Jensen's Birth Story

It has been one year since Jensen was born. Happy Birthday, Jen! Shortly after he was born, I wrote out a few quick notes, so I wouldn't forget anything from the day. I'm so happy I did that, as I read through my notes, I couldn't help but tear up at the journey of getting to Jen's birth, and the journey we've been on since then. Without making this any longer than it already is, here is Jensen's birth story:

March 31, 2015

We had our weekly appointment, Dr. Hewitt checked me and said I was 2cm and 70% effaced, which seems miles better than it was at the last appointment when she said I was only about 1cm. This time she was able to do a membrane sweep. I convinced myself that I was having this baby on the 3^rd because it was a full moon, so I had 3 days to get this show on the road.

April 2, 2015

Happy birthday Josh! Cole and I celebrated his Daddy’s birthday by being sick. We know how to have a good time, right?! Cole had a fever of about 101, I was sitting at 99.4 and feeling crummy, and crossing my fingers that my temperature wouldn’t go any higher. When I went to the hospital when I was in labor with Coleden, I had a fever and he had to stay in the NICU for monitoring right after he was born. I really didn’t want Jensen following in Cole's footsteps, and luckily, by the next morning we were both feeling much better.

April 3, 2015
Full moon. No baby. Dang it.

April 5, 2015 (Easter)
Around 3am I started having contractions, they were between 8-12 minutes apart. Around 6am, they started slowing. Our Easter was spent with our friends, the Lannings. Cole had fun hunting for eggs and jumping on their trampoline with Sophia. I had occasional contractions, but nothing that had me feeling like we needed to hop in the car right away. We got home around 3:30pm, and about that time my contractions started coming back more regularly. I called Labor and Delivery around 6pm (when contractions ranged from 5-10 minutes), I was told I need to drink a big cup of water within 30 minutes, and take a warm bath. If I continued to have consistent contractions, we should start making our way to Ruidoso. After sticking it out as long as I could, I decided we needed to head to the hospital around midnight. 

April 6, 2015

The hour long drive was not a fun one. First, we needed to get gas, and the gas station on base apparently closes for the night, so we had to drive into Alamogordo to get gas. Second, the normally picturesque drive went completely unseen due to the time of our drive, and lack of street lights.  I hummed my way through contractions, it was the only thing that eased the pain I was feeling.

We finally reached the hospital around 1am. I got hooked up to the monitoring equipment so they could determine if they were going to keep me. I was dilated to 5cm and had very consistent contractions, so I was definitely staying (that took about 30-45 minutes). I was moved to an actual room, and after about 45-60 minutes, Nurse Beth checked me again and said I was at 8-8 1/2cm and 100% effaced. Josh said he overheard them saying they needed to get ahold of Dr. Hewitt and have her get here quickly. Josh hadn't even finished bringing all of our stuff in from the car, and Dr. Hewitt was being told to get here quickly?! This was going so fast, almost too fast. When he brought the last bit of stuff in, Dr. Hewitt had arrived, it was about 3:00.

At this point my contractions became very difficult to handle. I asked Josh to play some music to distract me, he chose my Supernatural soundtrack, it seemed appropriate. I don’t think my nurses were used to women playing music while they labored, they seemed excited to have something to listen to and enjoy while they worked. Oddly enough, hearing them sing along to my music made me relax. It was such a normal thing to do; who doesn’t sing along to music in the car or shower?! I was contracting away, and my nurses were singing along, like it (being in labor) was a normal thing-and it is. It's one of the most natural/normal things there is. It was a sort of ego check. I think I had started feeling sorry for myself, not the kind of sorry where I wanted to be pitied, more like I had begun doubting my body. I had to have a cesarean with Coleden, and that experience weighed heavily on my self-confidence. Who knew something as simple as a couple of nurses singing along to The Animals "House of the Rising Sun" would give me peace of mind? It made me refocus. There’s a quick little passage in Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth that always stuck with me. One of the women that shared her story commented saying “Then I thought, no, I’m supposed to be having a baby here, not thinking of myself!” I couldn’t have said it better myself. So stop worrying about the past, and focus on right here, right now; and from here on out, nothing but positivity.

My nurses knew how I needed to be spoken to in order for me to stay focused. I was able to concentrate on my body and my contractions, while they prepared my room for delivery and continued to encourage me at all the right times.

I do want to take a moment to give Josh a lot of credit. With Cole, I wanted Josh right next to me, I needed him to hold my hand, to stroke my hair. I needed that constant touch to help me through each contraction. This time around, he was trying to do the same thing, but I was so overstimulated that I couldn’t be touched. I felt like I was hurting his feelings, but I didn’t have the ability to express how I was feeling, I could only speak in monosyllables and even that was proving difficult. He never skipped a beat, he stopped touching me and kept encouraging me and reinforcing what the nurses told me. He was doing everything he could to be my amazing support, and I cannot begin to express the gratefulness I felt to have him by my side.

Around 3:20, Dr. Hewitt broke my waters and told me it was time to push. I pushed 2 or 3 times and began to panic, this was the point I had gotten to with Cole and wasn’t able to go any further and I ended up with a cesarean. This was now new territory, and I was desperate to have the birth I envisioned, so when Dr. Hewitt told me to focus on her words and push, I did exactly that.

At 3:34am Jensen Luca Trout was born, weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces, and he was 20 inches long. I have never been more proud of myself than in that moment when I got to hold my brand new baby (I wasn’t given that opportunity with Coleden). I remember looking into Josh’s eyes and seeing so much love in his eyes, our family was complete, and we couldn’t wait to find out more about this tiny little human, with his new baby smell.

Josh stayed with me for a few hours, then made a trip back home to make sure Cole was okay, since we left in the middle of the night, he would be waking up to our friend, Billy (remember the Lannings from earlier? Guys, seriously, these people are the best. I wish everyone had a Billy and Shelby of their own.), and wanted to make this huge change feel a little less huge for the newest big brother. 

When Josh came back up to the hospital, he did so without Cole (he still had the sniffles from a few days prior).  Now that it was daylight, Josh commented on how freckly I was looking, and how he had no idea hormones could make freckles pop so much. After taking a closer look we realized that I had actually popped all the blood vessels in my face and neck when I was pushing Jensen out, but somehow didn’t burst the blood vessels in my eyes-weird. Even Dr. Hewitt was impressed and couldn’t figure out how I managed that.

Jensen and I were released the following day, but we ended up having to go back to the hospital for a couple of days in Alamogordo because Jensen’s bilirubin levels were crazy-high. Eventually he evened out and we were able to start our lives as a family of four.

It has been a blast to watch Jensen grow this last year. His personality is so bubbly, and happy, and I wouldn’t change a thing about him. I’m very grateful to be this little boy’s mama. Jensen, you made a dream of mine come true. You gave me my confidence back. You have a piece of my heart, and I hope you know that your daddy and I will always be there for you and your brother. I love you, Jensen Luca. Always.

11 months

Jensen, it is so hard to believe that you are 11 months old. Like in 1 month, you will be an entire year old! The party planning is already under way, and we can't wait to celebrate you, but while we wait for that fun day, you should know that in the last month you/r/re:

• went from taking a few steps, to practically sprinting everywhere you go
• favorite pastime is probably splashing in the tub  
• can stand up without any assistance 
• give sloppy, open-mouthed kisses; and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world
• really good at waving bye-bye 
• have at least 10 teeth, and I'm pretty sure there are 2 more on the verge of popping through
• realized you can just hand Nessa food, and she will give you love and attention (and lick you, which you get a kick out of)
• love carrying books and pillows around

One of my favorite things that I don't think I have mentioned yet, but I don't want to forget, is when you stretch out as long as you can when I put you in your crib, and then as soon as I put your blanket on you, you turn into a little ball of sleepiness. 

To anyone reading this, keep an eye out in the next couple of weeks for Jensen's birth story. I have been working on since he was born, and I can't wait to share it with everyone!

10 months

10 months. 10 months. 10 MONTHS! Wow. Very soon this little boy will be turning 1 and it is becoming more clear than ever, just how quick this year is going by. In 2 very short months, you will be turning a year old. I am so excited to start planning your birthday party! This last month you/r/re:

• have taken a few steps by yourself! It's only a matter of time before we're chasing you around. 
• brother has taken more of an interest in you, and likes playing with you. I think it's because there is so much more you can do, and he excited to be brothers with you.
• love dancing, and you laugh the whole time you do it
• Nessa's favorite. Don't tell Coleden ;) She adores you, and even lets you pull her ears, something she NEVER let Cole do. She's become very patient in her old age.
• favorite foods: pancakes/waffles, lima beans, grapes, oyster crackers, and string cheese
• added "hey" to your vocabulary, plus you've started to imitate a lot of sounds!
• have 5 teeth, working on numbers 6 & 7.
• eyes have not turned brown. I think the blue might be sticking around!
• skin has become super dry, especially around your mouth, we've tried explaining that if you'd stop sucking your fingers, you wouldn't have as much of an issue with this, but you won't listen (hehe). But really, winter is kind of kicking our butts right now.
• love your Cabbage Patch Doll, and we finally have a name for him (we lost the little birth certificate that they come with, and I can't remember the name he was given), Phillip. His name is Phillip. Cole named him, I don't know where he heard that name, but I think he looks like a Phillip!

9 months

Jensen, I feel like you have grown so much in the last month. It also seems like I say that every month, but it is nonetheless true. Your personality is becoming more and more pronounced. Everyone that meets you says that you are the happiest baby! For the most part that's true, but with 4 teeth coming in at once, I don't blame you for being a little cranky the last few weeks. Let's get to it, in the last month, you:

• stand alone for a few seconds
• give kisses
• point at mom and dad, and giggle
• love eating real food (non-purees), especially peas, bananas, and green beans
• started dancing (you bounce up and down while standing, and shake your head)
• drink water from a sippy cup
• can say Mama, Dada, and yeah (although, I'm not sure any of those have meaning just yet)
• recognize your name
• sing along with Cole when he sings (I don't know that either of you is singing the same song though)

Favorites things: crawling (toward the bathroom especially), taking baths, when Nessa licks you, Coleden, your motorcycle (it plays the jams you like to dance to the most), listening to music, pulling people's hair, and when Coleden pushes you over.

Not-so-favorite things: diaper changes, hats, having your nose wiped, nasal aspirator, when mom or dad leave your sight (even for just a second), baby food with bits of food in it (is it a puree, is it table food, the world may never know), and socks.

Height: 28.5", 58 percentile

Weight: 18 pounds, 22 percentile

8 months

Jensen is officially 8 months old! Well, he has been for a few days. I took a round of pictures of him on the 6th (his official 8 month), but I foolishly didn't check my camera settings before shooting, and they all came out off. So we re-shot, and they are much better this time around.

This little boy is growing leaps and bounds, it's incredible to watch him learn, and figure things out. It's been a busy month for my squirrel baby, he:

• is starting to recognize his name
• survived his first brother-inflicted goose egg
• loves when Coleden shares his cars and Legos
• likes spending time with his cousin, Hadley, but doesn't understand that it's bad manners to poke her eyeballs
• thinks it's funny when Coleden rolls on top of him
• makes the best facial expressions, his I'm-judging-you face is the funniest
• is crawling as fast as lightning
• learned to stand up on his own, and is already cruising on the furniture
• discovered Nessa's food bowl, and will make a break for it any chance he gets
• likes sleeping on his belly with his arms tucked in and legs spread out
• has been jabbering for a while now, but the last few weeks, it actually seems like he's trying to tell us something
• is obsessed with rainmaker toys, Cheerios, and biting toes

I started taking Jen's picture and these two goons jumped in. I think this was the 4th or 5th photo of the bunch. Is this their way of telling me I take too many pictures? They hear the shutter, that means you ham it up and pop into your brother's photo session, duh.

7 months

Jensen Luca, I can't believe you're 7 months old already. You have grown by leaps and bounds, and your Daddy and I are so proud of you. Time is flying by, and in the last month, you:

• sit unsupported
• can go from tummy to sitting up
• rode in a shopping cart, like a big boy for the first time
• are the king of the army crawl
• love feeding yourself Gerber Graduates Puffs
• want to stand up in the worst way, but just haven't figured it out yet, but soon...
• were the Robin to your brother's Batman, and you two were the cutest dynamic duo
• tried and loves pickles (boy after my own heart!) 
• laugh like a maniac when your brother drags you around by your ankles
• started saying "Mama, Dada, hey"
• light up like a Christmas tree when Coleden gives you a good night kiss (all Coleden's idea)

Favorites include: blowing rasperries, sleeping in your crib, sweet potatoes, "Welcome to Duloc" song (from Shrek), when Mama reads "The Big Pumpkin," and anything Coleden does.

6 months

Jensen,
How in the heck are you half a year old already?! It's crazy to think that a year ago today, we were telling your grandparents, aunt, and uncle about you. Now you're here, and you've changed our lives for the better. You have a smile that lights up a room, and a laugh that is 100% contagious. I love watching you grow and learn every single day. Thank you for choosing me to be your mom.

In the last month, you:

• got your first taste of food, sweet potatoes, and loved it so much you were grabbing the spoon trying to get Daddy to go faster
• are sitting by yourself
• got a big boy car seat (thanks to the Babies R Us car seat exchange!)
• are finally starting to sprout some hair!
• had your first trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo AND Vala's Pumpkin Patch 
• prefer standing to sitting
• are about 2 seconds away from a proper crawl
• say "Mama" a lot. I like to think it's because you're a baby genius, but the popular belief is that you're just jabbering, which I'm also okay with
• have two teeth
• watch your brother like a hawk. Everything he does is interesting to you. My favorite part of any day is when Coleden plays with you. The love in your eyes when he gives you attention, makes my heart so happy!

You've had quite the busy month, little boy, and I look forward to seeing what you're up to next month! 

Love, 

Mama

For anyone interested, here's what Cole was up to at his 6 month mark!

5 months

First of all, greetings from Omaha! Second, my squirrel baby is 5 months old today! This month has been a whirlwind of change for our little family, all for the better, and we're so happy to be home.

Let's get to it! In the last month Jensen:

• can officially roll back-to-tummy, and tummy-to-back
• loves peek-a-boo, and dancing with Mama and Daddy
• is super wiggly, and trying so hard to keep up with his brother
• had his first big boy bath (in the tub versus the sink) and it was a life-changing experience
• has become best buds with Cole, the brotherly interest is now mutual
• had his first nursery packed up in boxes and shipped away (I totally cried when it happened, and thinking about it makes me tear up a little)
• is a wee bit ticklish
• likes being held upright so he can look around, he loves seeing what's going on around him
• moved to a new state (new to him at least)
• met his aunt, uncle, and cousin for the first time
• met Nessa Rose for the first time and loved her crazy-long tongue
• is one of the most smiley babies I've ever met, and his laugh is absolutely contagious 
• got to experience grass for the first time and it was more life-changing than the big boy bath
• is starting to get a tooth or two, but they're being stubborn

Those toes get me. Every. Time.

Nope, not wiggly at all ;)

4 months old

I'm taking a quick break from my moving checklists to share that Jensen is 4 months old! This month has flown by, but July and August have a tendency of doing that. This past month I've seen some pretty amazing growing from both my boys (I'll share more on that soon!). These last few weeks have made for quite a few proud mama moments, so lets get started!

In the last month Jensen:

• reaches for toys
• thinks it's funny to be spooked
• loves standing
• discovered his tongue
• laughs when Mama sings "Go ninja, go ninja, go!" (like from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2!)
• likes when Cole holds his hand, shows him how toys work, talks to him; basically, if Cole is giving his brother any attention, Jen loves it
• slept in his crib (instead of his bassinet) for the first time AND slept in the following morning
• finds his reflection fascinating (and why wouldn't he, he's pretty stinkin' cute!)
• rolled from tummy to back, and TODAY he rolled from back to tummy!
• smiles and it's totally contagious, try as you might, you will always smile back at him
• prefers his fingers over a pacifier
• scratches his face so bad it bleeds (it doesn't seem to matter how short his nails are, he still wakes up with new scratches almost daily-yikes!)
• loves sitting in his bumbo seat (and Cole likes wearing it on his head)
• falls asleep to two different music boxes playing
• sounds like a bird when he's really excited

UPDATE August 11, 2015:
Jensen had his 4 month appointment and weighs in at 14.8 pounds (39%), and 25.2" tall (56%). Once again his shots have knocked him out, and he going through a growth spurt, so I've got a sneaking suspicion that he'll be staying busy with sleeping and eating.

Thanks to some garage sales a couple weeks ago, Jensen finally has some TMNT pajamas. Naturally, I needed to get a few snapshots of my boys rockin' their cool PJ's! By the way, Jen's pajamas are 12 month-sized, so you'll have to excuse me, while I go cry in a corner...

3 months old

Jensen is 3 months old today!

This past month Jensen:

• prefers to be sitting up so he can look around
• hates, hates, HATES when his daddy makes the Chewbacca sound
• can wear 6 month clothes
• breastfeeds like a champ
• is awake more during the day, and sleeps longer at night
• loves when his brother "reads" to him
• started napping in his pack 'n' play, instead of his swing (his swing is still his favorite though)
• only stops crying when he's on his activity mat, if Cole gives him kisses and hangs out under it with him
• finally fit his skinny little legs in cloth diapers
• discovered his hands hands and feet
• not only smiles more, he's is full-on belly laughing 
• is starting to have his first real growth spurt 

2 months old

Jensen is 2 months old today! He doesn't have his wellness appointment until Monday, when I his stats I'll be sure to update and share his numbers. In the meantime, this past month has been filled with many firsts, and much more personality from the youngest member of our family.

The last month's happenings:

• loves looking around (his neck control is on point)
• hanging out on his activity mat
• giggles in his sleep
• can take a hit (his brother isn't very gentle when giving hugs)
• isn't spitting up as much
• had his first non-gas related smile and laugh 
• working on sleeping flat (spitting up makes that a little difficult though)
• has been enjoying grandma and grandpa snuggles (both sets of parents have been for a visit)
• flipped from tummy to back 

It's been a pretty amazing month for this little boy. Jensen is definitely skinnier than his brother was at this point. Jen's personality is pretty laid back, he loves smiling and cooing, I have a feeling he's going to be a chatterbox soon enough!

UPDATE June 10, 2015:
Jensen had his 2 month appointment and he is 12.01 pounds and 22.83 inches long. He's still pretty tender from the shots, which make my heart break for him, but he's getting better by the hour.

1 month old!

Oh hey! It's me, Jensen, I'm 1 month old today. I thought I'd share a few fun facts about myself, and what I've learned about life:

• I love my swing, tummy time, rocking, blowing raspberries, and bath time.
• I very much dislike diaper changes, blood draws (for bilirubin and PKU), and having my clothing changed.
• Daddy has the magic touch when it comes to burping me.
• Mama can soothe me, usually by feeding me.
• My brother, Cole, is very noisy, but I manage to sleep through most of his craziness.
• I drink more milk than my tiny tummy can handle (thanks a lot, Mama, for the crazy amount of milk you smother me with). Word to the wise: babies can't do the gallon challenge either.
• My family always laughs when I poop, I've been told it's because I make crazy faces and sounds.

Jensen's Newborn Photos

I finally finished editing the majority of Jensen's newborn photos. For the most part I like the way they turned out, I may still tweak a few in the future, but I'm done for now. I hope you guys like them!

This might be my favorite photo from the bunch!

I didn't realize how tiny Jensen is and how huge Coleden is!

Jensen and Daddy

Jensen and Mama

I tried 4 different times to take photos of this little boy while he was asleep, and every time he'd wake up as I was starting. No sleeping newborn photos for us!

Mama, Jensen, and Daddy

More Jensen and Daddy

More Jensen and Mama