1 Month

With her BFF Wylie Petersen
With Mommy after her first trip to church. (She cried the whole last hour!)

Chilling with Mommy in the baby-rocking-chair.

My cousin April made that bow. Love it!

Her first church dress.

I love her in brown and pink!

Daddy had her all rigged up to watch TV. Too early, if you ask me!

The day after her 1 month b-day.

Happy 1 month birthday, McKenna!

She's doing Blue Steel (from Zoolander)

I can't believe it has already been one whole month! It's amazing how much she's grown.

At 3 weeks, 6 days she rolled over! She did it completely unassisted. She hasn't done it again but Cody has been working with her. She takes 4 oz every 3-5 hours now. We are about to have to buy new, bigger bottles! She sleeps about 4 hours at a time on average. She is so spoiled! It's completely my fault! Once she finally got here and I could hold her, I didn't want to put her down. Now she doesn't want to be put down, but we're working on that too!

We got her Halloween costume today! She's going to be a flower. Hopefully it'll fit right by then. It's hard to shop that far into the future because you never know how they'll grow. She's still in her newborn clothes. She's outgrowing some of them and some are still too big. I'm afraid she won't get to wear some things because she may not fit into them before the weather changes!

It really has been awesome living with my parents during this time! Grandma takes her on Saturday and Sunday mornings for a couple hours so Cody and I can get some sleep. That makes all the difference in the world!

I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune when it's time, but part of me is ready to go back to work! This next week is my last week off with her. It's just been the same thing every day! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE spending that much time with her! If I were to stay home with her, we'd have to join a play group or get out and do something! That's kind of hard when they're this young, so we'd have to wait until she was a little older. All that having been said, I would rather stay home with my baby. Alas, I do not have a choice right now. Maybe one day it will work out.

That's about it for now. Time to go pick her up so she'll quit whining!!! (She really is a good baby, she just hasn't felt good the last couple days!)

Cody, Marissa, and McKenna

2 Week Check-up

(Sorry for the poor quality. This was taken with my phone.)

Today McKenna is 2 weeks old and had her second doctor visit. She did great! She is up to 20 1/4in and 7lbs 2oz. She is in the 10-25 percentile for her height and 50 percentile for her weight. I'm still not really sure what that means. The doctor gave us the official ok to let her sleep as long as she wants during the night, which we have been already. The trouble is she wakes up every 3-4 hours anyway! Oh, well. As long as she gets what she needs, mommy is happy!

They had to prick her heel! The state needs blood for something apparently. The first time they pricked it, she didn't bleed enough so they had to prick her again! She was crying and hurting and there was nothing I could do about it. That made me so sad! I cried too! Cody laughed at me, but I couldn't help it. That was such a horrible, helpless feeling. I know she was just fine and as soon as they got what they needed and left her alone, she stopped. This motherhood thing is a tough gig!

Her umbilical cord is literally hanging on by a thread. It freaked me out! After her last bath there was blood on the towel and her cord looked bloody and gooey. I thought maybe I had rubbed it off too soon or something but apparently that's normal. So I'm thinking that after her next bath it may just come off. Then I won't have to worry about it anymore. I'm always afraid I'm going to tug on it or something and hurt her. That's the last thing I want to do!!

She eats great and sleeps great. I love being the one that can calm her down when she's upset. The fact that once she's in my arms she stops crying is just awesome to me. That was one thing I was worried about. When it's other people's kids that start crying, they go back to mommy or daddy. I don't know what to do with them. With her, I just know what to do. It's amazing to me.

I've really enjoyed my last couple weeks off work. Cody started back at work yesterday afternoon, which is fine with me! He was ready to go back, too. He was getting bored...and he was driving me bonkers. So I am ready for my last 4 weeks all alone with my baby girl!

Well, it's about feeding time again! And little missy had a blowout at the doctors office which led to her peeing all over the place too so SOMEBODY needs a bath! We cleaned her up with baby wipes but she needs a bath today anyway.

Cody, Marissa, and McKenna

She's Here!

Well, she's been here...for a whole week! It has been so crazy I haven't had time to do this. McKenna is laying in the bed with Daddy while he plays his game, so it seemed like a good time!

It started Monday the 9th. I had an appointment at 8:45 HOPING we could induce. We were ready! The doctor wouldn't do it that day, so we set it up for Wednesday the 11th at 5:00. I didn't want to go back to work and neither did Cody so we hung out with family for a while. We went to the mall and walked around a little bit hoping that would jump start things. It didn't seem to do anything! So we thought maybe something spicy for dinner would do the trick. It didn't really seem to have any effect either. So we tried...well...another thing that's supposed to get it going. I don't know if it was the latter, a combination of the three, or just coincidence, but contractions started around 9:30 Monday night. I wasn't sure that's what it really was but about 3 hours later, it was still happening and the pain was stronger so to the hospital we went! Cody and I took our car with all of the stuff in it and my mom and Randy followed behind.

They kept me in triage monitoring my contractions for about 5 hours before they admitted me to a room. I hadn't progressed much but I suppose they realized sending me home wasn't an option. I was in too much pain! Poor Cody, mom, and Randy! They sat up all night! I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful support system. I got the epidural somewhere between 7 and 8 and oh boy was that nice!!! They gave me a little pitocin just to keep things going. The doctor came in and broke my water around 9. So there we sat until 1:30 or so. Then it was time to push! I pushed for a little over 30 minutes and she was born at 2:08pm. She was 6lbs 7oz and 19.5in.

We got to go home the next day around 3 and have been having so much fun ever since! It's been an adjustment for everyone, though! She's supposed to eat every 3 hours so that's fun waking up that much! Other than one rough night, she's done great! She sleeps a lot, eats, dirties up diapers, and goes back to sleep. I'm sure this will change at some point, but she doesn't really cry that much. She's a super good baby! We love her so much! It's amazing to look into her eyes as she's looking back into mine. She has changed so much in the last week already. Cody says she's grown an inch, but I'm not convinced. Yesterday was our first day alone as a little family and that was fun! We went to Babies R Us to get more bottles. She slept the whole time. It's been nice having my mom here too. She's been a lot of help. I've not ever really been around babies, so I'm learning!

The first trip to the pediatrician went well. She told us we had a perfect little baby girl, which we already knew! I've lost 16 of the 27 lbs I gained while pregnant. I'm in the awkward stage between maternity and regular clothes. I'm not really enjoying that. Other than that, my recovery has gone very well. I didn't tear at all so it's been pretty easy for me physically. I get tired, but that's about it!

Cody seems to want to go somewhere every day and I am content to stay home, so that's a little frustrating. I love having him here and love the help that he is, but I'm looking forward to being by myself too. I just want to stay home with my baby and he gets cabin fever when he's been home for like 5 minutes. This is particularly frustrating today, but oh well. He promised we could stay home tomorrow. I'm just happy she's here!

I know that was a long one this time, but there was a lot to catch up on!

Cody, Marissa, and McKenna

38 Weeks

This is taking tooo looong!!! I'm ready for my baby girl to be here! We have an appointment Monday morning at 8:45 and I am reallyyyy hoping we'll be inducing that day. There isn't really a good reason not to.

She's been moving around a lot still, even though she doesn't have as much room! I've been feeling sick and I think it's probably because she's got body parts all up in my stomach and there isn't room for the food I'm putting in it. As I type this I am fighting the urge to go vomit. Sorry, TMI I'm sure! I'm exhausted all the time!! My right foot only is swollen and sore. When she gets this hiccups I can look down at my tummy and see it jumping. It cracks me up every time! I'll miss that!

It's just time...I feel like she's trying, though. I keep having contractions but nothing consistent. They have been getting more painful, but like I said, not consistent so I know it's not quite time yet. I was at 2cm this past Monday, so maybe the contractions have made progress in that department. I sure hope so.

She is about the size of a leek this week. Lol...that rhymed! Sorry...I'm delirious!

Cody, Marissa, and McKenna

37 Weeks

I talked to the doctor while I was at my appointment Wednesday...he said we can induce on the 9th!!! Sooo...that means in 9 days from today, McKenna will be here! I can't believe it's already time. This is just so nuts!

At my 36 week check up, the doc sent me down to L & D to have an NST (non-stress test) to check on her. She hadn't really moved that morning, but she was just fine! Apparently she was sleepy that day. I know how she feels! While I was there the nurse checked me...1cm and 0% effaced. Awesome. No where NEAR having a baby! Which I was 36 weeks, so I guess I shouldn't be! The doc said at my 37 week appointment that he could check me if I wanted him to, but that there honestly probably wouldn't be much to report. I declined the check, knowing that if I was still 1cm it would ruin my day. Apparently appointment days are just going to suck for me, because I left his office almost in tears at the 36 and 37 week check-ups. He said he'll see me back Monday for the 38 week appointment and we'd schedule the induction for the following Monday! I'm super excited about it! I'd LOVE for her to come on her own, as long as she does it by then. If not, I'm evicting her!

I have been having signs of progression, though, so I'm thinking about doing some walking and trying a couple other old wives' tales and seeing if I can help her come on her own. I am pretty sure what I've been feeling is contractions, but they don't hurt so I'm not entirely sure that's what it is. I have been having lower abdominal cramping and lower back pain. My entire abdomen will tighten up, then loosen up...but that doesn't hurt at all. So I'm pretty certain we're on our way to having a baby, but aren't there quite yet!

Her room is ready and my hospital bag is almost done. I just have a few more things to get from the store then we're all ready for her! Cody is getting excited, too. That's been some of the most fun in this last TERRIBLE month! He keeps me sane! Everyone says the last month is the worst, and they aren't lying! The sleepless nights, exhaustion, waddling, SWOLLEN feet, pressure on the bladder, hormones to the umpth degree...everything just hurts. I know it will all be worth it in just 9 short days...or less!!!

This week she is about the size of a swiss chard. For the next baby, I'm going to try to find a list of things to compare it to that I have actually heard of!!!

Cody, Marissa, and McKenna

35 and 36 Weeks

The last couple of weeks have been very hectic. We moved this weekend, so there was a lot of packing and preparation leading up to the move.

We are mostly settled in. McKenna's room is the last thing left and even that is almost done. We have to wash some clothes and things for her, put the crib together, hang up some decorations, and find places for a few other miscellaneous things. I'm feeling less stressed about it all now that progress is being made. My mom and Randy are a HUGE help in getting ready for her. I've just been so worried that we won't be ready if she comes early, but she'll be all set up and ready to go in the next couple days! She can come whenever she's ready at this point...which I hope is soon!!

She's definitely running out of room in there and is making sure I know it! Other odd things have been happening. Well, I guess they may not be so odd, but they are to me! I have been having swelling, of course, but most of my swelling is in my right foot and can be pretty painful at times. I have been having crampy feelings, and I'm not really sure what that's all about. Probably it's just McKenna running out of room! I have starting getting sick a little bit again, which brings back not so fond memories of the lovely first trimester! I had kidney surgery 14 years ago and the scar is where a c-section scar would be. I have been having sharp pains there as well, but not too often. She is definitely mashing down on my sciatic nerve on the right! That's not fun. My thumb, first finger, and middle finger of my left hand randomly go tingly and numb. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with what position I'm in, because it happens when I'm laying down or standing up or sitting down. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to it. Other than all that, I think I'm pretty good! Just really uncomfortable and ready for her to be here!

She should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 6lbs and 18.5 inches long now. The size of a crenshaw mellon (random, I know).

Cody, Marissa, and McKenna

34 Weeks

Only 6 more to go!!! I just can't believe how fast the last 34 weeks have gone by. I think back to Thanksgiving Day (I was already pregnant then, just didn't know it) and it doesn't seem that long ago. How is it that time can creep and fly at the same time? It makes no sense, but it definitely has. We were over at a friend's house this weekend for 4th of July. One of her other friends that was there has a 2 year old little girl. Cody commented on how long it would seem to take for McKenna to be that old, but I am pretty sure she'll be there before we know it. I'm trying my best to enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy because it's almost over. A fact that makes me so happy and sad at the same time!

We're really starting to pack up this week for the move. We did a little this weekend and have already taken a few things to my mom's house. I HATE moving! I hate all of it. Thankfully, I only have to pack this time. Still not fun, but I can't pick up and move the boxes and such. I won't complain about that one! I'm just ready to get in there and get settled in and set up so when McKenna gets here all is ready.

It seems like we still have so much to do! We need to start washing her things so they're ready, we've got the move and all that entails, we still have things we need to get...It's crunch time! I am all caught up on thank you notes! Cody's family had a shower Sunday for us and his cousin that is due about 2 weeks before me so I'll need to do more from that one. I'm excited to see what else McKenna got! I think it was very thoughtful of them to include us even though we couldn't be there. She had her own cake and everything! I'm so lucky to have Cody to take care of a lot of things for me. I can't imagine going through pregnancy with any other man by my side. He has been AMAZING!!

Well, she weighs about as much as a cantaloupe, which is about 4 3/4 lbs and she should be somewhere around 18 inches.

Cody, Marissa, and McKenna