Fashionable

Lane, I am so glad you are a sweet little girl! I love dressing you up and buying you head bands and bows to match! I have not bought you one outfit because everyone loves to buy you clothes just as much as I love dressing you up in them!! For your first two weeks all that fit you was a newborn white long sleeve onesie because you are so tiny!! 

But there are a few outfits that you can fit in!! 

You are so sweet and so much fun! I could play dress up with you all day, but you throw a fit when I try to take your clothes off and an even bigger fit when I put them on!

We will get there! 

Second Doctor's Appointment

You Your second doctor's appointment was not very fun. Your appointment was scheduled during the clinic's "sick-time" so when we arrived the waiting room was FILLED with sick kids. We were so worried so we sat in the far corner away from everyone! We did not want out three week old baby getting sick. Your dad and I waited and waited and waited after sitting in the waiting room for an hour your dad had to go back to work. We went on his lunch hour but after waiting so long he had to leave. So it was just you and me. We took all you measurements again 6lbs 7oz. 19 inches!

Then the doctor came in and we had to do a heel prick! You were TICKED!!! I think it hurt me more than you! My heart just broke in two million pieces. The doctor said most babies shed their first tear doing their heel pricked, but not you!! You are such a strong little girl!

I Can See Your Belly Button

Your umbilical cord has finally fallen off! I asked your dad to clean it with an alcohol  wipe and he came back with it in a ziplock bag. Now we can put you in the water instead of wringing out rags all over you. You still are not sure about bath time! You dad and I Always argue over the temperature of the water. But the good news is we have not scolded you yet! We give you a bath in the sink but you are still not that sure about it.

First Doctor's Appointment

We went today to your doctor for your one week check up. When we signed in they called us back and asked us to take off everything but your diaper. Once you were undressed I asked Dad to hand me your blanket that was in the car seat. We looked around and realized we had left the car seat in the waiting room-- sorry we are new at this! We then got the car seat back we wrapped you in your blanket to keep you warm!

This appointment was really just parenting 101 for your dad and I! Once we got all of you're measurements it was time to go home! You weighed 6 lbs, 1oz., and you were 19 inches long. You were not a fan of being naked and being cold so taking your weight was not fun for you! When we left you were screaming your head off so I fed you in the front seat of the car in the parking lot. Once you ate you were a happy camper and we went back home.

One Week Old

Wow, so crazy. One week has zoomed by and here you are still alive and striving! We cannot get enough of you! You are so loved and spoiled by everyone! Today was the first day we refused all visitors and just spent time with you! You had your first outing today! I'm still not allowed to carry your car seat because of my C-section recovery. We went to Target and then to Best Buy to buy a new fancy camera so we can take wonderful and beautiful pictures of you! We came home and snapped a few!

You are so beautiful! You have the best complexion! I love how squishy you are! I still can't believe you're mine! If one week went by this fast, I don't want to see how fast a month goes by or even how fast the year flies! I'm not prepared for all that craziness.

Napping, Napping, and More Napping

You are such a sleepy little girl! But it's okay I just eat it up! I hold you close and squeeze you tight and I bounce you until you are sound asleep! It's my favorite bonding time with you! You sleep constantly. I always have to set alarms for every three hours so we can wake you up to feed you! You are so sweet. We are loving all of our time spent with you!

Our favorite time of the day is when Daddy comes home for lunch! You are normally sleeping but he is so excited to come home to see you! You recognize his voice and it is the sweetest thing. You hear him say your name and you turn your head to look in his direction. I can already tell... you are going to be a Daddy's Girl!

Your First Bath at Home

Your second day home it was time to give you a bath. We weren't too sure about how that was going to happen but we did our best! We laid down towels and just kept ringing out warm water from the rags all over you. Your dad's arms and mine were all over the place trying to go a fast as we could. Anytime you were cold you let us KNOW!!! You were the cutest duck ever!

We're still worried about your belly button. We were told not to get it wet so now we are very cautious of your still attached umbilical cord. We all three made it through alive. SUCCESS! 

First Morning Home

At 6am you woke up and sounded so stuffy! You sounded like you couldn't breathe. In a panic, Dad and I thought something was already wrong! She's already sick? We hadn't even been alone with you 24 hours yet and here you were sick. We sat staring at the clock waiting for 8am so we could call the doctor. LONGEST two hours of our lives! When we talked to the doctor he said everything was fine and that stuffy noses were completely normal; almost all winter babies do that and just keeping a humidifier on should help. He said the only time we need to call back is if you were choosing to breathe instead of eat.

After a couple of hours by the humidifier you were fine! We laid in bed for a couple of hours with your puppy brother, Easton. Then the visitors kept coming all day! Little Miss Popular! Everyone wanted to see you as much as possible.

Day 3- Going Home/First Night Home

On day 3 we woke up and were ready to go home! We woke up at 8:00 and started loading everything up in the car! Your daddy did it all by himself and trust me everyone bought you so many presents it took him about four trips to the car. He brought up your car seat so we could strap you in. While we were waiting on the doctors to come check us out, I changed you into your going home outfit! Of course it was cream and white stripes (gender neutral), white fleece pants, and a cream coat with little bear ears! Everything swallowed you! Especially your knitted beanie. You are so tiny!

When it came time to leave I put you in the car seat and all the nurses came to check on us because you were screaming as loud as you could, and they were worried. You did not like being strapped in that big ol' thing! Your poor little arms stuck straight up because of your coat, but it was the beginning of January you needed a coat!

Once we were ready to go they wheeled you and me in a wheel chair down to the Tahoe. The valet made sure Dad put the car seat in correctly and off we went! We were officially on our own. Out in the world with a new perspective. Your dad was scared to even go the speed limit! But I don't blame him. We have a special cargo on board now. We came home and thought, "okay... NOW what?" We got you a blanket and laid you on the couch and began to unpack all of your countless/endless presents. We had to run three loads of laundry that day just for your stuff alone.

 

Before we knew it, it was bedtime! We thought what do we need to do? Bathe you? Lay you down? Feed you before... after? We put you in these jammies and you would pull your legs up and couldn't get you feet back in the leg part so we changed you again, which you weren't happy about.

 So we just hung out and decided the day had been long enough, so we all crawled into bed together for the first time.

That night I let you just sleep on my chest. I didn't sleep one wink! I stayed up and cried. I was overwhelmed by how perfect you were, I rubbed my fingers through you hair, traced over face, and kissed you until I couldn't anymore! I smelled the top of your head at least a hundred times. 

I just can't get enough! 

Day 2

We were up all night! Dad knew we needed breakfast and he went to go get us biscuits and gravy from Braum's. When he pulled up to the window the guy said,"HEY! You're on the front page of the newspaper today!" Trey called his parents and asked them to look at the paper and sure enough there we were, FRONT PAGE! We joke and say you're our little celebrity! 

Day 2 was full of visitors! Charlie and Susie (your dad's grandparents) came to visit and brought you a $1000 check to start your college fund!

We watched ourselves on the news all day long!! here's the link to watch it on the Internet!

http://www.texomashomepage.com/story/first-baby-of-the-new-year-at-united-regional/d/story/TqpzU4qEzEeSolWyuqN1Dg

You look just like me!! My little mini me! I just stare at you all day and night. I mean can you blame me? The nurses obsessed over you! Every time one would walk in they would come in and say, "Everyone told me I had to come see how adorable the famous new Year's Baby is!!" They loved you. They made you a special hat that a bow on it! We loved it. Your dad had the bright idea to cut it into a headband so everyone could see all your beautiful hair!

You are Daddy's little girl already!!

Because I couldn't stand up the first day I was so proud of your daddy. I always knew he would make a great dad, but watching him get up all night and log all of your feedings and pee/poopy diapers validated everything I thought and plus some. He was not only taking care of you, but me as well. Today they took my catheter out and I was allowed to get up for the first time. They told me I would recover more quickly the faster I started to get up and get around. Your dad was so patient! It took me at least6 or 7 minutes to wiggle my way out of my bed to a standing position. Once I was up he held both of my hands and walked backwards in front of me as I took micro-mini steps. When the blood started flowing back to my feet, we decided to wheel you around the maternity ward in your hospital bassinet. It took us FOREVER to get just 20 yards, but it definitely helped!

Everyone kept calling you a boy because everything we brought you to wear was grey (gender neutral) and the card in you bassinet was green. So I made your dad run down to the gift store to buy your first bow so no one would be mistaken!

You are such a beautiful baby! Everyone says so! Your dad's co-worker brought us this beautiful wreath to hang on our hospital door! Everyone just raved about how cute it was. Some people didn't have a clue who we were but knocked on the door to asked where we got it! 

Day 2 was over of course we didn't sleep much!

 

Day 1

The clock struck midnight. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I kissed Dad for good luck and then started to tell everyone goodbye! We headed home and we were in pajama's by 12:20am. I was having miserable rib pain because you were breech. I tried the craziest positions trying to find any comfort. I ask Dad, "Please, tell Lane come on out we're ready to meet you. Don't worry well take really good care of you and we promise to keep you warm." He talked to my belly and asked you, "Please be nice to Mommy! Break your water and come out! We can't wait to meet you!!!!!" Finally, I fell asleep. Not even an hour later (1:37am says your dad) I woke up to a gush of water. It felt as though I had wet bed! I reached over tapped Dad on the shoulder and said, "Ugh, Trey can you please go get me a towel?" Confused and tired he replied, "Huh, why? WHY do you need a towel?"

I didn't want to freak him out so I just repeated myself, "Trey, please get me a towel." He said ever so sweetly, "Why can't you get your OWN towel?" I told him not to freak out but my water broke and I needed a towel now because I was soaking the bed. He JUMPED out of bed, "A TOWEL? What KINDA TOWEL  do you need?" I replied, "What kind? Trey just please get my any towel!" Trey brought me a towel and I waddled to the bathroom where I sat on the toilet to consolidate the mess I was making! Trey then began to fill the Tahoe with the over night bags for us and for you when you finally arrive. I was screaming at Trey from the bathroom DON'T FORGET THIS, DON'T FORGET THAT! I rolled up my towel stuck in between my legs and waddled to the Tahoe. On the road it was now 2am and all the drunk people were leaving the bars from their New Years plans and they were swerving all over the highway. I closed my eyes and say a quick prayer.

"Lord please watch over us, please protect us, and comfort us on the way to the hospital!"

When we arrived I started having contractions and couldn't get out of the Tahoe. Once it passed it was baby time. Up the elevator to the fourth floor. We walked up to the desk to check in and I asked the nurse, "Have y'all had a New Year's Baby yet?" She said, "No, but we have one lady dilated to a 3 but she's got a while, and since you're having a C-section it looks like it is going to be your baby!" Then the nurses started all on my IV's and brought in the sonogram machine to make sure you were still breech. Once that was confirmed they rolled me back to the OR and gave Dad scrubs to put on. He was not allowed to come back with me automatically so I walked in alone. 

I walked into the OR and jumped onto the operating table. I was shaking uncontrollably! I was not sure if it was from how cold it was in there or if it was just nerves... Probably both. The gave me my epidural and laid me on the table draped the curtains and prepped me for surgery. Once they were ready they brought Dad in. I giggled because all I could see was his eyes! He was covered head to toe in blue! 

He held my hand that was strapped down and kissed my forehead with his mask on and said, "Here we go, you ready?" And before I could answer I felt the doctor put pressure on my ribs and I heard a muffled cry! The doctor said, "Hey! You're not supposed to cry before I can even get you out!" Then we heard a loud cry and I began to tear up and then the doctor said, "Looks like we have a Lane KAYLYNN, It's a GIRL!!!" 

Your dad and I looked at each other... "IT'S A GIRL????" We couldn't believe it! A baby girl. They then took you out of the room and your Dad kissed me and went with you! He took these photos of your first moments so I could see them later! 

Then dad went to the waiting room to tell everyone the big news. Once he returned to me you were with him but the nurse was holding, because your dad told the nurse that he wanted me to be the first one to hold you. They were still stitching me up and seeing you for the first time was so overwhelming. As tears filled my eyes they said they would reunite us in recovery. Trey couldn't wait to show me her foot prints on his scrub pocket!

In recovery we had to wait an hour before I could go to post-part in and the family could come visit. In recovery, we took our first pictures together and as a family.

After our time there we moved to post-partum where everyone came to visit.

They asked if media could come and interview us because you were the first baby born in 2014 in Wichita Falls. We said that should be fine and they said they would give you a bath before they came.

After your bath they said you and I needed to be skin to skin to help regulate your temperature.

Then you were media ready and so were we!

After the media all of you grandparents couldn't get enough.

So many people came to visit that day! And we were so exhausted! Your dad changed all your diapers because I wasn't able to stand the first day! And we were up all night trying to make sure you were still breathing! :)