Jameson is Awesome and Graduated From College

On May 15th, 2011 Jameson graduated from the University of Missouri - St. Louis with his B.A. in Marketing and International Business, with minors in Spanish and Transportation.

He is pretty much the most amazing guy ever. The entire time I have known Jameson he has been in college. He started the fall we met, dated and got engaged. And since then our lives revolved around work and college and homework and more homework. And now, all the hard work has paid off and we are school free (if only we didn't have to keep paying for it) and Jameson has graduated. So here's to my awesome husband for being awesome at schooling. I love you lots!

Jameson walking in to the commencement ceremony!

Jamo accepting his diploma and shaking hands

Jamo and my side of the family

Jamo and his parents

Jamo, his brother and sister-in-law

Jamo and my pregnant self

Jamo and the grandparents

Jamo being all graduated!

Graduation BBQ

The day before Jamo graduated, May 14th, we had all the family over and had a BBQ to celebrate! Thanks to all who came to party with us. It was good times and we're super excited he's done with school! Yay for Jamo!

Food spread

Mike and Tracy

Cindy grilling the meats

Holly and Anna

Jamo and Sandy prepping some food

David eating chips... those orange ones tasted like bugals, not sunchips... very deceiving of them.

Everyone hanging out in the living room

Anna and Aiden eating the grubs, yum.

In which Sheri gives birth to a boy named James

So it all began 9 months ago when finally, FINALLY, we decided the time was right to have a kid. I'd been not so patiently waiting for about 2 years. I mean, come on, babies! We'd thought about it before and even tried a month or two... then I would kind of freak out and decide it wasn't really the time. But one of these attempts ended in an early miscarriage in March 2010. But 6 months later I was ready to try again and the timing was better. Jamo would be a college graduate and we'd have a more time, energy and resources to take care of this kid. So after one month of trying, we were pregnant. I think it was God not letting me have time to freak out and second guess this time. It just had to happen quick.


Fast forward 9 months (we've read all the in betweens). June 26th came on a Sunday. Did the usual, church, nap, dinner. But dang it, I was bound and determined this kid would come soon. I tried all the tricks... ball bouncing, walking, mexican food, and we even walked up and down our apartment stairs for while. And then we worked some more on the babies room, getting the clothes all in order and unpackaged. We went to bed. And then I had crazy dreams, cause I do that. And I thought I might have felt a few contractions during the night. That's nothing unusual as I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions since about 26 weeks. But in a half dream, half conscious state I had one and I thought the kid might have kicked me really hard too. And at 10:30 am I woke up, was going to change sleep position, and thought I pee'd myself. I ran to the bathroom and by the time I got there I decided I had just better stand in the tub. And a good thing I did. My water had officially broken. So I yelled for Jameson to wake up. I took a shower and we got ready to go.

I was admitted directly. And a cervical check concluded that I was STILL sitting at 2 cm. So then we got to hang around the hospital while the contractions picked up. I sat, walked around, stuff like that. And after 5 hours there I was sitting at 3 cm (woo, one whole cm more). So they gave me the option to get potocin to speed the process along. And can I say that that stuff hurts! It sure does speed along and make the contractions crazy fun (hard and made me want to cry). So about an hour after that we had them start the epidural. At this point I am crying. K, I'm kind of weak sauce, but at least I know it. And then 10 minutes later I wasn't feeling a thing. It was kind of amazing. And then the waiting began, the slow waiting. No contractions to distract me anymore. The epi did have a few side effects I didn't realize, or maybe it was just me. Man was I cold. So I'm all cuddled in blankets during labor. And a wee bit shaky, cause of the coldness. But overall, I wouldn't change it, it was crazy smooth and I was awesome.


They told me I could start pushing at 10:30 pm. They lied. There was another person who had to have an emergency c-section right before me. So I got to wait until Midnight to start pushing. But once I got going, it took about 50 minutes. Jamo got to be more involved than he had planned on being. They had him hold on my legs when the contractions came and it was time to push. The interesting part is that I had been in the same laying position for quite a while there at the end of labor and my back starting to kill me. And then my bladder kind of hurt. And so when I was actually pushing I could tell when to when my bladder hurt extra bad on the left side. But man, I didn't feel anything else really, which was pretty awesome.

At 12:50 am, June 28th, James Rigby Pulley was born.

And boy was he the most amazing thing you could have ever seen in your life. And guess what? I MADE him. I grew that thing in me for 9 months and then all of a sudden, he was there! A real live person. And isn't that AMAZING?

And then they put him on me. And then they cleaned him. And checked him. And then gave him back again. And I got to hold him some more. And I cried. And it was awesome. And I had a baby boy. And you know what? He's pretty dang cute. And I'm not just saying that cause he's mine. But as far new borns go, mine was ridiculous cute. Not all swollen and puffy and blotchy. Just perfect. That's all.


And then the fun for me began. The part where they make you get up and go the bathroom. And they clean up while you're up. And holy moly do they need to clean up. I'm just glad that I was at the top end of all of this. But back to the bathroom. At this point I'm shaking like crazy. I don't know what exactly it was, I think it was maybe my body went into a bit of shock after delivering and maybe partly a fever I had going. But I could not stop shaking. And I couldn't pee. Do you know what happens then? Tmi? They catheter you. Drain you right out. Good stuff. And then if you've ever had a baby you know what kind of fun bathroom routine you get to enjoy for a while. And then they stood me up. And then I got really HOT, like burning up all over. And then everything was going black. And then I'm sitting back on the toilet, clothed and trying not to pass out. Meanwhile, the nurses are asking me all sorts of questions to which I just stare at them. Which leads them to ask, "Are you still with us?". In which I give a slight head nod in reply. I mean really, all my energy is being focused on not passing out, I don't have time for all your questions. And really, you're going to ask me if I can walk to the bed? When I can't even talk? Eventually I got enough strength to make it to the bed, while almost passing out again. A little bit later I was still freezing and shaking and they got me some more meds. The motrin finally kicked in at about 5 am and I was sweating like a beast for the next couple of hours. Baby was sent to the nursery during this. I couldn't hardly function. But after a few hours of sleep and my fever breaking, I got my baby back.


The next couple of days went by in a kind of blur. Medication every few hours. Family and friends coming to visit. Napping with my baby. I put on real clothes and just hung out. I was set to leave Thursday. And we would have gotten out earlier in the day, but around 10 am I started getting killer pains in my bladder, like stabbing, making me cry they hurt so bad, kind of pains. After convincing them it wasn't just my uterus contracting, they decided to once again, catheter me. I didn't think I had been fully draining my bladder. And you know what? I was right. They said that normal people have about 150 mL of pee left in them after going. They drained 400 mL out of me. That's pretty much a full bladder people. Needless to say, I felt a bit better after that (and when the pain meds kicked in). And the tested and I had a UTI, no big surprise considering my history. So they sent for meds and then I waited around for them to discharge us. And so at about 5 pm we were finally freed.

And then we had a baby with us. We sure didn't come to the hospital with one of those. But we sure were leaving with one. W-E-I-R-D.

But we're home now and enjoying every stinkin' minute we have with this little guy. And it still doesn't feel real. But we love him.

PS - I'll bombard my blog with pictures of baby for all to drool over soon.

39 Week Update

Super Quick Update?

I had an appointment on Tuesday with my doctor. And I was sitting at 2 cm for the 3rd week in a row. I'm pretty sure I could sit here for another 3 weeks, but hopefully I won't. So we have an appointment set again for next Tuesday, where I will be 40 weeks and 2 days. I guess we'll see what she says then. But I'm opting for not waiting forever. There are days I wish she was more into the induction thing. But I will sit and wait patiently. There are plenty of things I probably should do before then anyway. Now to find some more motivation.

Also, my feet get really swollen by end of night. It's quite impressive actually.

Quick Update on Moving and Such Things

A quick update while I eat my pb&j (mmmmmmm).

So we found out on Wednesday that we have been approved to move into the apartments that we were looking into. And that we can move in on Monday! Needless to say, we're pretty excited.

And so we have begun the packing. It really is a decent way along and going well. And we have to have it all done by 5:30 on Monday evening, when people will show up and help us load all of our stuff into a u-haul, drive it across two cities and lug it up three flights of stairs.

We've also been getting rid of some of our furniture. We either don't have enough room, or would like an upgrade from our craigslisted mess of a house. So the oversized chair is gone. The kitchen table is sold and picked up. The futon is leaving tonight. And the couches have been posted on craigslist for sale.

And along side all this moving madness I find that I am 9 months pregnant. I also find, that I am not quite ready for this kid to come, still a few things we need to do. We still need to tour BJC. We still need to figure out how to install our carseat. We still need to pack the hospital bag. And we still have to pinpoint and stick to a middle name for him.

And lastly, to be noted, they have Mtn Dew Pitch Black out in stores for a limited time. This makes me very happy and makes life kind of worth living.

37 Week Appointment

Today I went in for my 37 week appointment. Can you believe that, 37 weeks! And for you who are not so baby savvy, that means I am officially FULL TERM. Crazy eh?

So. Doctor's appointment. Went in, did the usual, bp, weight, pee, heartbeat (which she said was 140). Then I actually got to see my doctor. I haven't actually seen my doctor in a full 2 months. The past couple times I was supposed to see her she had some emergency surgery and births. I guess it's good to know those will take precedence when it's my time. So we talked and stuff, not much exciting there, just when to come in and how I was feeling. Then (TMI time?) she did the cervical check. Last week when I went in I was "softening" but not dilated. This week, I was 2 cm dilated! And I know I could sit at that for weeks and weeks, but gol dangit, that's progress that is. But while there, she couldn't tell if he was head down or not. She said she felt the membrane and didn't want to accidentally break my water. And with that, and combined with the fact I haven't gained any weight, she wanted me to have an ultrasound done. And she wanted it, if we could be fit in, done today. And of course it's the time I forget my cell phone. So I used the office phone, called Jamo, left a voicemail telling him to get his butt up there and waited to see if they had room for me. And they did! So I called Jamo again (from the office phone) and he said he was on his way. I kind of freaked him out with my voicemail so he came really fast (sorry Jamo!).

And so in to the ultrasound room we went. They gooped me up and took measurements. I thought I might pass out a time or two. I haven't laid on my back in a few weeks and for good reason. That baby sits right on your spine and that big ol' vein that runs down your back and cuts off the circulation. Not very comfortable at all. Anyway, then she showed us our awesome kid and told us what the heck we were looking at. And we got some pictures to take home! Super exciting stuff. And I had her confirm that he was still a he. And he is!

Oh, and the ultrasound results you ask? Yup, he is head down! And he weights approximately 7 lbs 4 oz. (give or take 20%). And I'm 2 cm dilated. Holy moly. Do you know what this means? I'm going to have a baby... and like... soon! You should all be jealous of my awesome life that is happening right now.

a Couple of Things I've Forgot

Pregnancy brain is real my friends. And I'm blaming it on all the things that I keep forgetting lately. It's a bit out of control. I really need to start writing things down. But while I may forget the daily things, like what it was I was getting from my bedroom, or what I was supposed to pick up at walmart, or more important things like giving talks, there are something that I just plain forgot pregnant or not. And here are two of them that I remembered... are you excited?

I've forgotten what 6 am feels like (at least on this side of sleep).
I've been up since about 5:00 am after going to bed at the relatively normal hour of 11:30 pm (did you see the part where it said pm?). But when I got to bed that early I tend to not sleep for very long. And then have to take a nap later in the day. Which I'm super excited about by the way. Anyway, so here I am up and can I say that it is a most glorious morning. The temperature is about 58 degrees, it's sunny and there is dew on the grass. I think the word dew is appropriate for it. It's so short lived and small and simple and perfect. It makes everything sparkly and is good and refreshing for bare feet. Also, there are lots of birds out chirping and I'm not even yelling at them for waking me up at 6 in the morning! So today, with waking up on my own, with no time table, with no where to go, I accept 6 am for all it's wondrousness.

I've forgotten what my toenails look like.
This may seem like a silly thing and I suppose it is. But being of the female gender and having a fond devotion to having colors on my toes at all times, I forgot what it was like to have toenails. Like BARE toenails. This whole being pregnant thing is catching up with me hardcore. I haven't painted my toenails in weeks (months?). It's not that I can't reach my toes, I can. It's more of the effort it now takes to reach them for extended periods of times. Talk about uncomfortable, breathless fun. And so my nail polish was all chipped, half way gone and not very polished at all. So yesterday I took it off. And I didn't put on a new coat. So all of yesterday I was completely weirded out when I looked down at my toes. But this morning I came to accept them? But this, by no means, means that I am about to do this naked nail thing for the long term. I mean, they do look completely naked. And thou shalt not show thy nakedness? So as soon as I get up enough energy, I'm going to paint them. I'm thinking going crazy and going red this time.

And end post.