Thanks Mom!!!

This is Jack's room.  Eventually we will move the crib from Lydia's room to Jack's and this bed will become Lydia's first big bed.  But for now, this is perfect. My mom made the curtains, baby quilt and wall hanging.  They couldn't have turned out cuter.  Megan

Mom of Two

Jack is awesome!  He eats, burps and poops like a champ.  He completely relaxes when held upright on our chests. Besides the occasional battle with gas, he is a content little guy.  Sleep?  Varies night-to-night but he has given us four hour blocks of sleep on good nights.  Last night it was sadly more like two hour blocks of sleep. Lydia has become a great helper in Jack's care.  She likes to bring us diapers and bottles.  She likes to gently pet Jack, saying "soft."  Megan

Merry Christmas!

Our little tree was bursting with gifts!  We had so much fun watching Lydia's reaction to the many toys, slightly overwhelmed by her good fortune.  We heard lots of "cool" and "awesome."  I am thankful to have shared our first Christmas as a family of four with my mom in eighty degree San Diego.  Lydia spent Christmas afternoon in her baby pool.  Megan

Hello World!

John Kenneth Rauschenberger IV was born at 8:20 pm on Thursday, December 19. He arrived weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces and being 20 inches long. We have fallen head over heels in love with this little cuddler. He is doing wonderfully well and I am counting my blessings.

The delivery story...
The week prior to Jack's birth was a little rough. I had several days of painful contractions that lead straight to nowhere. The waiting game was driving us all crazy. John accompanied me to my regularly scheduled doctor's appointment Thursday morning. I knew if anyone could win over my doctor and encourage him to induce it would be John. He worked! They hit it off chit chatting and next thing we knew my doctor was making a "call" up to labor and delivery. Pitocin did the trick to push along my contractions. A successful epidural allowed us to watch a Redbox while my labor progressed. 20 minutes of pushing and there he was! Our experience was 100% positive from start to finish. Because of the upcoming holiday most residents were off, leaving only the seasoned staff to provide us excellent care. We were discharged the following evening to return home.

The Long Wait is Over, Well Sorta

John is home! Mom is here! A bout with the stomach virus sent my body into early labor yesterday morning. My troops were ready; both John and Mom jumped on the next flights available. Can we say "RELIEF!?!?!" The semi-downside of relief is the body relaxes, causing contractions to soften and the body to stop going into labor. So the painful wait that involved anxiety and panic is over. I actually slept last night! Now I just wait calmly for baby, with my troops. Megan

The Long Wait

A lesson in patience. That is what I am calling the next week.  Our family continues to be separated while we hope for better weather down south. Lydia has the stomach bug, so we have been hanging out at home a lot. We even broke out some Christmas presents early to improve her spirits. False contractions and Christmas celebrations have begun, a reminder that Jack's arrival is approaching. Hanging in there, just a little bit longer. Megan