Saturday, August 30, 2008

Jack's First Video

This kid is adorable. And we think he's even more adorable in person than in the pictures. So, for those of you who haven't been able to see him live and in the moment, here is Jack's very first video. Granted, the video quality isn't awesome by any means, but he yawns, sticks his tongue out, and you can even spot his dimples a few times!

There are also a few pictures of Jack and his mama (she is looking and doing great!). And Daisy (our dog) came home last night, too!







Friday, August 29, 2008

More Visitors, More Pictures

Things are going along swimmingly. Jack had his best night of sleep last night, only waking up twice (for feeding) and right back to sleep almost immediately!

We've had some good times with friends stopping by, including the fact that folks from church have started delivering meals every other night - what a huge relief and blessing!

So, here are a few more pictures from our friend Jill. And also, our good friend Jayne (who is an amazing photographer) came over and did a photo shoot with us and our boy. We should see those pictures in the coming weeks. Get excited.





(We need to get more pictures of Jack and Stacey together. Though, a good portion of the time they spend together would be awkward/inappropriate to photograph and post on the internet.)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Visitors and Pictures

Well, just thought everyone might like to see a few more pictures of Jack. We can't stop watching him, even though he does little more than eat, sleep, and poop. Although, he was wide awake and looking around for about an hour today.

We've had some visitors the past few days - we love showing him off. And look forward to showing him off more. And he had his first bath at home today.



Stacey, Jack, and her Grandma




It's fun to watch little kids interact with babies. Louie Rohlfing thought it was fun to tickle Jack.



Adorable, right?! It looks like he was smiling, and even though he wasn't, let's pretend that he was.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Another Day, More Pictures

Just thought I'd share a few more pictures from today. Everyone is doing well.




Saturday, August 23, 2008

Home Sweet Home

Just wanted to let those of you who've been wondering, we did make it home today around 2pm. We've settled in, eaten some good food (thanks neighbor Molly!) and had a few visitors. Everything is still going really well; Jack didn't need to do any more jaundice treatment.

So, we're going to sleep now, for a few hours and, again, want to thank everybody for their support, encouragement, and prayers over the past few days. It's clearly just the beginning, but we're feeling pretty good right now.

If anybody wants to visit, don't hesitate to call and see how we're feeling - we are pretty excited to show off our baby boy.






Last Day at the Hospital

Well, we've made it to our last day in the hospital. Yesterday (Friday) was very eventful. Blood tests and 'snip-snip' and visitors. Jack also had to go "under the lights." Like a good portion of babies, he was a bit jaundiced, so they put him under the bili-lights. The doctor's goal was to not have us take home a bili-blanket. I'm pretty sure we're going to hit that goal and should find out in the next hour or so. With his lights, his crib was described as a tanning bed or his first disco party. But he has been so good and content most of the time and the nurses have been very impressed with our little guy - let's hope that lasts.


(this is the logo on the machine. hilarious.)


He's doing much better at feeding and Stacey is feeling better and continues to become more and more mobile. We are pretty excited to get home, to dress him in an outfit and let him swing and things like that. And to sleep in our own bed (even if its only for two hours at a time). Now we are just waiting for Stacey's doctor and Jack's doctor to do final evaluations and then we'll be heading home, sometime midday.







Friday, August 22, 2008

Just Seems Like Yesterday

It just seems like he was born yesterday!

Well, I haven't updated in a while. Mostly because we've been tired and busy and tired. But we are doing just fine.

We stayed in the delivery room up until noon yesterday because there are so many babies being born and they didn't have an open room for us. We then moved into a "semi-private"room, which means we had a room mate in a small, uncomfortable space. But then, after twelve hours there, we were moved into our present situation, a palatial private room fit for a king (well, maybe not that nice, but compared to where we came from...)

Here are a few pictures from yesterday and today. Jack had his first bath, his nails trimmed (he was scratching his face off), and plenty of adorable moments (which are much better in person). We have managed to get around 3 hours of sleep so far today, since breakfast. So, things are looking up.













We'll be leaving tomorrow around lunch time, assuming nothing changes. And if you need/want to visit, we are in room 4105.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

One Night Down...

So, we've made it through night number one.

Jack is doing great. And Stacey is in recovery mode, on some drugs and dealing with some comfort issues, but overall feeling content.

Apparently there was no room in the inn for us last night (a busy baby night).
So, we are still in the delivery room, which is comfortable enough for now. We'll move to our postpartum room as soon as someone else leaves. Which means we may want to hold off on visitors until then, mid morning or so.

Again, thank you to everyone who cheered us on and offered prayers. It was an amazing experience for both of us and we will certainly never forget it. We certainly appreciated that all of the parents stayed until they could visit, which was 3am (putting them in the waiting room for some 7-9 hours!!!).

(Adam's mom and Jack)


(Stacey's dad and Jack)

Arrival



Jack Weston Bouse

August 21 2008, 1:00am

7lbs. 15oz.
22 inches

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Standby

Still pushing...

A Picture Post








(Translation: Stacey is at 10cm. It's time to start pushing.)

Sound Effects

The machines in this room make it seem like you are playing a video game.

After her blood pressure is taken it has the sound of "Game Over." When she hits her epidural/Jeopardy button for more pain medication, it sounds like a bird chirping. How pleasant.

We are just now coming to the end of our three-and-a-half hour "Baby: Down" playlist.

The nurse is going to remeasure at 10:00. See you then.

(p.s. it's very exciting/encouraging that you all care so much and continue to watch and take part. we really do appreciate it, silly as it may seem)

Nine at Nine

9:00=9cm

The 9th Hour

Stacey was feeling a bit of a headache and a little shaky, so our third nurse of the day offered her a feast!!!


(I think that it sort of looks like she is sticking her tongue out in the picture, even though it's just the popsicle.)

As you can see, a feast at this point is merely a strawberry-lemonade popsicle (with real fruit!).
We're still hanging in there and laughing along the way. As the nurse went to get the feast, I asked Stacey if she even asked what flavor she'd like. No was the answer. And in unison, we replied: "Anything but grape!" Our kid is going to have great taste.

Progress

Jack is turning; "A whole lot better than he was."

And we are up to 7cm.

New Stage

Recent checkup:

5.5cm dilated
100% effaced

The nurse has Stacey in the "Reverse Flying Sleeping Panda" position now. Still trying to get him to turn over for us.

We've shut the TV down for the time being, put on the "Baby (Mood:Down) " playlist we created.

So, things are quiet and (hopefully) restful for the time being. We will check back in when something changes.

Hurry Up and Wait

Well, nothing major to report.

Stacey is pretty stinking numb where she ought to be. Amazing what modern medicine can do.

Jack, apparently, is still face up. So they have her laying in some positions to encourage him to turn over. I call the position right now, "Flying Sleeping Panda."

We'll have another measurement at 6:30 - look for another post shortly thereafter.

Drugged Up

Alright, the epidural is finished and fast acting!

We've got a confirmed 5+ cm dilated (on our way to 10). She has a little push-button that she can use any time the pain rears its unforgiving head. Hopefully she doesn't have to use it too much.

The nurse did say, "I think you've got a pretty big baby in there." Most of us know better, that it's more likely to be a huge head like his dad. Time will tell.

Stacey just suggested that we start taking bets on time of birth.
And despite the number of IV's running into her and the poor lighting, she looks as beautiful as I've ever seen her. That maternal glow is kicking in.

The next update will probably come with the next dilation check.

Bonus: Here are some images related to centimeters.


Inching Up...er...Centimetering Up

Welp, the epidural has been ordered and Stacey is at 4 1/2, almost 5cm.

Monitors

Alright...still nothing major to report, but there's progress.

As the photo on this post may show, we've moved past the point were Stacey is feeling particularly photogenic. Her contractions are definitely picking up in intensity and regularity (good job medicine).

No news yet on further dilation. They'll remeasure when pain medication enters the picture.

So far, we've watched some Olympics, two episodes of Home Improvement, and one episode of Monk, where ironically, there was a scene with the main characters at a museum, going through a "miracle of life" exhibit - including walk-through fallopian tubes and birth canal. Oh, the irony!

Gotta go. Massage and ice chip time.


Picture: The top is Jack's heartbeat. The bottom has to do with contractions, but doesn't show intensity.

Still Smiling

No major updates yet.

The doctor seems pretty excited to get things going, so Stacey just started a Pitocin drip to encourage along contractions and whatnot. We'll see how that works for us.

For now, Stacey is still all smiles.


Bonus: Can anyone spot lunch in this picture?

Okay, Get Excited!!!

Welp, we are at the hospital!!!

Stacey's water broke this morning around 10. She was at work, in the midst of a conversation. I, too, was at work in Indy. She called saying, "My water broke. It feels gross. I am going home to get stuff and then heading to the hospital."

So, I truly got to live the experience of the mad-dash drive up from Indy. We won't say specific speeds or times, suffice it to say that I made it in record time. And I didn't miss a thing.

Her doctor at the Voss Center checked her: as of 11:15am she was 3cm dilated and 90% effaced (for those of you who know what those things mean).

And now we are all cozy, watching Olympics and blogging.

We'll keep you posted.
Here we go!!!!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Don't Get Excited

Hey everyone. Don't get excited...we're not heading to the hospital. Yet. Tomorrow is the due date, but we may or may not have any excitement tomorrow. You should know that Stacey's doctors have told us that they won't let her go past a week overdue (not from concern, just their policy). Stacey recently took some pictures of Jack's room and we thought we'd share for those folks who haven't/won't get a chance to see it any time soon. It's nothing fancy, but fun to share.

So, here are a few pictures. Let this hold you over - and get ready because we're going to have a kid some time, most definitely, within the next seven days!



Bonus Story: Tonight, as Stacey was doing some cleaning and housework (nesting?), I heard a big thud and crash. I was in the living room and so, in the caring and compassionate way that I usually boast, I went dashing to see what happened. Now, it's important to remember that our dining room has a wooden floor. And I was wearing socks. So I did my best Tom Cruise, unintentionally, with less grace and more clothes and crashed to the floor myself. Took the skin clean off my knee.

But as it turns out, a card table had been knocked over. Stacey was fine.