And now for the REAL reason I am doing all this.....Jackson Erick was born July 15, 2009 at 11:13 AM. The whole delivery adventure began on the 14, when we went in to the doctor's office for a 'regular' visit. I say regular in quotations because Jackson's due date was July 9, so he was four days "late". I had been having problems with high blood pressure and swelling, so I was on a modified bed rest (meaning, I wasn't stuck in bed, but really couldn't do anything else). I was really hoping the doctor would send us to the hospital, but I was thinking it would NEVER happen. And when we first started our appointment, it really seemed like we would have to wait longer. But the thing that "kicked us into gear" was that my blood pressure was high, then normal, and then high again. Our doctor said there was no point in waiting any longer, so off we went! All the way to the hospital, we talked about how we couldn't believe it was finally happening...and we called a handful of family members too.

When we arrived at the hospital, I felt like I was in a semi-fake reality...what with having to wear a super thin, backless gown and no longer being able to eat, instead having an IV. We were there and set to go, mmm, like 6pm? And right away they started the medicines to induce stronger contractions. At first, it was fine, but then....it was so not cool. I hardly slept the back pain was so bad. Contractions? What?! Who could notice those with all the back pain?

Anyways, morning finally came (and so did the epidural---a definite relief!) and the doctor noticed a drop in Jackson's heartbeat after each contraction...while probably nothing was wrong, she did not want to risk it. We were to have a C-section. Literally minutes after that decision was made, I was being rolled off. Erick was being dressed in clean hospital gowns and last I remember, the anesthesiologist topped my epidural off with some morphine--to ensure I would not feel the incision--and then I could not breathe. You know when you watch medical shows, like House, and the patients suddenly look like fish out of water? Mouths wide open, but no sound comes out and they have to put in a breathing tube? I always thought that was so fake looking, but....now I know, that's really what happens.

So I was knocked out and did not get to see Jackson until over four hours after he was born. (Yep, it took me that long to wake up). But as you can see, he was just so beautiful.

The pictures here:
Top: This one's Jackson, with the lovely eye grease that helps protect from germs...He's only a few minutes old at this point!
Middle: In this picture, Jackson was held up so all the family that was eager to see our baby could finally see him.
Last: And this picture is one of the very first of Erick and Jackson.