Jonah's first week

Jonah's Birth Story: (for my own documentation, but read on if you'd like)

My mom called a few months before Jonah was born and said, "When are you going to have this baby? I'm buying my flight to NC and I need to know when you're going to have him!"

I answered pretty confidently, "OH, I'm thinking March 31st" So she bought a flight that came in at 8:20pm the night of the 31st( of course willing to change flights in the chance I didnt' have this baby before then). Jonah's due date was April 1st and I did NOT want an April Fool's baby, but I also didn't want to wait all the way until April 2nd. Plus, I wanted a March baby becuase I wanted a birthday buddy (my birthday is 29th) So, I was thinking March 31st sounded pretty good.

When March 30th came around and I still wasnt' having any major contractions (after lots of pineapple, spicy food, and anything else I could think of) I called my mom very distraught that she would have to change her flight, it would be really expensive... blah blah blah. I talked through my drama with my wonderful friends (thanks Anna and Loralee for listening to my sauga and eating chocolate covered strawberries with me outside of my apt... that's one of my favorite memories and I love when unplanned gatherings happen like that) Anyway, then I went to bed for the night. Right at midnight, the morning of March 31st, I started having hard contractions. John and I got very excited as we fell asleep in anticipation that the next day we could very well have a baby. I tried to sleep as much as I could that night and when tossing and turning got old, I decided to take a shower (at 3:30 AM), went back to bed and woke up to blow dry my cold damp hair around 5am. Then 7am rolled around...

7AM the contractions came harder and longer and more close together. Every 3 minutes apart and felt exactly like what I remember when I was in labor with Jack. I just happened to have an appointment at 8am that morning (the morning of the 31st) so I called down to the oncall midwife at the hospital and told them I was pretty sure this was the real deal, but she still wanted me to go to my scheduled appointment. I knew I couldn't drive through those contractions, and I knew it was the real thing, so John came with. We packed a little backpack for Jack with diaper, lunch, keys to our apt. and dropped him off at our wonderful neighbors, the Warners.

So I showed up at the Dr's office, they took one look at me and said, "What's wrong maam?" I looked up and said, "I'm pretty sure I'm in labor". They didn't even pull my charts. They took me straight back to the room, checked me and sure enough I was 100% effaced and dialated to a 4, but my water hadn't broken yet. She sent me directly to the hospital and off we were.

When I got to the hospital they were ready and waiting for me. I really wanted to labor for a long time before I got my epidural and had to be strapped to the bed, but the anastegiologiests had a ton of surgeries that day so basically it was now or never if I wanted my epidural. Of course I said, now! So by the time they asked all kinds of questions, hooked me up to an IV, called for the anastesiologist, it was now 10:30AM and I was dialated to a "solid" 6.

In walked this petite little girl who didn't look a day past 25 years old and she says, "Hi, I'm Dr. Harker and I'm going to be giving you your epidural. I just need you to wait a few more minutes for my supervisor to get here and we'll be ready to go". Part of me just wanted pain medication in me ASAP but the larger part of me didn't want to be paralyzed for the rest of my life because of some little girl in medical school. John talked me through my anxiety, helped me realize it would be ok and sure enough it was. I felt a ton better when her advisor walked in the door and was there step by step for the whole process. But WOW I was scared out of my mind. Turns out it was WONDERFUL. I hope the rest of my epidurals are that great (yes hunny, we are having more kids!) I could still tell when I was having a contraction, but the epidural was strong enough to take the pain away. Not too cold, but not too hot... it was JUST RIGHT!

Then, after a few phone calls, a few episodes of Friends, and a few discussions on names for the little guy... it was time :-)

Jonah Ray Gochnour

was born at 12:58 pm

weighing 8 lbs 13 oz

measuring 21 inches long

He was beautiful!

As soon as they put him in my arms I literally felt my heart being filled. It was growing bigger and bigger I was filled with the most incredible love. A love you can only feel after having a child. It was amazing just when you think your heart can't be any more happy or content, or full of love, the Lord opens your heart and makes it not only possible to love more but the process was absolutely natural and necessary. It was a beautiful thing and I loved him immediately. Some of my first words as soon as I got him were, "He looks nothing like Jack!" And I was right... As each day passes, he looks less and less like him. I am so thankful for these two individual spirits that have come into our home. I am so blessed.

I nursed him right away then they took Jonah away for like 3 1/2 hours. I was so sad. Luckily, they brought him back just in time for Loralee to bring Jack to see the us. Jack stayed a little while in the hospital then later that evening, John went home to put Jack to bed and pick my mom up from the airport.

While he was gone my last year's visiting teaching companion Jaime Kendall and our friend Lela Quinton brought me Chinese food. I know it was a huge sacrifice for them to come cuz Jamie has 5 kids and Lela has 4, but I loved having you ladies there. Thanks for the visit.

The next morning was filled with more tests, circumcision, etc. Pretty soon, it was time to come home...

My friend (and neighbor) Loralee Warner helped Jack make this darling "Welcome Home Jonah" sign for us to come home to. Thanks for everything you did Loralee!! You're the best.

We came home after 24 long hours in the very uncomfortable hospital bed/room/stay. UNC was a great hospital and I loved my experience, but it's a research hospital so there are TONZ of people constantly coming in and out of your room asking if you want to participate in some study for one thing or another. Just let me sleep already... I just had a baby for crying out loud!

Yep... he's ours and we've got the wrist bands to prove it :-)

First bath at home. Given by non other than my wonderful mom. (She gave Jack his first as well. I'm so lucky)

He did NOT like it too much. Who would?

Once I got to put his whole body in the water, he LOVED taking baths. (His cord fell off on the 11th day).

Thanks Grandma Carol!

We took my mom to Duke gardens right before priesthood session of conference. It was especially gorgeous this time of year. I loved having a baby in the spring time. It was such a beautiful time to reflect about new life and new birth and how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful world... I LOVE it.

We watched conference on our lap top (because we don't have cable or dish or a tv for that matter). I put Jonah on the couch while I went to grab my journal and came back to this little guy bright eyed and wide awake when the Motab started singing. He loved the music and was so happy and calm. (only 4 days old)

We took my mom to see the NC temple (roughly 20 minutes away... depending on who's driving). Isn't it pretty? It's the smallest temple I've ever been in. The stake center across the parking lot looks bigger than this temple. We have to bring out own clothes and schedule an appointment to go to a session. Very small!

Jack loves showing her the "beautiful flowers gramma"

While we were out that way, we stopped and ate at Carrabas (first public place Jonah ever went). I love Italian food...
Thanks for a fun week mom. We loved having you here and very much appreciated the help.