Jason Drake Russell

Jason was born Tuesday morning at 8:17am. We couldn't be happier to be parents and finally have him out! I love holding him, cuddling with him, feeding him, everything. It's the best feeling in the world!

T-Minus One Week!

In less than one week we'll have a baby!

I saw my doctor on Friday and things are fine right now, but she has some concerns about me going past my due date, so if I haven't gone into labor by Friday she's inducing me. I'm normally against inducing, but in this situation it seems like what's best for both of us and our health. I've always said I'd put my babies' safety ahead of my own preferences. So while it may be different than I hoped, the important thing is he gets here safe and sound.  I just can't believe I'm going to be a mother in less than a week! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time!

With so little time left we're scrambling to get everything done around the house to get things ready for him. Our dining room has kind of been our storage room the past few months, so we need to get it organized and move what doesn't need to be in there out. Then of course we need to get all of Jason's stuff ready. Luckily this has been going well as it's pretty fun going through all the gifts from the baby shower! Our friends and family were really generous and got us so much of the stuff we needed, plus some things we hadn't thought of, but will be very useful! We also got some great used stuff from friends whose kids have outgrown it.

 I'll try to post pictures of Jason using and wearing the stuff people have given us. Our friends and family have great taste!  

Today I'm going to work on packing my hospital bag. I'm not totally sure what to bring since I've never done this before, so let me know if you have suggestions! They told me to plan for a 5 day stay, so most of this is for after he's born. Aside from the obvious stuff (clothes, toiletries, etc) here's what I have so far:
-My Kindle Fire (for books and games)
-Money for snacks in case the cafeteria is closed
-An activity/puzzle book
-Camera (video and still)
-Nursing pillow, lanolin, nursing pads

Preparing for Baby!

Everything looked good at my appointment today and my OB still seems to think he'll come a little early, but we'll see! In the meantime, we're getting ready for his arrival.

-The crib is set up in our room
-Many of his clothes are washed and put away (but we have a bunch more now from the baby shower!)
-I'm doing a lot of reading on childbirth and nursing. Reading "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" which is very informative and encouraging.
-We have a stroller and car seat! We just need to get it installed and have it checked.

 I think my next project is going to be getting his bath stuff together. We have a tub and got a bunch of supplies as gifts, so I just need to organize them.

I also want to have the changing table stocked and organized before he gets here, but I think that should be pretty easy.

I can't wait to meet my little boy! We're so close!

In Memory of Lois Weber

Last week I was deeply saddened to learned that Lois Weber had passed away. She was not only my director, she was also a mentor and a friend. I first met her 10 years ago when I auditioned for my first Children's Theater play (Peter Pan). I was so nervous. I was an awkward 14 year old and very few people believed in me, especially as an actor. Luckily my awesome teacher, Lisa Nass, (who sadly passed last year and it also greatly missed) encouraged me to go for it. My friend Julie came with me and a few days later we were both ecstatic to receive calls from Mrs. Weber telling us we'd been cast. We had small parts, but we were just happy to be part of the show! The next year I experienced one of the happiest moments of my life: learning I'd been cast as Alice in Alice in Wonderland. When Mrs. Weber called me to tell me I'd got the part I jumped about 3 feet in the air and had to fight the urge to squeal into the phone. I don't think I'd ever been more excited or surprised! The show was great and I have many wonderful memories from it. Not only did it give me much needed experience in my first leading role, but, largely because of Mrs. Weber, it gave me the confidence I needed to go from awkward teenager to confident young woman. Mrs. Weber had a way of making every person she met feel special. She made me feel good about myself and proud of my work. My experience in Children's Theater gave me ambition to become more involved in theater and the confidence that I could succeed in something I loved. Without this confidence I don't know if I'd have gone to college. I certainly never would've pursued subjects I loved and gone after a dream internship at a major film studio. All because she believed in me and saw potential so many other adults in my life had missed.

I was only one life she touched. In her life she taught Sunday school, worked for civil rights and racial equality, and devoted herself to her community while also being a wonderful, loving wife and mother. I feel so incredibly lucky to have known her. I have no doubt she's already hard at work in Heaven. I think that's what would make her happiest. Here on Earth, I know I'll continue to be inspired by her for the rest of my life.

I had another OB appointment today. Apparently I've been having contractions without realizing it for a while now or I wouldn't be dilated. By the way, I'm still just 3cm, but am now 80% effaced. My doctor showed and told us how to identify them, as well as how to tell Braxton Hicks from real ones. I've been having a lot tonight, but I'm pretty sure they're still just Braxton Hicks. Still, though, I get how some women end up constantly calling the doctor, worrying they might be in labor.

Tomorrow is my baby shower, so as long as I make it through that without going into labor I'll be happy! Although to be honest, thinking about him being coming this soon makes me really nervous! I feel like I still have so much getting ready to do!

Update: I just read it's very normal to have an increase in contractions after having your cervix checked, so that's good to know. It should stop within 24 hours. Although it does sound like I may have lost my plug, although I'm not totally sure. I've read that after that happens the baby usually comes within 2 weeks!

Saturday

 Yesterday we went to the OB/GYN for a check up. They ran some tests, but things looked good from what she could see and feel. She even got to feel his little feet poking out my side! She took my measurements and I'm 3cm dilated and 70% effaced! She thinks this likely means he'll get here before his due date, although it's not uncommon for women to dilate and then stay they until their due date or even after. So don't get too excited yet!

Today I had the nice surprise of feeling good enough to get some cleaning done! Nothing major, as I'm not allowed to lift much of anything these days, but I did a bunch of dishes and picked up around the kitchen a bit. I also scrubbed the kitchen sink, which I've been meaning to do for a while now. These are the things I get excited about these days, haha! Well, not really, but when it's hard for me to do so many things that used to be easy for me, I have to celebrate the little things!

 36 weeks tomorrow! I can't believe how fast it's going! And to think, just 8 months ago I was being told not to expect to be able to have kids! Maybe I should send that doctor a baby shower invitation?

Nesting

I've been in such a nesting mood lately! Unfortunately, I'm pretty limited in what I can do physically, especially with all the leg/nerve pain I've had recently. I want so badly to get our dining room cleaned up and organized so we can bring the baby stuff up from the basement and set it up. Instead, I limit myself to smaller projects, like getting the bathroom sink sparkling or cleaning the grout in the shower.

One of the things I'm most looking forward to about Jason's birth is being able to move again! I really hope nothing goes wrong that would cause me to need a C-section. I just want my body back! I found a great article in Fit Pregnancy with postpartum ab workouts. I'm trying to get up the courage to do a photo diary of my stomach as I try to get back into shape. 

The Waiting Game

I'm not sure if the later part of pregnancy is the easiest or the hardest. On one hand, I'm used to most of the symptoms, have seen my baby in multiple ultrasounds, and know that the wait is almost over. On the other hand, I'm exhausted from months of pregnancy symptoms (I'm still having nausea), experiencing a lot of pain and can barely move anymore, but mostly I just want him to be here already!

I'm ready to trade having to wake up every couple hours to go to the bathroom for waking up every couple hours to nurse and change diapers. Even though I'm sure he'll be with me 90% of the time, it'll be nice to have the option to put him in his crib or swing for a little bit, rather than taking his weight with me everywhere. Hopefully this will help my back and leg pain!  But most of all I can't wait to hold him, cuddle him, play with him, and look at him. I know Mark is especially looking forward to this, since at least I get to feel him moving in my belly all day long. I'm glad Mark is so excited for fatherhood, even if he's nervous about learning how to take care of a baby. I know he'll be an amazing dad!

As much as we're anticipating Jason's arrival, we still have a lot to do before he gets here:

-Move crib (a small travel crib/pack 'n play) to our bedroom, where it will be right next to my side of the bed so he can sleep close to us and I can nurse him in bed. It also still needs bedding.
-Set up/find a place for his swing and bouncer.
-Stock his changing table. I think we're going to try disposable and cloth diapers and see which works better for us.
-Sew some scarf-style nursing covers. I'm going to do an entry devoted to these awesome things!
-Get our carpet cleaned (it's part of our lease, but I can tell how dirty it is and definitely want it clean before bringing a baby home!)
-Enjoy our baby shower 10 days from now! I can't wait! If you need details (some invitations were lost in the mail :( ) please contact one of us!

Despite everything that needs to be done, we do have some stuff ready:
-Bouncer, swing, and play center cleaned (we got them used from some very generous family friends).
-Changing table and dresser are in place, ready to be stocked.
-The clothes we have so far are washed or being washed and have been arranged by size. I wonder how many he'll already be too big for!
-I made a wrap style baby carrier that I'm very proud of and can't wait to use!

                        The baby carrier I made myself. I attached ankle weights to a baby doll to practice using it!

Cast of Characters

Who's who in our family:

Mark:
Excited dad-to-be and beloved household breadwinner, I know Mark would much rather work at home as a writer and stay-at-home-dad, but until that's a possibility, he's the awesome one who keeps us fed and off the streets. Best friend and husband to Sarah, father to Jason, and owner/dad/poop picker upper to Murphy.

 

Mark and his groomsmen at our wedding

                                                    

 

Sarah:
Taking a break from working in film to pursue her lifelong dream of being a mom, something she wasn't sure she'd ever get the chance to do. Enjoys a variety of interests, from writing and making movies to baking and sewing to spending time outdoors and with animals. Partner in nerdiness and wife to Mark, mother/incubator/food source to Jason, and taker of walks/giver of food/poop picker upper to Murphy.

Sarah doing some late night editing, which she'll soon trade for late night feedings and diaper changes.

Murphy:
The furriest and oftentimes cutest member of the family, Murphy is a miniature Shnauzer who enjoys eating, exploring outside, and being petted. Beloved dog and protector (however small) of Mark, Sarah, and Jason.

Jason:
The smallest and youngest member of the family, Jason is our much anticipated baby. As a fetus, he spends most of his time growing, kicking, and sucking nutrients from his mother. Little is known about Jason at this point except that he's at least 2 weeks ahead in growth, kicks at the sound of Mark's voice, has very strong legs, and will be incredibly loved and showered with attention. Baby to Mark and Sarah, little brother to Murphy.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! Looking for exciting, non-stop updates on the latest in music and celebrity gossip? Well, then you're probably in the wrong place. But if you want to know what my family is up to and see the latest pictures, then congratulations, you're in the right place! 

My hope is that this blog will provide a way for our loved ones, both close by and far away, to stay updated and share in this exciting time with us. I plan on using this blog to write about what's going on, both before and after Jason's birth, and to share photos and videos.