first bath

Kaden likes to be naked, so his first bath wasn't as bad as I anticipated.  Dad did most of bath time and mom just took pictures and held in his paci. I loved that baby smell after it was all over! 

Mr. Kaden has curly hair when it's wet, but stick-straight hair when it dries...I love it :)

We took bath #2 last night and took some video footage of it, so that'll come soon.

first doctor visit

On Tuesday, we had our first family outting... to the doctor.  Everything check out great for Kaden except his weight. When we left the hospital, he was 6lbs 5oz.  At the doctor, 2 days later, he was only 6lbs. Everything has been great with nursing. Everything but the fact he falls asleep all.the.time! So the doctor (and some friends) told us some tricks to keep him awake. We went back the next day to check his weight again and he was back up to 6lbs 6oz!   Yay... up 6oz in 24 hours!  Mom and Dad were able to let out a sigh of relief.

Happy Birthday Kaden

You are 1 week old today buddy!  Gosh... you have grown and changed so much in one short week!

  You are everything and so much more than your Dad and I ever expected.  Here's to many more weeks, months, and years of birthday celebrations!  We love you Kaden!

catch up

Thank goodness for Dad or this blog wouldn't have been updated for who knows how long.  Right now Dad and Kaden are still sleeping so I picked things up around the house a little (I know... I can't help it!) and then I had a choice to either shower or sit down and check out the blog world for a minute. 

First I want to truly thank all our family, friends, and even the blog world for all the love you've shown our new family of 3.  We are so blessed with great people and I'm so glad Kaden will be a part of it now. 

Here are a few random things I don't want to forget.

• Kaden loves being very warm.  We bumped up the temperature in the house.  Kirby closed the vents in his room so he doesn't get the cool air.  We had to buy some long sleeve outfits and jammies.  We always have to have a blanket around him. 

• He loves the office.  Probably becuase it's the warmest room in the house.

• Kaden loves to sleep.  I know most newborns do, but the past few days that is all he's done.  I was nervous for last night becuase he had slept so much during the day and I didn't know if he'd sleep at night.  My hestiation was proven wrong when he slept great!

• His swing is his favorite "toy" right now.  He's so content and relaxed in there!

• He's an awesome eater!  However, it does make him sleepy and mom has to constantly wake him up.  More on that later.


• He's had a ton of vistors already.  More on that later too.

• He's a strong fella!  He likes to arm wrestle with Dad and has even picked up his head quite a few times.  I'm excited to start "tummy time" once his umbillical cord falls off.

• He loves to be swaddled....but not his arms. He gets those arms outta there so quickly! 

• His hair is already changing colors. The reddish tint is starting to come out more.

Reading and rocking...

 

We're home!!!

Here are just a few random videos from today.  More to come...

Kaden Douglas

Born at 7:43am

6lbs 15oz

20 inches

Everyone is doing great and we are enjoying our time as a family of 3.

and so it begins...

Tomorrow Kirby and I will finally get to welcome our son into this world! 

We had our 40 week appointment today and the doctor did an ultrasound to find out Kaden is about 8lbs... which isn't as big as we thought!  Then he checked me, and unfortunately I haven't progressed at all. Nothing.  He predicted if  he induced me, I'd have a hard labor and  that I'd end up having a c-section anyway after laboring for many hours.  All along, I wanted to try for a natural, "typical" delivery, but after thinking things through I think this is the best.

  

Soooo we are scheduled for a c-section tomorrow morning...bright & early! 

We are so excited to meet you Kaden.  We can't wait to hold you in our arms!

projects, projects, and more projects

Kirby has been working on his never-ending to-do list as we prepare for Kaden's arrival.  He's such a hard worker and that's one of the many reasons I love him!  He's finished a lot of them already, but if Kaden doesn't come soon, I know he'll find another project to add to the list.

1. put together the crib & changing table

2. clean bathrooms

3. spruce up the yard (his favorite on the list)

3. complete Kaden's room... paint, hang pictures

4. paint and clean Kaden's bathroom

5. put together a few of Kaden's things

 

6. Install the car seat

7. Hang up a few new pieces in the living room

Thank you to my great husband for all his hard work!
He's awesome!

Dance Moms

Okay... I have to admit it, I watch Dance Moms!

So when a friend of ours told us that the show was going to tape a competition at North Myrtle Beach High School, my eyes lit up and I got way too excited!  (I tried to act cool, but I probably didn't hide it too well)  Last weekend, I (along with my hired paparazzi, Kirby) went to try and get a glimpse of my favorite dancers, moms, and of course Miss Abby Lee Miller herself.  We stood in the back and were able to watch the awards.  As they got closer to announcing first place, I saw the girls from Abby Lee Dance Company all look at each other and hold hands (just like I've seen on the show), so I got my camera ready...

*click on the picture to enlarge*

 

At one point after the awards, we saw some of the "famous moms" walk out.  We said hello and that we liked their show.  Surprisingly, they were nice and said thank you.  Then we saw all the dancers following Miss Abby around the auditorium, asking her for pictures.  I didn't want to pass this perfect opportunity to get a picture too...haha.  Even though it's the worst picture ever of this pregnant mama, I just had to post it anyway.  I was probably the oldest, non-dancer or mother to get a picture with Miss Abby that day.... but I love it! 

week 39

About the baby?  He's ready for the world... just getting fatter until he comes out.  We'll find out Wednesday what the doctor estimates his weight to be.

 

Maternity Clothes?  All I've worn are yoga pants and Target's long and lean tank tops... except for the few times we went out to dinner.  And then I came home and ripped those suckers off so I could be comfortable again!

Stretch Marks? none

Gender?  our man, Kaden

Movement?   there have been a few times when he was going crazy in there.  I think he was trying to figure a way out.  But most of the time, he just pushes and makes my belly look funny.

Sleep?  nothing has really changed in this area... sleeping good for a pregnant lady at 39 weeks.

Food Cravings? nothing

What I Miss?  being more active... not just with exercise, but with everyday type things too

Symptoms? hormones are going crazy I tell ya...I'm crying a lot.  Other than that, I have no signs that he's going to come before his due date.

Best Moment This Week? being off of school and relaxing as we wait for Kaden

Looking Forward To? Kaden's birthday :)

Fathers

Happy Father's Day to all these special fathers who have influenced our lives.

Kirby's father, Doug-  even though I never met him under healthy conditions, I know he was a great man who loved his children and grandchildren.  He's special to us and that's why his youngest grandson will share his middle name.

Kirby's stepfather, Ed- a great man who makes Kirby's mother very happy.  He's been through a lot as he survived esophageal cancer, and continues to be a strong, hard working person.

My father, Bill- even though I haven't had a relationship with him in a few years, my heart holds a very special place for him.

Kaden's father, Kirby-  Now I just have to brag and tell you, he is going to be such a great Dad!  He's a man of integrity, determination, thoughtfulness, love, and compassion.  He's going to love Kaden unconditionally and support him through life's celebrations & challenges.  I know Kaden is going to look up to him in so many ways!

dinner with the Gore family

Kirby and I have been very blessed to have been able to work with both Gores at some point in our short time with Horry County Schools.  We both have learned a lot from them and that's what makes them special to us.  Even though we don't work at the same schools anymore, we are able to get together for dinner to catch up.  Last year we went to Mongolian Grill and this year we went to our favorite pizza place, Benito's Brick Oven Pizza.  I've never seen two men fight for the check like these two...  Milton won last year, Kirby won this year, tie-breaker next time :)   

last date before KDK

Last night Kirby and I decided to go on our last, official date together before Kaden comes.  We got dressed up all fancy (well maybe not that fancy, but nicer than the workout clothes we have been sporting the last week or so) and went to one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Carrabba's. 

Afterwards, we came home and relaxed a bit before we went back out and got some yogurt at SweetFrogs... delicious!  It was packed, so we ate on the curb together. 

Interesting story-

I asked someone from the table behind us to take our picture and this girl was the first of her friends to excitedly jump up and take it.  While she took it, I heard one of her friends say "Kirby"...  Turns out that her name is Kirby and she's an education major! 

Of course, we had to get a picture of the 2 Kirbys together!

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

We are heading down the home stretch now... here is how I've grown from week 30 to week 37!

I can't believe the journey!  It's everything I dreamed pregnancy would be... and more.  I've enjoyed every step along the way and I'm thankful for a uncomplicated, 39 weeks.  Kirby and I have often talked about how amazing it is that I've carried our son for 9+ months and it's only a matter of days until we finally get to meet him!

Watch out family, friends, and blog world... it's going to be Kaden overload when he gets here!  People have said "make sure you post pictures...."

Of course we would :)

Pinterest

 

I've been pinning a lot of things on pinterest and over the past few months, I've actually tried some of them... imagine that!  Since I'm still learning how to cook, I pin a lot of recipes, but I also find great ideas for school, our home, workouts, fun things for Kaden, photography... and so much more.  If you haven't been on Pinterest, you should check it out!  It's wonderful!
Here are a few pins I've actually tried-

**Sorry for the crazy alignment and spacing on everything. Nothing is working right and I can't fix it!!!

 

One of my favorite Pinterest recipes!  Super easy!

Source: mychocolatetherapy.blogspot.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

This is very good!  Time consuming to make, but very good.

Source: bigoven.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

We had a fruit fly problem a few weeks ago and I found this idea to help us out.  It worked!

Source: funcheaporfree.com via Laci on Pinterest

Now this one didn't turn out the way the picture looks.  However, Kirby thought it was good anyway.

Source: food.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

I did this simple project with all the cards we received for Kaden.

Source: somethingturquoise.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

I found this free printable for Kaden's bathroom... perfect!

Source: simplecrafter.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

 I gave this recipe a try... Could this be any healthier?

Source: betchacanteatjustone.wordpress.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

I printed these out and put them in Kaden's closet.

Source: poshlittle.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest