Krissy's Birth

I was scheduled to be at the hospital at 6am, one week ago, for my induction.  I liked being able to plan ahead of time, so my house was clean, my bags were 100% packed and ready, and I got done everything I planned on doing.  I put the kids to bed that Wednesday night and started feeling a little emotional.  I wondered how this new baby was going to change things around our house.

My parents got to my house right around 5:30am so they could watch the other kiddos.  We loaded up Kevin's jeep and drove to the hospital.  We quickly got checked in and taken to our room.  I had a lovely nurse that started my IV and talked me through all the paper work.  Once all that business was out of the way, she did my first pelvic check.  That Tuesday before I got induced, I had seen Dr. Cave and she tried to stretch my cervix to get me more dilated.  I had been 1 1/2 cms.  My first check of the day, I was 3 cms!  At 7am my new nurse came in.  I'm always anxious to meet the day shift nurse because I know that is who is going to coach me through delivery.  I have always had great nurses, but this nurse, Laura, was exceptional!

Shortly after I met Laura, I met the student nurse that was observing.  Dr. Cave was supposed to be in at 8am to break my water, but it was 9:10 before she got there.  (She got held up in traffic).  After Dr. Cave broke my water, I was 4cms.  She said with all the progress I made since Tuesday, I would have gone into labor on my own that evening or the next day.  About 45 minutes after my water was broke, I got the epidural.  It was by far the most painful epidural I've had, but it was the best one I've had!  (With Hayden, I felt way too much and with Allie I was so numb I felt nothing!)  I could sort of tell when I was having a contraction, but never felt pain.  I know when you get to 10cms, you are supposed to feel like you need to have a bowel movement.  I'm getting ahead of myself...

So around 10:30, my nurse came back in and said it looked like I was making progress.  I was 6cms.  At 11:30 my nurse came back, and I was 8cms.  She drained my bladder and said it was so full she thinks the baby may have moved down with the extra room she freed up, so she checked me again and I was 9cms.  (At this point I'm calling my parents to tell them to get to the hospital!  I wanted the kids to be there right after the baby was born so they could be the first to meet her.  Then they told me they were at Chick Fil A finishing lunch, and I asked if they would bring me a sandwich since I'd be able to eat lunch soon!)  Laura called Dr. Cave and she had just finished up a surgery.  She stopped by the nurses station around 11:45 and said she was going to fill out her paper work but she'd be close if she was needed.  About 12:10 Dr. Cave came in to check on me, and told me I was 10 cms, the head was very low, and it was time to have a baby!  They called for all the other people that had to be in the room when I gave birth.

My bed was quickly taken apart.  All the staff got suited in gowns and masks, and now it was my turn to do my job!  Laura told me I was having a contraction and it was time to push, so I grabbed my legs, pushed 10 seconds, took a breath, and did that a few times.  One minute and about 20 seconds later, Kevin announced "It's a girl!" (I delivered her in one contraction - my quickest delivery yet!)  When she first came out, I couldn't tell who she looked like, but after they wrapped her up and brought her back to me, I thought she looked a lot like Hayden.  Laura said she thought Krissy looked just like me! :)

About 20 minutes after she was born, Hayden and Allie got to come in and meet their new little sis.  They both were very anxious to hold her.  Once they both checked her out, we let our parents come in.  Hayden told everyone "It's a girl".  Our hospital stay was fantastic!  We got a room that had one of the new couches that pulls out to a queen sized air bed.  I slept there both nights and really enjoyed it!  I really couldn't think of a thing I'd change, but when it was time to leave Saturday afternoon, I was ready!  We had several visitors stop by and we appreciated everyone that took time to come visit!  We also appreciate all the prayers that were said for a quick/safe/easy/healthy delivery and baby! 

It's a GIRL!

Krissy Alexandra

September 20, 2012 @ 12:19pm

7lbs 3oz

20 inches

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Krissy's first few days of life...

The nice student nurse offered to take our picture.

The kids getting to meet Krissy for the first time.  Allie was saying she wanted to hold her.

First family picture

Allie was watching Krissy in the warmer.  I love her expression!

Hayden got to help with her first bath.  He loved the gloves!

She was staring at her daddy.

Allie's shoes look like Krissy's shoes... pretty hilarious!

Her bunting I made...

She has my toes!

Flowers from my sis :)

Flowers from Amy!

Only When I'm Pregnant - 39 Weeks

Yesterday Hayden asked me, "Why do you go to the bathroom so much?"  He makes me laugh.

This will be my last weekly pregnancy post!  This is probably old news to everyone reading this, but I found out yesterday at my doctor's appointment I'll be induced tomorrow!  My doctor said I was 1 1/2 cms dilated and gave me the option of being induced tomorrow or waiting until the 27th.  I'm not sleeping now, so I'd rather not sleep because I have a sweet newborn baby to hold and love on.  (Give me a few weeks and I may not be singing that tune...)  The heartbeat was 135bpm, so it was back down this week. 

I'm not nervous about labor or delivery.  I am feeling a bit anxious about how Hayden & Allie will do with out me being home for 2 1/2 days.  They will be spending most of their time at the hospital, but bed time and breakfast routines will be different for them.   I know Kevin can handle it, but I'm sure I'll hate telling them goodbye at night.  Now that I think about it, they will probably have a blast being with their daddy, and it's going to be harder on me than any one else!

I am SO excited to find out if this baby is a boy or girl.  My official guess is... girl.  It seems like most people are guessing it's a boy, so it will be fun to see who is right!  My other guesses are the baby will weigh 7lbs 8oz, be 20.5 inches long, and will arrive at 1:13pm.  Clearly, those are all guesses!

For the most up to date info on when the baby arrives, check my facebook.  I plan on letting everyone on facebook know the sex, name, weight, etc, but I'll save all the details of the birth for my blog.  Say some extra prayers for me and my family this week!

Chore Chart

I found this idea on Pinterest.  You print then frame a list of Daily, Weekly, and Monthly chores and use a dry erase marker to cross off chores as they get done.  Our chart has chores for everyone in the family (ex: Hayden has to take the trash out of the hall bath once a week and Allie has to help clean up the toys every night before bed.)

Funny

I saw this on Pinterest and it made me laugh.... my kids are notorious for doing things that drive me crazy (playing in the water/sinks any time I am not paying attention, writing on furniture and walls with ink pens, just to name a few) and my mom likes to remind me I use to do all these annoying things too.....

Zoo Outing

When I realized last weekend could be our last weekend as a family of 4, I told Kevin we needed to do something fun instead of sit at home.  We decided to head to the zoo since it was a beautiful, and not too hot, sunny day.  Our local zoo doesn't really wow me, but the kids always seem to like it.  This trip was no different.

The highlight of this trip was seeing/petting/feeding a porcupine named Ophelia.  Hayden was scared to pet her, but Allie jumped in and pet her and fed her. 

The porcupine kept reaching for the man with the food.  He said she wouldn't fall off or get off the table, but it sure was cute watching her beg for food!

Allie feeding Ophelia graham cracker

We stopped and had the kids pose at some of the popular photo ops, and enjoyed a packed picnic for lunch.  We had an uninvited visitor show up during lunch, a peacock, that refused to leave.  It was freaking me out and Kevin kept feeding it! 

Hayden giving Allie bunny ears....

Bats

Posing in the canoe

The boys eating lunch

The annoying peacock

 And if anyone can tell me what this plant is, I'd greatly appreciate it!  I want it for my house!

September's Mid Month Update

Outside my window . . .it's partly sunny and mid 70s. 

I am thinking . . . this may be our last weekend as a family of 4!  (That didn't really hit me until last night!)

I am thankful for . . .Proverbs 31 Ministries.  I love their daily devotional email and I just "liked' their facebook page which posts great things throughout the day. 

In the kitchen . . .we have a gnat problem!  Anyone else have them?  I don't know if I brought in with some fruit I brought, but they are driving me nuts!

I am wearing . . .maternity capris and a black maternity shirt that is barely covering my huge belly.

I am creating . . . nothing really.  My focus is on preparing my house for a possible delivery this week, catching up on things I've been putting off, and making sure the kids have a fun next few days.

I am going . . .to pig out the last few days I'm pregnant because I can't be doing that post delivery. 

I am wondering . . .if I've dilated to 2cms yet.  I'm really hoping I have!  Patience is clearly something I struggle with....

I am reading . . .I'm finishing Radical by David Platt and I started reading Sacred Marriage for the women's bible study I'm in.

I am hoping . . . the transition from 2 to 3 is as easy as it was from 1 to 2!

I am looking forward to . . . seeing how Hayden and Allie love their new sibling.  They are both so excited and daily argue over who gets to hold the baby first. 

I am hearing . . . the Alabama/Arkansas game.  I haven't watched much football this season, but I do love catching a good Alabama game when I have a chance!  Roll Tide~

Around the house . . .We've been trying a new bedtime routine that's working well!  At 7pm we clean up.  The kids both help.  We usually spend 15-20 minutes cleaning (I usually get the vacuum out at some point).  Then Kevin or I give baths and we brush teeth.  This takes another 20 minutes or so.  Next we'll read bible stories for 10-15 minutes, then we get the kids tucked in.  They are usually in bed around 8.  Hayden usually falls right to sleep and Allie usually has to talk for 15+ minutes before she's out.  I really like how this last hour has been going :)

One of my favorite things . . . has been learning how to sew.  My only experience was 7th grade home ec and it has been pretty easy to get my feet wet.  I've got a list of project I want to make (curtains, blankets, things for the kids, skirts for me once I get back to my regular size, the list is endless!)

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .Church tonight, maybe a cookout before baby #3 comes, doctor's appointment Tuesday, and loving on my kiddos as much as possible!

Growing Love

My love for this fuzzy mutt is definitely growing!  He's graduating out of the naughty puppy months and starting to feel like a part of the family.  I'm not going to lie, I didn't always love him, but now I am so glad we stuck it out the first few months we had him!

He is always so bummed to see us leave (even if it's just a quick trip to the store) but he's SO excited when we come home!  He's also good at keeping me alert during the night if things aren't quite normal.... (although this has it's downsides - like the night he barked for 2 hours at something in a tree {sorry neighbors!})  He is the best floor cleaner!  He laps up crackers crumbs like it's his job!  He's loves the kids.  He will sit and politely take treats out of their hands (aww) and chase them around the yard on the 4 wheeler or John Deer Tractor.  The kids think it's hilarious and TJ gets to burn off some energy!  We've also been letting him in with us for 30 mins or so a few nights a week.  Although he still smells like dog, I think he's a great addition to our family - sorry it took me 5 months to come to that conclusion TJ! 

Daddy's Nights Off Work

We love the nights Kevin has off work, for many reasons, but one that stands out is because we tend to eat lots of ice cream the nights he is home!  He makes a mean milk shake!  The kids and I love them! :)

Too busy to smile or pose for the camera.

Both are wearing the flannel jammy pants I made them! :)

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

One of my favorite parts about being sick is eating Panera's chicken noodle soup.  I love it!  It's kind of pricey though and the last 2 times I've bought it, it was loaded with celery and onion (not something I like).  When I was menu planning for this month, I decided to try a new chicken noodle soup recipe.  I went over to Mel's Kitchen Cafe because I tend to like the stuff she posts.  Little did I know that the day I planned on making the soup, we'd all have colds (and Kevin had an ear infection).  I've eaten it for several meals and I love it!  Kevin said he would like it better with smaller noodles, but this soup is packed with flavor and will be my go-to recipe from now on :)

(I copied/pasted her recipe from the site, then made my changes...)
INGREDIENTS:
For Chicken and Broth:
3-4 pound chicken breast (I used 4 very large breasts which was probably close to 3lbs)
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 stalks celery, chopped in large chunks
3-4 carrots, cut in large chunks
1 onion, chopped in large pieces
Soup:
12 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 pound carrots, chopped
1 teaspoons salt (to taste, depending on the broth)
½ teaspoon pepper
16-20 ounces egg noodles
1 cup cream or half-and-half combined with 1 tablespoon cornstarch

DIRECTIONS:
Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker and add the other ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours. Carefully remove the chicken breasts and set aside in a large bowl until the chicken is cool enough to handle without burning your fingertips off. Meanwhile, remove and discard the large solids from the chicken broth and strain the chicken broth into a large pot.

Chicken & vegetables in crock pot

To the same pot, add another 12 cups chicken broth, the chopped vegetables and the salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, covered, for 12-15 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly tender (they’ll cook more when the noodles cook). Taste the broth and add salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions at a rolling boil. While the noodles are cooking, take the chicken off the bones and shred into bite-size pieces. Combine the cream (or half-and-half) and cornstarch in a liquid measuring, whisking to dissolve the cornstarch. Add the slurry to the soup and simmer rapidly for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the shredded chicken. Serve.

chopped carrots and celery

Make sure you strain the broth from the crock pot!

Lots of yummy chicken!

The noodles I used - which I loved, but Kevin didn't love...

Recipe Source: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

p.s. I picked all my celery out :)