Visitors

What's a birth without a whole host of visitors?  We had so many special people stop by to meet Johnathan, it was such a treat.  The early bird fan club consisted of Dad, Ann, and the Bryan Moran family.

I love how sweetly everyone gazed at him.  A new family member!  What could be more awesome?

Mary Claire was especially enthralled with him.  Both girls skipped school to witness the birth of their new cousin.  Mary Claire was jumping up and down with joy and snapping photos like mad. She was so excited.  I love it.

Matthew and William were under the care of Grandma and Grandpa while we were in the hospital, so later that morning Grandma showed up with the boys.

Will wasn't sure what to think when he walked in.  He sheepishly entered staying close to Grandma's side while Matt burst in through the door proudly holding a callalilly plant that was for me.  He was all smiles and definitely excited to be there.

I'm pretty sure he was proud to be a big brother for a second time.  I love this picture.

Will warmed up a little bit and agreed to come near the baby and even have him in his lap.  He wanted nothing to do with me.  I think he was unsure of what to make of his mother laying in a hospital bed hooked to weird stuff and looking puffy and tired.  It was scary, I admit!

Later, the boys watched as the nurse changed Johnathan's diaper.  He was dirty and as the nurse was changing more came out and it seems to have made quite an impression on Will.  Joyce said that that night at supper Will thanked God for baby Johnathan and for baby Johnathan's poo-poo. Awesome.

Alison, Josh and Emily made a special visit that day too.  She brought all kinds of treats for me and for all my little boys.  I can't think of a more thoughtful person.  It was wonderful to see them!

Uncle Tim and Aunt Pam came about lunch time to greet their new nephew.  Pam, in all her awesomeness, brought me a huge box of Tiff's Treats cookies for me (and Steven) to enjoy.  I had really, really been looking forward to those!  And boy did they deliver.  Hit the spot.

That evening, the Rener family stopped by for a visit and it was of course great to see them.  Zach and Steven headed over to Waterloo for the traditional new-baby-has-arrived celebratory beer.

It was a whirlwind of a day.  Wednesday morning I was feeling good and up and moving about well enough that I was ready to go home.  We told the nurse that was our desire and although surprised at our quick exit did everything she could to get us out of there as quickly as possible.  After a scare that they wouldn't let us leave because we couldn't get the carseat tight enough (finally with the help of a hospital staff member it met their requirements), we rolled out of there.  Goodness it was good to be home.

We arrived home just minutes before Matthew came home from school.  I love that Matt is waving to his baby brother.  So cute.  The boys have been great with Johnathan.  Both have been very helpful; in fact, the two of them were racing the other day to bring me the box of wipes.  Matt won.  Will is especially interested in what the baby is doing.  He has observed almost every diaper change and is the first to spring into action when he hears the baby cry..."oh no! Baby Johnathan--he's crying Mommy!!" He always wants to see him when he comes home, and he likes to tuck him in with blankets.  So far, the brothers are taking to their new brother very well.  I think these three are going to have a blast together.

Johnathan Lamar

When I sat down to start this blog entry, Steven teased me and said, "How to go about putting into words the wonder of bringing a new child into the world." I caught the sarcasm, but there's so much truth to what he said.  I can describe it as bearing witness to one of God's greatest miracles, and to be part of it is humbling, amazing, and beyond words.  On Monday, May 7th, 2012 we welcomed with outstanding joy our third son, Johnathan Lamar Jones.  He was born at 8:07 a.m. weighing 7 lb. 2 oz. and measuring 18 in.  His length is disputable though because 4 days later at the pediatrician's office they measured him at 19.5 in.  Twice just to be sure.  So, I'm thinking he wasn't stretched out enough for that first measurement at the hospital.  He also fills out newborn clothes a lot better than Will did who was also measured at 18 in. when he was born.  This leads me to believe that the pediatrician got it right.

I had another scheduled c-section this time, and we were told to arrive at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. to be ready for a 7:30 surgery.  Early, yes, but it's not like I slept well that night before so I was glad for the early start.  This is how ridiculous I looked.  It was time to get that baby out, am I right?  Praise God, everything went very smoothly with the surgery.  There is no more vulnerable a feeling than laying on that table while doctors and nurses swarm around you.  I'm glad they did though; they did a fabulous job.

This was my first look at Johnathan.  Fresh out of the womb and not happy about it.

While I was being put back together, Steven got to go with the baby for all the fun stuff.  He watched him get his bath and he got to cut his cord.

Proud Daddy and proud Mommy.

Who does Johnathan look like?  I haven't figured that out yet.  And believe me, I've been gazing at him a lot in the past week.  He looks different from his brothers, but more resembles Matt than Will.  He's his own little man.  He's long and skinny with a good head full of dark hair.  His eyes are looking blue, but that could change.  His fingers and toes both are really long, and his nose has a little upturn to it.

Johnathan definitely likes to eat; maybe not as much as his biggest brother Matt, but way more than Will did.  He sleeps the best after being fed and swaddled up tight.  He likes to have his little hands up by his face, but thankfully he's not scratching himself.  He makes all kinds of facial expressions while sleeping, it's fascinating to watch.  Right now he's doing a lot of eating and sleeping, but that will soon change.  I'm enjoying this sleepy phase where I can hold him while he sleeps and it doesn't disturb him.

I've known the boy for a week now and already I am in love.  He is a sweet, cuddly baby, and I can't cover him in enough kisses and love.  I don't know if it's because it's my 3rd, or if it's because I'm older, or if it's because this is my last go around, but I have much more appreciation and awe for what I have experienced and what God has allowed us to bring into our lives.  I'm soaking in every sweet moment with this precious boy because I know it flies by.  I look at Matthew and wonder how on earth he got so huge--and 6 years old?  It blows me away.  I'm looking forward to seeing what this boy does and who he is.  All I know is that I am so glad he is here and so thankful that God chose me to be his mom; what an indescribable blessing.  Welcome to the Jones family, Johnathan!  There's lots of love here.