Kennedy Kate Childress

Kennedy Kate Childress was born today, January 26th at 4:24 PM! She Weighed 8.4 pounds and is 20.5 inches long. We are all doing great! Thank you for the prayers and support. When we are all settled in at home I will write her beautiful birth story down and post some pictures.

We are in LOVE

Events of This Morning

I want to start this post by thanking my absolutely amazing husband Kyle who I love a million times more today than I ever thought I could love someone. AND to Jenny Helm who has been here with me since 6:30PM last night and been a huge comfort to me and a wonderful labor coach. Her selflessness and knowledge of L&D (she's a L&D nurse) have made this experience so much better than I could have ever imagined.

THIS MORNING

6:45 My Dr came in to examine me and i was dilated to 3 cm
9:00 Decided to get epidural and it's in place and working miracles by 930
9:45 Dr Rutter comes in and breaks my water and a catheter was placed
10:00-10:30 Visit with my parents, Kyle's parents, my sister-in-law, & Jenny H and am overwhelmed with a huge sense of God's presence in the room. I almost cry but keep His stillness to myself. So precious. I'm reminded of the praise song that states:
"How deep The Father's love for us"
10:30-Now: resting, praying, praising with only my husband with me in this delivery room. The stillness and peace I feel cannot be put into words. We are so ready for this journey Lord. Thank You for all You've done!

Cervidil & Pitocin

Cervidil & Pitocin

So fun that I can blog from my hospital bed! Here's what we've been up to:

We checked in yesterday at noon and with the first examination we found out I was still only dilated to a 1. At 3:15 my nurse, Gaby, inserted Cervidil which needed to stay in place for 12 hours. During that time we had many visitors such as: Kyle's mom and dad, my dad, Kam Barnes (a very dear church friend), Sharon Gilbreath (a very dear FHTM teammate), my mom, Jenny Helm, Jill Wenzel, Stevie Helm, and Dusty Moore. Around 9 I got to meet my new nurse, Monica (who I love) who gave me some Ambien to sleep and took my vital signs. I slept off and on until 3:15 when the Cervidil was removed and we found that I was dilated to 1.5 but much more effaced. At 4:15 Nurse Monica came in and started me on Pitocin because my contractions were coming pretty closely together and gave me some other medicine in my IV for some nausea I'd been having off and on through the night.

So, with that I am going to attempt to sleep through some of these contractions while I can! What an amazing blessing! I love you Lord!

From the Hospital

Right before leaving for the Hospital

Update: Just so everyone knows, the "wait" has officially begun. It looks like Miss K won't be here until the wee hours of the morning. I will definitely let everyone know of any new updates. Love y'all! -Jenny & Kyle

The Call

Yesterday around 6pm my DR called and said that I needed to be bumped from the 5:30AM slot to the 12PM slot to begin today's induction. So here's the plan for now (unless I'm bumped again):
12PM: Check in
-Checked and given Cervidil (sp) but I'm praying that I'm dilated more and ready to go!

If I'm not then..

12AM on Wednesday the 26th they will remove cervidil and begin Pitocin.

I will update you throughout! But I've learned so far that I can't plan this. God is in control. And I should be ashamed for thinking I know how it should go ;) Love to each of you and please keep sending prayers!

40 Weeks

I was supposed to check into the hospital today at 5:15pm but my Dr. called this morning and is having me come in in the morning at 5:30 to start the induction process. I am actually excited about this because I will be able to sleep in my own bed tonight. I am praying that Kennedy will make her arrival on her own or at least start the process today. Thank you for all of your prayers!

How your baby's growing:

It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. Her skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

Thank You Sunday

Today (well yesterday, Sunday) was a great day! Still no baby but we enjoyed: 
-church at MBC
-Lunch with friends
-A quick visit with Kyle's parents
-A nap
-Dinner/marriage enrichment with our TEAMS group from MBC
-A wonderful team conference call
-Taking a drive on a bumpy road (which does NOT induce labor) because we were told it would start labor
-A 1.1 mile walk with our dog Belle
-A wonderful phone call/pep talk from my dad
-Prayer together

Now we have until 5 pm Monday (today) to make sure all is in order for our baby girl's arrival. 

Please keep the prayers coming! 

Waiting..

We woke up just a bit late to make it to Sunday school this morning so I thought I would update you on the fact that not much is going on here. HA! Yesterday was pretty uneventful in the "come on labor" department. I had a few intense contractions after a 1 mile walk last night but they quickly faded. While showering this morning I had the most intense contraction yet and I was all set to time for the next one and I have yet to have it. So I guess we just wait. We have plans to attend church at 10:45, have lunch with some friends, and attend our TEAMS group tonight with church but Lord, you can bring a new baby into the world any time you want to today. :)

Contractions?

Last night at 7:58 some lower back pain and minor cramping started. I was for sure that I'd be in the hospital last night but by 1AM I was fast asleep after almost 5 hours of steady contractions that were between 5-8 minutes apart. I woke up 4 times during the night with pretty intense pain and lower back pain and I've still been feeling some of those here and there so far this morning. I don't seem to be able to time these in any sort of sequence so I am just tidying up the house and making sure everything is in place for Miss K. It's really weird to experience this because she is my first baby and I don't know what I am supposed to be feeling at all. It's confusing.

I will keep you updated.

Tid Bits

• After much prayer, consideration, and question asking we have scheduled an induction for Tuesday, January 25th. I check into the hospital on Monday night.
• Today I got the need to clean which I hear is a good sign so maybe she will come this weekend!
• This post is very random but I have some thoughts I just have to put down.
• We are so ready to be parents (or as ready as we are going to be).
• The last thing we have to do to get the nursery together is hang the curtains. We will complete this tonight.
• I'm sad that my dog Belle will have to be at Big Oaks Kennels in Buda while we are at the hospital and bringing our girl home. Belle is the best dog and has become my little helper. I know she will be excited to meet Miss K.
• We have the most wonderful team of people that we get to work with and are blessed that so many have offered to handle next weeks meetings and events with FHTM for us.
• My mom will get to stay for a few days and help out once our baby girl arrives.
• Whitney Carlson will come over and take newborn pictures.
• You should follow my friend and business partner Micki Gram over at her blog. She is 23 and an amazing woman! I am so blessed to know her (and you'll be blessed too).
• I have wonderful friends! Thanks and love to all of you!
• Our church family is fabulous!
• Our families are AMAZING! I can't wait for our parents to meet their new grand daughter.
• I'm just ready!
• Thank you Thank you Thank you Lord for all You've done!

Update

I cried at today's baby appointment against all attempts to hold the tears in. Why do I feel disappointed when we have so much to be thankful for? STUPID! So, here's the news:

I am 1 cm dialted and my Dr. told me that I have the option of being induced on Tuesday, January 25th if Kennedy Kate hasn't made her arrival by then. She also added that her opinion is that it would be best to wait on my body.I won't lie. I'm considering induction. I have tried the following, suggested by people I know, things (im leaving out a few to spare you) to speed this process up:

• spicy food
• mexican food
• walking..a lot
• driving down a bumpy road
• pedicures
• chinese food (panda express)
• walking up stairs
• etc

AND..there's still 5 days til her due date! That's a lot of time for my body to do something!! Thank you for your prayers and for reading along. Just think, if this goes beyond her due date she just might be a February birthday girl like her momma and some other fabulous girls I know :)

Pink & Black Bash 2008: Jill, Jenny H, Nocona, and Me

Famous Couples Birthday Bash 2009: Jenny H, Jill, Nocona, and Me

80's Birthday Bash 2010: Me, Nocona, Jenny H, and Jill

39 Weeks Picture

I won't lie. I look okay in this picture because of the smile but today I am M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E! I have another baby appointment in the morning at 11 and I might just burst into tears if she tells me again that I haven't progressed. I have officially gained well over 50 pounds in this pregnancy and I'm just plain exhausted. So, say a prayer for me and baby and my body. I'm ready to get this show (delivery) on the road and do this! Can't wait to be a mommy!

39 Weeks

I can't believe this week is here! I know the reality is that I could go beyond my due date but we are so close to holding our baby girl and we are blessed! Today I have plans to walk, mop, clean up the house a bit, and present in New Braunfels. I am glad that we have a full week of presentations scheduled so that I can keep myself busy with work and my mind on our team. Don't worry. My hospital bag is packed and will be with me at all times. Tomorrow I will post my 39 week picture but for now I will leave you with how our little one is growing this week:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

What a Day

38 & 3
Thursday was a great day! We woke up at 9:30 and headed to Chickfila for a wonderful breakfast burrito and then over to my 38th week baby appointment. Upon arriving I was pleasantly surprised that for the first time since June I hadn't gained any weight between baby appointments! PRAISE! At the appointment Miss K's heart rate was 140, My measurements were right on track, and I was still dilated to only 1 cm. I am not discouraged by this because God's timing is perfect and I feel great comfort in knowing that He alone knows her birthday and everything about her. My next appointment is on January 20th at 11:00 am and maybe I will have some progress to share. Please pray for us as we make our way closer to delivery. After the appointment we headed to a friends house to visit with their 3 month old baby (wow time flies), home to lunch, sold the coach bag and mirror on craigslist, dropped off and received cash for both items, had Belle's nails trimmed, and headed to New Braunfels to work with our team. We had 5 new teammates join our team tonight and are blessed to help people achieve financial freedom. Go to www.lifewithapayplan.com
Login: play
Password: play
To listen to a 15 minute overview of what we do.
After our meeting we headed home and now I am blogging from a bubble bath (who knew technology would someday allow us to do this if we want).

What an amazing day! Even though somewhere in that mix I found out I'm a Capricorn instead of an Aquarius.

Wow

Nesting Sale

I have the following items on Craigslist but wanted to put them on my blog for my readers to get a chance to purchase. I've been cleaning out and don't have spots for (or don't really need) the following items:
Mirror: Height: 2'4" and Width 3" it is in perfect condition. $40.00
Like new coach bag: $75.00
TV/DVD/VHS combo with remote (all working) $100.00
Book shelf: 6 feet tall $75.00

37 & 6

THIS IS MY 400TH BLOG POST! WOW!!!

It's so weird to type that title! I can't believe I am writing my 38th week post! I can't explain to you how ready I am for Miss K to be here. Last night I had the first great night of sleep that I have had in days. I did wake up at around 5 AM due to some anxiety about her delivery. (I might have shed some tears). It's scary to venture into this delivery unknown. I feel like I did the night before I ran the marathon back in February of 2009 but for that event I knew the date. Since I am such a planner I wish I knew the exact date that contractions and labor would start but I don't.

My husband and I have been taking daily 1-2 mile walks and they really help to rejuvenate me. I took this picture last night after a very cold walk. Please ignore the pile of laundry I STILL need to put away. Hey..most of it is folded!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Please pray for us as her birthday approaches. We can't wait to meet her.

Big Baby Alert

Today at our baby appointment I was told that Baby K is already weighing between 7.5-8 pounds so you can start praying for me now. With 2 weeks and 4 days left until the due date there is still time for her to grow even bigger. YIKES. I was dilated to 1cm but I know that doesn't mean much of anything at this point. I was told to go on a long walk every day until she is here so if anyone wants to walk with me all day tomorrow you are welcome to come over.

37 Weeks!! YAY!

We can now say that our baby girl is FULL TERM :) So we are ready when you are Miss K! Less than 3 weeks and we will be holding our baby girl and our lives will change forever (though I already feel like our lives have changed forever.

We installed the car seat a few days ago and today I am working on packing my bag and some stuff for Miss K for our hospital stay. How exiting and how much pink? Yikes..I think she needs some other colors in her wardrobe.
Just wanted to show you her Swoppies! My friend Lauren that I have known since elementary school was so sweet to send me several. It is such a wonderful idea. CLICK HERE to see!

So, What's going on this week with baby?

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

What going on with me?

How Far Along: 37 Weeks

Size of baby: Kennedy is the size of a Watermelon and I feel it!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 46 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I wear all Maternity now except for these realllllly comfy sweat capri things that I should have bought in EVER color.

Movement: I've been feeling her move quite a bit and now the movement hurts! I mean, who likes a foot in the ribs?

Sleep: I am having a hard time falling to sleep but once I am asleep I tend to sleep just fine.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, running, feeling light

Cravings: I haven't noticed any cravings lately I'm just REAL hungry

Symptoms: Mostly tiredness, a few Braxton Hicks

Best Moment this week: Thinking about Christmas next year with Kennedy

30 Day Challenge

Let's face it. I try. I've had so many little 30 day challenges here in blog land that I just couldn't finish but the one that I am working on now is just worth it. My husband and I are on day 3 of Chalene Johnson's 30 Day Organization/Goals Challenge and Accountability group. If you don't know who she is you should look her up on her website and read all about her. She is a fitness/life/nutrition coach and it's FREE to get the information from her for this challenge. Hire her as a mentor for FREE. You can become her "fan" on facebook where her bio says, "Chalene Johnson - Life changer, author and motivational speaker. Creator of Turbo Jam, Turbo Kick, ChaLEAN Extreme, Turbo Fire, TKB, Hip Hop Hustle and PIYo. A diet and exercise professional who believes your relationships are more important than any number on a scale. Blessed to be married to Bret Johnson and mother to two well balanced, well adjusted, funny children. Don't go on a diet, put your life on a diet."

I first learned of her from her Turbo Jam workout videos and because of facebook and twitter I have been able to pick up some very valuable information from her.

CLICK HERE to read more about the challenge

I'll share what I've learned so far in a later post. I still have some thinking to do about day 3's information.

2011=SIMPLIFY

You might notice a new look to my blog. I'm simplifying my life this year. That might be laughable since we are adding baby K to the mix in the next few weeks but I really want to uncomplicate and declutter my life. Call it nesting if you will.