One Month

Thank you Jenny H for putting these pictures of KK together. Just beautiful

Kennedy Kate,

I can't believe you are already a month old. I'm sorry that I am a few days late on writing this post but you are just keeping your dad and me so very busy and entertained. This month has changed my life and I can't believe how much I love you already. In that last few days you have started to become so much more alert and you turn your head to look when something moves near by you. Yesterday was your first day at church but the both of us had to walk out right when we got there because you started fussing. You were hungry. I know what most of your cries mean now and it's fun that I am beginning to understand you. I can't wait to see what month 2 holds. You are a perfect gift!

Baby Girl

Monogram Melody Pink Baby Announcements

Shutterfly has cute birth announcements and cards for Easter.

View the entire collection of cards.

Provision

Almost 11 years ago I became a Christian and gave my life, heart, everything over to Jesus as my Lord. I remember my youth pastor praying and thanking the Lord for His perfect provision in our lives. Since I had never heard anyone use this word I had to go home and look up the word to figure out what Craig was thanking God for.

*Can you tell that I have a mother who told us to "look it up" when we asked what a word meant? Funny that I actually had to pull out the dictionary in all it's thickness, turn to the "P's", and search in tiny print for my answer. Our kids will have some fancy pants smart phone way to find out definitions but that's not what this post is about ;)

I woke up this morning 3 times to a screaming baby girl who was starving. I picked her up and found myself whispering in her ear, "I always feed you. Just give me a few seconds. I always feed you angel girl" That's when my spirit stilled. That's when I understood a little bit more about God's love. I can't imagine how many times in my life I've been crying or scared and God has whispered these things over me and i was unaware. He does have perfect provision in our lives & today I'm praising Him for it. I'm reminded of a praise song that always stills my heart too:
"You sing over me. When I am unaware"

Week 2

Week 2 was a much better week. KK and I caught on to breast feeding but probably still supplemented with formula more than needed. She gets so much more content after a bottle so it's hard to do breastfeeding all of the time. I think I would be sitting there all day. She is a SLOW eater.

First snow picture. It was cold during her 2nd week of life!

First Super Bowl Party at Grandpa's

And celebrated my 27th birthday at Clear Springs. This was also her first night out to eat!

Week 2 Dr. Stats:

Length: 21.5

Weight: 8.6

Head Circumference: 14 & 1/4

Next Appointment: is at 2 months

Week 1

I need to get this post written before I forget what the first week of motherhood was like. Its crazy that Kennedy Kate is almost 3 weeks old already! Blogging seems to have made the bottom of my list of things to do in a day now. I want so badly to keep a good record of all things KK, but sleep, her eating, her diaper changes, her tears, and her smiles have all taken over.

Once we arrived home from the hospital I think the three of us were in shock. My mom was at our house to help but I think we were just in awe of this precious girl we get to raise and parent. Having a child is a gift straight from God. I really still can't believe that the Lord gave her to us.

The first week went like this:

Thursday: a blur of a day in the hospital. Most of the day I was frustrated with breast feeding but felt very loved by several visitors all eager to meet our girl.

Friday: I was discharged from the hospital a little after noon and we head home with our daughter. My mom is there and I cry a lot and have one of the WORST nights of my life due to my breast milk not being in yet and having to give her formula. She was so much better after a full tummy. No one told me how rough the first night home would be.

Saturday: more attempts at breast feeding and pumping and a blur. I call the lactation specialist who encourages me to continue to pump and give Kennedy the breast milk mixed with one ounce formula so she gets all she needs. I am encouraged and we confirm our Mondayappointment.

Sunday: Stephanie and Shane Helm brought Kennedy a cute pink outfit and us lunch fromChipotle and we LOVED every bite. Beth brought over a huge pan of lasagna for us to eat for dinner that night. My dad and Diane came to visit for the afternoon. That night, my sister-in-law Kelly and mother-in-law come over and I get to shower, wash my hair, and even blow dry it:) I felt like a new lady!

Monday: early morning success with breastfeeding and an 11:00AM appointment at the hospital with the lactation specialist. Kennedy starting to really get the hang of breastfeeding. 1:30 first pediatrician appointment. Kennedy is looking great but weight down to 7 pounds 11 ounces. This is fine but we have a goal to get her back to her birth weight by her 2 week appointment.

Tuesday: I don't remember :(

At the Hospital

My Girl and Me

Nocona came to visit!

Jill and Ehran came to visit

Ashley Snell came to visit

RP and Auntie K

I get to go home today!!

All dressed and ready to head home with mommy and daddy

Daddy carried Kennedy out to the car

Snug as a bug in the car

Miss K's First Few Minutes

Kyle, Kennedy Kate, and Me

Love at first sight

Such a special moment

So Beautiful

Gram-ma and Auntie K

Jenny H, Me and Kennedy, Kyle

My Labor Story

My Labor Story

It takes a week to get "settled" in with a newborn. I finally feel like we have some sort of a routine.

Jenny H was by my side beginning on Tuesday, January 25Th at 6:30 PM she took notes the whole time (can you tell she's a labor & deliver nurse?) Here they are:

Jenny's labor story :)

January 25th:

1515 cervidil

2100 bathroom break, attempt to switch to wireless monitors

2120 ambien to help sleep

2125 nurse Monica says baby K will be 7#12oz

2135 dr Rutter comes and says hi

2145 mom & dad Childress here, Jenny eating smuggled pretzels :)

2155 ambien definitely kickin in

2215 childresses going home

2230 Jenny having crazy dreams

2315 baby K is SO happy!!

2350 turned to L side, feeling more contractions.. Baby K is as happy as ever!

Welcome to January 26th

0037 Kyle lies down to take a nap after he & Jenny H talk for a bit. More contractions and cramps tracing.

0100 nurse Helen in to check your vitals

0110 bathroom break, move to Right side, feeling funny post-ambien (water helps) :)

0330 cervidil out, 1.5/60/-2 exam by Monica

0440 pitocin start!! Yay!

0445 zofran for nausea. Double yay.

0640 much stronger contractions. Pitocin at 5 milliunits

0650 dr Rutter exam 3/50/-2!

0705 resting on right side to turn baby K some more. Breathing like a champ! Childresses here to see you

0820 epidural by dr getto (which worked perfectly)

0900 dr Rutter 3cm. Arom, clear fluid.

1230 haven't been moved since epidural placement.. Eesh! Turned to r side. Pitocin at 18.

1255 laughing like crazy with my family

1300 family at bedside.. Everyone is so ready to meet her!

1315 8cm/90/0!!! Yay! (Nurse exam) then to L side

1350 entire family now crying laughing We have fun!

1405 dr Rutter.10cm!!!

1420 catheter out- pushing started

1440 got the mirror. Can see her little head!!

1600 dr Rutter

1618 set up for delivery!

1624 baby girl KENNEDY KATE!

8 # 4.4 oz

20.5 inches

Kennedy Kate is placed on my chest and this is my first view of her!

FAMILY!