My little Gooberkins!

I am absolutely loving being a mommy - especially when it's being a mom to this cute little goober - Ryan and I have gotten into the habit of calling him "Gooberkins", it's our little pet name - I love it!

(above) Baboo - means Grandpa in Swahili - their first meeting.  It was soo heart warming to see my Daddy holding the first of the next generation =)

It's definitely been an adventure learning and adjusting to living with the new role as "mom".  It's scary and wonderful all at the same time.  God has been sanctifying me since day 1 by showing me how much I need him and how much all of life is dependent on him for every breath!  

Some of my favorite things about Kai:

• He snores, talks in his sleep and smiles in his sleep - just like his mommy and daddy.  Funny story:  since Kai, Ryan has carried on "conversations" with me in his sleep while I'm up with Kai nursing him in the wee hours of the morning.  Ryan made the comments that Kai is "a key player to our team"  and he made another basketball related comment that I can't remember - I say he's been watching too many Laker games.  Anyway, like father like son =)
• He's a grunter - he grunts in frustration when he can't figure out how to latch on, he grunts in anticipation of a full diaper, he grunts when he's trying to get that darn air bubble out - via either the top end or through the bottom =)
• He's sooo kissable - once you kiss him you can't stop
• He smells so good ... right after a bath that is - any other time he just smells like barf
• When he's not sleeping, he's just sitting there, content to observe the world around him and the ones holding him
• He's ours to keep!!

The new little man in my life...

I know, I'm totally lame - I'm sorry I didn't keep you all updated throughout the delivery - for some reason I thought it was going to be easier than it was =P

Here he is:

Kai William Baird

October 29, 2008; 4:29 pm

8 lbs 10 oz, 20 inches long

Our little miracle came without induction!  Our appointment was at 5:30 am on Wednesday for the induction but he decided he wanted to come on his own.  We checked into the hospital 2 hours before the appointment because the contractions were just too intense - I was 4 centimeters - BRING ON THE EPIDURAL!!

Father & Son - swaddled and happy =)

Catching up on the daily news together

In case you're wondering, the pictures that I have of Kai and I are not that great.  They are either too revealing for the public eye or just plain ugly - hee hee hee.  

We're enjoying each other - he's DEFINITELY a sleeper.  I have to wake him up to eat and that right there has been a real challenge.  We had a rough night last night because he wouldn't latch on so he was dehydrated this morning.  I called the Pediatrician and she told me to try as much breast milk as possible than to follow up with formula to make sure he get's enough.

Please pray for us - I need the grace to be patient and not freak out when he does during the eating process.  If you have any helpful tips or advice - I am all ears!!

Love you all!

Update...

Here's an update on the baby status =)

Ryan and I went into the hospital on Sunday because I thought I was leaking fluid.  So, they check me in and strap me up to the stress test machine and the nurse goes to check me and guess what???  I was only 1.5 centimeters dilated at most!!!  HOW CAN THAT BE?! My Dr told me with a great amount of confidence that I was a 3!!!  Anyway, no leakage and everything looked great so we were allowed to go home =)

We then  went into the hospital yesterday thinking that I was ready to go in because contractions were on average about 5 minutes apart.  However, by the time we got there, the contractions slowed down and decreased in strength =(  

A different Dr (Dr. Yun) checked me yesterday because my Dr (Dr. Parks) had to go do a surgery.  So, anyway, Dr. Yun checks me and because of all the contractions, I was now at a 2 and almost a 3 - wahoo!!!  She did confirm that I was in the 1st phase of labor as I was in fact having contractions - they just weren't strong enough or close enough yet.  That and other signs which I won't say because I don't want to gross anyone out.

This morning, I was woken up at 5 am with contractions that would have pleased Dr. Yun - they hurt so bad I was on the verge of tears AND NO AMOUNT OF BREATHING WAS HELPING!!!  They have still been that strong and sometimes stronger but they're only 20 minutes apart.  So, here we go.  It's going to be a loooong day =P

So, I have scheduled an appointment to go in tomorrow (Wed. 10/29) at 5:30 am to be induced if things still haven't progressed since then.  Since I have been in labor since Sunday night, I figured - "I don't want to endure a whole week of this!  LET'S DO THIS THING!"  

Please keep us in your prayers and ask God to let everything go smoothly and that Kai is healthy and safe =)

Having Fun...

Ahhhhh, the Huntington Gardens: a place of beauty and quiet tranquility.   Ryan and I decided to take a day off yesterday and go do something fun.  Terri (Ryan's mom) was so kind and gracious to help us get in free since she's a member there.

It was a nice long day filled with LOTS of walking.  We really enjoyed the Japanese and Chinese Gardens - they are beautiful.  

This shot was from the Japanese Gardens - which was Ryan and I's favorite.

These shots were from the Chinese Gardens

Yes, Ryan is in a wheelchair - he actually got it for me after we walked through the Art Museum.  We had already been walking for about 2 hours and my legs and hips and back were hurting big time.  So, because he really wanted to see these gardens he went and got me a wheelchair and pushed me around.  It was really embarrasing but really sweet of him =)

Yup, can't wait until I can get this baby out and start walking off these pounds!

That's it for today, I'll continue to keep you posted.  Oh ya, nothing else has really happened.  Just a bunch of false alarms. =P

Comming Soon to a Baird Household near you...

You want to know when I go into labor? CHECK MY BLOG

You want to know when we're driving to the hospital and checking in? CHECK MY BLOG

You want to know the most recent happenings of the delivery? CHECK MY BLOG

You want to know the juicy details of when Kai is born, birth weight and other fun stuff?

CHECK MY BLOG

That's right, I'm going to try and do what a friend of mine did for her labor and delivery news / status. I'm going to post as much as I can while I'm going through it. And when I am otherwise occupied, Ryan will be posting information for me. This way, you all will know the details and we won't be bombarded by phone calls on that special day =)

So, for the first post, I'll let you know that I am a good 3 centimeters and experienced my first real contractions last night. They were quite painful and my sister-n-law Bethany was right, you'll know when you're having a real one when you can't talk. They were ranging from 15 to 10 minutes apart for a solid 2 hours - after that, they died down and went away - DRATS!!

This morning was pretty quiet but then I had a really good one about 30 minutes ago. Hopefully, labor will start soon =)

Keep us in your prayers!

Ahhhhhhh.... Maternity Leave =)

Good news! I went in for my weekly check up this morning and Doctor says I'm a good 2-3 centimeters dilated, baby's head is down and low (which made it hurt more when she checked me - OUCH!) and things are "soft" - what ever that means.  She didn't give me any ETA and I didn't want to ask because I don't want to get my hopes up.  I have been told that many a women have walked around for a good couple weeks at 3 centimeters so, I just want to be prepared for the long run.

Let's just say, I'll be doing A LOT of walking and cleaning =)

Well, I am so totally thankful to be on maternity leave.  For those of you who don't know yet, Ryan and I are all moved into his parents house for the remainder of our time before Kai gets here as well as for the recovery.  Hopefully, just until Ryan and I can move into our place.  The purpose being so that I can really rest and enjoy the last moments I have with Ryan one on one -uninterrupted =)

I want to give my husband a big "THANK YOU" for the sacrifice he is making so that I can be at home to raise our little boy in the ways of the Lord.  I know God is going to bless this new season as He does every season, but, it really means alot to me that you are joyfully willing to work so that I can stay home.  Thank you, my Love =)

So, here is a shot of my first project that I completed last Friday - a hooter hider =D  I'm totally excited and can't wait to use it.  I have to confess, I prayed the whole time I made it and asked God to give me a beautiful result since this project was also supposed to be cost effective.  What good would making something be if I messed it up so bad that I had to just go and buy a pre-made one???

Thank you Mom & Terri for your help and advice (and the use of your sewing machines).

My Baby Shower & Stuff!!

I was sooo blessed by my family and church this last weekend when my sister-n-law, Nicole threw me a baby shower.  2 words: God Provides!!  I was so blessed to receive everything I prayed and asked God to provide plus more.  Thank you so much to everyone who came!  It was such a joy and a huge blessing to have you there.  

I gotta get started on those "Thank You" cards =)

Here are a couple of shots:

My mom made a BEAUTIFUL quilt (I helped pick the fabrics, though) and I can't wait to wrap up my son in it!  Thank you thank you thank you mom!

Ryan's Grandma (Terri's mom) hand knitted this beautiful blanket and a pair of matching booties.  Thank you Grandma Bryant!

A onesie to make Daddy proud - it says: "Weepublican"  Thank you Bethany!

Some of my family & friends playing the "Guess Chalene's belly size game" and a game where you had to find words in Kai William Baird - My mother won -she found 71 words!!!  As far as my belly size goes - 48 inches!!! Can you believe it?!  That's four feet around!!

This is our crib that I'm opening up - Thank you so much, Dad & Jenn!

My diaper bag which was packed with goodies and a children's Bible.  Thank you so much, Michelle & Foster!  I've already packed it with everything that I need to take to the hospital for the baby.

Tomorrow I have my Dr's appointment and I'll keep you posted on how things are going.  I'm praying that things have progressed since 2 mondays ago when my Dr told me that I was 70% effaced.  I've been experiencing alot of cramping, downward pressure and strong braxton hicks to make me think that the ball is still a rollin'!

Till then, God Bless!