DWJ- 2 weeks old

It's been two weeks (and three days) since our handsome little man arrived. And we're falling more and more in love each day. And- we might be a bit biased, but- we think he's the cutest thing we've ever laid eyes on. I can't believe how quickly he's growing and changing already. Time to post some pictures, before he's growing a beard and driving a car!

Noni & Grandpa with our happy, little man

Not sure why this is upside down, but... Blue Steel happens a lot around here 

4 generations!

perfect, little feet :)

Our happy, little family!

David Wayne Jennings: the baby, the legend

OUR BIRTH STORY

Well a week has already passed since our lives began a whole new chapter. It has been a whirlwind; a flurry of sleeplessness, hormones, joy, beauty, and vulnerability. So many of you have lovingly sent us messages, calls, food- we are so grateful! I know I haven't exactly been easy to get a hold of; so now- having sort of gained a sense of routine- we hoped to tell our story, and update everyone on all the learning we're doing here in the Jennings' home :)

We'll set the scene for last Saturday, February 23rd, where it all started *ahem*...
Ben & I had been attempting every old wive's tale out there for naturally inducing labor. Friday night- upon my aunt Ellen's urging- we went to a restaurant called Carrabbas, where they allegedly served a "Pregnancy Dish". It was delish- and, surprisingly, not spicy.

Saturday morning we enjoyed our normal 'big breakfast' and game-morning. We decided to go for a walk with Brandi (just shy of a couple miles), and enjoyed the fabulous weather outside. After, we snagged some grub, and decided to crash for an afternoon nap. After a while, I roll over and think, "...did I just accidentally pee on myself??" Nope. My water had broke. 3:00pm, Saturday, Feb. 23rd.

We scurried to throw last minute things into our hospital bag, I showered, ate some food, called our doctor. And then... we left for the hospital! From there we began- what would be- our 24 hours of labor before little David arrived! Here is our journey!!

Early Labor
When we got to the hospital, we immediately began a Pitocin drip (an artificial form of oxytocin, teh hormone that causes contractions). Because my water had already broken, the barrier- so to speak- keeping David from any potential infection was diminished. Pitocin was deemed necessary to expedite delivery; Doctors typically provide a 24-36hour window during which labor is safe, before delivery is forced.

Contractions felt like intense cramps, coming in every 5ish minutes; noticeable, but I was able to talk through them. They hooked me up to an IV, and portable external fetal monitor & something to track contractions.

excited!

about to go for a walk

walking the halls

visiting with family to pass the time

someone's excited to be a grandma...

practicing Gangam Style to pass the time in the waiting room...

praying for the labor- Tori is least holy

in the middle of the night

contractions!

getting more intense; unfortunately, still at 1cm

my inspiration

"a tight 1.5cm" :-\ Ben was a fantastic coach and support to me! 

Epidural 

At about midnight (Feb. 24th)/9 hours of labor, I finally reached 2cm. Unfortunately, Pitocin- though effective in inducing contractions- causes labor to go from 0-60 in pain. Contraction peaks are reached faster, and labor can feel abnormally intense. Once I finally reached 2cm, we decided to get an epidural. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!

We were able to get a couple of hours of rest after the epidural. My body- finally able to relax more- was able to get to 4cm after a few hours

Tori on ice-chip duty

Ben took advantage of the epidural, and got in a few hours of sleep

at 5am (14hrs of labor) I plateaued at 5cm. Doctors decided to pause the Pitocin for an hour, because my "uterus was too tired"; contractions were stuck at 2min apart, growing more intense, but making no progress in dilation  After an hour, we would resume the Pitocin, with the understanding that we needed to be at 7cm by at least 1pm Sunday (24th).

Cesarean Section

At 2pm, shockingly enough, I was still at 5cm. After 23 hours of labor... we weren't even halfway there. My doctor informed me that (at risk of infection) baby & I would need a c-section. I was so relieved. I couldn't imagine trying to labor another 12 hours in the pain/discomfort I was in, despite the epidural. All I wanted was to see my little guy!

ready to be sliced! haha

Feb. 24, 3:56pm they pulled this guy out! such a big boy- 8lb 3.5oz & 20in long!

hearing his little voice for the first time made me so emotional- he was perfect

Daddy brought him over to me so I could see him- he was so quiet once he heard our voices

I thought, "he is the strongest baby I've ever held"- he picked his own head up to look at me as I spoke to him; so alert, so perfect.

our little man- ALWAYS wants something in his mouth

meeting grandma & grandpa

Recovery

The hardest part- by far- was trying to be a mommy (breastfeed) in a hospital bed. Luckily the very first 24 hours after David arrived I was able to breastfeed- he latched perfectly on his own and thrived! But recovering left me immobile and on pain meds; on top of that, Ben & I were extremely sleep-deprived from our all-night labor the previous day, and I had struggled with a great deal of sleeplessness before my water had even broke because I had a lot of sinus/allergy issues. To say that we were tired is an understatement. My one (of two) emotional breakdowns (so far) has been the 2nd & 3rd night we were in the hospital. My milk didn't come in until we returned home (Wed. Feb. 27), so our little guy was hungry. I feel like he sucked me dry that first day. Having read up on breastfeeding, I'd convinced myself that formula was the devil, and I'd be a complete failure if I had to give him any. So when the nurse and lactation consultant said he'd lost 9% of his birthweight and needed a supplement, I was devastated. I cried & sobbed & fumed to Ben in the middle of the night, at my wit's end (hormones much?) But over time I consoled myself with the knowledge that supplementing food was better parenting than letting him starve (duh...). It was so hard for me to feel like I could truly enjoy our little guy while I was mostly stuck in bed. We were so completely thankful & happy with all of the hospital staff we worked with. But it felt like we were being pulled in all different directions: "make sure you walk around!", "rest when the baby rests", "make sure you don't hold the baby if you get sleepy", "make sure you do skin-on-skin time as much as possible!"... I couldn't get comfortable enough to hold him, or breastfeed, or sleep for that matter.

Needless to say, we were so excited when we were discharged on Wednesday.

puffy, tired, and ready to go home!!

first car ride for the big boy!

home sweet home :D

It's been a week since being home, and it's made a world of difference. David is healthy (almost completely back to birth weight after just a few days!), he eats a LOT, and I think we're actually sleeping more  than what some first-time parents can say. It's certainly a learning experience, but Ben & I are falling more in love every day- we can't  get enough of our little man: David Wayne Jennings.