I think I'm getting the hang of this

Another day down and things are starting to settle in.  She had her first bath this morning and smells sooooo good.  I knew she was going to have a lot of visitors today so we put her into a cute little outfit for all her new friends.  

Thanks to Marcus and Antonia for the wonderful dinner/everything and to Sant and Pet for stopping by.

Kaitlyn also got to meet her future husband, Mr. George Danger Wahlgren who was all smiles for his visit.   Hmmm Kaitlyn Wahlgren.  Sounds good - No?

Tomorrow is her first Pediatrician  Appointment.  So off I go to get some rest until the next feeding.

Pictures are coming - I promise!!!

2nd day home!

The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind - Sorry I haven't posted.  Last night Grandma and Grandpa Caimi came to visit with the traditional Rice Pudding and Mac and Flour Paste(Cheese).  We were up a lot last night but we are starting to get into a routine and I have taken a few naps in when she was napping.  I don't feel exhausted  - yet.  

Today Vovo(Grandma) DaSilva came to visit as did Aunt Linda, Uncle Steve and Ashley.  Paul, Candy and Kaitlyn's new BFF's Abby and Jordan came for dinner.   (Thanks again for everything guys!!!!)  

Kaitlyn has been doing really well.  I actually just stared at her for a good 45 minutes today.   I guess this is a mom thing.  The hours are just flying by.  I have a lot to post and update you all on not to mention TONS of pictures but I do need to try to sleep at some point so I'll get to it later.

I'm feeling more like myself and getting better and better each day.   

It's been a good day.

-C

This just in:

Kaitlyn's coming home!! Stayed tuned for details. Should be late afternoon.

I'm home

Hi Everyone. I owe a lot of you emails, calls, and thank yous - I'll get to them soon. I promise.

Today was very hard for me. You have a vision of what it's going to be like to bring your perfect baby home after a perfect pregnancy and what you hope to be a perfect labor and when things don't go as planned - It's hard. I have such a new respect for mothers, especially those with problems with their babies. I am so fortunate that she's very healthy, they are just being careful after the ordeal it was to get her into this world.

I'm healing but still very sore myself. I can now get up and move about on my own but I'm SSSLLLOOOWW. I also still look like I took a couple of punches to the face by Mike Tyson but slowly getting back to myself. I think in a way it's a blessing she is still there. I wouldn't have been able to care for her like I would have wanted had she come home with me today.

From Kaitlyn

The above picture was from a visit to see her today. I HAD to show you all her hair. I can't believe how much she has. I love it! It will be in bows in no time!!

Chrissy is home.

Kaitlyn is still in the NICU.

Today she reached her feeding goal and actually exceeded it. They needed to see 46 ml per feeding and she did 50! Twice! So that issue is done. The only remaining things are the spinal tap and the antibiotics.

When she was born they did a tap to see if there was any infection. Today they reported the Tap had a slightly elevated white blood cell count. They did another today to see if its up or down to rule out infection. This and the antibiotics are what are keeping her in the NICU.

So its good news, but we'll have to wait a few more days to have her here. She's pink, cute, and much less swollen now. Chrissy fed her today and both did wonderfully! She's on formula right now, but that will be changing as Chrissy starts getting her milk in.

So yet again, more wait and see...

Heading into day 2.

Like labor, its become a game of hurry up and wait.

Chrissy is off the IV. She will probably go home tomorrow. Kaitlyn may be here a couple days longer. The NICU is like the Navy SEALs, only the best get through. She needs to get up to their standards and their standards are based on kids that are in serious trouble to begin with. My kid is being held to a higher standard, I'm okay with that, she'll kick butt and take names while walking on water.

Friends and family are a huge help. I know why she's in the NICU and its not for the worst of reasons. The hardest part is that there's no instant gratification for Chrissy. But, I see the way Chrissy lights up around you all and it makes me less worried about her. Kaitlyn's got her own nurse, Chrissy's got everyone else. Thank you all for everything.

As for me, I got my sleep, my girls are alright, and I got a beer with Paul tonight. What more can a guy ask for?

Update, Episode II, Atack of The Clones

I had to get a Star Wars reference in! Ok, it doesn't fit well. When little sleep you have, see how creative you can be!

Doctor says Chrissy will be released tomorrow. She's sore but nurses and doctors say all looking good.

Kaitlyn is keeping her own temp, its fluctuating a bit but they're letting her fend for herself. She's out of the french fry machine and in a little plastic bucket bed. Looks like fancy tupperware if you ask me! I bet they put lids on to conserve baby freshness! They have enough oxygen and gases to keep her minty fresh!

Feedings are going well, she should be off the IV soon. They're cutting back on the IV as she starts feeding more. After what the NICU nurses told me (They ROCK!) she's probably darn close to leaving now. I was also told they may not move her to the nursery, but just release her straight home when she's ready.

All in all, family's doing great. Like I've told some of our friends that have been calling or text messaging, The NICU doesn't bother me since I have the healthiest and biggest baby there. It kind of puts things in perspective when you hear the baby next over has no spleen and the reason your kid is there is because she may have inhaled poo. The nurses are all loving her and her screams, so who am I to take that away from them? ;o)

Pictures

Ok, normally I would post this using the gallery, but my super sweet html skillz are somewhat beat right now. Lack of sleep doesn't make Mikey a good hacker or coder. So here's my cheat, Go Here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/helspw/Kaitlyn02?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP_n4T-ob6P_gE

Lots of pics. Sames as the ones on Facebook for now.

The Day After

So here's the final tally for those who would like to know where we stand:

Chrissy is pretty much beat. She's a little puffy and really did her best to get the darn kid out. She's in a lot of pain but pain meds are helping.

Kaitlyn is in the NICU. She'll be there for a while. Here's why:
- She pooped during labor. (I've had 2 hours of sleep in 30ish hours so I'm no using George Clooney words!) This opened her up o POSSIBLE infection, so they are observing her as a precaution. They'll be giving antibiotics now and more if cultures come back as worrisome. All so far have been clear.
- She had her cord wrapped around her neck. WOW! let me tell you have fast they fixed hat problem. One snip, BAM! Kid's cool. This worried the docs as to if there was anything wrong because of the stress of labor. Doctors said no problem, it didn't have any affect on her.
- She's not keeping temperature, which could be a sign of infection or it could be just a temporary bum heater. They think its a bum heater. IN OTHER WORDS, she;s just working on getting around to regulating her temp. She's 14 hours old, she'll get through that one.
- She needs to be off the IV to leave the NICU. They held off until around 3:30ish. She fed. Now they start bumping down the IV and replacing with formula.
- There is a question about her ribs. Her chest is bell shaped, but this may be a non-issue. hey have doctors investigating right now.
One thing you learn from NICU nurses is that everything is over-scrutinized. So please take it with a grain of salt. They're paid to be nit-picky. It works for me!
So final thought: We have a cute little girl who's being watched by a bunch of anal professionals while mommy recovers and daddy catches up on sleep. Life couldn't be much better...

Kaitlyn

8 lbs 1 ounce. 20.5 inches long. She's spending the night in the NICU as a precaution. She pooped in the womb so they're giving her preventative antibiotics as a precaution. She went from blue to pink in no time flat. I saw all the numbers and she's healthy. She breathing and crying. Everything checks out fine. She's a big girl! Head full of hair too! She looks so tired! Chrissy is doing well. She's exhausted but she's good too. Nothing wrong with mama.

It's a girl!!!

3:11. More to follow!

She's pushing!

She got to 10 and its push time. Looks like Baby K has a full head of hair. Still have a ways to go!

It isn't going to happen today.

The cervix still has a lip around the head. Its going to take a while. Hello 25th!

Update:

9 cm, 100%, 0. She's almost there! This could happen before the 25th!

One more thing...

Chrissy says she's can feel her drop. She can now breathe without foot in lung. That is all.

Next update:

6cm, 100% effaced, 0 position. We're racing the clock to make her a 24th baby instead of a 25th. Slowly but surely!

While we wait...

French fry warmer/baby torture chamber.

Epidural is in.

Chrissy's now more comfortable. 5cm 70% effaced -2 position. She's slowly coming!

Pitocin started!

The doctors want to get this show on the road. I want a nap. Chrissy wants this to be over. Everything looks good so far.

Doctors just came in.

Chrissy's still 3cm, 50%, and -2 position. They'll start the pitosin soon. Also, its close to epidural time!!!

Chrissy update:

She's now hooked up to an IV. She's getting stronger contractions and is eating ice chips. I'm sitting here waiting. No real baby updates from the staff here yet. Stay tuned!

She's been admitted!

Chrissy is in Labor and Delivery Room 4. Now we wait again.

Kaitlyn's coming!

Doctor stopped by, she's officially in labor. 3cm. -2 position... She's staying in until the baby's out!

And now, we wait!

So I guess Kaitlyn read my letter! Woo hoo! New SCUBA diver in my future! She is in labor and they're going through the preliminary checks. Looking good!

This is It!

I am on my way to the hospital now.  My water broke this morning and I was in denial.  Off we go - Check back for updates.

Letter to Kaitlyn

Dear Kaitlyn,

I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. You're now 5 days past your curfew. Mommy's not happy, but Daddy has work to do so I guess I'm not so worried about it. No, wait Daddy's very disappointed! (Right Chrissy? One unified front! Represent!)

Cody wants to meet you, Grandmas keep calling to find out where you are, Uncle Marcus and Aunt Antonia left Switzerland to meet you! And I can't tell you how many people workecd on your ladybug room! (Santos, Petra, Don, Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy, the floor guy...) Don't you want to check it out? It's PINK and it has ladybugs! I'd make them dance but Mommy thinks it will mess you up for life.

It's really not that bad out here. It gets cold and hot. We like beaches and sand and SCUBA diving. Mommy and Daddy need a new dive buddy. It's kinda cool when you take your first breath underwater! Sunsets and stars are something you'll be seeing on islands in the sun. Trust me, you'll like it.

So lets go already! Daddy needs a new obsession and he wants his bed back. Cody's ready to lick and the islands are calling! Lets try and do this Wednesday, okay?

Love,

Daddy.

Nope - Still nothing

Still nothing going on. I'm pretty sure the above picture is what Kaitlyn looks like in there right now though or maybe that's just me. Today is one of first days I haven't left the house. I'm feeling pretty blah. I'm thinking dinner then a LONG walk around the neighborhood.

Nothing to Report

Nothing going on. I did do a MAJOR food shopping trip and managed to make it through without breaking my water. (The only thing I was scared about)

Heart beats

I had my non-stress test today and got to hear her little heart beat for about 30-45 minutes. The Dr said she has good acceleration and everything looked really good. I had a 3/4 minute contraction (Which is apparently long but I have them all the time) while I was hooked up and she could care less. Contractions are stressful to babies but like I said, she was cool with it. At one point she started kicking the monitor. She usually hates when things are touching her feet and kicks them till they move. This is how I torture her when her feet are in my ribs. I poke at them till SHE moves.

Anyway here are the new stats:

Another non-stress test on Tuesday
An ultrasound sometime that week to check the amniotic fluids.
If she doesn't come by Friday, August 28th, they will induce me.

I'm thinking something is gonna happen this weekend.

T + 1 and still Nothing to Report

I made it another day with no signs she's coming. I have a Dr's appointment tomorrow so hopefully they at least give me some news or estimate of what's to come. I am getting more and more uncomfortable as the days go on and I'm pretty sure my stomach is about to split open it's getting so big.

Thanks to the parentals for the good non-stretch mark skin - You may have given me pale, non tannning, frecklily/moley skin - but boy is it stretchy!!!

Also - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mom and DAD!!!!

I made it! Hello Due Date - GoodBye Due Date

I've reached D-day. In one sense, I am happy I reached it. I maximized my maternity leave, Kaitlyn is fully cooked, and I am ready ready. I don't think I was ready two weeks ago - mentally or physically.

Today was nice. I had a really relaxing day and spent some of it at a nearby park enjoying my time off and the nice weather.

Now it's time to get this show on the road though. We don't want to be too late. :)

39 weeks, 6 days - No News

I had my routine Dr appointment today. No change. I think Kaitlyn is comfy in there and doesn't want out yet. If she doesn't make an appearance by Friday, They are going to send me in for a non-stress test to see what's going on with her. A non stress test is where they monitor her heart beat and any contractions I might have over a period of time. If she seems like she is fighting at all, they will induce me. Otherwise, she can hang in there for up to two weeks past my due date. (That's September 2nd!!! ACK!)

Time for some long walks and some spicy food!!!

Hi Everyone - We set up this blog and website to keep everyone informed and to journal some of life's events with Kaitlyn. Right now I am 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I'm still feeling pretty good but I am ready for her to make her appearance into this world.

I've been on maturnity leave for almost 2 weeks now. While I love being able to be home, I am not one to actually stay at home and I think I have been out for one reason or another every single day since. (You should see the reaction from the Lowes associtates when they ask when I'm due. ) I'm curious how things will be when she's born. Hopefully, she will like to take rides and walks to the park because I might go crazy just staying at home. Is it too early to go to the beach at 2 weeks old? :)

That's it for now. I have a Dr's appointment tomorrow so lets hope she says ANY DAY instead of the..."Well..We won't induce you unless you are 2 weeks overdue."