Newborn Pictures

Just wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from Jackson's Newborn session. We used Chubbyfoot Photography and couldnt be happier with her work! She is amazing...check her out....while you are there you can also sneak a look at Owen and Makena (my nieces) from some recent pics they took at the cupcake store and on the UT football field! They are too cute!
http://chubbyfoot.squarespace.com/

Here is our precious little boy when he was only 5 days old!!!

Our new life!

Sorry for the delay in posting! This past week has been crazy! Here's a recap!

On August 5, 2010, Justin and I arrived at The Women's Hospital of Texas at 4:30am! We were both so excited to be there but terrified at the same time. I can't even tell you what we talked about on our way there. There were some tears, hand holding and laughs as we enjoyed our last car ride as a family of two!

This is us before going to the hospital that morning

I checked in and then got hooked up to an IV to monitor Jackson and myself. I was in such shock that I was finally in the hospital about to welcome Jackson into this world. I kept saying, "I can't believe we are here"! Moments before we heading into the operating room to receive the epidural we enjoyed a few short minutes with our families.

I head into the OR by myself....(fyi, husbands aren't allowed in there when you receive the epidural) I was terrified, but let me just say that an epidural is amazing! Almost instantly does your entire bottom half become numb. I'm still wondering how only the bottom half gets numb...its like from mid stomach down. Although its a crazy feeling, I didn't really like losing control of my legs...I couldn't move them or feel absolutely anything. Moments later, Justin and Dr. Cone enter the room with there game face on!! That's when I got really excited and couldn't contain myself. I immediately started crying the second Dr. Cone started the c-section. Justin was up by me the whole time while the anesthesiologist was video taping the procedure! Yes, we have it on video and its awesome! Justin was too big of a wimp to take a sneak peak down there, although I probably wouldn't have either! Within minutes, I hear a high pitched scream/cry from my sweet baby boy and before I could even see him my face was filled with tears! There is nothing quite like hearing your baby cry for the first time.

On August 5, 2010 at 7:13a.m Jackson Barr Todd was welcomed into this world weighing in a 8 pounds 1 oz and 21.5 inches long!

these are my two favorite pictures!

And three days later, we leave as a family of 3!

I was very worried about having a c-section as you might notice from my previous posts. Let me just tell you that I worried for absolutely no reason. Now that its over and done, that was the easiest procedure ever! Yes, I know many people will say that "i didn't experience birth", or that I missed out on special bonding with my baby, but I did experience birth and I have a baby to prove it. People always think that a c-section is the easy way out, but I'm still recovering! Its an easy procedure but defiantly some healing when its done. I have some scars that are healing, but other than that, I'm out and about! I recovered better than I ever expected. I even went to Babies R Us on our second day home (and have been three times since then :)) I don't regret the decision to have a c-section one bit; in fact, I am very glad that I got to experience such thing! It doesn't matter how you deliver a baby, as long as it gets delivered healthy!

Our little boy is now a week old and such a joy to see growing! It was always annoying to me prior to having a baby when I would hear mom's say "oh, he looks so different, or he's getting so big", but I'm right there with them now! He looks so different to me and Justin. Wouldn't you agree?

One day old

One week old

39 weeks!

I had my last ob appointment this morning....How sad! Seriously, I have truly enjoyed being pregnant and going to all of my appointments. Its so amazing to be able to see how much Jackson has grown in the past 10 months and I'm so thankful that I have been given the chance to experience this milestone in our life. Justin went with me this morning for my last time. Let me just add that Justin thought it was no big deal that this was my last appointment. "yes, it is! This could be the last time we ever experience this and this is so special" (That's me getting emotional and Justin thinking I'm weird! :)

Well- here is how it went!
I haven't dilated anymore since last week; even though I would have bet money that I had. I just feel like I have been changing in the past week. I have had some cramps, aches and pains and to not be further along was odd to me, but whatever!

I haven't effaced anymore either....What a surprise. I have been the same since 36 weeks, but again, I thought I would be further.

Jackson hasn't "dropped" yet either. Ugh! He must be mighty comfortable inside my stomach....Little does he know that he is about to enter this world this week!!!!

Yep, that's right! I'm scheduled for a c-section on Thursday, August 5 at 6:30am. Justin and I will arrive at the hospital at 4:30am and I will get situated and by 7:00am Jackson Barr Todd will have entered this world!!!!!!!

What am I feeling??
I must say that this whole pregnancy has been wonderful. No issues, scares, concerns or fears. BUT, after hearing that we are going to have him in less than 72 hours really got me going. I'm a nervous wreck for several reasons:
1. I HATE hospitals and knowing that I will have to be in there for 3 full days makes me nauseous
2. What if everything goes wrong once we get there; I can't think of what could possibly go wrong but what if?
3. What if I'm too big of a baby to get the epidural.....yes, I know that its supposedly doesn't hurt, but I'm a pretty big wimp!
4. I think its natural to wonder what Jackson will look like, if he will be healthy, or if something could be wrong
5. Am I going to be a good mother? Will it come "natural" like everyone says?
6. Will I be able to breastfeed? For some reason this has always worried me, don't know why!

I have all these crazy fears and concerns and they all hit me this morning....Seriously, I haven't thought about being scared for even a second but I'll admit that right now I'm terrified!!!

After we got the news that Thursday was the big date, we headed over to the hospital to get registered, give blood, and sign about 10 consent forms saying that I can't sue them if anything goes wrong! Then the lady said, "see you in a few days", I got in my car and sat in the sweltering heat and soaked it all in.

I'm going to be a mom in 2.5 days! Its truly been the most amazing miracle for the last 10 months. I continue to wonder how my pregnancy could be so perfect and textbook. I continue to pray that Thursday is everything that I think it will be and that everything goes smoothly. I pray that Jackson is healthy and developed. I pray that my recovery is "easy" and that I have no complications. I pray that this is everything Justin and I think it is. And, I pray that we will be all that our parents were to us with Jackson! Hope that you will pray for us to!!!!

My next update will be after he arrives...Until then, I'm just a wife and a good friend; but soon I'll be a wife, friend and mom!!! Wow!