Being a Mommy is Hard

Okay...I never thought I'd say this, but the 27 hours of labor was a piece of cake compared to the day to day of being a mommy. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving learning my new role, but sometimes I feel as if I have been reduced to diaper changing milk truck. Adam is staying home with me tomorrow because Kenly and I had a really bad night and day. Adam also gets major points because he came home with flowers, ice cream, and a chick flick. So, for about 3 hours, I got to feel "normal" again...whatever that is.

Currently, Kenly is whimpering from her bassinet, and I am trying to resist the urge to pick her up. Hopefully she will wear out soon and fall into a peaceful nights sleep so that her mommy can follow her example. She and I did quite a bit of crying today.

But, since I last wrote, the Brands came and helped keep me and Adam sane, and Kenly attended a 4.5 hour live Fantasy Football draft. She handled the trash talk, loud cheers, and she was a huge flirt for most of the afternoon. She managed all of this with a great disposition and not a single cry. Needless to say, she slept for about 4 hours when we got home.

She also went to the doctor on Tuesday. She is up to 8lbs 10.5 oz, and the doctor says she is filling out well. He seems says she looks and sounds great, so that put this breastfeeding mommy's mind at ease.

Adam and I have a four day weekend together because of Labor Day. I'm so happy to be spending some time with him and our little girl. We make an awesome team, and I'm so happy that he has my back.

I'll try to think of more cool stories soon. Here are some pictures of my growing girl.

So Thankful

My Mama and Daddy have been right by our side since the birth of Kenly Shae. I called and said that my water broke, and they were on their way. They've done everything to make this transition into motherhood so much easier. I don't think I would have eaten for the past 7 days without Mama's cooking. She's also scrubbed my house from top to bottom. I don't think my bathroom and kitchen have ever looked so clean. Daddy has been fixing every broken thing in the house and making the place seem a lot easier to inhabit...broken towel rack--fixed. Broken florescent light--bright and shinning. (The list goes on...) In addition to all the help, they have poured out love on Adam and me and allowed me to rest and take a bath. I don't know if I could have done either without their support. I don't know how people manage without the support of their family. I also have a whole new appreciation and respect for the single mother. So, Mama and Daddy are staying through next Wednesday and then they are heading back to Augusta to allow the next wave of grandparents to roll in. Adam's parents will be staying with us for about a week as well. So, long story short...we're in good hands. We're being guided by the very people who raised us, and I think we both turned out pretty good. For all their love and kindness, I am eternally grateful.

Welcome to the World Baby Girl!

I'm happy to announce that Kenly Shae Brand was born on 8/9/08 at 8:26pm. She weighed 7lbs and 13oz and she was 20 inches long. She is an absolute angel. I knew I would love her right away, but my heart almost feels as if it could explode. Adam and I drove to the hospital on 8/8/08 at about 4:45 after my water broke. More than halfway there, Adam realized that he had not put any shoes on, so we were happy that he had packed his slippers in the labor and delivery bag. I laughed so hard because he was so calm the whole time we were getting ready to leave.

My blood pressure went crazy when we got there, so our perfect birth plan got thrown out the window. I was confined to the bed and the monitors which is the worst case scenario because gravity can't help you with the baby. I also had to be on Pit drops...the should be reserved for punishment in hell. Three failed epidurals and 27 hours later, Kenly was born after 2.5 hours of pushing. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat just to have her here with us. Adam was an amazing labor coach. He never left my side, and he always made me feel like I could do anything. We had amazing nurses at Mission...I really feel as if God sent me angels to help my accomplish my goal of delivering this child vaginally. I could not have done it without their help and encouragement.

We're at home now, and she is adjusting to life in the big bad world. She had some trouble with her bilirubin count, so we had to make two trips to the pediatrician for further tests, but she is on the mend now.

Now I'm just praying through breast feeding and sleep deprivation. I'll send more pictures later.

PS--Chance is adjusting well to his new little sister. This morning we had a family snuggle in the big bed.

Due Date Drama

Well, our August 6th due date came and went, and we still don't have a baby. We went to the doctor yesterday and I had not progressed any further. Oh well. Needless to say, I was in quite a funk yesterday. I'm starting to agree with the research that says women should not be given a due date...maybe a due week or month. How much pressure can you put on one day? I have another doctor's appointment on Monday, and then on Tuesday, August 12th, they are going to induce me. Not my picture perfect idea of how I wanted this kiddo to arrive, but the beautiful thing is I'll get to hold our baby regardless of how he/she arrive. For that I am eternally grateful. So, now I'm just saying that I'm going to get to meet Peanut on the 12th. If anything changes, you'll hear me shouting with excitement.

Hurry Up and Wait

I went to the doctor last Friday (8/1), and it appears that I'm still in a holding pattern. I still have not progressed passed 70% effacement and 1 cm dilation. The kiddo appears to be at a -2 station which is really good, but I don't think Peanut will make his or her arrival by the 6th of August. Oh well. At least Adam and I were able to keep our 5th anniversary sacred...August 2nd will forever remain our date.

On our anniversary we went to Courthouse Falls. I did a short hike with a tad of elevation change, and we had a good day fishing, playing in the water, and having a picnic. We stopped by Dolly's for a double scoop of ice cream which didn't hurt either. So, we had a nice day relishing in the fact that we've been married for 5 whole years.
Today we finished celebrating our 5 years by filling our anniversary book. It is so much fun to reflect on everything you've done in the past year. We also went to see Wanted at the cheap theatre and the AC was busted. We stayed, but by the end of the 2 hour movie I was pouring sweat and ready to cool off.

I'm ready for this kiddo to arrive. I ride waves of excitement, fear, and just agitation. I can't wait to meet this kid, but everything happens in its own time. I'm just praying for a speedy delivery before the 12th of August because I don't want to have to be induced. God knows the day of this kid's birth, and I have to leave it in his hands. I just want Adam to have time to bond, and his teacher work days start on the 11th of August. Come on Peanut...We're waiting with open arms and hearts.

Maybe next time I write I'll actually be in labor. One can wish...(what an odd thing to wish for...pain, but the prize in the end will be worth it.)