Welcome Jackson Kelly Meeds: Birth Story and 1st Week at home.
Jackson Kelly Meeds
Born June 12th, 2021 (Due date 6/14/21)
Marin General Hospital, Greenbrae, CA
1:04am
6 Lbs, 9 Oz.
19 inches.
This is it folks. You've come to the right place for photos galore!
As we mentioned in a previous post, we have always appreciated the fact that we did not grow up in a time of social media. (Raise a glass to the geriatric millennials...or whatever they're calling us this week).
Our childhood journeys were not published for the world to see. We just want Jackson to have a choice (someday) in how whether he wants to participate in the complicated world of the interwebz. Also, there are a lot of creepers out there with unsavory intentions. So, this is the place to come if you want a ton of Jackson "content", with a dash of mom and dad too.
As always- please do not post to social media without asking us
Email Jen if you would like a full resolution copy of a photo. MizJenMeeds@gmail.com
The Birth Story, By Jen
Afternoon of Friday June 11th. The second day of maternity leave. Only two days prior my co-workers placed bets on when Jackson would arrive. They actually all agreed on "one day late"... "because he's a Gemini and he'd do it just to keep me on my toes." I, personally, had always had the feeling that he'd either be on-time or just a tad early. Guess, Mama was right.
The way he moved around in my belly, we had a feeling that this kid was ready to make an entrance.
Only two days into maternity leave..and bored, because, well, I'm Jen (I'm not great at holding still), I decided to finally crack open a youtube video on how to use my birth ball. I learned some great stretches and exercises to induce labor and help cope with the pain. I guess the labor inducing stuff worked because....
...By 2am, I sprung awake with the start of very obvious contractions that came in very predictable waves.
The classes we took informed us that the period of "early labor" could last 6-8 hours. So I just breathed through it.
By 5am they were strong enough that I woke Scott and said "I think it's time to go to mom's". Surprised and in a half zombie state he said "really, now?!? Okay" and he was up and out of bed.
Mom lives 5 minutes from the hospital, versus us who live about 40 minutes way. So the plan was to wait out the early parts of labor there. Every bump on the car ride was torture. But getting Starbucks was still a priority, so of course, we stopped.
By 8am I was rolling around on mom's carpet, making all the barn yard sounds I could to cope with the discomfort.
By 10:30am we called my OB, and she said to go on down to the hospital to get checked for dilation. So we did. Another uncomfortable car ride, followed by a swift ride via wheel chair through the halls of the hospital.
Only 2 centimeters dilated. Shoot! They gave me some drugs and told me to go home, get some rest and they'd see us in a few hours.
Back at mom's I passed out for 2 hours. When I woke, my water had broken and the sharper wave of contractions had changed to deeper, more intense contractions. By 3pm we were back in the hospital, whirlwind wheelchair ride through the halls and into a birthing room. Within, 20 minutes I was hooked up the the IV and given the epidural...and life was awesome.
Not entirely sure what happened between the above photos and 12:20 am....oh, wait, Scott just said we fell asleep. So yeah, I napped through the last leg of contractions and woke up to "GO TIME". With the epidural I was alert but barely felt a thing as we began pushing at 12:51 am, June 12th. By 1:04am, the sunshine of my life was born. Born in the very same hospital as I had been. Scott cut the umbilical cord.
Yes. I am aware that 12 minutes of pushing is NOT normal for a first time mom. But this babe was ready to see the world and we were ready to see him.
As always- please do not post to social media without asking us
Email Jen if you would like a full resolution copy of a photo. MizJenMeeds@gmail.com
Mom got to come to the hospital the next morning and we stayed through Monday. There was a rough night. A little crying when I was extremely exhausted. But the staff at Marin General was amazing. And the new maternity ward allows the baby to stay in-room with you at all times.
The stay at Marin General was both lovely and overwhelming. Every nurse or doctor that breezed through, had new and different information. Sometimes contradicting each other. Sleep was elusive. Food was awful. But are we surprised? Breast feeding was painful at first but we are doing much better now. We're focusing on breast most of the time, with a bottle (pumped) here and there so that Scott can let me catch some Zzz's.
1st week at home and we are in love. Some nights are rough for sleep, but I feel like we are made for this. It's true what they say, it's like no other love you have ever known.
Photos Below: Jackson sleeping like mama and his first bath.
As always- please do not post to social media without asking us
Email Jen if you would like a full resolution copy of a photo. MizJenMeeds@gmail.com
But when will we get to see Jackson?
We are asking all of our friends and family to remain patient with us. We ARE still in pandemic times and we are putting Jackson's health and safety first. We trust our pediatrician and are working with her to take the necessary precautions to keep him healthy. He won't get his shots till the 2 month mark but that does not yet include a Covid vax.
The pediatrician is adamant that any visitors we DO allow, should have the Covid vax AND the flu shot.
But even so, we will not be rushing him into the social world just yet. So, we just ask that you support us and be patient with us. Baby's health comes first. No exceptions.
Yes. I am aware that 12 minutes of pushing is NOT normal for a first time mom. But this ba was ready to see the world and we were ready to see him.
As always- please do not post to social media without asking us
Email Jen if you would like a full resolution copy of a photo. MizJenMeeds@gmail.com
First Father's Day (last photo). We went to brunch in Napa and then came home a binged silly comedies.
Jackson gets pretty pooped out, as do we, after an outing.
We'll be back next month! Thank you for all your love and support.
