Life in Instagram.

1. Tyler learning his colors and math skills :) 2. Good morning grins
3. Carrots! Nom. Nom. Nom. 4. After a loooonnng day.

1. Happy, happy baby. 2. Pretty day. 3. Car ride. 4. Mean muggin'.

 

1. Skinny strawberry and brie tarts // Skinny snickerdoodles 2.  Homemade Margarita Pizza

 
1. Morning playtime. 2. Brother from another mother.

Nom nom nom.

We recently started Jaxen on purees. He has full control of his head and neck, sits with support, and constantly stares down what Tyler and I are eating off our plates. Therefore, I knew he was ready to try something new!

We first introduced applesauce. He seemed to really like it. He never made a face, but he knew it was different. He was secretly saying "About time I get something other than milk!"

He's been eating applesauces the past four days and his jar is empty, so we're moving onto something else. Carrots!

This child DEVOURED his carrots! He absolutely loved them and honestly, I was quite surprised! I was afraid since he had the sweet fruit first he might turn down the veggies. He kept wanting more and more and more and finally I had to stop him because I don't want him eating too many calories since he just had a bottle about 30 minutes before.

I think it could be safe to say we're going to have a good eater on our hands. I'm a proud mama!

Meeting Aunt Angie!

First of all.... OOPS! on not posting for a month. I got tied up entirely in life. It's been great!

What have we been up to?

Tyler's sister, Angie, came in town last weekend from San Antonio. I finally got to meet her as well did Jaxen. I'm proud to call her my (future) sister-in-law and Jaxen's aunt!

We headed to Bentonville to see her on Saturday after her flight came in. We all talked about Christian's (my other [future] sister-in-law) baby shower I was going to host and put together last minute things. We loaded up the car and headed home around five. I spent the evening finishing the baby banner and wrapping some gifts for the shower. Sunday came super early for us! We got to the place we were having the baby shower around 1. It took us about 45 minutes to set up completely. It turned out to be a sucess! There were quite a few people there and we had lots of goodies: Cake/cupcakes, punch, chicken salad sandwiches, veggies, and fruit! We played some fun games and I gave away some prizes. We ended the shower with Chris and Christian opening their baby gifts for the soon to arrive Aurora.

I can't take credit for this. Chris and Christian did it themselves!

And yes this means I will be an aunt! I'm so so so excited. Miss Aurora will be my first niece and I couldn't be more excited!

This past Thursday we had everyone out for dinner. Angie was flying out soon and she wanted to have everyone together for hot wings and grilled corn on the cob. They were sooooo good. This woman knows what she is doing! I've never had wings except for a couple of times out at restaurants, but these were so great. I got her recipe and we're continuing on with the wing dinners!

Can't wait until you come back in September, Angie, for Miss Aurora's arrival! See you soon! Xoxo

I'm dying of cuteness.

Jaxen: Taking over my social media one step at a time.

My iPhone, Twitter page, Instagram, and Facebook page are loaded with pictures of Jaxen. It's amazing what a baby can do to a person! I'm so overwhelmed with love and laughter. I adore my little family to the world's end. I cannot stress enough how much my heart has grown the fast few months. The amount of love you can have for someone so teeny tiny is mind blowing. I want to thank my sweet other half for giving me the gift of our sweet baby.

I'm very excited to see what the future holds for us. Jaxen is growing so fast and while it makes me sad knowing he isn't going to stay little forever, my heart jumps knowing how much he is going to learn. He's two and a half months old now and already giving us big smiles and cooing and babbling. This is when the fun stages start to arise!

Love,

Jennifer

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that's all" -Oscar Wilde

This quote definitely speaks to me. I used to just exist, but now that you are here, Jaxen, I live each day. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it?

Growing: 2 months old!

Jaxen,
I cannot believe you are already two months old my sweet, sweet baby boy. When people said time flies, they weren't lying! You have a doctors appointment on Friday so we don't know your exact weight for your 2 month birthday. The last time you had an appointment was about three weeks ago and you weighed 10 pounds 2 ounces. I am eager to see how much you've gained this time!

We have now moved you up to 4 ounces of formula every 3-4 hours. You seem to be pretty satisfied with this schedule currently. When you get really hungry you always are sure to let us know and once that bottle gets near your mouth your grab at it like a little baby bird reaching for a worm. You have tried rice cereal a couple times in your bottle and you seem to like it pretty well. It's not something we give you regularly yet, though. You've had small licks of ice cream and popsicles. You know what you're tasting is really different and you make the funniest faces. You seem to like it!

You do pretty well sleeping. You wake up 2-3 times a night for feedings, but always go directly back to sleep without any fuss. Sometimes when I'm burping you I tend to fall asleep and then wake up with you on my chest. It's a sweet little moment. You take a few naps throughout the day that last anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

You are wearing a size 1 diaper and I think I might have to move you up to a size 2 pretty soon! You are doing a lot better with your diaper changes and not screaming every time. Your bath time is getting better and better and I really think you might be starting to like it. You absolutely love your swing and spend a lot of time in it.You're starting to smile a lot more and even mimic things we do. You coo quite a bit now and are very alert as to what is going on.

You're growing so fast and I can't wait to see all the other neat things you start to do. We love you so very much and are very glad to call you ours.

Love,

Mama and Daddy

I am in love with this little boy.

What our bath time looks like.



Can someone please tell me how you make bathtime for a 7 week old fun? The very first time I ever gave Jaxen a bath, he screamed frantically during the whole experience. The next two baths I gave him went by perfectly. He laid in the bath all looking around like it was no big deal. I thought had started to like bath time and I was so very greatful. Every single bath after those two perfect ones has looked like what you see in the pictures. I've tried water splashing, toys, and even the pacy. Nothing has worked yet...except for Nana. She says bath time is always breeze with Jaxen.



This face kills me. I want bath time to be a time he loves and doesn't fight us with. I mean c'mon, he has to have these things every single day the rest of his life. Advice?

The reason I get out of bed in the mornings.

P.S. They all have the same color hair. I think it's the cutest thing ever.

Sick baby.

My poor little boy is sick. We took him to the doctor yesterday and we was told he has a cold and a little bit of colic. Let's just say there has been a lot of screaming and crying in our house the past few days. Poor baby. I'll get back to blogging once he feels better - hopefully that is soon!

Love,

Jennifer

A little of this, a little of that.

This last weekend was pretty low key for us. We spent our time laying around the house enjoying each others company. We got to hang out with some family and it was a nice, quiet weekend that I was sad to see come to an end.

I go to the doctor soon for my check up from the c-section. I am supposed to get released to be back to "normal" again. My cousin has started jogging and eating a lot healthier and she wants me to join her. I'm definitely not a jogger, but I will walk all day. I want to take Jaxen to the park and put the stroller to good use. We have yet to use it. Also, as a family, we have decided to try to eat more organically and eat local. We have a grocery store, Ozark Natural Foods, here in Fayetteville that welcomes all local produce, some dairy, some meat, and grain products from local farmers within a 100 mile radius. I find that really refreshing.

Love.

Is that not the sweetest little sleeping boy you've ever seen?

3 weeks old.

Happy 3 weeks of beautiful life, baby boy. Your father and I couldn't be more proud of you. You're existence has made me want to become a better person. I think of how my actions will impact you. I want you to grow up in a loving, family oriented home and appreciate each blessing that comes your way. You are my blessing and I truly appreciate you.

Jaxen Tyler: A Birth Story

We headed Willow Creek Women's Hospital around 4:30am on April 4. I was scheduled to be induced at 5am. The closer we got the more nervous I became. This was completely new to me and I didn't know what to expect. I wanted this to be over and my baby boy in my arms.

We checked into the hospital, I got changed, and settled into the room. I got IVs (finally after the third time the nurse tried) and all my monitors hooked up then waited impatiently for my epidural so I could get this show on the road. A couple hours passed and still nothing. Finally, the anestesiologist (spelling?) came in around 9am and gave me an epidural. It wasn't very painful, just uncomfortable. It started taking effect pretty quickly.

And then the wait. We had quite a few visitors throughout the morning and early afternoon so that really helped the waiting process. The doctor came in a few times to check me and the same news every time: no progress. My body wasn't getting me to where I needed to be for delivery. Therefore, around 3:30pm, my doctor told me a c-section would have to take place and he'd be back in with his team in about half an hour to get me. I noticed I was starting to get anxiety as soon as the doctor left the room. Not even five minutes later, the team of nurses came in to get me which gave me no time to get myself together.

I was taken to the operating room alongside Tyler. Family and friends waited in the waiting room area after the doctor explained it would be about a 45 minute procedure. I got all of the numbing medication in me to where I couldn't move whatsoever from my rib cage down. Luckily, I never felt pain at all just a lot of pressure. What was supposed to be a 45 minute procedure only took about 15. And that last big rush of pressure I felt brought our baby boy into this world. Jaxen was born at 4:03pm on April 4, 2012. He weighed in at 8 pounds 14 ounces and 21 inches long (whoa, baby!).

Tyler then brought him out of the operating room and took him to the nursery while I finished up in recovery. I started feeling a lot of pain after the c-section. I was given a lot of pain medication which made me extremely drowsy. After about 30 minutes after being in recovery, I was taken to a room where we could get settled in. A few minutes later, Tyler came in to be with me and our sweet boy followed. Things start to become a blur to me at this point. A few people came in and out to take a peek at our new addition, but my medication was so high I don't remember a lot of it.

Was this the way I wanted to bring Jaxen into the world? No. I would have preferred to have a vaginal birth. Things didn't work that way though so what was best for the baby was my main concern. He was quite large, therefore having a vaginal birth could have led to many more complications that I didn't want to put him through.

I didn't realize that having a c-section was going to be so painful afterwards. The first time I went to get up was horrible. I wasn't prepared for such a long recovery process. It's been almost three weeks and I'm finally feeling back to normal. My incision is healing well and isn't swollen anymore. My abdomen doesn't hurt very much anymore when I bend or go to raise up in bed. And speaking of bed... I'm finally sleeping in one again! It's magical compared to sleeping on the couch.

Love.

I haven't been posting like I've wanted to since Jaxen has made his debut in this world. We've had company since this past Wednesday. Tyler's sister and neices and nephews are down from Wisconsin to see the new addition to our family. This is the first time I've ever met them and we've all had fun hanging out together. Tyler's sister is a professional photographer and she took newborn pictures of Jaxen. She's been editing them and I can't wait to see the final result. They are all leaving out to head back home tomorrow morning so I want to catch up on some posts I've been wanting to write: Jaxen's birth story, how we're settling in as a new family of three, life with a newborn, and my road to recovery after a c-section. I'll get started writing away this next week, but for now enjoy some cute photos of our baby boy.

The Birth of Jaxen Tyler.

Jaxen Tyler Thomas
Born April 4th, 2012 at 4:03pm
8 lbs, 14 oz, 21 in

We are so in love with this little precious boy.

Last minute feelings.

Well the latest news - I'm being induced Wednesday morning at 5am.

A million thoughts are running through my head at this very moment. Do we have everything we need in the diaper bag? I need to mop the kitchen. Stock up on groceries! Is all the laundry caught up? I need to double check the hospital bags. I still haven't sent out the thank you cards. Car seat installed...check. I washed Jaxen's clothes right? Will I know how to take care of him? I sure hope this is normal for most new moms to worry or question a lot of things.

Our lives will forever change on Wednesday as we bring a new life into this world. I know this little boy is going to take over my heart, but I keep being told I will have no earthly idea how much I can love someone so much so fast. I know my love for Tyler will grow even more. How could I not? We created a life together. We are together a team that will lead this little boy into a good life and show him right from wrong. Tyler will be the first to teach him how to throw a football or swing a baseball bat. We will teach him patience, the value of friendship, what love is. We will teach him that family is most important and he will forever have a family that will love him dearly.

So here's to the last couple of days of our lives without children. I'm looking forward to closing one chapter in my life and beginning another.

Love,

Jennifer

The "C" word.

I had my last regular two week tummy appointment yesterday with Dr. Duke at 34 weeks. Since I am rotating doctors, this was the first time I have met him. And personally, he’s my favorite so far. He’s very knowledgeable and understanding. However, I’ve been avoiding looking into this dreadful topic and even talking about it for that matter. That’s right, the “C” word. C-section. There, I said it.

That word terrifies me to no end. I’ve always imagined having a vaginal birth, what I considered a normal birth. My 32 week appointment with Dr. Bailey consisted of him cutting every liquid out of my diet except for water and limiting my carbs – mainly potatoes and bread. I have to admit, I have done very well since he has said this. I have cut out the soda completely. I do, however, still drink a little tea and 100% juice, but mostly it’s water. I’ve done well on cutting back my carbs as both Tyler and I have shoved our faces full of salads and grilled chicken with healthy veggies lately. Dr. Bailey said doing this was to prevent the baby of being very large and harder to deliver vaginally. He said he wants to keep me away from the “C” word, but we have to do what’s best for the baby. And I agree, I do want exactly what’s best for Jaxen.

Yesterday’s appointment with Dr. Duke surprised me a bit. It started off well with him telling me I have excellent blood pressure, no sugars or protein in my urine and my weight gain is healthy and completely on track. I lie back on the table and he finds Jaxen’s heartbeat which sounds amazing. A healthy baby boy. Then he measures my stomach. Not once, not twice, but THREE times to make sure he got it right. And may I quote his exact words “Holy cow! That baby is huge in there! You’re already measuring at 40 weeks!” That was alarming. It doesn’t feel like Jaxen is huge. He still has plenty of room to move around because I can constantly feel him moving and his little punches and kicks. This is so strange to me. Dr. Duke has now requested an ultrasound for March 13^th to get exact measurements of the baby to see how big he is and how his development is looking. And then BAM, the “C” word. “If he is a large baby, a C-section might need to be considered. He may be too large to fit through the birth canal and it’d be safer for the both of you,” says Dr. Duke. UGH.  That “C” word gets me every time. I told him I definitely wanted an ultrasound because if all possible I’d like to avoid a, err… C-section.

My thoughts? I’m terrified. It’s a major surgery and I’m scared of things like that. If I have to undergo a serious surgery, I will be knocked out. There isn’t an option for me to be numb and feel pressure. I have to be put to sleep because I will have a major anxiety attack. I promise you! Therefore, this leads to me thinking how long it will take me to wake up from the anesthesia. By the time it wears off everyone and their mother will have seen my son and I’m the last one to see and hold him. That is not okay with me. May I mind you these are just first thoughts running through my head. I want to see and hold my baby first along with his father. And more thoughts – What about breastfeeding? Will I still be able to do it? Will it hurt more because I’m in discomfort? Doesn’t it take longer to heal? What if I can’t even lift my baby up I’m so sore? How long will I have to stay in the hospital? Calm down, Jennifer.

As soon as I got home, I was on the internet searching for answers and reading other moms birth stories that had a C-section performed. After reading, I felt a little bit at ease knowing and understanding more about the procedure. If a C-section is necessary, Tyler even promised me no one would see our son besides him until I awoke from the anesthesia. We are not making any final decisions until after the ultrasound. One thing is for sure though; I will do what is safest for my son to enter this world no matter what.

Love.

Baby Shower for Jaxen

 The cake made by a friend of a friend.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but it was ten times better than Rick's Bakery cakes here in Fayetteville.

 Cute cupcakes made by Amber!

 Table settings. The girls did such an amazing job.

My nephew, Jer. 

Liz taking a smell for the baby food game.  

Amber signing the ultrasound matte.  

The hosts - Amber and Heather! My two very, very bestest friends in the entire world that I've known since the first day of Kindergarten. They did such a great job!  

Me and Kels chatting. 

The Queary's. Mikayla is just about as precious as they come.  

Starting to open shower gifts.

 And I'm officially a whale! Haha, Jaxen hurry up :)

This shower was more than I could have hoped for. I am so thankful to have such great friends that put an enormous amount of thought and love into Jaxen's baby shower. It's something I will remember forever and it couldn't have been more perfect. Words can't thank Amber and Heather enough for what they did for us. However, they were granted Jaxen's godmothers and I think they'll enjoy that :).

Love.