As I write this let me start by saying, it's 4:40 a.m. I've had possibly 10 hours of sleep (total) in the past week.  Juliette is FINALLY drifting off to sleep in my arms.  And I wouldn't change a thing.

The Grueling Process
Monday, February 11
10:30 a.m.
We head into what becomes our last prenatal visit.  After checking my blood pressure for the millionth time, I get sent back up to Labor & Delivery.  This time, I am not leaving empty handed.  I get admitted.  

12 p.m.
They check my cervix. Only 1 cm dilated.  The doctor determines that I will need cervidil to ripen my cervix.

8 p.m.
I eat my last meal.  Fried chicken, turnip greens and macaroni & cheese.

9 p.m.
Cervidil starts.  Throughout the night I am given fentanyl to help with the pain.  The fentanyl works for about 45 minutes each time.  And I have to wait two hours before they can give me any more.  It hurt.  A lot.

Tuesday, February 12
7 a.m.
After 10 hours of cervidil, they check my cervix again.  Still 1 cm.  Ugh.  Dr. Virture decides to start me on pitocin.  Little do I know that the pain I felt the night before would be nothing compared to what was to come.


12 p.m.
Contractions have been in full gear for a few hours.  So far, not so bad.  Pappaw gets to the hospital.  They check my cervix again.  Only 2 cm dilated.

1:15 p.m. Pappaw leaves to head to the airport to pick up my mom (Grams).

1:25 p.m.
My water breaks on its own.


1:45 p.m.
Contractions go from not so bad to "the worst pain I have ever felt."  I am only about 2.5 cm dilated.  The pain has gotten so bad that I soon get an epidural.


36 Hours after the start of the cervidil...
Wednesday, February 13
5 a.m.
I am barely 5 cm dilated.  Dr. Virture comes in to the room and gives us two options.  #1  Keep on doing what we've been doing for HOURS or #2 give in and go with a c section.

I am exhausted and in pain.  We opt for the c section.  Within minutes I am wheeled into the OR.

6:02 a.m.
Juliette Margot Jones enters the world!

The Aftermath...
We have been so blessed to have such a beautiful little girl!  Each day she changes and grows.  The loss of sleep fades away as soon as you look at her!  She was worth the pain!

By the way...I did get my Magic Hat #9 in the hospital.  Josh brought me one on Valentine's Day.  I(Since I was on pain meds, I did not drink it though!)

A special thanks to my mom, Grams...thank you for helping me get through those first few rough days.  You kept me sane when I thought I had lost it.  It means more to me than you'll ever know.  I love you!


UPDATE 8/27/13: Six months later...just so you know...Daddy says I was not given a choice after the 36-Hours...it WAS going to be a c-section.   Guess Mommy isn't very good at listening.  

Hola everybody!  This is Juliette's father checking in.  Its Wednesday February 13, 2013 and I'm filling in for Juliette's preferred blogger this afternoon who apparently is too occupied at the moment.  She's claiming to be too sore or tired or something.  Not exactly sure why.  She's just been laying around in a bed for the past 3 days.....big deal.  :).  (I'm sure she'll make a future post soon enough detailing the "grueling" process.)  

Just to fill everybody in,  Juliette Margot Jones decided to join us this morning at 6:02 AM EST via a Cesarean section.  She weighed in at 6 lbs and 2.2 ounces, measuring 18 3/4 inches, and by all accounts possessing more beauty than any baby born in weeks... years?...decades?  Who can really say?   

Anyway.....Enjoy some pictures of North Florida's Cutest Newborn!  Jen will be back soon with a more in depth update.  


Sincerely,


Juliette's Body Guard 


PS: Don't be scared to support the sponsors.  -------------------------->
Juliette's college fund could use a boost.  Every click helps.  :)