Our first week home!

Our first week home went so well!! We've adjusted pretty quickly and rather effortlessly into our new roles; Cyle and I as parents of a newborn again, and Cayden as a Big Brother! Cayden is doing really well with it all - for the most part! He is better with her than I ever thought he'd be - so gentle, and always needing to know where his Mya is...at all times! His listening skills and good behavior, however have started to worsen. I know this is normal, and can be expected when he once had all of Mama's attention, and now has to share. He's just testing me, and I'm having some trouble with it at times, but we'll get through it. He's a good boy, and just doesn't know any different at this point - we've all got some learning to do together. And it will get better :-)

I decided that with Mya I wanted to track her growth on a monthly basis - with more than just numbers. I took the kiddos over to Meme's to do a little photo shoot with Mya at 1 week old. I plan on doing this monthly for her first year - then periodically after that. They just grow too fast, and I want to remember her being so small! So here they are...

My little Tater Tot! :-)

So darn cute! I'm biased...I know :-)

Mya's Story...Part II

So my baby girl was born at 4:57pm, weighing 6 pounds, 18.5 inches long, and as perfect as can be. Just when she was placed on my chest for some bonding time, the house physician strolled in...looking a little frantic. He told us he was across the street, and he ran through the parking lot as fast as he could, but not quite fast enough it seemed. He missed the most important part, but showed up just in time to collect cord blood, and to give me a quick check over. At this point, we were all doing well, and didn't even really care to see a doctor - We (myself, Cyle, Linda, my mom and miss Mya) had done the hard part...which wasn't so hard....and we joked about getting the doctor's pay for the delivery! I still wonder how that works - Linda should definitely get a bonus for that day! Once I was all cleaned up, everyone had taken a few deep breaths, and a sense of calm came back to the room, in walked the lovely Dr. Starck! She was in traffic, on the way to the hospital, and just didn't get there fast enough. She was elated that everything went so well, but also a bit bummed that she missed it. She's 2-for-2 in missing my children's births! But I love her, and wouldn't give her up! She said I looked great, and the baby was adorable, then off she went! More business to tend to. We waited about an hour, with Mya resting on my chest doing what they now call "Kangaroo Care," - that initial bonding time, skin-to-skin, then we finally weighed and measured her. About an hour later, Linda wheeled us upstairs to the post-partum unit. It was there that Linda gave me a big hug, and told me that she was so glad that her first delivery, in nearly 19 years of her career, went so well, and was with "such a wonderful family." She told Cyle and I that she was really thankful to have taken care of us that day...and I quickly returned the thanks to her. We'll never forget her - Mya was a lucky girl that day!

Cyle and I spent the rest of that night just loving on our new baby girl. I was feeling fine, no pain at all, getting up on my own (already wanting to go home to our house with our newest bundle...but I knew that wasn't possible). Aunt BB came to visit - she couldn't wait to meet her niece! Then daddy went home to get a good night's sleep - Cayden was staying the night at Meme's. I snuggled with Mya alone until about 12:30am, then let her spend the night in the nursery - so we could both get some well-deserved sleep. I promptly trotted to the nursery at 6am to pick her up the next morning - I already missed her tons! Cyle headed back to the hospital around 8am, we ate breakfast together, then he bonded with her while Mama showered! Mya was seen by the pediatrician, and we were told that everything checked out perfectly! Now we waited. 10am. Visiting hour for siblings! Meme and Papa were bringing Cayden to meet Mya, and I couldn't wait to see how it would go! I heard him talking in the hallway, and went out to greet him first!

He was really happy to see me...

and to see Daddy!

He walked into the room and saw the baby in the bassinet....and yelled MYA!! Right then, he knew it was her. He wanted to see her, he wanted to hold her all by himself...it was like he had always known her...it was perfect.

We left the hospital that evening around 6:30pm. Not bad! Just over 24 hours after having her - I figured we were all feeling just fine, let's do this at home! We headed to Meme's to pick Cayden up, then went home...to our new life. As a family of 4. Love it!

Mya's Story: Part I

Tuesday. August 17th, 2010...

I woke up early this day, around 5:30 am...just another day. Except today I picked up a day shift at work, so I was headed in at 7am instead of my 11am shift. I got to work just fine, nothing new. We had no patients, so my pals Monica, Jess and I were just hanging out at the nurses station, chatting. Jess said to me that she had a weird dream the night before that she wouldn't see me at work because I had a baby this day. I laughed and said that would be fine with me!! We wandered to the cafeteria to grab a quick breakfast before any patients arrived for the morning...once again, feeling just fine. It was now about 8:30am...we were walking back, I was headed to the bathroom and MY WATER BROKE! I didn't panic, I simply snuck into the bathroom (hoping nobody saw what just happened!) I texted my mom to ask what it was like when it really happened...though I had already known in my mind that this was for real. I peeked my head out of the bathroom and called for my friend Monica - thank god she was there that day and I felt 100% comfortable in a rather awkward situation!! She came, and I told her what had happened, sent her out to my car to grab my packed bag, then I quickly called to tell Cyle that today was going to be the day! Once changed, I waited in our unit for Cyle to arrive (the whole time our Peds doc reminding me that I needed to head upstairs soon because he didn't deliver any babies before 10am! Ha!) I'll admit, it was pretty convenient to be two floors away from where I needed to be, so I wasn't too worried that I wouldn't make it up there in time. Still no contractions however.

Cyle arrived, and we were off, receiving lots of "good lucks!" in the hallway by other co-workers on the way upstairs. In triage, everything looked good - 2 cm dilated. No contracting yet. After a little while, we were sent over to the birthing center - ending up in the very same room I delivered Cayden just 2 short years ago. Time went on, rather slowly at first...I was a pin-cushion for 3 different people, finally obtaining IV access on the 4th attempt! I was hooked up to the fetal monitors at this point, and was having contractions, but they were still irregular and not painful at all for me. So we waited.....12:40pm....My wonderful nurse, Linda, came in and told me that Dr. Starck wanted her to start Pitocin to move things along a little faster. So that's what we did. By 1:15 I was having strong, regular contractions. My mom arrived at the hospital, bringing a great big picture of my little man's face, that we taped to the bathroom door across from me and used for a focal point. Adorable. I moved from the bed, to the rocker, and they just kept coming. Stronger and more frequent as the minutes passed. At 2:45, I made the decision that I wanted something for pain...and we headed back to the bed to try to get more comfortable. At this time I was 5 cm! It's almost time!!

I got the lovely Epidural at 3:15 pm, and this time it worked like a charm. I was pain-free, but still able to identify when I was contracting. I tried my best to get some rest at this time - Mya's heart rate was decreasing after my contractions, so Linda placed an oxygen mask on my face, and let me know that her cord was being compressed and that she would continue to watch that closely. I stayed calm...I had the same thing with Cayden, and I kept trying to remind myself that everything worked out just fine, and that it would be just fine this time too. I was in good hands. Around 3:40 Linda checked me again and we were at 8cm. My Dr. was on the phone at the nurses station asking at that point how dilated I was...Linda told her, and Dr. Starck said that she was on her way. We waited. I quickly began to feel a LOT of pressure and told my nurse right away. She checked me then....and right there was little Mya's head! Things started moving very fast then: Mom and Cyle were telling me to stay calm and breathe; Linda told Cyle to hit the call button right away; She told the nurse on the other end to get the house doctor here right away; She told me to "blow out the candle!" and NOT TO PUSH!; No Dr. Starck; No house doctor; NO Freakin' candle to blow out!; She told Cyle to hit the call button again; Both doctors are still "on their way"; Still trying to blow out a non-existent candle!; Holding Cyle's hand; Linda says, "We NEED a doctor now!"; I said, "I NEED A DOCTOR NOW!"; RIGHT NOW!!; I said "I'm not pushing, but this isn't working...she's coming out right now and I CAN'T stop her...SOMEBODY get down there!!

My mom told Linda that she could do it...that she had to do it. Still no doctor. Another nurse came in to help...but still no doctor. Mya slipped out on her own free will, with no help from me. The cord was wrapped around her neck. Linda successfully got the cord over Mya's head, and finished delivering her. My baby girl was perfect. She's been trouble for the last few months of pregnancy...why would I think her delivery would be any different?! :-)

Mya Brynn Wilkinson

was placed on my chest

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

4:57pm

Daddy meets his new baby girl...Love at first sight.

The weigh in: an even SIX pounds!

What a beauty.

Bonding Time. So happy to have her in our arms.

Mama...couldn't be happier (and feeling great!)

Check back for more of the story...it's not over yet!

It's Official...

Yes...it's true.

If you haven't heard it yet, My Little Mya has arrived!

She is perfect and petite.

She is loved by so many already.

She made her way into this world with absolutely no help from me when the time came...I tried my best to wait for the doctor before letting her slip right out...but she had other plans. (Sounds like a great story, huh?!) You'll see the whole story here shortly, with photos. But for now I'm settling into my house, with an extra little bundle, and lots of love to give to Mya's big brother too. So once I'm a little more settled in here, I will tell you everything. And it's all good! :-)

xoxo

Miss Mya...36 weeks and growing!

It's Almost Time!!

I am nearly at the 37 week mark! I now see my doctor weekly, and at my 35 week appointment, she told me that my belly was measuring small and that she wanted to get one more ultrasound before I'm due - just to make sure Mya is still growing well. So one week later, 36 weeks, we had an ultrasound and another appointment. Cyle couldn't get out of work, so Meme and cayden came along to the ultrasound with me. Cayden was too funny! Every time the image on the screen changed: her feet, her belly, her spine...Cayden would gasp then say "Mama...T. REX!!" So yes. My two year old son thinks I'm baking a large, toothy dinosaur. AWESOME! Won't he be bummed when in a matter of 22 days (or less!!) Mama in fact brings home a sweet baby girl. A Real Girl. :-)

So we found out that her approximate weight at this stage is 5 pounds, 11 ounces. The doctor tells me that this is absolutely fine. She basically guaranteed me that I wouldn't be having an 8 pound baby, but in no way was she considered "too small." She'll just be a little peanut, and I'm just fine with that! Here are the last few pictures before we actually get to meet her...in real life!

Of course she stayed true to herself, and was the same little nutball she's been the entire pregnancy - hiccuped through the whole ultrasound and kept her hand up by her face. But she moved just long enough to catch a glimpse of this face!

Even Mya is smiling...it's almost time! :-)

Splash Zone...Summer Fun :-)

Aunt BB, Rah-Rah, and Mo invited us to Splash Zone...for a day of fun in the sun and water! It's a great little water-park place right near our house, that we never knew existed until Beckie invited us. Cayden LOVES the water so we quickly accepted the invitation and met them there! This place has indoor and outdoor fun, things to do for little ones and big ones, and lots of WATERFALLS! Cayden took one look and quickly screamed, "Mama!! REEEEEEN! " He loves rain, and wanted to spend out entire time there in the "reeeen!" So this Big Preggo Mama was dragged through the waterfalls, and under the spilling buckets - but it was so worth it to see the expression on his face! He's my little love and we had so much fun together! Of course there were lots of fun kid things to do that unfortunately we had to keep Cayden away from, just to keep his little bones safe and intact...but he seemed more than content with the areas that were safe for him....Just look at this face!

He loves to "swim" - he kicks his little legs, and blows bubbles in the water. And when he slips or flips and goes under water, he pops up smiling, not concerned at all! He's a brave little booger!

Here's the Chump...looking a little sad into the big kid area where Rah-Rah and Mo were playing on the bridge and the slides. I quickly called him back into the waterfall, and all was forgotten!

There was an indoor area with more waterfalls, and these more "foamy" slides. Beckie and I (being sure to have at least one hand on him at all times) let him enjoy a few trips down the slide! He loved it, and of course got a little upset when we headed back out to the toddler area.

We had a fun and safe trip (only lasting about two hours because all of the kids were ready for naps after so much fun...not gonna lie...big mama was ready for a nap too!) We'll go back again though...What fun!

When Cayden was first born, we took him to the lake before he was even one week old. We want the lake house to be a fun, special place for him as he grows, just like it was for his daddy. So last year we carried on the tradition and celebrated his first birthday at the lake, and decided to make it a yearly event. First we have a little family celebration here at home, but we'll always celebrate at the lake as well. So when cayden turned TWO...

we had cake and ice cream at Meme's house...then headed to the lake the following weekend!
Unfortunately, lots of the family couldn't make it this year like they did last year, but Meme, Pam-Paw, Aunt Joy and cousin Mason were there to play! With me being 35 weeks preggo, and this being my last weekend to travel away from home, we made a little 4 day vacation out of it...we celebrated, we ate, we played and played, and took a ride on the boat! It was so nice :-)

Cayden loves to ride the boat - at first he's a little cautious, very observant and taking it all in.
He laughs and sings "Big, Big Water!" and tries to jump out of my arms! And he absolutely loves to help Daddy or Pam-Paw drive. His new favorite is honking the loud horn!


Baby Mason couldn't handle all of the fun, and passed out!
This little Chump LOVES water. He's such a little fish and has absolutely no fear at all. We let him explore and walk on the sandy bottom, and he thinks he's in heaven! Daddy takes him up on the floating dock...

And he jumps to Mama!
Daddy is his favorite swimming pal :-)


I can't wait to celebrate many more years at the lake!