Welcome to our Family Baby Jackson!

Thank you "Mamma Lloyd"/"She-She" for capturing these precious moments for us!  What a sweet day it was bringing baby Jackson home...

Jackson's Birth Story

On May 7, we welcomed sweet baby Jackson into our family!  Our day began at 4:30am early Monday morning.  My doctor decided based on my miscarriage/blood clotting history to induce me at 39 weeks unless little Jackson decided to come early.  Sunday night Jeremy's mom along with my parents, Linz and Sadie all arrived at our house.  It was nearly impossible to get a good night's rest due to all the excitement and anticipation of our new little one!  I woke up at 4:30 and made myself a good breakfast (since I knew it would be a "liquid diet" until his arrival).  Then, Jeremy and I loaded up in the car and headed to the hospital.  On the way, I was having a few contractions on and off...but nothing to uncomfortable.  We checked in and got all set-up in our room.  They started me on pitocin at 8:30am.  I was prepared for just a little to kick things into high gear since that is all it took for Bella!  With her delivery, they gave me a level "2" for a couple hours and then my body took over and they were able to turn it off!  Well, every 30 minutes or so they were cranking the pitocin up!  I was sure things would start going crazy and out of control at any moment...but nothing exciting was happening!  I had a phenomenal nurse...I had prayed long and hard that the Lord would allow me to have just the right nurse for me.  I love Baptist Hospital because they make it a priority to allow each woman to have their delivery as close to how they prefer!  But, that doesn't necessarily mean that every nurse has a lot of experience in natural deliveries...which was my preference again with this baby.  Well, my nurse was a definite answer to prayer!  She had been a doula for 23 years and a delivery nurse for 10 years!  She was awesome in every way...very confident...lots of experience but also very patient and encouraging!  So...as she kept continuing to up the pictocin...I walked the halls...and walked the halls and walked the halls.  But, nothing was happening!  Around 3:30, I was at 4cm...90% effaced and station 0.  (When I checked in to the hospital, I was 3cm...90% effaced and station 0.)  The issue was that my cervix was posterior (pointed back rather than anterior - pointed foward/down.)  SO...even though I was walking and getting the pitocin...there was not enough pressure directly on my cervix to allow for dilation!  I won't include the graphic details...but she asked me if I was willing to endure some "discomfort" in order to try and get things going.  OF course!  At this point I was getting hungry and tired and just ready to get Jackson here!  So, she did a maneuver during a few contractions to try and manipulate my cervix forward.....um..."discomfort" doesn't come near to describing it! Ha!  After that...Jeremy and I said a prayer together that the Lord would allow things to begin progressing.  I decided to keep walking.  As I stepped into the hallway, my doctor called my name and met me.  Tears welled up in my eyes...I told her that I know she probably didn't have many patients who cried because of NO pain...but that is why I was crying!  I was discouraged and frustrated and just ready to have this baby!  She checked me and my cervix had moved!  AND I was 100% dilated!  SO at 3:30...she broke my water and the "fun" began!  Let me add that my pitocin was now at level 22...crazy high!  Within minutes, the contractions came...and they came HARD and FAST!  For the first hour, I focused on breathing, relaxing in between contractions and praying hard during contractions!  At one point my nurse said, "girl...you got your own system down and it works fro you!  What are you doing during these contractions when you close your eyes?"  I told her..."I watch the clock...pray...pray...pray hard for strength...then open my eyes and hope that a minute has passed!"  That system worked for the first hour.  Then, for the second hour I was in the bed rotating positions.  That nurse had my body in the craziest positions trying to help Jackson descend.  I told her I had to deliver this baby before she left at 7pm...so she told me that if I wanted her help til the end I had to let her move me around even if I thought I would die! HA!  Well, move she did!  During this next hour of labor...I continued to focus on the clock...my breathing and when things seemed to be unbearable I would squeeze Jeremy's hand and pray, pray, pray!  My nurse along with Jeremy helped me to maintain control over my breathing!  At one point, my mom walked to the door just to check on things and she said she heard three people breathing out loud...now that is team work!  There is nothing sweeter nor more motivating that being in severe pain of labor and looking into your husband's eyes as you squeeze his hand...he just kept saying, "you're doing great babe...you can do this...almost there!"  Within 2 hours I had gone from 4cm to 10 cm!  I started pushing at 5:30pm.  Now, pushing is one of the best reasons for going all natural...because you can feel it!  And, your body pretty much just takes over!  So...once my body got in the rhythm of pushing during contractions...it pretty much just did it!  That's not to say it isn't painful or completely exhausting in every way...cause oh it is...BUT your body just knows what to do!  At 6:01, I gave my last push...and out came precious Jackson!  They immediately put him on my chest...and what a precious moment that was...words can't even describe.  

He weighed in at 7lb. 9oz...19.5 inches...13.25'head...healthy in every way!

Our family was outside the door...we had about an hour to love on sweet Jackson and I nursed him...which he LOVED! ;)  Then, they brought sweet Bella in to meet her brother!

 

My doctor with Jackson...

 Cleaned up in the nursery...

 

Snuggling with  my baby...

She-She with Jackson...

 Pappa loving on his long awaited and prayed for "boy"...

 

Mimi admiring baby Jackson...
 

 

 Auntie Linz...

Cute little brother!
 

 

Big Sis and Lil Bro...

 

Dressed and ready to go home (Jackson wore the same outfit Jeremy did when he went home from the hospital)...

 

Loaded up and ready to go!

Welcome Home Baby Jackson!  We love you!!!

Cousin Sadie was sooo excited to meet baby cousin Jackson...

And that is the sweet, sweet story of how baby Jackson Samuel Lloyd came into the world! :)

Family Beach Day...

Today we planned a fun family day for our soon to be growing family of three! This was our last full day together...just us three free of obligations and commitments. We started out our day snuggling together in bed til around eight. Then, we enjoyed breakfast together and packed the car for the beach! We headed out and arrived on the beach around 10...but it started to pour! So, we drove around and just enjoyed being together until the rain lightened up and the skies opened up! Around eleven, we ventured out to find a spot near the water! Here are some pictures from our day...

I was a good mommy and lathered Bella in 45 SPF...and she just got DARKER!  Jer and I didn't realize how much sun we were getting...cause it was so overcast...well...let's just say we got toasty!  Lots of Vitamin D for us that's for sure! =)  

We headed home and all went down for a nice late afternoon nap!  We ended our day with a delicious grilled steak and chicken dinner!  As Bella was getting out of the tub, she said, "Look at my tan lines mommy...oooh, mommy and daddy got burned!  Ouch!"  Well, maybe baby Jackson will hold off a few more days so he doesn't think his mommy and daddy are tomatoes when we first meet!!!

Such a fun family day full of sweet memories!  Life is going to change very quickly for us...and we couldn't be more excited to meet baby brother Jackson...but it sure was special to enjoy this last day together as a family of three!  It's been such a precious 2 years with just little Bella...lots and lots of fun ahead for sure as we are soon to be blessed with Jackson! =)

Restin' and Relaxin'...

The past week, Bella and I have been enjoying lots of good ole quality mother/daughter time together!  We invited Miss Casi over one morning for a pancake breakfast before school!

We've enjoyed the gorgeous Florida spring weather!  Bella plays...I prop my feet up and soak in some Vitamin D...

Bella has adjusted to her new "big girl room."  YAY!!!  She thoroughly enjoys her "quiet play time" each morning...and then she has successfully learned to nap without paci in the afternoons!  Sometimes, she will just fall asleep in the middle of playing and mommy has to help her to bed...

This past weekend, was our 8th annual girls weekend in Gulf Shores with my 3 best college girlfriends!      

We all met up Friday night...and the unexpected happened...I began having contractions!!!  We hugged and celebrated being together and then quickly found the couch and water...as I put my feet up and the logging of contractions began!  For 2.5 hours, I had contractions that were 2.5 minutes apart and 45 seconds in duration!  So, the doctor suggested I go to labor & delivery just to make sure things were alright!  Road trip...my dear friend Courtney drove me 1 hr to my hospital...and I had dilated 3cm!!!  Jeremy met us there and we waited a few hours to see if things would progress or slow down.  Thankfully, since I was just 37 weeks, things eased up and I was able to go rest at home.  But, my sweet hubby drove me back to Gulf Shores to spend the day with my girlfriends the next day.  He and Bella enjoyed the beach...and relaxing at the beach house with us.  

Bella loved spending time with my sweet friend Julie's baby... precious Graham...he is almost 4 months old.  Bella just doted over him the entire time...singing him all the songs she knew to sing...giving him paci...patting him...and giving sweet kisses...I think she's already got this "big sis" thing down pat! =)

So here I am...37 weeks...wondering when this little guy will make his appearance!  We would really like for him to "bake" a little longer!  I am doing everything I can to keep my feet propped up and rest as much as I can now!  No exercising...no house work...at least not for now!  If I do make it to 38.5 weeks...then maybe I can do a little more "nesting."  But for now...it's time to rest, rest, rest!  Bella has been the sweetest little angel...some days her "quiet play time" extends to 2 hours...and she is just happy as a lark playing with her babies, puzzles, bows, purses etc!  The past couple days when I put her down to nap, I have slept for a few hours myself!  Craziness...but I guess my body needs it...we all know it's best to sleep now cause the next few months will not be full of sleep! =)

Jer snapped this pic as he was finishing up giving Bella her bath!  He has been the BEST...grocery shopping, making breakfast, dinner, doing baths, changing diapers, cleaning bathrooms...all on top of keeping up with the yard work AND working a full time job!  Did I mention that our Disciple Now is this weekend...a full weekend of activities with our Student Ministry which will include about 200 students...SO we know the Lord's timing is so perfect and He is sovereign over every detail of our life.  He knows when precious Jackson is developed and ready to come into this world...but we are praying for at least one more week of "baking" for this little guy! =)  If I do happen to make it another 2 weeks...my induction is set for May 7 at 5:30am.  (Due to my pregnancy history/miscarriages...my doctor doesn't want me to go much past 39 weeks.)  In the mean time, I will be doing my best to rest...and function as I waddle around dilated 3cm! =)

2 years old!

My little Isabella is now a terrific 2 year old! =) I can not believe she is now TWO! What in the world!? It seems like just yesterday I was preparing for her birth and holding her as a tiny 6lb. infant! I remember thinking she would never ever reach 10lbs...in which it did take her 3 months! It is definitely bittersweet to watch your helpless, teeny-tiny infant grow into an active, playful, fun-loving, smart little toddler! I thought I would break down descriptions of her at this stage into different categories...

Physical:

-She loves to run (arms/elbows in position like Pappa taught her).

-Loves to dance especially to her favorite...Stevie Wonder, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"

-Recently learned to jump with 2 feet off the ground

-Enjoys putting together her wooden puzzles

-Likes the challenge of inserting various shapes into her box puzzle container

-Loves taking her babies/stuffed animals on walks around the neighborhood while pushing them in her little stroller

-Enjoys bathing herself...mommy tells her what to wash and she does it! =)

-Recently started sitting in a "big girl" chair to eat...unless we are having a really messy dinner then the high chair is preferable!

-Holds her crayons with her right hand and loves coloring and doing projects

Emotional:

-Has a very tender-hearted, sensitive side to her (if she sees a friend or baby crying she wrinkles her face and says, "awww....crying!")

-Definitely also has somewhat of a strong-will too! (from what my parents say - she acts like a mini-me)

-Most of the time she is very outgoing and friendly to everyone she meets...waves, says hi ect.

-Has recently shown hesitation towards people who don't look familiar (old people, handicapped ect)...this has given us opportunity to discuss how we are all created differently

-As her pediatrician described this week...she is very "intense"

-Very creative and imaginative...she loves her 1-1.5 hour "quiet play time" each morning...she rarely every cries to come out but rather plays with her dolls, animals and toys!

Mental:

-Extremely verbal...we joke about how she talks non-stop all day! (every day she surprises us with random new words)

-Speaks in sentences of up to 5 words...maybe more!

-Sings songs...her favorites are: "Oh Beautiful", "Jesus Loves Me", "The B-I-B-L-E", "Signed, Sealed Delivered", "How Great is our God", "I've Got Peace Like A River"...

-Counts confidently to 6 and with just a little prompting to 10

-Recognizes shapes: circle, star, diamond, heart, rectangle (tangle), triangle, (tangle)

-Recognizes colors...but always random...not sure which one she has 100% nailed down...some days she knows lots...other days she mixes them all up!

-Recognizes her name "Bella"...if we writ her name and ask her what it says, she says "By Bella" (cause that's usually when we write her name...at the bottom of a project)

-Quote of the week...her pediatrician looked at me in all seriousness and said, "Whitney, she is extremely verbal...she could definitely learn a second language."....What!?! Are you kidding me...with a newborn about to pop out! Ha! Well, we might start telling her the spanish words on her flashcards and see what she picks up on! =)

Spiritual:

-has a tender heart towards things about Jesus and God

-loves to pray (folds her hands and bows her head)...when we are out and other people don't "fold" their hands...she looks at them like "um, don't you know to fold your hands?!" =)

-loves reading her Bible...her favorite stories are: "Joseph, Joseph" (coat of many colors), "Moses", "Zacchaeus" & "Baby Jesus"...those are her top requests

We've recently stopped using "paci"...it was really only rough for a few days, but thankfully it is gone! Even when cousin Sadie came to visit, Bella didn't try to use it one time! Yay!!! We're now transitioning from her crib to her "big girl bed." She's doing fantastic at night time...but naps are a little more of a challenge. We put up a baby gate...and it usually takes 20-30 min. for her to settle and stay in her bed for nap time...but she dozes off eventually. Some naps are 1.5 hrs and some are 3! =)

Her stats...

Head 19.5 inches 85%

Weight 31lbs. 90%

Height 34.5 inches 85%

She is a growing girl at this stage! Her doctor predicts she could be 5'8" or taller! My doctor said I would be 5'8" and I am 5'6...so we shall see! She is a perfect blend of Jeremy and I...some days she looks just like his toddler pics...and somedays she looks just like mine! I love how perfectly the Lord creates these precious children! =)

Burp cloths...

Needless to say, there are very few options for boy burp cloths in stores these days. Unless you have a thing for dinosaurs or random objects...most of them are honestly not cute! So, I decided I would whip up a handful of burp cloths to at last get us started! Just for the record...I only had to spend $1.60 on each of these...yay once again for sewing! =)

Surprisingly...I asked Jeremy which one was his favorite...you know I try to get him involved in this "baby boy nesting" as much as possible...and he said...the one with a "J" and seersucker! I know...wouldn't you have thought hands-down the guitar one!? He knows "classy" when he sees it! Haha...

Jackson Samuel's Little Nursery...

I thought I would go ahead and post pictures of Jackson's nursery! I've always loved madras and seersucker fabrics...so we decided a while back to go with a "nautical" theme for the nursery!  I found some great deals on fabric and loved sewing the bedding...it was a learning process for sure!  Jeremy and his dad have so many wonderful memories together on the bay..fishing, kayaking and just relaxing together.  So, I thought it would be sweet to use some of Pappa Chip's "nautical/fishing" decor. in the nursery!  My dad also spent lots of quality time with my grandfather ("Paps") on the water...they loved fishing together.  It just made sense to use special memorable items in Jackson's room...we look forward to sharing with Jackson all the many, many stories and memories of his daddy, grandfathers and great-grandathers that were spent on the water!

Here are a few pictures of the room...

This is taken as you walk in his room...(the oar in the corner was from Pappa Chip)...

(I appliqued/sewed the flags above the crib...)

Maternity picture that Jeremy's mom took!  We did our photo shoot on a cool dock with big shrimp boats in the background...wearing our seersucker and navy of course. =)

The fish mounted on the panel of wood and the fishing lures was created by Pappa Chip (he had this hanging in his special "man room" at home)...

Our friends and family gave us lots of fun nautical decor...and the fishing net was Jeremy's great-grandfathers...

My dad is hoping to find just the perfect oil painting done by his dad...my grandfather ("Paps") so that we can hang it in the nursery too!  We can't wait to show baby Jackson his new room!