Lots of Love

Throughout the first several days of Mason's life, he has been showered with love. He is so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family that simply could not wait to meet him.

Grandma McKenzie

Grandpa McKenzie

Papa Bose

Grandma Bose

Big Sister Jentry

Aunt Kelly and Cousins Isaac and Anna

Uncle Chad

Amy

Craig

and BFF Brantley

Great Aunt Sonja and Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Penny

Great Aunt Deb

Great Uncle Bob

Mason has been Mr. Popular around here and we are loving it!

Mason's Story

The day finally arrived and now I can tell the story... his story... of how our little Mason joined our world and changed our hearts forever.

Friday, March 28th, Jentry and I spent the evening watching Nathan play in the alumni basketball tournament. I felt fairly uncomfortable but attributed it to the bleachers. Everyone I saw asked, "When are you due?" I assumed this was because I looked huge and miserable, however Nathan assured me that I looked great. We will never know the truth and it is probably better that way. I really can't complain. I did feel uncomfortable, however I had only gained 30 lbs and didn't have the swelling that some women experience.

When the final game for the night ended, Nathan joined his friends and classmates for a cocktail downtown and I took Jentry home so that we could get a good night's rest. I woke up a few more times than usual but was able to get back to sleep. At 6:00 a.m. I woke up to a contraction. Of course, I wasn't really sure if it was the real deal yet, so I relaxed in bed for awhile counting the length and time between each feeling. Sure enough they kept coming but were just slowing getting closer together and the pain was still manageable.

Nathan had another game at 8:30 and I was debating on whether or not to let him go or tell him to stay home. I decided to send him to the game and asked that he call his dad to make sure he would be at the game in case we needed to leave Jentry with him. I gathered everything we would need into the car and then Jentry and I headed up to the school to watch the game. The contractions kept coming so when the game was over I told Nathan, "Go home and shower and then we had better get to the hospital."

We had planned for Jentry to ride with her Papa Stenger to her dad's wedding in Alma that day so John stayed home with her until he arrived. I told Jentry that the baby was coming and we had to leave. She immediately had a zillion questions and began to realize that life as she had always known it to be was never going to be the same. "How do know the baby is coming? Are you sure? Why do you have to leave? I don't want you to leave. How do the doctors know what to do? How will they get the baby out?" After three more hugs, kisses and goodbyes than usual, Nathan and I were able to get into the car.

The drive to Hastings went faster than I had anticipated. My contractions were about ten minutes apart and stronger but still manageable. We checked in around 11:00 and I was hoping that things were progressing quickly after eleven hours of contractions. Unfortunately, I was only 4 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced. My doctor arrived and decided to break my water at 12:50. After that it was an entirely different ball game. The contractions immediately become ten times stronger and very close together. After only fifteen minutes, I asked for an epidural. The nurse, Kathy, called the anesthesiologist and began to prepare for the procedure but our little man was in too big of a hurry. I told the nurse I felt the need to push and she checked me again. Sure enough, things had progressed very quickly and she said, "I'm so sorry but we are not going to have time for an epidural." This was last thing I wanted to hear! At that point, I thought I might pass out.

Thankfully, everything that followed seem to happen in warp speed. They immediately called the doctor back and two other nurses appeared in the room. Nurse Kathy was trying to get me to breath through the urge to push and I did twice but was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do it again. Kathy had been delivering babies for 40 years and assured me that if we had to deliver the baby without the doctor she could do that too. Dr. Pankratz arrived just in time to throw on a gown and some gloves.

At 1:46 p.m. on March 29, 2014, Mason Dee McKenzie entered this big, bright world and we immediately fell in love. He weighed 6 pounds 5 ounces was 19 inches long and was absolutely perfect. He had the most handsome dark blonde hair with a bit of auburn just like his dad. His eyes were dark blue and oh so big and bright.

First Bath

On our way to our post delivery room, we got to push the button to play the lullaby throughout the hospital celebrating that a baby had been born.

My parents brought Jentry to meet her brother on Sunday. Mom drove so that she could stay with us for a few days and dad flew in his airplane. I don't think she could have been more excited.

 

She loves to feel his soft hair.

Jentry got a bag full of gifts from her new brother. She is so spoiled!

The nurses also insisted that Jentry get to push the lullaby button too.

Sunday night the hospital provided us with a very yummy celebratory steak dinner. Nathan was trying to eat and keep the baby happy. I said, "Welcome to parenthood!" 

Monday morning we got to load him up and take him home!

Grandpa John would not admit to anything but sent us this picture. We thought it was fabulous!

The first few days home have been great... minus the lack of sleep. Now that we have everything set up and coordinated for nighttime diaper changes and feedings, we have been getting a bit more sleep at night. Dad is also getting better at sleeping through the noise, which is good because we are getting into the prime season of planting. Mason is a fairly laid-back baby. He is nursing well and sleeping a lot, which means he is growing and that is exactly what we want. We could not be more blessed.  What a precious gift God has given to us.

Shiny and Clean

My Christmas present from Nathan finally arrived this week. All I wanted was for the nasty tile/carpet in the upstairs bathroom to disappear. I have despised this floor since the day I moved in.  

I did my best to disguise the horrid floor with fresh paint, new light fixtures and some lovely towels. Overtime I even started to overlook the green plaid carpet, but never the less it was undeniable that the floor must go. I mean who in their right mind would choose to lay carpet on one half and tile on the other half of a tiny bathroom?  Yikes!

Last Thursday this is what our bathroom looked like. 

I would have normally been ecstatic, however this nearly nine-month prego, nesting mama started to question the decision. Luckily the baby kept on a bakin' and now we have beautiful basket-weave marble tile and I absolutely love it! Oh how it shines. I could not be happier and best of all I know that it is clean!

The Expiring Only Child

Each day that goes by this month I find myself really cherishing my one-on-one time with Jentry. After nearly six years of her being my only child, it is very difficult to imagine what it will be like to have another child that I love just as much. It is exciting and unimaginable all at the same time. Jentry has such a unique personality, it will be interesting to see how my two children differ as they grow.

Here are just a few snapshots of Jentry the past two months.  She is very:

Helpful

Curious

Silly

Strange

Ornery

Sweet

Caring

Creative

Surprising

Independent

and Trend Setting...I mean do you know anyone in Hollywood wearing T-shirts for skirts?

Uncharted Territory

Today I am 36 weeks pregnant. I have experienced pregnancy before, however much to everyones surprise it ended at 35 weeks and two days. I am now entering into uncharted territory and I am not sure how to feel. Part of me is very thankful to still being caring this precious baby until he is fully developed and ready to enter the the world as a healthy baby. The selfish part of me was ready for him to make his appearance yesterday and for me to have my body back.

The unknown, unplanned is very difficult for me. With Jentry, I never even had time to think about what day she might actually arrive. I didn't even have the chance to guess whether my water would break or if symptoms of labor would begin first. August 2nd seemed much to far away to start thinking about the specifics on June 30th! Of course, I had the nursery ready and baby items purchased but as far preparing for the actual birth, the only step taken was printing off a check-list of hospital bag necessities.

This time around is very different. Not so much physically as mentally. Because of my first premature baby experience, I have been busy getting all my ducks in a row much in advance. Probably too much in advance. The room is ready, the blankets and tiny clothes are washed, my bag is packed, the car seat is ready to roll but now all I have is way too much time to wonder, wish and worry. Will today be the day or will it be another 30 days and if it is another 30 days will my body survive that much more strain?

For the most part I have been trying to enjoy these last days without a newborn. I have read a lot, taken hot bubble baths, gone shopping alone, painted my nails, gone to bed early, watched movies, spent extra time with Jentry, cleaned and organized every nook and cranny of the house and gone out to eat often. It is a very exciting time and may possibly be the last time I ever get to experience a child growing inside of me, the Lord only knows. I am honestly trying to savor these last few days/weeks/month of pregnancy but some minutes/hours/days/weeks are easier than others.

I am so anxious to see his little face, kiss his head, take in his amazing baby scent. Will he have hair? What color will it be? Will he eat well, sleep well? How big will he be? A five pound baby was fairly easy to deliver and I would really like another easy delivery! What if his head is huge? My mother-in-law keeps reminding me how Nathan's head was 11 centimeters. I really could have gone without that little piece of info. What will it be like to see my loving husband hold his very own baby boy? What time of day will he arrive? What will his story be? What will be the story we tell every year on his birthday?

These are just a few of the things that are going through my head on an hourly basis. I am ready to have the answers... to tell the birthday story over and over again. I am going a bit more crazy each day but in the end I know I will look back and it will all seem to have taken place much too quickly. I will wish for the "easy" days when I didn't have to do anything special to take care of my little bundle. I will long for the nights when I only had to get up once to simply go to the bathroom.

In the end it is not up to me...thank goodness. It is in the hands of someone much wiser than me who's timing is flawless and I have no doubt that He will ensure the birth story of our special baby boy is non other than perfect.