Kel’s House

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♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hard to believe my baby Kaity is already one month old. It has flown, and yet so many things have changed.

She is…
… teasing us with ‘almost’ smiles
… eating like a horse… mostly nursing still (and that is going great), but also getting 4-6 ounces of formula a day to taper off hunger (more on that below)
… sleeping 6-8 hours most nights (ROCK ON KAITY!), in her crib
… definitely getting bigger… too long for her “NB” clothes and sporting sweet little chubby cheeks
… getting to know Mommy, Daddy, and Miranda (who now tries to give her the pacifier when she cries)
… loving her baths. I sit her baby bath on the bathroom counter and she looks at herself in the mirror
… the littlest love of my life

*will take picture when she wakes up from lovely nap
Being mommy the second time around also rocks. I am so much more confident and comfortable. The biggest difference is with breastfeeding. This time, doing it in public does not phase me. I am discreet and sensible and also ready to defend my right to do so. Also, I don’t stress when she can’t seem to get enough. Most of the time, I just feed her until she is full, because that’s why I am here. But if it’s a ‘high demand’ time of day… like when I am feeding Miranda lunch and getting her nap, or trying to feed everyone dinner, she gets some formula, and I don’t feel like I am cheating or anything.

Another great thing is the way my body is working. I am wearing size 14 jeans with a belt. Two months post-partum with Miranda, I was borrowing size 16s from a friend. My weight loss is at a plateau (which means I need to start <i>trying</i> to get the next 20 off), but things are going back ‘into place’ better. I tried on some dresses yesterday and that was still unpleasant, but I am confident that exercise will make me look how I want. Also? I kind of love being in my 30s and having the babies here. My adult life finally feels normal and I feel like I am at that peak.

Speaking of normal… yes… we bought a tour bus/entertainment coach this week. We are supposed to get it Saturday. I will post pictures, because my descriptions can’t do justice. It’s certainly beyond what I had imagined, with a private queen bedroom, a full fridge/freezer, a washer/dryer, 3 TVs with satellite service, and a counter top and bathtub that’s nicer than what we have in the house! So far, we have about a dozen out of state concert weekends this year, and expect that to double. I guess you can say things are feeling normal for us

I obviously haven’t posted here since Kaitlyn was born. You can read the update here.

That said, I’m just going to pick up where we are now… It was a really nice weekend. Rod’s mom and Larry came to visit on Saturday, and it was a nice visit. Then the rest of the fam came over for dinner to celebrate Rod’s birthday. The kids got him some sweet ‘gag’ gifts for the bus (which we should find out about this week), including a captain’s hat… and toilet paper and air freshener Gifts do definitely mean more when they pick them out themselves.

Saturday night, my friend Lori has her first baby, Triniti. What a miracle each child is. I got to see them yesterday and ‘Trin’ (as I have mentally nicknamed her) is gorgeous.

And in big news, last night, Rod bought tickets for Paige and me! We are taking the babies to North Carolina to visit Bobby & Sharona next week. We leave Tuesday and come back Friday. There was a lot of debate over this… Rod and I don’t go on pleasure trips without each other. But, they are Kaity’s godparents and Sharona is dying to see her. They were here in January and we aren’t scheduled to see them again for sure until June. We may see them sooner if they sing on Rod’s CD, but that’s not definite. Plus, honestly, it will be a nice break for both of us. He’ll have quiet time at night to get things done for the CD and around here, and I will have an extra mommy and warm weather for a few days! So, he found some super cheap seats and off we go! I am nervous about flying with both babies, even with Paige’s help, but like most things lately, I am sure we’ll figure it out.

OK… and here is Rod’s birthday gift/a gift to myself… PICTURES

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I’ve been up since 4am. The hospital called to say my surgery time has been changed for tomorrow; we’re now the first ones and have to be there at 5:30am for a 7:30 time. Yay. I can’t sleep anyway. Let’s go!

Miranda is doing some better today. She woke up happy and thirsty. We got lots of cuddle and playtime in, and we took her to Taco Bell for lunch. She took a nap with me for about a half hour, which was lovely and reassuring. Also, so funny… she peed in her new potty! I know it’s just a fluke but it was so funny. I’ve been sitting her on it while I run her bath water, and when she stood up, there was a puddle. She was so proud, probably because we fussed and took a picture like dorks. She probably won’t do it again for 6 months

My parents just left with her about a half hour ago, and of course, I cried, but I know she and all will be fine. I wish she wasn’t sick, but again, I know she’s fine.

Now Rod and I need to get a few things done around here, then we’re going to have a leisurely dinner for two (hopefully vomit free), and try to sleep tonight. Please keep us in your prayers tomorrow. I haven’t stopped to be nervous about another surgery, and I refuse to consider that Kaity will be anything less than perfectly healthy, but prayer is good anyway. He will be sending an email to various relatives and friends… if you are on the list, feel free to pass on. I will do my best to post/text from the hospital.

Here she comes!

Well, the day isn’t over, but the adventure, hopefully, is. Right after I posted, Miranda woke up crying and… yes, puking in her bed.

We took a harrowing bath together, during which it was decided that our hot water heater is probably on the outs as well.

Poor baby girl had mess all in her hair and one of her ears. I did the best I could, but it was hard to bathe her with my own um, physical limitations, plus trying to keep her calm as possible, plus the water getting cooler by the minute… and she was shivering.

After she got out, I wrapped her in several towels and held her for a long time. It’s such a strange time right now. I know I won’t be any less her mommy after Kaity gets here, but I can’t help feeling like the whole world is changing.

It’s crazy, and just like us, to have these little catastrophes in the midst of so much else going on. But, though I am sad she was sick and is obviously a little miserable, it was nice to cuddle her for awhile and just be grateful for the amazing, smiling, beautiful little miracle that she is. I have so much to be grateful for, but Miranda made me believe in miracles, in ultimate good and ultimate love. I will forever be thankful for that…

Well, even though the C-section is Wednesday, Dr. W. did an internal today. And as predicted, I am sealed shut like a vault. Yay baby! Now hold on until Wednesday, because Dr. W. is definitely not available tomorrow.

We’re all systems go otherwise. We had dinner with all the kids tonight. Unfortunately, Miranda is sick and I spent this morning at the doctor with her. She’s been miserable on and off all day. Also, my mom is sick, and Miranda is supposed to go stay with my parents tomorrow night. I’m a little stressed about that, but I have to trust they will all be OK. Mommy guilt just sucks.

The last tasks were getting my nails done and packing Miranda’s bag. Check, check. Tomorrow evening, Rod and I have a movie date and I need to pick something wonderful to eat since it will be at least a few days before food is enticing again.

One great and notable thing about my visit today was that my doctor said, “You’ve done so well with this pregnancy.” She didn’t elaborate so I don’t really know what she means, and other than being a full time mom instead of a full time teacher and mom like last time, I didn’t do anything differently. Miraculously, I gained 25 pounds this time rather than 38. Whatever she meant, though, it meant a lot to me. A lot of doctors don’t take the time to note positive things. Her compliment means the world.

Now, 35 more hours until Kaity gets here!

WE ARE SO BORED. This waiting is crazy.

The weekend included a lot of eating, sitting around, watching bad TV, Miranda puking and coughing (OK, so that’s not so boring, but also not exactly exciting), and just general blah. We really don’t do well with having ‘nothing’ to do. We had a birthday party we could have gone to, or some places we could have visited, but with Miranda either sick or teething, those weren’t good ideas.

Kaity’s room is done. My bag is packed. Miranda’s carseat is moved with nary an issue, and Kaity’s is installed. The house is fairly clean and organized.

I even watched 3 episodes of Storm Chasers with Rod. I usually hate that stuff.

Now, I just spent an hour organizing my Yahoo bookmarks. That should be an indication of what it’s like around here.

There were some small dramas of the teenager/bio mom variety this weekend, but nothing to really rev up the juices…

52 more hours. Then life probably won’t be boring for a long, long, long time.

Not quite a three alarm fire, but a day requiring 3 baths for one very tiny girl is something warranting a post.

Little Randa was up just after 7, which was plenty of sleep for her, because she was in bed at 8:30 last night, but no so much for mama, who didn’t soundly start sleeping until around 3am…

Anyhow, we were planning to take the morning slowly. Rod is working here for now, but he is pretty engaged in a big project and therefore, not much help (sorry, honey, but you know what I mean). After our morning chill on the couch with inappropriate toddler television (90210, the paraplegic cousin ep this morning…), she would only eat a chocolate donut for breakfast. I let her go nuts because she needed a bath anyway (breakfast choices are usually contingent on this. No chocolate, icing, or Heaven forbid, eggs, unless there is time for a bath…)

My friend Becky called soon after to let me know she & her daughter Megan (Randa’s age) were coming in a little while. I knew they were coming, because Becky was taking publicity pictures of Rod, but I hadn’t known what time. So, I shlepped us upstairs for the bath. My routine these days is to treat the bath like a playpen. There are lots of bubbles and toys and Randa just loves it. She plays in there while I, still in the bathroom with her of course, get myself ready, perhaps read or make a phone call or two. Lately she’s been staying in there close to an hour some days. It’s lovely.

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Today was a long day with me giving most of my love and everything else to Miranda until Rod got home around 7. She is so sweet… and she requires so much! She’s always going, exploring, getting frustrated. She keeps life interesting. For Valentine’s Day, we gave her a little baby doll stroller. This evening, she had a doll in it and was strolling everywhere. Two things I noticed: she got SERIOUSLY mad whenever she got stuck on an obstacle (like, you know, a cabinet!), and every few minutes, she stopped, stooped in front, and talked to her baby. It is both scary and amazing how much she imitates me… and how much I love her.

My other Valentine, Rod, took me to a casual Mexican dinner (really, the best kind, especially since I had mac and cheese on my shirt) and gave me a massage certificate. It was nice to spend some time talking about things and getting excited about what’s next. When we got home Miranda was already asleep, so we’re going to listen to music and ‘chill’ tonight. Yay.

Of course, there is the flipside to these good things, and that is the NIU shootings today. Again, close to home (not that this should matter much, because it’s awful anywhere… yet, it does). The brother of one of my best friends goes there; thankfully, he is OK. I just can’t believe what people in these situations have to go through. I am scared enough being as removed from them as I am. It feels like no place is safe. I wrote a message for Rod’s website that best expresses my feelings about this. That’s all I know to say right now…

All that said, love comes in many forms. I wish it for my friends today and every day…

A story broke this morning that the murderer from the Lane Bryant shootings had been arrested. Apparently, this is not so.

Even so, Miranda and I ventured back to that plaza today and spent a good amount of time at Super Target and Taco Bell. I admit I had some nasty, fearful images going through my head when we were first in the store. They were cured by a verse of ‘Amazing Grace,’ (no one looks twice at a preggo singing hymns to her baby, really) and the routine adventure of shopping with a one year old. She is a cure for most distractions