the best of 2012

 

Whoa... 2012 was a very special year for Kirby and I!

Here is a recap of the big events.

(Notice a common theme to 2012- baby, baby, baby)

*found out we were having a boy!

*watched our fast growing boy

 

 

We had a few baby showers to celebrate Kaden (school, friends/family)

 

*Kaden went to his first Van Halen concert

 

*Of course this one tops the charts as the #1 most memorable moment of 2012

June 21st to be exact.

The birth of Kaden Douglas

 

 

To be honest, everything from that day on, was about Kaden (I guess everything before this day was about Kaden too...haha).  It was full of new experiences as parents, celebrating Kaden's many "firsts" and making memories as a family of 3. 

 

coming home from the hospital

 

 

first holiday- 4th of July

 

 

first day at daycare

 

 

finding out about Kaden's hemangioma

 

 

first trip to the beach

 

 

meeting family... (here, here, and here)

 

 

 

 

 

first time eating solids

 

 

first time rolling over

 

 

first Christmas

My goodness!

I can't imagine anything topping 2012.... but I sure do look forward to seeing what's to come!

Bring on 2013!

brunch n' babies

A few days before Mr. Kaden made his debute, my friend Linda had a "Babies & Brunch" at her house.  It was a time for all the mommies & expecting mommies to get together to eat, (and that we did!) chat, and relax.  It was just what I needed!

Some of the mommies brought their little ones with them and some of us that were expecting or came solo used stand-in dolls for this good picture.  Since we're all teachers, we sent the picture to our principal afterwards... I'm sure you can imagine the anxiety she has in having this many (plus a few more not pictured) new mommies at her school!

birth story- part 2

Up in the OR, our doctor began singing as they started to prep me for the spinal.  (The day before he said he was going to play Van Halen during the surgery for Kirby, but that day he said singing would have to do...) He knew I was nervous, so he stood beside me (along with 2 other nurses) and talked me through it and talked about other things as well to keep my mind off what was going on (which was pretty hard).  Let me tell you.... weirdest feeling ever!  Numb & tingly...and then I started to second guess whether or not it had worked.  Everyone was poking and prodding at me and that's when I started to think I might pass out.  Thankfully, the doctor let Kirby come in the room and I started to feel better again.  The next five minutes was... gosh... I can't even put it into words.

It took a little longer to get Kaden out because his head was pressed up against my uterus, so the doctor had to cut slowly.  I kept asking if everything was okay since it was taking a little longer than I anticipated.  After a few rough pushes to my ribcage area, I heard "7:43!  He's out!... He's got dark hair!"  and then the loudest cry ever (and the nurses said the same thing).  He sure does have a set of lungs on him!

Kirby and Kaden went to the nursery & I was sent to recovery for the longest 2 hours of my life!

I'll finish this up with Part 3 soon...

birth story- part 1

I really want to have this documented so we could have it to look back on someday, but it's probably going to take a few days to actually type out the whole thing.  Soo.... I'll start today.

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Wednesday, June 20th, we went to our 40 week appointment and since my body wasn't cooperating and Kaden was too comfortable inside, we scheduled a c-section for June 21st (one day after his due date).  After that appointment, we went over to pre-register at the hospital, where we were told to be at the hospital at 6:00am the next morning. 

Thursday morning, we woke up ready to welcome our son into the world!  As we got ready that morning and walked out the door, we were filled with so many emotions.  It was a weird feeling to know we would be welcoming our son into the world in about an hour. 

We pulled up and both of us got our cameras ready to document the beginning of Kaden's birthday.  A nurse actually told me later that day that she saw us with our cameras and because we were so excited and taking pictures and videos, she assumed that we were expecting our first child that day.  Imagine that...  

I checked myself in and we quickly snapped a picture before I was called back to get ready.  This is when I lost it.  I hugged Kirby goodbye and cried as I walked away from him.  Once again... so many emotions all at the same time.

Since this was my first time in a hospital (other than the time I got cotton stuck in my ear...haha) and I was scared to death and I wanted to be sure I told any hospital staff that worked with us that I was very nervous and it was my first time. I have to say, I had a "bad" experience with only one hospital staff member in the almost 3 days we were there. Every nurse was wonderful and eased my mind throughout every step of the prep, surgery, recovery, and then of course the time we spent with Kaden in our room. 

The nurse calmly put my IV in and took some vitals and then Kirby was allowed to be with me again.  He put on his awesome jumpsuit, or bunny costume, as the nurse called it (twice actually, as he put it on backwards the first time :).  Then we patiently waited for our doctor who was on his way from teaching a spinning class...haha!  We love our doctor and it didn't surprise us when he came in the room, all disheveled, but ready to "hit the shower and meet us upstairs".  We laughed at how laid back he was but it definitely helped me to be more relaxed. 

Part 2 coming soon...

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!