Jackson is Here!!

Hello All. I know it's been awhile since I last wrote but things have been crazy at the Gowan's household. On February 25th we got a phone call from Jackson's birthmother saying that she was having really bad contractions and was in pain and thought that she may have the baby today. So I start to panic. She had a doctors appointment that morning and was going to see what the doctor told her. The doctor told her that she was contracting but not dilating. But told her to go home and if she continued to have pain to go to the hospital and he would take the baby. Also, her blood pressure was higher than it had been so they wanted her to relax. She went home and relaxed, but couldn't stand the pain. Late that afternoon she headed to the hosptial and they admitted her. They gave her all kinds of medicine to try to stop they labor because she was not dilating but she was contracting. Her blood pressure was still high. They keep her for the night to monitor her, late that night they checked her and noticed that she had started to dilate. So the next day Ray and I were so anxious because we didn't know what was going to happen. I recieved a phone call around 7:50 saying that her contractions were very painful and she wanted to have him. I told her I needed to take my class to PE and when I got back I would call her. By the time I got back Ray had called to tell me that they were taking Jackson at 12:00 Arkansas time. So I grabbed my things from my classroom and I left. I was so excitied that I wasn't thinking straight. Ray came home and we headed straight to Arkansas.

It's a 12 hour drive from South Carolina to Arkansas and we were so nervous/anxious the whole way. Jackson's birthmother called us before she went back and we told her to take us lots of pictures since we weren't going to make it for the birth. Jackson was born at 11:16 a.m on February 26th. He weighed 7 lbs even and was 20 inches long. He was perfect. Jackson's birthmother felt the entire thing because her epidural didn't work. Ray and I hate that for her.

We got to the hosptial around 9:00 p.m. Arkansas time. It took us about 11 hours to get there. We go up to the room and walk in to meet Jackson's birthmother for the first time. We were really scared that she might not like us or something, but it was the complete opposite. We walked in and it was as if we had know each other for years. We just instantly clicked. We love her so much. Words can't describe how much we care for her, her other kids, and the loving act that she has done for Jackson.

As soon as we go to court we will upload pictures for everyone to see. I can tell you that he is beautiful. He is a very good baby. The doctor changed his formula to Nutramigen. Since changing it he has done a lot better.

We would like to thank everyone that has prayed for us, Jackson, and Jackson's birthmother. Please pray for a safe journey back home on March 13th.

Loads of Love

Ray and I felt the love on Sunday, February 10th. We had our first baby shower for baby Jackson and we recieved so many WONDERFUL gifts! We got most of the items that we really need to take with us to Arkansas. I was super excitied about getting our travel boppie, bookbag diaper bag, rock n play sleeper, and swing. We got some super cute outfits and so many other items that I don't think I could even list them all. My long-time friend Annie got me a cute tumbler and car decal that say "Got love. Adopt." and a piece of adopion artwork. Ray and I would like to thank Amanda Stevens, Misty Lim, and Jessica Wallington for giving us the shower. We would like to thank everyone that came out and shared this special time with us!

 

 

The adoption artwork.

 

 

 

Super cute outfits!

 

 

 

More super cute outfits!

 

 

 

Mema (Ray's mom) and Amanda Stevens

 

 

 

Love my diaper cake!

 

 

 

Love love my little man banner! Will be hanging this on the hospital door. :)

 

 

 

All of Jackson's gifts.

 

 

 

Eric Carle. I love that man!

 

 

 

Jackson is a lucky little man.



Adoption Photo Session

Big shout out to Bo Lim! Thanks so much for the pictures. They turned out great and we LOVE them. These are are just some of the awesome pictures.

 

Baby Jackson's future shoes.

 

 

 

Can't wait to hold his hands as we walk as a family.

 

 

 

Jackson is worth the wait.

 

 

 

Arkansas has our heart!

 

 

 

We love Baby Jackson to the Moon and back.

 

 

 

Forever.

 

 

 

Future ball player.

 

 

 

Hope Jackson will fit.

 



Our Little Man

Jackson's birthmother had an ultrasound done yesterday, February 5th, and everything showed that he is growing good. Everything seems to be just the way that it should be. Jackson's birthmother had a test that came back saying she needed to have a better quality ultrasound. So that's why Ray and I were just a little nervous because we wanted everything to be good for both of them. Ray and I gave the situation over to God and he looked over Jackson and his birthmother. God was in control because everything turned out GREAT and we got new pictures. Ray and I just can't share enough how blessed we are to have such a wonderful birthmother. She keeps us informed, texts or calls us, asks for our input on certain situations, and has really become a part of our FAMILY!! Ray and I are so excitied that we have to keep pinching ourselves to make sure that this drem is really about to true. Jackson is be a scheduled c-section so he will come at 39 weeks when we travel out to Arkansas. I can't to be in the delivery room with Jackson's birthmother and get to experience this blessing. Jackson's birthmother really wants Ray be in the room so that he can cut the cord and experience the blessing with us. Only 4-5 weeks left!! Thank you again to everyone for all of your prayers, support, and thoughts. We apprecipate them greatly! We love you all.

 

 

 

We love Little Rock, Arkansas.

 

 

 

Big foot! Think we might have a basketball player.

 

 

 

Side profile of his face. It looks like he is blowing kisses at his hand.

 

 

 

It's a BOY!!

 

 

 



Yard Sale

I know it has been awhile since I last posted but I have (am currently) sick with the flu and a secondary bacterial infection.

Saturday, January 19th we a church wide yard sale to help raise money with the adoption of baby Jackson. We had a hot dog sale, bake sale, and two raffles. We are so blessed with such wonderful family, friends, and church family. Everyone came out and helped, shopped, ate, and had a great time. We want to say a huge thanks to everyone who came out to the yard sale today. We had a very good turnout. Also wanna say a BIG THANKS to all our family for the help. Also wanna say thanks to a great couple and great friends Amanda and Chuckie Stevens.We could not have done it without the help of everyone. Its makes us feel great to know Jackson will be coming into this great family.

Baked goods and Christmas goodies

Baby clothes and overall view

Home goods and woman's clothes

More baby items!!

Meet Jackson

Everyone we are so excited to finally be able to share baby Jackson's picture!!! Only 9 more weeks!!! We are so excited that are can't control ourselves. We also would like to thank everyone who has helped build this much of the puzzle. Two continents are now visible. I wonder what the puzzle is??

If you look right above the word head you will see his head and he is looking face down.

 

This one is the best I think. I can really see him in this one.

 

Wonder what it could it be???

 



Merry Christmas Little One

     Ray and I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone that made our Christmas extra special this year. Jackson is the luckiest little boy to have so many people that care for him already. Santa came many times this season and saw Jackson and we thank each Santa very very much.
     Over the Christmas break Ray and I painted the nursery and have a few details projects underway. I will share with you my vision board of ideas and what we have done so far.

 

Thanks Santa (Michael and Brittany)

 

Thanks Santa (Amanda)

 

 

Thanks Santa (Amanda) The truth is the truth

 

Thanks Santa (Kyle and Amanda)

 

 

Love the monkey on the feet

 

This is the walls in the nursery. I am in love with the accent wall!

 

I want to build one of these as window seating and a toy box! Uncle Jerry needs to come visit!

 

Ray and I both love the Braves and go every summer and would love to hang one of these in the nursery.

 

 This is the wagon shelf that I need to build. My mom found my old Radio Flyer and I want to use it.

 

This is the crib bedding I am dieing for!! (Hint Hint Ray)