Little Slug ... Oh, the memories!

It's amazing the things you find when you look back through the computer ... here is a picture of Joshua, taken at 2 weeks old, that only a mother could find cute! *L* (He looks like a slug!)

Yesterday

Yesterday was a good day. Joshua and I watched Joe play hockey with the Goads (our Church's team) and then we came home and had our pregnancy pictures taken (some with Joshua are SO cute!)

I started getting some fairly painful contractions at about 4pm and by the time we were at our photo appointment at 7pm, I could barely walk or breathe through them. Joe and I came back home, had dinner and headed to the hospital at 9pm just to be checked out since by then the contractions were (again) 3-4 minutes apart. Of course, I had my last contraction as I was checking in at emergency and then we got to sit on the non-stress test machine for 30 minutes watching the baby move, with no contractions in sight. *grrr*

This baby just wants to torment me! ;)

So, now everything is back to normal and I'm counting on carrying this baby for at least another 2 weeks ... then (hopefully) I won't get my hopes up for no reason, again.

What a Night!

Last night was horrible! I had incredibly painful contractions that started in my lower abdomen and spread all over and into my back all night long. I was able to fall asleep with them at around 11 but then Joshua woke up for a bottle at 230 (as has become his custom over the past 3 nights) and I was having such painful contractions every 5-6 minutes that I couldn't go back to sleep.

Poor Joe! I tossed and turned and complained for over an hour before I decided to get up and have a bath. The contractions continued for the next few hours while I had a shower, walked around the house, drank water, ate some cereal and laid on the couch. I didn't want to wake Joe up and head to the hospital because I was paranoid they'd send me home and he has a church hockey game to play in today that I didn't want him to miss ... it sounds like it'll be a lot of fun!

Finally, at about 530 I decided that I knew how far apart the contractions were (every 3-4 minutes by this time) but not how long each one lasted so I got out a stop watch and started to time them. I figured I would time 4 and then call the hospital to see that to do. They were 50 to 60 seconds in duration but I had only 4 more contractions and then they stopped! All that incredible pain for nothing! *Grrr*

At least I was able to go back to sleep until Joshua woke up at 10. :)

37 Week Visit

I had my 37 week appointment with Dr. Driedger yesterday and everything is good. The baby's heart rate really jumps around and was 140 bpm this week. It's been as low as 130 and as high as 170. Hmmm ...

Hopefully we have less than 3 weeks to go! :)

A Visit with Mat. Sarah

I had my first official visit with Matushka Sarah yesterday regarding my pregnancy and labour and delivery. Joshua was tired because it was around his nap time so he was grumpy and whiney but her son Simon tried to keep him occupied so it worked out okay. We discussed my expectations for labour (I don't even know what they are) and what medications I'd like to rely on (I'm definitely keeping my options open). Surprising enough, she helped me the most with breastfeeding tips. Mat Sarah went through similar issues with her first that I went through with Joshua and was able to overcome them and nurse her next 2 children with minimal problems. It made me feel a lot better and more confident in my ability to nourish this child. *L*

I am definitely ready to have this baby (with the help of Joe and Matushka). ;)

Some mistakes are GREAT!

My sister Cindy is four months pregnant and had her ultrasound last week which showed she is having a girl in March. But due to some complications she had to have an amnio last Friday and it turns out that not only is the baby healthy but it's actually a boy!

Cindy and Mike really wanted a boy and truthfully seemed a little disappointed after the ultrasound so I am extremely happy and excited to hear their news! I can't wait to meet you, baby Michael Marcotte! :)

Almost Done the Kitchen and Living Room!

Obviously we still need to install the chair rail, some trim and all the baseboards but if the baby chose to come now, at least it's liveable! :)

Before the Renovations

36 Weeks

I am huge, tired, uncomfortable, and SICK of being pregnant.