Zachery James

Happy Easter Everyone!

Zachery James is now a week old and we have very much enjoyed the new love he has brought into our home.

RJ and Savannah adore their little brother. We were worried about how Savannah was going to react and afraid she would be too rough with the baby, but quite the opposite has happened. She is a great big sister and has been very careful around Zachery. RJ however is another story. He loves his new baby brother but he isn't as careful around him. We have had many talks with RJ about rough housing around the baby, but it hasn't seemed to stick yet. Even Savannah is constantly telling RJ to be careful. He just can't wait till Zachery is old enough to play. He keeps asking when that time will come. Patience doesn't seem like his strong suit.

(RJ says Zach's fingers look like little carrots)

Zach's first bath.

Savannah enjoyed brushing his hair.

RJ reading Zachery his first story.

Grandma with her new grandson.

Thanks mom for all your help this past week.

Birth Story Told by Mom:

Jared did very well at keeping the blog updated with pictures. After his last post he told me he was done and the blog was turned back over into my hands. I have had several comments on wanting to hear how the birth went from my point of view.

Well, even though I was almost a week over due and had been battling a horrible cold, the birth and delivery was quick and easy. My three week sinus infection started clearing up on Wednesday.

Thursday, I walked and walked to try to get the labor started. After several walks I started a few minor contractions that didn't stay.

Friday, I had another Doctor appointment. The baby was turned the wrong direction, but head was still down just face the wrong way. My doctor figured that was the reason I wasn't having any contractions. He scheduled in induction for Monday at 11am, which was supposedly a magic time because two ladies before me had that appointment, both were in the hospital having their babies. I was hoping for the same luck.

I had been induced with my other two and was hoping to go on my own this time around. So after the appointment I walked again, for three hours straight. Contractions finally came more regularly. They weren't very intense but they were regular. We were in Rexburg (where I was planning on having the baby) and Jared had hopes of staying there. But the contractions seemed to dye down and we left for home around 10pm.

During the drive home the contractions picked up to very 7 minutes. I figured as soon as we were home we would have to turn around and go back. But they never seemed to increase in intensity and I just didn't feel like it was time yet. I had a few more through out the night but by morning there was nothing.

Saturday, we watched the first session of conference and I took a walk during the two hour break. Still, nothing. During the second half of conference Jared tried some pressure points that was supposedly supposed to cause labor. One did cause a major contraction. He had pressed on my aklis tendon really hard. It hurt like crazy, worse then the contraction and I told him no more! We read that eating pineapple could induce labor and we just so happened to have a fresh pineapple. So we cut it up and I ate the whole thing. Half an hour later, I was having regular contractions. They started to get harder and at 6 we headed to the hospital. We were all admitted by 7, I got an epidural and at 10:06 Zachery was born.

Pushing was of course the hardest, he had a big head but he was turned the right direction. The doctor used a suction to help him out. And amazingly I didn't rip or tear, so no stitches!

Zachery James was 7lbs 8oz. My biggest baby. He is a very good eater. That is all he wants to do when he is awake. But thankfully, he is a very good sleeper as well. He only requires one feeding in the middle of the night. I sure hope his sleeping habits and good behavior continue. We have been very blessed.