1 MONTH

November 26, 2011

Peighton Joy, you are one month old today!

You are still wearing mostly newborn clothes and sometimes 0-3 months.

You are still wearing newborn diapers as well. We are occasionally putting you in size 1, but soon we will start using cloth diapers. They are a little big on you right now so your newborn clothes will not fit over the diapers.

You are a mostly content baby! Lately, you've wanted to be held...a lot. When you're awake, you're crying...a lot...unless you're being fed or entertained. Daddy & I try so hard to make you smile and happy, but because you're still new to the world you get a little upset and want to cry and that's ok...for now.

When you were 3.5 weeks old daddy finally came home from training. He was gone for 3 weeks and we are thankful he came home early and the army allowed him to spend 10 days at home with us...without interruption...almost.

Since you were 3 weeks old you have been sleeping through the night. Usually you're in bed between 9:00-10:00 pm and do not wake up until 5:00-7:00am and then go back to sleep until 9:30 am. We love watching you sleep. You are such a loud sleeper. You make these funny grunting noises and we are convinced you got that from our dog, Chloe. When you stretch and move to get comfy you look just like you daddy and have many of the same funny faces.

You have such a big personality already! You give us funny looks all the time that we can just tell what you're thinking and what kind of mood you are in at the time. You love to smile at your daddy and just stare at him when he makes funny noises and sings to you. When I sing to you, you usually fall asleep. You are easily entertained by daddy and when you're upset he's your man! You hate pacifiers unless we're in the car. When daddy is around he offers his pinky and you LOVE IT! None of my fingers seem to do the trick, but his works every time. I do not know how we will get by when daddy goes back to work.

Last Sunday was our first time taking you to Sunday morning service at church. You have been to Sunday evening service and Wednesday class. You wore this gorgeous dress that your great grandma gave you and you were not as content as we expected. The other services you attended you slept the entire time-I believe you were comforted by the singing and the loud speaker. Sunday morning, however, you were not so happy. As soon as we took our seats and the singing ended, you started to cry. We took you to the quiet room and daddy got you to sleep.

At your one month appointment yesterday, you weighed 10 pounds and you measured 21.5 inches. When you were born, we were told you were 22 inches so obviously someone measured wrong at your birth. I guess we will never really know your exact length at birth. The doctor gave you an A+ on health. Your measurements (length, weight, head) were all in the 55 percentile. The doctor said a baby that is perfectly proportionate is rare.....obviously you had to show off :) You met all the goals for a baby your age. You have been holding your head up since 2 weeks old. You are only having mommy's milk and I love the time with you. We get to bond, spend special time together and have lots of eye contact.

I cannot believe how fast the last month went already. You are growing so fast and becoming more beautiful every day. We love you more than you will ever understand. You are truly a miracle from God and we often remind ourselves that we did not do any work to make you-God did it all! You are loved and adored by so many friends and family. Your head full of hair and beautiful blue eyes attract attention everywhere we go :)

Our prayer for you is that you know God, we provide you with a loving home, and that you never feel alone. We love you Peighton Joy! Happy One Month Birthday!

Birth Story

I've sat down several times to write this, but then for some reason I hear a cry in the distance and can't finish...so here I go....

On Tuesday, October 25, I went for a doctor appointment and my blood pressure was a little elevated. This was the 3rd week in a row that it was high and the doctor was concerned it may turn in to preclampsia. So, he scheduled my induction for the next morning. That evening we went to a friend's house to enjoy dinner and a little rest before returning to the hospital since we live an hour away we wanted to be close just in case.... While we were there I started having contractions that were close together and stronger than ever before. I called the nurse and she said not to come in and just relax until they got closer together. Around 3am, I used the restroom and heard a "pop" sound. I looked in the toilet and only saw blood so I assumed this couldn't be my water breaking it was simply a large clot due to my doctor scraping my membranes earlier in the day. The nurse planned for us to call the hospital around 6am and see if our induction was still on the books or if it was booted for someone in active labor. I called at that time and we were cleared to come in. The previous night it snowed and was still snowing when we left for the hospital. Hubby had to scrape the windows and clear the mirrors so we could see three feet in front of us. On our way to the hospital we were both silent and imagining how much our lives were about to change. We held hands and kept asking each other "are you ok?" When we got to the hospital I told them I was having regular contractions and they confirmed that I was having very strong ones every 4-7 minutes apart. They started me on the lowest setting of pitocin, but after a few hours it made the contractions too strong and close together for the baby. The doctor finished rupturing my membranes (he confirmed that my water had a "slow leak" like a tire lol) I was already dilated and 90% effaced. We settled in and prepared for a long day of active labor. Around 1pm I was told that I could get an epidural and I was more than ready! This part was more than painful. For some reason, due to a curve in my spine the anesthesiologist had many difficulties....it took THREE TIMES to get it in place. That was by far, the worst pain in my life. It took over an hour to get it in place, but I was finally pain-free. I took a few naps and talked to hubby about what I wanted for my birth experience. (Ha-that would prove to be hilarious later).

In the meantime, I had an awesome nurse who was so attentive and caring. She checked me at one point and realized PJ's head was on the right side of my cervix and seemed to be stuck. She called upon another nurse for assistance. They started talking about their worries and fears of the cord "falling out" if I sat up or leaned forward. That was the scariest moment ever. When I asked what would happen if the cord did come out, she simply told me "we would have her out in less than 5 minutes and I would have to be wheeled down the hall all while the nurse held the cord inside". The two nurses put me in several positions. Moving me from my right to the left, back to my right, with a pillow between my legs, laying at a head first decline, and unfortunately nothing seem to make her move to the center of my cervix. She was also facing up and the doctor was concerned we would have a more difficult delivery that way so the nurses also tried to turn her over...she was not cooperative at all.

Finally after several hours of trying every possible position, Peighton was showing signs of distress. With each contraction her heart rate would decline a little at a time. She was never in serious danger, but when the doctor came in around 4:15pm and told me that a c-section was our best option I did not argue. The nurse left to bring Jeff scrubs and I had a moment of tears and fears. I was so scared, scared for Peighton and for myself. I was angry that my body would not let me do it the natural way...the way I wanted. But, another part of me was happy that I would be meeting my baby girl in the next few minutes. by 4:22 I was in the operating room. I remember asking when my husband would be allowed to come in the room and how long it would take to get her out. The doctor asked me what the capital of South Dakota was....to distract me from the incision. I yelled at him that "I really don't know right now". I remember not being the most pleasant person. I was thinking to myself "you should know you're the smart one" ha. Apparently my emotions were running high at the moment. Finally, after what seemed like forever (less than a few minutes) Jeff was able to come in the room. He sat beside me and within a minute at 4:31pm he said "Jeff do you want to see her come out". He stood up and I saw tears fall from his eyes and knew she was out. Within seconds, she was screaming. Jeff was by her side from the moment she was born. Finally after a few more minutes Jeff brought her over to meet me. They put her so close to my face that I couldn't even see her face. Jeff & the nurses took her to the nursery while I remained in the operating room. Around 5:05pm I was transferred to the recovery room. I hated being in there. I watched the clock like crazy and was so disappointed when only 2 minutes passed by.

Finally, after an hour in the recovery room and almost 2 hours after my baby girl was born I was wheeled to the mother/baby unit. They wheeled me by the nursery where I saw Jeff sweetly holding our babies hand and comforting her while they checked her and washed her. It was the sweetest moment I have ever seen. While I spent the last two hours feeling sorry for myself that I didn't get that "baby on the chest bonding moment" I knew this was good for my husband to have that time to bond with his daughter.

Finally, after 6:35pm.....two hours and four minutes after she was born I was holding Peighton Joy. She is perfect, so tiny and beautiful. She has her daddy's nose, his toes, his eyes, and his hair. Just pure perfection.

Happy 1 Week Peighton

Two days ago Peighton Joy turned ONE WEEK OLD! I don't know where time has gone, but she's already growing up too fast for me.

Peighton, your first week was very busy. You spent a lot of quality time with grandma and grandpa. Daddy had to go to work for a few weeks so you're getting spoiled by them and your GeeGee. In your first week......

We went to babies r us...3 times.

Went to the mall.

Shopped at Target.

Had your first doctor appointment.

Took over 700 pictures of you.

Shopped at Sam's with grandpa (this was a lot of fun for him).

Slept through the night several nights in a row.

Your umbilical cord fell off (gross...but glad it's gone)

This was your first outing...we went to babies r us with grandpa and grandma.

The day you turned one week old.

You are truly a bundle of JOY!

You're getting used to bath time. You LOVE when your hair is getting washed. GeeGee was giving you a bath here and you loved it. You did so good....next bath will be in a real baby bath since you lost your umbilical cord.

You loved being swaddled your first few days of life and now you want your hands out so you suck on your fingers. You also play with your hands and tickle your cheeks.

We had to take grandma and grandpa to the airport and say goodbye. It was very hard and you did not want them to leave.

On your one week birthday, it snowed! It also snowed the day you were born, but of course we didn't get to go outside and enjoy it. We went outside for a picture and then rushed back inside because it was very frigid.

1 week stats:

Birth weight: 8 lbs 3 oz.

left hospital: 7 lbs 12 oz.

5 days old: 7 lbs 14 oz.

Next weight check: this afternoon...will update later.

You love to sleep. You sleep about 3/4 of the day right now. You even sleep through the night....sometimes.

You love when the dogs are playing. You sit and stare at them when they are growling and making lots of noise.

When daddy calls I put him on speaker phone (without him knowing) your eyes get so big and you just stare. You love your daddy's voice :)

I try to make you sleep on your back like all the doctors say, but you always turn to your side. So we make sure to snuggle you tight with blankets so you won't move.

HAPPY ONE WEEK SWEET BABY GIRL!

Introducing...

Miss PEIGHTON JOY

October 26, 2011

4:31pm

8 lbs. 3 oz.

22 inches

cuddling with grandma-day 2

Going home-day 3

She has a TON of dark, thick hair-just like her daddy & mommy at birth

Unfortunately, not the best pic of myself but in my defense I had an emergency c-section and was NOT happy about waiting 2 hours to see my little girl. But, our first family photo-a moment I will never forget.

Daddy taking care of his little girl while I was in recovery. He changed the first diaper, assisted with the first bath, and spent 2 hours bonding with our little girl.

She loves to be held this way by Jeff.

I have many many many more pictures of our angel to share. I will post more soon when I am feeling up to it.

God bless you all!