Feelin' the Love

Jaynie is never lacking for love and affection.  There are always arms that want to hold her, sometimes too much and too often (maybe that's why she spits up a lot?).

                                  If you ask Aaron what his name is, his answer is "big brother"

                                                     Burp time with Gramma Dedee

                                                        Gracie Ann and Jaynie Hope

                                          Jaynie helping mommy celebrate her 37th birthday

                                                 Talking with daddy after his long day at work

             Did I mention Emmie is a little mother?  She picks Jaynie up and holds her like a natural.

                     Adoring biggest brother Jaylon - this is one of her favorite positions to be held in.

                                                 I couldn't resist these precious little feet.

                                             Nap time with daddy after a hard day's work.

Although it looks like bird poop, I assure you this is baby spit up and Jaylon was NOT happy.

I have no idea why this picture won't upload properly, but I had to include it because I love it.  (If you tilt your head to the right you'll get the proper view).

5 weeks old

Hard to believe five weeks have passed.  It's a blur.  It's been back to reality for me after having my mom here for 3 1/2 weeks and receiving meals for 4 weeks.  What a blessing both things were to us!   Jaynie has changed so much of course.  All the newborn clothes are too small.  She is starting to react and smile.  I can decipher all her noises and cries which is nice.  She never lacks love or attention that's for sure!

A rare shot of her sleeping during/after a diaper change - she hated them in the beginning, would scream at me!

Something else she couldn't stand initially - bath time.  She would scream the entire time. 

Being swaddled is her favorite way to sleep.  So cozy!

Her first outing in the stroller, a walk around the neighborhood.  She started crying half way through so I had to ditch Gramma Dedee and the other kids and rush back home.

One of three times she has been seen sucking her thumb.  It hasn't stuck, but it was so cute!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Of course I had a cuter photo, but I love the way she looks when she starts to cry.  That frown is precious.

Jaynie loves to be snuggled up in the Moby Wrap - did I mention that is the best invention EVER?

Wide awake, ready for a burp.

I could take pictures all day long of her sleeping.  It's just so peaceful and sweet.

She likes to sleep on her tummy during the day.  (Thank you Auntie Karen for the blanket!!)

Sadly, she does not seem to enjoy her vibrating seat or the swing yet.  She may last ten minutes at best.  My other kids lived in them!! 

Filling out the car seat more and more.  We all love those chubby cheeks and her double chin.
It may seem like she cries a lot from what I've said here, but really she doesn't.  Diaper changes are quiet now and bath time is quiet, until I wash her face.  She lasts a bit longer in the vibrating seat and one of her favorite things to do is lay on the couch and look around.  She is docile and probably the most cuddly baby I have had. 

Jaynie Hope

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3

For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

She is two weeks old now and from the day of birth, things have been a whirlwind!  I figured this would be the best way to share the details of the past couple weeks and show off our sweet baby girl.  (I have tried several times to sit down and write this post and upload pictures, to no avail).

That Monday seemed normal initially.  Sure, I'd been having contractions for a few hours, but I'd been doing that on and off for weeks.  I did finally start to time them and started to think maybe she'd come that night or the next day.  Brendan took over the job and was on me like glue (when was I having one, how painful was it, how long since the last one?).  The day progressed as any other with chores and school and meals.  And Brendan keeping track of every contraction!  I was non-chalant with Jay because I didn't want to alarm him seeing as he was in Orange County with a ton of work to do.  Finally about 12:30 I called him to come home, but assured him there was no need to rush - stopping for lunch and gas was fine.  I put Aaron down for his nap and sat down to read with the girls.

By the time Jay got home at 1:30 they were getting closer together and a bit stronger.  It was then I decided to call my mom so she could get on the road and avoid afternoon traffic out of Pasadena.  Jay kept saying we needed to go, but I was in no hurry.  We left the house about 1:50 for the hospital.  Labor progressed very quickly between my house and the hospital (obviously), which is only 8 miles from my house.  I was in terrible pain, not able to talk through contractions, by the time we arrived. 

I checked in at 2:15. 

I got to a L & D room and was 8 cm when the nurse checked me at 2:22. 

Jay and the nurse were the only two people in the room.  As the nurse was turning on the monitors to hook me up, I pushed my first push and her head came out at 2:23. 

The nurse asked me to wait on the pushing so she could get some gloves on, but that wasn't happening.  So at 2:24 Jaynie was born, delivered by one nurse with gloves half on.  Jay admitted later that he was a tad bit nervous this time around.  Can't imagine why?

Jaynie is very docile and easy.  She has nursed well right from the start.  After two days we came home from the hospital.  It was a rough start, not for she and I, but for the other kids.  I was at the pediatrician's office the first two days we were home.  Gracie, Brendan and Emmie had sinus infections.  Aaron had an ear infection and tonsilitis.  All four of them went on antibiotics.  Keeping them away from the baby was challenging.  Aaron was cranky and wanting mommy more so than just adjusting to a new baby. 

Yet it was such a sweet and joyful time.  I couldn't stop reflecting on how thankful I was.  Jaynie was healthy and the delivery went smoothly.  The timing worked out so well.  Jay was actually able to stay with me one night, which he has never been able to do.  It was a quiet time for us to be together and have that experience.  He went right back to work, but has not complained.  I so appreciate him and the way he provides for us.  And he has been good about loving on the others since I'm consumed with baby.  My mom has been here ever since, filling in for me in all areas.  She has such a servant's heart, asking me what she can do each morning.  I want to be like her when I grow up.  And we have been so blessed by meals from our homeschool group and church.  By the end of the day the three of us adults are wiped out so it's such a relief to not have to worry about dinner.

Her name didn't come right away.  It had been on my list all along and was one of Jay's favorites.  As we were having our alone time with her after the delivery, we agreed we liked that name best.  Rather than the typical spelling of Janie, we put the 'y' in after her daddy.  Jay looked up the meaning and we both knew it was her name.  JAYNIE means "Jehovah has been gracious; has shown favor."  This was especially meaningful to us because over the last couple of years we have come to understand and appreciate God's grace more than ever before.  And HOPE was the obvious middle name because our hope is in the Lord - the two names went together so well.

Jaynie Hope Nelson
January 30, 2012
2:24 pm
7 pounds 5 ounces
20 inches