Cayden's first trip to the lake!

We finally got to make a trip to the lake!! We haven't been able to go all summer (didn't want to be too far from home before Mr. Cayden arrived), and now finally we were able to make a trip. Cayden was 6 days old...and already vacationing! What a life! Not only was this his first chance to see the lake and the new house, but more importantly it was his first time to meet Grandpa Curt!! So exciting! We had a nice weekend, Cayden met lots of new friends...all of the lake folks, Tom & Chris, and Uncle Luke! Here are some pictures...I'm sure we will be back there soon for more fun!

Daddy and Cayden relaxing on the hammock.

Our new family!

The little man, just hanging out.Meeting Grandpa!!A little lovin'....just can't resist!!

7/23/2008 --- 4 days old, and the treatment begins...

Just as we had learned at our 19 week ultrasound, Cayden was in fact born with bilateral club foot. We had met with Dr. Ballock, the orthopaedic doctor who specializes in the treatment of children with club foot, when I was 37 weeks pregnant. At that point we had done a lot of research, and just wanted to meet him before Cayden was born to get a handle on what exactly the treatment would consist of, and when it would all begin. Well today was the day. 4 days old, and my poor little man has two casts that go from his tiny little toes to his diaper! The appointment was quick, but traumatic!! And when I say traumatic, i mean for me, not Cayden. He took it like a champ, while mama hovered over him, crying like a baby! I couldn't keep it together! For those of you who can't quite imagine it, I'll tell you that it is NOT easy to see your 4 day old, tiny little peanut, being manipulated and put in CASTS! I was a wreck. Needless to say, he's getting along just fine, no sign of discomfort at all after the initial process of putting the casts on. He's definitely handling it better than I am at this point! I just keep telling myself that this is for the best, and he'll never remember a single bit of it - he'll be walking with the rest of them soon enough!

Anyway...I've decided to keep you updated, week-to-week, as new casts are put on - to keep track of progress!

Okay, this one is random...But I absolutely love it so I had to

throw it in here somewhere! After the first bath...

Here we go...These next few are pre-intervention. No matter what anyone says, they were still perfect in our eyes...I'm actually gonna miss these little guys!

I have a feeling he spent a lot of his time like this inside...all cuddled up.

Alright, here it is. It looks worse than it is. Doesn't seem to bother him a bit, just adds a little weight! This process is the only thing they still use real plaster casts for (not the light-weight fiberglass). He's strong though, still throws those bad boys around!

That's it for now, check back next week to see how he progresses! ....The journey begins...

Cayden's Story...

Enjoy a video that MeMe made - from Cayden's point of view! Adorable!

Wow, What a Day!!

June 19th, 2008...the greatest day of my life.
I woke up early, with contractions every 8 minutes. It was 6:30 am then. Those quickly progressed, and became only 4-6 minutes apart - so I took a shower, and then I woke Cyle. After a call to the doctor, we were on our way to the hospital! In triage, we found my blood pressure to be high...147/101. (I was doing so well with it through the whole pregnancy so this kinda made me nervous)... They quickly decided to admit me - today would be the day! :-)
Once on the unit, my contractions quickly progressed, and became pretty painful (so we opted for the epidural). Cayden didn't like them either...his heart rate kept dropping down to the 80's (I can guarantee you this didn't help in lowering my pressure! I was a nervous wreck!) So after I was more comfortable with the epidural, they started Pitocin to get things going, and told me to change positions a little bit. Well, it was at this point that I am certain both Cayden and I had guardian angels watching over us...
I changed positions and suddenly felt tingling down my whole right side, became very dizzy, started seeing dark spots, and became very nauseous. The rest is a little fuzzy for me, but I guess they checked my pressure (80's/40's) and heart rate (which was also quite low i guess), put oxygen on me, changed my position again and stopped all of the medication. to say the least, I wasn't doing very well. And in turn, my Cayden wasn't doing well. His heart rate continued to drop into the 60's during and after contractions. At this point I was feeling a little better, and was now aware of his heart rate decelerations - the 20-30 seconds of each deceleration felt like an eternity for Cyle and I - our eyes didn't leave the monitor. My doctor then told me that an emergency C-section might be our only option at that point. She had her staff make sure the OR was ready if that's what needed to be done. These words scared me to death...not the surgery for me so much, but the fear that my baby was not going to be okay. With the meds turned off, his heart rate became more stable, so the decision was made to try them again and see how he would handle it. So that's what happened...and he was such a trooper!! He had very few decelerations at that point, and I began progressing VERY quickly! I think I went from 8-10 cm in a matter of 5 minutes...so we went forward with a normal delivery! It was quick, and it was an absolute miracle. Like I said...someone was watching over me and my new family in those hours...and I couldn't be more thankful for that! We have been blessed with a perfect angel (and I'm not doing so bad myself!) :-)
My angel arrived 7/19/08 at 7:15 pm. Weighing in at a hefty 7lbs 1 oz, 19 inches :-)
Enjoy the photos...there will be plenty more to come! I can't wait for him to meet every one of you!

Pictures to enjoy!!

TOWNSEND CAYDEN WILKINSON


BORN 7:15P.M. JULY 19, 2008

7 LBS 1 OZ 19 INCHES LONG

Bridget and Cyle did a wonderful job!! Cayden is the sweetest baby!

Congratulations to all the grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Yaya, and all of the people who will be special in Caydens life!! (Posted by Meme)

Just Waiting...

Well, it's Thursday, July 17th, and we're officially 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant. We had another appointment this week, and still only 1 cm dilated. Our doctor (who is back from her maternity leave early, thank god!!) tells me that he has moved down since last week, which is at least some good news that we're progressing. She also tells me that "when I go, it will probably be quick and easy." How she is able to predict or determine this I'm not quite sure, but hey...I'll take it! Sounds good to me!
So anyway...we've got the bag packed and in my car, along with the car seat...the room is ready for him...all we need is this this little guy to make his appearance! Cyle started his new job this week, so it gives me some relief to know that he will be in town until the baby is born, instead of back and forth to Van Wert like he had been doing this summer to work. I'm still working...I figure the ER is the best place to be - if I go into labor, all I'll need to do is take an elevator ride upstairs! It's convenient.
That's all for now...nothing major to report yet, unfortunately. He's a little bugger...he'll come when he's ready. This waiting game is not easy though! Just stay tuned...we'll keep you posted!

Update!

Thought we'd share the latest update from the doctor visit we had on Tuesday...I was 37 weeks and 3 days, so they gave me the choice of whether or not we wanted her to check my cervix (they typically wait until week 38, but hey...I'm close!) So I opted to have her check it out- figuring it couldn't hurt, it would be nice to know, and maybe, just maybe it might help things along! :-) So the verdict is...one centimeter! The process has officially begun, there's no going back now! I was hoping for more than that by some miracle, but one is better than none! I'll take it :-) He's definitely dropped lower, resulting in more pelvic pressure. These are all good signs...we're so ready!! Any ideas on how we can move things along?! I think I've researched everything online, but I'm definitely open to any advice that any of you might have that maybe worked for you or someone you know! Just leave us a comment...we'll try it out, and let you know if any of your ideas work! Sounds like a fun game to me!

Still pregnant...

So we're officially into week 38, and my little man is considered "full term!" I can't believe how fast that flew by! At this point, I love the words "full term," and the idea that he could come "any time now." We are SO ready for him...maybe he'll even decide to come meet us a little earlier than expected! That's what we're hoping for...as long as he's ready to brave the outside world, we're ready to take him on. :-) I have mixed feelings: in one sense I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone, but on the other hand I'm absolutely done waiting for him...I NEED to meet him soon!! So any time now would be nice :-) We'll keep you updated! Just think...soon I'll be able to put real pictures (in living color!) of our brand new baby!! (can you tell I'm just a little excited...and so ready!)
Until then...say a little prayer to help get things moving! :-)