John Mills Williford

John Mills made his debut a few days early, much to everyone's surprise. Here's the story minus all the gory details.

Mom and I took a little trip to have lunch with Grandma on Thursday December 1st up in Valley, Alabama. On the drive up I started having contractions, and about half way there, I realized they were pretty constant and getting stronger. So I started timing them. By the time we sat down for lunch an hour later, I had counted 16 contractions. So I called the nurse, to see what I should do. She called back a few minutes later and sent me to Triage (which I had been to twice already for different reasons). It took us about an hour to get home, but we went straight to the hospital, and into Triage. The first nurse checked me and said I was only one centimeter dilated, and that if I didn't have any cervical change in an hour, they would send me home. Of course, at this point, that was frustrating. I decided I had an incompetent cervix, and that was never going to dilate naturally. I was not comfortable because of the contractions, my blood pressure was really high, and I was a hot mess of sweatiness. At this point, Mom started to worry something was wrong. The same nurse came back in with Dr. Desautels, who decided to check me again. Wouldn't you know, that incompetent cervix of mine had dilated another centimeter! In a whirl wind of questions and answers and changing out of my clothes, I found myself 20 minutes later in an icebox of an operating room, hunched over a very sweet South African nurse, getting a spinal block.

About 10 minutes later, TJ comes in, all cute in his scrubs, if not a little green around the gills. Doctor Waller comes in, and just a few short minutes later, John Mills Williford takes his first breath, begins to cry, and pees all over Dr. W.

TJ got it all on video, and its pretty exciting to watch. But don't worry, its not going on youtube or the blog. I'm not that crazy.

8 pounds, 9 ounces

21 1/2 inches long

My big boy is just perfect. We are so in love with him! Oh, and he looks a heck of a lot like his big (and very proud) sister.

Didn't Holland do a fabulous job on his newborn portraits?? I love them! www.hollandwilliamsphotography.com

Compliments of Allison...

I received this beauty of a photo from Allison yesterday from our Halloween hayride. I think its appropriate as our time as a family of three is numbered. Ha. Bad joke. But seriously folks, 5 days to go. It's surreal! And for future reference, yes John Mills, Avery is sitting on your head. It's her favorite thing to do! I hope that changes when you get here! Also, as a side note, I put this photo in black and white because Avery had a blue ring around her mouth from all the candy she had been eating. It's a little more classic without that I think.

First, the bad news...

So I show up at the doctor's office, all ready for a happy, see you in a week appointment with Dr. Desautels. But, he isn't there. Strange. They are normally so good about scheduling around the doctor's conflicts. When I see his nurse, Tamara, the sweetest gal you've ever met, she says, "I have some bad news, but go ahead and get me a sample and we will talk in the exam room." So I have 3 minutes to worry that (A.) Joe got hit by a train, or (B.) struck by lightening, or (C.) lost in the stacks at the library (we pregnant women are a tad dramatic, or at least I am.) or (D.) worse. She comes in and in a very overly sensitive way says, "There has been an accident." Again, worst case scenarios are running through my sleep deprived brain. "Dr. Desautels had to have surgery on his hand and will not be able to perform your c-section." Oh. But he is ALIVE? "Yes, he just will be unable to do any deliveries or surgeries for 4-6 weeks." Geez woman. I thought he was swarmed by killer bees or decided to leave his family and obstetrical practice for a "drink the Kool-aid" kind of ride to the moon.

Nope. Nothing nearly that dramatic, but when left to my own devices...

So, Dr. Phillips will now be delivering John Mills, and the time has changed from 12:30 pm to 7:30 am on Monday. Not so bad after all. But, I had you wondering, didn't I.

So ready for this little boy to be here!!!

Last Doctor's appointment today!

TJ and I are headed to see Dr. Desautels for the last time before John Mills gets here today. I am a little nervous. I am so ready to meet this baby, but I am a little skeptical about my mothering skills for TWO kids.

I just about lost it yesterday and had to call for backup. Avery refused to take a nap, was seriously rambunctious, and would not settle down regardless of the activities I tried to impose on her. When she belly flopped off the couch onto me and then stomped on my foot about 3 minutes later, I was done. I called Ma, who apparently can read minds, and graciously offered to come get her and let her have a spend the night party with her. I don't think I could have said "yes" any faster. This is such a rare occurrence for me, to actually need a little down time, that I had some Mommy guilt over it. Hormones a blazing I think.

When I woke up this morning though, the clouds had cleared (figuratively, not literally, as it is still yucky outside) and I was once again happy to see my little monster and I smothered her with kisses. She didn't even complain. Maybe absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Anywho, I will post with any updates after our appointment! Wish me luck!

37 week update

I went to see Dr. Desautels today, and we had a little ultrasound to check John Mills' size. Looks like he is right on target weighing in at 6 lbs, 14 oz which should put him at just about 8 lbs by December 5th (only 13 days away!), our scheduled C-section date. Sounds pretty good to me! The only odd thing the ultrasound tech noted what that his hair was very visible and long! I was a baldy when I was born, so it was such a shock when Avery came out with a head full of dark brown hair! So, no telling what John Mills may look like. Genetics are such a crap shoot. As for the rest of me, my blood pressure is normal to low, my gestational diabetes was probably a misdiagnosis (even says Dr. Des now), and I feel pretty good, with the exception of the occasional mood swing. What a different pregnancy this has been! I am still walking around the block, albeit slowly, a few days a week, and I am still under the 30 pound weight gain mark, which is absolutely miraculous (praise the Lord)! With Turkey Day coming up, however, I may blow that last one before he gets here!

I am so thankful for this baby, and I can't wait to spend some quality family time before he gets here! Happy Thanksgiving!

Allen Law Center Ribbon Cutting and Elmo

The Allen Law Center officially opened yesterday with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting, and wonderful ceremony and reception in honor of the one and only JGA. We are so proud of him, and I told him it was truly remarkable to have a building named for you when you are still alive. Avery was pretty impressed with the whole shindig. She especially liked GiGi's painting, and the scissor shaped cookies (which I totally bribed her with, to stay seated and quiet through the ceremony-bad mommy confession of the day).

This girl loves her GiGi!
She was really excited the he wanted her to help cut the ribbon, but she took a long time getting up the stage because she had to gather all her rocks she had collected from the parking lot during the ceremony.
Whew. Black sure is concealing. Can you even tell I am nine months pregnant? If you see me waddle, I mean, walk you can! 19 days to go, by the way! (In other John Mills news, Dr. Desautels seems to think he may be a big boy. After palpation of my belly on Monday, he said "larger than average" and we are only at 36 weeks! I just hope he is good and healthy!)
Here is JGA giving his very gracious speech.
Go check out the Allen Law Center at Jones Law School! So proud of my Daddy!

Last thing of note today, was the father/daughter date TJ and Avery went on last night. Sesame Street Live! Thanks to Jason and Carolyn for the invite for the 2 of them, who even got to go backstage and meet ELMO!!!!!!! Avery was a little hurricane of excitement when she got home last night!

Bob the Builder and the Cupcake Princess.