"My First Week" by "Jess Jr"

This is how it all started--after 41 weeks and a day, I decided my old home was wayyyy too cramped and getting a bit too small for my taste. So at 3 a.m., my Mommy's water broke. By 4 a.m., her contractions had started, and were 2-3 minutes apart. Sheila, her midwife, showed up, put in her awesome IV so no one had to worry about me getting sick and ending up in the hospital (ah, the irony...) After 4+ hours of labor, Mom decided she really wanted me out! Ten minutes of pushing, and I was born!!

But, I was soooo anxious to get outta there, I started trying to breathe before it was time to do so... How was I supposed to know that was a bad idea??! Unfortunately, that made it tough to breathe once I was born. Thankfully, no one clamped my cord until it was done doing it job about 15-20 minutes later, so I was still able to "breathe" while Sheila and everyone else was trying to get me to breathe on my own. They had some success, but ultimately decided I needed a little extra help, so to the hospital we went! Like my mask?? (it kept popping out, hence the tape...)

Well, I guess that whole taking a breath before being born thing stressed out my heart a bit, and scared a lot of people... They decided I needed to go to another hospital for more care until it got better. Thankfully it did! But it was a rough ride along the way, as Mommy and Daddy can tell you. And can I just say that being "intubated" (that whole tube down my throat attached to the ventilator) was NO FUN AT ALL! It gave me a sore throat for DAYS afterwards, which made eating tough. But I'm a fighter, so I managed and ate despite the pain.

Once the doctors decided my heart was fine, and I was well on my way to recovery, they let me to go back to Reston Hospital, which is waaay nicer than Fairfax. The nurses there are SO NICE--they put pretty blankets in my bed, let Mommy and Daddy hold me, despite all the wires attached to me, and even let my Mommy and Daddy put some real clothes on me! No more naked baby shots!Finally, after all that craziness, I was able to nurse with my Mommy. It's kinda weird, and a lot more work than drinking a bottle, but I get to be so close to Mommy, and I know it makes Mommy feel better, so I gave it my best shot. The doctor at Reston was really happy with how I was doing with all that, so they finally let me come home!!! YAY!!!

And that's probably where you'll usually find me... I'm so glad to be home! I've missed my Mommy and Daddy so much (and I know they missed me!) The three ambulance rides I went on were fun, but the best ride of my life has been that short drive home, to my house, with my parents. It's so nice to be wearing clothes, being held, not having wires attached to me anymore. And I can't wait to meet my big brother again! I heard he cried the first time he saw me--I'm sure it was because he was so happy to see me! :)

It was quite the week, but I'm home now, and things are good. Thank you for all your prayers!! I know lots of people were sending them my way, and believe me, they helped lots! I can't wait to meet all of you--I think Mommy & Daddy wanna chill for a few days, but then feel free to come and see me!! I've got the chubbiest cheeks you've ever seen... Seriously, it's almost annoying--I can't open my eye if I'm laying on that side of my face... Too much chub. :)

XOXO,
Jesslyn Elizabeth (a.k.a. "Jess Jr")
:)