Best Buds?

Jillian's umbilical cord fell off. I've never been a fan and was happy when it fell off last Sunday evenning. After I finally found it in her sleeper, I showed it to James and then threw it away. I know some people save them but I had no intention to do so.

The next day we had a doctor's appointment and we were telling the nurse that her cord had fallen off. She asked if we had kept it and I told her no. James then proceeded to ask me what I had done with it. I told him that I had thrown it in the trash. He questioned which trash can, asking if it had been the one in Jillian's room. I said yes and he just made a face. I thought he was upset with me because he had wanted me to keep it. At this point James and Granny were both laughing and I had no clue what was going on. As soon as the nurse walked out, James informed me that Bandit had eaten Jillian's umbilical cord! Apparently Bandit was being his normal self that morning and barking at an animal out the window in Jillian's room. He knocked over the trash can and the next thing James knew he was chomping down on something very crunchy sounding! Very disgusting but a great story for the baby book! Who knew they would become such close buds so quickly.

Introducing Jillian Jaymes Whited

Checking her out

You can see what the vacuum did to her head but it already looks much better!

Mommy and Jillian after trying nursing

Daddy joins us for a family picture

Proud Daddy

We couldn't wait to dress her in her cute clothes until we got home so we brought her clothes to the hospital

After the 2nd night in the hospital, daddy sleeping with Jillian

Getting her dressed to go home

She would not cooperate for a good picture though - at least at first

Jillian saying she's number 1!

All buckled in and ready to go home

We can't forget about Bandit. He was sooo happy to see us! He had a hard time figuring out why we were gone and why my parents were at our house without us. This was his first peek at Jillian. It took him forever to notice her even. Finally she made a little noise and he started to check her out. He's done well so far and is very protective - every time she cries (which is rarely) or grunts he goes over to the cradle to check on her.

The next afternoon we had our first doctor's appointment so we gave her her 1st bath with the help of Grandma Whited. I spared you the screaming, naked child pictures.

We tried really hard to get all the gunk out of her hair because they had been pointing ointment on her head. Grandma gave her a mohawk. As you can see, she has quite a bit of hair!

Ready for her doctor's appointment

Birth Story

We went to the hospital on Sunday afternoon at 5:30 to prepare for the induction the next morning. Before we went we took the opportunity to take "belly shots" before the big arrival.

At the hospital, once we got checked in they gave me the Cervadil and started the Potocin at 7 the next morning. I still really didn't make any progress with the Cervadil but we were moving forward! I started feeling contractions but still really wasn't doing anything so they broke my water at 9:30. The nurse kept asking me about my pain level and the number kept steadily increasing. I was still ok though.

My goal was to try to wait until I was at least 4 cm dialated to get the drugs so as not to slow down progress but by 2:00 I was done and asked for the drugs being only 2 cm. I now have great admiration for those of you who have delivered a baby without the use of drugs - you are all much stronger than me! I learned to next time aske for the drugs 45 minutes before I actually want them because those last minutes waiting for it to happen were horrible! Even better James almost passed out during the epidural because of the smell - I smelt nothing. I was starting to worry about him during the delivery! After the drugs, I moved along very quickly and probably about 2 hours later was at 7 cm and by 6:00, was 10 cm and it was time to push!

Here is where progress slowed! Jillian was sunny side up and was just not moving down with the pushing. The doctor started talking about other options, 1 being the vacuum suction. That was the one thing going in I knew I did not want because in my profession all you hear about are the horrible stories. James tried to presuade me that I could do it and at first my mom did also but after another hour I could not go anymore and we decided to move forward again. They only give you 3 contractions to let the vacuum work or the go to a C-section. After the 3 contractions were over - she still wasn't here and I felt very discouraged and was thinking after all this, I still have to do a C-section. Luckily the doctor said she was right there and she would give me one more push to get her out on my own. Luckily it worked and our beautiful daughter was finally here! I'll post the beautiful pictures next!

Top Ten Signs That You are a Mom

At the family shower, 3 of my cousins, Melinda, Kelly, and Carrie were not able to be there but wanted to contribute something so they developed a top ten.

10. You have a companion with you when you go to the bathroom.

9. You can eat brownies while discussing the latest diaper change without missing a bite.

8. You drive 30 mph just to avoid stopping at the next red light and risking the baby waking up.

7. You are half dressed in your living room and it isn't for the benefit of your husband.

6. Other kids crying and screaming in a restaurant no longer bother you because you are just glad they are not yours.

5. After so many years of talking to your pet with no response, this one now responds and repeats... oops.

4. You can drive, reach the backseat, find a pacifier, find the baby's mouth, stop the crying, and never swerve.

3. A clean house means everyone has had a shower/bath in the last 24 hours.

2. You reach into your purse for your favorite lip gloss and all you can find is a pacifier, a half eaten box of raisins, and some diaper cream.

And the number one sign that you are a mom...

You can't stop crying! You cry because they have just brought the new baby to you; you cry because you are so excited to see solid poop; you cry because you can't remember where you put your keys; you cry because they cry; you cry because your husband finally made it home to help; you cry because your child smiles at you for the first time... YOU CRY ALL THE TIME!

I guess I'm ready to be a mom because just hearing this made me cry!

Not Ready Yet!

Well after being at the doctor on Wednesday and being told I was done and was going to have this baby on Thursday, I am now at home without my baby girl!

At the doctor's appointment on Wednesday my blood pressure was very high (182 over 102). Even after resting and laying on my side for a while it was still high. Dr. Hart told me to walk right over to the emergency room and be checked in for induction in the morning. That's what we did while feeling very excited and of course a little anxious and nervous - we definately weren't expecting this. Then of course your excitement builds anticipating holding your little girl the next day.

We checked in and they got me all set up on monitors and started the Cervadil to help things along. At midnight they started me on IV fluids. At 5 am the took the Cervadil out and determined that it had done absolutely nothing to me - still dialated to a big fat zero! They started the Potocin at 6 and when the doctor checked me at 7:15 I was a one - better than zero!

Unfortunately when she came back to check me at 10:30 I was still a 1. I was having steady contractions and despite making the Potocin stronger they weren't getting any stronger and I wasn't making any progress. The doctor gave us two choices - either she would break my water and see what happens, knowing that I might end of with a C-section or we could try again on Monday with the induction. Of course it was a very difficult decision - one which made my blood pressure go up but we ended up deciding to try again. It was decided that we would come back in on Sunday night to try the Cervadil and Potocin again on Monday morning. Regardless of what happens, Jillian will be with us for sure on Monday. No sending me home this time!

I was sent home and told to be on bed rest which all of you know I've very bad at sitting and doing nothing - I mean look at my mother. On the way home from the hospital I was very emotional and cried most of the way home. Although I was happy with our decision, it was still upsetting to be going home without our baby when just a day ago we were so excited that she was going to be here! I'm better now and have actually been doing a good job of staying on the couch - except for right now of course. My swelling in my feet is drastically down - they almost look normal again and I'm feeling fine. I'm still having some contractions which is a good sign but they are far apart and not painful at all. So I guess we wait in anticipation of our little girl on Monday. Please keep us in your prayers!

Family Shower

Last weekend I had another shower in Hallettsville for all of my family. It was hosted by my sister-in-law Jennifer and the Henke cousins. It was held at mom and dad's house. I had a great time!

Waddle Game - in teams of 5, each member of the team had to blow up a balloon, put it under their shirt, waddle over to the baby bottle while holding a quarter between their knees and attempt to drop the quarter in the bottle. The videos are hilarious!

They did a pool for people to guess Jillian's birthday - it looks like someone picked the 16th in the afternoon so hopefully they will be right!

Name that Poop Game - well I had never seen this game before and needless to say it was quite disgusting. Lots of different kinds of candy bars melted in the diaper. Note to self - if I ever see something that likes like Cookies N Cream bar in Jillian's diaper, take her straight to the doctor!

I enlisted a little help from James on this one.








Name that Tune Game - I knew that I would be terrible at this game so mom and I enlisted my cousin Jessica to be on our team because we knew she would be awesome and we were right! I hear we have Jason to thank for helping with this game. I heard he had to apologize to the music gods for having One Hot Mamma on his computer.








Again we got many wonderful gifts. Thanks everyone! This is the crocheted blanket from Aunt Carol. She has made a blanket for each of her neices and nephews first children.









Many of my Henke cousins and a few aunts all went together to get the bedding set and mobile for Jillian's room. It really made her room come together and it looks great!

Granny Grahmann made Jillian two beautiful blankets and decorated 6 burp cloths.

We also got an entertainment mat which I hear works wonders - all the kids at the shower apparently thought it was a hit so I hope Jillian does too!

Mother's Blessing

As I said before at the shower that my friends had for me we also had a Mother's Blessing. For those of you that have never heard of this before let me explain what it is. The Mother's Blessing is an Indian tradition that is suppose to focus on the expectant mother's transition into the new phase of her life. Everyone present at the Mother's Blessing brings a bead of there choice and as they string the bead on a necklace for the new mother they can say a few words of encouragement, advice, a wish, or prayer. It was a very meaningful experience for me and I think for everyone that was there as well! I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people supporting me as I make this transition in my life. I appreciate all the support and advice. It was so great to hear so many people say that they knew that I would make a wonderful mother. Now I just hope that they are right. I was also able to videotape the whole Mother's Blessing - thanks Shandala but I have not had a chance to watch it yet. Here are a few pieces of advice that I remember through all my tears during the actuall blessing.

• Enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy. You will never again be pregnant with your first child. Even though you may feel miserable - take a few minutes each day to enjoy it and remember it
• Once the baby is here take a few minutes each day to truly enjoy the baby.
• A new baby will change your life - let it - you will never be the same
• Try to accomplish balance - don't forget about the other aspects of your life once the baby comes
• Don't forget to nuture your relationship with your husband once the baby comes. He will need you as well.
• Your little girl will truly be your best friend!

I cried most of the time - but I can say that I was not the only one!

Here's the proof - caught me with a handful of Kleenex

Anneliese added some much needed comic relief when we all needed it. While someone was talking she asked Jennifer, "Why is she crying?" It gave us all a much needed laugh. Then she added her own bead to the necklace, wishing Jillian, "Happy Birthday, Baby Shower."

Here is the finished product plus a belly shot

The necklace turned out great! Thanks, Michelle, for all of your hard work putting it together. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to rotate the picture - I'm still new to this.