Baby Kade's Birth Story...

Just 10 days old

(Thank you Annie Pinegar for taking such amazing pics of my baby!!!)

It all began around 4:15 am on Monday November 12...

I got up to go to the bathroom for the 100th time that night.  While going to the bathroom I felt a little pop.  My water had finally broke!!!  I was grateful to be on the toilet.  It was a rather large amount of water...and it just kept coming.  (If that was too graphic you may not want to continue reading).  

I yelled to Nate that I was pretty sure my water broke.  He was still asleep and way out of it.  He later said that when he first heard me he thought I said the water pipes were broken.  He was then frustrated that our home warranty had just run out and we would have to buy a new water pump:)  

Once he figured out what I was really talking about he asked me how I knew if it was my water.  Apparently the fact that a gallon of water had just come out of me wasn't a good enough clue:)  His next asked what it looked like...he was in serious denial.  I got up to check out what it looked like so I could tell him and more water started gushing.  I decided I better stay put for the next few minutes.  

At this point I started freaking out just a little.  It was 4am and we didn't have anyone to watch the girls yet and my bags were not packed.  Baby boy came a few days before we had anticipated (not complaining:). 

Luckily we have awesome friends and family.  Karalynne responded to a text message within minutes and was at our house within the hour.  Nate's mom responded to the text just as quickly, bought a plane ticket and was in Ohio by 4pm.  Later I found out that another friend watched my girls while Karalynne went to her doctor appointment and another friend picked Nate's mom up from the airport.  

I got to the hospital before contractions were too painful and decided I wanted to wait awhile before getting an epidural.  I was still not very dilated and I didn't want to be stuck in bed all day.   

One of my many potty trips.

My belly in all its glory:)

Once the contractions started kicking in I stayed in bed for the most part.  I was told that I needed to either get an epidural at this point or wait another couple hours because the nurse anesthetist would be in a few c-sections.  I opted to wait, but soon started freaking out (for the second time).  Contractions were getting painful and were happening every 1-2 minutes.  I wasn't sure I could wait it out a couple hours.  But I still wasn't ready for the meds.  So I opted to wait.  About 20 minutes later I had a small breakdown and told Nate I was scared I made the wrong decision.  He and the my nurse were good to assure me that they would help me through it.  The doc came in a little later and told me I should at least get the epidural placed and that way medicine could be pushed at anytime.  I didn't even know this was an option but it sounded good to me.  The nurse anesthetist came in shortly after, placed the needle and then talked me into having a test dose.  It was suppose to just numb me a little and then start to wear off.  I was in enough pain at this point I was okay with that.  Unfortunately it numbed me a lot.  I couldn't feel a dang thing anymore.  My contractions slowed down and became irregular.  So I asked them to turn the meds off.  My left side of my body stayed pretty numb for awhile but I was able to get feeling back in my right side pretty quickly.

We are having loads of fun at this point:)

Once I got to an 8 I decided I wanted the drip turned back on.  Again I was told this would just numb me a little.  Nurse anesthetist didn't think the drip would do much at this point so he blasted me with a full dose (Seriously not a fan of him at this point).  Soon after this I was fully dilated and ready to push.  We had to wait for the doctor to get there so my nurse made me keep my legs closed.  She was scared she was going to deliver this baby.  

It came time to push and I was so numb I couldn't feel anything.  Baby's heart rate was starting to plummet so I was placed on oxygen.  Since I was so numb I couldn't push effectively at all. After trying to push a couple times baby wasn't doing well so doc had to pull out the forceps.  I was so frustrated knowing my baby was in trouble and I couldn't do anything to help out.  

Luckily the doc did an awesome job and had baby out quickly.  He was born at 1:03pm.  (9 hours from beginning to end)  Babe was super purple though so I didn't get to hold him.  The nurses took him away to work on him.  Nate followed baby while I delivered the placenta and got stitched up.  I kept looking at Nate to see if all was okay.  When he couldn't give me an answer I started crying.  

Soon things improved and after getting baby weighed I finally got a chance to hold him.  I was so grateful to be holding my precious baby boy.  He was pretty beat up and still a little purple but to me he was perfect.  

 7lbs 11oz   20.5 inches

 (I think he looks just like his sisters did).

It took us a few days to name him (not surprising).  We had it down to 3 names and Nate told me I could pick whatever I wanted from the three names.  I took full advantage of having free reign and he was soon named Kade Jackson Rencher.  I love my baby Kade!

 

Baby Kade...

I suppose I should have known better than to commit myself to doing daily blog entry the whole month of November when I was super prego, knowing I would be having the babe half way through the month.  Truly I have much to be thankful for but you are just going to have to trust me on that one because I will not be finishing my thankful posts:)

But I will introduce you to the newest love of my life.  Our sweet baby Kade is too precious for words.  I feel like the luckiest mom every time I hold him.  I can't get enough of him! Even if I am super sleep deprived:)

 We  named our little guy Kade Jackson Rencher.  Kade was my number one pick and Jackson was Nate's so we compromised by using both.  Kade was born on November 12 and 1:03 pm.  He weighed 7 lbs 11 oz and was 20.5 inches long. 

So far everyone in our house is a fan of the new addition.  Cambri loves holding him and smothering him in kisses.  If Kade cries when she is holding him she yells at the top of her lungs, "Mom the baby is crying!"  Sadie isn't as interested in Kade but occassionally says he is so cute.  When he cries she will say, "He wants me!"

Nate is loving that he has another buddy in the house.  They have bonded by taking many naps together and watching football.

I am completely smitten by my baby boy.  There is something so magical about holding him.  I can easily forget about the dirty dishes or laundry pile that is taking over my house just by cuddling him.  Pretty sure I could stare at him ALL DAY LONG.

 I have been spoiled with lots of help from family and friends which has allowed me time to just enjoy these first few precious weeks with Kade.  Both my mother-in-law and sister-in-law Janelle stepped in and did all my mommy duties for almost two weeks between the two of them.  I didn't have to get out of bed until 9 or 10 for the first two weeks after coming home from the hospital.  I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate them.  I miss them already.  Cambri does too.  As we walked out of Target the other day she said to me, "I wish Grandma could come back so she could buy us toys and you could stay home and take care of baby Kade."

(Maybe not the best picture of all of us but it is the only one I have with me and the kids)

When I really think about the fact that I am now in charge of three kids it kind of overwhelms me:).  So far we are doing well but I don't have any obligations and we often don't go anywhere all day.  The few times I have taken all three of them out by myself it takes forever to get us ready.  My house needs to be cleaned and the laundry truly is taking over, but I suppose that is okay.  I find myself being much more relaxed with this baby.  I really wish I could have been like this with my first child.  For some reason I was so caught up in being the "perfect" parent that I often forgot to just enjoy the sweet blessing that was mine.

I will get some more posts on here about the whole labor and delivery story and our Thanksgiving celebrations.  But for the moment I better attend to Kade who is now screaming even though .2 seconds ago he was sound asleep.



Day 5...

Phone calls from home...

I am lucky to have a dad and grandma that check on me often.  It is nice to know that even though there are many many miles between us, it only takes one phone call to make me feel close to home.

Day 4...

Today I am grateful for a healthy body that is able to carry my babies to full term.  I follow a design blog of a girl who had her first baby at 24 weeks.  She is pregnant with her second baby and was put on bedrest in the hospital at 24 weeks.  The hope is to get her to 30 weeks at least.  Obviously even at 30 weeks there will be lots of medical intervention to help the baby develop and thrive.  I can't imagine being in her shoes.

The last month of pregnancy is HARD for me.  My short little body just doesn't have room for my growing little baby.  Everything hurts and I have no energy to give to the rest of my family.  I am truly in survival mode.  Today I was a total grump and had little patience with my girls.  I find myself feeling jealous of people who deliver perfectly healthy babies at 38 weeks.  I would be done with pregnancy and holding my sweet baby boy right now if that were the case for me.

But I can't help but think back to the blog I follow and the struggles that this girl and her family are facing and will be facing in the near future.  I have nothing to complain about!

My body may look absolutely ridiculous right now, and truly there isn't a muscle or joint in my body that doesn't ache, but soon this will all be over and the blessings will far outweigh any struggles it took to get our little boy here. 

 Me at 38 weeks...huge I know.

     

Day 3...

I consider myself one lucky girl to be married to such an awesome hubby!!!:)


We will be celebrating our 7th anniversary this December.  Holy Moly!  That makes me feel old.  We have experienced so much the last 7 years.  There have been lots of ups and downs, but we have grown closer from it all.

Everyday when I hear the garage door open, announcing that Nate is home from work, it makes my heart so happy.  In fact all his girls love hearing that noise:).  The poor kid can't even breathe for two seconds before we all want his attention and love.  I am so grateful for his willingness to work hard to provide for our family.  I know that I couldn't go through what he does everyday.  For one thing I would not do well having to be to work before 6am.  And I know I wouldn't do well being under the pressure he deals with at work.


Nate is my best friend and I am grateful for the support I feel from him.  His strengths are my weaknesses and we compliment each other well.  At least I think we do...I know I have many quirks that drive him crazy:).  I love that I have a best friend to turn to for anything.

Love you Buddy!!!

Day 2...

 My Sweet Cambri

I know it may seem a little cliche to go through each of my family members while doing this gratitude journal but let's be honest they are my pride and joy.  And I am oh so grateful for each one of them.  So yes tomorrow it won't be a surprise who I blog about. 

Being so close to my due date right now sure has made me think back to when I was pregnant for the first time and waiting to go into labor.  All of my pregnancies have been unique and special in their own way but it is hard to top the feelings I had the first time.  I wish I could go back to those first few days of being a new mom.  Holding Cambri for the first time fulfilled so many of my dreams.

Cambri is so much like me it is scary.  It has made it fun in so many ways, yet very challenging in others.  I know she and I will always be buddies but I think we will have the ability to drive each other crazy as well:)

Yesterday I told Cambri and Sadie that they had to clean up the toys they were playing with before I would get the markers and crayons out for them.  Cambri wasn't too excited about the idea.  After me telling her 5 or 6 times that I wasn't going to get anything else out until the mess was cleaned up she said to me, "I can't clean the whole house!  You're the mom, you do it!"  I just had to laugh at the little stinker.  Cambri's dramatic ways keep us entertained:)

Cambri really is such a good girl.  She likes to keep the rules and loves knowing she has made her mom and dad proud.  I am grateful for her sweet little soul.   

Love you Cam!!!

So Grateful!...

I know I am a few days late getting started but I wanted to join the crowd in taking time and recognizing my blessings everyday this month.  I will make up for the days I missed throughout the week. 

Day 1-

I am so very grateful for Sadie

I start with her today because she was the first one awake in our house this morning and her cheerful disposition started the day off just right (not always the case with this little gal.  She is more of a night owl).  Nate had to work this morning so I was in bed by myself when she woke up.  She crawled right into bed and said over and over again, "I love my mom".  Can't be mad about an early wake up call when it is followed with such sweetness.  Sadie also gave me a good 10 minutes of cuddle time before we got up to get breakfast.  She has never been my cuddle bug so I cherish any time she willingly snuggles me.  

I love the stage Sadie is at right now.  There are days I wish she could stay 2 forever (even though her sleep habits are less than desirable).  I count my blessings everyday that I get to be her mom.