Jack Conner Harris

I am a little late on announcing the arrival of precious Jack Conner Harris! He was born on October 9th, almost 3 weeks early!!! He is absolutely perfect though...we think the dr. had my date wrong! He was lifting his head and moving it around the day after he was born. Jack weighed 7lb 7oz and was 19 inches long. He weighed 7lbs exactly when we were discharged 2 days after he was born. At his first pedi appointment at 5 days old, he weighed 7lbs 9oz! At his 3 week appointment he weighed 8lbs 8 oz! He is healthy and growing and we are so thankful!

The birth story:
Derek, Ross and I went to bed on Thursday October 8th, my lower back had been hurting that day off and on and I just couldn't get comfortable. I never went to sleep that night. I tossed and turned. Around midnight I got up to go to the bathroom and discovered something unusual...I wasn't sure though. I woke Derek up and told him that my water might have broken, but I wasn't sure. It wasn't a lot but definitely noticeable. My due date was almost 3 weeks away and we just couldn't believe it was happening so soon! We talked about it for a little while and I was pretty sure that was what it was so we decided to get our things together and head to the hospital. I wasn't having any contractions so we were pretty confused about the whole thing. Derek got our things together and I decided that I wanted to clean the kitchen before we left! Well, there was no doubt in our minds at this point...I was shocked...it was official, my water broke! We got to the hospital around 1am and they hooked me up to all the monitors and NOTHING...no contractions, I wasn't even dilated to a one! But, my water broke so we had to proceed! I started having contractions eventually but I wasn't progressing very much, so after 12 hours they gave me pitocin (sp?) to get things going. I had refused the epidural because I had heard that it could slow things down and since I wasn't progressing...I didn't want it until things were moving along! BIG MISTAKE! The pain eventually got bad enough that I didn't care how fast or slow it was going...I just wanted the pain to stop! So I asked for the epi....I was informed that the anesthesiologist had a few patients to get to before me. An hour later, I was begging Derek to go find the man and get him up to my room ASAP! He finally arrived and gave me my relief! Well, the epi didn't work on my right side!!! He kept givng me more meds but nothing was working. I was so miserable and I remember thinking that if the windows in that room could be opened I would just jump out if they couldn't make the pain stop! lol, I really wouldn't have but I was desperate! The anesthesiologist gave me a spinal and that helped to releive the pain just enough that I could handle it. Derek was great and stood by me the whole time and talked me through everthing. The nurses were great too! The only time I cried was after the epidural didn't work and then of course when Jack was born! Everyone says you forget the labor...I am still waiting on that! :) But, it was ALL worth it! Jack Conner Harris was born at 2:33 pm and he was absolutely beautiful and perfect! We couldn't have asked for anything more! He has pretty blue eyes and light golden brown hair. He has become my little chunky monkey! Everyone says he looks like Derek and Ross and I have to agree! Derek says he has my chin and ears but I think he has Derek's ears...I guess everyone sees things differently! He makes the cutest little noises and he LOVES to stretch! He also squeaks when he stretches! SO CUTE! He is very curious about his hands and stares at them with a very scared and puzzled look on his face...I love it! I also love the way he 'attacks' anything that gets near his face when he is hungry! He actually pulled my glasses off and flung them one time when I tried to steal a kiss at feeding time! :0 He is sleeping at night now, just waking up to eat. The first two weeks, he was up all night and slept all day! It was pretty rough! I didn't sleep much at that time! Things are going smoothly now and we are really getting into a routine here! YAY! :) I can't believe how much I love him! There isn't anything in the world better than him sleeping on my chest! I love being a mommy and I am so thankful for a healthy baby boy!

37 Weeks

***Updated 10/6/09***
I went in for my 37 week check up this morning and everything is still the same. I gained one pound from last week, making it a total of 25 pounds gained so far. The Dr. said that Jack is head down, which makes me happy! I was convinced he was laying long ways across my stomach! No other progress though...but according to my doctor, it doesn't mean anything. I, of course, am concerned that no progress means Jack will be late but he says it doesn't mean that. So that is good news! I am going to continue my walking everyday, I hope it helps!


Well, I am getting closer! I have been keeping pretty busy just trying to get everything ready for Jack's arrival! We have the car seat in, the room is ready, the swing, bouncy and pack-n-play/bassinet are all put together! I have started washing his clothes and we packed our bag and his bag for the hospital. We even did a trial run to the hospital to see how long it would take and what is the best route for us to go. I still don't feel prepared! I guess that just isn't going to happen! I thought Jack had dropped a couple of weeks ago because I was breathing so much easier and had a lot more pressure on my bladder all the time. Either he never really dropped or he moved back up! I have been talking to him about this but it doesn't seem to be helping yet! ;) I still haven't had any contractions, occasionally some tightness in my stomach and crampiness but that is it so far! I am VERY eager and ready for him to be here! He is still moving around a lot, I can see him wriggling around but no real big kicks or anything. I think he is getting cramped in there. Hopefully he will arrive any day now! Here are my 37 week pics!

34 Weeks

My last day of work was Friday September 11th. I still don't feel any different...kind of like I am on vacation. I guess it will sink in eventually. My mom and I went shopping on Monday and she bought lots of cute clothes and shoes for Jack! He now has 4 pair of shoes! :) I was SO exhausted after shopping. I can't go like I use to! I came home and Derek cooked me dinner! lol, I was planning on cooking for him since I didn't work but I was too tired! On Tuesday I attempted the grocery shopping, probably won't do that by myself again until I have this baby! That was a lot of work! I know I must sound like a wimp but really I was exhausted! So, I have decided to stay home today and clean. No more shopping for me! Makes me a little sad because I love shopping! :)

34 Week pic:

33 Weeks

So I guess I have given up on creative titles for my blogs...I am just going with weeks now! :) So I have 7 weeks left before Jack arrives...hopefully he isn't late! I guess there isn't too much I can do about that but I am telling myself he will be here. Of course, if he is anything like his parents, he will be late! I had a horrible dream the other night that I was still pregnant but about to have him at any time and then we found out I was pregnant again! My last day of work is Friday September 11th. I will have about 6 weeks at that point, I really hope that the time doesn't drag on b/c I won't be working. I have saved up a lot of things to do when I am at home so hopefully that will keep me busy enough! I am really excited to be able to stay at home. It is something that we had talked about long before I ever became pregnant and we didn't really know if we could do it and at times, it seemed like it might not work. Fortunately, it has worked out at this time for me to be home with our baby boy! I can't believe that we are about to have a baby! Sometimes it just doesn't seem real!

Things I want to remember about this point in my pregnancy:
I haven't had any braxton hicks contractions. I am a lot more tired now and super cranky...just ask Derek! :) I have gained 17lbs. I am up every hour at night going to the bathroom (this could be why I am so cranky)! I am really looking forward to sleeping on my back or stomach! Jack is still moving around a lot, fortunately it isn't painful. I haven't felt a foot in the ribs or anything like that. Mostly he just pushes or stretches and makes my tummy look like that scene from the movie Alien. He does push on my belly button area which feels really weird! He has had the hiccups a lot lately, I always feel so bad for him when he has them b/c I hate having the hiccups! I can't wait to hold him!

Here is my 33 week pic: (You will see these pants a lot in the weeks to come, I am on strict orders from Derek to wear only tennis shoes after I fell last weekend! I only have a few pairs of pants to wear with tennis shoes and I really don't want to buy anymore maternity clothes!)

30 Weeks

I am in my 30th week now and everything is going great! I have gained 15lbs but it feels like so much more! Little Jack is still pretty active, I just can't wait to meet him! I am now going to the doctor every 2 weeks so that is very exciting for me! I remember thinking back in the beginning that when I started going every 2 weeks it would be close...I have somewhere around 10 weeks left but that now sounds longer to me! hahaha! I am probably one of the most impatient people on the planet, so this whole 40 week pregnancy is hard for me! Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying it thoroughly but I am so eager to have him here!

Ross 7th b-day

We celebrated Ross' 7th birthday yesterday with an "army" themed party. He wore camo and had his face painted! Several friends joined us for some birthday party fun! The kids played outside in Ross' new fort that Derek built him for his birthday. The fort is really awesome and I am very proud of Derek and all his hard work! He didn't use a kit or anything...he is very talented! The fort is complete with a rockwall, trap door, and secret treasure chest that has a lock and key! Ross LOVES it! Rita made the most awesome cake ever! It was a tank shaped cake and it looked amazing and tasted just as great! We are so thankful for her talent b/c she makes all our cakes so very special! Ross starts first grade tomorrow at a new school. I can't believe summer is coming to an end but I am not complaining b/c I am SO looking forward to October!

Baby Shower

My baby shower was this past weekend, Saturday August 8th. It was wonderful and I really enjoyed seeing friends and family! We got lots of great things and I am just more and more excited for baby boy to arrive! I still have 11 weeks so I am going to have to be patient! The shower was thrown by Cat, Miranda, Amber and Mindy and they did an awesome job of making it very special for me. Fun games and great food! Rita made the cake and it was perfect...of course! Oh and I guess I can announce baby boy's name now.......
Jack Connor Harris!!!!