The Jones Family: June 2011

ALOT has happened over the last 6 or 7 months.

I really struggled at the end of my pregnancy with Meredith! It was both physically and emotionally taxing, not that it's not hard on any woman that has been pregnant, but I'm a little more dramatic and well let's just say a big baby! Wes is the most active 2 1/2 year old I have ever seen, so before the day would even get started good, I was exhausted. He weighs roughly 38 lbs and is solid, towards the end I couldn't even pick him up anymore. I was getting to the point that I begged the doctor everytime I went in for a check up to please induce me! I just knew that I would have to be induced like I was with Wesley, a week late. I didn't want to wait until 41 weeks to see Meredith, and I'm sure Jason was sick of hearing me whine and cry about how I can't take being pregnant anymore :) Finally at about 37 weeks I was having strong contractions about 15 minutes apart. Jason was at work so I called my mom to start heading over to get Wes. My contractions continued to progress and were eventually 3 minutes apart, they were strong but not too bad. Jason came home from work a little early and we went to the hospital. To my disappointment I was not progressing and my contractions stopped. I was not a happy camper, on the way home Jason stopped to get me Krispy Kreme donuts...I felt a little better :) Well around a week and a half later on Wed. March 30th I decided to finish painting the bathroom we just remodeled, I had tried just about everything to get labor going so I figured I might as well get something done. Jason was working until 2am and it was Wes and I at home just hanging out. I had a few contractions but nothing major. I went to bed and woke up a little early to a few strong ones. I didn't think much about it because I was NOT going to the hospital again with a false alarm! Once Jason woke up I said lets go walk around Target, I was having really pretty strong contractions about 15-12 mintues apart and they were getting stronger. So I called my mom and said I would pack Wes a bag in case we needed to go on. We stopped to get gas on the way to Target and my contractions were getting much closer, about 5 minutes apart. I called the dr. and they said I should go straight to the hospital, remembering my disappointment just a week and a half earlier I talked the nurse into letting me just come into the office for a quick check. She reluctantly said ok but if they got any closer or stronger to call back and head straight to the hospital. Shortly after I got off the phone my contractions got stronger and 3 minutes apart. At this point we called my mom to meet us at the hospital and Jason was driving about 90mph down 440. We got checked in quickly and things moved along nicely until about 6:00 that evening when Meredith was born, only 5 hours after arriving at the hospital. She weighed 8lbs 3ozs and was 22" long, her full name is Meredith Lauren Jones. She was beautiful!

My older sister was trying to make it in time for the birth, but flew in from Utah only a couple hours late. She ran by the hospital around 1am on the way to my parent's house from the airport to get a quick peak at Meredith. She was here for a few days with her youngest, Lizzie. It was so great to have her here for a few short days to share this wonderful time with us. Wes enjoyed the attention he got from Aunt Ena as well! He didn't want mama, he wanted Aunt Ena!!

A week after Meredith was born Jason's dad and Grandma drove up from Atlanta to help out and visit. We loved having them and they were a HUGE help! Jason's mom and brother then came in to help, we loved having everyone come to visit and help out, we couldn't have done it without our family!

While they were here, we had the worst tornados come through right down the street from us, we were very lucky to not have any damage. A couple weeks after that we made a trip to Denver, Meredith was only about 5 1/2 weeks old, but that made for the best traveler. Wes on the other hand was a little more difficult, thank goodness for portable DVD players! Wes had the best time playing with his cousins Kate and Ella and I loved all the company and help.

Wes has had a rough transition into life as a big brother, he wanted us to leave her at my Uncle Steve's house and then asked if we could take her back to the hospital...sorry little guy. We have tried hard to keep him busy with activities and "socializing" him more. We had the opportunity to meet up with Papa and Jackson and his Grandpa at Hillridge Farm to ride the train. Wes loves to ride the train, we can't tell him we are planning to go too early in advance or he will have a melt down until we get there!

I'm sure at some point over the past 10 seasons of American Idol you have watched a time or two, well this year was special. The American Idol was Scotty McCreery from Garner, NC. Garner has become quite popular thanks to Scotty. We had a concert and parade for Scotty when he became one of the final 4. Being the wife of a Garner town employee, we were able to walk in the parade! It was very hot, and I never even got to see Scotty but it was a neat experience. Jason had to work the event, and he got to actually meet him.

We had a wonderful time at the annual Memorial Day pool party held at Fred and Diane's next door to my

parent's. It was a perfect day spent with great people, great food, and fun in the sun! We always love spending time with Fred and Diane, they are so good to us and our family. Wes is becoming quite the little swimmer as well, it took him a while to get used to the pool again this season but now he's like a little fish.

Wow that was a lot, hopefully I won't wait too long for the next post!

This has been a very difficult year for our family, but thanks to friends, and extended family we have made it through and will continue to "keep on keepin on"!