My big bundle of joy

We had Jack's pictures taken a few weeks ago.  He was only 2 weeks old, but was already too big for some of the photographer's newborn props!

It was also freakishly cold for June.  It had rained all day and there was a chilly wind blowing.  So we didn't get any peaceful, sleeping baby shots.  We tried to keep him bundled up as much as possible.

I don't know what he's thinking here, but I love the look on his face!

We wanted one of these pictures because we have one of Elijah and one of Sadie.  We probably could have just used Sadie's and said it was Jack...they look just alike in this picture!

Seriously

"Hey Mom, I'm a little sleepy over here."

It's been a long day...

"Seriously Mom, what does a boy have to do to get rocked to sleep?"

Not exactly how I planned it

On Thursday (June 7th) I took Jack to his first appointment with his pediatrician.  Since I delivered at a different hospital from the one our pediatrician works at we needed to let Dr Popejoy see Jack.  He was one week old that day so she was able to count it as his 2 week appointment.

I rushed around the house to get us off in time.  As I put Jack in his car seat I noticed we were in matching outfits.  There wasn't time to change either one of us and both of our wardrobes are so limited I may not have been able to change us any way.  Oh well.  Before heading to the doctor's office I went to the YMCA to sign the kids up for swim lessons since they wouldn't let me do it over the phone.  I parked right in front, got Jack out and headed inside.  A few steps into my very short journey I realized I can't carry the carrier with him in it.  It was just too heavy for my still-healing body.  I hobbled in to the Y the best I could and sat him down.  I got the kids all registered and headed back to the car.  I barely made it.

As I drove to the doctor's office I was just shy of panicked.  The walk from the parking lot to the doctor's office is far.  There was no way I was going to make it.  On top of that I had no stroller and no sling/carrier.  I didn't have time to go home or even stop by any friends houses to get anything.  I was just going to have to carry him.

As you may know it takes 2 arms to carry a week old baby.  So I have my big ole diaper bag and my matching baby.  People had to open doors for me and they were looking at me so funny.  I just held my head high and walked in.  As I walked up to the counter to introduce us he lets out a massive poop.  I try to explain why I'm carrying him and why we're matching because they are looking at me like I'm crazy.  They give me a clipboard full of paperwork and send me to the newborn waiting room.  As I'm sitting there trying to balance him and fill out the paperwork I realize he's sitting on my white shorts and I don't know how big his blowout is (is it leaking onto my white shorts?).  Just then the doctor walks by and says hi, then seems to assess the situation and her face immediately changes to confusion.  I try to explain myself and my matching baby.  She leaves and says she'll be right back (I'm sure she's on her way to give CPS a heads up.  I take Jack to change him, but of course some one is in the bathroom so I just change him on one of the counters (no one was around).  She returns and says she will help me get to a room so I won't have to move again.  So the doctor is leading me through the room with all the nurses and doctors carrying my clipboard and my diaper bag.  When we get in the room I explain myself again and tell her its our first trip out of the house and I just haven't gotten back into the baby mindset.  I felt like such an idiot.

The rest of the appointment went well.  Jack was down to 9 lbs 1 oz which is still around the 90th % and his length puts him around 90-95%.

I left there 2 hours later promising to get my act together (and put the stroller in the car).

Jack...The Whole Story.

Beau and I headed to the hospital at 5am on Thursday, May 31st.  Elijah and Sadie spent Wednesday night with our friends, The Jones.  As soon as we got there we were put into a room where my IV was started and I signed all my forms.  The Pitocin was started about 6:30 and the Dr came in and broke my water around 7:30, but I was still only 3cm.  The contractions were getting unbearable, but there was no one to do my epidural.  Both Anesthesiologists were in surgery and I was a person or 2 down on the list once they got out.  I finally got mine about 9:00 and I was at 8cm.  I spent the next hour turning from side to side to try and get the baby to drop.  I was ready to push around 10:30 so I let the nurse know and she called the Dr to come.  I started pushing close to 11.  It took some time pushing.  It was a lot more intense than my other two labors and toward the end I couldn't get myself to stop pushing.  Our bundle was born at 11:35 and the Dr announced "Its a...boy!"

They put him on my chest and I just kept crying "he's so heavy!"

Everyone was guessing about 8 1/2 lbs...

Nope.  9 lbs 9 oz 22 inches!

I kept saying "I told you I was miserable!"  Everyone was in shock at how big he was.  Elijah was 7lb 13 oz and Sadie was 7lb 10 oz!

Our first "calm" meeting...

Getting all nice and toastie...

 Our son, Jack Alan Ballard.

Elijah and Sadie showed up and were so excited.  Elijah was very concerned about his belly button and why it looked so weird and Sadie was upset that he didn't have any clothes on...

Our first family of five photo...

Elijah is so in love...

Sadie's pretty crazy about him too....

Erica Bruce brought us stuff for our first birthday party when we got to our room...

We were allowed to go home Friday after lunch...

 I caught them having boy time after we got home...

He spent some time in his swing when we got home...

Brothers...

We're pretty in love over here.

Growing up, one tooth at a time.

Elijah lost his first tooth last week!  He didn't even say anything.  I noticed, before we left for church, while talking to him that his tooth was missing.  When I questioned him about it he very casually said "ya, it fell out when I brushed my teeth last night and went down the drain."


So he had to wait until Monday morning to get his prize...

Anything there?....

He got a dollar and some Grow Your Own Dinosaurs...

Sadie was very proud of Elijah...

I guess he's really growing up...