Three weeks ago our bundle of joy arrived!

Wow! It's been three weeks since Jackson decided to make his appearance in the world. He's here and beautiful! We're loving him and being parents! So let me fill ya'll in.....

I guess I should start from the beginning.....It was Saturday night, July 4th, when it all began. Byron and I had just gotten home from a day at my mom's to celebrate the 4th. The night before we had a date night.... dinner, the movies and a spectacular fireworks show that we watched from our upstairs window. Thank you city of Sachse! We would have never guessed that the next night we'd be on our way to the hospital to become parents. So, getting back to the 4th.....we had just gotten ready for bed and were reading a little when I suddenly felt something happen. At 11:30 p.m. I realized I lost my mucus plug. That's when the contractions began to get consistent and steadily stronger. Only then did I realize that I had been having slight contractions throughout the day. I just knew the little guy was going to come that night. So the first thing I did was jump in the tub to shave my legs....I couldn't have hairy legs in the delivery room! Byron proceeded to get everything together for the hospital and get dressed while trying to time my contractions. It was quite humorous at times!

Well, we ended up calling the doctor just before 12:30. She thought we could wait a little while, but I knew better....plus, it was a 20 minute drive to the hospital. It seemed that as soon as we jumped in the car my contractions got even stronger. Boy was I glad we were on the way to the hospital! We couldn't get there soon enough. About half way there my water broke. That's when Byron felt good about having me sit on a towel for the ride. The car seat was going to be O.K. It was for sure now....Jackson was on his way. When we got to the hospital we signed in and were told that we would have to wait because there were two women in front of me. What?!?!? Wait?!?!?! Are you kidding? I couldn't believe it! They didn't even ask me if my water broke. After what seemed like an eternity in that waiting room they finally took me back. Little did I know there were a lot more questions to answer and prepping to do before I would ever see an anesthesiologist. They gave me a lovely hospital gown to change into and the first thing they did was a test to see if my water had broken. Like I told them, it had and I was there to stay. I was then dilated to about 4 cm. My FIRST question to the nurse was "when can I get an epidural?"

I guess it was about 2:00 a.m. before I finally had some relief. I could no longer feel my contractions!! Thank goodness for drugs! My nurse, Flo, then turned out the lights and told me to try and get some rest until it was time to push. Sleep, what? Now? Wasn't I about to have a baby? Apparently not for several hours. I was able to get a little sleep, as much as you can being hooked up to all kinds of machines. I ended up having a couple of side effects from the epidural through the night.....all of a sudden I was freezing...I couldn't stop shivering. They brought me some warm blankets, but that didn't help much for a while. I also itched all over. But I could handle that as long as I wasn't feeling any pain. Then about 8:15 I met the doctor who would deliver Jackson. She was nice and very good about explaining everything that would take place. About 8:25 it was time to push. That's when Byron got a little queasy and I thought, "oh no, he's going to pass out". He went to the bathroom and when he came out he was as pale as a ghost. But he was a champ.....he sucked it up and was great! I couldn't have done it without him. On July 5th at 8:49 a.m. Jackson Parker Lewis was born weighing 5 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 1/4" long. He came out crying and was a strong, healthy boy! We were overjoyed to finally meet our son! He was much more precious than we could have ever imagined! And I couldn't wait to hold him!

So that's how it happened. The only thing I would have changed would to have had my doctor there to deliver him. But I guess I couldn't have asked for a better delivery!

Here are a few more pictures from the hospital.....

On our way home.....

We thank all of our friends and family who were able to make it up to the hospital to visit. We enjoyed seeing each of you and Jackson was happy to meet you! Thank you for sharing in such a joyful time with us!

Two weeks and counting.....

Yesterday was our 38 week appointment. Byron and I were pretty excited to find out if there's been any more progression. I was so convinced little Jackson was going to come early....but now I'm not so sure. The doc says Jackson weighs about 6 lbs. right now. I was happy to hear that! I hope he doesn't get too much bigger before he decides to make his grand appearance. His head is sitting pretty low so he's in good position. She thinks I'm about 60% effaced and 1.5-2 cm. dilated. She thought that by our next appointment (at 39 weeks) I would be about 80% effaced and maybe 3-4cm. dilated. There's still a chance he could come early, but there's just no way to tell. However, I really hope he doesn't come this weekend because our doctor is going out of town for the 4th. She said I have to wait until at least Monday evening to go into labor. Do you hear that Jackson??? Other than that, we're all doing good. Byron and I are going to have a low key 4th. No big plans in the works. We hope to catch some fireworks off our back porch tonight and we'll go to my mom's for a Bar-b-que tomorrow. As long as we can stay indoors I'm good. We might even make it down to the pool for a little while....but what am I going to wear?? I am fighting a cold right now so that's a bummer, but for the most part I'm feeling good. The only picture I have to post is another preggo one of me. I can't wait to have lots of little Jackson to share!

37 Weeks

Anxiously Anticipating Jackson's Arrival!

We had our 37 week Dr.'s appointment on Thursday and found out some exciting news. The Dr. told us that the baby has started to drop. I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. She could actually feel his head on the cervix. So.....Jackson could be arriving early! It was a surprising report considering the week before my cervix was closed and thick. A lot has changed in just a week's time! I know that it could still be weeks before he decides to make his entrance into the world, but he could also be here in just a few days. I am hoping for sooner than later. I can't wait to hold our precious new baby boy in my arms! He's been growing and moving around inside me for so long, I am definitely ready to meet this little guy. What will he look like? Which features of mine and Byron's will he have? What will his personality be like? Will he have hair? If acid reflux is any indication, he should have a thick head of hair. So far the Dr. thinks he'll be a pretty average size baby....depending on when he comes, between 6.5lbs. and 7.5 lbs. That sounds wonderful to me!! Let's hope she's right.

The only thing is...... we need Jackson to wait until at at least Monday before he makes an appearance. My mom and sisters are in St. Louis for a family reunion this weekend. I'm missing out on all the fun, but I'm glad I'm not away from home right now. They'll be back Sunday afternoon, which isn't far now. I'd just hate for them to miss the birth. Plus, Byron might need a little support. As long as he doesn't pass out, he'll be great!

So it's not even July yet........I knew it would be hot towards the end of my pregnancy, but wow.....multiple days in the three digits is crazy! It's still in the 90's at 10 o'clock at night and we wake up to it being 80 degrees already. The pool sounds heavenly! As you can imagine, I don't want to have anything to do with the outdoors. It's too hot to do much of anything. I lose my ankles everyday now and I have cankles for the first time in my life, but I'm making it. They say there's a cold front that's suppose to come through in a few days. I'm looking forward to that! It might actually drop into the mid 90's. But wait, does that sound like a cold front to you?? I guess I'll take what we can get.......and enjoy it!

Well, we'll keep ya'll updated. Hopefully we'll have some more exciting news to share soon. In the meantime, we'd appreciate your prayers for a safe, uneventful delivery and a healthy baby boy. Thanks!

The World of Blogging

Well I've decided to give blogging a try since our family will soon be expanded to three. It's not going to be easy and I'm not sure how exciting it will be for ya'll, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Maybe it will help us stay better connected with friends and family who live out of town. Plus I know we all have busy schedules so it might help us all stay "current" in each other's lives, even if you do live in Dallas. I don't know if this is the best was to blog, but why not.....it can work, right? I figure that way we can share our photos and blog all in the same spot. I guess we'll see how it goes.

So we are now 4 weeks away from my due date of July 17th. Byron and I are extremely excited to meet our precious son, Jackson Parker!! Of course there is some apprehension about the whole labor thing, but we know it's in God's hands. We feel about as ready as we can get at this point. We've bought all the necessities, the nursery is ready, my bag is just about packed for the hospital and I've been reading all kinds of books & info. Sometimes I wonder what mothers did centuries ago when there was nothing to read to get educated about childbirth, raising babies, etc. Who would have ever thought breastfeeding could be such a complicated phenomena? Isn't it suppose to be a natural thing? Pretty amazing! I'll have to let you know how it goes. Anyway, Byron is even reading a book for dads....which I think is just so cute! He's going to be an awesome father!

For the most part I've felt pretty good throughout this pregnancy. I've been blessed to have a pretty "easy" pregnancy so far. Nothing out of the ordinary to report and the aches and pains have been minimal. No morning sickness, just nausea, and some siatic pain the first trimester, but since then it's just been tiredness and pain in my pelvic area muscles. I really can't complain too much. I am starting to get quite uncomfortable because my belly seems SO big! Sleeping hasn't been the best, especially since I get up every 2 hours to go to the bathroom, but the good thing is I have no problem falling right back to sleep. I've always been a good sleeper, which might pose to be a problem when Jackson gets here. People keep informing me of all the sleep we won't get when we get home from the hospital. I guess at this point I can only imagine....and it takes me back to some crazy college days. I must say I have had some crazy dreams though!! But, I hear that's all a part of it.

29 Weeks

33 weeks

Jackson is a pretty active guy, but he is also a good sleeper. He doesn't move around too much at night so he doesn't keep me up. I am thankful for that. He does, however, like to move and kick me early in the morning as to say, get up already mommy. He also lets me know he's around throughout the day. Maybe that means he'll be a good sleeper at night. Yea, probably just good wishing. He also seems to love music. Nothing gets him moving more than the sound of music. We went to the George Strait concert a few weeks ago and that really got him doing somersaults. He also gets active at church when we start singing. That is one way I know he'll take after his dad. Both are music lovers! We can't wait to see what Jackson will look like. I suspect he'll have a head of hair since I've had some bouts with acid reflux. That's not fun!! I now have a greater appreciation for those who suffer with that on a regular basis.

We're also anxious to see how Maddie, our dog, is going to react to the new arrival. She's been pretty protective of me and I think a little curious about what's going on. She's not one that's been great around kids, so I hope Jackson changes that about her. I just don't think she's used to being around "little people", those who are more on her level. She is a little dog so she has quite the small dog complex. I guess that comes from being stepped on so much. I hope she's nothing but lovable towards Jackson, but we'll have to wait and see.

Well, I guess this has been quite a first entry. I need to leave some things to talk about later on. I just hope I'm motivated enough to keep adding new posts. I hope you've enjoyed it and if you feel like it, let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your comments and see who's been visiting. I'll be talking to you.

Heading to Mexico

March is almost over and it's hard to beleive. Jen and I will be leaving next week for El Paso, traveling with our team of kids to build a house in Juarez, Mexico during GAC's spring break. Our last trip to Mexico was for our honeymoon in Mazatlan. A much different experience than this trip! This is my second time to go, but the first time for Jen and I to go together. We're hopeful that everything will go smoothly, but even more hopeful that our group will demonstrate the love of Jesus to the families we encounter. It's tough to see the conditions that many people in Juarez live in and not realize how blessed we are. It makes the immigration issue come alive, causing me to wonder if I lived under those conditions, would I be willing to break the law to give my family a chance at a better life? Tough issues. Don't misunderstand. I'm not advocating illegal immigration, but I can understand why people attempt it when you see how difficult it is to live in these circumstances. Working with Casas Por Cristo, we usually build a house for a family who is either living in a makeshift shanty or are living in a small house with another family or two. Nothing beats the feeling of handing over a Bible and house keys to a father who tearfully hugs you in sincere appreciation because of what you have just provided for his family. It must be a humbling experience for him as the provider, but it is also a moving experience for our team to be meeting a real need and doing it in the name of Jesus. The week of April 4th-11th promises to be a great week for our team and we're ready to go.