http://www.jakeandwendy.com
I can't believe Dash is already one week old! Although Jake & I are both exhausted from lack of sleep, we're so happy and love him so much. He sleeps really well and eats great and only cries when he has a good reason : ) He had a little jaundice his first few days home from the hospital but it's all gone now and even his little umbilical cord has fallen off. Our dog Ella is still very curious about this new little crying creature in our house, at first she wouldn't go near him but now every time she comes in the room she runs to him and sniffs him to make sure he's okay and even tries to steal a little lick on the head every now and then.
Jake's mom spent the week spoiling us and loving her first grandchild. She was wonderful to cook us meals and she cleared the Kmart clearance rack for her first and favorite grandson. She was sad to leave us on Friday but we're looking forward to spending Dash's first Christmas with her and her family this year.
Dash's Grandma Lewis and his Aunt Jennifer arrived on Thursday to take their turn getting to know him and they've been amazing! They've been cooking and cleaning and sewing every since they got here and we love having them around. Jennifer spent the whole weekend sewing me a sling for Dash and it turned out sooo cute. She had to fly home this morning so it was a short visit but we're so glad she came.
Jake heads back to work tomorrow so he's getting all the time he can with Dash. He's a great daddy, he wakes up with him at night and won't put him down during the day - I've loved having him home this week with us. Jake always tells me that Dash is smiling at him and he gets a little angry when we tell him it's just gas. Our second night home from the hospital I 
tried to wake Jake up to put Dash in his bassinet but he was so tired he was having a hard time understanding what I was asking him to do. He finally took him from me but he just set him on the bed and fell back asleep - I asked him again "Jake, can you please put Dash back in his bed?" to which he responded "what do you want me to do with these leftovers?" I immediately stole Dash back from him and put him in his bed just in case Jake was thinking about putting him in the fridge.
Dash and I were discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon and we finally got to bring all of his cuteness home with us. Jake and I are so in love with him! On the way home we introduced him to music, I think he really liked the Teitur we let him listen to : ) He's been nothing but perfect, he only cries when he's hungry or needs his diaper changed and he just loves to be held by anyone and everyone. After we returned home, most of Jake's family had to get on the road back to Utah - we'll sure miss them, it was wonderful having them here for the weekend. Jake's mom, Inge, is going to spend the rest of the week here and then his Grandma Lewis and Auntie Jennifer are going to come on Thursday. We're just so happy and feeling so blessed with this little baby and our supportive families. More to come soon!
wendy & jake & baby dash
Jake and I were scheduled to check into the hospital around 7:30 pm on Friday September 5, 2008 so I could get induced. We spent most of the day doing last-minute cleaning, dropping off Ella at her doggy hotel, and resting. We stopped by Costa Vida (it's like Cafe Rio) next to the hospital for dinner and had some extra time so we wandered around Super Target until it was time to check in. After we got to Sky Ridge they showed us to our room which felt more like a hotel room than a hospital room - it was exciting and nerve-wracking to know I would be in that room when the baby was born. We got settled in and they put an IV in my arm, they took all my vitals and we filled out some paperwork. They examined me and I hadn't progressed very far but the baby was dropped low and head down.
Around 10 pm they gave me medication to help get the process going. At 2 am they gave me another capsule and at 6 am they prepared me for the 3rd (after which I would get Petosin to help my labor start) but I had already started having some contractions so they decided I didn't need that 3rd capsule or IV medication. My contractions got stronger and stronger and by 9 am they were so strong I was holding onto the bed and Jake was rubbing my back with each one. They okayed me for my epidural and WOW, I started feeling great about 10 minutes after the shot... I think I momentarily fell in love with the anesthesiologist and I told Jake to immediately go out and buy him some roses. Jake and I both fell fast asleep for a couple hours and by the time we woke the nurse told us I was ready to start pushing! Jake's family had just arrived at the hospital after driving from Provo so they came in and gave us hugs really quick. Jake and his dad gave me a wonderful blessing to help all go well. At that point I wasn't feeling the contractions hardly at all so I was excited and feeling strong and confident. I pushed for 4 contractions and then out he came! The doctor pulled out his head and shoulders and Jake got to pull him out the rest of the way! He also got to cut the umbilical cord and then placed Dash on my chest. All I could see was the top of his slimy head but it was the cutest slimy head I'd ever seen.
Dash Leinelo Reni was born at 11:24 am, at 6 lbs 10 oz. and 19 inches long. He has his daddy's lips and chin and his mommy's eyes and long feet. His middle name (pronounced LAY-EH-NELO) is a combination of his mommy's middle name (Leigh) and his Great Great Grandpa's name (Nello) who was very very dear to Jake's father.
We love him so much and we're just so grateful for the blessing and miracle of having the opportunity to raise him.
Jake & Dash snuggling on the couch in my hospital room. I think this is the best they've both slept all day.
