Zander Henry Mathis!

Our world changed forever on December 31, 2012. Our son, Zander Henry Mathis was borh at 1:19 PM, weighing 7 pounds 1 ounce & 19 inches long. The last few weeks of my pregnancy were nerve racking. I came into my 35 week appointment excited to meet my new Dr. and get another ultrasound of our baby. Everything was good, but the Dr. thought Zander was a little small for how far along I was. He told us not to worry and that at my 37 week appointment they would do another ultrasound and if he hadn't gained any weight or stopped growing than I would most likely have to have him early due to him not getting everything he needed. Let me tell you, that was the longest 2 weeks of my life. I was eating everything in sight thinking the more I ate, the more weight he would gain. We went in to our 37 week appointment and he had gained a pound, which is about what they normally gain towards the end of pregnancy, so the Dr told us everything was fine. He took my blood pressure and the usual stuff and as we were about to leave he stopped me and told me my blood pressure was a lttle high and I had too much protein in my urine so I needed to take home a 24 hour pee test. If I passed then I would be okay, but if I didn't I would be at risk for pre eclampsia and I would have to have him earlier than planned. So, we went home and went about our day. Friday, the next day, I went back up there to turn in my pee (how gross does that sound.) They told me they wold give me a call that evening with results. We left the appointment and went back to base. While I was getting some starbucks, and Jordan was looking at video games I got the call with my results. The nurse explained that I was on the boarderline of failing and my Dr. did not want to take the chance of me developing pre eclapsia within the next week. After the nurse was done explsining everything to me she told me to be at the hospital sunday night at 10:45 and I would be induced at midnight. So, 10:45 sunday night comes around and we are in the hospital. The nurse checked my cervix and I was only 2cm dilated so they gave me 2 doces of some medicine to soften my cerxix. After I had the medicine they said they couldn't induce me until 8:00AM monday morning. So from there we sat and waited. Jordan slept for a few hours while everyone else took turns coming in and out. I was not able to get any sleep due to being hooked up to so many machines and the cramping the medicine was causing me. So that morining I start my induction medicine and the dr said he would come by a little later to break my water. So then we waited a little longer. The contractions were getting a little bit more intense and closer together but it wasn't anything I couldn't breath through. PLus, they wouldn't give me an epidural until I was 4cm dilated. I didn't think I would need one by then but once that medicine kicked in I was begging for one. So, my water was broke and I finally had my epidural, which btw is AMAZING! I had planned on taking a nap now that I had something to take away the pain. I got in a comfortable position ready to take the best nap ever and I started feeling a huge amount of pressure in my lower back and butt. The nurse comes in to check me and told me we were ready to have a baby. So much for that nap. Anyways, she's getting everything ready for me to start and she notices the babies heart rate is getting a little low. So to be safe I had to wear an oxygen mask while delivering. Birth wasn't a bad experiance for me at all, thanks to the epidural. I pushed for 15 minutes and then they had to use the vacuum to pull him out because his umbilical cord was in his face. Once he was out is when things started to get scary. They pulled him out and sat him on top of me. So many feelings and emotions were running through me I wasn't sure what to say. I got to hold him for just a second before they took him to the table to clean him off. While over there they noticed he was retracting really bad. He was trying so hard to get a breath that you could see him rib cage. It broke my heart to see this. They automatically took him to the nursery and put him under the oxygen hood. After I was cleaned and ready to go they let JOrdan and I go into the nursery and hold him. It hurt to see him hooked up to so many machines and monitors, but we were happy just ot be able to see him. I had never seen a more perfect baby. I was scared, happy, nervous, excited all in one. The nurses explained to us that he was breathing way too fast and it needed to slow down some before they could let him be in the room with us. But sadly, after 2 days it hadn't slowed down any and they could no longer keep him in the nursery, so he had to be transfered to the NICU. I know there are people out there who have it alot worse than what Zander did, but when the Dr. tells you your baby is oging to the NICU, you really cant help but expect the worst. Which is exactly what I did. So, they get him to the NICU and I finally get discharged from the hospital. We emediantly went to the NICU to see him. I was so scared walking in there. My heart was pounding and I was on the verge of tears. But, as we walk in we see a nurse feeding Zander a bottle. We were speachless because the nurses at the hospital told us that he couldnt be fed by mouth becasue of his rapid breathing. The NICU nurse explained to us that they gave him a bottle to see how he would do and he did AMAZING! His heartrate and breathing had gone down to normal. Our poor baby was just getting so worked up over not being able to hvae anything in him besides an IV. The nurse told us that he could be taken home that night, but once being admitted to the NICU he has to stay for at least 48 hours. So while he was there they were going to treat him for his jaundice and if everything was still okay he could go home after the 48 hours. Luckly, everything was fine. His jaundice level had gone down and he was still breathing great. I was so happy we finally got to take him home after almost a week of hospitals. Now, he is doing great. Zander is almost a month old. He wakes up very little at night. And our family adores him. He has developed such a personality. Jordan and I couldn't be happier with the way things are going :) I will upload pictures shortly.

It has been a LONG time since I updated my blog! So here we go. Since the last update we have moved from Minot AFB to Barksdale AFB, and had our beautiful baby boy!

We left Minot on November 15th and arrived at Barksdale on November 19th. After packing, moving, having to switch Uhauls in South Dakota due to transmission problems, spending a week in hotels with our animals (all while being pregnant ;p) we were beyond happy to finally be here! But, our last few weeks in minot were good. I had an amazing baby shower with our friends. Zander got all kinds of stuff.  I was not happy at all to leave the friends that became more like family to me. Especially my best friend Kaila. Although we had only been friends since around February/March, we clicked instantly, She became more like a sister to me. When Jordan was at work we spent just about every waking moment together trying to find stuff to keep us entertained. And when Jordan was home, we spent every waking moment annoying him the best we could. :) I'm pretty sure I wanted to cancel our orders because I didn't want to leave. I put off packing until last minute (which was a bad idea). Looking at it, it didn't seem like we had too muhc to clean as far as pcs inspection goes, but man was I wrong! Being 7 1/2 months pregnant down on your hands and knee's scrubbing was NOT fun! Thank god we had a few friends that stayed and helped us with what needed to be done.

Now that I've talked about leaving Minot, I can talk about arriving to Barksdale. When we finally got here we were just ready to get our house. It seemed like we hadn't lived in an actual home in what felt like ages! So when the time finally came we went to look at our house and loved it! Although we could stand at our backdoor and spit into our neighbors yard, we were happy to get unpacked and settled in. Jordan went to check in at his new squadron and loved it. He said everyone was really nice and layed back, which decribes Jordan perfectly. He has been in training since we got here but should go on flight starting next week. He is working days from 6AM to 2PM. Which we both love because we can still do things at the end of the day and not be rushed and it gives him plenty of time to spend with Zander too. I love living in a place that has just about anything to do. We live in a nice neighborhood, with really friendly people. Now I can update some pictures of our house! Keep in mind, these are not the pictures that I took. I'm lazy and still hvae not taken any of my own so these are stollen off the internet.

Kitchen

Pantry

Dining room

Enterance into master bedroom

Living room







 

Updates!!

My last update was announcing our pregnancy. Well, I am now 24 weeks along and we have found out we are going to be having a baby BOY!! Jordan and I are beyond happy! We have decided to name him Zander Henry Mathis. The past 24 weeks have gone by way too fast! I had a very rough time in the beginning with morning sickness. I was in and out of the hospital because of dehydration from not being able to keep anything down. Zander really must have not liked me at first! Now he is busy kicking away and growing like a weed! Jordan was able to feel him move when I was about 18 weeks along in the pregnancy. It was such a great moment for the both of us! I have had a few cravings which happen to be Starbucks and Olive Garden. I would go to them both everyday if I could! Here are some pictures of the past 24 weeks! (Not in any order)

I am getting maternity/anniversary pictures done soon so I will upload those when I have them! But other than the pregnancy we are just preparing for our move to Louisiana in November and looking forward to getting out of Minot and being closer to home in a place that we are atually familiar with!

23 weeks

 

Zander's big foot.

His face. He is a little scary looking.

He had absolutely no problem showing his stuff out! Definitely a boy!

HIs little hand.



23 weeks.









 

Baby Mathis!

As most of you already know, Jordan and I are EXPECTING!!!!!! We found out the news on Tuesday May 8th. Jordan was out in the field working, so we waited until he got home to tell people. I planned this big surprise to tell him but of course, I couldn't hold it in the next 2 days until he got home. We are both very very exited! And so is our family. Come January our lives will change in the best way possible! Right now all the charts tell me that I am 5 weeks and 4 days along. But I won't know for sure until I go to the Dr. And I cant do that until I am about 12 weeks. It's very annoying! But hopefully (if my boss lets me off work for vacation) we will be able to see or maybe hear it when we go home in June. So far I have not had any morning sickness. I have felt a little sick every now and then but so far nothing too bad. I do get really bad headaches and want to sleep ALOT! I know it's early in the pregnancy but we already have names picked out. Boy: Isaiah Henry Mathis. Girl: Hayden Malayne Mathis. We decided for the boy middle name to be Henry after my Great Grandpa that passed away this month in 2011. And for the girl, JOrdan just LOVES the name Hayden, if I even mention another name he gets mad. AAnd Malayne is after hi little sister Leslie. I will be about 7 maybe 7 1/2 months pregnant whenever we move! At least it gives me an excuse not to do any heavy lifting! ;) But anyways, like I said, we are very very exited and can't wait for all these new changes to happen!

I was more shocked than anything when i saw this! But we are very happy!

This is how we tolf facebook. My friendf Kaila and I went to walmart to get the stuff and we made this cute little onsie!

Easter 2012

We spent this Easter with our good friends Kaila & Nick Heilgeist, and Shelby & Matt Beaumier. We had Easter dinner at Shelby's and everyone brought a dihs. I made the ham and broccoli, rice and cheese casserole, Kaila made some punch and a dessert. And Shelby made deviled eggs, rolls, and mashed potatoes. We all had a good day.

Shelby's sone Bryson

Jordan and I.

My friend Kaila and her husband Nick.

Matt, Shelby and their son Bryson

My awesome friends! :)

Kaila and Shelby's son Bryson

ORDERS!!

So, it's been awhile since my last update... But I just wanted to let everyone know that Jordan and I got orders to Barksdale AFB, Lousiana, in November! Jordan went to check into work Sunday morning and checked his email. He saw that he had orders, but when he tried clicking on it, thewebsite was donw. So Jordan went about his day at work and about 4 tat afternoon he messaged me that we had orders to Barksdale. We are both beyond exited! Barksdale wasn't our number one choice but now we are glad we have it. It's only about 2 1/2 hours from home! We have to leave by November 1st and have to arrive there before November 30th. We can't wait to be home more! :)

Barksdale AFB

Jordan's orders on his email

Picture Update

This is our cat Zeus. He doesn't do much but lay around all day. This is Jordans favorite animal becuase you can throw hima round and he just takes it. He always seems to want to play int he middle of the night and will let you know he is mad at you int he morning.

The day after I got back from Texas Jordan and I found a chocolate lab pup that we fell in love with. She is now 4 months old and has a ton of energy. We decided to name her Sophie.

The snow pile in our backyard from the lst snow storm.

The view from the frontdoor. SO MUCH SNOW!

The front of our house

Another view of our bedroom

Our room. It needs a little decorating

Our bathroom

The other spare bedroom

One of the spare bedrooms

Other half of the halway.
Closet and spare bedroom to the left. Another spare bedroom straight down
And our bathroom to the right.

alway once you coem up the stairs. Our room is to the left

Other part of the stairs

Stairs

View of the living room from the stair case

Front door, closet behind it.

Down stairs bathroom

Entry way when you come into the door.

The living room
And Jordan playing guitar

Going out to the garage from the kitchen. Ignore the door with the whole in it.
Jordan just being stupid.

The laundry room

Kitchen



Another view of the kitchen

Dining room