Hailey slept through the night!

There's so many different opinions out there on how often to feed a newborn, especially at night. The lactation consultants said at the hospital every three hours, if not before, so that's what I had been doing... even through the night. If Hailey was sleeping then I would wake her up. But this would sometimes end up being a long prosses of waking her up and then getting to feed her and getting her back to sleep. By the time I got back to bed it was like 3o min. before I had to get up and do it all again! Crazy!

So yesterday the pediatrician said if she is sleeping, let her sleep. So I fed Hailey at about 11:30 last night and put her to bed. Finally at 8 this morning I woke her up to cuddle (I was a bit worried and wanted to see that she was okay) and she was ready to eat then. Oh, it was so nice to sleep!! And Sean, the lucky little butt. It was his first night that he was on baby duty and would have to get up to feed her (I had a breast milk bottle ready) and he didn't have to.

Hailey's first week

Hailey is a week old! We love her so much and can't imagine our lives without her. She is just precious. It's been challenging having a newborn and recovering from surgery at the same time. I can't do everything that I want to do yet. But everything I went through is worth it to have Hailey. She is very healthy and we are grateful for that!

I look forward to this weekend. For selfish reasons though... I'm going to let Sean get up a couple times during the night to take care of Hailey. So far I don't get him up at all cause he has to work and he's a bit grumpy if woken in the middle of the night.

So I weighed myself and in a week I have lost 32 pounds! Can't wait till I can workout and hopefully tighten things up... right now I feel like I'm shriveling up!

2nd day home

We completed out second full day home with little Hailey. It has been wonderful.. she is so much fun! Sean went back to work today. My mom has been coming over to help and tomorrow Sean's mom is coming to assist. Hailey had her first doctor appointment today. Doc said she looks great. She gained an ounce and a half since she has been home, so she weighs 7 lb. 3.5 oz. (She went down from 7 lb. 13 oz. birth weight to 7 lb 2 oz. when we left hospital)

Well, Hailey is sleeping now so I'm going to get a nap before the night time feedings begin.

Oh, and I'm not sure if this is normal but twice tonight Hailey rolled over by herself from stomach to back. She doesn't like tummy time!

Going home day!

Today we are going home! We are excited to take Hailey home but at the same time I will definitely miss the help here at the hospital. It will be a fun and tiring day today. I can't wait to introduce her to everyone! I am thankful that I have my family who will be helping out with Hailey and around the house as I recover.

If you want to come by and visit, just give us a call. We will be accepting visitors starting tomorrow.

Hailey is more adorable every moment. She is already holding her pacifier, picking up her floppy head and feeding great. This is going to be SO much fun!! I am trying to take in every moment cause I know they will pass quickly.

I'm runn'in this deal now!!!

Hello world!!!

Just for the record This is Hailey. I decided to give my Mommy and Daddy some time to sleep. (Don't want to use up the battery life before I can walk you know?!) Anyways, I always see Daddy and Mommy bang'in at this thing; tell'in the whole world my business without even asking if I'm cool with it. I'm only 2 and a half days old, and they already don't care about my privacy!!!
I mean not only do they wake me from my beauty sleep to strip me naked ( I totally went diva on them for it!!! ), but Daddy changed my diaper in front of perfect strangers that I haven't met before!!!! I mean they all seem like chill and wonderful people, but I'm a high class lady and that isn't the first impression I wanted them to have!!!

Oh and worse of all Jacob and his' parents came by with flowers, and Mommy just plucked me from my 2 coarse dinner, and didn't even let me clean up I was so embarrassed!!!! I mean you wait for a girl for 10 months , and u get greeted with mis- matched top, and gas bubbles that could kill a yak. AS IF !!!! You feel me girls?

Anyways, Jacob was cool, and so was Luke! Strong silent type ........... I can dig it. We see which one out grows daddy to win!
All in all tho my Parents are pretty cool. Mommy is awesome and she is even better out here than she was inside! She smells good and gives the best hugs. We have the best nap times. I wanna be just like her. She taught me that she can make daddy do a lot of stuff just by giving him " THE LOOK". I think it means "I love you", but daddy knows it every time! Daddy is getting used to how I run things to. He doesn't know it yet, but I OWN HIM !!!!!!!! He already is buying me things!!!!! He told Uncle Blake that he got me something called a "chastity belt"? Is that like Gutchi or Prada?!?!
I love them both, and they said they love me very much. I like this thing called family and can't wait for more. Gotta go ! Daddy is charged and I have a BIG pile of love in my didey. Laterz

Hailey Hope

Pics!

From Hailey's Mom

Thanks so much for all your prayers! The past two days have been so long and tiring. Today I am beginning to feel better as the medicines that were making me so sick leave my system. On the other hand, the medicine that totally disguised that I have been cut open are beginning to wear out. All worth it for our baby girl!

During the c-section I was SO sleepy, I couldn't keep my eyes open even when I tried so hard. It was like that in recovery too. Finally, I got some rest and could open my eyes. It's been such an unreal experience. During the night last night I began to feel better and had some bonding time with Hailey. It's hard to imagine she was just inside me! God just amazes me at His perfect design.

I love the fact that I can do things to help her calm down when she is upset.... to see the peace that she has. Her eyes are gorgeous, brown hair, soft skin and I think she has her dad's nose and feet. Her little sounds she makes are just adorable. Sean is a great dad... just kicked right in automatically.

If you want to visit, give Sean a call or my cell phone. We just want to make sure everyone doesn't come all at the same time. =o)

First poopie diaper down..... a million to go!

The nurse was in just a few minutes ago, and to my dismay she announces that Hailey was wet. I thought " I got this" ............. then the diaper came off. SHE WAS MORE THAN WET!!!! She had made her first poop! let me tell you! All you out there told me that the first one is kinda small and no big deal. WRONG !!!!!!!! I thought she had gone twice and the nurse laughed and said " nope first one. just huge!". Dude it was everywhere! Front and back! ( just for the record large poops are not from daddy's side)
You will be happy to know that not only did i fight my inner voice screaming " ABORT MISSION, ABORT MISSION!" , as I was cleaning up, I didn't gag, I didn't pass out, and some how Hailey and I mad it threw the ordeal in one piece. So, bring on the dooty diapers, neon secretions, and blow-outs! I challenge You. THIS IS WHERE I STOP THEM! THIS IS WHERE THEY DIE! HAARROOOO!!!

Room with a vew please!?

Hello world!

Princess Hailey has decided that she likes it so far on the outside. Great view, constant room service, and two live in servants........... wait that's Kim and I!!!
I am very proud and happy to say that Kim did great with everything that this rainy and pitosin filled day could throw at her! She is still a pretty nauseous with the medicines but they just came in and gave her some stuff that might help that. Keep praying for her to feel better, and have a quick recovery!
I was just sitting on my make shift bed holding my daughter, and admiring how awesome
this this beautiful little girl is when IT HAPPENED! My lil' Hailey turned to me and opened her eyes and just starred into my eyes. No crying, no fussing, no squirming! She registered my presence, and took me in deep. As if to tally my intire being, or gazing into my soul through my eyes. Fatherhood ( the role ) felt real! I know I will sacrifice, work, live for the well being of this Girl, and I ask that God make me the best dad for Hailey. Not in my strength but His

My wife the PREGO WARRIOR!!!

Hello everyone. It's Sean. We are still here. Kim is having good strong contractions, and I must say Arnold Swarrzenigger, Steven Seagull, and Chuck Norris has NUTTIN on Kim. She is just brushing off the pain and isn't really stressing. The Doctor is giving her an epidural just to relax the body. Kim dosen't want it, but oh well.
Hailey is doing great the nurse says. She is going to be the star of the ward! Typical Canada, always wanting to make an entrance! We have set out a white shirt and guitar strap for the nurses to put Hailey's hand and footprints on when she comes.
Thank you everyone who is praying for us, there for us. Even tho I'm not able to call all of you, you mean so much to us. We appreciate you all!
Gotta go. Will keep you updated.

Love you guys and God bless

Sean

I'm at the hospital!

We arrived at the hospital around 12:50 PM. Around 3:30 PM I got hooked up to pitocin, (to start contractions), magnesium sulfate (to ward off any problems that may arise with pre-eclampsia) and I think some saline. I don't like IV's but I was a big girl. They keep trying to monitor Hailey's heart beat but she keeps moving all over making it a little difficult.

Sean is sitting here at my bedside. My mom is here, Auntie Stephanie and my best friend Sica came. I believe my dad and Auntie Rachel will come later. My in-laws are waiting for the go ahead from Sean when I get further along in labor. We're just basically waiting for the meds to get things going. I'm praying it is quick. Thanks for your prayers! We will continue to update the blog every once in a while.

I'm getting induced today!

I'm getting induced today. I came home really quick to grab my stuff. I planned on going in, getting checked by doc and if he suggested inducing, to ask him if we can wait. But my plans were a little thrown off when he said I have mild pre-eclampsia and need to get induced right away. Ah!! I don't think it has set in yet.

Sean will keep everyone posted and we'll try to post on the blog what's going on as well.

Well, I'm packed so we are outta here!!

Tuesday's update...

No action here yet people!

Last night while praying for Hailey, I was reminded of the verse Psalms 139:13 - 14 "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Maybe God is not done knitting Hailey together. I prayed for Him to complete this part of the work that He is doing with her so she can move on to the next stage. But this is all in God's time. =o) I must be patient even though it is so hard!

I am scheduled to go to the doctor tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. I have to call in the morning to confirm they are open. They are going to do a stress test on Hailey to make sure she is doing okay and check again for any changes. Please pray for wisdom for Sean and I as we prepare to make the decision to wait or to be induced. I'm really leaning towards waiting but Sean is leaning the other way.

Jason and Dolly Poludniak were so kind to do some pregnancy photos with Sean and I this past Sunday. Thank you Poludniaks!! Soon I will be able to post them. =o)

A Sean story:
We went to his parent's house this evening for chinese food. He was so hungry he started ripping into the food before everyone was at the table. Suddenly he is jerking around and screaming for a paper towel. His mom gives him one and then we are both looking at him freak out as he is screaming and holding the paper towel to his nose. This is the funny part... And this would ONLY happen to Sean. When he opened the little soy sauce packet, (you know, the one that everyone manages to safely open and apply to food) the soy sauce shot straight up into his nose when he opened it. Yup, only Sean!! Lol!

Doc says no changes...

So the doc said to come back on Wednesday morning and we'll talk induction and he will monitor my contractions and the baby. He's trying to let me go on my own (which I like but don't like cause I'm so over this). So here's my delima: I don't want to get induced so Sean and I need to pray for something to happen now. But, that would mean we're going to the hospital and delivering during a hurricane. Atleast the hospital isn't far away. It just causes a bit of chaos for families and whatnot and what if we have to bring Hailey back to a home which doesn't have electricity? Lol... this is going to be fun/interesting. God has His plan. I just know I can't go much longer!! This baby is getting HUGE!!!!

Sean and I were thinking back to our wedding... we got married between the hurricanes in September of 2004. (Yeah, I can't believe we've been married that long!) Luckily our wedding weekend was like the only weekend there wasn't a hurricane. I remember I had moved into Sean's and my apartment (Sean was still at his parent's house) before we got married cause my family was moving out of the house we grew up in. It was easier to do that than move twice in a month. My family moved out right before a hurricane hit but the house they were moving into wasn't ready yet. So, they came and piled into Sean's and my apartment. It was actually quite fun... the last time hanging out with my family before I got married. One of my sister's hamsters got loose and we couldn't find it anywhere. Almost a week later I heard this tiny noise in the laundry room... it had crawled into the outgoing pipe for the dryer. Unfortunately the little guy didn't survive very long after his discovery.

Hurricane baby?

Okay so I'm officially past my due date now and the stretch marks are piling up. Hailey it is definitely time for you to come out chica! =o)

One of Sean's and my good friends, Jennifer Heuslein, had a dream the other night that I must share. This is what she wrote....

"Ok, so what happened is that it was the day before Hailey was supposed to be born, and you decided that you just HAD to have another wedding before she was born. You were still married to Sean, you just decided you wanted to have another wedding :) You asked me to plan it and were acting like if you didn't have this wedding before Hailey was born, your life would be over :) So, I started planning in like HIGH speed. We found a dress that fit perfectly. As you were walking down the aisle, you started going into labor, but that didn't stop you. After the wedding you had some cake and punch, I told you that you shouldn't eat because you needed to go to the hospital, but you wanted to eat because you knew they would only give you ice chips in the hospital :) So finally the reception was over and the limo took you and Sean to the hospital. You arrived at the hospital in your wedding gown :) It was such a weird dream :)"

So Jen, I'm thinking BIG... like ice sculptures, onyx lit dance floor, Chef Ramsey will serve lobster tail. Lol! j/k =o)

So I called the doc this morning and I'm waiting to hear back from them... I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow but they may be closed so I may have to go in this afternoon. Maybe Hailey is waiting cause she already knows the Canada name and must make a grand entrance. What better time than during a hurricane? =o) So the full moon pressure didn't work for me but maybe the barometric pressure will?

I'm due tomorrow!

Okay moon... work with me here!! There are studies saying that the full moon has an effect on due pregnant women, putting them into labor! Tonight is a full moon people! And my due date is tomorrow!! Bring it! I'm so ready to have this baby!!! (You may have to remind me during the labor)

Oh, and the other thing is I need to go ahead and have this baby cause a hurricane is likely coming the beginning of next week. Luckily it's not a bad one but still icky weather. I don't want to have to wait till the end of next week, nor have her in the middle of a hurricane but I also don't want to have her and then come home to no electricity! Well, the only thing I can say to that is God is in control and knows exactly when she is going to come. I trust Him to provide whatever we need!!

So my official due date is tomorrow, August 17th. This date also has significance to me b/c it is the 2 year anniversary of the passsing of my precious grandmother. It's neat to see how God has been coordinating everything from dates, to giving my mom something to look forward to during her cancer treatments, to finances, just every little detail. What a story I have to tell Hailey!

I call Sean's car the black hole b/c whatever goes in either doesn't come out or it comes out unrecognizable. Not anymore! It's all cleaned up thanks to Sean, my sis Rachel and some people at a car cleaning place (poor people). It's all purdy. =o) So proud of my hubby!

The guy's cabin was pranked at the youth retreat last night. I heard of the things done and it sounds hilarious! I especially like the glitter that was put in their beds... the guys looked very "pretty" this morning one of the girls said. Lol!! Sean and I are very said we can't be there. It sounds like everyone is having fun. We are praying for a strong movement from God in the youth. That God will rip away strongholds and they will be set free in Him. I pray that it is a lasting thing that goes to their foundations and is not something that lasts for a few weeks and then goes away. You know, the "spiritual highs" as I have heard it called.

So the plan is to attend church tomorrow. First I'm going to go walking with my MIL. I haven't missed a day yet! I started walking on Aug. 5th.

Facing trials with pure joy

Here's my verse for the week:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:1-3

This morning Sean called me asking for the local police department's number. The family company's work trailer has been stolen. This held a LOT of our equipment. At least $5k worth and is holding us back from getting our work done. We have filed a report and praying for God to lead the police or us to it. I am praying for a word of knowledge. We are also praying that the insurance will cover any losses if it comes to it.

My father works for the City of Winter Park. The city is going through a big budget cut. He is in a meeting today about how this will effect his insurance coverage. As you know, my mom is recovering from breast cancer and needs to continue some medical treatments and doctor visits. How will this effect her care? We are praying for favor for my father.

As most of you know, my sister Rachel recently ran away from home for 5 days. She came back safely, praise God, but we have found that she has been leaving during the night and coming back home early morning the past couple weeks. We are grateful that she is coming back home but also very concerned for her safety as she is a 16 year old girl out in the middle of the night! This has had a large effect on my family, especially my mom. Unfortunately, my mom is just heart broken (as I would be too) and therefore it has negatively effected everything in her life, including looking forward to Hailey making her presence. That in turn has been very hard for me to deal with. I am praying for safety and wisdom for my sister and healing for my family.

So, with these things going on presently (besides trying to get this baby out!), I am confronted with the challenge to praise God through the storm. No matter what is going on in my life, I will have joy. Challenges/trials present the opportunity to let God rise up in us and overcome, giving God the glory. We learn many things through trials, gaining faith and perseverance. It prepares us to face the next one coming, which will come whether we are ready or not. We also get to add to the list of testimonies of what God has done for us! And then God can use us more. So, this is good... trials are a good thing!

Patiently waiting...

Patience. Ah! At such an exciting time, who can have patience? But Sean and I must because we don't know when Hailey is going to come. It is so hard!! I've done so many things to try and "help" things along but we have found that she just isn't ready quite yet. Ugh. I've heard that a full moon sometimes helps women go into labor and Saturday night is a full moon. I'm going to stand outside with my stomach pointed towards it! lol. That sounds a little strange. But really, there's something about the moon pulling on the amniotic fluid just like it pulls on the ocean.

The past few days I have walked 4 miles each day along with being active around the house. I have tried to stay up and doing things instead of just sitting. But honestly, yesterday and today it has been hard cause I'm just so tired!!

I know Michael and Skittles are happy cause I'm home a lot. I can tell a big difference in Michael. He is a lot calmer and more obedient. Skittles just enjoys the cuddling. But the cats...I think they get annoyed cause I interupt their naps to play and cuddle.

So my master bathroom has been under remodeling for a LONG time! My husband has worked so hard to get it completed before Hailey comes. I have pics below. We have to get a mirror specially made and sean just has some baseboard and a couple touch-ups to do and we are done!! Woohoo!!!!

This is the door going from our bedroom to the closet/MB
We still have to do the casing, baseboard and paint the door.

This is going into the closet area to bathrom. As you can see, the door is lovely to have cause otherwise when you're on the throne, you are looking out into the bedroom!

A brand new pooper with slow-closing lid!!!

Still gotta get the mirror

My husband's beautiful tile job!! Yay hubby!

Our new shower! I LOVE it! Tile and shower enclosure available in our showroom at

Kitchen & Bath Options.

Crazy Baby!

This is what happens when the dad is a graphic designer:

It started with this baby pic below....

The Final Countdown!!

So recently this comedian said "What if suddenly all the animals realized they were naked?" Lol! That is so hilarious!! Pedro my cat would definitely be wearing a pimp suit... purple.

So I'm going on 39 weeks pregnant now! At my doc appointment on Thursday he said I was a fingertip dialated (better than nothing!) and he will see me in a week if I make it till then!! Should I make it to my due date, he said we would automatically talk about inducing. They don't let their patients go past a week overdue. I don't want to be induced so I am definitely praying that Hailey comes sometime this week.

This past week was my first week off of work. I got up at 6:45 AM everyday to go walking 2 miles around Crane's Roost with my mother-in-law. Then I do errands, tidy house or my biggest time consumer is the computer. I like the baby boards at BabyCenter.com.

I've had definite contractions but they aren't consistant. Sean is ultra excited. All the time he asks "Is it baby day?!" "Are you ready now?!" He starts jumping up and down like a kid or does the excited leg twitch. I'm afraid when it is time he's going to pack everything in the car and drive off... forgetting me! Lol!

I've been doing a few things just to see if it helps me along with labor. I started taking Evening Primrose Oil, raspberry leaf tea and last night I ate mac'n cheese with A1 sauce. Ummm... the mac'n cheese is NOT recommended for enjoyable purposes. It is so gross!! I had to try and distract myself with the tv and computer to get it down. I know Hailey will come when she is ready but I'm just trying these things anyways.

Awww... I'm sitting here typing and Sean just brought me a flower he picked from outside!! How sweet! =o)

Booty Traps ........ That's what I said booby traps!

Well I can say that Kim and I ( Sean ) are very anxious for Hailey to decide to unveil her presence upon our world. Kim has been hardcore nesting, and having me do all the little honey-do ( NOW ) tasks around the house. About 2 weeks ago she asked me to save all the soda cans I get and give them to her. I ask "why?". "To make something!" she replies. I think "don't ask don't tell" and grant my dear love her request.

Last night around 6:00 p.m. My out-of-body, change the world, end world-hunger session of creating music was interrupted by the metallic sound of nickles, dimes, and quarters being rattled around in various brands of soda cans. I walk out to the kitchen to find that along our kitchen counter tops is a ( very meticulously ) thought out line of coin filled soda cans, and Kim was tieing them together with yarn. I slowly ask Kim with intense curiosity what she is doing? She turns and gives me the Kid-caught-in-the-cookie-jar-smile, and says "I'M MAKING BOOTY-TRAPS!" . I laugh at the goonies reference and tell her she means booby traps right? She says right on cue " dats what I said booby-traps!". She was making booby traps for our cats that will not stop jumping on the counters. She was to cute and told her i hope they work, as we tried going out the door for errands.

Long story short! We came back home to find the cans tied up and lain all across the floor in a path that leads to the cats favorite hiding spot when something scares at least 3 of their nine lives out of them! We have not seen them on the tops since! So, all that to say! Hailey If you don't come soon; I'm in fear for my life because it's a matter of time before your anxious mom sets up a BOOTY-TRAP for DADDY!

I can't wait until....

1. Hailey is here and safe in our arms.
2. I can roll over and get out of bed like a normal person.
3. Contractions and the "ring of fire" are a thing of the past.
4. I have more than 10 outfits to wear.
5. The constant fear of more stretch marks is abated.
6. People will stop mentioning how huge I am... as if I don't notice it!
7. I can paint my own toe nails.
8. I can wear my wedding bands again.
9. To work out and feel so much lighter!
10. See Hailey in all her cute clothes!

Some pictures!!

So this coming week will be my first week off of work! I'm starting to look forward to a break... able to relax if I need to and watch the baby shows before Sean gets home so I don't drive him crazy with them. =o) I'm going to be getting up early to walk and then walking in the evenings. I've gotta get those muscles ready for labor!!

I've also gotta do things this week like look for a pediatrian and pre-register at the hospital. Those things will keep me quite busy!

Hailey is doing wonderful... I hope she isn't just sitting there putting on a ton more weight!! Oh my! The doc still isn't concerned that she will be too big but I am!

Here's some pictures of the nursery! I've also added some "around the house" pics....

Hailey is 38 weeks!

Your Pregnancy: Week 38
Two more weeks to go and your nesting instinct is in full throttle. You're busy washing and folding (and refolding) baby's clothes, marveling over how anyone could ever fit into such a teensy weensy T-shirt. If you haven't set up the crib, bassinet or wherever you plan for baby to sleep—now would be a good time. You don't want Dad frantically trying to figure out some incomprehensible instruction manual between contractions.

What You're Thinking:
"Please don't let my water break at an inopportune time like in the middle of a client meeting or during my pedicure or at a fancy restaurant ..."

Your Baby:
Your baby's intestines have accumulated a considerable amount of meconium (the code name for black, tar-like baby poop), which is usually eliminated shortly after birth and gives you your first experience with the 100-wipe diaper change. Here's what else is up: Your baby might just scratch herself in the womb as the fingernails have grown over the fingertips now. Resist painting them hot pink when she arrives.

Baby's lungs continue to mature and her brain and nerve function are working better every day. The latter two will continue to mature until Junior is a teenager, at which point she'll know it all (or at least she'll think she does).Your baby weighs about 6½ pounds and is around 19 or 20 inches long—as long as a duffle bag (in case you needed an excuse to go shopping for a new bag for your labor gear).