Family of 4

After my parents left reality sunk in.  We were a family of 4.  So much to balance and take care of with just the 2 of us.  Thankfully Brian had a couple of days off that week.  Then the next week was a partial work week because of Thanksgiving.  Then I was on my own.  We were all pretty tired.

So blessed to have meals brought to our house from our friends, neighbors, and church family. While Brian was off he was able to spend some quality time with Jaxon. Brian took him out to breakfast at country barbeque  and then to his well visit at the doctors office.  They seemed to enjoy their time together.

We also tried to to have some family time.  I was spoiled while Brian was home.  He would let me sleep in and he would get Jaxon up and fed while I took care of Kaelyn.  I didn't know how I would manage that once he went back to work. I was going to have to find fun indoor things to do since it will be too cold outside.  We've actually had some warmer days which I am thankful that it has allowed us to bundle up and go outside to play.  We decided not to travel for Thanksgiving and we just stayed home and Brian's parents came over and we had a small Thanksgiving meal just the 6 of us.

The week after Thanksgiving was my first full week by myself.  It got challenging towards the end of the week.  As long as I plan stuff to do indoors or get out of the house and do something it helps my week.  While Kaelyn naps in the morning Jaxon and I have some time together.  We planned playdates, trips to the children's museum, Walmart, Target, or anywhere to get out of the house.  Jaxon is a typical 2.5 year old.  I thought we had passed the terrible 2's but its just getting started.  I have to pray for patience daily.  It gets hard especially if I'm nursing Kaelyn or I'm trying to calm her down and have to hold her.  Jaxon tries to get his way and thinks he doesn't have to listen when I'm busy.  He is learning though my legs can still move and my hands can still reach his bottom for a spanking.  He is still a sweet boy and we love him.  Its just a daily thing to have to give my day to the Lord to help me get through it.  We look forward to the weekend when daddy gets to be home with us and I have some extra hands.  By Friday we all need a break.  Thankful for friends that we can play with.

Newborn Pictures

We had some newborn pictures taken.  We got alot of really good ones.  These are some of our favorites.  She did pretty good.  We had to to crank up the heat so that it would keep her asleep.  We were roasting by the time we had finished.

2 weeks with Mimmie and Pop Pop

So thankful my parents could be here for 2 weeks to help us transition and to give some extra attention to Jaxon.  Brian was home while they were here too.  He spread out his days off so when my parents left he still had a few more days off.   My parents helped with cooking and cleaning up around the house, getting things organized and getting rid of things.  My dad helped Brian with his honey do list.  They put up shelves in the garage so we could have more storage.  My parents helped get Jaxon up in the morning and helped to put him to bed at night.  Jaxon had lots of fun with his Hot Wheels and playing with his trains.  He played outside and went to the Children's Museum with my dad and Brian.  He also went to Costco with my dad which he loved.  Jaxon really bonded with my parents.  It was really fun to watch them interact and have fun together. Jaxon would always ask for them and preferred them to do things with or to give him a bath.  It was really sweet.  

I got emotional when they left.  My dad said it feels like he's leaving me at college.  I cried then too.  They were so helpful and they bonded with Jaxon and entertained him.  I didn't know how I was going to manage without them and give Jaxon the same attention.  I was sad for Jaxon because I didn't know how he was going to be when they left and if he would understand.  

Headed to the hospital

My parents came the day before we headed to the hospital.  So thankful they could come and help us out.  Being induced made things a little better for them since they live 5 hours away they were able to be here and not miss the birth of their grandchild.  I didn't have to worry about taking Jaxon to a friend's house or rushing to the hospital in the middle of the night.  My parents stayed at the house with him.  Brian's parents weren't too far away and could help too.
Even though they say the arrival of baby #2 should be different than baby #1.  I was induced with Jaxon and they are inducing me with baby #2.
Just like with Jaxon I had not experienced any contractions prior to being induced.  I also hadn't dilated very much.  Overall I felt pretty good.

On the night of Monday November 3 we arrived at hospital at 7:15 pm to be induced. They checked to see I had dilated any.  It was very uncomfortable and I felt lots of pressure. They also wanted to make sure they were feeling baby's head. The baby kept floating around and they wanted to be sure the head was still down. So they did an ultrasound and found that the baby was still in the right position.  They said to get some sleep tonight and to expect things to start progressing the next day.

They inserted a pill called cytotec around 9:30pm to help thin out my cervix. They also gave me a sleeping pill.  I think I started having mini contractions and didn't really feel anything but some cramping. 

Dr A (my regular OB doctor) came in around 8am the next day and said I was dilated 3cm and she broke my water. Then the heart rate dropped some on the baby. She did not want me to get up and move around. They wanted me on my side in the bed to see if they couldn't get baby's heart rate to go up. 

I laid in the bed for about 30 min to get the heart rate up. When it was finally at a safe spot I was able to move around. I took a bathroom break. Then I sat on the exercise ball. I remember getting up and moving around helped me during the labor with Jaxon. 

The contractions were stronger and came more frequent. With Jaxon I felt like I got some relief during contractions.  The contractions seemed a little more spread out and the pain wasn't as intense.

My mom came in and helped me during contractions and I was glad she was able to be in there with me and Brian.  I felt like I could puke at one point but never did and I got really sweaty. They checked me periodically and I went from 3cm to 9 cm pretty quickly. I felt some pressure when I had contractions where I felt my body pushing.  That meant baby was getting ready.  I was finally dilated 9cm and they prepared for delivery.  I only pushed 4 times and baby started to come out.  I could feel the head coming out and I thought it was just about over. But they were having trouble getting the baby out.  The cord was wrapped 2x around the neck. The doctor finally got baby out and announced it was a GIRL!!!!!!  

Kaelyn Elizabeth was born at 11:24am

weight 7lbs 6 oz

height 21 inches long

Notice any similarities...

I was pretty swollen and I had a 2nd degree tear and I could feel her sew me up.  I was so thankful it was a quick labor and delivery with no complications.  We had a healthy little girl. 

We were so excited to have a daughter.  I had a feeling that it was going to be a girl.  But I would have been fine either way.  The pregnancy was different and the majority of my friends had girls this year.  I guessed it right with Jaxon too.  It seemed to be a boy year when he was born.  

I had Brian pack a pink and blue shirt so he could wear the shirt to announce the news to family.  Brian wore a pink shirt to share the news with the grandparents and Jaxon.  They had been waiting in the waiting room. They were all so excited.  I was in the labor/delivery room for about an hour doing skin to skin with her.  It felt so weird to be holding a little baby again.  She was much smaller than Jaxon was when he was born.  

When we got to our recovery room the grandparents and Jaxon were waiting for us.  Jaxon came in and was very excited and he wanted to hold baby sister. He was very gentle.