Some Pictures for your Enjoyment

Here is Uncle Jason playing with Kenly on her play mat. Since I can't upload the video yet, a still is the next best thing. She kicks and plays and grins the whole time.

Here is Kenly taking a nap with Mommy in the hammock. She spent a ton of time in this hammock before she was ever born, so it's only natural that she would feel at home.
Here is the cutest pumpkin in the patch. We went to Grandad's orchard over the weekend, and we decided to take a few pictures among the pumpkins.
Adam and his little girl. I love this picture. It was taken beside the Rocky Broad River near Chimney Rock.
This is a great shot of Uncle Travis and Aunt Carrie taking care of both our babies. They did a good job taking care of the Mommy and Daddy too.

A Miracle

Just when you think you can't take it any more, God's amazing grace kicks in and a miracle occurs. You get a second wind or the baby takes a nap (praise Jesus) or your neighbor calls and is bringing dinner tonight. I love how you get beautiful moments of grace that sustain you through tough times. Kenly had a really rough night last night, and I thought I might fall apart today, but I keep finding these pockets of grace. Pat and Kit, our neighbors, are bringing dinner tonight, and Adam is staying home with me tomorrow which means I'll have backup if she has another rough night.

I called the doctor again today about Kenly's reflux because I don't see great improvement. He suggested I pump and feed Kenly a bottle with a teaspoon of rice cereal mixed in. I don't have peace with this advice, so I'm going to hold off a few days. She's still having the right amount of diapers, so I know she's getting enough food. I just want to be able to breastfeed for a full year and I don't want to do it by pumping and giving my child a bottle. I'd like to skip the middle man that makes me really feel like a cow. Kenly is much more efficient and gentle than the Medela pump (not that I'm ungrateful...tons of women don't have the option to pump).

The princess stirs, so I'm off to rescue her from the big bad reflux man...at least the best I can. Being a mom is hard because you can't fix all the pain and that make you feel helpless.

Look What I Can Do?

Kenly and I are adjusting to each other and life at home with each passing day. It is so much fun to see glimpses of her personality...she going to be a hoot when it is all said and done. I'll be chasing her around before too much longer. After Jason and Paula's visit, Kenly started acting very uncomfortable, so I took her to the doctor. It turns out she has reflux. We've been on the medicine now for about five days, and I don't see a ton of improvement. She still wakes suddenly after a nap, she's still drooling, and the spit up is in a word, gross. I just want her to feel better soon for both our sakes. She did shock the pants off me the other day by sleeping from 8:00 pm-4:30am. My poor body didn't know what to do, so even though I could have slept, I couldn't. I kept check my watch thinking...aren't you ready to eat yet? Mommy really needs you to eat. But, I guess the girls will adjust to that as she starts to sleep through the night more often. Oh the adventures in breastfeeding.

Uncle Travis and Aunt Carrie came to visit this weekend and we had loads of fun at an apple orchard and watching football. They cooked some awesome meals, and Uncle Travis even changed a poopy diaper. This is an amazing feat and should be marked in the record books as remarkable. Aunt Carrie read Eight Little Monkeys, and taught us a trick that produces instant smiles if Kenly isn't hungry at the time. We had a blast and we were thankful for the time with family. Mom and Dad came up and loved on Kenly as well. The help just keeps pouring in. It looks like we are going to be on our own for awhile now, but that is okay. I've learned to deal with little sleep and Kenly has learned to cry just a little if I need to attend to pressing matter like going to the bathroom or eating a meal.

Here are a few videos...they won't have sound because my little camera is stupid and I haven't figured out how to hook the big one to the computer yet (I have to take baby steps--pun intended). One is of Aunt Carrie's instant fun trick. One is of football fun with Daddy, and the other is her playing on her adored Baby Einstein mat. I hope this works. Oops...looks like I can only do one per post. Just enjoy her toothless grin.

More Fair Fun

Here are a few more pictures. You can see Adam eating a deep fried candy bar and Kenly enjoying her first fair teddy bear. Uncle Jason won her Stitch by winning the water gun game. The fair at night is just beautiful

Fair Fun

Jason and Paula (Adam's brother and sister-in-law) are in town with us right now. It is nice to have some company again to fill long days. On Friday we all went to the NC Mountain State Fair and we had a ball. We stuffed ourselfs with greasy, yummy fair food (fried green tomatoes, ribbon fries, Italian sausage, ribs, deep fried candy bars, caramel apples, BBQ, greens, ice cream....we were poster children for Pepto) Kenly rode a horse on the carousel, and she racked up on cheap fair stuffed animals. I won her a teddy bear and Uncle Jason won her Stitch (from Lilo and Stitch). She was a perfect baby the whole time we were there, even if I dropped ribbon fry crumbs on her head. Screams and popping balloons didn't faze her. Today has been a little less fun for her because her mommy ate junk food at the fair. Gas has plagued her today, so I've promised to lay off the grease for awhile. Jason and Paula are being awesome by cooking and cleaning for us. I love having an "army" to fight the grime that builds so fast. Again, I'm thankful for the love and support of an amazing family. GOOD NEWS FLASH--Kenly is learning to take naps and she sleeps for 4-4.5 hours at night now, so we're down to two feedings in the middle of the night. Each day I like her more. I've always loved her, but the demands of a newborn can make you question how much you like the baby. I LOVE and LIKE her now. You should see her grin and play...you should see how her eyes light up when she sees me now. Every minute of work and stress is worth it.

A Month Old? Where did the time go?

I can hardly believe that Kenly will be a month old tomorrow. She is growing like a weed and developing quite the sunny personality. She loves to grunt and make noise--even in her sleep which makes her nervous new mommy sleep very lightly. She loves her play mat and delights in trying to reach the toys that dangle just out of her reach. She's a barrel of smiles when she's laying on it. She went to her daddy's soccer game this weekend and was a real trooper, but now that she is taking a few naps during the day she doesn't want to sleep at night. I think I'd rather have my night sleep. At least during the day I can entertain myself with other tasks like laundry. Time does fly when you are having fun and I guess when you are sleep deprived. Every day we settle into more of a routine though...so life is good. Next thing I know she'll be walking and then asking to borrow the keys.

A Walk in the Woods

Today Adam, Chance, and I took Kenly on her first hike in the woods. I would share pictures of the many memorable events, but sadly we forgot to take a camera (Bad new parents). We did a portion of the reservoir hike on the Mills River. I packed a picnic lunch and we were on our way. Kenly rode in a Baby Bjorn that I carried, and Adam carried the packed diaper bag. We found a spot near the river and ate lunch and then the fun began. Kenly had her feet dunked in the river twice by her Daddy. I don't think she liked it too much based on her ear piercing wails, but she better get used to it as much time as we spend on the rivers around here. I nursed for the first time in the wild, and Kenly had two diaper changes and a wardrobe change because one of her diapers blew up her back. In the end, we had a great time, but I think I'm going to be sore all over tomorrow. Hills have never been my friend, but four weeks after giving birth they are definite enemies. The next time we adventure in the woods, we'll bring a camera and take pictures of all the fun. Tomorrow we are going to Daddy's first soccer game of the season, and we are going to cheer our hearts out for the man we love.

Poor dog

The new addition to our family has created a time of transition for Adam, for me, and most of all for Chance. Chance has been the center of our world for almost five years, and so he really didn't like it very much when this new loud, screaming thing came into HIS home. At first he thought she was a huge squeaky toy. He's been a great big brother--giving kisses and getting really worried when Kenly screams--but, he thinks its a bum deal that Mom stays home all day and doesn't play with him the whole time or take him on huge hikes in the woods. He's a little jealous of my milk truck role. However, we keep telling him to give it a few months/years and that he will have a whole new appreciation for Kenly when she slips him food or plays with him until he tires of her. Chance is not lacking attention or love, but on occasion I have to think twice about if he has gotten his dinner yet. He a little nervous and I sometimes fear that his hair will fall out in patches like the dog in Steel Magnolias, but so far he's managed just fine. He's still top dog; he just has to share with a top baby.