Jude's Birth Story (Better late than never!)

I wanted to go ahead and record Jude's birth story before any more time passes. I didn't expect it to take almost three whole months before I found the time to write it all down, but I guess it's better that I record it late than not at all. A few weeks before Jude was born, I came across an idea on a blog to have your husband record the details and events of labor and delivery from his perspective. I knew that it was something that I wanted to have him do this time around, because during James' birth experience a lot of the details were foggy for me afterwards (probably from all the pain of my epidural not taking, just all the joy and emotions when he finally arrived, and then days followed by sleep deprivation, etc.) It's so fun to look back at the things that Stephen recorded. While most of his notes are pretty straight-forward and bulleted (as opposed to sappy and sentimental, like a woman's account would be), it means a lot to me to have this record of what was happening on the day that Jude was born. 

My Precious Jude,

I wanted to write an account of the day that you were born. I hope that one day, when you are much older, you will delight in hearing about how you came to be in our family and all that joy that we felt the instant that we heard your first little cry and saw your sweet little face.

When I was around 36 weeks pregnant with you, the doctor informed me that I was making a lot of progress and your arrival could be much earlier than we expected. This didn't completely surprise me, because the same thing had happened three years earlier with your brother, James. Hearing this news made me a little more anxious in the days that followed and much harder to be patient as we waited for you. I prayed often that God would fill me with His peace, and that He would remove my anxious thoughts in regards to the details of your arrival. I was often fearful when I thought about the possibility of going into labor while Daddy was working, and I worried about getting to the hospital without him (all while taking care of your brother). Although I continued to have some regular contractions in the days that followed, they never were enough to send me into active labor. We decided because of the long hours at Daddy's job and because of the progress that had already been made, we would schedule an induction for Tuesday, June 11 at 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant with you.

On June 4th, the day before our 38 week doctor appointment, your Aunt Leah informed us that Friday, June 7th was National Doughnut Day and we joked about what a fun birthday that would be and how much we would love for you to come on that day. I had always predicted that June 7th would be your birthday, although I wasn't sure why. And even after we scheduled your induction for June 11th, I still felt that you would come earlier on the 7th. The next day at our doctor's appointment, we joked with Dr. Conti about National Doughnut Day and the possibility of you arriving that day instead. After examining me and finding that I had made even more progress since the week before and was now dilated to 4, she decided to move our induction up to Friday, June 7. She had plans to go out of town that afternoon, but she wasn't concerned because she felt that you would come very quickly. We were excited and so thankful that we would be holding you in just two short days and that Dr. Conti would definitely be in town to help us welcome you.

After the exciting news at our doctor's appointment, we tried to make the most of the day while Daddy was already off work. The boys got haircuts, we took James on a special trip to Pump It Up (the bouncy house place near our house), and just made sure our suitcase was ready and other last minute details were taken care of. The day before your arrival, Daddy went to tie up loose ends at work and James and I spent the day at the neighborhood pool. We grilled steaks for dinner that night and tried to all get in bed around 8:00 because we had to arrive at the hospital at 3:00 the next morning. I didn't feel well that evening, was contracting a lot, and wondered if I might go into labor on my own without having to be induced. It was also difficult to fall asleep that night with the anticipation of your arrival the next day. And at one point I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and couldn't go back to sleep. I felt overwhelmed to have been blessed with the gifts of you and your brother, and I also felt burdened to pray for several friends that came to mind that had lost babies or were waiting to add to their family through conception or adoption. I prayed for each one as their situation came to mind and also for your safety and protection during those last hours in my womb.

We woke up at 2:00 the next morning and your Nana and Grandpa arrived at 2:15 to stay with James while he slept. We arrived at the hospital at 3:00 and met Brandy who admitted me and got me hooked up to all the necessary monitors and to the pitocin that would begin to induce labor. By 4:00, everything was in place and we were just waiting for you to arrive. Daddy also got a call around this time from Nana and Grandpa that James woke up at 4:20 saying that "Jude is coming soon!" They were headed to the hospital at 4:40 a.m. They arrived at around 5 a.m. and James was so excited. I was glad to be able to spend some time with him and to give him a bag with that I had put together with snacks and activities, incase the day was long for him. Throughout the morning James came in and out of the hospital room and each time he returned he would ask "Is Jude out of your tummy yet?" It made me smile and I thought it was so sweet.

At 7:00 a.m. I met, Carolyn, the nurse that would be with me until your delivery. Dr. Conti loved her and requested her for me. She was wonderful and we had the best conversations that morning! James also got tired and antsy around this time and went down to the playroom with Nana and Grandpa. At 7:30 a.m. I started to feel pretty bad and they sent the anesthesiologist  to give me an epidural to help with the pain. Daddy was asked to leave the room for this part (I think it was a hospital policy), and so he went down to check on James who had fallen asleep in the hospital playroom. The anesthesiologist was a Christian and was very kind to me as he answered my questions about risks, side-effects, and the possibility of the epidural not taking like it did with James. Our conversation led to us discussing tough decisions as parents and ultimately God's sovereignty in them all and the hope that we have in Jesus even in difficult circumstances. I felt led to tell him your name, sweet boy. I told him that Jude meant "praise" and that we had made a choice to praise God for who He had been to us during a very difficult season of our life. We wanted your name to be a testimony of the road we had traveled leading up to you. He thanked me for sharing that with him and also said that it was the longest he had ever stayed in a room administering the epidural. I apologized but he joked that usually women are in pain and just screaming at him to "hurry up!" and it was a nice change to actually have a conversation. Apparently I'm a talker even while contracting and in pain. :)

Dr. Conti came back to check on me at 8:10 a.m. I was now dilated to a 5 and she decided to go ahead and break my water at that point. Daddy came back carrying your sleeping, big brother along with Nana and Grandpa shortly after they broke my water, and Daddy fell asleep for a while too. I was happy for them to sleep, because I figured we had quite a few hours ahead of us until I would be dilated to 10. But at 9:15 a.m. I started to feel some back pain and was afraid that my epidural was not working again, and I called for my nurse, Carolyn. The pain I described prompted her to check me (although she had planned to wait another hour) and she realized the pressure I was feeling was because I was complete and ready to push. I immediately began crying just overwhelmed that everything happened so much faster than I imagined and at the thought of finally meeting my baby boy.

Carolyn called for Dr. Conti, who was at the office seeing patients, to come over to the hospital to help with your delivery. I started pushing at around 9:30 a.m. to "keep moving in the right direction" but Daddy informed me later that Carolyn was asking me just to do a lot of tiny pushes to make sure that you didn't arrive before Dr. Conti could get there. Dr. Conti arrived a little after 10:00 a.m. and began to help in coaching me through the final pushes. As you were arriving, everyone commented on how much hair you had! Daddy also told me that I said several funny things as well, like I did during the delivery with James, although I was determined not to this time. This time I told everyone that I loved them as opposed to asking "Do you love him?" over and over like I did with James. I also said "I need a doughnut after this..." - go figure! I also remembering telling everyone that I was going to be very emotional, and I definitely did not disappoint. You arrived at 10:26 a.m with your distinct, squeaky little cry (the most precious sound!) and I cried tears of joy as I saw you lifted up in the air. At the first glimpse of your sweet face I remember saying "He's so different than James" and Dr. Conti responded "And they will be probably continue to be different in so many ways." (She has three preschool aged boys of her own!) They wiped you off, weighed and measured you, and laid you on my chest. I was surprised to hear you weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces (but I wasn't shocked, because Mama and Daddy were both bigger than that at birth), were 20.5 inches long, and had a head circumference of 14 inches. According to my EDD,  you were 6 days early but I think you came right on time! I remember looking into your sweet face and telling you "I love you" over and over.

Mama and Daddy got to spend a little bit of time with you, and then the nurses sent the lactation consultant to my room to help establish a good start with nursing you. And then shortly after nursing you for the first time, Grandma K (who made it to the hospital from South Carolina right before you arrived), Nana and Grandpa, and James came back to the room to meet you. Everyone was so excited to see you, especially your big brother. Having you and James in my arms as he touched your little nose and admired you, finally outside of my tummy, was one of the most precious, fulfilling moments of my life. We were now a family of four and you instantly fit with us just perfectly, filling an empty spot that we didn't even know was there before but a spot that would forever feel empty, from this moment forward, to not have you in it.

Everyone got a chance to hold you and take pictures with you throughout the next several hours. As you slept your face and mannerisms reminded me so much of James and you began to look so much more like your big brother than that initial glimpse of you, but now as I write this, almost three months later, I can see the similarities that identify you with our family, but I also see the unique little boy that you are too. You have your own look, your own personality, and your own way that is much different than your brother. And neither one is better or preferred; I love you both for who you are and who God made you. My heart just swelled to love you in a way that I never could have understood until you arrived. There is more than enough love for you both. And everyday I love you more. When you smile at me or look to me (and even when you cry), my heart can almost not contain the love that I feel for you. You are my joy.

We thank God for your birth and your life, our little praise baby. We praise God for knitting you together in my womb. We praise God for a smooth, uncomplicated delivery and recovery that didn't require me to take any pain medication afterwards (with your brother it made me so loopy and out of sorts). We praise God that you are healthy and thriving. We praise God for ordaining your life and your story. I thank God that He saw fit to place you in this family and for choosing me to mother you. For these things (and so much more!), I will always be grateful. That is the story of your birth, Jude Brooks. And I thank God for all the life that is ahead with you. I pray your life story would bring glory to Jesus! I pray that it would be as full and abundant as God intended. Always know that you are loved and accepted by your family and most of all by Jesus. I pray that one day soon you will trust Him with your heart and your life. He matters above all else.

I Love You Forever,
 Mama

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday...

It's funny the way that hand-me-downs just take me back...

James, 2010

Jude, 2013

insta-update and Before Five in a Row

Just another quick update in pictures via phone dump (most that I've also already shared on instagram). I do still take pictures on my camera but most days my phone is the closest thing to me and I'm able to capture a few sweet moments together of these two. I really hope to share a brief recap of Jude's birth day and story in the next post if I can come up with a few extra minutes.

I love this.
 We were laying on the chair and half watching Rio together after a pretty rough night with both boys. I don't think anyone got very much sleep. My least favorite question is "Is your baby sleeping good?" or "Do they sleep through the night?" With James I couldn't honestly answer "yes" until he was well beyond two years old (long after people were even asking anymore and I'm pretty sure anyone that was asking probably didn't even believe me - oh, but it was true!) and with Jude I always hesitate to say out loud that he is sleeping so much better than James did as a newborn because I don't want things to change. Enter last night... Hopefully that was just a one-time event. Fingers crossed.

Brother Bonding :)

James isn't always the most gentle but he's pretty loving and has lots of hugs and kisses for his little brother.

We pulled out the really BIG hat for our recent visits to the pool. Since sunscreen isn't recommended for babies under six months old and since we can't stay inside all day with a busy three year old, I'm trying to keep Jude shaded as best I can when we're out (and with sun exposure in moderation, of course). Next summer I'm sure we'll spend hours and hours outside with two busy boys.

We are also "back to school" in the Johnson house. For the time being, school for us involves me teaching James at home. Last year at this time, I came up with a plan to introduce a letter and corresponding theme each week with related activities. I did pretty well with being consistent before finding out we were expecting Jude and morning sickness and fatigue set in. James seemed to love the activities (he loves learning!) and although the second half of the year wasn't as consistent, I'm happy with what we accomplished. 

This year, for what I'm calling 3K, we are going through a "curriculum" (I put that it quotes because it's very unscripted and is not in any way regimented) called Before Five in a Row (for ages 2-4). Next year we will likely work through Five in a Row (for ages 5-8).  



A teacher friend and homeschooling mom recommended it to me, and I highly recommend it as well. It is comprised of ideas and activities that correspond with 24 classic children's books (available at the library!) including Blueberries for Sal, Corduroy, Goodnight Moon, and We're Going on a Bear Hunt. A different book is introduced each week and the parent reads that same book to the child for five days in a row.  And each day different real-world activities and topics are introduced as they relate to that story. Each "theme" also includes a Bible verse or Bible story as an expansion of the theme of the story for that week. We just completed our first week and James is LOVING it. I like that the activities feel very natural and just sort of extend out the book and are very much real-life activities so that learning doesn't appear to be a compartmentalized experience but just part of our everyday life. It also simply suggests activities so there is plenty of room for creativity in planning related activities and really making it your own and can be adapted to any family's schedule. The author expresses the importance of cherishing the early years and making it a time of "preparation for learning" rather than an "academic training regimen."

This week we did Blueberries for Sal. We discussed the story of Ruth, sang and made up motions to The Bear Went Over the Mountain, went pretend blueberry picking for blue puff balls (and sorted those blueberries by size), made a Blueberry Pie craft, made real blueberry biscuits (a real-life lesson in measuring), did basic addition with blueberries, completed some pre-writing activities, made predictions about whether certain objects would go "kuplink" in our tin pail and discussed "why"(the sound the blueberries made as they hit the pail in the book), and much more! I also found some great resources to accompany BFIAR here (and there are tons more out there, so it's not necessary to "reinvent the wheel") I'm excited to introduce these great children's books to James this year, and I pray it would be a good foundation for him for his future learning experiences. :)

Here is a little collage that shows a few of our Blueberries for Sal activities from the week:

Jude at 2 months old!

The days are flying by -- just like I knew that they would. I feel like we've blinked twice and Jude has already been a part of our family for two months, as if he's always been with us. I think one advantage of being a second-time mom is that I allow myself to enjoy Jude so much more than I did with James. I'm not consumed with worry, wondering if I'm making all the "right" decisions, because I've already experienced firsthand that things have a way of working themselves out. And, like it or not, Jude will grow up, just like his big brother. He will always be my baby but he'll only actually be a baby for such a short season. So, I just soak it all in and try to remember every little coo, smell, and smile. I don't want to forget all the tiny details of these sweet days. Sleeping baby in my arms will soon give way to a skinned-knee little boy that's running hard to keep up with his big brother as they fill our home with the sounds of life and laughter. There is no greater joy than being the Mama of these two little boys and I pray they always know my love for them. Here is a little about what's going on in Jude's world at 2 months old:

Growth: Jude weighed 11 pounds, 12 ounces (74th percentile) at 6 weeks old. There were no appointments available for his 2 month visit until closer to 3 months so we will not have an updated weight and length until then, but he's definitely growing very well. He is wearing 0-3 month clothing (maybe for another month) and wearing size 2 diapers. We'll start our cloth diapering in the next few weeks but will still keep some disposables on hand.

Appearance: He has lots of dark hair (which people comment on often!) and brown eyes. He definitely has his own little look and lately has not been looking as much like James as he did in the beginning. His hair and eyes look very much like my newborn pictures right now. 

Sleep: He is still sleeping often during the day with some wakeful periods in between. His daytime naps are frequent but pretty brief (45 minutes or so). He has been sleeping 5 to 7 hour stretches at night since he was about 6 weeks old which is so different than his brother that really didn't sleep for any lengthy stretch for the first two years. I've read that sleep has much more to do with temperament than parenting, and this is definitely true for my boys as I have done nothing different this time around. I know he may regress around the 4 month mark, but for now I'm just thankful for every hour of sleep that I can get.

Eating: He is eating closer to every two hours during the day and probably around 8 times in a 24 hour period.

Personality: Jude is extremely easy-going and content. He rarely ever cries and when he does I respond pretty quickly because I know he's very unhappy.

Voice: He "talks" to us often now. He also makes lots of "m" sounds and James constantly tells me "Mama, Jude is calling you." Of course, we know that he's not actually saying "Mama" yet. :)

Movement: His neck is getting stronger and he's lifting his head very well, he is reaching and grasping some hanging rings above his play mat, and he continues to be very observant and alert. Stephen says that he tries to turn his head around to try and find me when he hears my voice in the house.

Health: He hasn't had any problems this month. We praise God that our baby is healthy! I'm grateful also that it doesn't look like reflux will be an issue after what we experienced with James.

Likes: He loves being held/sleeping on Mama, loves the ergo carrier and is worn in it often (settles him quickly!),  loves baths and the pool (sleeps in the pool), his paci and his thumb, his play mat, the lion on his bouncy seat (he talks to the lion!), and seeing and talking to himself in the mirror in the car.

Dislikes: He does not enjoy being laid down for very long while he's awake unless we stay close and interact with him. He absolutely hates getting his nails being cut and his hands being held still. He doesn't like being hungry and away from his food source for very long. :)

Milestones/Other: Had his first train ride, carousel ride, zoo trip, movie experience, and pool experience this month. He's having these experiences much earlier as a second child. :) He also went to church for the first time this month.


Here are a few pictures of our growing boy this month:

Ready for church. :)

Found his thumb. :)

James asked to be a "pretend baby" :) I obliged him and let him wear a tie too!

James at 3.5 years old!

Yesterday marked 3 1/2 years with our precious firstborn. I don't even know how that's possible!?! I'm recognizing that we are only two years away from starting kindergarten (a milestone that once seemed so far away) and every day he seems more and more like such a big boy (Of course, I can look at him and still remember the baby, like every mother can.). We had a very low-key celebration of his half birthday: doughnuts, singing, a painting "project", building with legos, and just time together as a family filled with words of affirmation and love for our little boy.

Enjoy these pictures I took of James at 3.5 years old and a little update on him in his own words ((he was being so silly answering the questions that we were literally in hysterics! Laughing like that is good for the soul, I think!)

He is my heart.

James at 6 months & 3 years and 6 months

Nicknames? James-y, Buddy, James-y Bear, Baby

How old are you? 3 1/2

What is your favorite color? Red, Green, Orange, and Blue

What is your favorite animal? Buddy (stuffed animal), giraffe 

What is your favorite book? Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site

What is your favorite TV show? Little Einsteins, Curious George, Bearnstein Bears

What is your favorite movie? Finding Nemo

What is your favorite song? Jesus Loves Me, Wonderful James (the song I made up for him as a baby), music from the Little Einsteins (classical)

What is your favorite food? Hotdogs, Chicken Salad

What is your favorite drink? Chocolate Milk

What is your favorite breakfast food? pinwheels, cinnamon toast, waffles

What is your favorite snack? M&Ms, fruit snacks, apples, bananas

What is your favorite outfit? Dinosaur Outfit

What is your favorite game? Candy Land

What is your favorite toy? Train Table

Who is your best friend? Caiden, Mama, Daddy, and Jude

What is your favorite thing to do? play Hot Wheels, Legos, and the camera

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Soccer, tricycle, and scooter

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Popcorn (stingray) and Buddy (puppy)

Where is your favorite place to go? McWane Center, zoo, bookstore, park, Toys R Us

What is your favorite restaurant? Chick-fil-a, Zoe's

Where do you want to go on vacation? Disney World

What do you want to be when you grow up? Drive Choo-Choos

And just a few other things worth noting:

- He weighs about 31.5 pounds and is about 40 inches tall. Wearing size 2T-3T shorts, 3T shirts, and a size 10 shoe.

- He still takes an afternoon nap most days around 2ish.

- Eating more meat than ever before and recently tried shrimp for the first time. He loves fruit. He recently has told us that he does not like dairy (except for milk) anymore and the doctor actually encouraged us to limit it because of some tummy troubles.

- Potty trained very easily after his third birthday and has done amazingly well.

- He is unbelievably stubborn at times but equally sweet, loving, and affectionate.

- He has a great sense of right and wrong and will quickly point out "the wrong choice" to anyone (first child!).

- He is still shy and reserved but once he warms up and is comfortable with the situation is very friendly.

- He is very smart, inquisitive, observant, and full of questions.

- He has a big vocabulary and uses very adult-like phrases, He is very expressive and acts like a little man (again, first child!)

- He loves reading and can repeat whole books back from memory. He has a great memory and recalls facts, events, etc in great detail

- He also loves music and instruments.

Transportation continues to be his favorite interest above all else.

- He is very good with mazes and also starting to understand some basic addition (just from real-life experiences, i.e. "Mama gets two muffins, Daddy gets two muffins, and James gets two muffins so that's six muffins."

- He is starting to do a lot of tasks independently like dress himself and put on his own shoes.

- He has mastered riding his big wheel tricycle.

- He loves his family and his brother, Jude. Although there was an adjustment period, he is very loving and protective toward him. It's very sweet to watch.

James is my heart. His birth and his life have profoundly changed me forever. I love him beyond what words can express and that love for him and who he is only grows with each passing day. We thank God for the gift of his life and for 3 1/2 years with him. He is our "good and perfect gift from above." James 1:17