The Beginning!

Well, I created this blog while I was pregnant with our little Mason because I wanted to share all about the joys of being pregnant and then once he was born be able to share the joys of being a mom and all of the fun things that come a long with that. Well, I failed. I never got it going. I attempted more than a dozen times but never seemed to be able to really start writing. I couldn't figure out where to begin. Should I go back and update the last several months? But that could take a while... so I just never started. Well I have decided that it is really time to get started and just write.

First I do want to begin with the day Mason was born. It was just 5 days before my big 25th birthday. At my doctor's appointment that week my blood pressure had been high so Dr. T asked Jeff to watch it for me. On Wednesday evening Jeff took my blood pressure and it was over what Dr. T had said so on Thursday morning I called the office. First he just wanted to see me. I went into the office that afternoon and it was decided that I would go to the hospital that night. So on March 1st I was admitted into the hospital. Mason wasn't due until March 23 but I had known he would be coming early (just my intuition). I spent the night in the hospital awaiting the morning so we could start the pitocin. (As a side note: I was so worried about my family being able to get to the hospital because there was a huge snow storm coming. Luckily they made it safely at 1:00 AM after a hectic 5 1/2 hour drive (which normally only takes 3 1/2 hours) from Idaho Falls.) At 5:30 AM, my body was finally ready for the pitocin. By 8:30 AM I was having mild/medium contractions and decided that I wanted the epidural. I had good intentions of not having an epidural but I decided (with the approval from Mom & Jeff) that it would be better for me and for Mason and my blood pressure to take away that pain that I was experiencing. It honestly was the best decision I probably made that night. I was able to fall asleep and RELAX. :)

Mason - all cleaned up

Dr. T had come in while they were getting the epidural all set up and was surprised to see that I was even contracting. He had figured he would have to do a c-section later that night (I wasn't having that though. :)). He checked things out and told me to see if I could rush things a long because he had VIP seats for the JAZZ game that night. After a good hour and a half nap, I woke up and felt that I needed to push. So Jeff went and got the nurse and sure enough I was ready to go. Dr. T almost didn't make it but luckily, Mom helped me breathe. :)

Mason was easily born at 10:40 AM at a healthy 5 lbs 8 oz and 18 inches long on March 2, 2012. He was all curled up in a ball with his hand and his foot coming out with his head. It was rather entertaining I am told.

3 day old

 Since I had Gestational Diabetes while I was pregnant, Mason had to be tested after every feeding (while in the hospital) until he got 3 good numbers. I'm not sure what 3 good numbers meant but he only had to be tested the first day. We struggled with nursing at first but with some good ol' practice and some special tubes that combined the formula and the breast milk, Mason and I figured out how to make it work. :) We were discharged on Sunday, March 4th and headed home to a house full of family and a dog. Bert wasn't quite sure what to make of Mason at first but I can say that he has adjusted very well. :)

My Mom was able to stay the week with me and REALLY helped me figure out how to be a good mom to my little guy. I honestly can say that without her being there that first week, I would have struggled pretty bad. I am so grateful to her bosses for letting her have those 10 days off on a minutes notice.

Monday, March 5th was birthday and my mom watched little Mason so Jeff and I could have a birthday dinner at Olive Garden. I hadn't been able to eat there since about week 27 of pregnancy due to the Gestational Diabetes so it was YUMMY! I have to say that it was really hard to be away even for just an hour. I missed Mason more than I could have realized.

Well the next 3 months honestly feel like a blur. Mason is smiling and playing more now. He is even starting to play with some of the toys he has. The other day we read a story and he seemed to actually be paying attention. He is growing up so quickly. I love my little guy and I am enjoying every day of being a mom. I find it hard to go to work every day knowing that I have to leave him but when I walk in that door in the evenings and he gives me the biggest smile, it makes it all better.

Being a mom is something that you really can't understand until you are in that position. I hope that this blog helps me to chronicle our lives together as we enjoy life and motherhood!