My BIG girl!

Today was Calleigh's 2 months well-baby checkup. She weighs in at a whopping 12.5 lbs and is 25 inches long. Whoa little girl..you need to slow down! At birth she weighed 7 lbs 13 oz so she has almost doubled her weight in just 2 months. She's grown 3 1/4 inches! I guess with a 6' 2" dad, and a 5' 8" mom, you have no choice but to be tall. Both her weight and her height is above average for her age but her doctor isn't worried because they balance eachother out.
She got 3 shots today and an oral med for stomach flue. One of her shots had 6 different things in it and the other 2 shots only had one in each. When they poked her with the first needle, her eyes got HUGE and she stuck that lip out and then started screaming. I felt horrible!! She was back to normal thought after some cuddling and her noonie.

I went to my doctor yesterday afternoon. I've had a 3 week long period and it's going on the 4th week now. My doctor gave me a hormone pill to take for 2 weeks and some pain meds for the killer cramps I've been having. I only had about 4 weeks of PP bleeding, then a week and a half later I started this hellacious period and it has not stopped or let up or anything. Hopefully the end is near!!!

I thought this would get easier

I knew having Calleigh here wouldn't replace my feelings for Wyatt but I thought it would atleast make it easier. And yes she has healed pieces of my heart. The pieces that yearned for a baby to love and raise, but not the pieces that are broken over losing one. Wyatt was a complete surprise but he was one of the best. What I wouldn't give to have my little boy here with his little sister. I know he's here in spirit but it's not the same. I watch Darren's son B play with Calleigh and it tugs at my heart. Wyatt would of been such a great big brother. I know he would of helped mold her into such a perfect little lady. He'll always look after her and protect her and I should be happy that she has such a great guardian angel in Heaven. But I just can't help but wonder what it would be like to watch them both playing together though. Sometimes when she's smiling and staring off into space I think that he's talking to her. Call me crazy if you want, but that's what I believe.

Who dat!

I'm working at the restaraunt tonight so I won't be home for the Saints game tonight. Darren is cooking some kind of meat and gravy with his deer meet he took out. I'll also be missing out on my #1 Saints fan cheering dem Saints onto another victory...

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving! Good food and good times. My dad's turkey was the shizzle as always. Everyone thought Calleigh was just the cutest thing. She was very good and didn't fuss at all. We didn't end up staying the night but me and Darren got up at 5am Friday morning and went shopping. We left Calleigh at home with our cousin Brittany. We got alot of good deals and didn't even have to fight anyone for them.
I put our tree up Friday evening and Calleigh absolutely loved it. I put her in her swing and she stared at the lights for a good 30 minutes just smiling. She isn't laughing yet but she's getting there. She's "talking" alot more now and I know that first laugh is right around the corner.
She made 2 months Saturday and man is she getting big!!! Her 2 months appointment is Weds and my poor baby is getting shots :(

Whining

Would it be selfish of me to say that I miss being pregnant and having Calleigh all to myself? While I love having her here and watching her grow every day, I totally miss feeling her kick and move around inside of me and knowing that she was all mine. I miss knowing that I didn't have to share her with Darren, his kids, our families & friends. It was kinda like our own personal bubble.

I HATED having to stay in the hospital 4 extra days but it was great in it's own way too. Even though she was here, I still had her all to myself. Darren and everyone would come to visit but Darren was busy at home getting her room ready (painting, putting together her crib, swing, PNP, dresser...) It was like we were in our own little cocoon.

I soaked in as much as I could of her while I was on maternity leave. I know our bond is strong but she spends so much of her day with other people and not me. That kills me. I know she knows who I am but I'm not there. I have to leave her 5 days out of the week and I feel so guilty. Out of a week day, I'm only with her for 6 hours or less before she's asleep for the night. I really wish we could afford me to stay home but unless Darren finds a job making double what he's making now, it's not doable.

It's nice to dream though isn't it?

On a better note, Calleigh is smiling and grinning so much now. She's not laughing yet but with the noises she's making whilie she's smiling you can tell she's close to laughing. I can't wait to hear her first little giggle. I hope it's while I'm with her and someone else isn't telling me how beautiful it is. She's officially out of NB size clothes. She's into 0-3 now. I felt sad packing up her NB size clothes but she'll soon have a new little cousin I can donate them too. Our cousin Theresa is pregnant and is due in January. She's also having a little girl and she'll get lots of hand-me-downs from Calleigh. We went to her baby shower last Saturday and it was alot of fun. She looked so happy and glowing.

1 Month Photos

These were taken almost a month ago. I got them back yesterday. My little girl already looks so different than she did not even 3 weeks ago. I'll post a more recent pic below and you can compare.

Her face is more filled out and rounder. I can't believe she's going to be 2 months old next Saturday. It hasn't seemed like that long.
She's still sleeping through the night. She's going to sleep earlier during the week because she's not napping much at her maw maws house during the day. My MIL keeps her awake all day and plays with her which is great but it also sucks because I have to deal with a fussy baby and I'm also missing out on time with her since she passes out before I'm even finished cooking dinner. I'm really looking forward to the holidays. We're eating Thanksgiving dinner at my grandmothers house and Calleigh will get to meet the rest of the family. I've been craving some of my dad's fried turkey so I really can't wait! We might stay the night at my parents house that night so I can go shopping Friday morning with my stepmom. Not sure about that yet though.

4 Years

Four years ago while we were laying in his bed, Darren asked me "So, are you gonna be my girlfriend?" Very romantic, huh?
We've been through so much in these last 4 years and I can't believe it's been this long already. We don't celebrate this "anniversary" anymore but I still wanted to acknowledge this special date. I love you babe!!

Back to work....

Today is my 2nd day back at work and it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Yesterday morning I woke up at 6ish and started getting ready for work. Calleigh woke up around 6:30 I fed her and we were off to Maw Maw's house. I hated leaving her yesterday morning! I didn't cry but I definately felt guilty. All I could think about yesterday was going to visit her on my lunch and then getting off at 3:30 and picking her up to come home.
Today wasn't that bad. We both woke up at 5:00, I fed her and changed her then we cuddled in the bed and kinda dozed off and on until I had to get up and start getting ready. I didn't feel so guilty dropping her off this morning but she was sleeping and not wide awake like yesterday morning. She couldn't see me leaving her!!
I just got back from visiting with her over my lunch break. She was actually awake today and I got to feed her and play with her for a little while.
I know my MIL is taking good care of her and is loving on her all day and playing with her. I couldn't imagine putting my sweet baby girl in daycare and be worried about her being neglected all day. I know that's not really what goes on at daycares but I still don't want her in one. We're so lucky that Darren's mom is able to keep Calleigh for us.
While it's nice to be back at work, I'd give anything to be at home with my little girl curled up in the bed.

Dreading Monday

Calleigh napping with my dad

I went to the doctor this morning and was released. He said everything looked fine and I can return to normal duties. I also got a script for birthcontrol! I hate having to remember to take them darn pills every day!

I am dreading returning to work on Monday. I hate that I have to go back a whole week earlier than we had planned but I have to.

I took Calleigh to Kmart yesterday to have her pictures tooken at the Olan Mills studio but she wasn't cooperating. She was so fussy but as soon as we left she fell asleep. We're trying again today so hopefully this time will be better.

Everything else is going great though. Calleigh is getting bigger and bigger everyday. Her newborn clothes are getting pretty snug on her and I'm sad about that. She's started grinning but no full flegged smiles just yet. She's up to about 5 oz of formula now and is going through about 5 or 6 bottles a day.

4 weeks old! (plus 2 days)

Little Ms Calleigh is a little over 4 weeks old. And while I'm so happy that my little girl is growing, I'm sad because that means that next week will be my last week all alone with her. And before you ask, yes I do get 6 weeks mat leave but what it really is, is 4 weeks paid short term disability plus my 2 vacation weeks. And since our plant is closing down for a full week from Christmas eve until after the new year then I must save a week of my vacation if I want to be paid for that week in December. And my broke butt needs all the money I can get. So I'm robbing myself of a week with my precious baby to make a weeks pay....is it worth it? No, but I have to do it....Bills must be paid :(

Well I believe I have this parenting thing down. I was scared to death to be a parent when I found out I was pregnant. I've never cared for newborns every much. I don't really like babies until they can tell me what they need/want. I mean, I know what I was getting myself into...but I was still scared. Newborns frightened me. I was so afraid to hold her at the hospital because I thought I'd break her neck or something. But as soon as the nurse put her in my arms I knew exactly how to hold her, how to change her diaper, how to feed her, how to swaddle her, and how to love her. Oh how I love her. I can't imagine my life without her now. And yes that's so cliche but it's the truth.

She's such a good baby. She's doing very good. I don't know how much she weighs now but I do know the little ham eats anywhere between 5 or 6 5oz bottles a day. She naps very good and she is stil sleeping through the night. She slept from 11:15 last night until almost 9:30 ths morning!!

Well I need to be going...she's waking up and is probably hungry. I'll try and post some pics later tonight.

Pictures

Calleigh Kay

I apologize for the lack of posts. I dont have internet at home anymore since we turned off our laptop card last month. BUT there is an att tech coming tomorrow to install our dsl since i cant figure the damn thing out...And i honestly didnt think about trying to post a blog from my phone but i figured it out.

Okay, so how about that birth story??

Well on Sunday 9/27 me and Darren were in bed watching David Letterman...I felt and heard something weird then I felt a trickle. I jumped up thinkin I had peed on myself. I ran to the bathroom and sat on the toilet to finish peeing. Well it wouldnt stop and I could deffinately tell it wasn't pee at this point. So I yell at Darren to get up and get dressed. We load the truck up and head to the hospital. Contractions were coming every 5 mins at this point.

We get to the hospital and they put us in a room before 12:00. I get checked and Im barely a fingertip dialated. We hang out for a while and watch tv. Contractions were getting closer and more painful. An hour had went by so the nurse checked me again and I was a centimeter dialated. She gave me a cocktail of pain meds because I wasnt ready for the epi yet. We dozed off and on for the next hour. Contractions were hell by this point and I was constantly reachin for Darrens hand to squeeze during them. He helped me to the bathroom a few times also because I was feeling like I had to poo but nothing was coming.

I paged for the nurse askin to be checked again and at first she didnt want to. She finally did and she told us I was 8 cms and was about to miss my epi. I told her there was no way I was having this baby without one so they better get on it.

They kick Darren out and had to give me the epi during contractions. I felt so much better!! Well fast forward about 6 hours....the dr on call had to use the vacuum and Calleigh Kay Sproles was born on September 28th at 6:47 am weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz and measuring 21 3/4 in long!!!

We had to stay in the hospital until Thursday because I had a fever when I delivered and my amniotic fluid had an odd smell. Never found out what it was from. Well we both had IVs in us for antibiotics and it broke my heart to see the IV in her little foot. She wasnt eating too good at first and it was from the IV so they took that out Weds afternoon. After a few hours she was eating fine.

Breastfeeding hasnt gone like I wanted it to. My milk came in I guess but has just about went away. Im able to feed her once or twice a day on the boobs but I know it isnt alot because she still needs about 2 oz of formula after. My boobs are failures :(

Well thats pretty much the whole story. Calleigh is absouletly perfect. She is a good mixture of both of us. She has a head full of brown hair and the longest feet, toes, and fingers. She sleeps very good at night. She'll go to sleep around 9 or 10 and wake up only once anywhere between 3 to 6 to eat. Im hopin this sleep pattern sticks!!

I really enjoy being at home with her all day. I love when she falls asleep on my chest or in my arms. I love her so much and I'm so glad that after 3 long years after losing our son, I'm finally a mommy!

No progress but we have a plan...

I went to see my doctor yesterday to be checked. I have zero dialation still. My cervix is still very soft and KK is still very low. Tomorrow I'm 39 weeks. I'm due the following Thursday which is 10/1. My doctor said that at my appointment next Tuesday 9/29, if theres still no dilatation, they'll see me again the following Tuesday which will be 10/6. If I make it to 10/6 he said that we will talk about an INDUCTION date...I do not want to be induced. Let's pray that KK decides she is ready to make an apperance by then....

I know it's normal to not have any progress by 39 weeks but damnit, I thought for sure these freaking stupid contractions were doing something down there. Kinda bummed but oh well...I fully intent on enjoying my comfort food dinner tonight....white beans and sausage with cornbread. Maybe even some ben n jerry's ice cream for desert.

Traditions

I was talking to my stepmom Friday afternoon and she had asked me what traditions we were going to start. So far our holidays have pretty much been hectic. For Thanksgiving, we used to drive 2 hours to do it with my family. Last year it was our first Thanksgiving in our new house so we did our own dinner and invited friends over. It turned into more of a party than anything though because we didn't have the kiddos. This year I'm sure we'll stay around the house again but I honestly don't know.
For Christmas we used to stay at my parents house for Christmas eve and then get up and do Christmas morning with them and head to DH's parents house, then head off to go meet up with the kids mom to either get them or give them to her. Last Christmas, we did it at our house and DH's parents stayed with us Christmas eve and Christmas day and we did Santa and left to go to my parents and grandmothers house.
This year I'm still not sure what were going to do but we'll figure it out.
Anyway...my stepmom suggested that they come to us for Christmas next year and the years following to start our own SET Christmas tradition. Where there would be no variation and we'd know exactly what was happening. Their thing is, they'd rather see KK on Christmas morning and enjoy that. This year she won't know whats going on at Christmas so it won't be the same as next year or any of the following years.
It kinda makes me feel like an adult to have our own traditions and I can't wait to actually have it figured out.

38 Week appointment

Yesterday was my 38 week appointment. My doctor checked me and told me that I'm not dialated but I'm even softer and the baby is pretty low in my pelvis. He said that instead of waiting until my weekly appointment next Thursday, that he wanted to see me on Tuesday instead. He asked about the contractions I've been having and then said "Yes I definately want to see you on Tuesday".........I'm wondering what he thinks is going to happen in the next few days. Darren thinks he's going to win the money pool we have going on since he betted on Weds. We'll see though.

Monday I have an appointment for an hour long maternity massage. I can not wait! I've been wanting one so bad for most of this pregnancy and I've been putting it off. I figured I should just go ahead and do it since I'm so close to the end now. The only bummer is that they don't have a bed with a hole in it for the belleh. They lay you on your side but make you comfy with pillows and such. Regardless..I can't wait to be rubbed down for a whole hour. I get one handed massages from the hubs every once in a while...this will be so much better!

Okay...on to the house. We got home yesterday and they already had the siding up, and the window in my kitchen knocked out for the door. They had a piece of plywood up though because they didn't have enough time to install the door. They said that today they would have the new kitchen door installed, his bedroom door installed, and they would be starting on insulating the bedroom. I'll take pictures this weekend and post them Monday.

Last night was my last night at Little River Inn. I made right at $50 and some change. I was sad to tell everyone bye but I know I'll end up there before the baby is born just to hang out and see everyone. I'm so damn sore this morning and I know it's because I worked until 9:30 last night. My body has been telling me for the past few weeks that I needed to quit working my 2nd job. The following 2 days after working 1 night, I will be so sore and feel like my hips are breaking and I'm very swollen for a few days after.

38 Weeks!!!!!!!!!!

How far along: 38 Weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: 34 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yep

Stretch marks? Yep. Not as much as I thought I'd get to be honest with you.

Sleep: Not good. I'm to the point where I'm sleeping in a sports bra and a pair of panties because I'm so damn hot! I'm uncomfortable and the bed just isn't big enough for the two of us plus all the pillows I'm using for props!

Best moment this week: FINALLY getting our addition started on. The guys are working fast and will hopefully be done soon so we can move Bailey in there and get started on KK's room!!

Movement: Yes plenty of it. She hasn't slowed down yet.

Food cravings: Chocolate pudding. I've threatened to bite anyones arms off who eats any of my pudding I have stashed in the fridge at home or at work.

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: Oww started having contractions yesterday. They lasted all freaking afternoon and into last night. I felt like I was going to start my period at any given moment yesterday. It was like sharp sharp painful period cramps. They were across my lower back, into my whole freaking stomach, and actually spread into my groin area. I don't think these were fake ones (bc of the pain) but honestly, what do I know?

Belly Button in or out? I've had an outtie for a few weeks now...it keeps sticking out more and more though.

What I miss: Having sex with my husband. I never thought we'd be the couple to completely quit having sex. That's all I wanted with my first pregnancy. I'd rape him while we were sleeping just about every night. We haven't had sex in well over a month and I miss our intimacy.

What I am looking forward to: Getting started on KK's room. Going pick out paint sometime this weekend!!!
Milestones: Making it to 38 weeks! I only have 2 weeks left until my EDD. Lets see when she makes her debut though.

Okay...time for some pics.

As promised...

This first picture is one of inside his bedroom so far.

This second picture is a window in my kitchen that is going to be knocked out to make a new kitchen door.

This 3rd pciture is one of Bailey's windows.

Just a larger side shot of above picture. Ignore the party barge.

This is Bailey's second window and this is infront of the house. My front door is set to the right and about a foot or two behind that brick column.

These are pictures as of yesterday (9/16/09) Today the guys are actually doing work inside of my house so that it'll tie into this new bedroom. It's looking good so far and they'll be done soon. I work tonight and not quite sure what time I'll be getting off so I may or may not have pictures to post tomorrow.

Shopping trip

Today I am going shopping for stuff for my hospital bag. I am officially freaking out. I am running out of time! I have been putting this list together for about a week or so now and I think I'm pretty well prepared without having too much. This should easily fit into our medium sized suit case and have room to bring home extra goodies. They started on our addition Monday and today they already have support columns and beams up and they should be starting on the walls sometime tomorrow I believe. Once it starts looking like something I'll snap some pics. I can't wait to get B out of his old room and into his new room so I can paint and get ready for KK.
If Darren's hunch is right, I'll be having her by next Weds. I am praying that he is wrong...I need more time!!!

Not dialated yet!!!

Well today was my 37 week appointment. My doctor wasn't in so I seen another Dr that I haven't met yet. She was nice. They hooked me up to the machine and did 15 minutes of heartbeat and movement monitoring. She was moving good and the dr commented on how strong of a HB she has. Then I had a finger shoved up my hoo-ha. No dialation as of yet, but she said I am pretty low and she didn't make any comments about softness or anything else.

I'm glad that KK isn't ready to come into the world yet. I need a few more weeks to get ready for you little girl!

The contractors start Monday on building B's room. Shouldn't take any longer than a week or so.

Her crib

Okay so I figured this deserved it's own post seperate from my weekly update.

We bought KK's crib last night and a few other items we needed. We also ate Coyote Blues last night and I realized that was probably our last date their before KK comes. We'll see though...I might have to make Darren go there again one night within the next week or two.

So Darren is about to sign with a contractor. They could start on B's room this coming Monday (if the weather lets them finish up their other job this week) We're putting KK in B's old room so once they start on his room I can start packing up his stuff and cleaning the room up really good and paint it. Then we can finally start putting all of KK's stuff in her room and setting everything up. It would be so cool if B's room is built before the kids come next weekend.

Our good friend Josh bought KK her crib. He's the Godfather and claimed this as his gift to us when we told everyone we were pregnant. We're so grateful for him buying this for her. He's such a good guy and I know this is only the beginning of him spoiling her.

I can't wait to set the crib up with the bedding set that came in last week. Hopefully everything is ready or almost ready for her when she arrives. I really don't mind her sleeping in her pack n play in our room for the first few weeks to be honest with you. The PNP my parents bought her has a co-sleeper attachment for it and I could set that right up next to our bed if her room isn't ready yet. Guess we'll see what happens.