Early Arrival

Well I always had a feeling you would come early little one, but I wasn't sure when. Turns out at my 37 week and 5 day check up the fluid in the placenta was a low. My doctor put me on immediate hospital bed rest for 48 hrs to see if we could get the amount back up. On Friday, we did another sonogram and the amount continued to decline so it was time to induce. Thankfully my mom changed her flight and was there by Friday morning.

The induction was a long process starting on Friday around 2pm. I hadn't made much progress by 11:30pm on Friday night so they let us sleep for the night before transferring me to Labor and Delivery on Saturday morning where they started the Pitocin. I was very close to needing a c-section because I didn't seem to be progressing very well. But thankfully by 3am on Sunday morning I moved one centimeter closer to having you in my arms which was enough to give the doctor reason to keep the Pitocin flowing and see if I could get there on my own. I'd already elected the epidural by this time but was having a lot of pain! Turned out that I was experiencing "windows" of pain, areas on my body where the epidural wasn't reaching. After a very rough night and not being sure I could continue a second epidural was inserted and this one didn't entirely work either. Until...at about 12pm Sunday when the 5th anethsesiologist gave me something that totally knocked me out, gave me time to rest and sleep for about an hour. I quietly awoke with no pain sometime after 1pm and saw the look on my mom's face. I had just had three giant contractions and hadn't felt a thing. Miss J was hooked up to an internal fetal monitor and all of a sudden her heart rate dropped. One of the nurses that had been with us for the long Saturday shift came running in and said are you ready to have this baby now? Before I knew it we were there. I was in full blown labor, 10 cm dialated and her head was ready. John had gone down to the cafeteria a few minutes before, my mom texted him and he came running. Good thing too because all of three contractions later, maybe 15 min later there she was!!!

All this time we waited and finally she was here. :) Our baby girl, Jennsen Whalen Swails was born at 1:57pm on Sunday, December 5, 2010. She was a perfectly petite 6lbs 5oz and a long 19 inches.

After a two day stay at the hospital we were released and are now getting aqainted and settling in at home.

Belly Pics

Guess every pregnant woman should document the BELLY. Thankfully I'm still a few lbs lighter than when I started, but my shape is completely transformed, LOL. John took this at the hotel after the Shower. I'm at 36 weeks here.

Getting So Close Now...

I'm feeling the early contractions so I know you are getting ready to make your debut. Daddy and I went to a Childbirth prep class this weekend and feel like we are almost ready too. I do hope you wait another couple weeks so Grammy will be here in time and hopefully the nursery will be mostly done too.

Baby Shower!

Saturday was your baby shower little one. Marlo and Kayce threw me a wonderful shower starting with some great Greek food from George's Place in Kirkland and a diaper cake made by Kayce. Included in the diaper cake was a wonderful little dress for Miss J made from the scraps of my wedding dress and shall. It is so perfect! I cannot wait to see Jennsen in it. As for the food the Gyro sliders were A......MAZING! We'll have to go back there sometime.

Then after dinner we walked up the street to a "surpise" location. The gals arranged for Kasey to pick up John and bring him to a unbelieveably beautiful hotel in downtown Kirkland called The Heathman. The bed was loaded with presents and streamers hung from the ceiling. It was such a surprise. We opened the rest of our gifts with the girls and then John enjoyed the rest of the evening looking at all the wonderful things our friends got us for the baby and hunting for 7 little baby gifts hidden around the room.

We went down the next morning to Trellis, the hotel resturaunt, for breakfast. I had a fresh made croissant with eggs, bacon, and potatoes. John had a greek omlette. We loaded up the car then headed to West Seattle to finish cleaning on the old apartment. It was a wonderful, and exhausting weekend.

Thank you everyone who made it such a special event! I love you and appreciate you all!

We have your pimped out stroller setup :)

I expect in a few years you will be pushing it around and making vroom sounds like I was two nights ago after we put it together :) Pushing some doll or yours around all strapped in for you to take care of.

Oh and now we have little bear socks for you to wear too! I imagine you might hate bears when you get older LOL

36 DAYS!!!

Oh my god, I can't believe that you will be here in 36 days or less (hopefully not too much less!). You finally have a room - althought it is still filled with boxes; a crib - still in the box; a car seat - just out of the box; and clothes - with tags removed last night ready for prewashing. I hope to get a bunch more done before you get here, like maybe painting your room, making you a mobile, and a crib blanket. We'll see if I am able to get to it all, but I know either way you'll never know the difference :).

My wonderful friends are throwing a Baby Shower for you next weekend (November 20th). We are so lucky and I can't wait to spend some time with the girls!

Your daddy and I are so excited we can't wait to meet you! Our bag is packed for the hospital, but no rush just yet :).

Redmond

So we moved you to Redmond where you will get the Northwest feel but it looks like the East Coast. That way you can get the best of both sides of the country. We are also planning on you visiting the Microsoft Campus for lunch with me when you are staying home with mom.

The Nursery

Well even though one of the things I have been looking most forward to in getting ready for Little Miss J is the nursery I've been waiting until we got closer to moving time. Well considering we move November 1st I realized it was about time. I wanted to try and make all the bedding as I was really not loving any of the super "cute" or overly matched sets out there, not to mention they are so over priced. I toyed with the idea of making all of the necessary pieces, but realized that too was pretty costly once you bought all the fabric. So I settled on the idea of hunting down the perfect ready-made piece that I could buy then maybe make some of the other items to coordinate with.

Last week I found a few things to check out, and Saturday I did the leg work. Started at Pottery Barn Kids. I bought a few of their cute patterned crib sheets, one with Owls and one with Birds. I liked them both, but the crib bumpers were a little to "shabby chic" for me. Then I ended up at Land of Nod. Jackpot! I went in looking for the Morning Zoo crib bumper I saw online, and it was perfect. The colors are great, and they had a cute green polka dot sheet from one of their "boy" colections that coordinated so perfectly! So I'm on my way now. I got the bumper and two crib sheets. Now I need to focus on the crib quilt and window coverings. Thankfully we don't need a crib skirt because the crib I like has built in drawers at the bottom.

I made my way over to Pacific Fabrics in Northgate and found a fun pink patterned fabric, and a soft pink fuzzy fabric that will be great for the quilt. I think I can manage sewing a rectangle, LOL, I hope! Thanks EtsyRain for the 20% off Pacific Fabrics coupon from the Pre-holiday Show! It went to good use and the gal behind the counter knew exactly where it came from :).

Now paint colors, a mobile ( I'm hoping to have the time to make myself), and other bits and pieces. I'm getting so excited. I hope I have enough time and energy to get it done before she gets here.

Jennsen's First Christmas Pj's

A sweet gal from work brought me these this morning. Jennsen now has her first Christmas morning pjs. Can't wait to see her in them!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3

Baby Bear Photo

I thought a picture of the below mentioned baby bear outfit from Aunt Jennifer needed posting :). Jennsen will be so darn cute and snuggly in this! She'll be our little Pooh!

Bear Themed Baby

Wow! Thanks for the Bear jammies Jennifer. We couldnt stop laughing for quite a while after unpacking them. Jennsen will be fashionably bear-tastic :) Then for halloween we will have to get her a bear costume with big fluffy ears and claws for hands and feet-sies :)

Footies

I cant wait to see Jennsen in footies. I shall dress her up like a bear with little fluffy brown ears and bear feet footies. There will be lots of pictures and for us to use later when she is a teenager. muaahaha. That and I just think its the most ADORABLE thing ever!

The Home Stretch

I can't believe I'm finally in the third trimester. It seemed so far away at the beginning, but now there are so few weeks left. It is funny though how only 4 days into this last third I am instantly so much more uncomfortable. I know it will all be worth it once I see Jennsen's face, but it is definitely a strange feeling especially since I am currently 7lbs. lighter than when I started.

The new doctor seems very pleased with how I am coming along. The gestational diabetes is staying in check with a slight increase in the medication I'm on. The trick is staying away from Cinnamon Monkey Bread! That stuff is like warm cinnamon crack!

Jennsen is moving like crazy. I've started counting the movement cycles. She easily moves about 10 times with in 15 min when she is up. I laugh when I catch a glimpse of my belly jump when she gets a good kick in. I keep trying to show John, but usually when I tell him to watch she stops. It is like Jennsen and I have a little inside joke. :)

Lots of changes for John and I in the next few months. John starts a new contract position at Microsoft in a few weeks, we are looking for a new place to live in Renton, and my job is changing too. All things that will be moving toward the better for us, but a lot to think about and do. I hope we find a place with a perfect little room to be Jennsen's nursery. I cannot wait to decorate before she gets here, especially since we thought we would be in our current place until after she arrived. I'm thinking pink and green for the colors. I've always got to have green ;)

We got a great big bag of clothes from Kayce! What a great start to the little one's closet! She is going to be one lucky little girl!

You have been promoted

You are now Captain Jennsen Kickerson. Wow you are kicking A L O T. They say babies kick but you are making it an art form :)

Your poor mother. She doesnt know what to do with all that kicking but it seems that when I rub her stomach you calm down. We have decided you must be a daddy's girl. heh

Jennsen's First Present

Went down to hang out with the EtsyRain gals today at the Seattle Square Outdoor Market. It was an absolutely perfect day today around The Sound and I had a great time hanging with the gals. Kayce bought you an awesome outfit, your first gift ;). I can't wait to see you in it baby girl. You're gonna look so cute :) Thanks so much Kayce!

Kicky McKickerson

I felt you kicking the other day. That was the cutest little kick ever. I had my hand on your moms stomach and you started kicking right at my hand. Happy 23 weeks today :) You are quite the little fireball in your mom lately.

Baby Swails - 23 Weeks

Jennsen Whalen Swails - August 19, 2010

What a perfect little profile. I didn't get around to posting this until over a month later (9/28/10), but I wanted to make sure that it got in here to document another ultrasound.

Pitter Patter

I think I'm starting to feel the pitter patter of your little feet. In the quiet morning yesterday I was trying to wake up and started to feel a little flutter in my tummy. I think it was you telling me I was going to be late. I laid there for a little while longer as quiet and still as I could to see if I could feel it again, I'm pretty sure I did. Daddy thought he felt you too this morning. So exciting, you are growing so fast now. :)

We talked to you last night

We were told that you could hear now. Guess you are hearing a lot of Buffy - The Vampire Slayer! You can grow up being strong and confident and loved and surrounded by wonderful friends just like her. Couldn't ask for anything better. Some people play classical music we are going another route to motivate you. heh

I saw your head baby girl

And it was a big one :) You know we need to talk because at 18 weeks in the uterus you are quickly loosing your new and shiny feel. Todays society moves quick and the 16 and 17 week babies are all the new rage. Dont worry though your mom and I wont be bedazzled by the newer babies ...yet.

Count Down

Well little one, tomorrow is a big day! The day we find out if you are a boy or a girl. This will also be your Daddy's first time seeing you move around, so be sure and wave to him, k? I know he is going to be so amazed when he sees how much you've been growning.

I remember when the doctor told me you were coming. At the time 18 weeks seemed so far away, I can't wait to find out what kind of clothes we can start buying you. Heh. The ultra sound tech a couple weeks ago thought you were a girl, so we've been thinking a lot about names. It will be funny if we have to start over :).

Thats what she said

I love it when things you hear your whole life actually happen to you. Hearing and watching Meghan being pregnant is quite the show. I have heard mothers say many times " Do you know what I had to go through for you?"  She hasn't said that yet which is makes her pretty unique but Ill give her some more time :). She drops things and feels clumsy when she is clearly not - I make sure to run and give her a hug then and rub her sore back. This motherhood thing is rough. She is starting to not be able to fit in spaces due to her belly, which I of course think is adorable and she is getting sad over her lost mobility. Though knowing Meghan she wont hold it against anyone :) So you are lucky to have her as a mother, kiddo.

Next on SOAP

We recently watched a lot of SOAP ( The TV Show). Not the programming paradigm :)
 Cause that would be sorta funny to watch a paradigm now wouldnt it? How would one go about about exactly? - but I digress. Anywhoo, Meghan wanted me to capture this video of Bert saying hi to the new baby and I just had to throw in chuck and bob because she hates it when I do my spot on imitation of Bob. Seriously its creepy.

Make sure and download these as they are large so wont open on screen.
1st Grandpa Link
2nd Grandpa link
Bob talking to baby
Bob talking to baby again

Clothes and stuff

I officially own some "maternity" clothes now. Everything is starting to get tight and fit in weird ways so I guess it is time. :)

I had to go in and stay in the hospital over night on Sunday to see if I have sleep apnea. I know you don't know what that is yet baby, but trust me it is important to get that fixed so we both sleep better :).

Your Daddy has taken to calling me the Baby Bean Pod, heh. I think it is a cute nickname, he is so funny :).

I told your Grammy Mag that she will get to see you when she comes for Mommy and Daddy's big day in August. I made a special appointment just so she will get to meet you early :). It made her verrrrrrry happy!

Ok, those were just some things I've been wanting to tell you about.

Boy or Girl

Seems most people think its going to be a girl :) Good thing we have no issues with names for girls. heh. Going to be like when Jacobs mom has the second kid and she doesnt have a name if we have a boy. lol

Its tough to say so far. Your mom thought you were going to be a boy when she started tripping. Then she said you know its a girl when the mom gets uglier because the baby is taking her looks. I had never heard that wives tale but its a good one :) But I think she looks prettier so I am not sure its a girl yet lol.

Your First Book

We have a book to read to you. I read a lot so you are going to get read to a lot :) So many books in store for you :)

Baby Swails - 10 Weeks

Pretty blurry, but here she/he is :). Mostly head at this point, that is what the larger round bit is. The nurse said she/he is a little over an inch long right now, but will double in size in the month before my next ultrasound.

Your first present

We already have a LOST tshirt for you to wear :)

President Swails

Last week I got to hear your little heart beat Baby Bean. So strong and quick. I laughed with joy the second I heard it! The doctor says you are a little over an inch long now and you will double in size before I get to see you again in another month. Amazing how fast you grow.

Your daddy and I talk about you often, he thinks you may grow up to be President. I know you are going to be special too, I'm just thinking something with a little less stress. :)

Are your little ears burning?

We were discussing you yesterday and everything we would say and do. What to do for college and how to deal with life. Muahahaha.

Over joyed.

I've dreamed of one day becoming a mom and a wife. With all these wonderful things happening at once I feel as though I've become the luckiest woman in the world. The moment I was told you were growing inside me I was struck with an overwhelming sense of joy and awe. I've always known I wanted you, but I never understood the feeling of knowing that we gave you life. And although I am sleep deprived, achy, and nauseous I am also tingling with excitement, giddy with anticipation, and perfectly loved while awaiting your arrival.

Happy 1st Almost Mothers Day

Well technically its not the first Mothers day yet but she will be a mother and does have child so I think that counts some :)

Welcome

So we really have meant to put stuff up but we have been negligent :) We have a pic of the baby that is literally knee high to a grasshopper. heh

We are currently getting ready to move into my place so that will be exciting in preparation for the little person. Lots of stuff to come as we move along.
To date we have a gift card from Meghans mom and a wonderful ceramic gift. We bought a book to read and have read some of it. Time has slowed down now it seems as wait for the next stages of the baby-in-training. heh

Ok guess thats it for now. Namaste.