Happy St. Patrick's Day!

4 Months on the 4th

Dear Kira,

You turned 4 months on the 4th of this month. Wow! Can you believe it? I certainly can't. Kira you are such a delight and bring so much joy to Mommy and Daddy. I was just looking at pictures the other day and you have changed so much from when you were born. I feel sad when putting away your 0-3 month clothes. Every little dress and outfit is such a treasure to me. The doctor said I can feed you rice cereal, but I feel like if I do I am only going to make you grow up faster. Sigh... The second night we fed you the cereal you were leaning toward us for more bites. Mommy couldn't feed you fast enough. Each day you figure how to do something new. You are grabbing for your toys. You really like your rattle. Everytime I lay you down on the changing table you come up with something in your hands [like a stuffed animal]. You try talking to Mommy and Daddy. Daddy says you sound like a dragon when you do so. You love your jumper roo. It is so funny how you can be so intent on one object and it makes you so happy. You have figured out how to hit the key and when doing so it plays music. You have figured how to move and grasps your hands to get what you want. You are a BIG time drooler these days. The doctor said you are probably teething. I think you are teething too. Lately, you have been a bit fussy, which is not like you. Anything you get your hands on goes in your mouth. You love your bath time too. You love to kick your legs and splash the water and you love for mommy to sing "Splish Splash" when you are in the tub. I love watching you and seeing you learn. I will do everything I can to be the best Mommy for you. You deserve nothing but the best.

Love Always & Forever,

Mommy

Baptism

We had Kira Baptized on February 4th, 2010. It was such a special day with family and friends. There was one special person missing and that was Joe's Dad. I have more pictures coming, but here are a few good ones. Kira did well until Father baptized her. She jerked her head back and the water went up her nose and into her eyes. It happened twice. She was unhappy.

Makes me smile

This little girls smile makes me smile. Whenever I talk in a high-pitch voice we get a glimpse of Kira's smile. It melts my heart. Experts say most babies don't smile in a true social sense between 4 & 6 weeks of age. Before that, smiles are generated because a baby is content, comfortable, passing gas, or falling asleep. Either way her smiles are undeniably adorable no matter what their cause.

Pictures with Santa

My Dad makes a great Santa Claus. He has dressed up every year on Christmas Eve for my nephews. This year I asked if he would dress up so we could get pictures of Kira. I think it makes the picture and memories more special since she is with her Poppy.

What I'm Thankful For

1. God's Will

2. Good health

3. A healthy husband

4. A healthy baby [that is so prescious & sweet]

5. A roof over my head

6. Family that lives so close

7. A loving and caring Mother

8. A goodnight kiss and "I love You" from my husband every night

9. My husband tucking me in bed every night

10. A husband that does housework because he doesn't think it is completely a woman's job

11. A husband that is a Wonderful Father

12. Amazing friends

Birth Story

I've been a little preoccupied since November 4th. When I'm not loving on my precious baby I try to nap. It is hard to get on her schedule. When she sleeps I think of all the things I need to do. I am slowly getting the hang of this "mommy" role. Each day gets easier and easier and every day I fall more in love with my daughter.

For 10 months I prayed that Kira would be healthy and God has answered our prayers.

Before I forget the events of Kira's Birth Day I must get them in writing. On November 3rd we checked in to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

5:00 PM- Arrived at Hospital

7:45 PM- Got in Room

8:30 PM- Mother & Sister-In-Law Melissa came to visit

9:20 PM- My nurse gave me Cervadil to ripen my cervix. It did more than ripen my cervix. It caused intense pain. I asked the nurse for some medicine to help me sleep, thinking I could fall asleep and forget about the pain.

11:00 PM- My nurse gave me Ambien. She said it would make me drowsy and I would probably fall asleep within 15 minutes. Well, 1 hour later I was still hurting, restless, and in need of some pain medicine.

Midnight- My nurse gave me Demorol to relieve the pain and I instantly threw up [Total of 3 times]. Poor Joe had to keep cleaning up the floor.

I kept watching the clock praying 5:00 AM would come sooner because that was when the Cervadil would come out.

3:30 AM- My nurse came in and asked if I wanted an epidural. She said it would definitely help with the pain and allow me to get rest. At that point I knew I need relief. I needed the rest too. I thought if I am going to have a baby today, I need some sleep.

4:00 AM- Anesthesiologist came in to save the day! That epidural became my best friend instantly. I was out like a light within minutes.

5:00 AM- Rise and Shine! The nurse came in to take out Cervadil.

5:30 AM- Started Pitocin.

7:25 AM- Doctor came in and broke water.

8:30 AM- Dilated to 3 cm and 70% effaced.

10:25 AM- Dilated to 5 cm.

12:30 PM- Dilated to 10 cm!!!!!!! Wow! This went fast!

2:00 PM- Started pushing.

3:12 PM- Kira arrived!

6 pounds 14 ounces, 20 inches

We thanked God for a healthy baby.

Kira slept next to my bed in this. This was my view.

Family and friends visited. Some friends brought us lunch from one of my favorite tea rooms. We were released 48 hours following the delivery. I swear the drive home felt like we were driving to Timbuktu, only because my baby was in the car with me. It felt like the longest drive ever. We made it home safe and sound and are enjoying every minute with Kira.