Newborn Pics

Walker had his newborn pictures this morning. Jackson and Brooks were in some of them. They did so good! Why can't they cooperate with me? I can't wait to see all of them. Rebecca always takes the best pictures!

I got to pick up the boys from school today. I like getting to do those simple things. Then after lunch, Brooks and I went to take a nap. Brooks cuddled up with me, and I guess I fell asleep first. When I woke up, he was gone. I figured he was already awake and with Noni and the other boys.  Apparently, he had gotten out of bed and was playing with some toys in our room. Noni heard some noises coming from the room. When she opened the door, she found Brooks playing cars enjoying the time by himself. I was out and never heard any of it.

The boys had swimming, and then we went on a car ride. Jackson was our tour guide. " Welcome to downtown Anderson! There's the ice cream shop. There's J. Peters- you'll like to eat there. There's Mellow Mushroom." It was really cute! Tomorrow is that boy's kindergarten orientation. Sniff, sniff!

Life Lately

The days seem to fly by, and the nights seem never ending right now. You forget how exhausting it is getting up every 3 hours! I am tired! Thankfully my mom has been coming over and holding Walker while I nap with Brooks. Tim entertains Jackson or does work.

The big boys have been busy this week. They had 2 nights of swimming lessons. Jackson also had 2 games. He had some great hits the first game. The second game was a make-up from last week, and the other team never showed. They played a game against the dads and siblings. Apparently Brooks was really excited to play. He got upset that the ball never came to him though.

We've had lots of rain, and the boys have been playing in the big puddle in the driveway. They get soaked, but they love it!

Now that I can finally drive, I took the big boys to Target to spend their gift cards. They had the best time! It was nice to finally get out of the house.  Next week is crazy plus Tim goes back to work!

Walker is 1 week old!

Walker and I have been soaking up the time at home together. He is really a sweet baby. Today was the first time he has been fussy. I think he had a tummy ache. He seems better tonight. For the most part, Walker still sleeps a lot. He has been staying awake late morning and early evening.  He loves to be held, but also likes to sleep in his Rock-n-Play.  Walker eats 3oz every 3 hours and goes 4-5 hours at night.

We took him to his first doctor appointment yesterday. He is back up to 7lbs 2oz. He seems to be healthy. We go back next week for another weight check.

Jackson loves to be a helper. It is his job to get the bottle from the warmer and deliver it to whoever is feeding Walker. He also loves to hold Walker.

Brooks likes to hold Walker too. He also comes up to him and says, "I love him."

We are doing great as a family of five.  Easiest birth, easiest recovery, easiest baby, easiest adjustment  almost makes want one more-almost!

Coming Home

Walker had a pretty good night. The nurse had to get him around 2:45 am to finish his PKU test. She couldn't get his heel to bleed enough earlier. After he came back to the room, he just wanted to be held.

Dr. Hearn and Dr. Maddox came in to check on us around 7:00. We were both cleared to leave. Our nurse Anna had us all cleared for discharge by 9:00. We were home by9:30. Walker and I took naps. Tim, Noni, and the boys went to the Teddy Bear Clinic at the hospital. The boys were very disappointed that we were out of the hospital; they wanted to go back to the room. They had fun getting their animals checked and seeing the helicopter and fire trucks.

The boys were excited when the got home. Jackson didn't get to give Walker the tour yet. Both boys did help Noni feed Walker.  Jackson has been showing Walker his journal from Noni's.  Walker and I napped most of the afternoon. Noni stayed and helped with all of the boys. She even put them both to bed.

We are really glad to be home. I am enjoying every minute of cuddling with Walker.

James Walker- Friday

Tim went home to take a shower while Walker and I napped. Then Dr. Hearn came and got him for his circumcision. He also asked if I wanted to go home today. I decided to wait until tomorrow. I told h I'm it was like a vacation. He laughed and said I deserved it especially after my quick labor yesterday. I am still in some pain, so it makes it difficult to get up quickly. Plus when I am here I don't have to worry about laundry or cleaning up.  Plus we had some great nurses who are taking great  care of us!  Our hospital is "baby friendly" meaning the baby always rooms in with the mom. Only babies who are sick or in need of extra observation can go to the nursery, so you really do need someone else staying with you to help. Tim offered to keep the boys for my mom, but she knew she would sleep better at home with them.

Walker was gone about an hour for his surgery. I finally took a shower and put on my own clothes. I felt so much better (along with taking pain medicine). They came and did some of the newborn screenings- hearing, PKU, etc. Walker slept most of the day and wasn't interested in eating.

Today Papa Jerry, TuTu, Brent, Noni, and the boys came to visit. Grandma and Grandpa visited through Zoom.  The boys were wild again! I had to do se school stuff so Noni cuddled with him.His appetite has picked  too, and he is eating great! He was weighed again tonight was down to 6lbs, 15.5 oz.

Walker had the hiccups tonight and was awake for almost 2 hours. That is a new record for him!   He kind of had a rough day with Tim slept the first shift, and I got the second one. Walker had a hard day with his surgery and testing, but he was a good sport and really only cried during diaper changes.

James Walker 5-12-16

After very little sleep, we were up at 3:30 getting ready to leave for the hospital. My check-in time was scheduled for 5:00am. Once we got there, got checked-in, and got the IV started, the induction started at 5:40. I was officially dilated to 0 or a loose fingertip so I was anticipating a long day. The Pitocin worked quickly, and I started feeling contractions. They were pretty close together but not lasting very long. My nurse for the day arrived around 7:00, and I immediately felt a connection with her. Patricia reminded me of my mom.

I really believe God had it all planned out for today. I was really apprehensive about this delivery because I guess I knew exactly what to expect. Plus my mom was keeping the boys so she wasn't able to be in the delivery room. God made sure Patricia was my nurse, and she immediately put me at ease.

Dr. Hearn came in around 8:30 to check. I was between 3-4cm, so he decided to break my water. Patricia was right there to hold my hand. It was not as bad as I remember it with Jackson.

The contractions were getting stronger and closer together. I passed the time playing on my phone. Dr. Austin came for the epidural around 9:00. He was hilarious and made the process easy. Tim got to stay this time and made friends with Dr. Austin. He wanted Tim to keep him company all day. He was done by 9:30, and the relief came pretty fast. I got checked again and was at 7cm.  Sometimes they say that epidural so can slow down labor, but that was not the case. I was having pretty strong contractions because I could still feel the dull ache. I did not feel the pressure like I did with Brooks.

Dr. Hearn came in at 10:00 and checked him, and I was plus 10 cm. He and Patricia hurriedly got everything set up. Tim helped him out by mo I got the table and helping with the bed.  They kept
having to buzz everyone to hurry and get to my room. I started pushing at 10:14. After the first push, the head was out, and then his body followed with the second push. James Walker was born at 10:15 am. We were all shocked at how fast he arrived. Tim hadn't even gotten the camera ready. He got to cut the cord, and I touched his foot.

Tim walked over to the other side of the room with the nursery nurse. James Walker weighed 7lbs, 8 oz. While the nurse checked him, I got stitches. Super quick delivery equals 2nd degree tear. I love that Dr. Hearn hangs around and takes pictures for you.  He is the best doctor ever.  We had an hour of skin-to-skin contact. Dr. Hearn and Patricia took turns checking on us. Then the nursery nurse came back to finish checking James Walker. He was 19 3/4 inches long and healthy.

By 12:00, we were moving to our new room. I hated saying good-bye to Patricia. Walker finally got a bottle and inhaled it and then spit it back up. I got to my room just in time for lunch. Tim and I watched most of our videos and had time with James Walker.  The epidural kept me pretty numb for the day.

Noni brought the boys up around 4:45 or so. They were really excited! Brooks was very concerned that I was still in my hospital gown. He kept asking, "Where's you shirt?" " Where's you pants?" "It's okay, Mommy."

Jackson wore his uniform because he was supposed to have a game until it got called because of the thunderstorm. Plus he really wanted Janes Walker to see his uniform. Both boys held the baby for a few seconds. Jackson seemed terrified. Brooks flipped because the baby touched his foot . The boys had fun playing with the presents from  the baby.

They had a picnic on blanket and were here when Dr. Hart came in,  Brooks was wild! Papa Jerry came by for a little too.  Dr. Bailey also came by and prayed over James Walker. It is one of the many things I love about our pastor and church.

Everyone left so Tim and I took turns napping. I let Tim sleep first. After being up for 20 hours, I finally dozed for a few. Then it was Tim's turn again. James Walker had a great first night. He only cried when he got changed.