River is Here!

In the midst of doing our list from the girl's blog HERE or parenting blog HERE, we took time out to have a baby--well, my daughter did. Here's a brief account.

Monday night I went to bed knowing Jessica was going in to be induced at 4 a.m. Tuesday. For many reasons including that one, I couldn't fall asleep until 1:00. Then I woke up at 3:30. A lot of the reason was also a four hour conversation with a fiction coach that gave me plenty to rewrite so things were spinning in my mind. I got up and started writing in what felt like the middle of the night.

At about 9:00 I got the call Jessica was in labor, so Jasmine and I left for the hospital. I had a new "Gigi" shirt.

Jessica was progressing very slowly, so I suggested we get her out of bed and sit her on a ball. I've heard it helps. Everyone looked at me weird, and the nurse wasn't in favor of it but I got bossy :)

You can't see the ball under Jessica, but you can see it under Lisa, Jessica's mother-in-law, who is a bit mischievous.

Gigi and Mimi waiting. (What do your grandkids call you? I am Grandma Kathy to my step daughter Ashley's kids and will be Gigi to River)

Jessica was making progress on the ball, but they decided she needed an epidural to help her relax so she would dilate better. Well, that just didn't happen, and she got stuck at 8. 

Finally just before midnight a decision was made to do a C section. It turned out to be a good idea. The baby was stuck in the birth canal face up. They think she'd been stuck about four hours!

Unfortunately she started breathing before she was out and swallowed fluid. Then she wasn't breathing well at all. 

She was rushed out of the room without Jessica even holding her and hooked up to various machines and things to help her breath better and was transported to another hospital. It was about 2:00 a.m. by time she'd been stabilized and ready for transport. Jessica only got to touch River's hand through the transport unit. She remained at the hospital she was at while River went to NICU at a nearby hospital.

I would love to show pictures, but Hunter doesn't want any pictures posted of River with the tube. However, I was able to snap a quick one as they whisked her by us to get ready for transport.

Yesterday I went to see River at NICU. I was only able to place my hand on her leg. They don't want people to touch her because they don't want her stimulated right now while they are working to regulate her breathing.

I went up again today (Thursday the 31st) and while I was there they took out the breathing tube in her nose.

They took out her feeding tube so now she can eat.

Jessica should be discharged tomorrow (1/1/2016) from the hospital she is at, and she will be able to go to the hospital River is at and hold her for the first time.

Christmas

Since we celebrated with the adult children on Christmas Eve, we had only the four children living at home with us on Christmas Day.

Our kids have never (thankfully) gotten up early on Christmas morning. I got up at 7:30, started breakfast and then woke everyone else up.

Kayla, age 10

Jasmine, 14

Kaleb, 10 

Tyler, 25

This year my main gift to everyone was money. For Kaleb it was in the form of a week of camp that he wants to do. For Kayla it's a five week mission trip through Teen Missions. I was going to sign Kaleb up too,but he did not want to go at all. Tyler and Jasmine both got gift cards with instructions to spend them money on their favorite hobby. I also got everyone clothes.

They also had a combined gift from my mom and sister and a gift from my brother. We will later be buying Just Dance 2016 with money from Rick's parents.

The next couple of days we were just around home playing. Then Jessica had her baby. I will post about that next time.

Merry Christmas

from our family to yours!

The Holiday Season at Our House

I am behind on posting our holiday happenings. 

Jasmine had several concerts. The percussion section of her high school band (public school) played with Building 429 at a concert. The County Christian Youth Choir sang at a church, the Festival of Choirs and with the King's Brass.

Putting the tree up.

Last Sunday morning

Who is taller?

Ready for the church program

Jessica played saxophone in the program. She won't be playing until after River is born.

Delivering the last jar.

Stockings are ready to fill.

Yes, they do decorate the palm trees.

At Rick's work party. First time we've gone to this kind of work party. The owner of the company paid for everything. Meals started at $19.99 and went way higher. It was also an open bar. I lived wild and had caffeine!! My hand got cold holding the glass with ice, so I warmed it at the fire.

And how does one hold a plate and glass and have a hand free to eat with?

These pictures were all taken on my phone by firelight! 

We ended up with nice gifts from the dirty Santa gift exchange. I was maybe a bit mean. But I came home with a foot massager.

This is my step daughter Ashley, son-in-law Mike, their two children and Mike's younger sister who lives with them for now.

 The rest of these photos are from before or after the Christmas Eve service.

 Birthday cake for Jesus

 Kayla isn't sure what to make of Hunter.

 On Christmas Eve, we open what is in stockings, which was quite a bit this year because I hit the Bath and Body sales. We give our gifts to the adult kids who are no longer in the house and the kids give out the gifts they bought themselves. The kids did a good job of  buying for each other this year.

The kids are trying out a game Tyler bought for them to share.

Jessica felt tired tonight so left before the others started playing Wii. We should have baby news for you within the week!!!!

Merry Christmas to all my blog readers!

If you are feeling a bit blue this holiday season, check out my two posts on holiday blues and depression HERE