Jack's circumcision

Johnny and I have always talked about having our boy's circumsion on the 8th day.
2 Reasons:
1. God says to do it in the bible.
2. We had heard a sermon somewhere that said medically the 8th day is the best for the blood flow.

It took some convincing to make sure the C happened on the 8th day. The doctor's office called no less than 3 times to try to change the date, but we kept insisting.

We were asked to bring 2 blankets, 1 for extra blood and the 2nd for swaddling after.
When we got to the appointment, the doctor told us she did the traditional Jewish C.
She had an intern with her and I told him that I felt led to share with him that we did not think there would be any extra blood and no trauma because the Lord commands the circumcision on the 8th day. They looked at us like we were crazy and a knowing glance to each other like, "Yeah, right."

We left Jack in there care. Minutes later the nurse comes out and asks Johnny for a pacifier. Johnny told her that we didn't have one. The nurse was quite surprised and actually made him repeat himself two more times as though he didn't understand the question. We thought this meant Jack was having a rough time. However, after the procedure was over, they brought us into where Jack was and informed us that he slept through the whole thing and that there was not any extra blood anywhere. Yay GOD!!

In fact, when we came back for our 1 month checkup the nurse made sure to mention that she remembered that he was the baby that slept through the C.

The story is not over, God made it beyond our expectations. After the C was done, our doctor called her friend who prayed a Hebrew blessing over Jack. We repeated it after her and then she prayed for him. It was an amazing moment in our lives.

All to say: Trust God, He is the same as yesterday, today and forever. He is always faithful to His Word.

Week 37 and beyond

So sorry it has been so long. Week 37 had a bit of a surprise for us. "Jack" yes our little boy came on the 1st day of the 37th week. March 30, 2011...now he is 10 weeks old. Healthy, beautiful and sweet.

Many have asked me to put our birth story on the blog. Here it is.

On the morning of March 30, 2011, I was following my normal routine. I had worked out which included running 1/4 mile for warm up and doing a circuit training weight routine that included 6 sets of sprints. I felt really great.

The girls and I in the locker room were discussing how long I would keep up the morning workouts as we were getting ready. While I was changing clothes I felt some discharge, but it was a little different than ever before. There was just a little and I thought...no big deal and continued on my way.

I spoke with Val while on the way to work about plans for her to come up for the delivery, finished the conversation around 8 am and headed into school. While walking down the hallway, I felt a swush and thought that is definitely different. I called Emily and when she got to school had her look. TMI I know, but the quote of the day was by Mrs. Emily Wade, "Did you smell it?" Me, "No, and I'm not going to have you smell it either!" We decided it best I call the doctor.

The doc's office said to go to the hospital to check it out. 9:00am Leah went with me to the hospital. I told Chasity, my assistant principal on the way out of the school that I would for sure be back.

At the hospital, they took 3 tests to see if it was amniotic fluid. The first 2 came back invalid, but the 3rd one was positive that it was my water breaking. On the monitor you could see that I was having contractions, but I wasn't feeling them and I had no more drainage.

12:00pm The doctor called me and said that I was in labor. If I didn't establish complete labor in 4 hours they would start me on pitocin. I said that we would discuss options in 4 hours and that I was not going to make a decision until Johnny was with me.

4:00pm The nurse came in and said she was going to start pitocin. We said "no" and asked to speak to Dr. Nilson.

4:40 pm. Dr. Nilson arrived at hospital. We asked if we could leave and go home. He said, "yes, but he would wash his hands of it." We compromised on rupturing the rest of my water.

Around 5:00 pm. He broke the water and said if I did not establish labor in 4 hours...pitocin would not be a choice that he would start it!

5:20 contractions started coming at 3 minutes apart

5:40 Val arrived from Dallas at the hospital to help assist labor.

10:17 pm Jack was born without any medication or pain relief. (And No Pitocin) Johnny announced the sex. Johnny said that it only took me 5 minutes of pushing/ 4 contractions.

John Motter Gaffney IV "Jack" 7 lbs 6 oz, 19 inches long

Kathy, our doula said that I was very considerate to have Jack in time so she could go home and sleep in her own bed.

We feel very blessed to have had our experience and so thankful for all of you to continue to walk with us on our journey.

Jack is so healthy and a sweet baby. At 2 months he was 12 lbs 12 oz and 23 1/2 inches long.

From here check back ever so often...I still don't have a computer at home (I'm using my mom's) If I get a chance I will post of our adventures. Next post...his circumcision; It is a good God story.