Baby Lee James is here!

At my doctors appointment I had on December 9th, I was dilated to a two. My doctor said I had three weeks probably until the baby would come. I thought that was great news because then he would come after Christmas. I really didn't want to be in the hospital for Christmas Eve or Christmas. During that week there was only one time that I felt contractions and it didn't last very long. I wasn't sure what contractions felt like because I didn't have any with Jackson until I was in the hospital and they were more painful then what I was feeling. These felt more like cramps.  My next appointment on the 16th, I was dilated to a three. My doctor then said that I had 5-7 days until the baby might come! What?! What happened to the three weeks? I did not like hearing this news. I thought if this baby was coming then he better come by the 21st so I was home by Christmas Eve. But he didn't. On the 20th, in the night, I was up for two hours with contractions that weren't consistent and I wasn't really keeping track because I was so tired. They went away so then I was able to go back to sleep. On the 21st I was up for only 15 minutes in the night. I woke up around 4:30 a.m. on the 23rd and was having contractions again. I timed some of them, but they weren't too close together. Around 5:30 I felt like my water might have leaked some and then a few minutes later I was leaking again. I got up to go to the bathroom and it was dripping down my legs. The same thing happened with Jackson. It was a Monday morning, I woke up leaking and we headed to the hospital! At least this time I knew what was happening. I woke CJ up and said we needed to get ready to go. He called my sister Holly and she came over to stay with Jackson. CJ and I both showered and got our stuff together and got to the hospital around 7:30 a.m.

When we got to the hospital they checked me and I was at a 5 already. My water had some brown in it, the baby had pooped already. They told me when he was born that they might have to put a tube down his throat to suction him out if he had swallowed too much of the water. 

I wanted an epidural and I didn't want to wait until I was in too much pain so they called the anesthesiologist and he got there at nine, I was almost to a six by then. Then I was comfy cozy and just relaxed. They had to put me on oxygen for a while because the baby's heart beat kept going down when I would lay on my left side. 

Around 2:30 p.m. the doctor came in and watched me push and then said to come get him in about ten minutes to deliver the baby. I kept pushing while he was gone. He came back and our sweet baby was born at 2:54 p.m. He was 7 lbs. 11 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. I pushed more on this delivery then I had with Jackson, but it was still only about twenty minutes. I was really worried that since things had gone so well with Jackson's delivery that this one would be more difficult. It all went very well and smooth though. I have been truly blessed in having good deliveries. 

The nurses took the baby right after he was born and suctioned him out. Thankfully he did not have to have a tube down his throat. After they suctioned him out, I was able to hold him and do skin to skin to get him breathing regularly and to regulate his temperature. He laid so quietly on me and just slept. He didn't come out a screamer. He squealed some, but really didn't cry much at all. 

After the baby was born, we called our families. The only who knew we even went to the hospital was Holly since she was with Jackson. We didn't call anyone before because with Jackson we had a lot of people in the waiting room before he was even born and it was a bit overwhelming. This time, we wanted to be able to spend time with the baby before everyone got there. It was really nice to try nursing him and just have CJ and I there. 

We took a picture at the hospital before we had the baby. I am 38 weeks. 

When we were ready, we had Holly bring Jackson so he could be the first to see his new brother. He was so excited! He had to wait for a little bit because I was still trying to nurse when he got there, but he did great and was very anxious. We had Holly come in and record Jackson coming in to meet him. Jackson came and sat on the bed and held the baby for about three seconds then said he was done. Jackson was so sweet and gentle with him. It was priceless and I am so glad we were able to record him. 

Grandma Vincent had come up right after Jackson got there. It was a very sweet and tender moment for Grandma to meet her newest great grandson, especially since he was named after Grandpa Vincent. It is amazing to think that he was just in heaven with Heavenly Father and his Grandpa Vincent and Grandpa Johnson. I am very grateful that he was able to spend time with both of them in heaven before he came to the earth. Hopefully they were able to teach him a thing or two before he came and he will feel a closeness to them even though they are not physically here.

Quick story of how we decided on Lee James. When Papa Lee was in the care center and it was days before he would pass, CJ and I were there visiting. CJ had gone out in the hall with his Aunts and I stayed in the room with Grandma. While I was sitting there looking at this sweet man who I dearly loved, the impression came to my mind that this baby's name is Lee James. There was no arguing with the thought. I knew that is what he needed to be named. It is so great that both our boys carry on names from two wonderful men. Both of these men have had a wonderful impact on my life and I pray that when my boys grow up that they can understand how wonderful they are and be proud of the names they carry on.  

Baby Brother, as Jackson calls him, brought Jackson a gift. This made Jackson even more excited! He got two new cars and the Dinoco helicopter. He was so excited because one of the cars CJ said he was going to give him, but when he opened it Jackson said,"Dad didn't get it for me, Baby Brother did!" It was so sweet. After that, he wanted to just play with his cars. He even asked to go home so he could play. 

Holly's kids came with her so after Jackson and Grandma Vincent saw the baby, then they came in to meet their newest cousin. 

Our extremely thoughtful and good friend, Nellie, had mailed Jackson a gift for when the baby arrived. We opened it at the hospital and it was a very cute "doctor" kit. So Jackson can take care of his stuffed animals while I take care of baby. We have the greatest friends! 

CJ's family Christmas party was that evening so CJ took Jackson to Connie's house so he could be with his cousins. While they were gone, my sisters Kelly and Holly had come and stayed with me so I wasn't alone. My Mom got there shortly after to see her 26th grandchild. 

Candice, Cory and July came up after the family party. 

After the party, CJ took Jackson back to Holly's and came back to the hospital to spend the night. He went with the nurse to take pictures while the baby had his first bath. 

The next day Connie came and met her 7th grandchild. Tim and Ashli had came down for Christmas Eve at my Mom's and were so nice to stop in and see us! Our friends Ryan and Amber came and July brought the kids to meet their new cousin. They were so excited to hold him and see him.