Jacob

I figured I might as well post tonight, Aaron is at a Laker's game and won't be home until late- so there's not much going on here tonight. I have so much to do but my darn feet our so swollen I decided I better put them up for awhile before they pop!

During the month of March 2004, Aaron finished his training with North American Health Care. During those months of training, we lived with my parents. After he completed his training and tests he was transferred up to Northern California to take over a building in Sebastapol. Since I was only a few weeks away from my due date we decided that he would go and get settled and I would stay with my parents until the baby came and I recovered a little bit. I was due with Jacob at the beginning of April. It was kind of tough because we didn't get to see Aaron much during that time, but I was able to fly up a couple times and he tried to come down on weekends. I was pretty stressed about him getting back in time for the birth. We checked on flights and found there were NO flights from Northern to Southern CA in the middle of the night and if he drove, he would never make it- since it's a 8 hour drive and my labor with Tyler was 8 hours. On Friday night (March 19th) I remember laying on the couch in my parents family room. My mom was massaging my feet and asked me if I wanted her to do that during labor- of course! I was bummed because Aaron had just told me that he wasn't going to be able to come down that weekend. He told me they had a lot going on at the building and wouldn't be able to make it. I was so disappointed, I missed him so much! So the next morning, Saturday, ( I was 37 weeks) I decided to take Tyler and go garage sale-ing with my grandparents. They go every Saturday and are experts- and always find great deals. I woke up early and showered and got all ready. I still remember what I was wearing- jeans, a grey long sleeve shirt and black boots. They picked Tyler and I up and we drove around. (this may be TMI for some of you- so if you don't like details or you are a boy- stop reading!) I was feeling pretty good but a little crampy, and noticed that I was kind of "leaky"." (I had lost my mucous plug a few days earlier, but didn't really know what that meant) After a few hours of hitting the sales, we decided to head home. We pulled up into my parents drive way, I collected my new treasures and grabbed Tyler and walked into the garage and standing right there was. . . Aaron! I started crying because I was SO happy and relieved to see him. He was planning on surprising me the whole time! I think I actually went into labor right then. We went to our room to visit and take a little nap and then I decided I should probably call the doctor because the "leaking" wasn't stopping. They told me to come right in- in fact, they said don't pack, or stop for anything, come right in! So we grabbed our bags and headed out the door. Half way out the front door, I realized I hadn't shaved under my arms for awhile so I yelled to my mom and she tossed me a razor from upstairs. We did stop at Carl's (I knew they wouldn't let me eat when I got there!) for a chicken sandwich and got to the hospital early afternoon.

I went to Labor and Delivery and they checked the "leakage" and in fact my water had broken and so they admitted me and I got moved into a room. When I went into the bathroom to change into the lovely gown, I quickly shaved under my arms! My family (aunts, uncles, cousins, g-parents, etc) all came to the hospital to say a quick hello. I asked for an epidural right away. The nurse tried to get my IV going and couldn't get a vein in my hand. So she tried my arm and that didn't work. So she called the Head Nurse and she tried a couple times and wasn't successful. At this point I was having contractions really strong and there was blood all over my hand and arm and bed. Finally they called the anesthesiologist and he was able to get an IV in. (I have really small veins!) A little while after that I got my epidural and was able to visit with everyone a little bit. Once I got the epidural I was fine, but when I'm in pain I don't really feel very chatty. After about 3 hours I felt like I needed to start pushing. My doctor wasn't on call, but Dr. O'Tooele was there and she was wonderful! I pushed for about 20 minutes and that little guy was ready to come out. I remember at one point he was coming so fast that she said "Don't push" and all I heard was "push" so I did. Not good- I tore. Fortunately, I didn't feel it- at least not then! Jacob Lance Edmonds was 7 pounds 1 ounce and although 3 weeks early- perfectly pink and healthy!

My mom and Aaron were there through the whole thing and were great coaches. I was SOOO happy that Aaron was able to be there. I honestly felt like the minute I saw him that morning standing in my parents garage, my body relaxed and let me go into labor. Thank goodness it didn't happen unexpectedly or in the night because it was so fast- there is no way Aaron would've made it! The desperate prayers of this pregnant mom were answered! My family were all standing outside the door waiting for good news, so after we all got cleaned up, they all came in and passed our new bundle around. It was such an amazing experience! I went home after 2 nights and Aaron was able to stay with us for a couple days and then he flew back up north. We waited for about 2 weeks and then we joined him in Santa Rosa. Fast forward 2 years and 2 days- and next is our little princess, Addison!