Introducing.....

It's a perfect baby GIRL!!

Jersey Ray Kennedy

9-16-11 7:34 pm

7lbs 1oz 19in

Jersey's story

We went to my appointment on the 16th in the morning to find out that I was dilated 6.5-7cm and not in active labor. I asked my MD how often he has a patient dilate so much without being in labor and he told me once every 8 years or so. The doctor forbid me to come home saying that I wouldn't make it to he hospital from Evanston so we made a plan to run some errands while he finished his day and meet him that afternoon. We went back to his office at 5:30pm and he stripped my membranes. We decided to head to my aunts house to feed Jaylin some dinner and I started to get uncomfortable around 6pm. At 6:30pm I was having contractions 5 minutes apart so we headed back to the hospital. When I got there it took a few minutes to check in and I was fairly uncomfortable and seriously wanting an epidural. The nurse checked me at 7pm and I was dilated 9.5cm but my water still hadn't broke. This is when things got hectic. My nurse ran out and there were lots of people in my room preparing and I was just worried that my doctor wouldn't make it. Dr. Nielson was there about 10 minutes later and I was hurting and wanting an epidural. He told me I could have one since my water hadn't broke so the anesthesiologist came in and started asking me questions and telling me all the risks. As he went to switch Jason sides of the bed I felt a strong urge to push and my water broke as amniotic fluid hit the wall across the room just missing Jason and the anesthesiologist. The funniest part was the look on the anesthesiologist's face and then he said "I'm out of here" and ran out of the room. My nurse started yelling for my doctor because Jersey was coming quick. Everyone kept yelling at me to not push as they were getting everything ready. As everybody was finally ready Jersey entered the world at 7:34pm. It was quite the experience. I was amazed at how much more alert she was than Jaylin and how much quicker my recovery has been. It was definitely a blessing to be able to have her natural even though that wasn't my plan. I wasn't as surprised this time to have a little girl even though we didn't know and I'm so excited for Jaylin & Jersey to have a close sister. I can't believe how much she looks like Jaylin when she was born. I feel eternally blessed to be a mother to such a beautiful daughter of God.

This man is the love of my life!!! I don't know how I could have done this without him! He is the best dad & husband ever!

Our first family photo

WE ARE BLESSED!!!

One last post as a family of three

I decided that I would make one last post while we are still a family of 3 before baby Kennedy #2 makes it's way into our clan. First I just want to focus on my sweet baby girl. Jaylin is growing up so fast and it kinda makes me a little sad even though I love how she is learning so much all of the time. She is 18 months old now and her stats when I took her in last week were: 23lbs, 31inches and her head was in the 50th percentile. She is still my little miracle and I am forever grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for allowing her to be in our forever family. Today was her first official day in the nursery (even though she's been going since mothers day) so I decided to take a picture to document this momentous occasion. WE LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL SO MUCH!!!

As for the pregnancy progress. I went into the doctor on Friday and am officially dilated to 5cm and 90% effaced. He is worried that I won't make it to the hospital but I'm not that worried. Whenever I think about it I am at peace so whatever happens I know it will all be okay.

Lately I have felt so close to the spirit and it brings me to tears when I think about the love that Heavenly father has shown to me during my lifetime thus far. I don't know why I'm sharing this on our blog but I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and I know without a shadow of a doubt that it is true. I know that each and every person that has or will ever enter this world is loved equally by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and deserves to be treated as children of God. I am so excited to welcome this precious child of his into our family. I already love this baby so much and can't wait to meet him/her very soon.

To end I have included a picture of myself at 37.5 weeks just to humor anyone that might take a peek.

36 Week Dilemma

I went in for my 36 week check up today and it kinda ruined my weekend. My doctor checked me and said I'm dilated to a 3.5-4cm and 80% effaced. Then he went on to tell me that I am not able to go on our annual labor day boating trip to the gorge. We just got our boat back out of the repair shop today and were planning an awesome trip for the weekend. Even though i'm dilated and progressing I have a feeling that baby Kennedy is still weeks away from joining our family. What would you do? Listen to your all knowing doctor and stay around so that you don't chance having a baby on the interstate? or ... head to the gorge chancing that he will never find out?...