Hi All,
I know this is taking time but I am finally updating the blog. Of course me being me it also has to line up just right and if it doesn't I won't post it. So far I have added pictures of my day with Logan on 4/8/10 (scroll way down) and then of the induction/birth of Kassandra on 4/19 - 4/20. As you can imagine I have many more pictures to add so keep checking back from time to time.
Love, Tom, Christine and Kassandra
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Gwen loves to help too
We watch Gwen a couple days a week. She also loves to help take care of the baby. She now walks around with one of the dolls and feeds it and cares for it as we do Kassandra.
A visit to Mike's
We went down to Mike's house to visit with his parents Dick and Diane who came to town. We had a great time visiting with them.
So while I was in the hospital I started calling Kassandra "Popeye" because she would only open one eye. That evening Tom came back to the hospital and while holding Kassandra he told her "if you keep opening only one eye like that you are going to end up with the nickname Popeye." I laughed and told him I already started calling her that. While at Mike's Kassandra showed us her Popeye impression. (She also has an Elvis impression that we hope to capture someday).
So while I was in the hospital I started calling Kassandra "Popeye" because she would only open one eye. That evening Tom came back to the hospital and while holding Kassandra he told her "if you keep opening only one eye like that you are going to end up with the nickname Popeye." I laughed and told him I already started calling her that. While at Mike's Kassandra showed us her Popeye impression. (She also has an Elvis impression that we hope to capture someday).
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Kassandra's first bath
Ok so ever since the first diaper change Kassandra has expressed as loudly as she could her dislike for being naked. So when it came time to her first bath you can imagine what she did....that's right she cried. Mom and Dad also wanted to cry, but for a different reason - the bathroom was very warm to accommodate Kassandra.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Kassandra arrives
So of course once I was in the operating room it took only a few minutes to welcome Kassandra into the world. She came out with a great set of lungs and a full bladder (ooops not for long). We are not sure who cried more, me or Tom but I'd say it was a tie.
Welcome
Kassandra Elfriede Holloway
Born April 20, 2010 at 5:40 p.m.
Birth Weight 6 pounds 6 ounces
Length 19.5 inches
Kassandra has the pouty lip mastered which means that daddy doesn't stand a chance on standing up to Kassandra when she wants something.
Time for everyone to meet Kassandra, including mommy and daddy.
Our first family photo
Uncle David, Aunt Wendy, Cousin Logan and Aunt Grace came to the hospital to meet Kassandra. Logan was so excited! He made sure that everyone went up to tickle or pet Kassandra.
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Ahhhh now we are settled in our room. It was time for Kassandra's diaper change. The nurse was all happy stating how daddy is now going to be initiated with the first diaper change. Tom informed her that he has been changing diapers since the age of 10 and this was nothing new. The nurse left, looking very disappointed.
Welcome
Kassandra Elfriede Holloway
Born April 20, 2010 at 5:40 p.m.
Birth Weight 6 pounds 6 ounces
Length 19.5 inches
Kassandra has the pouty lip mastered which means that daddy doesn't stand a chance on standing up to Kassandra when she wants something.
Time for everyone to meet Kassandra, including mommy and daddy.
Our first family photo
Uncle David, Aunt Wendy, Cousin Logan and Aunt Grace came to the hospital to meet Kassandra. Logan was so excited! He made sure that everyone went up to tickle or pet Kassandra.
.JPG)
Ahhhh now we are settled in our room. It was time for Kassandra's diaper change. The nurse was all happy stating how daddy is now going to be initiated with the first diaper change. Tom informed her that he has been changing diapers since the age of 10 and this was nothing new. The nurse left, looking very disappointed.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Let the induction begin...
On 4/19 we checked into the hospital to be induced. There was a number of reasons why we went this route which included being over due, Tom's dad being in town to help, the specialist concern with the placenta after week 40, and the amount of doctor appointments that I would need to go to (and pay for) to stay pregnant another week. So here we go - time to become parents...
Filling out paperwork:
The induction begins...
Of course it is easy for Tom to play on his laptop and smile
Finally I get something to eat - to bad it didn't stay down. (it's now 4/20/2010)
Finally I am able to get a bit of shut eye (so why is Tom still awake???)
So labor was just as tough and painful as I expected it to be. I had to be put on oxygen which having something over my nose and mouth bugged me because even though I was getting air I felt like I was closed in (I'm claustrophobic). When I finally reached 4 cm's I was able to get an epidural. The problem was that it only numbed the right side. So they gave me a second dose, which only numbed the right side more. So they gave me a third dose... which only numbed the right side even more. At this point the contractions were close together and they were still trying to get clearance from the doctor on how to handle the left side. Finally the staff made the decision to move the epidural. They did and FINALLY the left side was numb. Tom was so great through everything - helping me to breath, focus and deal with the pain.
After roughly 23 hours of labor my doctor checked in with me. I was still at 4 cm, where I seem to have stalled. In addition although they had me on the oxygen, Kassandra's heartbeat was continuing to drop. So the option was given to me - I could try to continue with labor and they will continue to monitor Kassandra but if it continued the way it was going we would have to look into other options or I can go for a c-section. It took me all of less than a second to decide on c-section. I was tired and didn't feel like I could go the other 6 cm's in who knows how many more hours and more than that I didn't like that Kassandra's heartbeat was dropping and didn't want anything to happen that would turn the situation into an emergency. So within what felt like 5 minutes I was prepped and ready for the c-section and so was Tom. Check out his new duds :)
Filling out paperwork:
The induction begins...
Of course it is easy for Tom to play on his laptop and smile
Finally I get something to eat - to bad it didn't stay down. (it's now 4/20/2010)
Finally I am able to get a bit of shut eye (so why is Tom still awake???)
So labor was just as tough and painful as I expected it to be. I had to be put on oxygen which having something over my nose and mouth bugged me because even though I was getting air I felt like I was closed in (I'm claustrophobic). When I finally reached 4 cm's I was able to get an epidural. The problem was that it only numbed the right side. So they gave me a second dose, which only numbed the right side more. So they gave me a third dose... which only numbed the right side even more. At this point the contractions were close together and they were still trying to get clearance from the doctor on how to handle the left side. Finally the staff made the decision to move the epidural. They did and FINALLY the left side was numb. Tom was so great through everything - helping me to breath, focus and deal with the pain.
After roughly 23 hours of labor my doctor checked in with me. I was still at 4 cm, where I seem to have stalled. In addition although they had me on the oxygen, Kassandra's heartbeat was continuing to drop. So the option was given to me - I could try to continue with labor and they will continue to monitor Kassandra but if it continued the way it was going we would have to look into other options or I can go for a c-section. It took me all of less than a second to decide on c-section. I was tired and didn't feel like I could go the other 6 cm's in who knows how many more hours and more than that I didn't like that Kassandra's heartbeat was dropping and didn't want anything to happen that would turn the situation into an emergency. So within what felt like 5 minutes I was prepped and ready for the c-section and so was Tom. Check out his new duds :)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Week 40 Pregnancy Photo
These are the last photo of me pregnant. I gained a total of 8 pounds. I consider this a victory since the doctor did not want me to gain any and all of the gain was in the final weeks - at the same time that Kassandra was packing on the pounds.
Soon baby Kassandra will be here - we can't wait to meet her.
Soon baby Kassandra will be here - we can't wait to meet her.
Week 40
Well nothing yet this week. I'm not even close! The doctor does not want to wait past 40 and 1/2 weeks so chances are pretty high that we will be delivering next week - weather or not Kassandra is ready to come out. If something is scheduled we will update the blog.
How your baby's growing:
It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.
How your baby's growing:
It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Week 39
Well we were hoping to induce on Monday but that won't happen as I have not dilated yet. We will keep an eye on it to see when we can chose to give birth (unless she decides to come sometime soon). Tom's dad, Tom will arrive on Tuesday, we can't wait to see him.
How your baby's growing:
Your baby's waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
How your baby's growing:
Your baby's waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
My Day With Logan 4/8/2010
Logan and I spent the day together. We started by celebrating Easter. The Easter bunny made a special trip just for us and dropped us a lot of great stuff.
We then met up with mommy and daddy at the part for Logan's First T-Ball Practice. I loved watching him play. But at times it was hard to keep his attention...
We then met up with mommy and daddy at the part for Logan's First T-Ball Practice. I loved watching him play. But at times it was hard to keep his attention...
Friday, April 2, 2010
Week 38 - We are almost there!
My doctor appointments went well this week. I have 2 again next week. The first is on Monday with my OB/GYN and the second is on Friday for the non-stress test. This is currently the last week that I am scheduled for both appointments.
Tom's dad (Tom) will be arriving on the 13th and will stay with us for two weeks to meet his Granddaughter/stay with us and assist as needed, and yes I have plans on taking all the help I can get!
Tom's mom (Jan) arrived on the 30th. Although she is out here to assist Aunt Pat (she had surgery on the 31st) she is also here to meet her Granddaughter and to assist when she can.
I am also very fortunate to have David, Wendy and Logan living here in town. At a time like this where I miss my parents so much it is very comforting to have David here with me. He is the only other one to really know all of the emotions I am feeling - from thrilled to becoming a parent to the hurt in my heart from missing our parents. Wendy will be a huge help to me in that she's been through it all with Logan. I look forward in bonding with her in a whole new way - as a mother! And as for Logan, well he can't wait to help out. He has told me that he wants to help in changing, feeding, holding and playing with her.
How your baby's growing:
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
Tom's dad (Tom) will be arriving on the 13th and will stay with us for two weeks to meet his Granddaughter/stay with us and assist as needed, and yes I have plans on taking all the help I can get!
Tom's mom (Jan) arrived on the 30th. Although she is out here to assist Aunt Pat (she had surgery on the 31st) she is also here to meet her Granddaughter and to assist when she can.
I am also very fortunate to have David, Wendy and Logan living here in town. At a time like this where I miss my parents so much it is very comforting to have David here with me. He is the only other one to really know all of the emotions I am feeling - from thrilled to becoming a parent to the hurt in my heart from missing our parents. Wendy will be a huge help to me in that she's been through it all with Logan. I look forward in bonding with her in a whole new way - as a mother! And as for Logan, well he can't wait to help out. He has told me that he wants to help in changing, feeding, holding and playing with her.
How your baby's growing:
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
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