Birth Story: Reese William Jensen

Wow! Where do I even begin? I wanted to get our birth story out there because 1) it's this weird time in life where technology has become so much more important in staying connected with everyone. And 2) I want to keep this memory forever and I felt like having this typed out would help with that. 

 

Jared and I were given the option to induce pretty early on in this pregnancy. My doctor had said he would like to at 39 weeks but we would talk about it when the time got closer. 

Everything about this pregnancy was BEAUTIFUL and HEALTHY. Other than the normal 1st trimester morning sickness and the growing aches n pains, everything looked so good. 

We set a date to be induced on May 11th, we would go in the night before to just start the process of softening my cervix. We got to the hospital at 6:15pm. That night everything was going well. Jared and I got some sleep and light contractions started. The only problem was I was still dilated 1cm and that stayed like that until they started pitocin at 7:30am Monday.

Contractions started but there was really no progress. I would just cry everytime the nurse would check and tell me I was still a 1. 

My doctor came in and discussed a Foley balloon to help my body past this hump. Not a pleasant experience  haha but it got things moving and grooving!!! Then, Contractions really started going. Those were the most painful things I have felt. (Side note both rooms on either side of us were unmedicated births. To all you mama's that did unmedicated births, you are freaking rockstars!) I could not handle these contractions. They came on fast and fierce. There were 0 breaks between them and they were sent from hell haha. I didn’t know I could make sounds like I did when I hit a peak in the contraction. Jared was so great! He held me and loved me.  Luckily the love of my life (the anesthesiologist hahaha! Sorry Jared but… ya know) came to the rescue and gave me an epidural at 10 am. Jared sat in front of me and held me, I held tight to his thighs and put my forehead on his. Let me tell you, the best feeling in the world is feeling that epidural kick in and the pain go away almost instantly.  After that I was a whole new woman. 

My water broke an hour or two later which helped me dilate. 

It was pretty much a waiting and checking game the rest of the day. I finally got to 9cm later that evening. 

Then came the shift change and we got our 4th nurse. My doctor was already at the hospital for a shift so he came in about 11pm and the nurse told him the baby's hand was in the way which made my cervix not want to dilate fully.  But when she moved it,  BANG it was time to push.  We did a few practice pushes and discovered that  He was still face up. The doctor wanted to try and spin him but after about an hour and another doctor there was no luck. They started to talk about doing a C- section. I was totally devastated. I wanted nothing more than to push my baby out. 

My doctor called in the hospitals on call c-section doctor and he gave it one last ditch effort to turn the baby. 

With a little help from a vacuum, and pushing from 1am to 4:57am Reese William Jensen was born. 

Because of how long it took and how hard it was they had the NICU team on standby. 

When he was out they whisked him to the corner and started to clear his airways and get him to cry. That was a little scary because he didn't really start to cry. We would hear a little sound but nothing we really wanted to hear. 

Jared and I were able to have a moment where it felt like time stood still .Jared held me as we cried and prayed. I will never forget looking over through the ocean of people to catch a glimpse of Reese. All I could see were his cute little feet, and that was all I needed to see to comfort my soul. 

With all the commotion, and craziness it felt like Jared and I were the only ones there.  Even though there were about 12- 15 people in the room. 

The NICU team took Reese to start him on oxygen, Jared was able to go with him. One of the 3 doctors that was there explained to me Reese just needed a little extra help inflating his lungs, which usually takes a baby 30 minutes to fully feel better. But our little man is a fighter and was back in the delivery room within about 10 minutes. 

Jared was able to hold Reese and spend those precious first few moments with him while I got stitched up. I had a 3rd degree tear so it took all 3 doctor's two hours to stitch me up. In the meantime, someone had turned off my epidural so I was starting to feel the aches, pains, pokes, and pulls of every stitch. Luckily the wonderful anesthesiologist was able to come and give me a quick shot so I could be relieved again. 

I was finally able to hold my son around 7:00am and it was the most beautiful experience. Such a tender mercy. 

My Birth experience was not one I was expecting. It definitely wasn't the one I wanted. But I wouldn't change a thing. I know that sounds crazy, but every moment taught me something about myself. It reaffirmed to me that Jared is the best husband and support person I could ask for. Our relationship was definitely strengthened. Our family grew, and the love in our hearts overflowed. 

My testimony in the power of prayer grew exponentially through those 36 hours.  My Heavenly Father heard and answered every prayer offered up in that room. I feel so much closer to Him and feel so much more love from my Heavenly Father. Jared and I are so blessed. We love our little man. He is so perfect. I can not believe that he is actually here with us. Looking at him, it just amazes me that he was inside me. It feels like he has been with us for eternity.  We are so so  so blessed and lucky. . 

Reese William Jensen 

May 12th 2020 4:57am 

7lbs 8oz 

20 inches

And so our greatest adventure begins...

He is here!

Wow! Where do I even begin? I wanted to get our birth story out there because 1) it's this weird time in life where technology has become so much more important in staying connected with everyone. And 2) I want to keep this memory forever and I felt like having this typed out would help with that. 

First off let me just say, this also is not an attempt to gain recognition or pity. (You'll understand why I say that as you read) Also every birth story is unique and beautiful in it's own way and we ask that only positive comments be given and there be no judgement. 

Jared and I were given the option to induce pretty early on in this pregnancy. My doctor had said he would like to at 39 weeks but we would talk about it when the time got closer. 

Everything about this pregnancy was BEAUTIFUL and HEALTHY. Other than the normal 1st trimester morning sickness and the growing aches n pains, everything looked so good. 

We set a date to be induced on May 11th, we would go in the night before to just start the process of softening my cervix. We got to the hospital at 6:15pm. That night everything was going well. Jared and I got some sleep and light contractions started. The only problem was I was still dilated 1cm and that stayed like that until they started pitocin at 7:30am Monday.

Contractions started but there was really no progress. I would just cry every time the nurse would check and tell me I was still a 1. 

My doctor came in and discussed a Foley balloon to help my body past this hump. Not a pleasant experience  haha but it got things moving and grooving!!! Then, Contractions really started going. Those were the most painful things I have felt. (Side note both rooms on either side of us were unmedicated births. To all you mama's that did unmedicated births, you are freaking rock stars!) I could not handle these contractions. They came on fast and fierce. There were 0 breaks between them and they were sent from hell haha. I didn’t know I could make sounds like I did when I hit a peak in the contraction. Jared was so great! He held me and loved me.  Luckily the love of my life (the anesthesiologist) came to the rescue and gave me an epidural at 10 am. Jared sat in front of me and held me, I held tight to his thighs and put my forehead on his. Let me tell you, the best feeling in the world is feeling that epidural kick in and the pain goes away almost instantly.  After that I was a whole new woman. 

My water broke an hour or two later which helped my cervix dilate. 

It was pretty much a waiting and checking game the rest of the day. I finally got to 9cm later that evening. 

Then came the shift change and we got our 4th nurse. My doctor was already at the hospital for a shift so he came in about 11pm and the nurse told him the baby's hand was in the way which made my cervix not want to dilate fully.  But when she moved it,  BANG it was time to push.  We did a few practice pushes and discovered that  He was still face up. The doctor wanted to try and spin him but after about an hour and another doctor there was no luck. They started to talk about doing a C- section. I was totally devastated. I wanted nothing more than to push my baby out. 

My doctor called in the hospitals on call c-section doctor and he gave it one last ditch effort to turn the baby. 

With a little help from a vacuum, and pushing from 1am to 4:57am Reese William Jensen was born. 

Because of how long it took and how hard it was they had the NICU team on standby. 

When he was out they whisked him to the corner and started to clear his airways and get him to cry. That was a little scary because he didn't really start to cry. We would hear a little sound but nothing we really wanted to hear. 

Jared and I were able to have a moment where it felt like time stood still .Jared held me as we cried and prayed. I will never forget looking over through the ocean of people to catch a glimpse of Reese. All I could see were his cute little feet, and that was all I needed to see to comfort my soul. 

With all the commotion, and craziness it felt like Jared and I were the only ones there.  Even though there were about 12- 15 people in the room. 

The NICU team took Reese to start him on oxygen, Jared was able to go with him. One of the 3 doctors that was there explained to me Reese just needed a little extra help inflating his lungs, which usually take a baby 30 minutes to fully feel better. But our little man is a fighter and was back in the delivery room within about 10 minutes. 

Jared was able to hold Reese and spend those precious first few moments with him while I got stitched up. I had a 3rd degree tear so it took all 3 doctor's two hours to stitch me up. In the meantime, someone had turned off my epidural so I was starting to feel the aches, pains, pokes, and pulls of every stitch. Luckily the wonderful anesthesiologist was able to come and give me a quick shot so I could be relieved again. 

I was finally able to hold my son around 7:00am and it was the most beautiful experience. Such a tender mercy. 

My Birth experience was not one I was expecting. It definitely wasn't the one I wanted. But I wouldn't change a thing. I know that sounds crazy, but every moment taught me something about myself. It reaffirmed to me that Jared is the best husband and support person I could ask for. Our relationship was definitely strengthened. Our family grew, and the love in our hearts overflowed. 

My testimony in the power of prayer grew exponentially through those 36 hours.  My Heavenly Father heard and answered every prayer offered up in that room. I feel so much closer to Him and feel so much more love from my Heavenly Father. Jared and I are so blessed. We love our little man. He is so perfect. I can not believe that he is actually here with us. Looking at him, it just amazes me that he was inside me. It feels like he has been with us for eternity.  We are so so  so blessed and lucky..

Reese William Jensen 

May 12th 2020 4:57am 

7lbs 8oz 

20 inches

Dear Reese,

I am so excited to be your mom. I still can't believe that I have you. You are such a precious little baby boy. My favorite time I spend with you is right before you go to bed. The lights are dimmed, Lullubuys on. And you eating. I love how you look up at me as to make sure I am still there with you.

I am not going to lie, I am still nervous and scared to be your mom. I want to be the best mom possible for you. I hope that you know I will always try my hardest. I will make mistakes. But know that I will never ever stop loving you.

You are so perfect.

I am so excited to watch you grow up and see who you become. You already have such a cute personality.

Daddy and Mommy love you!

Me, Myself, and I.

{WARNING: THIS POST IS NOT A PITY PARTY FOR ME. IT IS NOT TO GAIN ATTENTION. THIS POST IS FOR MYSELF. OPENING UP ABOUT SENSITIVE SUBJECTS. AND HOPING THAT I CAN HELP SOMEONE WHO IS IN THE SAME BOAT AS ME. NO RUDE OR HARSH COMMENTS. ALL WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY AND YOU WILL BE BLOCKED FROM ALL OF MY SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, AND REPORTED.}

I am shaking as I write this and I don't even know if I am really going to post this... But here it goes. 

I have been wanting to write something like this for a while now. But the fear of being judged over takes me every time I try too. 

But I know I need too. 

For me. 

or maybe someone else needs to read these words. 

I am going to be very open and honest about myself and the thoughts and feelings that are flowing through me now. 

It's so scary. 

I am the type of person (or like to think that I am) who doesn't let the past really affect my future.
But the past does make up who I am.
I have always struggled with having a positive self image. Or really being happy with the way I look or feel.
Through out Jr. high and High school I really struggled. It was hard. 
I think its hard for anyone.
There was one thing that really helped me move forward and try to love my self was being involved with dance and acting. That helped to forget all the negative thoughts I was having and to enjoy my life so much more. 

But every now and again those evil thoughts would press through and I would get down on myself again. 
I didn't really have the healthiest of relationships either. 
Something that I never told anyone was that one of my boy friends was  body shaming me. I felt like I had to be perfect for him. and he would tell me. 
I was always told that I needed to lose weight or that I needed to dress/do my make up a certain way because he didn't like the way I was doing it. 
That left a huge scar. 
That scar sometimes gets reopened. 
and the sad thing is, 
I do it myself. 
I feel like I need to look a certain way for the ones that I love. 
But I am reminded daily that those who love me, truly love me,  love me for who I am. 
I am 22 and those evil thoughts still pop up every day. I have to REALLY push through them some days. 
Its hard. 
The devil can be so pushy. 
Because of these awful thoughts that continually plague me over and over again. I will often question if God truly loves me. If I am truly one of His divine daughters.
 I have always known that I am a daughter of God, but to believe that I am divine... 
That is really hard . 
In October 2017 there was a General Conference talk given by Sister Joy D. Jones "Value beyond Measure."  In her talk she quotes President Spencer W. Kimball. 
"“God is your Father. He loves you. He and your Mother in heaven value you beyond any measure. … You are unique. One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life.

“Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual. The whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for each of you to reach your fullest potential, which is eternal progression and the possibility of godhood.”2
(here is a link to that talk I think everyone should read!
https://www.lds.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/value-beyond-measure?lang=eng) 

He and my Heavenly Mother value ME.... ME! Beyond measure.  

This was such a good reminder, He knows me. Like He actually knows me and how hard I can be 

on myself. But he loves me and values me more than I can measure. 

I need to value myself like my Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother value me. 

That is something that I can do. 

Not by myself, but with My Savior. 

He can teach me how to truly value myself. 

So, My journey begins. 

I am on the path to loving myself more and more each day. 

I know that as I work on myself I can learn to love me. 

I have an amazing support system. and I am so excited to see the results through out my journey. 

Now, I know that part of this is becoming physically healthier. 

Something I think we all dread once in awhile ;) 

Working out can be so hard! Being motivated is even worse. I  started a work out plan about a week ago and it can be discouraging at times, because I can't do everything like everyone else. But I keep trying. I push through and I can feel myself getting stronger each day! 

I have now started a work out program that I love! 

 I can already feel the difference. I am truly starting to love myself and feel better. I don't have as many hurtful thoughts, and I am happier. 

I am actually excited to work out, eat healthier and feel better. 

Part of this journey is letting my walls down... 

and this is something I have never done. 

It is so scary to me. 

I am SO embarrassed.. 

But it's something I need to do in order to really improve.. 

So, 

here 

we 

go. 

BEFORE PICTURES. 

January 14th 2019

This program I am doing is 21 days long. So at the end of the 21 days I will post a update!! 

Thanks for all of your love and support. 

2018 a year in review

I seem to always start out by saying "it's been awhile since I have posted..." Well, I guess it has been! It's about that time of year when everyone sends out their Christmas card and their year updates and I thought "yeah! it would be so fun to do our first Christmas card and have a cute picture of us." But let's be real, How the heck am I gonna get Jared to do a fun (or what I think would be fun) photo shoot? ;) Sorry Jared, but am I wrong? ;) 

No. 

I decided that a blog post would work too. 

For anyone who cares about our life, your welcome! If you don't you probably haven't even read this far. 

Our first year of marriage has been everything and more! It's been the good, the bad, and the ugly, and the most wonderful thing. 

We are about to celebrate one year in January. January 12th. Time is such a weird thing. I feel like this year has gone by so fast but also has been a slow year. 

We are both in school, Jared is studying Communications. He is hoping to become a sports journalist. Jared has been working really hard and we hope he graduates spring 2020! Jared also works full time at the Hospital as Valet and gets to park some awesome cars. 

I am studying Special Education. I hope to become a teacher! When will I graduate? That's a surprise! For you and me ;) 

I work at Freedom Preparatory Academy as an aide in the special ed. department. And it is a very interesting job. Everyday, all day. 

We both love to get out and do things, that don't cost a ton of $$$. But we have still have lots of fun. 

We went to California for spring break. We stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Evans in San Jose, which we enjoyed getting lost in and finding new places to explore. 

We made a stop in San Francisco and had lunch with Great-Grandpa and Grandma Schubert. and again had fun getting lost and exploring. 

We had a a great summer, and jumped back into school. 

We just finished our second semester as a married couple, and we are both still alive. 

Take that how you want it! ;) 

We are excited to enjoy our first Christmas married and have a fun trip to Georgia to visit Jared's mission. 

We have loved this past year and can't wait for the next year and the new adventures we have planned. 

"Every love story is beautiful but ours in my favorite."

I am married... 

I still wake up some mornings in shock that I am actually married to the man of my dreams! I know, I know my title and what I just said is SO cliche! But really I love our story and I love waking up amazed at the man next to me. He truly is amazing. 

Our last 6 months has been beautiful. We have learned so much about each other, about love, about marriage. It's been wonderful. 

I have been a hopeless romantic my whole life. Before being married I pictured marriage as this blissful, romantic, simple thing. But it hasn't been exactly what I expected. Don't get me wrong marriage has been wonderful! It's been so much better! 

I realized that I didn't need all the big romantic things or the sweet lovey dovey stuff. I just need the most amazing husband who loves me for who I am and supports me in everything. That's what I have learned has been the best. That's what has been the most life changing and important thing to me. Now I do think that being romantic and lovey dovey is important, but a relationship shouldn't be based solely off all that material stuff. There needs to be more. More, and deep. There isn't just 2 people in a marriage. There is more. 3 more actually.  Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Can I just say that with out those 3, I don't think marriage would every really "work out" or be as blissful. I'll admit we've had our fair share of not reading our scriptures or praying as often as we should here and there. But when we do, our days are so much better. 

I remember testifying on my mission of how important family is and who the gospel really does bless families. I knew that it did. I saw that in my family growing up. But I didn't really understand how much it blesses families until we started our own little family. (note: we are not expecting.. just considering Jared and I to be our little family unit, for now ;))  

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to his eternal plan" (The Family A Proclamation The World; The First Presidency And Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) . So why not involve him in every aspect of the marriage. Something I am sure all of us can do better, and will get better with over time. We have eternity to learn that. 

I've loved everything about our marriage. Everything. Bad, good. I wouldn't change a thing. We still have so much to improve but I am excited for every step. 

  

"Marriage is a Mosaic you build with your spouse. Million of tiny moments that create your love story" (Author unknown)  

"And They Lived Happily Ever After!"

Every little girls dreams of her wedding day. What colors she will have, What her dress is going to be like, What the cake and flowers will be. Every detail of every moment is planned out since she was 7 years old. At least that is how I was! 

I had my dream wedding planned over and over again. Everything was going to be perfect. Nothing would go wrong and the groom would be eye candy for the ladies. 

And... that is exactly how my wedding was. Perfect. absolutely perfect. Don't get me wrong, things didn't go according to every detail I planned when I was 7, of course styles and colors change, But it was exactly what I had dreamed of as a little girl. I had the man of my dreams wrapped around my arm. Or more like I was wrapped around his arm. 

We were married in the most beautiful castles in all of the land, The Provo City Center Temple. Now most of you may know this story already but my guess is most of you don't so Ill give you the low key version. When I was little we would go to stake conference in the  Provo Tabernacle. In each of the four corners of the tabernacle there were beautiful, winding, green carpeted stairs. Oh how I loved those stairs! I know weird huh.. But I loved walking down those stairs and pretending I was marrying my knight in shinning armor. I would often tell my mom that I wanted to get married in that building, and she would remind me that it wasn't a Temple so I couldn't be married there. But that dream was still there and would never go away. 

When the tabernacle burned down I was devastated, SO many wonderful memories. SO many little girl dreams. But the greatest news ever came in General Conference 2011, President Thomas S. Monson announced that they would be rebuilding the tabernacle into a Temple. My little girl dreams become a reality! 

7 years later on January 12th 2018 I was married to the love of my life, Jared Jensen. It was the most beautiful day of my life. It literally was perfect. Nothing went wrong, Or I wasn't told anything was going wrong. My colors were perfect, My dress was perfect, and The flowers were gorgeous, But, in all honesty, None of that really mattered. What mattered most to me was that I was sealed for time and all eternity to my best friend. Someone who loves me for who I am and never judges. I am so in love and my life for Him and my Father in Heaven grows more and more each and everyday. I can't wait to see were our next chapter in life takes us. Our happily ever after is only beginning, And we only have eternity to go. 

2017: " A year I will never forget"

2017 was truly a year I will never forget. To be honest I was worried that 2017 was gonna be that awkward year... the year where nothing really big happens, I don't accomplish a whole lot, and It ends in a mediocre way.  

I WAS  TOTALLY WRONG!!!  

So many wonderful things happened, The biggest and best one was finding the love of my life.

Jared and I met almost year ago. How? Well we could make up a cute story about how we bumped into each other in the halls at school... but I wasn't going to school when we met so that wouldn't work. How about through Mutual friends?? ya that'd work... But we didn't know we knew some of the same people until after we started dating... The truth and the perfect part is we met over Tinder. I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, we are a Tinder success story! #TindertToTemple ;)

It took as a bit before we actually met. I kept bailing on him. But finally that wonderful day came. We had the most perfect first date. Sonic slushes and a movie. I do give Jared some big props, when we were watching a movie he grabbed a blanket and as he set it over both of us he placed his hand on my knee.. butterflies straight to my stomach! Even when I think about that moment I get butterflies. It was so cute! (yes I am a sucker for romance) We just clicked. It was the most comfortable I had ever been with a guy. I knew there was something special about him.

Our next date was two days later. A super snowy day! We tried making a snowman taller than Jared... and if you know how tall Jared is.... you know that was no small task.  I even made him meet my family... ON THE 2ND DATE! I know!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING!?  I don't know but he wasn't scared off haha. The night ended with.. you guessed it a kiss. Ya we kissed on our 2nd date.. we are crazy I know. 

But it only got better from there. 

Like I said before Jared and I just clicked. It was great. I felt like I could be 100% myself around him and he wouldn't run! 

I love every bit about him. Even his constant teasing ;) 

I knew I wanted to marry him relatively early on. Did I tell him... NO!  I didn't want to scare him off. So I waited. and waited.... and waited. 

I learned to be much more patient, with him. ;) 

He brought up the marriage talk in about June and I was super excited! But I tried not to show it... he can read me pretty well though.:) 

So then... More waiting happened. We went through a lot the next few months but we only came out stronger. Our love grew more, and we as a couple over came a lot. 

I kept waiting.. 

and waiting. 

I would tease him a lot about what ring I wanted or when I wanted to get married. But he didn't budge. 

On September 30th Jared took me on a little picnic up the canyon. Little did I know he had sent friends up before hand to set up a cute little lighted area. Pictures of us were hung. And a read heart wreath was in the middle. 

He got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. 

BEST DAY of 2017!! 

 Our adventures continued:

Lots of wedding planning. 

 We got to have our first Thanksgiving together. 

Our first Christmas. 

and  New years kiss! 

I am so excited to see where 2018 takes us. I have never been so excited for a new year.

Here's to  a new year, a new chapter and a new life! 

Here is to the year I will never forget!