To say the least, this has been the most eventful week of my life. Having a baby is defintely a body changing experience! My body wasn't expecting such a traumatic labor, but at the end of the day, it was ALL worth it! The labor was very long - we checked in on Thursday, and I had contractions (mild) for all of Thursday night and then Friday at 800a, they started pitocin. I progressed at a normal rate, but for some reason, every time I would lay any other way besides on my left side, Jackson's heart rate would drop and we'd have to hurry and quickly roll back over and hope it would go back up. We had a couple pretty big scares, but by 645p, 
he was finally born! His cord was wrapped around his neck and under his arm - which is what was causing the heart rate to drop. I had received an epidural, but unfortunately, because I was having to stay on my left side, the epidural wore off on the right side, so I felt every single thing on that side - so I guess I labored half way all natural! :) I left the hospital w/ some issues (other than the norm) to which I won't go into detail - but let's just say, it's getting better every day. I have such an awesome AMAZING supportive family that I'm bouncing back a lot faster than the Average Jane! Ryan and my dad made another trip to Little Rock on Sunday and took the last of our stuff. Jackson's first sleepless night occured Sunday evening. Being a new mom, it's hard to not get frustrated when your pride and joy is unhappy and you can't fix it. I never thought nursing a child would be so tough... Not just physically, just tough on the baby! He wasn't getting enough food and boy, he wanted me to know about it! Ryan, Jackson, Calvin, Hobbes and I left Fayetteville on Monday evening w/ my mom and got settled in in Little Rock. Jackson did so well in the car and I couldn't have been more uncomfortable! When we got into the house - which was only the 2nd time I'd seen it - it was completely covered in boxes and stuff everywhere. Ryan's dad was here to help build our bed so we could sleep and that was the start of our journey! It was pretty much sleepless nights ever since until last night when he slept about 3 hours, ate and then slept another 2 hours! YIPPEEE! Guess that is what happens when your "milk comes in." I'm so thankful for that. Today was our best day yet - Jackson slept most of the day and my mom and I got so much done on our house. She is bound and determined to get me out of these boxes and into some sense of normalcy before she leaves on Saturday. I just don't think I want her to leave at all... I tell her every day that I could not - AT ALL - have done any of this w/o her! I would be a disaster!Ryan started work yesterday and worked a 1/2 day and then all day today. He is liking his job and seems to be happy w/ everything.
I want to thank all of you for your love, support and prayers through all of this! I truly know that that is why God has allowed Jackson, me, Ryan AND my mom to make it through all of this and retain our sanity! The body does weird things when you combine hormones and insomnia!
Here are some recent pics of Jackson! I'm going to post a link tomorrow (hopefully) of a larger number of pictures, so please check back then! I'll do better about posting now that I have a little more sleep.
Love and hugs!
