The story of Luke's arrival

It all started on Monday, November 9th. I went to the doctor for my weekly check and had no progress. I was dilated to a two and 50 percent effaced which I had been for the previous two weeks. I was finishing dinner with Blake and Scott and decided I needed to make lunches and do all of my nightly chores. I went to the bathroom and then called my friend Lisa. I was talking to her and chatting away when I got all wet down there. I was a little flustered. I had coughed and just wet myself. I thought nothing of it and changed my clothes. I continued my conversation with Lisa and then it happened again. I told Lisa that I was wetting myself and she asked if it could be something else. It dawned on me that it could be my water, but I was expecting a huge gush. I also had just been at the doc a few hours earlier... I kept talking to her and she talked me into looking it up in my book and calling the doc. I honestly thought is was too early. I was having no contractions or anything. I called the doc and he said go and get it checked out. Scott and I called my parents and threw some stuff in a bag. I was thinking we were coming home so I didn't really think about what to pack. It was Scott's idea to pack a bag. I forgot! I went to the hospital thinking I would be giggled at and sent home and I told everyone that same thing. Blake got super excited when I told him where we were going. My parents were meeting us at the hospital just in case. I got there and they did the little test they do and sure enough it was my water breaking. It was a leak at that point and I had to stay in the hospital. I was dilated to a three and 75 percent effaced. So I was in labor! The nurse said that I would be having the baby by the next day because they won't let you go more than 24 hours after the leak starts. The contractions must have heard the nurse tell me I was in labor because that is when the contractions started. LOL Blake was so cute. He came in the room again and sat in the rocking chair and said he was sitting there until Luke was born. It took some convincing, but we finally got him to go home around 10pm with my Dad. We told him Papa really needed him to take him home so he could go to sleep. He was a little concerned about leaving me in the hospital though. He had a few tears. My Mom and Scott's Mom stayed at the hospital. At this point, I was calling everyone I needed to call. I was not expecting this yet. I had to call my sub and everything! My phone and Scott's phones were ringing off the hook and who knows how many text messages I sent! I was only 36 weeks and 5 days that day. Way early! I continued to try to sleep all night but it was no use. The contractions kept me up. The nurses told me I should get an epidural and my mom was really trying to get me get one, but I was worried it would stall my labor and progress so I said no. They told me that the doc would give me potosin if I had not progressed very far by 7am and I really didn't want to have to do that. I was induced with Blake and I was kinda excited about going into labor all on my own. I know its weird. LOL So I waited through the night. At one point, my mom tried to talk Shirley and the nurses into talking me into getting the epidural. hehehe I finally decided at 6:30 to get the epidural. I was dilated to a 7. Well. It's a good thing I went ahead and got one then because Luke Bradley Jackson was born at 7:31 on November 10, 2009! I pushed for less than five minutes! He was ready to join our family. It was such a great labor experience. I know that sounds funny, but it really was. Even with no sleep and working all day the day before, I was tired, but happy. Our Mom's got to come in right away and meet their new grandson. I wish Blake could have been there, but it was really early. He came in by the time I got to my room to meet his brother. He was still super excited! He got to hold him and kiss on him. He did ask if he could poke him in the eye though. LOL (We are watching him rather closely now. hehehe) Luke was 7 pounds and 5 ounces. He was 19 3/4 inches long. He was a big boy. The nurse said that he would have been over 9 pounds easy if he had waited. I had a feeling that he would be coming early, but I didn't even take it seriously. We are very lucky to have a beautiful healthy baby boy. He is perfect and we are so happy to add to our family. :-)

Lots of updates

This morning we go and play our last Blastball games of the season. It has been a wonderful time this year. Blake really loves playing the game and he is actually getting really good. He tells us he hits the ball like Optimus Prime. Hey... Use whatever works. hehehe He is a little sad this morning that today is the last day. It won't be the same next season because baby Luke will be joining us. I think it will be better though and Blake is telling me he is going to teach Luke how to play blastball. (I haven't told him Luke won't be able to play for a couple more years. hehehe He can tell him all about it anyways.) Scott and I have loved coaching again. It is so great to be a part of this. I think Scott and I are going to coach as much as we can with the boys. There is no greater feeling you get than 'teaching' these kids how to play blastball. I love encouraging them and cheering them on when they succeed. I guess that is the teacher in me... (Last week, Scott put me on video taping duty though. Big meany! Something about his 8 1/2 month pregnant wife shouldn't be chasing the boys around. Sure... He just wants to have all the fun! LOL)

I am referring to the baby as Luke because Blake has his heart set on naming him that. I think it is very cute that he named his brother. There are no other options according to Blake. We even asked him if we could name him Optimus and he still said no! You know how much he loves transformers so he must know that Luke is the perfect name. :-) Anyways. Blake has really done some growing this fall. I am super proud of his accomplishments and he is really trying at school. He told me all about how apples go from apple seeds to apple trees yesterday. He even told me about what bees do with nectar. He is really starting to pay attention which is great! He had a rough transition when his fav teacher left and he got two new ones, but he is doing great now! I think that his school is a great place and he is learning a lot. He misses his friends when he is not there too. It is so strange to see kindergartners this year because when I see them I think, "Next year that will be Blake!" Weird!

Halloween 2009

Blake and I went trick or treating last weekend and it was a blast. Poor Daddy was at home sick. :-( I made it pretty far and my dad came and picked us up when I couldn't walk anymore. (I felt good until I realized I wasn't going to be able to make it home. LOL) We went with our Mulkey friends this year as well and Grammie went along for the fun and to make sure Mommy didn't overdo it I am sure. We got to see baby Alyssa in her little ladybug costume. She was so cute and she was so interested in watching Blake. She is Juan and Christina's little miracle and they are great friends. It was fun going and Blake had a blast as Bumblebee. (Yep. A transformer. Shocked huh?? LOL) He was sick on Thursday night throwing up so he had to miss his school carnival on Friday. I think I was more bummed about that though. hehehe The funniest part is that every time he would say trick or treat he would also offer that his Daddy was at home throwing up! He wanted everyone to know that Daddy was sick. He really missed his Daddy. (I was like... What am I chopped liver. LOL) You know boys and their Daddy's. But I am lucky because he also has a special place in his heart for his Mommy too. :-) He has on his pouty face to tell you he missed his Daddy on Halloween. It was his idea. hehehe

Gifts for the Baby

This month one of my greatest friends threw me a shower for our new little baby boy to be. It was a wonderful day filled with friends and family. It was in Rockwall where my friend Lisa lives. A lot of people made the drive and we got great gifts for our new little bundle of joy. Thank you to everyone who came and shared this special occasion with me. I wish we would have gotten a group picture but it went by so fast that we didn't get a chance. I am putting some of the pics of me and my fam and friends that I remembered to get taken. The one with me and Blake and his shirt is a little blurry, but I am posting it anyways. It is so cute! I am never good about remembering to take pics. Maybe that can be my 2010 New Year's resolution. hehehe Blake even got a big brother t-shirt and he loved it. His Godmom, Godaunt, and Godgrandma got him a really cool toy too. He is gonna be such a great big brother. He went around the room giving everyone hugs for all the presents they gave to his brother. So sweet! A piece of advice for some of you who are expecting...never wear a skirt to a baby shower when you are as large as me! LOL I spent a lot of time having to crop the pictures because there was a little peep show. hehehe Thanks Carly!

It has been a month!

Time really flies. It just seems like yesterday I updated the blog, but alas, its been another month. At least I am still holding to my New Year's Resolution about updating monthly. :-) Let's see. Last time we talked I was put on bed rest. Well, I am off now and back at work. I am lucky that my administration is very helpful and 'reminds' me to be sitting. Krystal also works at my school and frequently reminds me that I need to be sitting when she walks by my room. I need the reminders because I get so caught up in teaching I forget and then I regret it. Even my students remind me. I have not had the tightness much lately so I think I am out of the woods on that.

Now I am on bed rest for another reason this week. STUPID SWINE FLU! Yes, I have the luck to get the swine flu while pregnant. I will spare you the details, but after taking all of the drugs I can while I am pregnant, staying in the hospital last Friday and Saturday, I am not better a week later. I started getting pneumonia so they put me on an antibiotic to stop that progression yesterday and I started feeling a little better today. I actually slept for three hours straight this afternoon which is longer than I have in a week! I am not allowed to go back to work until at least Monday because my immune system is so compromised not to mention I have no energy to take a shower much less teach for 8 hours. I didn't like what the doc said at first, but I know she is just looking out for me. It would be a waste if I went and caught something else on top of this junk. The one thing I really learned about my OB through this is that he is a dedicated doctor. He admitted this was new territory for him because he doesn't usually deal with pregnant women with swine flu (Lucky him) and he and his nurse have been trying everything to help me that they can. When I was in the hospital, he came in on Saturday to check on me. I asked the nurse if he usually comes in and she said no. That is going above and beyond. His nurse has also called to check on me several times daily and they have tried to help me as much as they can. I will be writing a wonderful thank you card when the baby comes. Just when I think my doc and his nurse can't impress me more, they do. I would recommend them to everyone! Dr. Greebon at Women's Specialists of Plano is the best and his nurse Justine rocks!

The person I worry most about right now is Blake. He took it very hard when I was in the hospital and while I have been sick in bed. He comes home everyday and asks if I feel better. I told him when Mommy gets better, we are going to have a Blake and Mommy day very very soon! I miss my big boy! Here is a picture of him sleeping with his favorite transformer Bumblebee. The minute he comes in the door, he looks for his transformers. Very cute!

I don't want to miss a thing!

It was a stressful week to say the least. I started having pains in my stomach on Monday. It just felt like a growth spurt because it was so tight. I didn't think anything of it and I figured it would go away. Tuesday it got worse. I was laying on the couch after I got home and the pain was not letting up. It literally felt like my belly button was going to pop open and expose the baby. Even Scott could feel how tight my belly was. Wednesday it was even worse and spread to my back. I decided I should probably call the doctor because I didn't think growing pains lasted this long. I was told to come right away so of course, I was freaking out. I left school almost immediately and drove to the doc. Probably not a good idea since I was hurting and crying I realize now, but who else was gonna drive me. After the miscarriage last year, I did not want to go alone so I called Scott and he met me at the doc. Everything started going through my mind. What if's are not always healthy ones I must say. Scott was able to calm my fears and tears by the time I saw the doctor. We saw the doc right away and he said that my options were bed rest or meds. I don't really want to start medication to stop preterm labor if I don't have to right now so I just kept looking at Scott. My doc is so good and saw my hesitation that he gave me another option. One I can actually live with for now I think. He said to try the bed rest until Monday. If the pain goes away, I can try to go back to work on Monday. If the pain doesn't go away, then we will talk on Monday. I figured I could live with bed rest until Monday because after all I am Positive Patty so I think everything will work out by Monday. I am convinced that I will be able to go back to work on Monday pain free. Now if I can just convince my body of that everything will be great. I spoke to the doc yesterday and told him I was feeling better so I am allowed to try on Monday. If the pain comes back though, I have to be on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy. That is a LONG 10 weeks! But I will do whatever it takes to make sure this baby makes a healthy and safe entrance into this world of course.

I think the hardest part of that option is that I am going to miss out on Blake. I really was upset because I have NEVER missed anything of Blake's. I have been to every game, practice, swim lesson, karate class, etc... I have always been there even when I am sick or whatever. I have never missed anything. This weekend of course was to be his first blastball game. I am the assistant coach of his blastball team again this season. (Yeah. I know. Looks kinda dumb now huh, but when I signed up I was ok.) I was going to miss out on that. Thank you rain for raining that game out! LOL Every year we take him to the balloon festival and he was so excited to go this year. He had been talking about it all week. He was telling his teachers and friends at school. I was super pumped to go with him because he is such a joy to watch and I like the balloons too. I had to miss it last night and stay in bed. :-( He got to have a Daddy and son outing though so I am looking at the bright side of course. I am going to have to miss his swim lessons tomorrow morning so I am bummed about that. I know I have seen probably 30 of them, but it doesn't matter. I want to be there for ALL of them! I am his mother. Blake was super cute when we tried to explain to him that Mommy had to stay in bed and couldn't go to the balloon festival. I told him the doctor said Mommy had to stay in bed. He was gonna make a compromise. He said, "Well. Then Daddy can stay in bed and Mommy can take me to the balloon festival." That was so sweet! I am not usually the favorite, but it meant a lot to me that he actually misses me not going. :0) Anyways. They had a great time. I will get to see it next year I keep telling myself. I am also missing my MIL's birthday party in VA today. I was looking forward to that this weekend too. But I am stuck in bed. ;-( At least, I have had some wonderful friends visit and call. I had a friend deliver food, books, and movies yesterday. The fifth grade team made homemade meals for me. Isn't that so thoughtful?!?! Today, another friend came by and brought me lunch and they each kept me company which was great. I have a few more friends who plan on coming by this afternoon. I should probably catch a nap now then huh? LOL

I just don't want to miss anything else so please God, let me be able to go back to work and life on Monday so I don't miss a thing!

Night with friends

I was talking to a friend last night and she was telling me how much she appreciates that even though I am a mom and busy all the time that I make time for my friends. I had never really thought about it before, but I guess I try my best to for my friends and me. I then told her that I think having friend/adult time is very important to me. I believe making time for myself and enjoying my friends makes me a better mother. I also think having time with family and friends is important for Blake. He loves spending time with his aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, and grandpa. (We really have no shortage of sitters. We are SO lucky.) He enjoys his time just as much as I enjoy my outings. I remember a time where I felt guilty about getting a sitter so Scott and I could go and do something. I don't know when that changed, but I would guess when he was no longer breakable in my eyes. :-) I was so worried about leaving him when he was younger, but pretty soon I could tell he loved seeing his family. I also realized how important the bond that he was developing is to him. When Scott and I decided to have children, we made a deal that we would try to have a date night at least once a month. We have been pretty good about it most months. I think it is important that we get this time to ourselves as well to work on our marriage too. Sometimes we spend our night out with friends and others we do a date alone. This past weekend we went to Joe T. Garcia's for dinner and Billy Bob's to see Clay Walker. I am 28 years old and have lived in DFW my entire life. I had never been to either place. Of course, I wait until I am 7 months pregnant. LOL It was a great time and I didn't get too tired. I watched people dance and have a great time just talking with friends and listening to music. I even danced with Carly who is a great dancer! She decided I needed to get out onto the dance floor because my hubby doesn't dance. (It doesn't bother me. I knew it when I married him and those people at Billy Bob's are serious dancers!) Let's just say I was winded after the first time around the dance floor and couldn't walk after the second. LOL It was so funny really! She didn't believe me. hehe It didn't even really bother me that it was pouring rain and we had to walk a long way to get to and from the door because the valet was full. It was a great night. Let's be honest. I won't get a chance to do that for a while once the baby comes. Thankfully I took two naps that day so I would make it until 2am! I hadn't seen that time in 7 months. LOL