The Sweetest Days of Our Lives

Yes, I am completely reminded again just two years later how absolutely WONDERFUL these early days are-- I call them the sweetest days. They are truly the most precious time, albeit a sleep deprived time, but similar to a fleeting honeymoon phase of parenthood. And although we've been through this before, it's equally as special the second time around. I am just so happy and in love with this new little girl!

Today I had lunch with a good friend from work. We talked about work, he filled me in on some of the things that have been happening and general business news. And then, we looked over at sweet Katelyn in her carrier sleeping away and marveled over what really matters. At the end of the day, at the end of our lives, we're not going to look back and wish we spent more time in the office, or any time at all staying caught up on gossip and stories about people we hardly know; we're going to look back on days with these sweet faces and every single moment that we made count.

Maternity leave ticks by and with each passing day, I know that the sweetest days are a very finite set. Newborns get bigger, and they turn into roly poly babies very quickly. Nap time with that smooth skin turns into a sleep schedule, a more rigid set of routines and rules to ensure everyone is getting their rest. However, for now I'm just going to enjoy this phase and know that it keeps me centered, focused, and calm. These are traits that I picked up from raising my daughters that I will forever carry with me even when they are grown. 

And this time around it's not just about a single baby; it's about sisterhood. We couldn't be luckier than to have such a compassionate, loving big sister as Kennedy. To say she's obsessed is an understatement. Any chance she gets to hug, kiss, or hold "Baby Kate" is a chance she'll grab, and she shows no signs of jealousy or resentment towards her new family member. Even when Katelyn sneezes, Kennedy will lean over and say, "Bless you, Baby Kate." It's the sweetest thing I've ever seen, during the sweetest moments on the sweetest days of our lives. 

Katelyn's Birth Story

**warning, this is a birth story, nothing is really graphic but if you don't like labor stories/terminology you may choose to skip this one!**

I now have two little girls, and two very distinct birth stories. One came in sunny heat in the winter; one came in a blizzard in the spring. One came in the middle of the day; one came in the absolute middle of the night. And so far, I can sense a difference in their personalities as well. More on that later, but for now, I have to write down Katelyn's birth story before I forget, so I can share it with her when she's older.

The night before she was born, we were celebrating my sister Natalie's birthday. I knew there was a chance they'd share a birthday, as I was due only 2 days later. We had enchiladas and cake at our house with my parents and Natalie, and I was hugely pregnant and quite uncomfortable. This pregnancy I wanted to hang on longer to get through Kennedy's birthday festivities and I really started to realize what even another week does for the baby's health. With Kennedy I couldn't wait to meet her, but I knew Katelyn would come when she was healthy and ready.

We all knew it was going to be a blizzard, so my parents packed their bags in case they needed to stay overnight. Nothing happened, so they went home, and before Natalie left I told her I thought it could happen tonight, something just didn't feel quite right. (Jake thought it was just the enchiladas.) She left and I went to lay in bed and relax, but I started to feel dull back pains and a need to move around a bit more. Before Jake fell asleep I told him I thought it could happen tonight, and he laughed and said it was all in my head.

I was still awake at midnight, and started to really think something was going on. I got up and walked the "loop" in our house to see if things could get going, and I was pretty unsure for the next 45 minutes but felt like something was definitely happening. Since it was so snowy, I knew there was no chance that my parents would make it over from Stillwater in under 2 hours, so I called Natalie at 12:45. And then, the clock when something like this:

12:45: Call to Natalie, saying "I think I'm in labor, but I'm still not entirely sure... can you come over just in case?"
1:25: We left home for the hospital
2:00: I was officially admitted into the hospital for being in labor- I was already dilated to a 7/8! Man did that come on FAST!
2:00-2:45: I was hysterically in labor, waiting as patiently as possible for the anesthesiologist. I was in so so so much pain! I felt like my body was breaking, even more so than I did with Kennedy because I was progressing so quickly. Remember just over an hour ago I wasn't even sure I was in labor. OMG. I had to focus on Jake and the amazing nurse Suzanne, and I kept telling them I was so worried that I wouldn't get the epidural in time.
2:45: The anesthesiologist arrived and I got the epidural! The nurses were asking me if I felt pressure, and in hindsight I was definitely probably ready to push before the epidural. But, I was so nervous about not having anything to relieve the pain. It was probably my best chance to go drug-free but I just couldn't bear the thought of pushing her out that way! I really do shy away/fear pain. Some people are total champions; this is not my strong suit.
3:01: Katelyn Jane joined the world. She came out in about 10 minutes of pushing and on the fourth contraction, and she had a beautiful head of hair, weighing 7lb. 9oz., 19.5" long. She was calmer right away than Kennedy, with just a minor cry but then a lot of snuggle time.

We weren't 100% sure on her name for about an hour! We had another name we liked but Katelyn was the front runner from the beginning. I found myself second-guessing her name; it's such a big decision! I think I was the same way with Kennedy, though we finalized her name immediately. Now, I am so certain she is a Katelyn and I couldn't be happier that she's ours.

10 days ago, just 10 short days ago this all happened. Jake lost his grandmother 14 days ago, and her middle name was Jane. We didn't even know this fact when we chose Jane for Katelyn's middle name, but it really helped bring the circle of life into focus.

And now, we are embarking on what I like to call the sweetest moments in life. I am truly obsessed with the newborn phase. It is just so sweet and precious and fleeting! I want to stop time, hence why I am soaking it all in and haven't been blogging as frequently as I'd like to. I have a million words pouring through my head about Katelyn and of course her big sister, Kennedy, who is doing better than I could have even imagined. She loves her sister with all of her might and shows only signs of a big, open heart for sharing her parents' love.

My heart feels so lucky I could burst. Life is good!

Waiting for You

3 days... 3 short days. You are predicted to join us in about 72 hours. Maybe more, maybe less. That is hardly any time! It's neat to think about because you are in fact already with us, and have been with us every single day for the past 9 months. But soon, you will be with us in an entirely new way. I already know you on a certain level, my sweet girl, the one we call Baby Sister. The girl that Kennedy calls "Sis," even though I'm not sure she's convinced that you're actually happening.

We have everything ready, at least to the point it needs to be. Our hearts are open and our arms are waiting. We are waiting for those sleepless nights (maybe just a few?!) and time with you in our bed, when Callie will likely pace as she looks for a spot to sleep, and we look at each other incredulously wondering, "What in the world are we doing, again?"

I think about you, and I wonder about your face, if you'll look like your big sister or be distinctly your own. I think about your personality, and how I have my predictions about your temperament and who you're going to be, but we'll see if any of them come true.

I think about spring and summer, all of the amazing times we have ahead as a family - the life we are building to make sure we make the most of our dreams. You see, we are the dreamers of the dreams. Thislife is beautiful and only lived once, and we can't wait to bring you into our world. Our world has rose-colored glasses, but there's no other way that we'd choose to live. (Sidenote: If you ask your daddy, it probably doesn't have rose-colored glasses all the time; he's the practical realist, but you'll learn a lot of that is fake.)

Bottom line - come join us when you're ready. We can't wait! I am nervous and a bit anxious, but that's true with every transition in my life. It will only take me like a minute to dive in head first and be fully committed to being the best mama of two girls I can possibly be.