Keira's 3rd month

This month we celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving! You have really started smiling and laughing out loud. Dad is still home with you and you guys love hanging out together. Still not sleeping completely through the night, BUT you have had some successful nights. You found your thumb, but only suck on it occasionally. You still love to stick your hands in your mouth. On your first Halloween, we were members of the Justice League of America. Dad was Captain America, I was the Flash, and you were the cutest Superman! You helped pass out candy and loved looking at costumes. On your first Thanksgiving, we spent most of the day at Papa and Gigi's house. You did not sleep well, but did take a little nap in your pack in play. You are still drinking only breast milk, mostly 4 ounces each feeding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keira's 2nd month

You had a Dr's appointment this month. You weighed 12 lbs and were 23 inches long. You got 4 shots. It was HEARTBREAKING to see the look on your face and hear your cries, but we know it will benefit you in the end. You were extra tired and snuggly after your shots, but you never ran a fever. When you were six weeks old, I had to go back to work. My work only gave me 4 weeks of maternity leave. I took one week of vacation and one week unpaid. The maternity leave in this country is horrendous but that for a different blog post on a different day. Although I am thankful to have a job to go back to, leaving you was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I couldn't think about you throughout the day without my eyes welling up. The ONLY good thing is that Dad was still home with you so we didn't have to spend you to daycare. I am 100% positive I would NOT have been able to drop you off at daycare at 6 weeks old. Dad gets to spend 12 weeks with you, and I am so extremely happy about that. This month you found your tongue. You like to stick it out and you always have your hands in your mouth. You have started to smile, laugh, and coo. We visited Cagle's Dairy to look at all the pumpkins! We are still working on your sleeping, right now it is about 4-6 hour stretch at night. Naps are not too good, the 45 minutes intruder is strong. Mom is still exclusively pumping, so you are on only breast milk!

Keira's 1st month

After a long, hard labor and spending 4 days in the hospital, Dad and I were ready to go home. Your first days (weeks) home were definitely hard. Dad and I were exhausted and you were a fussy girl. We could tell your tummy was hurting you, and we did everything we could to help, but nothing would. You went to your first Dr. appointment on September 2nd, you hadn't lost much weight at all. I was happy about that because we were having trouble nursing. The Dr. said you looked perfect and mostly just reassured us that everything we were feeling was normal.

We took you back to the Dr. on September 12th, and you had continued to gain weight! I was concerned about your weight because of the nursing. We had supplemented a little formula for you to help with gas and to make sure you were getting enough. This appointment, Dr. gave us some Zantac, she thinks you have acid reflux (it really helps.)

I got mastitis in your 3rd week and had to go into the hospital for remove an abscess in my breast. Your Dad kept you for two nights all by himself. I was so in awe of him during those days I was in the hospital. Your Dad is really a super man! He took care of me and you and although it was offered, he didn't need any help. Your Dad is so strong and supportive and you are lucky he is your Daddy.

We spent this month just getting to know your needs and spending time together!





 

36, 38, and 40 week photos

Here are the belly photos for weeks 36, 38, and 40. Not too much to report on those weeks, we were just waiting on our girl to get here!

 

 

Keira's birth story

The blog is going to be out of order for a bit until I go back and add the weeks I missed. I wanted to go ahead and write about Keira's birth story so that I would not forget details.

It all started on August 27th, the day after her due date. Richard and I went to the Dr. to see if I had progressed any. The Dr. was a little concerned about her size and they didn't want her getting too big and me not have a chance of delivering her natural. At the appointment, I was still at 0 cm and she was not in the birth canal. That news was hard for me because I was so sure she had dropped some. We decided that I would be induced that night and see what happens. I was hoping for everything to be able to happen naturally but as I have quickly learned, PLANS CHANGE.

We headed to the hospital around 9pm. I received the cervix softener, and when they checked me the next norming, I was at a 2! Everyone was excited and hopeful that she would be born that day (Thursday.) As the day progressed, I did not. It was decided that we would try another cervix softener that night since it had helped the night before.

 



At 4am, I told Richard I think my water broke. He called the nurse, and sure enough, it had broken on it's own. That means that no matter what, in 24 hours we would have a baby! I got Pitocin to help progress the dilation and (against what I originally wanted) and epidural. I (thought) I was prepared for naturally birth without medicine but when the time came, the pain was just too great. I applaud and am amazed by Mama's that have completely natural births, you are rock stars!

 

 

I started pushing around 4pm on Friday August 29th, and Keira was born at 6:23pm. I pushed as hard as I could for two and half hours with only short breaks in between contractions. It was the HARDEST thing I have ever done. There were times when I wanted to give up, but Richard was there the whole time. He was so loving and encouraging and he would not let me quit no matter what. I could not have done it without him!

When she came out, her cord was around her neck and arm, which is why she wasn't in the birth canal and why I pushed for so long. The first few minutes after she came out were very scary. The nurses took her away immediately, and we did not hear her cry for a bit. Richard could see her, but I could not, so I just kept looking at his face. When she finally breathed, the look of relief on his face is one I'll never forget.

Keira Juliette was born at 6:23pm, weighing 7lbs 10 oz (not even big, like the Dr, thought), and 21 inches long. She had a full head of hair and (as of now) blue eyes.