God is Great

My sis-in-law recently told me about friends of theirs who experienced a miracle... the Graves family. After 19 years of marriage & unable to have children - God blessed them with a precious tiny baby girl - her whole life has been a miracle as she wasn't supposed to survive in utero - wasn't supposed to survive birth (and so on). She lived 7 days and today went to heaven and is enjoying her new perfect body RIGHT NOW with Jesus and all the angels. Her story has touched me, and in her short life - she's touched many people she never met! I've been moved to pray for this family... if you want to be reminded how awesome God is - and how even just a 7 day old baby can make a difference & bring love into the world... check them out: http://babygravesdownunder.blogspot.com/

3 months - Loving the new addition

I'm soooo not a blogger, but figure I should probably start updating this thing. Partially to remember milestones & things that are going on in our lives, partially for family/friends who are far away, aaannnddd - to remember all that I have to be thankful for!

Aislynn is a true joy - she's so interactive now & I love all her little accomplishments. She turned 3 months on July 8th. These are some of the things she's doing:

*Rolling over (back to stomach - little rascal)

*Putting her blankets/burpclothes & clothes in her mouth

*Sucking fingers when she lays down

*Smiling & cackling at her reflection

*Grabbing feet (on occasion) she likes her hands better

*Propping herself up real high when on tummy

*Producing lots of drool (to prepare for putting lots of other things in her mouth)

She loves baby Einstein videos too! This week was my first full week back to work. It was hard, but much better than I thought. I miss my baby during the day - but glad to know she's home w/ her daddy. I've been pumping while at work - and that's going well, except that it gets a little annoying. BUT I'm determined to keep it going!

Michael and I visited my family in CO earlier in June - it was a great trip. It was awesome to see Tommy, Nickie & the boys - and my mom & Rory. We got some cute family pics as well.

We had a good Father's Day as well. Hung out w/ the family, and Aislynn got to wear her fancy little dress.

We didn't do anything special for the 4th of July - just hung around the house & went to IKEA for the first time. Aislynn slept the whole time. Michael was "done" after about 30 mins of walking through the show room. I'll have to go back there by myself some day.

Looking forward to the weekend w/ my family. Gotta lots to do! :)

Aislynn arrived, 4/8/09!

I've been bad about keeping up this post, but I should still report that our baby girl is here!

A brief update... I found out she was breeched on 3/26 thanks to a 3D ultrasound. The Dr. said I would have to schedule a c-section, or have them do a version (where they turn the baby from the outside). I scheduled a c-section for 4/14 (reluctantly, but left it in God's hands).

Tuesday, 4/7 Michael and I went to Walmart & walked around for a long time getting some last minute things. My mom was scheduled to fly in the next day. I was tired that night and went to bed late (around 12:30 am). Around 4:30 am, I woke up feeling crampy & had to take my nightly pee break. When I went, I felt a little trickle come out after (hmm, did I still have to go?). I realized, it was probably my water breaking - oh my gosh! I told Michael - he jumped out of bed... I knew I needed to shower & get ready if this was it!

Sure enough, in the shower, there was no mistaking it was my water breaking. We called parents, I let work know - and we were off to the hospital about an hour later. We arrived 5:55 am... they checked me - I was only 1 cm dilated & almost fully effaced -but she was still breeched so we definitely still had to have a c-section. Dr. Kelley (the same Dr. who was supposed to do my c-section on 4/14) was on call (thank you Lord). He hung around after the shift change to do my surgery.Around 7:30 came around - and it was "my turn"... Michael threw on his scrubs - I went into the OR, got a spinal block (painless) and they started prepping me. In came Michael - he held my hand and we chatted for a few mins. I felt the tugging & pressure... I was nervous - but there was no time to be nervous.

Next thing I knew, I heard him say "she's here" and then her little cry! She was here - she was on the other side of the 'curtain'. She kept crying as they cleaned her off & checked her. Michael got up to take pics. I just kept thinking "she's here, that's her cry... oh my gosh". I wanted to see her. They brought her over & I just couldn't believe that was my little baby.

They finished sewing me up, and then Michael got to hold her. They propped me up a tiny bit & I got to hold her. We rolled into the recovery room and about an hour later, I got to nurse her. It was awesome - just happened so naturally.

I was tired - and the drugs were making me nauseous and a little out of it. I just couldn't believe it was over.

She arrived 8:05 am - only 5 little pounds, 11 oz. 18 inches long. She was perfect & flawless. I was so in love. We named her Aislynn ("eyes-lynn"). Ironically, after all these months - we decided on her name the night before I went into labor.

We went home Saturday (4 days later). Life is different, but better. She's already getting bigger, she gained all her weight back, plus an ounce as of 4/13. She still wears preemie clothes, and some newborn clothes. She's perfect.

So life has gotten better for us - Zeus is adjusting to his new baby sister and doesn't like when she cries. I think he's going to be her protector :)

5 1/2 weeks to go...

I can't believe I will be turning 35 weeks this weekend. That's only 5 weeks left to go. I've had a hunch that I will go early. Some people say wishful thinking - but for some reason, I just think she's going to come a little bit earlier than her due date. Only God knows!

The nursery is almost ready - just a some misc things here & there to put away. My mom is making her bedding so I have to mail the fabric to her ASAP! Once the bedding is done, it will look complete. (Oh, except for the squeeking glider that Michael is supposed to fix) We got it on Craigs for $40! bought new cushions - but it has this horrible squeek. So hopefully he'll do that soon (not soon enough for me - I'm totally nesting)

Michael and I set up the baby monitor the other night. We had fun "testing" it. One of us would go into our bedroom, while the other one stayed in the nursery & made baby noises & cried. Then of course we would have to "out-do" each other & make more dramatic baby noises & more realistic cries. It was pretty funny :) I'm sure Zeus thought we were crazy.

Speaking of Zeus - it was his 9th birthday on 3/11! I can't believe he's 9! After Rosie died, he hasn't quite been himself. It's really sad - he lost his buddy and it's like he doesn'te quite know what to do with himself. I think he needs a good day at the dog park to socialize.

I've definitely popped out more in the last few weeks. Baby is getting BIG - I can't tell she doesn't have as much room to move around. My stomach just moves in waves sometimes - just random body parts popping out. I've definitely gotten more uncomfortable. Side-sleeping has not been enjoyable & I finally just started propping myself up - so I pretty much sleep "sitting-up" every night. Then, I have my nightly potty break - man my body is going thru a lot! I'm surprised I haven't seen stretch marks yet - but I can feel them coming... they are coming...

I can't wait to see what she looks like - I wonder what her little personality will be like? I'm so grateful God has allowed me to experience this and entrusts me with her life. It's awesome!

The last pic is michael, me & zeus (chillin, I'm @ 33 weeks). I think I'm just about ready to print out all my 'belly' pics and start working on my scrapbook page! :)

Pics from Shower

I had my shower this weekend (2/21) and it was so much fun. Laurima & Amanda went out of their way... everything was so cute, food was great - cake was adorable! I couldn't have asked for anything better. I got so many cute things - I have the greatest friends...
Michael couldn't believe how much stuff he had to unload :) Then I went through everything again & showed him all of the little outfits & things. I sorted the clothes by "age" and can't wait to put them away.

The best surprise was that they hooked up my mom to skype - and had her on the laptop w/ webcam so she could see me open my gifts. It was so cool - I miss her tons. Then she had them play this Martina McBride song "in my daughter's eyes" made me and the entire room cry! I can't imagine the emotion I'm going to feel when I meet my daughter for the first time face-to-face.

This is one of the greatests gifts God has given me (us) and I feel soooo thankful/blessed to be experiencing this. So here are some pics from the shower. I feel so thankful!

The baby weights 3.75 lbs and is approx 16.7" long. She still moves a ton (including hiccups)... I haven't quite noticed a pattern yet... but she does good through the night - when I wake up in the morning, she starts moving pretty early. I have a lot of work to do in the nursery & just REEALLLY want to get it done. We also have to get our house back on the market - I don't want it to sit! More to come :)

Can you tell I was thrilled to take this pic? I was 24 weeks here w/ a "prosthetic" belly (as some people say). Gotta upload the newer ones.

28 weeks & counting...

So I thought I'd be better about updating our blog... I'm not 28 weeks and 3 days. 12 weeks to go! This little girl is very active & moves all the time (she's moving right now!) My next appt is this Friday & I'm looking forward to the check-up. I have been having a lot of braxton hicks contractions so they'll have to check to make sure everything is "sealed up" properly (oh what fun that will be).

We're definitely anxious to start getting settled and get the nursery set up. I have to pick out my fabric, but so far... found a glider, was given a changing table, dresser & just gotta get the crib.

Sometimes I wonder how the dogs will adjust to the new baby. I'm sure Rosie will act like a "nanny" and Zeus will probably be cautious & jealous :) but he'll love her.

I'm gaining more weight and pretty much eating what I want. Lately, cereal is still a favorite snack (like coco pebbles, fruit loops, coco puffs) all the good stuff :) Popcorn, kiwis, & brownies have been some others (oh, and icecream & candy). Why can't I crave just fruit & veggies???

We're still undecided on names. I don't even know if we've made progress. I have a feeling this little girl will come & we'll still be debating names! Will post updated pics soon. -Kim