Last Monday (Sept. 21st) started out just like any other Monday: Went to my weekly doctor appointment (not dilated at all, still scheduled for c-section Sept. 30th, but told me that if I'm having more than 6 contractions an hour, to go to the hospital and she'll deliver me because I'm already full-term), brought lunch over to my friend Candice's house who just had a baby a month ago, went to Pilates that night (where I asked my trainer to kick my butt and put me into labor-she obliged), then went grocery shopping. I got home around 9pm and started having more contractions than normal. Steve got home around 10pm and told me to start writing them down. After almost 2 hours, I realized I was having about 12 contractions an hour. So, Steven convinced me to go to the hospital to get checked, even though I didn't want to and was sure they would go away if I just got some sleep. After an hour of me being in denial, we finally got packed and ready and headed to the hospital. I was dilated to a 1 and 50% effaced, so they monitored me for a couple more hours, then my doctor came in around 2a.m. and said I was in active labor and having contractions 8 minutes apart-which was weird because I wasn't really uncomfortable at all. She said to get some sleep because she booked the O.R. for me for 7:30 in the morning. I was so excited, but also tired, and surprisingly, got a great 5 hours of sleep that night.
The nurse came in and woke me and Steven up at 7am, had me sign a couple papers, talked to the anesthesiologist, Dr. Tu, the best anesthesiologist in the whole world, then got out of bed and walked across the hallway to the O.R. My nurse was hilarious and was joking with me the whole time, the other nurses opened the door for me and were singing along to the radio which was playing in the O.R the whole time, it was literally like a party in there! They all kept talking about how we're throwing a huge birthday party right now and that's really how it felt. I sat on the operating table and Dr. Tu said to lean over and within seconds told me to hurry and lay down and all of a sudden I was totally numb. LOVE the spinal...it's nothing like the epidural, I didn't feel it at all. After a few minutes, my doctor walked in and said hi, then Steven walked in and sat down next to me. We started talking about what we were going to name the baby and then I asked him to tell me when they've started the surgery. As soon as I said that, I heard a cry and the nurse pulled the sheet down and I saw this:
The cutest and most memorable part of the delivery was that as soon as they showed her to me, the song "Isn't She Lovely" started playing on the radio. I started crying, some of the nurses started singing along, and my doctor said she called and specifically requested the song to play at that exact time...haha, but it was really such a surreal and special moment. The next song that plaed after that was Faith Hill's "Just Breathe" which was also perfect because it kept me calm and relaxed while being sewn up.
Time of delivery: 7:54 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22nd.
weight: 8 lbs. 4oz.
First picture with our newest family member:
A VERY proud daddy:
Both Steven and Karlee were able to be in the operating room with me the entire time so we could bond and even have a little "skin-to-skin" time. It was awesome that they didn't have to take her away right away and made the whole thing go by so much faster:
Baby Karlee back with me after an hour in recovery for me and the nursery for her (notice I've already started going through one of my baby name books):
8 hours later, while she was sleeping, my mom shut the door to our room and told us we could not leave until we've named this child. After going through every name we've ever liked, we came back to the very first name I liked when I found out I was having a girl: Karlee. (Steven and my mom are responsible for the adorable spelling).
Luckily I had a huge double room all to myself all 3 days so my mom stayed and slept in the other bed EVERY night-she's a saint!
2nd night:
Oh no...morphine's wearing off...kept myself distracted by texting everyone that we'd finally chosen a name:
My mom holding Miss Chubby Cheeks-this was the point where we thought Karlee looked just like Mackenna (she's changed so much since then and doesn't look anything like her big sis anymore):
Day 3-in my own hospital gown I bought online-SO nice to not be in that uncomfortable hospital-issued gown (excuse the pattern-overload with the wallpaper, boppy, and gown):
Mackenna came to visit every night and was always very excited to see "baby sister" for about 2 minutes, then she became more fascinated with pushing every button in the room.
All dressed up ready to go home:
We came home Friday morning. My mom and Mackenna had decorated the driveway, it was so cute.
*The yummy food-everything was so pretty and I'm so lucky to have such sweet friends and such a great ward.
After 9 long months of planning, designing, shopping, decorating, changing my mind, etc. here is Karlee's nursery. I picked out the fabric and designed the bedding and curtains and I'm so happy with how they turned out. I've never decorated a room all on my own before, so I was very nervous about it all, but it came together great in the end and I love it!
*on a side note: took Karlee to her one month check-up and she is now 9 lbs. 2 oz. and 21 inches. She's in the 50th percentile for height, weight, and head and is doing great! So fun to have a baby that fits into newborn clothes!!
First time in her crib:
First bath:
Loving Uncle Kevin:
Nana's still trying to catch up on her sleep thanks to little Karlee:
Karlee and cousin Colton (2 months apart):
Weston, Ash, Kevin, and Steve had to be in the picture for some reason:
Hailey and Mackenna decorating Halloween sugar cookies:
Nana with her 2 new grandbabies:
My first full day alone with both kids-I had to document that I had them both asleep (Mackenna at the top and Karlee at the bottom of the picture) at the same time:
Love those chubby cheeks:
Mackenna's first day of her new dance class was on Thursday, Oct. 8th. She's going to the same studio that I went to for 8 years. Nana bought her new tap and ballet shoes and daddy came home to take her (I still couldn't drive yet-bummer) but she did very good...until she pushed another little girl at the end of class!! I don't know what got into her (actually, I do know. As my sister says, "her world has been rocked" by her new sister), but she hasn't done that again and hopefully it stays that way:
One of my best friends from college (Megan) was visiting from Texas (she came to pick up her brother from his mission) and was able to come spend a whole day with me. It was so nice to have company and have someone give Mackenna a ton of attention all day. However, I'm a bit worried because every time she comes to visit me, I get pregnant 2 months later!!! That definitely will NOT be happening this time:
4 weeks old-staring to focus on things and even smiled for the first time:
It's been a crazy month and life with 2 kids is definitely double the work, but it's also double the fun (I'm singing the Doublemint song in my head right now). I love my little girls! I'm so thankful for all of the family and friends that have helped me, brought me dinner, watched Mackenna, given me advice, called, droppped of gifts and treats, etc. I'm so lucky to have so many wonderful people who care about me and my kids.
A VERY proud daddy:
Both Steven and Karlee were able to be in the operating room with me the entire time so we could bond and even have a little "skin-to-skin" time. It was awesome that they didn't have to take her away right away and made the whole thing go by so much faster:
Baby Karlee back with me after an hour in recovery for me and the nursery for her (notice I've already started going through one of my baby name books):
Luckily I had a huge double room all to myself all 3 days so my mom stayed and slept in the other bed EVERY night-she's a saint!
2nd night:
Oh no...morphine's wearing off...kept myself distracted by texting everyone that we'd finally chosen a name:
My mom holding Miss Chubby Cheeks-this was the point where we thought Karlee looked just like Mackenna (she's changed so much since then and doesn't look anything like her big sis anymore):
Day 3-in my own hospital gown I bought online-SO nice to not be in that uncomfortable hospital-issued gown (excuse the pattern-overload with the wallpaper, boppy, and gown):
Mackenna came to visit every night and was always very excited to see "baby sister" for about 2 minutes, then she became more fascinated with pushing every button in the room.
All dressed up ready to go home:
We came home Friday morning. My mom and Mackenna had decorated the driveway, it was so cute.
These last 2 are my favorite:
Mackenna's Stats:
Birthday kisses from Grandmas:
Mommy and Mackenna:
The theme of Mackenna's party was Little Einsteins and I found a new pastry chef to make her cake (I usually use bakeries) and it turned out amazing! It not only looked wonderful, but it tasted great as well. Check out http://www.myheavenscentcakes.blogspot.com/:
The snack table-since the party was from 2:30-4:30pm, we didn't have to serve a meal which was nice:
The set-up:
Hailey and Mackenna jumping on the tramp waiting for all of the friends to arrive:
Having a party at My Gym is great because they customize it to your child, so you can choose their favorite activites. Mackenna's first item of business: riding Thomas the train. She loved the fact that she got to go first at everything that day and everyone else had to wait their turn:
Playing with Maive, Ellah, and Jaylin in the "fort:"
Getting ready to blow out her candles:
Cake time-Most of the kids didn't want to stop playing to come eat cake, so I wasn't able to get a picture of everyone there:
