Tuesday, November 18, 2008

And baby makes four!

Hello! Thank you to all who left such heartwarming comments! I would love to respond to each of you personally, but I am overwhelmed by the response. I have loved hearing from all the readers- it always amazes me how good people are in this world. It gives me such hope for the human race. So, lurkers.. lurk no more! : )

I'm officially old school because I am on a laptop and CANNOT type, so I may keep my text to a minimal today. : ) I have been avoiding our office computer since it is in the lower half of our house. The stairs and I are not on the best of terms as of late. But, I am feeling wonderful, have had a shower almost everyday, have been getting great sleep, and have had loads of help. Things at the McCash house are happy!

Labor:

David and I walked at the mall for an hour and a half- then things got going. We went to the hospital and were admitted at 2:45 a.m. At that time, I was dilated 5 cm and 100% effaced. I still felt really great and social, so I didn't take anything for pain. Rachel, David, my mom, my aunt, my dad, and Jonni (David's sister) were there and we visited, played on the computer, talked... I was able to walk around the room, which also helped speed things up.

I was checked again at 4:00 a.m. and had dilated to 6 cm. At 7:45, my doctor broke my water and things went super fast from there. I dilated from a 6 and held Harbor in my arms in 2 hours and 45 minutes. I did ask for an epidural (demanded, really) at about 9 cm, but was of course too far gone. Transition labor, getting from that 8-10 cm, was hard work. I'm just thankful I went fast. I had back labor and felt most of my discomfort in my low back and upper thighs. Harbor was not quite turned when he delivered and his little nose was a bit bruised. I won't lie- it was very painful, but also very short lived. The intense pain lasted only an hour before it was time to push. The good news is that without the epidural, I was able to walk around as soon as delivery was over, which was nice. Total time from admittance to birth- 8 hours.

Harbor William:
8 pounds even, 20 inches long, and a full head of dark hair. : ) Fat cheeks, too. Thank goodness he was two weeks early! He would have been a hefty Thanksgiving turkey at full term! : )

Nursing is going well. It is hard work, but we are trying to get into a schedule of sorts. I enjoy the quiet time with him and I know it is beneficial for both of us.

We are so happy, our family of four. Bichon has been so sweet and Harbor has been welcomed into our home with love and thanksgiving. I'm thrilled to add "mom" to my many titles.

Enjoy the first few hours of Harbor's life in pictures! : )





















Thank you to all of our loved ones for stopping by to visit!










































The Lord is so good and we are thankful for His grace and love!

45 comments:

  1. Congratulations Jessica!!! It sounds like you did amazing! Great job for getting through it without the epidural!!! Glad to hear the nursing is going well! Hopefully we will have pictures to share soon. Harbor is beautiful!!

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  2. Girl, you are a rock star for going natural!! Good for you!

    He is just precious! Really...he is beautiful! And between you and your mom, he is definitely going to be the most stylish baby boy :)

    And you looked great too! Congratulations on everything!!

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  3. He is absolutely perfect. I am so glad that you had him two weeks early because I think he might have rivaled Brooklynn in size (and your labor would have been anything but natural)! :) You look great and it sounds like you're getting around well too. Let me know if you need anythin!

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  4. Aww, yea! I am so glad to have seen pictures of the first few hours of his life. I am so happy for you and David! You looked so good after delivery. I am glad it all went well and wow you did it natural! Good for you!

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  5. Just look at those big feet little Harbor already has. I guess if the size if his feet an any indication of how tall he will be when he grows up,he just might be a tall man. Which is a good thing since I'm so short, ha!!! Jessica you are doing so great, & David has been a wonderful Daddy already & Harbor is only 5 days old. With the Holidays coming so fast now, your little family will just love the memories you will make with children around, & Bichon just watches Harbor from afar, so everything is going perfect for your all. Many blessing & all my love, Mom

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  6. Jessica, I'm so excited for you and yur new family member. The holidays are going to be great!
    Elena

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  7. Such sweet pictures! He does have some cheeks! They are the pinch able kind....So cute...

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  8. I'm so excited for ya'll and glad to hear that things are going great!!! He is SO CUTE!!! :) Keep up the nursing, it is hard but so worth it.

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  9. I can't believe you didn't have an epidural. I'm glad things progressed so fast.
    You all look so happy!
    Congratulations!!

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  10. You are amazing!! I could not go through the entire journey with out some pain medicine :) I am glad nursing is going well for you. It is hard at the beginning, but it gets easier. I am looking forward to seeing you guys over the Thanksgiving holiday. Harbor is just adorable and I know that you and David will be wonderful parents!

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  11. That's wonderful! And thank you for the labor details. Many of us first time moms want all the preparation information we can get!

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  12. He is precious! Man, I am tired just by looking at all the people who came to visit!

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  13. Harbor is just adorable! I am glad that you are doing well and getting some rest and showers! :)

    You look great! Hugs to you, David, Harbor, and Bichon!

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  14. Hi Jessica! I found my way to your blog through Catherine Wilson. I am the one that made the giraffe print silkie for Harbor, and I wanted to stop by and say congratulations! You have a beautiful family! :-)

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  15. girl I would have freaked had I had that much company. Well, I guess thats because I was on bedrest so long. He is just precious!! I am thinking you have lost your ever loving mind with not getting and epidural. WHAT IN THE WORLD???

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  16. Dang girl--you're my HERO! That is downright impressive! He is beautiful and looks like his Daddy!

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  17. It was so fun to see the new pictures of your sweet boy!!! Congratulations again!

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  18. It sounds like everything was wonderful! He is adorable and perfect!

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  19. Jessica,

    I hope things keep going smoothly for you. Congratulations to you and David on your little bundle of happiness.

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  20. HE is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous! And, you GO GIRL! Birth w/out pain meds is NOT easy! But here is my advice to you... you will probably feel very "empowered" now that you were able to do such a thing. When David is sick, please still feel for him even though you went through a lot more than he ever will. I tend to find myself COMPLETELY non-sympathetic to Zach when he is sick b/c I went through l/d with NO MEDS! You are probably not like me though! I'm So happy for you! He is the cutest (boy) baby ever! "mommy-hood" is a PRECIOUS gift from God!!

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  21. Ohhh, he's so sweet!! How exciting! It sounds like y'all are doing wonderful! I can't wait to watch him grow. God bless this child!

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  22. How precious! I love the pictures of ewveryone celebrating his birth! Congratualtions!

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  23. YOu are my hero...no epidural? Thats great girl!

    He is beautiful! THOSE cheeks are to die for!

    Enjoy...

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  24. YEAH!!!! That is awesome that you went without an epidural! I belive any woman that does that deserves an award of some sort! :) Heather was the same way.. It must be something with being short and adorable! :)

    Congrats a thousand times, he is absolutely perfect!!!

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  25. Yay!! I was so happy to see you guys the other night!! You are all precious, and Harbor is so sweet! Can't wait till you're feeling even better and our boys can play! ;-) Love ya!

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  26. Just when I thought you could not get any more amazing...no epidural!!!

    I am so, so happy that the entire labor went well and that your new little family is doing good. He is absolutely perfect and I know you are so in love ;)!

    Congratulations again!

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  27. I'm sitting in my office at school just a boo-hooing. How precious your newborn is. I love the pictures where your Dad is just beaming with pride & joy. You are so blessed. Congratulations!

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  28. I am so behind on blogging and reading people's blogs. I have been taking care of Flint's mom who is in really bad health. I have been thinking a lot of you lately and felt like I needed to check your blog. What a fun surprise!!! I am so glad Harbor is here safe in your arms and you can now offically be titled "mommy". I can't wait for that day! He is so amazingly perfect and it sounds like you had a wonderful birthing experience. My heart is filled with joy! I can't wait to here how everything is going! Congrats, sweet friend!

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  29. Natural?? Oh man...you are a hero!! He is so precious and his little cheeks are to die for!

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  30. I'm sooooooooooooooooo HAPPY for yall!!!! Congrats Congrats Congrats!!!! You are going to make such a GREAT mom!!!! I know David will make a GREAT dad!!!! Yall will both mold a wonderful son our of Harbor!!!!! He is soooooooooooooo sweet and soooooooooooooooo very pretty!!!!!!!!

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  31. I'm glad to hear you are feeling good and getting around!!!! =)

    I can't get over you going natural?!? No epidural?!?! WOW!!! You just don't hear of that these days!!!! Way to go!!!! You are one TOUGH cookie!!!!

    ((((HUGS))))

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  32. Jessica he is just so sweet! I wish I were there to hold Harbor, too. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

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  33. I'm starting to think he could look more like you than I originally gave him credit for...

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  34. I love your sweet little blog- and I am so excited for you and your family! Congrats!!

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  35. I'm so impressed that you were so social and that you went all the way with no epidural! Congrats again!

    Love,
    SRH

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  36. He is an absolute doll! I am so impressed that you had no pain meds! Way to go! I am glad to hear nursing is going well. I promise it will get easier soon!

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  37. He is just too cute! You looked awesome for having been through so much! Congrats again! Can't wait to see more!

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  38. Congratuations Jessica!! I am so glad Harbor made a healthy and safe entrance into this world. I am a new blogger and I have fallen in love with blogging thanks to Kelly, Jennifer, and your blogging inspiration. I hope you check out my blog and leave a comment!! Maybe you will enjoy my blog as much as I have yours!!

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  39. Congratulations, Jessica. I think he looks JUST like you!

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  40. I agree. As much as I want to meet little Harbor I don't think you need to deal with chickenpox on you or baby Harbor.

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  41. Does Harbor sleep well? Bailey FINALLY slept through the night last night. She will be 11 months on the 6th, lol.

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  42. Congratulations Jessica!! Hip Hip Horray for going through labor w/o the epidural.

    Congrats to your family as well!! You have a beautiful and healthy baby boy!

    Rest, rest, & rest some more!!


    -Aime

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  43. Girl...you look FANTASTIC after giving birth! Good grief I am SO impressed that you looked that good AND with no epidural! You go girl! Congratulations! What a sweet family!!

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  44. Jessica,
    Congratulations!!! He is just beautiful!! Sorry I'm a little slow in the congratulating. I've been recovering from major knee surgery, but doing well. Just wanted to say HAPPY BEAUTIFUL THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND ALL YOURS!!!!!

    Dawn

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