One Month!

I can't believe Owen is one month old already!! My goodness it has gone by quickly. But then, I can hardly remember life without him. What did I do before I had diapers to change, parenting books to read, pacifiers to keep track of, and a little person attached to my boobs all day?

I can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my first month as a parent. Owen is everything I hoped he would be and so much more. Everyday he brings something new to my life. Looking forward to his first smiles, first words, first steps is what keeps me getting up in the morning (and the middle of the night. and from a nap. and from the 90 seconds of sleep I try to sneak in at red lights).

Here are some new photos from Owen's first month.

Tummy Time!

He's very unsure about something... or plotting to steal a piece of my chocolate cake. Hard to tell!

We call this his "Blue Steel" Face (from Zoolander)

First Bath in the Tub!

He loves the bath!

Didn't want to get out.

Daddy Diapering Disaster

To get back at Owen for pooping on him, Dave decided to dress Owen in an elf suit and take embarrassing pictures.

Outing to Kitsilano Beach

Keeping warm!

Family Photos...

Have you ever tried to get a newborn and a puppy to look at the camera at the same time? Pretty much impossible. In this photo we got neither.

Owen loves to stare at the lights on the Christmas tree.

Owen's awesome new swing. He loves it. Mommy loves it even more!

Family and Friends

Since Owen has been home we have had visits from his Grandma and Grandpa Brantley, Grandma Jones, and Uncle Andy, who have all come a long way to meet him. Even though we live so far from our families we think it is really important for Owen to grow up close to his relatives and are very glad so many were able to come out here to celebrate his birth. He looks forward to meeting the rest of you!

Dave, Owen and I want to thank all our friends and family who have supported us through pregnancy and Owen's arrival. We couldn't do it without you! Owen brings us so much joy and love, and we hope you will enjoy having another Brantley Jones (no hyphen!) in this world.

Owen and his Grandpa Brantley

Owen and his Grandma Jones

Owen and his Uncle Andy

Welcome Owen Kelly Jones!

Owen Kelly Jones found his way into this world on November 14, 2009. Since it was well in advance of his due date, I had many doubts that I was really in labor! I started having mild contractions and noticed my water was leaking on Friday, November 13. Because the pain was so mild and my contractions weren't regular, I wasn't sure I was if it was really labor or just discomfort. Around 11pm Dave finally convinced me to go to the hospital and get checked out. I took my time getting ready, packed up a hospital bag "just in case", and went reluctantly. I was sure they would tell me I was worried over nothing and send me home for another three weeks!

Once I got to the hospital, a quick test confirmed that my amniotic fluid was indeed leaking and thus I would be staying in the hospital that night to have the baby! Dave and I tried to process that idea while the nurses got us settled in a delivery suite. After performing the necessary tests and hooking up an IV, the nurse told me to "get some sleep" and then left us alone. Ha!

Dave, of course, had no trouble sleeping and passed out for several hours. I took a shower,painted my nails, read a few magazines, and labored through my increasing contractions!

Here I am in the delivery suite, realizing we have reached the point of no return- this kid is coming out!

My doctor came in around 6 am and decided to break my water (it had been leaking before, but had not actually broken) to help move things along. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later my contractions were strong enough to have me doubled over and yelling at the nurses to bring on the painkillers! Within an hour I stretched from 2cm to 7cm, and by 9:30 am I was in active labor and trying to push out the baby. It took about 2.5 hours of serious pushing, but I was able to deliver him without any major interventions.

Here is the first picture of Owen and I, taken only a minute after he was born. What a relief to have a happy, healthy baby, and to know the worst was over!

There was a little drama after Owen's delivery, when I wouldn't stop bleeding and went into shock. It took a while for them to figure out I had a very small tear which was causing the hemorrhage. This resulted in a few stitches and several extra hours of observation before I was moved to the recovery room, but was a minor complication overall.

Dr. Ableman measured the baby at 6 lbs. 7 oz. and 21 inches long.

Dave and a clean, bundled up Owen!

Resting up in the recovery room.

Dave had called my mom when I checked into the hospital the night before, and she caught an early flight out on Saturday morning. She managed to get to the hospital only an hour or so after Owen was born and was very excited to meet her first grandchild. We also had visits from Arash, Peter, Gabi and Csilla while we were in the hospital.

Owen and his Grandma Brantley

Owen and Arash

Owen and Peter

Owen with Gabi and Csilla

And on Monday morning, we headed home! We bundled Owen up in his clothes (which were too big) and car seat and braved the cold, rainy Vancouver weather to bring him to his first home!

And away we go!