Our little studley man has arrived! On Tuesday (Dec. 29th), Ryan and I were just relaxing and enjoying the day. We ate some delicious (but spicy) orange chicken at the mall. I also bought a fresh pinapple and cut it up and enjoyed that. Finally, we watched my brother Dallin play in the final game of a basketball tournament up in Canada against our rivals via the internet -- and I always get excited/nervous when I watch my bro's play ball. It was kinda funny because later that evening, I looked up ways to induce labor -- spicy foods & pinapple were two of them, however, having lots of adrenaline was suppose to hinder it. I had finally got to the point where I was ok with Jaxson coming and seeing us (I had been telling him to wait until I got relaxed enough after student teaching). So I told my the baby, I was finally ok with him coming whenever he was ready ... well my water broke a few hours later at 12:30 AM Wednesday Dec. 30th.
We arrived at the hospital around 2 am. No dilation, my cervix was still hard, and no contractions- dang! So they let me walk around for 2 hours and try a birthing ball, to hopefully at least soften my cervix -- didn't really do much. I got a prostaglandin pill, and waited for 4 hours to let my cervix thin out. Because they like babies coming within ~24 hours of the water breaking, they needed to start me on the oxytocin. I started on that, and it wasn't too bad for a bit. But then I started getting the worse back pain I have ever had. The uterine contractions were nothing compared to the back pain I had. I was thinking of trying to use as little pain meds as possible, but after being in that back pain, I knew that wasn't going to be possible. So I started getting pain meds that made me kinda sleepy -- it didn't take away the pain, but as least inbetween contractions (ever 2-3 mins or so) I was out of it. I just had to wait until I was dilated enough for a epidural, because I really wanted one!!
Well, the first time she came back and checked, I was at a "fingertip" -- I don't even know if that is 1 cm, but at least she said my cervix was thinning. So I played the waiting game, and it kicked my butt. I really was having a hard time with the pain -- I felt bad for Ryan because he had to listen to me moaning for about 4 hours. Finally the doctor came in and I was dilated to a 3-4. When she asked if I wanted the epidural, I gladly said YES!
After I got the epidural, my back pain went away!! Hooray! However, I had intense pressure elsewhere, and it was painful --- so I was happy to be back-pain free, but was hoping I wasn't going to be in this stage extremely long. About 30-60 mins after the epidural, the Doctor (who by the way wasn't my real doctor, because she was on vacation for the week) came in and checked-- dilated to a 10! Time to push! I started pushing, and was doing really awesome (or so the nurse bragged), but I wasn't getting a lot of progress. The reason for all the back labor, pressure after the epidural, and not getting anywhere .... the baby was face up. I pushed hard for about 2 hours and baby was stuck on my pubic bone. The baby's heart rate was way up at 190 bpm for the 2 hours, and we wanted to get it down asap. The doctor and nurse didn't think he was going to turn, and they (and I) did not want a C-section, so the forcepts were used. After a few sets of pushing, we saw our little Jaxson, a head full of hair and all. It was so awesome to finally meet the little guy!! (and to be somewhat out of pain ... although I think because of the delivery, I will still be in pain/recovery for at least a month). I was running a fever during the pushing, so Jaxson came out a little warm. That is why they kept us at the hospital an extra day -- they needed to keep a good eye on him to make sure he was alright. We enjoyed our hospital stay, we had some amazingly awesome nurses who were just fabulous. The hosptial room was nice (just re-done), but it was good to get home today around 2 pm. It has been a tiring few days, but Ryan and I are so happy to have our little healthy Jaxson join our family. We are so grateful to Heavenly Father who blessed us with this little guy, especially after I had doctors mention before that it was going to be difficult to get pregnant and my pregnancy/baby would be considered high risk. I feel that I have been blessed so much with a fabulous pregnancy and a good labor and birth --- and with an amazingly awesome little boy!!
Lastly, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for Ryan. He is such an amazing Daddy to Jaxson. He was so supportive during my labor and delivery, and he has been so helpful with taking care of our little guy. He is naturally gifted in soothing the little guy!! He is also willing to change diapers (even the poopiest ones!) and help out however he can. When Jaxson was having a hard time feeding in the hospital, he was very supportive and encouraging to me. I am so happy he has a little bit of time before he needs to go back to school. We have both really enjoyed spending time as our new little family, because we work as a team to help Jaxson with his needs. I love him with all my heart and am so lucky to have him in my life. I am so grateful I get to spend eternity with him. Love you Hunny!!
Now for some pictures ...
Before any pain or contractions.
At home today ... my cute boys!!
Baby Jaxson and his very Proud Momma! He has been smiling a lot more latley and I love it! He is especially smiley in the mornings after he has a good feed. One day I hope to get some good pictures of his smile, although he puts on a straight face as soon as he sees the camera ... silly boy! I just love this kid! 
3 generation photo of some very good-looking men!
Ryan's parents (Lee & Rhonda) came in from South Carolina. It was the first time Lee saw his grandson.
Proud Parents. I just love my 2 boys! Ryan is such a great father and I am so happy being married to him. Jaxson is such a cute little angel that I am so attached too, I still have a hard time leaving him or letting other people hold him.
We were so glad Erika could come and see her nephew. I don't think she was disappointed with his studliness. We really enjoyed having you here girl!
A picture at the church -- we had to be really quick cuz Jaxson was getting cranky for food!
Look at his pose -- what a funny little kid!
Before Church -- getting ready for the blessing. I love my family!!
I LOVE my wonderful Hunny! Happy early Valentine's Day!
Did you know Jaxson knows how to crawl up people's backs? Jokes, RY likes to take silly pictures!
Jaxson loves his bath time!
Erika made an amazingly cute cake to celebrate Jaxson's baby blessing. 
The final masterpiece. It looks great and tasted delicious!
While we had some extra help, Ry and I went on our first date since Jaxson was born. We saw Avitar in 3D -- it was a really interesting movie that we both really enjoyed.
Standing on our porch at our apartment. What a beautiful day in Feburary :)
Ry putting on Jaxson's awesome Jordan shoes while we enjoyed playing cards. We had an awesome weekend! 
