Our Baby Story

Sorry it has taken me awhile to post our baby story but I've been a little pre-occupied! Just thought I'd share with friends and family the story of Kyler Isla Paige Larsen.

Thankfully my mom was able to come to Georgia to spend a few weeks with us prior to Kyler's arrival. We had more fun! We went on TONS of walks, had mani/pedi's, ate out a lot, and enjoyed our mother/daughter time. I have to say, my mom is my best friend. I hope and pray that Kyler and I have the bond that my mom and I share. But I don't know what I would have done if my mom wasn't here with me. She was everything I needed and more!

So Tuesday evening around 8pm, I began getting regular contractions coming. I knew it was time. I would have a contraction that would stop me in my tracks but then once it was over we were all laughing and joking! By midnight, my contractions were picking up every 3-5 minutes and bringing a little more intensity. So we headed to the hospital. I was admitted in the triage room until 2am. They finally had me go home and rest since I had remained at 2cm. However, they gave me a shot in my butt so that I could sleep through the contractions. FYI, the shot did nothing to me except make me say stupid things. I didn't sleep a wink and my contractions picked up a lot! By 5am we headed back to the hospital. This time they admitted me. They said they gave me a shot because if I was in true labor, the shot wouldn't work. Nice to know! Funny story, they asked me my pain level of the contractions and I said, "maybe 8!" Boy, I would later regret that because they were no where near an 8 by the time I experienced the REAL labor contractions! They asked if I wanted an epidural and I declined. Big mistake! By 8am they broke my water... that's when my pain level QUICKLY changed from an 8 to a 20!! I asked for the epidural but I had to wait until my IV had completed the bag! I was in a huge amount of pain for an hour and a half. MISERABLE!! Once my IV was complete they called for the epidural. Once that was administered, I went through a few more difficult contractions and then finally fell asleep. Awe! By 2pm I was at 6cm. The nurse told me that typically I would dilate 1cm per hour. So we figured by 6ish, Kyler would be making her appearance. By 2:45pm I felt the need to push already. I've learned that Andy is very textbook! Because when I asked him to go get the nurse because I was ready to push, he reassured me that I wasn't suppose to dilate but 1cm per hour! At that point, I finally said, "shut up and get the nurse now!!!" Haha! Sure enough I was at 9.5cm.

By 3:03pm, Kyler Isla Paige Larsen was in my arms! She weighed 7lbs, 7oz and was 21 inches long. She was absolutely beautiful! She had a full head of hair that was just gorgeous. It was dark brown with blonde highlights. Her eyes are a midnight blue. At first we thought she looked like Andy but actually she looks identical to me when I was a baby. We have compared baby pictures and we look like we could be twins.

Now that 12 days have past, she does have Andy's eyes but still resembles me quite a bit. She has a perfect combination of both of us and has now just become Kyler! She is such a good baby. She hardly cries unless she's hungry. She sleeps often and loves to sing songs when sleeping. It's soooo cute. Other than that, she loves when daddy and me hold her so she can just stare at us. We now feel complete as a man and women. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us and we thank God every day for her!

Delivery Update....

Yesterday (Monday, Sept. 28th)I had yet another doctor's appointment (I keep hoping it will be my last) and everything is looking great. The midwife said that everything is progressing right as it should be and she's very pleased with everything. I, however, am more than ready to have this baby! I am dilated to 2cm and 100% effaced. So once again, she said that it can happen anytime. She still believes that I won't make it past September (one more day) but in the event that I do, we have already scheduled for an induction on Thursday, Oct. 8th. I'm praying I don't have to have one and we won't be waiting that long but it is nice to know that in a weeks time I WILL be holding my daughter. I'm praying I will have her today because it is my grandpa's birthday and that would make everything even more special! I'll always be grandpa's girl.

My mom is here and we have had such an awesome time hanging out together. We've been walking a lot, almost 3 miles a day! It's been so nice to have her here! My mom is one of my best friends so it's always great to see her. She's been helping out so much with getting everything ready. She's even been doing majority of the cleaning and cooking. I keep telling her to wait until Kyler gets here but she's doing it all ready. I'm not complaining. Andy and her have a great time. They have a very funny love/hate banter that continues ALL DAY LONG! Definitely is out of love but it is quite funny for me to listen too! We have had MANY laughs together. They now have a lot of inside jokes!

I will keep everyone updated and HOPEFULLY my next blog is introducing my daughter. Andy and my mom will be making the phone calls/texts messages as soon as she arrives! So we will keep you all informed!

Starting Early Labor!

Great news! I had my weekly check up with my doctor and he said that I have dilated 1cm and almost 2! He predicts that she will be making her appearance within two weeks! Of course he stated that I could go into active labor as early as tonight but may not be for a week. So I'm hopeful that it is sooner than later!
We are definitely excited and it has really sunk in that we're having a baby now. You think you prepare for this for 9 months but when the doctor says you've begun early labor, it just hits you like a ton of bricks! I can't believe that in two weeks I will be holding my very own daughter.

Nursey is finally complete!

Well we have officially finished the nursery. We are so excited and find the room to be a very relaxing place for us to hang out. The only thing missing is our baby. But she'll be here before we know it.

The biggest piece of the nursery, and hands down our favorite, is the cabinet/changing table station my dad built for his granddaughter. He has spent a lot of hard work, time, and money in building this and is definitely a one of a kind piece. (Andy and I are trying to convince him to make more and sell them.. it is absolutely gorgeous!) He made the cabinets out of oak, the changing table counter top is made out of birch, and the inside of the dresser drawers are made out of poplar. He also included which you can't tell in the picture, bamboo above the lights. The other great thing about this cabinet is that the lights are on a remote control. So that way when we hear her crying, we can click on the lights from our bedroom to her bedroom. (Andy and I are having a lot of fun playing with the "clicker.") But of course, it is really special because it was made with love from my dad.

The glider was given to us from my mom. It is actually quite comfortable and I find that it's easy to rock myself to sleep in it also. I know a lot of time is going to be spent in that chair. Thanks mom!

The crib is one that Andy and I picked out. We really liked it and Andy loves that fact that it is a lifetime bed. He believes that she'll take this bed to college. We'll see about that! He thinks it's a good way to scare guys off in the dorms if her baby crib is her bed.

Well I have nothing more to report as far having our baby. Everything is going beautifully and she'll come when she's good and ready. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment so hopefully everything is progressing. I've had the wonderful pleasure of experiencing the Braxton Hicks contractions. In a weird way, it's nice to know that she'll be here before long. Andy has been "promoted" in his job. He's not promoted in rank but in what he is doing. He is considered the Division Chief so he's in charge of his shop and I believe two others. So he has been working really hard at his squadron. One of the higher ups told him that if he continues to do well, he will recieve a medal. Did I mention that a Division Chief is actually a senior gunny position? So he's doing very well and I'm very proud of him! The bad news is with this job comes LOTS of responsibilites, work, and STRESS so we aren't able to spend a whole lot of time with each other. When we get a chance to hang out, we make the most of it. His phone rings off the hook all hours of the night it seems. I think sometimes he wants to just shut it off and relax... but duty calls!

Well until then...

Any day now!

Just wanted to check in with everyone. I'm almost done and Kyler will be making her appearance anytime now. Andy and I are very excited for her to be here already. We have attended the child birthing class, which was very helpful, our bags are packed, and we have her nursery complete. I'll put up pictures of the new nursery and the cabinet that my dad built in my next post.
I have finally hit the 140lbs mark. Who would have ever though that I would weigh that much? Hopefully I lose the weight quickly though. My tummy has differently shifted downward! So she's in position and ready. I'm visiting the doctor's office every week now. Thursday is my next visit so hopefully I'll have more news to share. Meantime, Andy and I are just waiting! But not patiently! Haha. Here is my finally pregnant picture. Next pictures will be of my baby girl! Hope everyone is doing good.

6 weeks left and counting...

I decided it was time for an update. I'm nearing the end of this pregnancy, and I am excited. I'm so blessed to have such a great pregnancy but Andy and I are ready for our baby to be here. We are surrounded by new babies our friends are having so we are getting really anxious for ours. I have had an amazing opportunity to watch a friends baby during the week. It has been great because now I have the chance to stay at home with our baby and have an income. We are planning on doing this until we move to Warner Robins, GA. After that, I'll be hopefully attending school and my career will start again. Not too much news to post. My dad is finishing up making the beautiful cabinet for Kyler and Andy will be making a trip to Oklahoma to pick it up. After that, the nursery will be complete (well except for Kyler)! We are taking our birthing class and touring the hospital next week. I have my hospital bag and Kyler's diaper bag packed and ready to go. Andy I still believe that she is going to be coming early. I'm getting the pleasure of feeling the wonderful contractions and she has already dropped.. so I'm offically waddling now! Well this is going to be short and sweet. Baby Uriyah is sleeping now but I'm sure he'll be getting up any minute. He's been so much fun to have around. He's a beautiful baby and I can see Kyler and him getting along just great! Have a great day!

Nursery is Ready

This past week Andy and I spent the day working in the nursery. I'm so happy to have it complete. It was a lot of fun and very surreal that in only a few more months the baby would be sleeping in the crib. Kyler's nursery is decorated in greens, blues, browns, and monkey's. We wanted to stay away from the pinks. She has enough pink clothes! We purchased the crib and while Andy was sick he set it up so it was a nice surprise to come home with a crib ready. My mom gave me the rocking chair. I absolutely love it and it is very comfortable. I know I'll be sitting there often! As for the changing table, that is our temporary one. My dad is building us a beautiful cabinet/changing table but it may not get here in time so we just are using this one. If you notice in the picture of the changing table the pink diaper bag is all ready for the hospital. We have it packed with her coming home outfits, diapers, burp clothes, and blanket. We're ready. Andy is even so prepared that he already set up the high chair my parents bought us. I had it put in the garage because I knew we wouldn't be using it for awhile but he wanted it up and ready! So cute.
So now we are just enjoying the last few months of pregnancy and anxiously waiting the arrival of our new baby. I'm now beginning to see my mid-wife every two weeks instead of four. The baby is checking out to be healthy and has a strong heartbeat. My doctor believes that she will probably not weigh more than 5lbs when she's born. Thank goodness my good friend Lindsay gave me some premie clothes! I'm starting to feel her move a lot now. And I'm definetly getting into the uncomfortable stages of pregnancy. The simpliest things like getting up off the floor or rolling over are creating much of a struggle. Andy bought us a new F250 truck that might I add, has a 6 inch lift! So Andy has to help me in the truck and out of the truck which gives us a good laugh.
I have to admit that I have had a wonderful pregnancy and I can't complain too much about it. It has been pretty uneventful. Thank the Lord! However, I'm having what my mid-wife calls, "positional pains." The baby is laying right on a nerve and it can be incrediably painful, even to the touch. So I have to sit down a little more or I'll have to eat something to get her to move around. Other than that, I'm doing great.
I don't know if I've mentioned this before but I can not believe how many people think it is ok to touch or even give unsolicated advice to a pregnant woman. Seriously! Why is it that people feel compelled to touch my stomach? Isn't that invading someone's space? I just find it funny because I would never think about going up to a stranger and touching her belly. The other thing that cracks me up and does get quit annoying is when people want to voice their opinion on how small you are. I'm flattered when they comment on my size but it is when they think that I should be feeling just fine because I'm small! For the record, when a small person is pregnant and all of a sudden is carrying a basketball in her stomach (regardless if she is only carrying baby weight) it is still UNCOMFORTABLE! So please leave your opinion to yourself! Haha. Ok I just had to get that off my chest. Well so I've updated for now. I'll keep you posted if more news arises! Until then....