Bonding

This video started with me trying to capture the funny boy noises that Jacob makes, but then turned into Kaitlyn playing with her brother. It's really precious seeing her bond with him.

 

I want to ride my Tricycle

Grandma and Grandpa Fulkerson were here this week to meet our newest addition, and of course to see their first grand-baby, Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn really enjoyed having her grandparents here to play with her. While they were here Kaitlyn got a few presents, which she has enjoyed. I think her favorite is her new TRICYCLE! Anytime we are at the store, and she sees the bike aisle, she runs right to the tricycles. Now she has one of her very own, and someday Jacob will be able to ride it too. Daddy took a few pictures and videos of Kaitlyn riding. She is starting to be able to peddle on her own! We will have to work on steering and peddling at the same time. Each day she rides, she improves :) Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for such a fun toy! :)

Grandpa helps Kaitlyn steer

Grandma gives Kaitlyn a push

First bath

A few days ago I gave Jacob his first sponge bath since his umbilical cord hadn't fallen off yet, and he HATED it! I think he was a little chilly. I don't blame him for crying... I don't like being cold and wet either. We gave Jacob his first real bath yesterday, and he did very well! Not a single whimper. In fact, I think he enjoyed himself. Daddy got a few shots of this memorable event.

this is nice :)

splash, splash!

 

 

 

One week old

The first week has gone surprisingly well! I know the transition was only smooth because my parents were here the first few days we brought Jacob home. Having an extra set of hands to take care of Kaitlyn, help with house work, and meals was great!

We only stayed one night at the hospital. Mike and I were ready to get back home, and get back in the swing of things. Plus... there isn't much to do at the hospital, and since I didn't have a c-section or epidural we didn't need to wait for anything to heal or ware off. When we had Kaitlyn I remember being a little scared to go home. The nurses don't come home with you, what if I don't know how to do something? This time around, both of us are more confident. :)

Grandma and Grandpa Van stayed here until Tuesday. Kaitlyn really enjoyed having someone to play and color with her all day long. Grandma made "home-made" play-dough, which Kaitlyn enjoys (and it's safe to eat, not that it tastes good). Grandma cooked meals for us every day, which was delicious and helpful. It was also nice of Grandma and Grandpa to take Kaitlyn with them when they would go to the store. Kaitlyn misses our little adventures to the store, so she really enjoyed going. It also gave us a chance to enjoy Jacob :)

Jacob is a really good baby! The only time he really cries is when he is hungry and when he's uncomfortable. I think he's better baby than Kaitlyn, and she was also very good too. At night, he let me sleep for 3 hours between feedings! Is this for real??? He pretty much eats, sleeps, and needs his diaper changed to be happy.

Sunday evening we thought we would try having Mike give him a bottle so I could sleep a little, not knowing if it would work. Jacob sucked it down like a champ! To be sure that wasn't a one time thing... he got a bottle today while I was spending time with Kaitlyn. It seems that he doesn't care how he gets milk, as long as he gets some. 

Kaitlyn seems to be adjusting to "big sister life" pretty well. She checks on him when he's in his bassinet or the pack-n-play, and says "he's so cute" every time. When he cries, she gets his pacifier, or she'll say "he's hungry".  I feel bad when I have to sit down and feed Jacob, because it happens all the time, and I can't really do much with Kaitlyn. She got a lot of new coloring books, so we have been doing that a lot. She also enjoys playing catch, which she is getting pretty good at.


Mike has been spending more time with Kaitlyn, since I am usually feeding Jacob. I know she enjoys her special time with Daddy. I have been working on a milk supply so Mike can feed Jacob if he wakes up and I am not around. That allows me to be able to do something with Kaitlyn. Today we went to the store, just Kaitlyn and me, and I know she really enjoyed that.

Here's a few pictures from this week :)

such a sweet picture of Daddy and Jacob

 Kaitlyn with her new water table from Grandma and Grandpa Van

 Mama one week after baby. 

It's feels so good to be able to reach my toes again! :)

Showing off her skills

Kaitlyn got to show her swimming skills to Grandma and Grandpa. It's been a few days since we've been to the pool, due to inclement weather. I think she really enjoyed herself :)

Mommy stayed behind to feed our Barry Fan

Welcome home, Jacob

Mike and I were anxious to bring Jacob home, and get back to the swing of things. We also wanted to be able to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa while they are here. My doctor said that I should be able to go home Saturday afternoon. When Saturday morning came, we were a little surprised that we weren't going to be discharged until Sunday. I talked with the nurses, and the pediatrician, and they were helpful with getting everything in order for us to leave Saturday afternoon. We left the hospital at 1pm to go home. Grandma, Grandpa and Kaitlyn made Jacob feel right at home with their sign :)

Didn't make a sound on the ride home

Wide awake now :)

the puppies seem to like Jacob too

Bailey bonding with Jacob

Here's a little video of Jacob alert and awake


Trying the bouncy seat, I think he likes it :)


Jacob is a very good baby, hardly fusses unless he's hungry or getting his diaper changed. Our first night was a little rough, due to a little gas. By 6am I think I had an hour sleep total. Didn't bother me... I am just so happy to hold my son in my arms and not my tummy.

Our baby boy is born

Thursday I had been having contractions all day, since about 9am. They weren't really consistent, but I was having at least one an hour. I was hoping that this meant labor was around the corner. Around 11pm contractions were starting to get closer together. I kept Mike updated on the time between contractions, by midnight they were about 3 minutes apart. The contractions weren't extremely strong yet, but I also didn't want my water to break and then we don't make it to the hospital. We decided that it would be a good idea to go, and the worse that could happen was we would be sent home- better safe than sorry. A friend of ours came over to stay with Kaitlyn while we were at the hospital.

We got to the hospital around 1am. Before I was admitted, they had to check to be sure I was in active labor. I was dilated 6.5cm, so we weren't going to be sent home. It had been a very busy week for babies at the hospital, they delivered 10 babies the day before, and didn't have many rooms left. We were fortunate to get one of the last rooms, otherwise we would have been sent to another hospital.

Once we were settled into our room, it was a few hours before anything had changed. Around 6:40am, the doctor ordered me Pitocin. She came in to check on me around 7:15am, before her scheduled c-section. She asked me if I wanted her to break my water, I told her to go ahead. Then she asked if I wanted an epidural because now was the time to do it, since the anesthesiologist would be with her during the c-section. I told her I didn't want one, but if there was something they could give me through my IV to take the edge off I would like that. My doctor said to let the nurse know what I was ready for that, and not to have the baby in the next 45 minutes, and then she was off to her c-section.

After my water broke, my contractions went from 5 minutes to 2 minutes apart and got INTENSE. Before long, they were almost one right after the other. I hit the nurse call button to get the pain med. After she got it into my IV, she checked to see how I've progressed. 30 minutes after my water was broke, it was about time to push. UH OH... is the doctor done with the c-section???? God's timing is perfect, she hadn't gone in yet! The c-section got delayed because the anesthesiologist was delayed with another patient. So my doctor came back in ready to deliver the baby. 5 contractions later (and A LOT of pain), our son went from being in my belly to on top of it! All I could say was "you're finally here! you're really here!"

I didn't care about anything else, he was perfect! Looks a lot like Kaitlyn, but with A LOT of hair. He even has little side-burns! The nurse then needed to take him to get him cleaned up and weighed. Typical boy, he peed on the nurse, then pooped all over the towel. Jacob Daniel Fulkerson was born at 8:10am, weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces, 19 inches long. What a blessing!

All the pre-term labor precautions we had made Grandma and Grandpa Van get their plane tickets a few weeks ago to come here (thinking we would have a few weeks old baby when they arrived). So while we were at the hospital, they were driving to the airport! They were on the first plane to OKC :) Grandma and Grandpa arrived at the hospital at 11am to see their new grandson, just before he needed to go to the nursery for his bath.

It has really been wonderful having them here! I don't know how we would have taken care of Kaitlyn without them. She has also really enjoyed her special time with Grandma and Grandpa. They truly have helped to make Jacob's arrival a special (stress-free) time. Here's a few pictures from the hospital of our wonderful new addition.

first time holding baby brother

Grandma & Grandpa Van with Jacob

Kaitlyn is excited to meet her baby brother

Kaitlyn holding Jacob and giving a kiss

coloring with Kaitlyn

bonding with Daddy

Dr. Doeden, my doctor who delivered our son

simply handsome :)

Maybe baby

I had my weekly doctor appointment this afternoon. Baby's heart rate was 144, and I am dilated more than 4 now (I must be almost a 5 since she said 4+ to me). The nurse was a little surprised I hadn't had the baby yet just from looking at my chart. We joked that I must have a comfy recliner in there, or he hears what's on the menu for the night and wants to stay for some good eats.

I went in with the idea that nothing has changed... but the first thing my doctor asked me was, "Do you want me to scrape your membranes?" Now, this is not a for sure way to make labor begin, but for many women it works within 48 hours. I told her to go ahead, it's worth a try. She said if I haven't had the baby by the end of the week, we can talk about inducing. I'm not sure that I want to induce labor, so I'm hoping that this method will work. I have had a few pretty strong contractions since she did this, but nothing consistent. I guess time will tell...

Cheeeeeeeeeeeese

Kaitlyn is no longer camera shy, she LOVES to have her picture taken. She says "cheese" for a probably 5 seconds for a picture, and then she wants to see the preview right away :) Here's a few pictures of Kaitlyn saying "cheese" and a few videos to really capture the moment :) I still can't believe she's my daughter, she's just too wonderful! Moments like this really make me feel blessed.




This video is really short

37 weeks, and back to "normal"

I had my 37 week doctor appointment on Tuesday this week. Baby's heart rate is a strong 150. I'm still dilated 3-4cm, 80-90% effaced, and baby is still at zero station. I am now considered full term, so I no longer have any restrictions. I can live my normal day to day life which usually includes going to the store or just doing something out of the house. Since nothing has really changed, the doctor doesn't think I'll deliver this week. She said that she will see me next week.

I was really disappointed after hearing this... with all the progression I was making 3 weeks too soon. Now that a few days have gone by, I have accepted the reality that my boy is sitting cozy now, and may just stay in there until his due date. I haven't had many contractions this week, compared to the many I had last week (and before). So until he arrives, I'll be enjoying my last few days with one child before the chaos begins.

Here's my 37 week picture :)
Mama with her babies :)