JUSTIN HAS ARRIVED!!!

Justin has arrived and since beautiful mommy is still recovering it falls to me to update the blog and pass on the wonderful news to the world. Justin Alexander Hawes was born at 2:15 am by C-section. He weights 9 lbs. 15 oz. and is 21.5 inches long. Even for his size he is still a couple of weeks early so he is having a little trouble breathing on his own, which means he is in the ICU at the hospital. Not to worry though he is doing better every hour and should only have to be there a couple of days. Please send him a prayer if you could. Mommy is doing well also but is a little sore and is very bummed out that she can't hold Justin very much yet and has not been able to breast feed him like she wanted. More to come very soon. Jenni should be released on Thursday and have not really heard much about Justin's release but hopefully it will also be soon. ;-)

An overnight stay in the hospital.....& our estimated 10 lbs. 9 oz. baby!

The past 2 days have been quite eventful and interesting. We called to get in to see our doctor because Jenni had a large amount of increased swelling over the weekend. To our surprise we found out that she had gained 14 pounds in just 4 days!! Granted it is all fluid, and has flowed into her legs and feet which were already quit swollen. It is very painful and uncomfortable if you an imagine. Her blood pressure was also a little high once again and with recent headaches happening over the weekend we were directed to go to the hospital. So, we did. Our bags were already packed and in the car (we were so prepared!)

Once we got to Labor & Delivery we were admitted and stayed in triage for what seemed like forever......4 hours I believe. During this time they monitored the baby's heart rate, her blood pressure and her contractions, which were pretty strong at times and semi-regular, but not regular enough to go into labor.

We were finally brought to a private room, which was really nice by the way, and hooked back up to the monitors and she began her 24 hour urine. She got a lot of blood work done which was REALLY painful. She is normally not one to hate needles and usually just deals with it, but since she had terrible edema (swelling) they had to go deep sea diving for a vein. Veins that are typically not a problem to get at. Her arms and hands are bruised, but happily after getting stuck by 3 different nurses for a total of 9 times they finally were able to get their sample. :) She was a real trooper, you should all be proud haha.

After staying overnight and evaluating her the following morning, it was determined she was to be on bed rest from now on. We also had to have another ultrasound to measure Justin's weight which is estimated to be around 10 lbs. 9 oz!!! We have a doctor's appointment Thursday and we are hoping to finally determine the plan of action regarding a c-section or inducing of labor. That folks, was our exciting 2 days. We'll keep you posted of course. Now, it's off to sleep, it's been about 4 days no sleep and now on bed rest it seems I can sleep whenever I need to!

PS, this whole thing was a nice test run for the going to the hospital and having a baby deal!

Here are 2 picture of Justin (Pudge) from today's ultrasound. Look at those cheeks! :)

PSS - Most of this was written by Jenni and edited by Steve, because he likes to pretend that he is helpful;-)

1cm Dilated

We had our weekly appointment this afternoon and Dr. Archer examined me and it showed we're 1cm dilated, woo hoo! It's getting very exciting, but we also know you can be dilated at 1-3 for weeks. We have another ultrasound scheduled for next week. If it shows he's pretty much going to be 10 or more pounds we may have the option to induce labor or schedule a c-section. And contractions have begun as well, although they are still sporadic. So, yet another week of waiting, we shall continue to see what happens....

We're getting very anxious for Justin to come out and play, all of our hospital bags are packed and his room is ready to go! :)

Hey MTV, Check out my Crib!

We thought you might enjoy the grand tour of Justin's room! Mind you I had some technical difficulties at the very end! :)

OB Appointment with Dr. Popp

Today we thought we were going to get a lot of answers surrounding Baby Justin and his arrival, but it has turned into more of a waiting game. :(

We'll start with some fun facts:
1.) I am measuring as if I am 44 weeks pregnant (which is impossible because they never let you get to 44 weeks pregnant)! So, I continue to grow at the rate of a Macy's Thanksgiving Day float!

2.) I am retaining more water than Niagara Falls and Justin's floating around in quite the waterpark! They don't know why and I have more blood work to get done this week. But, they say I am the size of a Macy's float due to much of it being fluid so that reassures me of my post baby weight-loss goals haha.

3.) Justin is doing just fine, he's just big....Did I mention we've nicknamed him Pudge already? :)

4.) I have a note cutting my hours from work in office, so we will see how that goes. My blood pressure was out of wack a little bit at today's appointment so between that, being "44 weeks pregnant" and the swelling in my feet and legs I've been told to rest.

5.) Finally, I have more blood work for the diabetes this week.

So, what does all this mean? Not much really. We start weekly visits and a lot is depending on how I feel week to week, if he decides to come early on his own and how my blood works comes out. The doctors did say I would have another ultrasound in 3 weeks and at that point we should have more of an idea if we are looking at inducing labor, trial labor or a c-section. So, to be continued! We'll keep you posted!

Infant Care Class

Last night Steven and myself attended the Infant Care class. Grandma and Grandpa Kapla also tagged along to have a much needed baby care 101 refresher. It was very much like I expected it to be. I knew all the basics, but learned quite a bit during the 2 hours that will be helpful. It was very cute because believe it or not, Steven has never ever changed a diaper and really hasn't had much time with babies. I loved watching him in class changing a babies diaper for the first time and giving baby a bath. Mind you these were just practice dolls, but he did a great job and I was really proud of him.

He is always nervous around other people's babies (ahem, baby Will) but I have no doubt he'll be a great daddy of course. I've been trying to get him to "practice" when we babysit Will, but thinking about it, Steven wouldn't even come with me to visit him the first 3 months of Will's life for the fear I would make him hold him lol. He says it's the break it and buy it policy... "I'm not comfortable if I drop someone else's kid, but if it's mine well..." Of course, he will NOT be dropping Justin, but I understood his nervousness. But over the course of time Steven has come to help me babysit Will and has watched me change him and he even lended a hand at a couple bath times. And of course Steven loves talking Detroit Tiger's with Will, he's really sweet when I watch him play with him. I think he's all set to go finally. Like I said, I can't wait to see him hold our little guy, it will be extra special and heart warming!

Tomorrow if a big doctor's appointment, so I will surely posting and giving you an update. Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you tomorrow!

Low Key & Relaxing 4th of July Weekend!

Happy 4th of July everyone; we hope you all had yourselves a great holiday weekend. This 4th of July was pretty low key yet a fun time for all of us. We had planned to go the fireworks last night in Ypsilanti, but after thinking about how parking, the madness of people and how much walking was involved for this mom to be we decided to opt out for a night at home.

We also were going to go to the Ann Arbor parade this morning, but Justin was kicking quite a bit throughout the night and I was having major back pain so this meant I finally went to sleep around 3:30am. Of course, I was up every hour on the hour having to go to the bathroom (Justin's head is currently using my bladder as his pillow) as well. Needless to say we slept in this morning. I say we because I know everytime I woke up and was tossing and turning Steven would wake up too. :(

This afternoon we fired up the BBQ for some country style ribs and a picnic. While Grill Master Daddy was grilling, myself, Justin, the pups and Grandma and Grandpa Kapla sat outside on the deck and joined him. We then went out for ice cream and we're going to watch some movies tonight. All in all a great holiday hanging out with the fam!

More pregnancy medical frustrations

We got a phone call from the doctor today and it turns out I more than likely have gestational diabetes (yay! not so much....) I have a doctor's appointment next week along with a string of blood work. I keep blaming myself that I've done something wrong but the doctors, my family and Steven keep assuring me I am doing everything I can to keep me and Justin healthy. Considering my mom is diabetic it very well could be hereditary, and apparently after the pregnancy is over it should go away. It looks like a very strict diet is in my future, so be kind to me and don't tease me with invitations to go out to eat or offer me that slice of pizza at the office. :)

The doctor also received Justin's ultrasound results and yes, he definately is a big boy and I also have a lot of extra fluid in my uterus. I'm not sure what this all means but my main question was, "Is Justin ok and is he healthy." Answer simply put was, yes. It is looking more and more like a c-section is going ot happen and earlier than my due date. So, Grandma Hawes, you might have your wish of him coming while you are visiting at the end of the month. I will find out more after my appointment next Wednesday and after the blood work and another ultrasound. Sigh....I'll definately keep everyone posted! In the meantime pray for us! :)