My 200th post – and her 3rd month

Ok, well technically she doesn’t turn 3 months old until tomorrow, so I might wait until then (May 2nd) to post so I can add her pictures as well.  But since I have her napping right now, I decided I better take advantage of this time!

And, no, she’s not napping in her room.  She’s napping in the Moby attached to me.  Not the most convenient thing in the world, but I can’t take the incessant crying just yet.  I know, I know; I’m ruining her.  Thankfully she naps well with other people!  She stayed with Jessica last week while I accompanied Kalyb on a field trip – and although she continues to refuse to eat out of a bottle, she did nap while over there.  And, yesterday, she stayed with Mari and napped there as well.  Just fine.  On the bed.  Alone.  Then I try to get her to nap while we’re at home and she just isn’t having it.  She’ll nap when we’re on the road or if I’m holding her, but not independently when Mom is around.  We’ll get this all worked out this summer, I promise! 

Anyways, I’m also convinced she knew that I’d be writing this blog and wanted to be on her best behavior for her 3 month post.  Because for the last 4 weeks, her nighttime sleeping has been less than ideal, but not terrible.  She’d sleep for a good 3-4 hour chunk, nurse, and then sleep another 2 hours.  Still not what I’d prefer, but manageable for the most part.  And then – the last four nights?  A good little sleeper!  Saturday night was 9 hours, Sunday night was 8 hours, and the last two nights have been about 6 hours straight.  Keep ‘em coming, baby girl!

Yesterday, I spent the day running around and was ready to pass out by 8pm.  Unfortunately, she doesn’ t get the “mommy’s exhuasted” memo and still stays up until her usual 9:30pm.  Oh well!

We continue to have not much of a set schedule which works out well for our busy days – but I’m thinking some sort of routine would be helpful.  I go back and forth between how strict I want to be with a routine, but figure once she’s in daycare, she’ll kind of be forced into somewhat of a routine and that will be helpful.  I return to work on May 10th for two weeks, so she’ll start then. 

I’ve continued to enjoy this time off with her!  We went to Arizona at the beginning of the month and she was the perfect little baby on the plane both ways.  It’s funny because people totally avoid eye contact until you land and then gush about how great your baby is once safely back on the ground! Haha! We had an awesome time getting to see Grandpa Tom, Aunt Becca, Jeremy, cousin Charlie, Mimi & Papa, etc.  And Lindsay and Lyndsey even had a little “Sip & See” so old high school friends could meet baby girl – and there were tons of babies/toddlers all around!  SO FUN!!  My dad didn’t believe she didn’t like naps and cried because most of the time there she was napping well and not fussy – but it’s helpful when there are more hands around to love on her :0)

She is beginning to coo and interact a lot more.  Lots of little noises and smiles – too cute!  She continues to bless us beyond belief and we just love getting to know her!  I always tell Josiah, I just can’t wait to know her more!  She’s an awesome little baby and we all just adore her :0)

Two months and going strong!!

Kadence is two months old!  In some ways it’s crazy that she’s been here for two months already and in other ways I almost can’t remember life before her – oh wait, maybe that’s the sleep deprivation!  Actually, she is sleeping pretty good through the nights.  Usually, I can count on a 4-6 hour stretch followed by several cat naps before we wake up for the day.  Once (right at her 8 week mark), she slept for EIGHT HOURS straight!  Say what?!  It was glorious. 

Our days consist of the same thing – okay, not really.  Each day, I try to get at least one ‘major’ thing accomplished – whether that be a doctor’s appointment, a grocery run, a visit with a friend, etc.  Clearly my definition of ‘major’ has significantly shifted over the past two months.  Regardless, our days vary and because of that Kadence doesn’t really have a set napping schedule.  Oh well!  She’s a good sleeper on the go now (thank God for answered prayers!  The fight with the car seat was wearing us all out) and she’ll usually grab a few naps throughout the day.  Over the summer we’ll tackle the sleep training perhaps, but for now she is flexible and goes with the flow so I’ll take it!

This past month has been kind of tainted with the crazy amount of pain I’ve been in breast feeding.  Yuck.  I really would rather give birth each day than to go through what we’ve been going through.  Okay, I know, I know – my birth experience with her wasn’t that terrible, but you get what I’m saying.  FINALLY – we got an answer and we’re both on medicine.  Apparently you can get internal duct infections that don’t have ANY external effects.  So, we’re still treating us both with antibiotics and I’m hoping we can move along swimmingly!

Kadence is starting to interact a little bit more – she’ll smile and coo periodically throughout the day.  She’ll follow us around the room and seems particularly inclined towards lights and paintings on the wall.  Hmmm…

I can’t remember exactly what I said in the last post and I’m trying to wrack my brain about what significant things I’d like to remember – but, let’s be honest, at this age things are pretty much the same: eat, sleep, poop, cry, coo, stare, etc.  She continues to be incredibly alert most of the day.  She does seem to get bored easily and prefers to be walking around, moving and shaking!  She’s done pretty well wrapped up in my Moby the past few weeks so I’ve been able to go on walks, do the laundry, and keep track of our diminishing budget as she just hangs out!

Kalyb continues to dote on her and just last night squeezed her and informed her that she’s the best little sister he ever could have hoped for.  Perhaps that’s because she doesn’t talk back and doesn’t argue – I don’t have the heart to let him know that her personality will continue to develop and I believe we will have quite a feisty one on our hands!  She’ll come by it naturally, of course – but I’m hoping she lives up to the ‘best little sister’ award that Kalyb has placed on her.  He’s also really excited he’s been doing well at school so he can teach Kadence how to do that too J  Too sweet! 

Next week, Kadence and I are flying to Phoenix!!  She’ll be able to meet her cousin Charlie and Grandpa Tom – and my mom and Jim (Mimi and Papa) will be there as well.  I can hardly wait!!  We have five weeks to figure out how Kadence will take a bottle.  That’s our big ‘fight’ now.  Oh well! 

She did awesome at her two month check-up and the doctor said that her ability to follow light and engage with people is more at the four month level.  I think the doctor was just happy that Kadence was smiling and cooing at her J  If you missed her stats on facebook, here you go:  22.75” (67^th %), 9 lb. 11 oz. (22^nd %), and a 15.5” head (68^th %)…I think that’s accurate.  Needless to say, she is long and lean with a large head and we wouldn’t have it any other way J

She has been such a blessing to our family.  I love to watch Josiah stare at her, talk to her and sing to her.  So sweet!  Daddy’s and daughters are a beautiful thing J  And it’s great to watch Kalyb take his role of big brother so seriously!  We are all doing well – my mood continues to be dictated by the amount of sleep received the night before and the amount of pain that I’m in due to the infection – but I’m so thankful that the Lord has provided for me to be home during this time with her!  I wouldn’t trade it for the world!  Happy two months, Baby Girl!   You are loved and cherished even more than you’ll ever realize. 

This month has flown by!!

I’m one month old!

Whew – this month has flown by!  What a great month it’s been with our new little bundle.  It’s fun getting to know her a little more each day – and neat watching a personality develop.  A daily routine has yet to be established – I suppose that’s made more difficult by the fact that our days look so different and we have no routine.  Oh well!  She’ll be a flexible little one, if anything.

The first ten days of nursing, she refused to latch on unless I was standing.  Standing.  Yep, that was fun during the 2am feedings.  Thankfully, that requirement has passed.  She is very verbal when she is hungry or upset.  And really the only thing to consistently upset her has been THE CAR SEAT.  Thankfully, over the past few days, we’ve seemed to have made progress.  She has even slept a few times while driving (isn’t that what babies are supposed to do?!)

For a newborn, I feel like this little girl in incredibly alert.  She follows our movement and spends close to an hour at a time awake just looking around and taking it all in.  She really doesn’t poop much  – but passes plenty of gas which a friend helped me describe as ‘toxic’.  So stinky!!  And one of her poop explosions sent her dad to the bathroom gagging.  We’ll toughen him up in no time…

She is a trooper and just comes along with us wherever we go (like she has a choice in the matter…) but usually while we’re out, she’ll be napping.  She prefers to nap and sleep with her face covered or planted downward into my arm.  Makes me nervous!  She has NOT been one to take to swaddling, but with her lack of sleeping, maybe I should force it.  But, similar to the car seat situation, I think the constraint really bothers her.  Her favorite place to sleep is draped across my lap.  Crazy to think she fits there and I’ll get to tell her one day about that. 

She is a mover and a shaker as are most babies this age – Josiah even asked if I thought something was neurologically wrong with her – they’re just so spastic as it all comes together!  She really is a good baby minus the lap of sleep.  Which makes for a very tired mommy (I had my breakdown the other day – but Josiah took the 1am feeding so I could get 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep and felt like a new woman!) But even with her lack of sleep,  rarely is she fussy for seemingly no reason.  She loves to be held, loves to be bounced, loves to be moving around.  We will set her in this little chair that vibrates and there she’ll sit. 

The comments we receive most about her are regarding her hair and size.  I’m trying to think of what else I’ll look back on and wish I would’ve recorded.  But I guess that’s it for now.

Kalyb continues to thrive in his role of big brother.  He says she’s the best sister in the world.  I’m not sure how he’s determined that with her only sleeping, crying, pooping, and peeing – but I’m thankful for that determination! 

We are loving life – albeit in a zombie state at most times.  I’m so thankful for this time that I have home with her and wouldn’t trade it for the world!  I love this little girl – her long toes, her cute little belly button, her hair with a mind of its own, her cute little whimper, her sporadic smiles and her love to be held.  Can’t wait to continue to fall more in love with her.

Our first few weeks…

So, here we are!  All settled in at home – well, for the most part.  We’re busy working on lots of stuff with Kadence - practicing Hebrew and going to begin on mathematical computations next week.  Okay, okay – so really all we do is pee, poop, cry (a little bit), sleep and make little squeaks.  Well, that’s what Kadence does.  Although, I suppose my days are very similar.

She is a great baby!  She only cries when she’s hungry.  Or in the car.  Now, the latter poses a little bit of a problem with an impending roadtrip to Colorado in a few weeks.  Thankfully, I was on the phone with my dad last night about to start our trek home from Denton and he asked if we’d tried a pacifier – oops!  Hadn’t even thought of that.  We were trying to avoid the pacifier but desperate times call for desperate measures.  And, let me tell you – that pacifier made for a much calmer hour ride home.  We will be saving that pacifier for car rides!

Kalyb is an AWESOME big brother.  Really, I don’t know what we’d do without his help around here.  He dotes on his little sister and can’t wait for the day he can hold her and walk around with her by himself.  Maybe once she can hold her head up!  He is so helpful in the car with entertaining her, defends her when we make fun of all of her tooting and is always talking to her, staring at her, kissing her, and telling stories. 

My mom flew into town the Friday after she was born and was here for a little over a week.  She cooked and cleaned and shopped and snuggled.  She absolutely spoiled us and I was devastated when she had to go   Kadence and I spent the car ride home from the airport crying.  Kadence cried because she doesn’t like carseats and I cried due to just missing my Mom!  Oh wait, maybe Kadence was missing Mimi too   I was so thankful for that week with her.

She’s taking her time gaining weight and isn’t quite back up to her birth weight yet – she left the hospital at 6 lbs, 1 oz.  Two days later, she was at 5 lbs. 13 oz – two days after that, she was back up to 6 lbs. 1 oz.  Four days later she was at 6 lbs. 2 1/2 oz. and four days after that she was at 6 lbs. 5 oz.  Now we have to go back one more time next week to ensure she’s past birth weight.  She is in the 3rd percentile for weight and 30th percentile for height.  Which we think is hilarious – seeing as within six months, this more than likely won’t be the case!

We are so excited to have this little girl at home with us.  She is such a blessing to our family,  She is sleeping pretty good throughout the night – in 2 to 3 hour spurts and stays awake for a few hours throughout the day just staring and making all sorts of goofy faces. 

My daily prayer is that the Lord would bless her and keep her and make His face shine upon her and be gracious to her.  That He would turn His face toward her and give her peace.   

 

 

Kadence Emercyn Dicken

 Let’s see where to begin…ultimately, we need to thank God for this amazing experience!  Thankfully, right after we got pregnant, a friend told us about a book called Supernatural Childbirth.  Originally, Josiah had just kind of shaken off the idea that I wanted an unmedicated, natural childbirth.  Like most people, his response was, ‘we’ll wait and see that day how you feel.’  After reading this book, God totally changed his heart and he was on board 110% to support me in this.

We also attended Birth Boot Camp, a ten-week course teaching people about unmedicated births.  We had such a great time with the other couples there and we were even in class with the lady who designed the curriculum.  Lots of laughter, education, awkward conversations and good times!  And we definitely came out feeling very prepared.  Josiah was so sweet and got a whole bunch of stuff together to help me through labor (scripture, songs, stuff to read, etc.) and it turns out I didn’t even have much of an active labor – so we’ll have to use all that information for another time :0) 

On Monday, January 28^th I had my weekly appointment with my midwife.  Because my mother-in-law was hoping to come, I went ahead and had her tell me where I was (now I see why Birth Boot Camp suggested against this – you just get so excited and thinking anything could happen any minute – or maybe something is wrong because nothing is happening, etc. etc.).  Well, I was at 4cm and 90% effaced and the midwife let me know she ‘would be shocked if I were pregnant over the weekend’.  Lynn got a flight out the next day.  But nothing was happening.    I went to work, drove the bus to 6am practices, etc. etc.  On Thursday, they determined I was a ‘liability’ and wouldn’t let me drive out to our basketball game – but I still went and coached and we won (so sloppy, but glad to be there). 

Friday morning at work, I started having contractions about every 5-7 minutes.  During my conference, I went and walked around campus (and I’m sure my assistant principals thought I was crazy as they found me walking around the back).  I called the midwife and text Josiah a list of final things that needed to be packed around the house just in case.  At 1:30, Josiah and I headed up to the midwife get checked out again.  I was now at a 6 and fully effaced.  And not in active labor.  So, back home I went.  That evening, I started having contractions again – but they weren’t getting closer or more intense.  I began thinking maybe we shouldn’t have been praying for a painless labor because what if I didn’t know I was in labor!  My family all thought I was crazy for not going to the hospital, but I could tell that it wasn’t quite time. I went to sleep and the contractions stopped.

Saturday morning, I got up and got Kalyb to his basketball game.  Go Kings!  After coming back, I took a shower and thought about how my water might break and I wouldn’t even know it! Well, right after I got dressed and headed down the hall at about 2:15pm, my water broke (I was also really nervous through my pregnancy about where this would happen: in the classroom, at a game, driving the bus, etc.  Very thankful for the comfort of our own home!)  We got a hold of Josh and Rachel to come get Kalyb (who, conveniently enough already had their day planned to go fly kites and buy fish –perfect activities for a 6 year old to crash!).  My midwife would be meeting us at the hospital.  Caryn (a Birth Boot Camp instructor who came to support me and attend a natural birth) had just finished up at the park with her kids and would meet us there.  And Jessica (my awesome friend/photographer) was already downtown with her family so just jumped on the bus over to Baylor.  Perfect timing, Kadence! 

We headed up to the hospital and checked in a little after 3pm.  When the nurse came in our room she wondered where the patient was – ‘Oh, that’s me!’.  She was shocked to see me up and moving around.  The midwife checked me and I was at 7cm and Kadence was at a +1.  I still wasn’t feeling anything but the tightening.  We just sat and talked and I asked the midwife for reassurance that I’d actually be having this baby today because it didn’t seem like anything was happening!  She also assured me I would indeed know when to push.  :0)

At some point, it did feel like I was getting cramps, so I just laid down on the bed while Josiah and my mother-in-law comforted me.  I heard an internal pop and just yelled, ‘ok!  Something popped!  I need my pants off now!’  I think I was convinced she might have been falling out.  Not the case – but I did need to push.  The beauty of a midwife (even at the hospital in this case) is that I could move or do whatever I felt my body needed to do.  Feel free to watch the documentary The Business of Being Born for more information on this!  I tried all fours but my legs kept falling asleep so that wasn’t going to be effective.  I ended up on my side and don’t really remember every detail but just the feeling that maybe I wasn’t going to be strong enough to push her out.  They said they could see her and she had a full head of hair – which was surprising!  Old wives’ tales had us convinced that because I’d had NO heartburn that I would be having a bald child.  Not true.  We think it was probably close to 30 minutes that I pushed and out she came!!  Josiah had them confirm she was a girl and it was absolutely incredible.  We were all shocked at how TINY she was!

After holding her for awhile, having her latch on, Josiah cutting the cord and everything else being delivered, we finally let the nurse take her to let us know just how small she was.  Kadence Emercyn Dicken was born at 5:51pm (the clock in our room said 5:53) at 6 lbs. 7 oz and 19 ¾ inches long on February 2, 2013.  I did not think that we would have a small baby!!  Thankful for the newborn clothes another friend passed along and that my sister has now shipped to me! 

Caryn was able to leave to get home and didn’t even miss a feeding with her baby!  Jessica took some incredible pictures that I’ll post soon.  Josiah called Kalyb and he was a little disappointed to find out that the doctors were right and he did, in fact, have a sister.  And we were all good to go! The nurses switched shifts and the next lady who came in told me to let her know when I needed to get up to go to the bathroom.  ‘I already went to the bathroom’, I told her and she could not believe that I would’ve gotten up and taken care of this within an hour of giving birth.  I was just mad she wouldn’t let me take a shower right then.  She was mad that I wasn’t giving her a job to do ;0)  Nick brought the boys to pick up Jessica and Malachi got to hold Kadence.  My in-laws drove over from Arlington.  And once we got upstairs, Josh and Rachel brought Kalyb to meet his sister :0)  He said her squeezing his finger was like her taking his blood pressure.  He also decided he kind of liked her because she kind of looked like a boy (aka looks VERY similar to him as a baby – Josiah has some strong genes!).  Then, while holding her the next day, he proclaimed, ‘it’s like my mind doesn’t like her but my heart loves her.’  Melt. My. Heart.

Sunday, we had more visitors: Mallary and Carter, Jerri, Monica and Chanel.  Josiah stayed to watch the Super Bowl with me then I kicked him out so that he could actually get a good night’s sleep since there’s not much a dad can do at this point in the middle of the night :0)  My midwife came in and checked on me and was really impressed with our labor and delivery and said our next one could be even easier! Since I’m a first time mom wanting to breastfeed, they had us stay another night.  The lactation consultants were extremely helpful because she was having a difficult time latching and sucking.  I think I can confidently say we’re good to go now – but it has taken patience and a few tears that I wasn’t doing something right.  Monday, Tay and her sister came by and the Midwife gave us the ‘good to go’.  We headed out a little before noon :0)  Many pictures to come….

We are SO thankful for this experience and the magnitude in which the Lord answered our prayers.  I’m still kind of in a state of shock as I look over and see Josiah holding our DAUGHTER!  Thank you, Jesus!! 

 

In my 35th Week…

Likes: Still wearing the same clothes – just snug; the relative ease of pregnancy overall.
Dislikes: Feeling nauseous at night due to the amount that she moves
Weight: +12 pounds
Waist: + 5 inches

34 weeks along.

Well – we’re just about there!  A little more than five weeks to go and we’ll have a little one in our humble abode!  CRAZY!  Kalyb is getting more used to the idea of a little sister (although still very verbal about his desire for a brother).  We actually ended up moving to a house the first week in December so we have plenty of space now!  We spent part of this break getting Kadence’s room relatively organized.  We still need to put together her crib which should be arriving any day.  But, other than that (and a car seat and stroller which have also been ordered), we are well on our way!

Josiah has been very verbal about his desire to have and hold this little girl since about month four.  Just this morning I said, ‘I can’t wait until she gets here’ and Josiah mentioned that was the first time he’d heard me say that.  I think I’m just finally feeling ready.  The house is coming together, her stuff is ready for the most part, and I’m excited to meet her!

We are looking at changing care providers.  We’ve been going to Birth Boot Camp classes (somewhat similar to Bradley Method) and after meeting with the staff at the hospital where I was set to deliver, I just didn’t feel comfortable.  We found a birthing center that I really liked, but our instructor is kind of steering us away from there due to the Midwife’s reputation.  So we shall see – I’ve got some calls to make to insurance and we have some visits to make.  I know it will all work out.

We have LOVED this Christmas break and have spoiled ourselves by just staying home with our family.  It has been so CALM and QUIET and RESTFUL.  We’ve had several mornings where we’ve all slept in close to 11!  (I know, I know – this kind of rest is numbered.  So I’m soaking it up!)

Hopefully I can find the time to get on here once or twice more before Kadence’s debut!

Taken this morning at 34.5 weeks

Taken a few days ago at 34 weeks.

7 months?!

I’m officially in my 31st week which officially kinda freaks me out knowing we’re in single-digit amount of weeks left in this pregnancy! Tomorrow, I’ll also be officially 7 months pregnant. That still boggles my mind; I’m in all of my old ‘fat’ clothes (those of you who’ve known me awhile – oh, wait, that’s all of you because I’m pretty sure it’s just Mom I have reading this ;0) – know that I used to weigh quite a bit more. Thankfully, I kept all of these pants and now have clothes I’m able to fit in!)

Waist: +5″
Weight: +12 pounds (I think all the running around at Thanksgiving KEPT me from gaining weight)
Likes: getting to feel Kadence ALL the time (particularly ALL night long), still feeling good
Dislikes: Just looking like I’m gaining weight and missing out on the ‘baby bump’ – I’m sure I’ll be glad that this is the case, but those baby bumps are just so cute!

 

30.5 weeks pregnant

Here’s the pictures side by side from 12 weeks pregnant compared to now – next picture, I’ll do better at getting my hair and make-up done rather than rolling out of bed on a Saturday morning, interrupting Kalyb from his cartoons to come take a picture, and getting it done that way ;0) I’m still feeling great.  I feel her moving ALL the time.  We had a GREAT time in California last week where my mom and sister threw me my California shower!  SO fun seeing family and friends – and even being surprised by a few!  We played a couple of games and Bekah guessed my tummy size to THE centimeter.  We were very blessed with the gifts that we received and feel so excited to have Kadence join this awesome community of family and friends!

LOVE all of these girls!!

I think we’ve finally agreed that her middle name will be ‘Emerson’ – although, the jury’s still out on the spelling.  Either Emerson or Emercyn (with ‘mercy’ in the middle).  We have a few weeks to decide, I suppose!

I’m sure these next few weeks will FLY by full of work, basketball, getting things organized and the overall excitement!  Next weekend, Nichole and Lynn (mother-in-law) will be coming into town and Mari (‘step’ mother-in-law) will be hosting the Texas shower at her house that Jessica (amazing friend and planner extraordinnaire) has done an awesome job planning and organizing!  Should be another fun weekend :0)

Until then…