More Christa Stories (And Maybe an Abby Kate Story or Two)

Hello all!

We have been staying busy, continuing to enjoy the beautiful October weather! Christa and Abby Kate are at such fun ages right now - I am really having a blast with my girls, and have been enjoying some surprise hormone-induced energy for the last 4-5 weeks! I have accomplished many small projects that have needed to be done for some time, and I have a few more in mind - such as spray-painting some storage baskets and moving Christa's room to the guest bedroom so that we can make room for Baby J. We have a lot to get done to make things as easy as possible once the baby arrives, so I am hoping this energy will last at least a couple of more months.

We have been talking more about the baby with Christa, now that I am further along in the pregnancy. Christa loves to randomly say, "I have a baby in my tummy." The other day, Christa said, "I just have to go throw up because I have a baby in my tummy." She proceeded to go to the bathroom, cough into the toilet, and return a moment later saying, "I just tried." (Our popular potty-training phrase).

Christa also loves to play the, "maybe we can call the baby...." game. We have had many funny conversations on this topic, and I have heard suggestions ranging from "Baby William" to "Chick-a-Booty." She loves to say silly words that don't mean anything. About a week ago, I said to her, "If the baby is a boy, maybe we can call him Thomas." Christa replied, "NO! Let's have a girl!" As I was posting this humorous interaction on Facebook, Christa came up and said out of the blue, "You freak me out, Dad." I don't know where she picks up these things!

Abby Kate is learning a few tricks of her own, as well. She is now a pro-walker, and can keep up with Christa quite easily. They have started fighting over certain toys (mostly because Abby Kate usually wants to play with whatever Christa has - little sisters are pesky like that - love you, Alicia :) I try hard to strike a balance between teaching Christa to share and allowing her time and space to enjoy her toys without having to worry about Abby Kate moving them around. I have a feeling that we may be asking Santa for two of everything this year! At any rate, earlier today, as we were driving home from ballet, Christa decided to share her precious duck with Abby Kate, and promptly took it back. Abby Kate caught on like a little genius, and handed Christa her rabbit lovey, only to jerk it back when Christa reached out for it. This turned into quite the fun game!

In other news, the yellow blankie has been found! Cline spotted it behind the TV while he was standing upstairs, looking over the bannister 2 days after it went missing. Christa had tolerated Blankie's absence very well, but was so glad to see her little friend again. We had told her that Blankie went on vacation, and the first thing she said when Cline brought it back to her was, "Blankie is back from vacation!"

Well, I have a little 3 year old who needs my attention now, and I'm hoping to squeeze in a short rest this afternoon! Have a great day, and I'll try to post some new pictures soon!

Abby Kate is One!

Hello all! We are doing well over here, and I thought I'd take a few minutes to update this blog. I am officially 12 weeks into the pregnancy, and had a great doctor's appointment on Tuesday. After one final sonogram (until the 20 week one) to follow up on our earlier complications, my doctor has "cleared" me of those complications, and we have every reason to expect that this pregnancy will continue normally until delivery. Praise God! I did not love those early scary moments, but it has been fun to get the frequent ultrasounds. We got to see our little gummy bear jumping around this last time, which was pretty cute!

Abby Kate turned one last Thursday, September 2!! We had a small, family party which was just right! I'm a little partied out for the summer - Cline, Christa, Abby Kate, and I all have summer birthdays, so I'm very happy the new baby is due in March! I don't think I could handle one more party to plan during the summer months! Here are some pictures from the party.

Happy Birthday Girl!

I found this outfit at a local store, and almost didn't get it because I already had a shirt for her. Then, I thought about what cute professional cake pictures that outfit would make, so I rushed back out and bought it. We'll see how those professional pictures turn out!

Getting ready to party!

Christa and I made the cake together. We have always done large parties for Christa, so I have always ordered a cake from a grocery store or baker. This time, I decided to try and make one myself, since we were having a small party. Christa loves to help me bake, so I thought it would be a fun mother-daughter activity. I was right! I didn't save any money, by the time I purchased all of the frosting, ingredients, cake pan, etc., but we had fun making it!

Abby Kate devoured an entire cupcake... and started in on a second one!

Christa had her first ballet practice on Tuesday. She is so excited to be a ballerina, and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that a good friend of ours is in her class!

Have a great week!

Happy 1st Birthday Abby Kate!!

Dear Abber-Dabbers,

One year ago today, I had not gotten much sleep the night before! Despite our attempts to meet you on September 1, you decided to do your own thing and entered the world at 5:12 am on September 2. That extra 5 hours and 12 minutes will delay Kindergarten for you one whole year!!! (I'm really happy that you'll get to be home an extra year!!) As with your big sister, I had a great delivery with you (after a bit of a rocky start) and a great doctor who took amazing care of both of us!

Our first days home were a little rough. You wanted to nurse constantly, and wouldn't sleep at all unless someone was holding you. We found out after almost a week that my milk supply hadn't come in, and so you were not getting what you needed! You were so sweet and good-natured about the whole thing. You didn't cry a lot, as long as you were being held. I'd always been told that a baby will not let him/herself starve. That statement wasn't true for you, my dear, and it took me several long months, and a couple of stressful doctor's visits to figure out that I should just feed you often because you don't cry when you're hungry!

You were sooooo snuggly for the first few months. You and I spent many sweet hours rocking in the rocking chair and snuggling in bed. A few days after you came home, I was so tired, so I got in bed and snuggled you right next to my face. You looked so incredibly peaceful and content to be so close to me. That is one of my favorite memories! You ended up sleeping just like that for about 6 months, once I learned that was the only way I was going to get any sleep. You liked to grab and touch my right hand while I was holding you with my left, and it comforted you so easily during those early days

Your big sister loved (loves) you sooooo much, and was so fascinated by everything you did. I learned quickly that I had to watch her constantly when you were in a place where she could get to you. She thought it was perfectly fine to sit on top of you or poke you in they eye. She also liked to bring you toys and bounce you, sometimes a little too roughly, in your bouncer. She loved it when you sneezed and would laugh and say "more please sneeze."

You learned how to smile very quickly - around 5 weeks. You haven't stopped smiling since! Getting great pictures of you has been so easy. You have a huge smile, just like your daddy, and some of the people who help in the church nurseries called you "the happiest baby in the world."

You started rolling over around 3 1/2 months. It was a happy, happy day when you could roll over to your tummy. I tried hard to follow the SIDS guidelines and make you sleep on your back, but you would have none of that. As soon as you go into the crib, you immediately turn to your stomach.

You started crawling and sitting up between 6 1/2 and 7 months. I was afraid you would start walking shortly after that, as quickly as you caught onto moving around. You didn't, though, and now I think I'm ready for you to. It's getting hard to take Christa outside, because you want to get down on the ground! You got a little less snuggly after you could move around and are a lot more active! You don't sit still for a second now, which makes diaper/clothes changes a back-breaking and exhausting job! You smile so much, though, that it makes it hard to get frustrated with you for being so squirmy.

You try hard to keep up with your big sister, and would much rather play with her toys than your baby toys. You're not walking yet, but you can stand for a few seconds by yourself. You climb the stairs in no time at all if I forget to close the gate, and if I catch you in the act, you laugh and climb faster. You eat "big-people food," and like to feed yourself, which is such a mess. You can say a few words: "Daddy," "Ma-ma," "Boo," "Go," and "Ba-Ba" (whatever that means)! Daddy recently taught you how to bark like a dog, and you are so cute mimicking him. Christa is still crazy about you, and often claps and says, "Good job, Abby Kate," when you do something well. Last week, Daddy and I thought you were happily playing together on the kitchen floor. When we took a closer look, we realized that you and Christa were having a ball spreading a can of powdered formula around the floor, and you were eating it by the fist-full with a huge smile on your face. It was really hilarious, but I chose not to grab the camera, because I was afraid it would contradict Daddy's effort at discipline:)

You and I just started taking Kindermusik classes together. I love this time to give you my undivided attention for a little while - it's not something that happens often. At our first class, I wondered if I should switch you to gymnastics because all you wanted to do was crawl around and do your own thing. You did really well at your second class, though, and smiled through the songs and activities.

You have added so much joy to our family! We definitely wouldn't be complete without you. It hasn't been the easiest year ever, and I don't think I fully understood true exhaustion until I began parenting two children. But I know that these sweet days will not last forever, and I am treasuring every moment that I get to attempt to keep up with you, even if I'm a tired mess at the end of the day! I love that you and your sister are both girls, and the 26 month age difference has been wonderful. I am having a great time dressing you in matching dresses and cute, girly outfits and watching you play together. Your sweet smile has lifted my spirits on many occasions, and still can't believe how laid back you are. You definitely didn't get that trait from me, but I'm trying to learn from it.

I love you, sweet angel.

Mommy

Happy 30th Birthday Cline!!

Cline turned the big 3-0 on July 23!! We celebrated for a whole weekend in Blue Ridge, complete with sorority-style T-shirts! Cline's mother arranged for the whole family, including brothers, brothers' families/girlfriends, parents, and grandparents to stay in a cozy cabin. It was great to have one whole side of the family together for such a long time. Christa had a blast with her cousins, and Abby Kate had a blast figuring out various ways to climb up the gateless stairs! The young adults had a great time tubing down the river and watching the kids play together. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Cline and Chas celebrating their 30th birthday with their favorite - Coca-Cola cake. Can you tell which one is Cline?

Helping Daddy open presents!

Christa and the newest baby cousin with Uncle Cleve, Angel, and Laura!

Abby Kate was 11 months old on August 2!

Pictures, Pictures, Lots and Lots of Pictures

Hello all! Here I am, delivering on the long-awaited, promised pictures. Go me! Get ready - I have lots for you. But first, I'll tell you a funny Christa story.

I can't remember if I've mentioned it or not yet, but Christa transitioned herself over to her big girl bed in her big girl room about a month ago. About a week or two ago, we were over at Mimi's house for the afternoon. When naptime rolled around, I debated on whether to go back to our house for her nap or attempt a nap in Mimi's guest room. Mimi stepped in and told Christa that if she took a nap in "mimi's big girl bed" then she could have some cookies as soon as she woke up.

I carried her upstairs, and found some stuffed animals to keep her company. I reminded her of the promise of cookies and kissed her goodnight. After a few hours passed, I decided that it was time for Christa to wake up. I tiptoed into the room and sat down beside my sleeping daughter. As I rubbed her back and whispered, "Christa, it's time to get up," she groggily rolled over. Her eyes squinted open, and my little junk food junkie whispered back, "I want cookies."

In less funny but equally exciting news, I am feeling like my "old self" again. I remember feeling this way when Christa was born - it took a good 2 months for me to feel like me again after the pregnancy and delivery. This time, I physically felt like my old self very quickly after Abby Kate was born, but I was very nervous about being alone with both girls for some reason. At first, I thought it was the feeding issues, and not being sure how to entertain Christa while spending so much time nursing Abby Kate. After those resolved, I still wanted help around the clock - not because I needed it necessarily, but because I just didn't want to be alone with the kids. I'm not sure why I felt this way - I didn't think that they were unsafe with me in any way or that anything bad would happen. I just really wanted company all the time, and I hated the thought of letting Abby Kate cry if I couldn't hold her while I cared for Christa.

Sometime over the last couple of weeks, I seem to have developed some new confidence, because the thought of caring for the girls by myself for a few days does not "scare" me in the least now. It helps that Abby Kate is on a more predictable feeding routine and is willing to go a few minutes without being held these days. But in retrospect, I'm thinking that hormones had a lot to do with my wanting constant company. Have any of you other mothers had a similar experience? I'm just wondering - I haven't heard any of my friends talk about anything like this, so maybe it's just me. At any rate, I'm having a blast with my 2 girls. Christa loves her sister, and Abby Kate gives Christa the biggest smiles. Here's a picture of one from Tuesday!

Abby Kate's first "real" bath - November 2, 2009. She loved it.

Enjoy the next several posts of pictures!

Abby Kate is 1 Month!!

Where did the time go?? Sadly, this is the first time I've had a chance to post pictures since we brought her home from the hospital (and I had to really work to squeeze this time in - she's crying for food as we speak :) Even more sadly, these are among the only pictures I've taken of her since we brought her home - poor girl is already getting the short end of the stick with picture-taking! Life with 2 kids is chaotic, but I'm loving it! Gotta run and feed the baby, so enjoy the pictures!

Taken on my birthday - Sept. 12

Going to the football game with La-La!

Sweet sisters.

One month old today!

They Called Me "Rachel" (A Delivery Story)

Me and Abby Kate the night before we went to the hospital!

Alright, I'm going to tell the whole story of my delivery (more for me than for you, so if you want to just skip to the pictures at the bottom, feel free :)

We actually scheduled an elective induction on Sept. 1 (1 week early). I searched and searched for a "medical" reason to do it, but our only rationale was that Christa's induction went so perfectly (and we believe saved me a C-section), that we really wanted a repeat experience of that wonderful day.

I checked into our hospital at 6 am, per my instructions, having no idea what to expect in a new hospital with a new doctor in a new town. I decided about a month ago that I liked this new doctor as much as the great one I had in Augusta, so I resisted the urge to freak out right before the delivery, and chose to believe that I was going to have another painless experience :) I got settled into my room, and nurses were there immediately to get things going. They asked me several times if I wanted an epidural, and I cheerfully replied each time, "yes, please, as soon as possible... in fact, right now would be good," thinking I was making a funny (half serious) joke. Well, this comment must have offended them or something, because 4 different nurses made it a point 3 different times each to tell me how it was going to hurt this time.... a lot. Great - just what a nervous mother-to-be wants to hear!

I tried to shrug it off, still wondering who my nurse would be for the day and hoping she would be a calming source of comfort for me if I did start to hurt. Another nurse came in to place my IV, and although I usually have no problem with needles, this particular IV hurt worse than when I was dehydrated and they had to stick me 5 times to get the thing in. I began thinking things were not off to a good start. As I looked out the window to get some perspective, my eyes fell upon a moldy air conditioning unit - an unsettling contrast to my garden view in Augusta.
After a mild breakdown, now convinced I was going to be split wide open and feel every bit of it, Cline had us pray for a moment. Shortly thereafter, our nurse, Laurie walked in, as cheerful and friendly as could be. She assured me that she would have the paperwork for the epidural ready whenever I needed it - what a relief!

The Pitocin began, and we waited around for some excitement. Much like with Christa, I began having regular contractions according to the monitor, but was unable to feel very many of them. The doctor came into check me a while later, and informed us that I hadn't progressed much. No surprise, really. I didn't progress much with Christa until they broke my water, which was not possible to do this time around, until I progressed on my own a bit more. Several more hours passed, and the nurse came in occasionally to increase the Pitocin. She left each time, saying "I'm leaving now; you're boring me." I truly appreciated the joke!

As the day went on, we had several visitors to pass the time. At this particular hospital they play a little nursery song each time a baby is born. I swear that little song played 12 times that day! I enjoyed it the first few times, but as the day went on with no baby in sight for me, I started to get a little bitter.

Around 5, the doctor came in and said we needed to turn off the Pitocin altogether, and resume in the morning. He said I could eat a bite and walk around for a couple of hours, and then the night nurse would begin Cytotec therapy to ripen my cervix overnight in hopes that the Pitocin would be more effective the next day. So we sent the family home, and made our peace with the fact that our baby would not be born that day. Our day nurse came in one last time, and informed me that I was the only laboring mother left who'd shown up that day - all the other mothers had had their babies, and I wasn't even close. She asked if I'd seen the episode of Friends - the one where Rachel is in labor and not progressing, and she has to share a room with other laboring mothers. Mother after mother passes through the room and goes on to delivery while Rachel sits there doing absolutely nothing. It's a great episode. Anyway, Laurie said I was "Rachel" that day, which I also appreciated, being the Friends fanatic that I am.

After dinner, a shower, and a quick walk around the hospital, I returned to my room. The night nurse, Amy, came in, and was as kind and calming as could be. She checked me, and immediately said, "girl, you are a 3." (I'd been a 1 all day, so this was impressive.) I hardly believed her, but got excited anyway. She did the first round of the Cytotec therapy, and I prepared for a night as uneventful as the day was.

The delivery song went off a couple of more times. I finally said to the nurse, "the next time that goes off, it had better be for me - it's my turn now." A few hours later, Amy said I'd progressed to a 4. She said the doctor could break my water if I wanted, as long as I didn't mind having the baby in the middle of the night. (Um, yes, please)! The doctor was there a few minutes later, and I had a painless water-breaking experience (yay)! A few minutes after that, another doctor was there to place my painless epidural (double yay)! I knew things were going to be just fine after that.

I got a few hours of sleep, and before I knew it, it was time to push. Three easy pushes later (a very nice contrast from the hour of pushing with Christa) Abby Kate was here! I think she decided to come when she did because she wanted to wait an extra year to start school! (The cutoff for kindergarten is Sept. 1, which we aimed for and missed by 5 hours and 12 minutes :) The recovery has been amazing as well - I haven't needed any pain medicine, and am getting around just fine (another nice contrast to the 6 week recovery with Christa).

So, I am pleased to report that I still don't know what a real contraction feels like. I sure wish I liked being pregnant more, because I absolutely love the delivery/hospital process. Life just doesn't get any better than being a new mom with lots of people around to take care of you! And being "Rachel" turned out to be great - I have a beautiful, perfect baby girl, who I know is the reason you're here, so here she is:

Proud big sister! She adores Abby Kate and wakes up every morning asking for her. She screamed when she had to leave after meeting her, despite promises of carousels and playgrounds. It was soooooo sweet. When Abby Kate sneezed a few times, Christa said, "bless you, baby" then asked for more "bless you" while making the sign for more. Too cute!

Our first picture as a family of four!

Christa had to help bring the baby inside when we arrived home.

Our little angel.

The baby's crying now, so I have to go. More pictures to come soon!