The Main Event!

Okay, I am finally going to post since Jack has arrived!For the many of you that have asked about the overall experience of labor I shall share a bit.

It all began by my water breaking around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday the 21st. It was interesting that Jack decided that this was the best timing because it was actually the first night that John decided to sleep on the couch because I wouldn't stop moving around. John made it through the whole 9 months with my tossing, so I think that Jack just wanted the bed to himself! I was hesitant at first to wake John up just in case I was wrong about what was happening because there were no contractions, just mild cramps. I finally woke him up about 10 minutes later and told him it was time for Jack. He looked sleepily at me then it must have registered what I said because then he woke up faster then I have ever seen a Fehskens awake! John quickly started gathering all the hospital items, fed the cat and looked up directions for mom, who was coming from VA. I called mom to let her know what was happening and she was on the road with John's directions within about 20 minutes of me calling her. After all of this preparation it dawned on me that I had not called the Dr.'s office (even though John kept asking me to) so I called the answering service and the Dr. called back about 5 mins later. She asked a bunch of questions then instructed us to go to the hospital.
Upon arrival at the hospital I still felt fine, no contractions. They checked us in then sent me back to a room for confirmation that I was starting labor. I had a really great nurse, Heather, who was joking with me because they had taken bets when we first walked in that I wasn't in labor becuase my hair was up and my makeup was on. *As a side note I have to admit I was wasting time by putting makeup on while I was waiting for the laundry to be done before we left. There was a pair of yoga pants that I wanted to bring with us. Tee hee. Anyways the nurses lost the bet among each other because the doctor on call confirmed that my water had broke and I was already 6cm dilated! All of this and I still felt great.
Around 630 they sent me and John upstairs to the birthing suite, which no lie looked like a nice hotel room! We got settled, hooked up to a monitor and they gave me sugar fluids due to the fact that I had been a dumb bunny and not eaten before we left! oops! During this time John started calling the family, then church because he was supposed to play with the worship band for the first time that morning!
Mom arrived around 10 I think and was so excited to be there while we waited, by this time I was 7 almost 8 cm, with contractions every 3 mins. We thought it was moving quickly but then Jack decided to just hang out for a bit. We went through the ups and downs of some contractions but then they started to space out about 5-6 mins. After a few hours they changed again and they started to spike! Ouch! Mom moved to the waiting room and about 2 hours of more intense contractions began. John's poor hand became my focal point instead of this cute little duck named "dinky". But I can't stress enough what an amazing job he did at keeping me calm and focused. About the time that the contractions became unbearable Dr. London let me know I could start pushing! Finally! While this part was rough with no drugs it wasn't so awful that I would say I would need drugs the next time around.
Jack was born at 3:09 pm sunny side up (facing up instead of down) happy and healthy. John was able to cut the cord while Jack was on my chest through his tears of joy. He was then a dad right away and followed Jack to the baby table where Jack was cleaned up and checked out. Holding Jack for the first time was incredible and unbelievable. I think I was still in shock that something so sweet had just arrived.
We spent an hour together as a family before mom was introduced as grandma and we were moved to a different room, that was equally as nice. We spent the first few hours just amazed at the whole event! Everything else for the next 48 hours went well, and we were released from the hospital on Tuesday morning.
We arrived home for the first time at 1030 am to an apartment that Grandma had decorated with flowers, baby decorations and lots of food for the next few days. It was a huge relief to be home with the little guy that we had been waiting for. I then crashed on the couch with Jack in my arms while John watched us and a movie.
Overall the experience was amazing and marks the beginning of a whole new chapter in our lives!

Amber Alert!

Thought you might like a glimpse of Jack in the "active alert" mood (can you tell I've been reading baby books?). He had a pretty rough night but this morning at 9:00 he was wide awake and very interested in, well, everything. It's worth it just for the baby noises. Enjoy.

Live and In Person!

So, as most of you know, Jack was born on Sunday, March 21st at 3:09 p.m. It was the day of the Spring Equinox--yet another reason for us to think of our son as extra special! He was born 12 days early at 7 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long, with blonde hair. We got to come home on Tuesday at 10 in the morning, and this was our first opportunity to film this little booger. He was pretty awake at the time, after having slept through two movies with his mom. As dad, I've realized I'm more or less the "pit crew"--I rush in and do whatever's necessary the second I'm needed! Look forward to many more entries as we go. The time has come, he's here, and there's a whole life to look forward to.