Can't believe it's been 7 months...

I started this thing so long ago planning on keeping track of every moment of our baby's life. I sorely missed the realization that becoming a mom means you have 0.40234 minutes per week to log onto the computer each week for something other than paying bills. I will attempt in the coming months/years to make better updates of our progress as a family as life goes on.

In a nutshell.. this is what our past 7 months has consisted of.

September: Baby comes early! You all saw that fun an interesting delivery story in the last post. Here are some more friendly September moments!! :)

Last day in the hospital:


Kenadi is an amazing baby. She rarely cries unless she is hungry.

Newborn Pictures at 1 week old:
(Grammy and Uncle Josh helped.. and almost got pooped on.)

My sleeping family..



Tiniest toes ever...



Favorite outfit of the month:

OCTOBER:

K turns 1 month old... I subject her to pictures outside in the cutest outfit ever....

K looks exactly like daddy when she smiles... which is mostly in her sleep..



K is Zoey's baby...



I also subject K to pictures inside.. in a basket.. :)



The "butterfly" paci's are the only ones that don't cover up her teeny nose.. she likes them.



K is not amused anymore.



K's first Halloween... Grammy makes her a Halloween Outfit!
Mom carves a pumpkin and subjects her to pictures!! :)





I make her a costume.. we go to the Halloween event at Grammy's Church..
K is the CUEST, TINEST, sleepiest ladybug EVER..



NOVEMBER:

K is still Zoey's baby...



Still got her some rockstar hair... and blue eyes...



K loves her bumbo...



K meets her great grandmother Mary Louellen.. one of the most beautiful pictures is taken.



to be continued.... (hopefully sooner rather than later..)

Things I've learned.. (part 1 and 2)

I've been making "Things I've learned this week" posts on my forum. Though I might as well document them on here too. :)

Week 1:

We finally got discharged on Saturday and headed home. The 2.5 hour drive left me sore and exhausted but man I'm so glad to be home.
We had a bilirubin check with our pedi on Monday and lil girl got her Hep B shot and had to have a heel prick. Let me tell you.. if you can manage it - don't go to that first pedi appt. alone - whatever you do. That first heel prick I witnessed had me crying like a baby. I even cried all the way home.. friggin hormones!

We've got so much help I don't know what we would do without my mom and IL's.. They've been doing all the laundry and cleaning we hadn't got to yet.. but we're really getting into the swing of everything else.. Feedings are going great. I've been pumping more than anything - little girl is going back and forth between bf'ing great and then not so great.. but I really don't mind pumping at all and thats going great. I almost prefer bottle feeding her because I know how much she's taking in - and it gives everyone else a chance to bond with her. Daddy has taken the 9pm and 3am feedings .. and I find myself getting up with him at 3am just to watch them bond.. Its a great feeling.. She's actually sleeping really well at night.. only getting up when we have to wake her up for feedings. I'm wondering how she'll do when we don't have to wake her up as much. :)

Today we got our first bath at home and I couldn't help it.. I had to take pics later of my clean baby..

Our little girl has arrived.. :)

It was a rough week for me.. and we're still in the hospital.. but we're now crossing our fingers that we get to go home tomorrow!

I'm sitting here in our Post Partum room.. watching our baby kick her little legs and move her little hands in her swaddler.. She has made amazing progress for being so tiny..

She was born at 4:19pm on Monday, September 6th. She took labor day literally and decided she wanted out almost a full month early. She weighed in at 5lbs 9oz and was 18.5" long. She's got a full head of dark brown hair and blue eyes that we hope won't change! Jake's nose, ears, birthmark, and toes.. My hair, mouth, and hands.. So far thats all we can tell.. :)

I posted a much less scary version of the birth story on the October board.. Our labor and delivery was extremely difficult, extremely scary, and to tell you the truth - I almost didn't make it. A number of bumpies expressed interest in hearing the whole story so here it is. If you are already scared of the birth part.. you might not want to stress yourself out further.. Pics are at the end.. :)

Here is our story:

We opted to take one last trip to our ranch for Labor day weekend. I relaxed inside all weekend - reading my book and taking it easy. No fourwheeler rides.. No jumping jacks.. just book reading and pampering by the fam..

At 8:00pm on Sunday night - I was sitting on the couch when I felt wetness leak out of me. I got up to go to the bathroom and it gushed out. I sat on the potty and it was all clear.. I figured this was it - but wanted to make sure so I put a pad on and laid down. Made myself count to 2 minutes and then headed back to the bathroom. soaking through the pad on the way in. From then on it was gush after gush.. So I called in we called our OB. He said to head to the hospital up by our ranch - as we didn't know what could happen on the 2 hour drive home. So I delivered in uncharted territory.. Hospital I'd never been too. Doctors I most definitely didn't know.. all plans went straight out the window.. but I was ok with that. Everyone here was AMAZING.. and now I think it was most definitely a miracle I wound up where I did.

We headed in to Bryan, TX and got set up in L&D. We had a nice big room with a huge shower - so that was exciting.. They started me on Pitocin at midnight.. and I decided that considering I had none of my tools to guide me through my non-medicated birth - and I was feeling the back labor quite intensely.. I went ahead and got an epidural at 6am.. My epi was super easy.. not even as bad as a bee sting.. and my anesthesioligist was hilarious.. I had to struggle not to laugh the entire time..

Jake thought he was a comedian as well.. fun with hospital gloves:

...14 hours into labor - my epi quit working.. and things went downhill from there. At 18 hours - I had only progressed to 2cm...and I was throwing up.. with mom rubbing my feet and hands with ice cold hands.. jake was using his palms to apply counterpressure to my back labor..Suzanne was feeding me ice chips and sarah and mom were fanning me with a magazine.. for HOURS.. When the docs came in and said we need to take her now - you've got one opening - we opted for the C-Section.

Things got a little scary after that -My epi had quit working.. during the hours between then and my delivery - we had three anesthesiologiests trying to correct whatever the problem was - with no luck. When the decision for the C-section was made - they gave Jake the cute OR outfit to put on and we all were excited.. well .. they were.. I was moaning in pain and totally exhausted.. I vaguely remember one of the OR techs asking how much drugs had they given me.. when they said nothings working he said.. "oh sh*t" ..

We got into the OR.. they moved me over.. put up the sheet.. I could hear people talking.. I heard a bunch of stuff they probly thought I couldnt hear and I joked half-heartedly with the anesthesiologists about it.

They promised me they would make sure I was numbed..I was the first of many things that night. They started cutting.. and there was nothing numb about me. I couldn't help it. I screamed. The girl who cut literally said.. "That's never happened before!" and another doctor said. "Thats why we do a practice cut." I wonder now if she was a student.

They tried to redo my epi three times.. and we had trial cuts every time.. and every result the same..I think they tried a spinal but at that point I was trying so hard not to panic I dont remember much.

I do remember them telling me that they were going to have to put me out and Jake wouldn't be able to be in the room. That's the point where I lost it and they put the mask on me and that's all I remember..

I learned later that when the doc came out and told them the news that's also when my whole fam started boo-hooing..

I learned later that maybe knocking me out and DH not being there wasn't such a bad thing. They took out baby girl at 4:19pm.. and found that I was hemoraging quite extensively.. I lost more than a couple pints of blood and my uterus was looking bad.

They decided to try a new treatment. The first time it's ever been performed on a patient in this hospital. They put a balloon in my uterus and expanded it. During my initial recovery the deflated it bit by bit and kept me on pitocin so that it would contract down with every downsize.. (My painkiller drip was heavenly.. )

They were extremely excited that the procedure worked as well as it did. I've been treated amazing at this hospital and have had the attention of at least 10 specialists.. I'm feeling pretty spoiled. But I was told that had it not worked - I would have lost my uterus entirely and lost even more blood. I thank my lucky stars and god every day for the miracles he has given my family.

So yeah.. they had to knock me out - and all this scary stuff happened - but my first memory coming too - was my husband leaning over my bed bawling - telling me how beautiful baby girl is.. When they wheeled her into my ICU room a few hours later.. it was love at first sight.. I didn't know my heart could grow that big. I was still recovering from the anesthesia - so I was pretty loopy - and couldn't do much but lay down.. but seeing her and holding her.. it was the most amazing feeling I've ever had. That full head of hair - and blue eyes looking up at me... I could have cried for years and years..

Recovery was pretty tedious. The balloon situation wasn't bad. I was on enough drugs that I barely remember it. I was in a L&D ICU until Wednesday. It was actually not bad. I loved every one of my nurses and doctors and they waited on us constantly.. It was wonderful..

On Wednesday morning Kenadi's bilirubin levels were up to 14.9 so they put her in a bili-blanket .. a UV lighted sack that she laid inside in a diaper and it zipped up around her.. up to her lil neck. The blanket didn't work - so all Thursday and half of today she was under the UV lights.. and we only got her during feedings.

Also on Wednesday - I wasn't doing very well, I was running high fevers, and my oxygen levels and blood count were very low. I was wearing a full oxygen mask constantly and they decided a blood transfusion was in my best interest. My body was not happy with the decision and my wednesday was spent moaning and groaning and trying not to rip out my stitches when I was throwing up. (Not fun)..

By Thursday morning I was feeling 10x better.. by Thursday mid-day I was out of bed and showered.. by Thursday night.. I was actually eating dinner (well .. some of it) .. They took out my central IV line mid-day thursday and it was GREAT not to have tubes coming out of my neck anymore.. woohoo!

Baby girl was taken off of the UV lights this morning and wheeled into our rooom for good. Upon receiving news we wouldn't be going home today I was pretty bummed - but getting her for the full day made it so much better..

My IV line in my arm started leaking and they decided to take it out and see how I did with Oral antibiotics. Everything's working like a champ - so I am no longer tied to the wall by an extension cord.. It feels great to be able to go to the bathroom without something following me! :)

I'm 100X better today. I get small twinges when I move certain ways and I tire easily but thats to be expected. My milk came in and I feel nice and useful.. :) I even got to flat iron my hair so I look half human again! :)

.. and crossing fingers - we all get to go HOME tomorrow.. baby girl has one more test to make sure her bili levels stay down.. and I have one more test to make sure my antibiotics are working correctly.. and then its discharge time and off to Houston we go!! Yay!!! :)

I said this in my other post but - with me being immobile, Jake really stepped up to the plate. He was the feeder, diaper changer, swaddler, worlds best burper, and has simply become super-dad.. It just makes me tear up watching him with her.. I fall in love with him all over again at least every hour of the day..

My mom has taken turns with him and has been an amazing part of my recovery as well. I don't know what I would do without her.

I also had a bff of mine that drove all the way up here from Houston with everything we were missing.. Our carseat, clothes for Jake and I, my pump, and a bunch of other goodies.. She also brought an entire cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory that made my mouth water before I even had an appetite.. :)

I feel so blessed to have such support people in my life. I couldn't have done it without them.

Even with everything that's happened - the part that counts is that baby girl is here and she is amazingly healthy for a premie. She's eating well, sleeping well, and she's not a crying baby.. she makes the cutest little noises and is so strong for her size.

Thank you so much for all your prayers.. I'm hoping to be back online soon. I hope all is going well with everyone on here!!! You'll be joining me soon enough!!! I can't wait to get home and get back to bumping again.. :)

Until then - here are a few pics of lil girl..

Tuesday:

Friday:

Dreaming of Sunflowers?

I though I posted this awhile ago but apparently I posted it elsewhere. If any of you have a craving for sweets.. I've got someone to send you too.

I'm hoping to pick her brain and learn everything she knows in the near future.

For now... When I was having a rough day - she blessed me with these and made it so much better... :)

Ms. Angie is not only a supreme cupcake maker but some of the cakes I've seen from her are simply amazing. If you have a party, a sweet-craving office, or simply want to indulge in an entire sweet face-stuffing session for you and you alone.. you must contact me so I can patch you through to her and then we'll all be happy campers. :)


...

In other news.. I'm sad to say that my super cool high chair I was so excited about was still not delivered as of this weekend - so I called them just to be informed that the delay had been pushed back to the END OF OCTOBER!!!! boo hiss..

I think we're going to opt for the red one instead .. and Jake's happy because we can register for this one.. I just hope it doesn't sell out too.. I will be a super sad panda.

Signing off for now..

Chels

Fun with the nursery!! :)

The highlight of my week has been getting the nursery up and running.. Kenyon came over to step in as my painter and has done a great job!! :) He got the nursery painted and is halfway through the guest bedroom.

Leslie made her way over to the house today and was such a huge help. With my limited ability to move, climb, stretch, or do just about anything at the moment - she bore the brunt of the intensive labor and I thank her for everything she did!

Here's some sneak peaks at what we got accomplished this week. :) Enjoy!!!

Bookshelf on the right side of the room:

Ms. Angie made this:

Her buddies are occupying the changing table for now:

A couple of my DIY's.. still have to sand them down and clear coat them..

Yay for closet space... you can kind of see my dividers and hangers I DIY'd.. :)

Her name will soon be posted over the window... and I'm debating whether I really like the mobile in the corner or if its just too many butterflies.. we shall see.

It's coming along.. :)

Highlights of my week.. and more..

So after an eventful week of not so much fun.. I'm finally getting around to logging on here.

All is getting better with me and the little girl is just fine. She's keeping up with her kick counts and keeping mama on her toes guessing where exactly she is in there.

She's been head down on my right side with her left arm draped across her face. This has made the opportunity to have a good 3D ultrasound non-existant. She's already stubborn as mom and dad.

On a fun note... I finally found her "going home from the hospital" outfit. :) Yet another seller that captivated my attention on etsy.com. ( I swear that site is going to be the death of me! )

We've already got the cap - and the little outfit is being embroidered with Kenadi as we speak. :)

This lady does custom embroidery - and her little outfits are just too cute to pass up!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyandtototoo?ref=seller_info

We also finally decided on the high chair we want. I'm quite happy with it. Unfortunately it's out of stock everywhere except the place I ordered it from - and although it was supposed to be delivered last week - I had to call them to be told that it was backordered until the end of month.

BOO

On another fun note - I got to try out my new lenses again and had a very cute and very tiny subject pose for me. I haven't had much time to edit but I got a few shots semi-started. I still have so much to learn with this camera - but I have faith I will eventually get there. :)

Once I get the rest finished I'll post some more.. but here's the latest I've finished...

Many many thanks to mom who was willing to subject her baby to my amateur camera skills..

I have a feeling I will be subjecting her absolutely beautiful children to my camera skills much more often in the coming months.

I find it quite amazing that sometime between 1.5 - 2 months my own newborn will be in pictures like these. I can't wait!!

I sit at my sister-in-law's house using her computer to make this post (Thanks Angie!)... and have been enjoying the sounds of Paxton's bath ensuing upstairs.. Amidst the screams of apparent water-related torture - his giggles are a comfort to my ears.

For all the aches, pains, and complaints to my poor husband - it's the anticipation of hearing those little giggles in our own house that makes it all worthwhile.

Hopefully it won't be so long between now and my next post! :)

Signing off..

:)

Chels

Oh how Jake would Kill me....

Today while waiting on hold with the insurance company I ventured over to etsy.com

For those of you who have never ventured to etsy.com - you MUST visit.... but beware... it's quite addicting. The site really makes me think about all the interesting things lying around my house itching to be made and sold - but then when I get home.. eh... somehow I forget. (oops)

My latest find on etsy.com is a woman who makes dresses for little girls. While my thriftier side screams at the price tags.. the mother of a soon to be daughter cries in joy at each little picture....

.. and then my common sense side steps in and sits on my shoulder.. our conversation goes something like this:

Common Sense: "Now Chelsea... think about this for a moment. How often do you wear dresses?"

Me: "Rarely."

Common Sense: "How often did you wear dresses as a child?"

Me: "Um. Maybe for pictures when I was too small to dress myself?"

Common Sense: "How many dresses does your child have hanging in her closet already?"

Me: "Too many for her own good."

Common Sense: "What is your child most likely to be wearing 90% of the time?"

Me: "Dickies overalls.. probably in the mud."

Common Sense: "How do you think she will react to you putting her in frilly dresses all the time?"

Me: "Kicking and screaming for the entire 20 minutes I attempt to take pictures of her."

Common Sense: "Now do you really think you should buy them?"

Me: "....." Shoulders slump in defeat.... *sigh*


Maybe I can take them to grandma's house to wear to church.. hmmmmmmm.....

Just for fun and your absolute viewing pleasure... how friggin cute are these???




Ugh.. and there are soooo many more.. I'm dying to get at least one of them!!!