Two months old

Jackson's two month appointment was September 19, 2011. He weighed a whopping 13 pounds and 9 ounces. He's a healthy boy for sure! He got two series of shots and an oral vaccination. He was a lot happier at this check up UNTIL he got the shots. Poor little guy turned blood red and screamed so loud that no sound came out. The nurse replied "another happy customer"! After a few minutes of mommy loving on him he calmed down. Since Jackson projectile vomited on Jared the 2 days prior to this appointment, the doctor explained that he had "grown out" of his dosage of zantac and increased the dosage. Once again, Jackson is developing perfectly! We are blessed beyond belief!

One Month old

Jackson's first month check up was on August 26, 2011. He weighed 11 pounds and 13 ounces. He got his second Hepatits B vaccination. Most babies scream and cry when they get a shot. Don't get me wrong, Jackson screamed and cried, but did this throughout the whole appointment. Before this check up Jared and I had noticed that Jackson seemed to be very uncomfortable and spitting/throwing up frequently. I discussed this with his pediatrician and he diagnosed him with reflux. He prescribed him zantac to take twice per day. Other than having reflux, Jackson is developing perfectly!

Meet Jackson Layne

Jackson Layne Pendleton was born July 19, 2011 at 12:45 AM in Roanoke Memorial Hospital! He weighed in at 8 pounds 1.5 ounces and measured 20 inches long. He came into the world with a head full of black hair just like his mommy did!

It was only 9 months, but my pregnancy felt like 9 years!

I had a fairly "normal" pregnancy until I was 28 weeks pregnant. It was easter weekend when I noticed that I had some increased swelling. I called the doctor and he asked me to make an office visit. At this office visit my hands, legs, and feet were swollen and my blood pressure was elevated. At this time the doctor recommended that I start working 6 hour days and resting the remainder of the time. I did as the doc asked and even watched my salt intake. I had weekly doctor visits to monitor my BP, labs, and swelling. Decreasing my activity didn't really seem to help my blood pressure. I was able to work until i was 36-37 weeks pregnant. It was at that time that the doctor felt it would be best for me to stop working and be on partial bedrest to decrease any risks that my high blood pressure could be causing my and the baby. Five days before my due date the doctor recommended that my labor be induced because the swelling and blood pressure was starting to get worse. On July 18 i was induced at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. After being in labor for 12 hours I had only dilated 2 centimeters, the baby had not dropped and my BP was at a dangerous 200/100. It was at this time the doctor recommended a C-section. I did not disagree with this decision because I knew it was what was best for Jackson.

For every death, there is a new life

On September 12, 2010 my dad lost his battle with cancer. Seven weeks later I was pregnant with a little boy! It was a bittersweet feeling. I was ecstatic to know that I would be a mother, but sad to think that my dad would never meet him. When we found out it was a boy I immediately knew that I wanted to name him after my dad. My dad's name was John Harold and went by Jack. Jared and I decided to modernize the name Jack and name our baby boy Jackson. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of my dad and I can't wait to tell Jackson about his pawpaw "Jack"!