Chase Is 6 Months Old!

Udate from Jill

Hi everyone, I thought some of you might want an update on how things are going. Ben and I travelled to Phoenix in August to visit Chase and attend an Arbonne training. It was SO fun to spend time with Chase. He is such a precious, perfect boy! He loves to sleep, eat and smile. Everytime he needed to eat, or be changed, or put to bed I said, "I'll do it!" It was wonderful. The Whittemore's are in heaven with their little guy, and they are adjusting to live with a third child very well.
I didn't have any sadness at all when it was time to go home. I only look forward to every picture Jodi sends, and all the updates I get on his progress. All I can say is that God is amazing for bringing us all through this so well, and keeping us all healthy and happy.

Love, Jill

Almost 3 Months!

Update

Jill writes-

Hello everyone, I apologize for not keeping up on the updates like I should! I have been receiving many emails asking for them, so I thought I'd post this adorable picture Jodi sent me! Isn't he precious?? I have been feeling really great. I can't thank you enough for all your thoughts and prayers. They have been so important to me. It really blows my mind that there are people out there still concerned for my well being. THANK YOU ALL!!

I was planning a trip for a quick visit down to Phoenix yesterday. Oh, the joys of flying stand-by.... I spent the early morning at the airport with Ben & Lindsey (left our house at 5:45am) and didn't get on the flight. Needless to say we were all disappointed, but I will be planning another trip down really soon. We have really filled summers planned, so I am a little anxious about picking a time to go visit!

Love, Jill

Update from Jill

Jill writes-

It was so incredible to finally meet in person this precious baby that has been growing inside me for nine months. My kids enjoyed meeting him, too. Ben & Ethan visited us in the hospital and here they are holding Chase.

Lindsey was absolutely tickled to death when she got to meet baby Chase. She giggled with delight as she saw him. I wish I had a video camera ready. It was the cutest thing ever.

I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have been so positive and supportive to me through this experience. I am doing well. I don't even know where to begin! I am sure over the next couple weeks it will all come together and I will be able to get my thoughts down easier. Ryan has been incredible in taking care of me, as well as my dear friends. There have been many tears, both out of happiness and sadness since the delivery. I feel so blessed to have had the few days with Chase and his family, but the time had come for him to go home. That was difficult for both Jodi and me. I have had a few good cries since then. :) It was so wonderful being "co-mommies" in the hospital and afterwards. I know my focus now is to get recovered and focus my time and energy back onto my husband and kids! They have been so wonderful.

Love, Jill

Chase Update

Jill bought this take home outfit just hours before she checked in the hospital. The knit cap has the cutest little tiger on top.

Jodi Writes-

Wow. The last few days have been so surreal. I can't even describe my emotions. I am probably one of the few women that get to see their own child born; it was truly a miracle! Jill is my hero. I watched her labor in pain and breathe through debilitating contractions, which was extrememly hard to see. When the anesthesioligist came, I think I was almost as happy as she was. Once her epidural kicked in, we had a pleasant time with Ryan and Tim and Jen Landes (Jen is Jill's best friend and has been with her during her three other deliveries) just waiting and visiting. From the time the Doctor said she was complete, I think Chase was born within 5 minutes! There was so much joy in that room, I felt I was standing in Heaven.

Tim, Ryan and Jen left at about 5:30 and Jill and I were checked into our room at around 6 a.m. on Friday morning. We slept for about an hour and a half and then were up to talk to nurses and take care of the baby. We had full day on Friday and checked out at noon on Saturday. That day and a half with Jill and the baby was so special. Some of her family visited, which was so neat as they have been by her side throughout the pregnancy. Jill and I would just sit in her hospital bed together and admire him and have great talks. It will always be a sweet memory for me.

Even though I have two other kids, I realized I was relying on her for some of the silliest things. "Should I change him like this?" or "Should I cover his hands?" are just examples of the many questions I would ask her all day. She was so helpful, I'm really going to miss her.

After checking out on Saturday, we headed to the Ellis household to spend some more time together and to see some more visitors. It was really hard to say goodbye and head to the hotel, even though we knew we'd be back tomorrow. Jill and I shared some tears. She has been with Chase for nine months now and they are parting for the first time. This "trial run" was pretty emotional. Leaving with him and thinking about how much his life is such a gift. He wouldn't be here if she didn't follow her heart; it's a big concept, but so very true.

It's Sunday today and we are back here with Jill and all of the kids. Ryan had to fly on a 3 day trip (for those who don't know, he's a pilot with Alaska Airlines). Jill and I are going to give little Chase a bath soon.

I can't thank you all enough for your prayers, encouragement, and well wishes. Our family is humbled by the support.

Love, Jodi

Tim just moments after Chase was born. A very proud and grateful dad!
Enjoying his first bath:-)

Saturday- Chloe and Christian holding their little brother. Chloe said "This is the best day ever." Christian disagreed, "Nuh, uh . . . When Jesus came back alive was the best day ever." I'm glad he reminded me as I was with Chloe there for a minute!
Jill teaches Chloe how to change a diaper while Christian admires his brother.
36 hours old- home at "mama Jill's"

Getting ready for baby

Chase Ellis Whittemore

After eating his first meal

Baby is here!!

Posted by Jen Landes~ We welcomed Chase Ellis Whittemore into this world on May 2nd at 3:07am! He weighed 7 pounds 10.6 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches. He is so beautiful! It was an amazing moment. Jill was so strong, courageous, and beautiful throughout. Jodi and Tim were so excited to see and finally hold their new little guy. It is Jodi's birthday too, and she said, "Jill just gave me the best present in the whole world. I don't ever need another birthday present ever." We got proof on tape in case Tim needs it later. :)

Jill was able to get her first epidural, and so she was very comfortable. After a very long day and night, Chase decided to get into the right position and make his exit fairly quickly. The Dr. checked her saying she was complete, and with two pushes he was out. Jill and baby are both doing great. Tim fed him his first bottle, and when I left Jodi and Jill were admiring his cute little fingers and toes. We all thanked God for such an amazing gift and blessing to us all, and for taking care of everyone involved along the way.

This Is It!

Yes, Jill has dialated to 3 centimeters. Though there isn't a room in the inn, they aren't sending her home. We have Jill's sitter, Rachel, coming to our hotel room in an hour and Tim is running me to the hospital in the meantime. We will have a baby by morning. I can't believe it is real and I get to meet my son. I'll keep in touch . . .

Still Waiting

Jill spoke with her doctor who said they were going to call her several times today, but they kept having women in labor coming in and there hasn't been room. Jill packed her hospital bags and headed to Seattle today to do some serious walking. We figured if she was contracting, maybe they would admit her . . .

Well, she is. She just called me and is 10 minutes from the hospital. Her contractions are irregular, but getting to be more painful. The doctor said to go into triage and if she has not dialated to more than one centimeter (where she has been for the last two weeks) then they will send her home for the night and we will be first on the waiting list tomorrow. We have been first on the list since mid-morning today and thought for sure we'd have a baby by now.

Our family has been in our hotel room for 24 hours and we were getting a little stir crazy, so we headed to the mall for a short visit. We got the most adorable outfits for our little boy, including a precious gown for him to wear home with his initials embroidered on the front.

So, back to Jill. She will call me in the next 45 minutes to an hour and I'll know then whether I'm heading straight to the hospital or sleeping in our hotel room tonight. I will add a post the minute she calls me. It's always interesting with things in life like this that you don't have control over.

May 1st Update

It's 2 p.m. now and we haven't been called. Jill is next on the waiting list for induction and we have heard that they are swamped at the hospital. Her doctor's office called and said they are doing everything they can to get us in this afternoon. The kids can't stop talking about how they can't wait to meet their brother today. We're hoping it is today, but if it isn't, tomorrow is a great day to meet him, too. We're just happy to be in the home stretch. :-)

May 1st!

It's 7:15 a.m. and today is the day we are waiting to be called in for induction. I only slept a couple of hours last night . . . had a lot on my mind and anxiously awaiting my son. I prayed for the delivery- for him to make it through perfectly and for Jill as she sacrificially gives birth to our son. Speaking of prayer, today is the National Day of Prayer that was designated 52 years ago by Congress. I think it would be pretty neat to have a baby today. Jill thinks we have a great chance of being called in this morning, so we're gearing up and waiting. I guess that's what we've done for a while. We'll do our best to post updates throughout the day. Thanks so much for caring about our families. Love, Jodi

Looks Like It Will Be Thursday!

Jill writes-

After a day spent yesterday walking through Snohomish, weeding the yard, and walking up & down my long driveway feeling like labor is nowhere in sight, we are preparing for an induction on Thursday. I am staying active and out of the house as much as possible to avoid going stir-crazy waiting. I went to the mall today with Jen & Lori and met my mom to shop at Costco Home, while Jodi stayed back and worked in the office....I felt a little guilty for not doing the same, but my attention is just not anywhere but trying to get ready for the delivery! I have mentally checked out for now (from my business, I mean) until the baby comes. :)

Ben said everyone at school keeps asking him if I have had the baby yet. He told Jodi tonight that he is getting tired of having to say "not yet" and he wants to be able to say yes finally. I think we all do!

Tomorrow night we are all planning one last dinner together and a movie. We have Rachel coming to watch the kids and we are going to have sushi and see "Baby Mama". For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live. Amy is a surrogate for Tina and it's supposed to be very funny. Quite appropriate for the evening before delivery, right?

As for the picture below....Jodi & I went back and forth about whether or not to post it. Sometimes when the baby is in certain positions and I have a contraction, it will make my belly into the wierdest shapes. So last night we got a picture of it...a big ball on top, and totally flat in front. It's so bizarre! I guess all modesty goes out the window since you all are part of this! :)

Update From Jill

Jill writes-
We had a very fun afternoon at Mark & Jennifer Landes' home for a barbecue yesterday. The weather was so beautiful and made us all excited for summer. As you can see in the videos, the group is so calm...easily ready for another member of the family!! :) The kids had a great time riding around the lawn on the mini-quads and searching for snakes. Chloe found two.

As far as any signs of labor, it seems that everything has quieted down so much that I think I will end up going until Thursday for our induction. It's crazy. I thought for sure that I would have delivered by now, but doesn't every pregnant woman think that??

If I am not contracting, I am comfortable, so I feel I can wait until then. The only time that I feel like I'm at the end of my rope is when I am having false labor, very uncomfortable for three or four hours, then to have it stop. I start to gear up emotionally, then have to wait some more. It's a little frustrating. However, I do feel I am as emotionally ready as I'll ever be! With all the kids and activity going on, I haven't had much time for contemplation, I admit. We're very busy. But it's ok....I know I am prepared by the Lord and being held up by all of your prayers and well wishes. Thank you all so much!

The Whittemore's will be going to a hotel on the day of delivery so they can have some family time with the new baby. The plan is that we'll come together each day so all of us and the extended family & friends can to get to know him a little, too.

So, keep checking back...we'll have news for you soon! Love, Jill

It's A Beautiful Day in Washington

The Whittemore family had such a great day yesterday in downtown Seattle. Here is a picture of us at Pike Place Market, where we bought beautiful fresh flowers, fresh monk fish, clams, fresh jam, and the biggest artichokes you've ever seen! We went to the Seattle Aquarium as well. We returned home and Jill was in bed sleeping. She started to feel ill in the afternoon. We were all a little nervous she might be getting the flu because Ryan and her little girl Lindsay have had it in the past week. Thank goodness she woke up feeling great this morning. No contractions to report. We have a scheduled induction next Thursday and just may make it until then.
Tim and I were talking last night about how we need to mentally prepare that this is really going to happen. It feels kind of like we're up here for vacation and we are reminding ourselves that we will be leaving with a new family member! The car seat is empty in our rental car . . . soon to have a new Whittemore occupying it. The four of us are sleeping in the basement in the kids play area. Last night Christian woke us up a few times and it was so painful because we were really tired. A voice in my head is saying, "Get ready. You haven't seen anything yet!"
Ryan and Jill's oldest son, Ben, has a baseball game in a little while and then Mark and Jen Landes have invited us over for a barbecue this afternoon. Thank you for checking in on us. I promise that one of these days the blog will read that a baby has been born:).

No Baby Yet

Jill is taking a walk right now with her good friend, Lori DiMonda. Once again the contractions started to spread out around 11 p.m. I was happy we didn't all have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night, but Jill is getting tired of the starting and stopping. I don't blame her, especially because they are getting stronger and more painful. It's hard to watch her in pain, knowing she's doing this for us . . . very hard. We watched Juno together last night with Ryan and Tim. It was so exciting when the baby boy was born at the end and then you see Juno crying. She's so happy for the adoptive mom, but she just gave this child life and in this there are feelings and emotion. Even though we are the biological parents, Jill is giving life to our baby and I'm sure the emotions will be similar.

Tim and Chloe and Christian and I are heading to Seattle for the day. We'll pack a suitcase for the hospital in case we need to head straight there. It's going to be a "mostly sunny" day and we're looking forward to eating by the Pier and going to Pikes Place Market. We will keep you posted!