Hunter's First Week

I cannot believe it.  My sweet baby boy is already one week old!  A lot has happened in his first week - or at least it feels that way!

The first task was leaving the hospital.  On all of the other days we stayed at the hospital the doctors didn't mind coming in at any hour of the day/night to check on us.  On the day we were supposed to leave, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have paid one to come in that room early enough.  Hunter's doctor was super nice and gave him the green light to go home around 9:00am.  1 down, 1 to go!  Mine didn't decide to show up until around 11:30 - go figure - I was supposed to be leaving around 12!  I also thought it was funny that she walked in asked how I was feeling and then said I was free to go.  She didn't even check me over or anything!  Oh well!  We finally made it home, and that is all that matters!

Next task on hand for Hunter was meeting his brother - the dreaded Bryer greeting.  The whole Bryer thing has actually gone a lot better than we expected.  Bryer is just very nosey - and he will NOT leave my side if I have Hunter - which can be a bit aggravating.  Everyone that knows Bryer knows he is famous for licking EVERY-FREAKING-THING.  That means he wants to lick Hunter too, I would rather chop his tongue off then let that happen!  Gross!

Then the real fun begins, the first night at home with our little rascal!

Luckily, the nights have been going pretty well (knock-on-wood).  He wakes up to eat every 2-3 hours (sometimes I even have to wake him up) and then he will usually just falls right back to sleep.  At first I couldn't sleep even if he sleeping, for fear that something would happen, but now I've come to the point where I know if he is sleeping I need to be doing the same thing!  Since we've been home Craig has been sleeping downstairs with Bryer and I've had the bedroom to myself with Hunter - we just aren't quite ready to leave Bryer in a room with Hunter while Craig and I are sleeping.  That night is coming soon though, and I can guarantee you my eyes will not shut that entire night!

I've also been able to learn a few things about my buddy Hunter.  We love to pee through all of our clothes, so I have to do laundry constantly.  If he doesn't pee on his outfit then he sweats through it - I think the poor guy got my sweat gene.  He also HATES getting his diaper changed - he screams bloody murder the entire time I'm changing him and it absolutely breaks my heart.

Hunter also had his very first Christmas.  He was so excited about Christmas that he slept the entire morning and missed everything!  He did get an Elf on the Shelf from Uncle Jason and Aunt Christie, and let me tell you, I cannot wait to pull that little guy out next year.  I'm sure Hunter will still not care one bit about it next year either, but who cares, I'm pumped!

He sat in his bouncy seat for the very first time - I think he really enjoyed it!

He had his very first sponge bath - did not enjoy that!  I cannot wait until I can give him a real bath and soak him up in baby lotion!  He's going to smell HEAVENLY!

Hunter made his first trip to the doctor!  He did really well!  I was a little worried about that because I had to bring him in hungry and feed him there, but he did amazing!  His weight was 7 lbs 2 oz - 2 more oz to go to reach his birth weight!

Hunter also got to nap in his crib for the first time!  He's doing so well!  Everyone who knows me knows that I have to obsess about something, I am almost thinking that things are going a little too well - something must be wrong!  haha!  In all seriousness, I couldn't be more thankful to have such a handsome, easy-going baby!  I'm so in love!

I've also learned a few things this week.  

1.  If you point his weenie down then you can save a lot of outfits and blankets!  Last night we made it the entire night in the same blanket and we only changed outfits once - that was a miracle!

2.  Functioning on little sleep is possible.  I didn't say my brain is working all the way, but I am functioning.

3.  When you love someone so much you could care less if they pee straight on your shirt or poop all over you while your changing them!

4.  I could sit on the couch with Hunter laying on me and snuggle him 24/7.  I hope he's always a cuddler.  

Hunter Lee

Well, the day finally arrived and I have my son here in my arms and I cannot even begin to explain to you how absolutely amazing it feels!  I waited nine and a half long months but every bit of it was worth it in the end.

I went to the hospital on Tuesday, the 20th to be induced.  They started me off bright and early with some pitocin.  I went into the hospital at 2 cm and 75% effaced.  At the end of an 8 hour session with pitocin, I was 2 cm and 75% effaced.  Fabulous.  I was excepting to have a kid by then and I hadn't even changed one bit!  After 8 hours they take you off of it to let your body rest, and they were going to start it up again early Wednesday morning.  Luckily, throughout the night a miracle happened and I started contracting on my own.  I was in a huge amount of pain on Wednesday morning, so the very first thing they did was give me my epidural.  When they gave me my epidural I was at 6 cm - I tell you what.  That epidural guy is my new best friend.  I felt absolutely NOTHING from my belly down.  I was so numb that I couldn't even move my legs.  Yes - that was quite strange and I didn't really like it, but, compared to feeling labor pains, I'll take it any day!  Needless to say I pretty much slept until I was ready to push.  The doctor had to come in and break my water at 8 cm which pretty much shot me to 10 in no time.  I pushed for about 30 minutes and then I was holding my sweet Hunter in my arms!  He was born at 3:09 pm (yes - 30 hours of labor) he weighed 7 lb 4 oz and was 19.5 inches long!

It is absolutely crazy the love that I have for this little guy.  I thought I was crazy about Bryer but I will not hesitate to drop-kick him in an instant if he even thinks about messing with Hunter!  Hunter will be a week old on Wednesday.  I cannot believe it!  It's already moving way too fast.  So far I would say that he's been really an easy baby.  He eats really well, if you wrap him up like a burrito he will sleep for you pretty much anywhere - and thats about all he does!  If we could stop him from soaking all his clothes with pee - we would be good to go!

I also have to say that I truly have the most amazing husband ever.  He was there for me through the two long delivery days at the hospital and then he is there right away whenever I need help with Hunter.  He's been phenomenal and there is absolutely no way that I could have done it by myself!

I cannot wait to experience the journey of motherhood with my sweet little Hunter - I can already tell he's going to grow up WAY too fast!  And yes - I will be one of those mothers that sobs my eyes out the first day of kindergarten.  I can't even think about taking him to daycare right now - I'm not going to be able to function!

On the way to the hospital!

Yes, I'm Crazy!

Well, I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy (thank God) and I've had nothing to do the past few days but sit around and think.  Those of you who know me, know that's not necessarily a good thing!  I've decided that the last month of pregnancy is just torture!  The whole "waiting game" just plain sucks!  You never know if/when you're water is going to break and you're going to have to rush to the hospital.  I'm also so uncomfortable.  No matter how I sit or lay I just cannot get comfy!  His feet are jabbing me up in my ribs and he keeps shooting lightening bolts through my crotch (sorry)!  Needless to say, I'm beyond ready for this kid to make his entrance.  I already think that he's messing with me (apparently he has his father's humor).  He knows that I would love for his birthday to be as far away from Christmas as it can be, I was even pulling for him to come the end of November.  As you can see that didn't happen, and I believe his plan is to hang out in there until he's served his eviction papers on Tuesday morning!  Then I start to think some more (never good) and in order for him to enter this world, I have to go through labor.  Oh crap!  Now that I know exactly when he's coming this will give me more time to obsess about what is actually going to happen - really really not a good thing!  I will be able to anticipate the pain, which means I will probably think it's worse than it really is, and I'm sure the entire time I will think that I'm dieing a slow death.  I really hope that Craig knows what he's getting ready to get into!  Then, the cure for the pain is the dreaded epidural.  Which gives me yet another thing to worry about because they are sticking something in my spine - thats already crooked.  Then, I've also been worrying that Baby J's head is too big and once he starts to go he's gonna get stuck.  I've also been worrying about the fact that the induction may not work - which would really just upset me to no end!

Just wanted to vent, and give you a glimpse as to what it's like to be in my head - which really is not a good thing.

Needless to say let the obsessing begin!  Craig is already contemplating sleeping on the couch on Monday night because he knows I won't be sleeping!

The End of the Thankful List

Well I was waiting to finish the last of my Thankful List because I was hoping that I could say "I'm thankful that Baby J decided to come early."  Not looking like that is going to happen, so I guess I'll have to finish the list anyway.  I went to the doctor today and apparently nothing has changed since last time.  UGH!  I also asked the doctor to guess at how much he thinks Jimmy-John weighs and he said he would guess around 7 pounds.  I'm hoping he is right - I think I can handle 7 pounds!  This kid better hurry up though - I'm getting rather impatient.  My due date is a week from Sunday, I really would like to not be pregnant on my due date, I'm hoping he can work with me on that one!

Anyways.. here we go..

26.  I am thankful for chocolate.  It's DE-LICIOUS!

27.  I am thankful for the prong collar.  My in-laws recently bought one for Bryer as his Christmas present and I love that thing!  I can now take him outside on walks and he doesn't act like a big idiot!

28.  I am thankful that my husband is forgiving.

29.  I am thankful that we are living in North Carolina which has no snow right now as opposed to living in Minnesota which is already freezing cold and has snow!

30.  I am thankful for pictures that help capture amazing memories!

Thankfuls #16 - 25

Wow.  I've not been posting things I've been thankful for lately!  After quite an eventful Thanksgiving - I figured I can do some catching up!

16.  I am thankful for my husband (I know I've already mentioned him - but some things are worth mentioning again)!  He was a huge help during our Thanksgiving event.  Whatever anyone needed anything he was there right away to help.  He also kept reminding me to sit and put my feet up.  He got my mother Dos Equis (which she LOVED)!  He also whipped out the video camera and took some video of our first family Thanksgiving on Bravington Road!

17.  I am thankful for the fact that I have AH-MAZE-ING cooks in my family!  We had a huge Thanksgiving breakfast and a huge Thanksgiving dinner and every bit of it was fabulous!  Mom, Nan and Gogga - you guys are extraordinary cooks - Paula Dean doesn't have anything on you guys!

18.  I am thankful that my Dad rested.  Dad has a cold, but thats not the point.  Yesterday he slept until 9ish.  Then, took a nap outside on the porch for a while.  Then went upstairs and slept for a good 3 hours before Thanksgiving dinner!  I've never seen him go anywhere and not work - much less sleep. It kind of worried me a bit but I am so glad that he was able to relax while he was here!

19.  I am so very thankful that I live close enough for my entire family to come down and visit whenever!  3 hours sure beats the heck out of 18!

20.  I am thankful that I had a great doctor's appointment on Wednesday!  We've finally started making some progress!  I am 1-2 cm dilated and 25% effaced!  WHOOPIE!  I know that this still hardly means anything, but it's exciting for me!  The doctor also told me that the most they would let me go past my due date is 1 week - which means we will DEFINITELY have Baby J before Christmas!

21.  I am thankful that I passed the NC Diver's test so I can get my driver's license.  Only after a year and a half of marriage I will finally be Ashleigh Jarrell!  (However - I am not thankful that I had to wait for 3 hours in order to take that stinking test)

22.  I am thankful that my brother is an amazing photographer!  He took some great pictures around our house and I cannot wait for him to take newborn pics of Baby J - whenever he decides to make his grand entrance!

23.  I am thankful for laughter!  There is a ton of it - especially when my family (the Grizwald's) gets together.  Here are some examples for you:  Yesterday, my brother says "That turkey looks so good I would take it to Prom."  I thought that was hilarious, so I posted it as my Facebook Status and my hilarious FU comments and says "What will he do with it for after prom?  Get it drunk and stuff it?"  Also, my brother thinks that my belly and pretty much anything to do with pregnancy is gross - he also hates milk.  As I was making eclair cake I used most of the milk in the jug but there was just enough for one sip left.  So I turn up the jug of milk to drink it and he makes a vomiting noise - I start laughing.  I gather myself and try to take the sip again.  Mom walks over, pulls up my shirt to show Brett my belly, he freaks out and I spew milk everywhere!  I could go on all day about everything that happened - you guys would get tired of reading!  :)

24.  I am thankful for NC fall weather.  This time last year Craig and I were already sitting in snow.  This year we aren't even wearing jackets yet!  I love it!

25.  I am thankful that Bryer acted like a semi-normal dog while his visitors were here.  I cannot even explain how proud of him I am!  There were 10 people plus a tiny dog in the house and nobody left bleeding!  He did amazing!  That should give all you people that think he's gonna kill Baby J some hope!

I've Been Replaced + 13, 14, 15

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed something at the Jarrell household.  I have been replaced by Bryer.  I use to be Craig's #1, now, Bryer is the new #1 on his list.  I've been watching this over the last few weeks and Craig is constantly telling Bryer how much he loves him.  He tells the dog he loves him at least 4 times as much as he tells me.  Craig is always asking Bryer for kisses (which makes me want to vomit).  I think I get one kiss a day - if that!  Craig always calls Bryer over to him if he is on the couch or on the bed to snuggle - and of course Bryer hops right up and they will snuggle all night.  I get nothing!  Here is a good example:  Last night I was sitting on the futon with Craig watching the Vikings/Packers game.  I decide to skoot on over towards Craig and I put a pillow on his side and lay on him.  About 5 minutes later, Craig gets up, dumping me on my side, so he can go lay in the floor and snuggle with Bryer.  It's okay though, I am fine with being #2, at least I think I'm #2, I'm not sure, it could be softball!

13.  I am thankful for football.  It's the greatest sport on Earth to watch!  I would be even more thankful if my fantasy team could beat Craig's fantasy team this week!

14.  I am thankful for Mexican food.  It is by far my most favorite food in the entire world, I'm pretty sure I could live off of it!

15.  I am thankful for music - not all - but most!  I love to dance and without music this wouldn't be possible!  :)

12

12.  I am thankful for my father's handiness!  He made a special trip (with my mom and grandaddy) all the way down here just to change a wheel bearing on Craig's car!  It saved us so much money and I'm so thankful I got to see him and spend the day with him!  He is such a sweet and generous man who always puts others before himself and is always willing to do anything and everything he can to help everyone!  I love my little Dad!

Also, we went to the vet today!  Bryer got some shots and his yearly check-up!  The vet said he looked great and that he was an awesome dog!  WHAT!?!  Usually when we go to the vet he's telling us to look into obedience school and things like that.  When he walked in Bryer did his usual jumping routine and Craig and I start yelling at him.  The vet said not to yell, he was just going to ignore him and he would eventually stop.  The vet then starts examining Bryer.  The vet is standing up holding the ear examiner thing in his hand.  Bryer has one paw on the vet's crotch and the other paw wrapped around the vet's arm and is trying to take the ear examiner from him.  All the while the vet is just standing there talking to us like nothing is going on - eventually - Bryer gave up and ended up laying on the floor!  Who knew?  For anyone coming to visit us - just ignore our dog!  :)  The vet also told us that we should invest in a prong collar and that would make the world of difference with walking him and when the baby comes.  I guess that is our next big adventure, hopefully it will work!

While out and about today we also spotted an Original Pancake House.  THAT MADE MY DAY!  I'm so stinkin excited about that I cannot even explain it!  I thought that the OPH was just a Minnesota thing!  Bacon pancakes, here I come!!!!

7, 8, 9, 10, 11

7.  I am thankful that I was talked into starting riding lessons by my Mother.  I've never really been a HUGE animal person.  When Brett started riding I didn't really see what was so 'cool' about it.  Mom talked me into it and I'm so glad that she did!  I absolutely LOVE horseback riding and the horses are such amazing animals!  I never knew how different their personalities could be and how loving they could be.  Especially one certain sweet Gray horse that lives at Breezy Rock!  I also think that the riding lessons brought my brother and I a lot closer.  He is one of the few people that I trust to teach me and I am glad that we can enjoy something together!

8.  I am thankful to have been blessed with this little miracle that is growing inside me!  Some people try and try for years to start a family, and Craig and I got lucky enough to be blessed with this miracle without any planning at all!  :)  I cannot wait to hold this little guy and see what his personality is like.  I hope I can raise him like my parents raised me and that he will turn out to be a good kid!

9.  I am thankful that 3rd grade is going on a field trip tomorrow!  Field trip days are always fun!  :)

I am also going to go ahead and be proactive and do the next few days while I'm on here since it took me forever to do the last three days!

10.  I am thankful that we are out of school on Friday!

11.  I am thankful that I have a job.  I feel very blessed to have been offered a job while I was pregnant and I'm lucky that I love what I do.  The kids are great (for the most part) and the people I work with are absolutely hilarious and super sweet!

5th and 6th

Before I begin, let me just say I have been Mrs. Susie Homemaker this morning!  I cooked some bacon for breakfast (along with left over sausage poofs), I've got dinner in the crock-pot cooking, all of Baby J's bottles and pacifiers have been washed and sanitized and I'm getting ready to go clean the house and do some laundry!  What a Sunday?!

5.  I am thankful for Bryer.  I know this may come as a shock to most of you, it was even a shock to myself.  I was asking Craig for some ideas of what I could say and he said "How about Bryer."  After some thinking and consideration I've realized I really am thankful for that crazy Marly-like dog.  He has taught me a ton.  Patients being the biggest one of them all!  Yes - most of you all only see him when he acts like a complete moron, but when nobody is around he is really a sweet dog.  He's even been snuggling with us lately!  I love that little guy and our little family would not be the same without him!  I just hope that he and Baby J grow up to be best friends!

6.  I am thankful for health.  I am thankful that God has blessed me with a healthy life and a healthy family!  As far as we can tell Baby J seems healthy and I'm hoping he will stay that way his entire life!  We've all had minor illnesses here and there but overall my huge family is pretty healthy and I couldn't be happier or more thankful for that!

November 4th

Can I just say, that of all the people, Craig is super excited about having this baby!  Since the baby has gotten bigger, some of his kicks and movements are a bit painful, especially the blows to the ribs and bladder.  Every time I say "Ouch" or something to that effect, he starts running around going "YOU'RE HAVING SEIZURES (Craig's term for contractions)!!!!"  He really wants me to go ahead and go into labor!  I'm so excited that he's excited!  :)

Onto Thankful November.  Today is the 4th so here is thing #4:

4.  My entire family!  I am truly blessed to have the family that I do.  My family is the kookiest, craziest, most loving family I've ever been around.  They are all amazing!  We are all so close and I wouldn't have it any other way!  I cannot wait to introduce Baby J to the family.  He is already loved so much and is extremely spoiled!

I am Thankful!

Lately, I've seen a lot of statuses on Facebook about posting something each day of November that you are thankful for.  I like this idea.   I figured I would just do mine in blog form instead of on my Facebook status since I haven't been very good about blogging lately.  I've thought about doing some pregnancy updates but there isn't really anything to update you on.  I'm as big as a house and scared to death of labor - nothing really new there!  Since today is the 3rd - here are three things that I'm thankful for:

1.  My hilarious, goofy and loving husband!  Sometimes I want to kill him but I know I could not live without him.  He makes me laugh constantly.  He can always make me smile - when he wants to.  I'm also giving him major props for putting up with me during this pregnancy.  Living with a girl who is smiling and happy one moment and then pissed and grumpy the next is probably not so easy.  I also know it's frustrating to have me go to bed at like 8:00 each night.  I'm so anxious to see what the future has to hold for us as parents!  Eeek!  I love you, boo!  :)

2.  My Parents.  I have no clue what I would do without them.  That have taught me so much throughout my life, I really hope that I can be half as great of parents as they are.  Yes, growing up we fought a lot and I'm positive I'm responsible for the majority of their gray hairs.  Looking back now I realize that they really did know what they were talking about and were only trying to do what was best for me.  I'm so thankful that we live closer to them now, 18 hours was way to far!  If only I could get them to come visit more - I'm sure Jimmy-John will take care of that issue!  I love you both!

3.  My brother.  I absolutely adore my brother - I haven't always - but I do now!  He is one of the GREATEST horsemen that I know!  I think when it comes to Pager - he may be psychotic - but other than that he is phenomenal.  He is also one of the sweetest, most kind people that you will ever meet, along with one of the biggest goobers I've ever met!  There is not another one like you, Brett!

Baby Shower

This weekend was one of those weekends that was just absolutely amazing, I wish it would have been a lot longer than two days.  The weekend festivities started with a wedding on Saturday.  Craig was a groomsman and I was just there for the fun!  The wedding was absolutely beautiful and the reception was a lot of fun as well.  It also made me realize that my life is about to change dramatically here in the next 9 weeks.  At the reception they were playing all of my favorite dance songs like Soulja Boy, Dougie, Cupid Shuffle and Stanky Leg.  Typically I would have been in the middle of the floor busting out my Chris Brown moves like nobodies business.  When you have an extra 30 pounds in your belly - those moves just don't come that easy - or look as good - needless to say it was a bit depressing.  On Sunday morning I had my maternity pictures taken.  My brother had his herd of 4 looking absolutely amazing.  They could've been in a magazine they looked so good - especially my sweet Gray pony!  I cannot wait to see how those pictures turn out!  Then, to top it all of we had my baby shower!  It was so much fun, I got to see so many family and friends that I haven't seen in a really long time.  Jimmy-John got spoiled like crazy!  I'm almost certain that he has more clothes than Craig and I combined! We played the string game where everyone cuts off a piece of string, they try and guess how big around my belly is with the size they cut off.  Well - my lovely grandmother cuts off a piece of string that literally wraps around me twice - thanks Gogga!  My Mom actually won that one!  While everyone was measuring their string around me, my sweet husband comes up with a piece of string thats about 5 inches long and holds it up to my belly and says something like "Oh, I thought for sure that was the right size!".  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you read that right!  Craig Jarrell had a sweet moment - thats why I love him!  We have sorted through all of JJ's gifts and I've started washing clothes and bedding.  There are a few more things that we need to get before the arrival of our sweet boy but I think we are getting there!  I know I've said it a million times but one more can't hurt - I cannot thank everyone enough for everything they've done for me!  

Here are a few highlights from the shower:

My sweet Gray pony on one of JJ's onesies!

Kristi made those onesies!  

Hand-made quilt from Joy!

THE JERSEY!

Mom kept getting great shots of me talking!  Nan made this quilt!

Excuse the face.  A really cool picture that Christie made!

Blanket Grandma Sue made

Notice how much extra there is!

A rather gross picture of me, but my Mom looks great!

30 Weeks

I went to the doctor today for another ultrasound to see if I had to have a c-section or if I could just let things happen how they may.  I was pretty excited to see the little man again!  Well, turns out that everything is where it should be so no scheduled c-section for me.  We got to watch the blood flowing through Baby J's heart which was pretty wild and we got to see his little face again!  As of today he weighs 3.8 pounds and his head is measuring at 32 weeks instead of 30 weeks which is where it should be - bad news for me!  :)  He's got quite the chubby little face already!  At least this time he looks less like an alien lizard and more like a human!  What a cutie!?

Under Construction

Craig and I had a major realization this weekend.  We are, in fact, growing up - duh duh duuuuuuh!  Our weekends went from going out downtown, going to sporting events and hanging out with friends to weekends like this one, which started out with grocery shopping and Lowe's on Friday night, painting the nursery and beginning crib construction Saturday, hospital tour (which scared the snot out of me) and crib completion on Sunday - cleaning the house and laundry were all sprinkled in there too.  Craig said it kind of reminded him of Will Ferrell from Old School - yup, we're growing up, and it's strange!

Anywhoo.  We went to Lowe's Friday night and picked up our lovely shade of green for Jimmy-John's room and we painted all day Saturday.  Bryer was not that thrilled of course because we put up the baby gate so he could not be in the room with us.  We knew that if he was in the room while we were painting that he would have eaten half a gallon of paint and liked the all the wet paint off the walls!  The fact that he couldn't be in there with us just shredded his nerves!  He also did not get to help Craig put the crib together, which killed him even more!  As of now, we have the nursery painted, the crib assembled and the rocking chair in place.  We are going to add some pictures and another cube thing to put a lamp and pictures on with some more storage, too!  It's getting there - we have 11 more weeks until the arrival and I'm sure that will go by very quickly!  I cannot wait to get it finished!

Here are a few pictures of the process (potential for picture overload - you know how I get):

Started out Friday by taping!

Before!

Before!

Stirring the paint, getting ready for coat #1!

He really wanted to help!

The beginning of coat #1!

Coat #1 = FINISHED!

Time for coat #2!  Don't you love my shorts?

Painting = FINISHED!  :D

That was exhausting!

Opening the crib box!

Step #1 - building the drawers.  Craig says this was the hardest part!

He still REALLY wants to help!

The changing table is coming together!

Changing table = FINISHED! 

I was downstairs doing dishes and when I came up to check on progress, this is what I saw!

As finished as it's going to be for now!

The crib!

The rocking chair!

The room is all the same shade of green - it just depends on the light and where I was standing when I took the picture as to what the shade looked like!