Jackson's Auntie Bethus gave him this shirt which says "Somebody in Detroit Loves Me". I thought it appropriate to put him in since Bethany and the love of her life are engaged! Congrats Josh and B!!!!!!!

Newborn no more

Jackson is quickly outgrowing his size "newborn" clothes. Makes me sad- like it's happening so fast! He will be 3 weeks old tomorrow and I can easily say this has been the best three weeks of my life. Matt is back to work and Jackson and I are getting used to being together all the time. I daresay we like one another quite a bit. :)

Slideshow: Just a Taste of Our World

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The First of Many

We had such a busy day today, and I think that Mommy is more exhausted than Jackson from all of the "firsts" we encountered. We gave Jackson his first bath (just a sponge bath for now, but he wasn't a huge fan), and then we clipped his tiny, but ever growing and razor sharp finger nails. Afterwards we had a tough workout of "Tummy Time" where Jackson is learning to use his neck muscles to pull his head up, and then we had a night out for dinner. His first dinner out and his first Chicago style pizza experience. It's funny to think that 16 days ago I might have thought this to be an uneventful day. The past two weeks have changed my perspective and I am seeing the blessings in all of the little things life has to offer.

Bath Time


"Tummy Time"

First Dinner Out

One Trendy Baby!

This week Matt's mom and step-dad are visiting from Seattle and it is such a treat! Of course they are so in love with little Jackson and just can't get enough of him, (I know the feeling:). Matt had to go up to base this morning, so the grandparents and I decided to break in the stroller and take Jackson to his first Starbucks outing! He was so trendy in his hoppin' stroller and sitting in the hottest coffee spot in all of Edgewater (our Chicago neighborhood). I told him all about how people hang out at Starbucks for more than just the amazing aroma and good drinks and he was excited to hang out with the locals. I was just happy to have introduced another part of our life to my favorite little man.

Life Is Good

This has been such a wonderful week for our family. Matt and I are learning how to do so much on such little sleep :) and Jackson is learning how to live outside of me and in the world. We were able to have our first outing to Starbucks & Target and I was so happy to get out of the house. I was a little nervous about the stairs, but I continue to heal and make great progress. Yeah! We got to Target and Jackson was sound asleep so we put him in the shopping cart and got ready to pick up a few things when it hit us both like a brick wall- Jackson had made the smelliest poopie ever! We were so embaressed, and yet we couldn't stop laughing as we carted our stinky child throughout the store. I assured Matt that no one would know it was us because Jackson was far too little and cute for anyone to think that he could've made that! Awww... parenting at it's best.

1 week

Seriously- can this be my life? i am so content and blessed. Today we celebrate Jackson being 1 week old and Daddy Matt is 28 years old.

Joy

We are slowly settling into life at our home. We are a little sleepy, but never have we been so filled with absolute joy. It seems as if Jackson is changing so much every day! It's unbelievable how much he looks more and more like a little man, and more and more like his handsome Daddy. He started to laugh while dreaming today- what a treat to watch! I still cannot believe that there was a time when he was not a part of our family. He makes us so complete and we are so touched by everything he does. Matt has to go back to work next week, and even though he has received far more time off for paternity leave than any other new daddy's I know, he is already sad. He wishes he could just stay home and see all the new things that "Baby J" (his nickname for our little peanut) manages to accomplish daily. Life is precious. G-Pa Dime leaves to go home tomorrow and we are all sad to see him go. This is a picture of Jackson and his Grandpa.

Blessings Abound

This has been the best Mother's Day I've ever experienced. We have been SO blessed. I told my dad and Matt that I hope I wasn't making people nauteous with all my "happy talk" but I seriously cannot believe this is my life right now. I will try and keep the blog as current as possible between the many feedings (we are soon to break that 7 lb marker!) so that you all can share in the joys that God is granting us.

Love to all!

~Nicole, Matt & Jackson

G-Pa Dime and Jackson: Doing What They Do Best

Auntie Lauren & Uncle Dave came to visit. They always keep the party going. I was laughing so hard I had to hold my stitches- literally!

Not the best shot, but one with his cute little "button eyes" open.

We're both sleepy :) He's precious.

Jackson Thomas Rife

Born, Friday, May 9th at 3:50pm
7 lbs & 10 oz - 20 inches long

Happy Mother's Day Eve. We are so blessed to know that we will be celebrating this very special day tomorrow with our little boy- Jackson Thomas Rife. Many of you heard about the long ordeal this past week, but I look back now and think how worth it, it all was. We came in Tuesday night ready to be induced. My doctor felt it necessary, due to my swelling, constant blood pressure going up and a headache for three weeks straight. We were eager and excited, and a little bit nervous, but nothing prepared us for what was about to happen. By Friday morning they had given me two doses of medication to help me dilate, and I had been on petocin for more than 24 hours as well. I was only slightly dilated, and not showing any signs of picking up. On top of that, Jackson's heart rate was dropping slightly every time I got up to use the washroom or sit up for a bit- we were frightened for him and growing very fatigued. We were given the choice of either going home and coming back when my body went into labor itself, or we could opt for a c-section. We had been so adamant against a c-section before this, but after three and a half days of medication, nausea & vomiting, contractions and not being allowed to eat or drink anything the entire time- there was no way I wanted to go home without that baby boy in my arms. We reluctantly, and tearfully, chose to go through with the c-section and the doctor's quickly got ready for the surgery. I was so scared! Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not tolerate a pinprick of a needle, let alone a huge one in my spine as well as being cut open. This is a very serious abdominal surgery! I went into the O.R. sobbing, trying so hard to keep it together, but all I could think about was the fact that I was going to be cut open in a few minutes. After I was numb from the waist down and the curtain was up, Matt was escorted in and stood next to me, holding my hand. I looked up to see that he was crying, right when I had stopped. He thanked me for having the baby and for everything up until this point. It was the sweetest moment of my life. Then it was all over before I knew it had really started. I had a rough surgery, most likely because I hadn't eaten for three days and was already feeling nauseous, and I was violently ill for most of the c-section. When Jackson was out they kept trying to get me to look at him but I couldn't stop getting sick long enough to enjoy the moment. Matt and my dad rushed to the nursery to be with Jackson and the doctor's continued to sew me up and finish the surgery. I was then taken to recovery and I had to wait TWO HOURS before they would let me see Jackson! It was the longest two hours of my life. As soon as they brought him to me I started smiling this huge grin that only God can grant- and I haven't stopped smiling since. The past couple of days have been the most amazing days of my life. I'm happy to share it with all of you!

Jackson's heart rate had dropped and I had to be on oxygen for a bit.

Me with Dad: Right before going in for surgery

1st Picture of Daddy with Baby Jackson.

G-Pa Dime with Baby Jackson.

Finally- they let me be with my son!

Visitors This Week

Anyone in the Chicago area is more than welcomed to stop by the 4th Floor at St. Joseph's Hospital this week after Jackson is born. Just call Matt's cell phone to make sure I'm awake and we're able to take visitors. We can't wait to share this little bundle with everyone!
Love,
Nicole & Matt

St. Joseph's Hospital
2900 N. Lakeshore Drive
Hospital Number: 773-665-3000
http://www.reshealth.org/sub_sjh/default.cfm

There's No Maybe- He'll Be a "May Baby"

All those hopes of Jackson making an early appearance and having an April birthday, slowly slipped away on Thursday when the month changed to May. Where most women stop or at least greatly slow down on weight gain in this last month, I have managed to increase 3-5 lbs a week now, and it is almost all water. Matt continues to stare at my ever growing toes and feet and say, "The human body is just amazing!" So, with my continued water weight, three-week long migraine and now the ever creeping blood pressure, my doctor has decided to induce on Tuesday night. We are excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but a little nervous because it can take 3 or 4 days to be induced sometimes. The nurses told us that often an induction will be scheduled and then baby will come right before on his own- nature is funny, huh?
On another note- we spent 24 hours being monitored in the hospital Thursday-Friday night because I tripped at the gas station. A slight miscalculation of my own weight and the height of the gas hose between my car and the machine- oh fine- I had major "Baby Brain" and tried to jump over the darn thing. I landed with one leg on the ground, but unfortunately, my stomach smashed into my leg so they were worried about Jackson. I missed my last day at work and didn't get a chance to say goodbye to my kids, and Matt had to leave work to be with me at the hospital. As one friend has said, "You just like the excitement, huh?" No kidding.