Thursday Dec 14, Jayden called at 9:30 am and told me her water was leaking. She was going to have a baby today! She didn't realize at the time that she would be going to the hospital to have a baby. She thought she would just have to go get checked out and maybe come back home. I prepared her that she would be having a baby and to get everything together, including her husband! She told me she wasn't quite ready and had lots of things to do first. She wasn't feeling any labor pains and wasn't in a hurry. Noah was headed to Abilene, so she called him to turn around and come back. Jayden was really good about keeping me in the know. She would text, snap , or call to let me know progress. Here is the day timeline.
1:00 Noah and Jayden were at the hospital, not contracting, got an IV.
4:14 Dilated to 3cm, feeling intense pain, getting ready for epidural.
5:30 started on Pitocin, no pain, loving the epidural, 5cm. Nurse shift change, didn't check for awhile, new nurse said she could see babies head.
7:45 fully ready.
9:08PM baby boy was born, Jayden was in good spirits, looked and felt great. Things progressed so quickly, maybe too quickly. Colt came out wide awake and bright eyed. He was looking around and Jayden said he was wide awake for 2 hours. His eyes would move toward sounds when he would hear talking. Colt Baley M was born 9:08PM December 14, 2023, 6lbs. 8 oz. 19.5in. They estimated him to weigh 6lbs at her Nov 29 appointment, so we were anticipating a bigger baby. He is a cute little guy! He has big hands and feet and thick dark hair. Daddy was taken by it all and couldn't stop staring at him and watching him.
Friday-I got a flight, Mark took me to airport, 11:30 depart, 4 hours in Dallas, 6:30 Abilene, 8:00PM hospital. Ester picked me up and went straight to the hospital. There was nobody at the hospital entrance, nothing was locked, and nobody to check in with. Noah's parents and I walked in and right up to the room. There was quite a crowd. Grandma, a couple family friends, Ester, Bale, and I. Noah handed baby Colt to his grandma and then to me. It was a short visit. I could tell they were tired and needed time to themselves. Colt was in a little ball, so cute, little, and precious. It was so amazing to see the new little life and hold my grandson, Jayden's brand new baby boy. He was wide awake and looking around. Oh be still my heart!! Praise God for the new and perfect little life. It is scary to know your daughter is in labor when you are miles away. I am so thankful mom and baby were well. I stayed at the main house, which ended up being the most perfect setup. After all the traveling and excitement of seeing my new beautiful grandson, I actually slept so good. I had my own room on a soft mattress with my own bathroom. Noah's parents wanted Jayden and Noah to stay there until their house is finished. They are happy to help and care for them.
Saturday morning Ester gave me her Yukon to drive. It is a nice vehicle and brand new! They wanted me to take Jayden oatmeal in hopes that it would make her milk come in. Ester said oatmeal helps and Cynthia said beer helps. I say it comes in time. I went to the hospital and walked into the entrance. The hospital was large and still no staff at the front door. I had to call Jayden for her floor and her room number. I got off the elevators and could go anywhere. The nurses station was clear on the other end of the hall and nobody was around. It was a huge hospital, but didn't feel very safe. So different from back home, where you cant even walk past the entrance without someone asking you where you are going, who you are seeing and check you in as a visitor. I hung out at the hospital for the day. I walked into the room where the new parents were holding their baby boy together in the very small bed. Noah had Colt on his chest all cuddled up. Noah has been very helpful. It is sweet to see the fatherly love kick in. Colt looked so little laying on Noah. Jayden told me his first night she had to tell Noah to sleep because he would just hold Colt and stare at him for hours.
When it was my turn to hold him, I got a couple minutes before the pediatrician came in. It was nice to see who the doctor was and I was impressed by him. He was very thorough and not only told what was happening, but why and how, such as jaundice. He thoroughly explained what it is, how it happens, why it can happen, what to do, etc. Colt was a little yellow, but nothing major. The doctor did want her to bring him in to have his levels tested the first of the week just to be safe. Because her milk hasn't come in yet, Jayden gave Colt a bottle last night and he was much more content. Colt has been a very sleepy baby and Jayden has to work to wake him for feedings. He reminds me so much of newborn baby Jake. He was early, around the same weight, same size long and lean, and a super sleepy baby. I had to wake him for feedings and he slept like 22 hours for the first month. Jayden asks a lot of questions and I share a lot of my experiences. Things change so much even year to year. I don't understand how doctors come up with what is best for baby and how it changes it so often. Swaddle your baby, don't swaddle baby, let them be in a car seat, don't let them be in the car seat unless they are in a car, blankets are ok on them, no blankets, bumper pads on crib, no bumpers, give baths, don't give baths but once a week, swaddle, don't swaddle, alcohol the umbilical, don't alcohol, and the list goes on. And one nurse has a different way than another as with doctors. It gets very confusing. Then you add in what mom's say, your mom, your grandma, the in laws, the cousin group, and just about everybody is giving advice. Then you have books, google advice, and tic toc crazies. I guess you take the advice and figure out what works best for you and your baby.
At 6, they started the discharge process and a nurse went over numerous details. They told them to bring baby by in his car seat properly buckled in and then they could go. After his inspection, they gathered everything up and headed out. No nurse walked them to the door, nobody pushed Jayden in a wheelchair which is standard procedure back home. In fact Jayden told me that she had to walk from the delivery room to her room shortly after giving birth and still having the effects of an epidural in her system. She could barely move her feet! They sure do things different down here! I followed them to the main house of E & B. Jayden told me Noah was driving so cautious, extra slow, turned the radio off, hardly spoke, complained the road was too bumpy and took a less busy traffic route. He is being cautious daddy. At the house, the M family was waiting and ready to meet every need. They were over the top helpful to Jayden. They had everything all ready and got her settled into Noah's bedroom. Bale was so excited, he had gone and bought a large mini fridge stocked it full of drinks and snacks and had it in the bedroom for them! Jayden went to feeding baby, and Noah went to get us Subway sandwiches. While nursing, baby had a blowout. This is the third time this has happened. I was at her rescue getting everything all fixed up. Between us parents, Jayden and Noah have been well covered. Noah wanted to give me a little time with Jayden and he played video games for a bit with his brother. I got to sit on the bed and hold Colt while Jayden took a shower and just enjoy him. It brings back memories of my babies. I loved every minute. He is so tiny and precious, his little toes, nose and fingers. I just love his thick dark hair. I just cant get enough. Jayden tells me over and over that I need to stay, move here, be close. It is hard to know that we are not going to get to see him daily, weekly, or all that often. That makes me sad. For now, I am soaking in my time and treasuring this beautiful gift from God. He is so amazing and perfect. God's fingerprints are all over him, he is heaven sent.
Sunday morning Jayden said her night went pretty well. Colt doesn't cry, she has to wake him for feedings. It takes a long time for feedings. She is nursing followed by a bottle. She had several pants and clothing changes due to diaper leaks. He is just so small for the diapers he is wearing. I did not want to be overly helpful, so let them do the night duty. I want them to learn how to handle things without me, so they don't rely on me. I went and got pizza for lunch and a few groceries. Ester and Bale have been working full days along with another couple on the new house. I decided that I would make dinner for everyone. I fixed a huge pot of spaghetti and 9 people ate. I think they appreciated it. Not sure if they enjoyed it. They like the spicy authentic Mexican food.
Monday morning Jayden and Noah took Colt for his first doctor visit to check his bilirubin levels for jaundice. He is doing great. I tidied up Jayden's room, did laundry and set things up with new clothes, blankets and diapers so they would be prepared. Those first days for the new mama are just trying to figure things out and having everything you need handy. They have so many baby items in so many places from the showers and not being in their own house. Baby tends to have lots of soak through and dirty clothes. He is also so small that not much fits him. It was a low key day. I read, blogged, booked the boys flights, went for a walk, gave Colt a bottle and did laundry. I am really enjoying being grandma nanny. This time with Jayden and Colt is so sweet and I wish I lived close and could do it often. She really needs me right now. E& B and a couple have been working each day at the new house. They Finished the floor at the new house and then had to leave for Mexico for a funeral. They drove 6 hours and didn't leave until 6pm. That sounds dreadful and they have all been working so hard. E&B both have had bad coughs and it kind of worries us. We all want to keep baby healthy.
Tuesday 12/19
I took some photos of Colt in his blue sleeper, he looks so good in blue. The little sleeper came from the Buhr's while shopping with us in Watercolor, Seaside. Mari stopped by to see Colt and we took photos with her and Cythia.
Wednesday 12/20 Jayden was up getting everything ready for Colt's very first bath. She had been waiting so that she could have Noah there. Once he got out of the the shower he was in too big of a hurry to help and headed straight to the shop. She asked for my help. This girl carries so much weight taking on so very much. She is quite amazing. The bath was a sponge bath and I got to pour the water on Colt's hair. No shampoo or soap this time. Jayden is extremely cautious of what she puts on his skin Baby was all bathed, dressed and fed. It didn't last long and he peed out the top of his diaper and soaked his side. Colt has been frequently soaking through diapers. It took awhile but we figured out he was peeing out the top and started folding the tops. She likes to keep a hat on his head for warmth. I brought a kit to try and learn to crochet. I'm not great at it. I have to start over multiple times. Jayden thought she would give it a try and show me how its done. She gave up after a daisy chain. Colt laid on the bed with us as we tried and then Jayden took a nap. She needs to sleep whenever she can.
At 3, she had a lactation appointment. When it got close to leaving time, she had to convince Noah to go. He thought I should take her. He was busy working on a truck so Jayden had to get him clothes to change into with little time to spare. Baby Colt weighed 6.8 and is already back to his birth weight! He is doing great. Jayden has been doing a combo of breast feeding followed by a bottle. Colt's bottles are a little too fast. Colt literally chugs the bottle and can down an ounce in a minute or two. I am not a fan of that. He eats often and falls asleep often. We have been trying the last two days to keep Colt awake more and it really helped for his nights and sleep. With the sun shinning and warm air, I was able to take an afternoon walk down to the blue roan horse. There are about a dozen wild cows that roam and they scare me so much! They aren't too afraid of me and are not friendly and come towards me. It's crazy that I am more afraid of them than the other ranch animals. However, Thor the dog is by far the scariest! Cynthia's dog is a mean aggressive pit bull she rescued from a shelter. He is fine for her of course, but is aggressive and protective. The other day when taking a walk, she wanted to introduce him to me. With Cynthia by me he was wagging his tail smelling me and fine. She told me he would be fine when I come back and just to text me if there was a problem. I took a nice walk in a sunny warm 68 degree day. When I got back he greeted me at the gate with his hair up his back. I talked to him to see if he was going to be ok with me and I walked closer when he barred his teeth and went into attack mode and lunged and growled and barked aggressively at the gate. I was so glad I did not try to go in the gate. It was rather terrifying. He backed off and Cynthia came around and he did it again. She had to put him up. That dog should not be around anyone but her. I worry so for Jayden and the baby. I went out to pick up supper from town in the evening. I read, blogged, and attempted to crochet in the evenings going to bed at 11. I am enjoying the peace and quiet, no agenda, no place to be. I called home and checked in with the three boys. It sounds like Luke is taking the weight of things. He always ends up having to do everything, cooking, dishes, cleaning up, laundry, animal chores on top of working at the shop. He is so responsible and a great help. Jake has been working in Ankeny and taking care of my hens. I heard we had a mouse in the house!! That is not what I want to hear, gross gross. That is why we need a full time cat in our house. Mark told me that last night was his first night in at supper. Yesterday he hauled a Salford and his dad went along. I hope they have a good experience when they all come out to visit.
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