Dad

(I just can't get enough. -Depeche Mode)

Initially, when William and I went to find out the gender of our baby, we were expecting them to say it was a boy. (Read why here)

Up until then, we were planning for a boy. I had found several pictures of boy nurseries that I thought were so adorable. Despite the lack of cute baby boy clothes in stores, I found several websites that had plenty of bow ties, suspenders, jackets, and hats that he would wear. William was planning on watching Star Wars movies, playing Legos, and teaching drums to our future son. We acquired some amazing but very boyish Beatles onesies and tees.

But then they said that she was a girl.

Later on, amidst our perplexities, I asked William if he was disappointed. He said, "No... I just don't know what to do with a little girl."

I told him that he'd figure it out.

I think June is in good hands.

And so it begins...

... the endless videos and photos of June Bug.

Whether or not we're accentuating her cute baby features to make us laugh, or using her to create a Youtube sensation, is completely our business.

June's Delivery

(Look at us... Happy as clams. Little do we know how much sleep we were about to NOT get.)

The following post really is more of a journal entry. I also plan on using this post as leverage if/when June ever gets mad at me for something.

So here's how it all went down.

Dr. Lepetitch put me on bed rest on March 7th. My blood pressure went up and I needed to stay off my feet. I had to leave school a week earlier than I thought.

Then:

Saturday, March 12th - DUE DATE - nothing.

Monday, March 14th - No contractions, dilation at 1. Doctor schedules to induce me on Friday, March 18th.

Wednesday night - worst night of my pregnancy: up every hour, pains above my stomach...still have no idea if I was having contractions.

Thursday, March 17th - Called the Dr. Lepetitch that morning, he told us to go into the hospital.

9:30am - Checked in, blood taken, the nurse couldn't get my blood out and it was very painful and I was crying and I felt dumb because I was already crying and I knew I was in for much, much, much worse pain.

12:00pm - Moved to my "delivery room" which is a giant room that houses a "bed" (a plastic pad with a fitted sheet on it), and a "TV" (Extremely tiny for such a large room). Given meds to thin my cervix. Waiting... waiting...

3:00pm Was told I didn't have enough platelets in my blood, which means no epidural. Wait, WHAT?! NO EPIDURAL?!

3:05pm - 3:10 - Sobs.

3:30pm - Doc says they'll try injecting me with steroids to up my platelets. Yes...Steroids! (Looking forward to buffing up.) William gives me a blessing.

11:00pm - Are these contractions?! Um...I think I'm having contractions! Yay! Woo Hoo!!

Friday, March 18th -

1:00am - PLEASE STOP THESE CONTRACTIONS!!

2:00am - Hello nurse? Yeah, could you unhook me from these machines I need to use the restroom. Oh...nevermind, that was my water braking.

3:00am - Good news, Jenny! Your platelet count went up! Let's get you an epidural!

3:01am - Crying for joy

3:45am- Got an epidural. I. love. my. life.

4:30am - Sleep the best sleep of my life.

6:30am - Dilated at an 8...moving much more quickly than expected.

7:40am - Hi, I'm Dr. T. Let's start pushing!!

7:45am - 9:28am - Pushing commences. Contractions come once every 3-4 minutes. I could only push every other one because my baby's heart rate drops during contractions. Even though I had the epidural, there was plenty of painful pressure. Towards the end, I really felt like I couldn't finish. Then...

9:29am - Hi June.

That's pretty much it. William did awesome. My mom was there too. They both told me afterwards that they were both pushing when I pushed. I thought that was so cute.

I really am so grateful for the experience... especially, since June came to existence.

June

I'm in love.

June came last Friday, March 18th at 9:29am. She weighed 6lbs 13 oz. (The birthing story will come later. It makes me too tired to think about writing it at the moment.)

For now, here is a video William made for Baby June:

I love William's cover of "All Together Now"...

I love my little family...

and I love my little June Bug.

My baby must really love the taste of Mexican Food, cause she's not going anywhere...

I am now 2 days over my due date.

Luckily, the doctor said we don't have to wait much longer! I get to go into the hospital on Friday to be induced.

We are so excited... But William is especially excited.

Just watch:

Aren't his swivel dance moves amazing?

I owe so many people thank-you's for gifts and services. I've been working on those now that I'm done with sub plans and put on bed-rest.

My 5th graders (with the help of Jane, Jenn, and Lisa!) surprised me with a big "Diaper Cake" full of diapers, clothes, blankets, etc. Instead of writing 30 thank you notes to my students, I made this video for them:

After practicing on Chubbs, I''m sure I'm 100% ready for this "Mom" business. It'll be a cinch. (Do newborn babies like mashed up french fries?)