Stubbs Shack: Jackson Scott- The Birth Story

Tomorrow is Jackson's two week birthday, and still I'm not sure how to tell this story. Truly, I feel like there are no adequate words to describe this whole experience, these last two weeks have by far, been the best of my life.

I was nervous to say the least about giving birth. I had been worried about that day since I learned where babies come from. As I got closer and closer to his due date, I felt more and more ready for whatever was to come, but having never done this before, and knowing things may not go as planned, I was still a little apprehensive.

Luckily, I didn't have too much time to worry about it. Our impatient little mister arrived 3 weeks early on Saturday, March 9th. On that Friday after work, Tyler and I decided we needed to go to Babies R Us and get the few things we still needed for Jackson... (see previous post!) Thank goodness we did! We had plans for that weekend- to get hospital bags ready, finish the nursery, wash baby blankets and clothes, and put baby gear together.

None of that got done.

Saturday morning at 3:30am my water broke. There was no mistaking it. After calling the birthing center to let them know, Tyler ran to the grocery store for supplies, and I managed to get hospital bags together. A little over an hour later, we were hospital bound!

When we arrived, they were ready for us. They confirmed my water had broken, but it was a premature rupture and I was not in labor. They started pitocin right away, and over the next few hours my contractions became more and more painful. Tyler and I had planned to go as long as possible without any drugs, and while Tyler was the most amazing birth coach and partner I could've asked for, at 7cm I needed relief. I got the epidural, and no more than 2 hours later I was pushing.

The rest is history. Every moment was worth it. I am so grateful that my body cooperated so well, and I went from zero to baby in about 9 hours. Jackson was born at 5:26pm, 6lbs 1oz, 19.5in., and in perfect health.

Because he was "late term premature" and developed jaundice, we spent 3 days in the hospital. After being under lights for 12 hours, his jaundice levels dropped enough to allow us to go home the following Tuesday.

Unfortunately, it was determined at his 48 hour check-up that his jaundice levels had spiked, and we were re-admitted to the hospital for two more days of light therapy (which he LOVED). Today his jaundice is just about gone, and he's gaining weight like a champ- 6lbs 6oz today! We are so thankful to have had my parents here for the week after his birth; they helped in so many ways, and made being stuck in the hospital so much less stressful. Tyler was able to leave and study for finals as needed, laundry and cleaning got done, preemie baby clothes got bought, food got made, and most importantly, we got to spend plenty of quality time with each other.

Jackson has been an incredible baby. Everyone says that you just don't get it until you have one of your own. I get it now. This love is never-ending. Our little family has grown by one little person and exponential amounts of love.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, love, and support over the last 2 weeks. We certainly feel the love.