3 Weeks

***I just realized that I didn't actually post this...I meant to on Saturday***

Kenley was 3 weeks yesterday!  It has flown by way too quickly.  She is growing and changing every day.  I love her deeply.  I love to hold her and just stare at her.  This time passes way too quickly and I am doing my best to enjoy and still balance having two.  She is starting to take to the pasey.  I usually get about 4-5 hours of sleep at night between feedings.  She seems to be wide awake around 10pm every night and stays that way for about 2 hours.  We need to work on getting her to stay awake longer during the afternoon so that maybe she'll be more sleepy at night...especially the time that I am most tired and ready to crawl in the bed.

Last week Justin's Mom came for a quick visit and it was really nice to have the extra hands in the early morning hours as well as with Collier.  I am just really dang lucky to have such great parents to help out in so many ways!

Friday we colored Easter eggs.  This was our first year doing this and it was really fun.  I think that Justin was as excited as Collier when I pulled out the dye's.  Justin got it all set up and then Collier got to drop the eggs in each cup.  Although waiting for them to color is a little hard for an almost 3 year old.  Thankfully my Dad stopped by for a minute which distracted him long enough to not think about the eggs for a few minutes.  By the time Dad left the eggs were just right.  We had fun and are looking forward to our little egg hunt tomorrow!

We have so much to rejoice in through Easter.  Jesus Christ has risen indeed!  Through His resurrection we have access to our Father God.  Happy Easter!

Easter

I wish I had more time to share and go into detail, but I don't!  We had a great Easter and have so much to be thankful for!  So it is a picture post for you on this Monday!

 This is blurry, but the only one I could get of the two of them...this is about as close as Collier will get to Kenley!

He had filled up his basket and decided to use Kenley's basket for the rest of the eggs, which was funny to see him with a girly basket.  The Easter bunny brought him garden gloves and the flip flops and he insisted on wearing both immediately.  

Collier's Adjustment

Has it already been two weeks?  Yes it is true...actually just over two weeks since Kenley arrived.  Collier is still adjusting.  He is getting better but I don't think that he really understands how fragile that she really is.  Most of the time he just tunes her out and acts as if she isn't here...especially if she is in the bassinet or in her bouncy [out of our arms] and quiet.  Most often when I am either feeding or holding Kenley Collier wants me to hold him.  It is a struggle for me to have to tell him no...specifically if I am feeding her.  I battle the desire to give him the attention that he needs/wants and also care fully for Kenley, it is hard and I am learning that it is a balance.  For the first week that we were home the only thing that Collier wanted to be involved in was when I changed her diaper that she wanted to get a wipe and wipe her.  And so, that is what he did....even if he was in the middle of doing something he would insist on being a part of the diaper changing.  In the past few days he hasn't really been as interested in the diaper changes but he has become a little more aware of her in her bouncy and will lean down and talk to her.  It is a slow process but I am thankful that it is getting better.  He still has not held her and hasn't really had any desire to try, he says that 'she too heaby'.  We just don't push the issue and try to just encourage him when he does interact or acknowledge her.  We went to church yesterday and he told me that Kenley should stay at home and not go to his church.  Like I said...slow progress!  He still gets very upset when she is crying.  He grits his teeth and curls up his nose.  Sometimes he'll say through his teeth 'no no kenley, no crying'.  Very ugly.   But today we were headed out the door and she was a little fussy in her car seat and he leaned down to her and said 'its ok momma is right there'.  Very sweet.

As for Kenley..she is doing great.  She is eating good.  Sleeping pretty good [very good during the day and mostly good at night].  For the first 12 days she loved to be swaddled up good and tight, but the past few nights she has really fought being so snug and slept better when I had her out of the swaddle.  Although last night was a long night with lots of crying and fussing...after trying twice to get her to sleep so that I could get in the bed I gave in and just cuddled up on the couch with her and slept there for a few hours before putting her down and me getting into the bed.  She sleeps in the bassinet next to our bed it is just a little easier for me to have her close during the night!  We went to the doctor last Friday and she weighed 8lb 9.5oz.  She is a growing girl!  If we can just keep her awake for a few hours longer during the day instead of at night all would be fabulous.  Thankfully even when she is loud and crying at  night...Collier sleeps through it and doesn't seem to be bothered to bad!  

Outdoor Adventure

Wednesday Mom, Collier, Kenley and I headed out to Helena for a little adventure.  Mom and Collier have been here before and Collier has been talking about putting his toes in the water, chooo choo trains honking their horns and the park.  It was a beautiful day and so we got packed up and headed out.  It was better than I could have imagined.  I am not sure what this area is called but there is a creek/river with a waterfall and most of the water is really shallow and kids can swim and play in the water with no problem.  Collier chose to fish and just get his feet wet.  Even though he hated the rocks getting into his crocks, he enjoyed it most of the time.  It was such a pretty day and perfect for being outside!  Kenley slept through most of it and was perfectly content in her car seat!

We then ate a hamburger at the deli across the street...Collier calls this the 'black house' [it is actually a dark green but it does look black from a distance] and it is in between two train tracks and he is just thrilled to get to see and hear the trains passing by! Plus eating outside on the deck on such a beautiful afternoon, it was really fun and  pure joy for my littleCollier man.

We then went to a play ground that is just down the street.  they have a little shovel thing that you scoop up and dump sand...He loved this.  Plus a little swinging, running and sliding and this little boy was satisfied to the core!  I loved the day with my Mom and both of my kids.  I loved to watch Collier doing things that bring him so much joy...I feel like so much lately he is told no because I can't do as much for and with him when I am doing, caring for and feeding Kenley.  I feel really bad when I have to tell him no because of Kenley, so it was really awesome to be doing for him and making it more about him!  He is such a sweet boy!

helping Nammy carry in her cooler after our adventure!  such a good and willing helper!  Right after I took this he turned around and told me to go:)  Oh well!

Weekend

We had such a fun weekend.  It was our first real weekend with no big plans and it was really so much fun.  Justin was super dad and played with Collier outside all day long!  Can I say Collier was one happy child to spend the entire day outside and with his daddy...HELPING and working as Collier would say!  It was really awesome.

They started the day by smoking a butt...that was just absolutely delicious!  Mom and Dad joined us for dinner and it was really awesome!  

Then they shaved and bathed Brinkley who hasn't stopped itching  for a solid month.  Hoping that less hair and a clean little girl will help.  But we have found a few flea's on her and I think that they are in the back yard eating her up every time she goes out.  Pooor Brink Brink.  We are medicating and treating and praying that she will feel better soon!  

While Justin was shaving Brink I think that some of her hair got into Collier's shirt and was bothering him.  So he spent the rest of the day with no shirt on.  Oh well, it could be worse!  Here is Collier making his lunch.  He is fixing his famous cheese sandwich with mayo, mustard and cheese.  [I think this is gross...but then my mom is quick to remind me that I used to eat ketchup sandwiches - yep that is bread and ketchup and now I am really grossed out] Whatever works!

The rest of the day was mixed with baseball, golf and swinging in the back yard, followed by naps and then our delicious dinner!  Such a fun and productive day.  I did get the house vacuumed while the guys were out side and Mrs. Priss was sleeping.  

Sunday was relaxing and low key.  The entire weekend was really fun.  It was fun to all be together as a family of four with no specific plans or places to be.  I am deeply humbled to have such an amazing husband and kids who are all healthy and just perfect.  I have so much to be thankful for and am trying to soak in each and every blessing and see God in the every day moments of our life!  He is so good!

Our Week

I need/want to be sure to have this documented. 

Kenley's arrival: When I went to my 38 week appointment I was given the option to be induced or just wait it out.  I was already almost 2cm and this baby girl was fully ready and growing by the minute.  She seemed to stay on my nerves low in my stomach and the shooting pains were just about to make me crazy.  But if you know me you know that I am not a huge fan of being induced.  Collier came on his own and I really wanted Kenley to as well!  BUT after tears and prayers and thinking about it I decided to be induced.  So Thursday night we packed up Collier and let him spend the night with Mom and Dad.  Friday morning we got up bright and early and got to the hospital at 6am.  As soon as they got all of my IV's in and everything going the doctor broke my water [I was so worried about this hurting and honestly was scared about it but it was no big deal at all for me....more uncomfortable than painful]  I labored.  My doctor told me I could get the epidural at any time.  As soon as my contractions really hurt, I got my epidural.  I napped a little.   I had awesome nurses who took really good care of me and were fun to chat with as well.  They nurses checked me again around noon and I was complete and ready to go.  They called the doctor and at 1:16pm Kenley arrived.  I cried after I started pushing, I could believe that she was really about to be here!  It was awesome.When they said that she was 8LB I almost died.  Although I sort of could believe it because my tummy couldn't have been stretched straight out any more than it was!  Then I was REALLY glad that I didn't wait any longer....inducing was the right thing.  It was no problem.  My body was ready, my baby was ready and she is finally here.

We brought Collier back first to let us have a few minutes with just us and he was very unsure.  Mom said that all day he had been asking for me and wanting to come and see me.  But when he saw me laying in the hospital bed he was very unsure and wouldn't come to me at all.  When he saw Kenley he cut his eyes at her and sort of turned up his nose.  Just didn't seem to be interested and really wanted nothing to do with her.  We set up his little DVD player for him to watch a movie, suddenly Kenley started crying and he turned around in his chair with both hands in the air and said 'What in the world?'  I about fell out laughing to hear him say that.  It was soo funny.  It took him a few hours before he would just sit on the bed next to me.  But when he finally did he wanted his shoes and socks off and under the covers with me. He is such a sweet little boy!

Chris, Amanda, Ashlyn and Hayden came up and since Ash was so interested and wanting to hold Kenley it made Collier a little more interested.  So, he did sit with Ash and hold her for just a minute.  But that was it and he hasn't wanted to since.   The only thing that he wants to participate with is changing her diaper...he likes to get a wipe and wipe her hiney and then throw the diaper away.  Beyond that he has just about tuned her out and tries to pretend she isn't here.  He gets frustrated when she cries, I think that it sort of stresses him out and he just doesn't know what to do.  She grits his teeth sometimes and tells her 'no crying baby kenley' and other times tells me that she wants me to hold her.  I feel so bad when he asked me to do something with him or for him and I am in the middle of feeding [which right now is almost all the time] and I have to tell him I can't right now.  I make an effort to be sure to pass her to Justin when I am done so that I can do whatever with him that he asked.  Justin has honestly done most of the playing and participating with him this past week.  Thank goodness for sweet Daddies!!!  

While we were in the hospital Mella and Buzz stayed at our house with Collier and it was a huge help to have someone caring for and doing just for Collier.  He had really good undivided attention and I think that he really needed it.  This week my Mom has been huge help with taking Collier each day and again just focusing on him and giving him the attention that he so much needs.  Tonight I was holding him and he gave  me the biggest squeeze hug and said 'nuggle bunny'.  I know that he wants my undivided attention and I so want to give it to him...It is a hard balance.  I am still trying to heal.  Plus being up more at night...I am more tired.  So, it is an adjustment for him....but it is for me as well.  Emotionally I want to be sure that he knows that he is as much of a priority as Kenley is!  I am not sure that I am successfully doing that at this point and am praying about this balance for me!

Today, we went to the doctor for our one week check-up.  Everything was great.  She had dropped a lot of weight in the hospital, the last night we were there she was down to 7lb 9oz.  Today she weighed 8lb 2oz, so she is almost back to her birth weight and the doctor was very pleased with that.  I am still trying to get adjusted back to nursing and getting her to latch good and correctly...she doesn't open up wide like I need her to, but it is getting better and better each day.  She is eating, pooping and sleeping just like she is supposed to and since she is gaining plenty of weight we must be doing something right.  We did try and give her a bottle this week [I've pumped a few times to give me a break...or so I thought that I would]  and she wanted nothing to do with that!  

This has been a great and hard week. I am so thankful that she is here and that she is 100% healthy.  That we are all adjusting and trying to find that right routine and balance as a family!  I still can't believe I have a little boy and a little girl!  God is so good!

I think that I have caught up and if you are still reading...you get a GOLD star.  You deserve an award, so please pat yourself on the back and know that I love you!

Out and about

Today was our first day to get out of the house. I needed it and although we only made two stops I am more tired than I thought I would be. I had planned to go to target(of course mom took us). But Collier said he wanted to go to Walmart... here is why he likes to go to Walmart

Why buy a bike when you can go to Walmart and just drive it around a few isles and then leave? My mom lets him to this.  He loves it and does really good with it. I think I know what he wants for his birthday.

Last night was our best night yet. Kenley slept a solid 3 hours in between two feedings. That helped me so much. The first two nights were long and tiring. I almost died both mornings when collier got up because that was about the time I needed to be going back to sleep. But today was much better and I will just pray that will continue.  I figured out that she sleeps really good when she is swaddled up tight and cozy.  I actually woke her up both times to feed [this was probably more for my sake than hers].  They both happened to him nap time at the same time this afternoon which meant that I also got to nap for a little while.  I am still trying to adjust to balance of two in addition to still recovering.  I think that I forgot about the time it takes to recover and then to factor in a busy almost 3 year old and the demands of an infant...It is just tiring.  Worth it, but tiring!  Yet again so very thankful to have my parents around the corner to help out with Collier....Mom has been a HUGE help and I am so glad that she is here to help and let me get some sleep in during the day!

Our Baby Girl

Kenley Celeste Hicks arrived yesterday at 1:26pm and weighed 8lb 4oz and was 20.5" long.  We are so glad that she is here and we've enjoyed having fun and very sweet company.  These are just some quick shots from phones and my dad's tablet.  I'll update with more pictures and our birth story once we get home and get settled in.

I will share that Collier was very unsure about her.  He would cut his eyes at her and sort of turn up his nose when she made any noise at all.  We set up the DVD  player and he was watching a movie when she suddenly started crying very loudly.  He turned around with his arms in the air and said 'What in the world?' in an exasperated tone.  I about fell out laughing, which encouraged him to say it several more times.  He really cracks me up.   He has spent the day with his Mella and Buzz who were so gracious to stay an extra night to help out with him.  I am sure that I'll have lots more to share in the next few days as we all arrive home and adjust to life as a family of four!

God's Presence All Around

Before I explain, please go to this link and read this post real quick! It is short, sweet and will make the rest of my post make sense.

http://inspiredtoaction.com/2012/03/you-are-so-adorable/

So, as I read that post it brought tears to my eyes. It is so sweet to be reminded of God's love. Of His presence all around us. How He uses us and even our children to be reminded of Him and specifically of His love and adoration for us! I love that He knows what we need and when we need it!

This morning as I dropped of Collier at Mom's, he was riding on his tricycle as I was leaving and he rode over to me to give me a kiss bye. I was half way to my car and he opened the door and yelled 'wait, I forgot' and ran toward me with his arms stretched out wide. He gave me a huge hug and another kiss. He turned around to go back and stopped and said one more as he hugged me again. It melted my heart and brought tears to my eye [lots of things do these days!]. He then wanted me to 'hold me two minutes'. So, I picked him up and held him for a minute. Mom came out to get him and he got down one more time and said 'i forgot' again and ran to me to give me another hug. I was already so late this morning but how can you resist that precious hug? It was just what I needed to get my day started. As I walked out the door I prayed that God would change my heart to not have a bad attitude [or poor me's] since this little girl hasn't arrived yet. Needless to say the extra hugs hit the spot, brought a smile to my face and set my heart in the right place. Thank you Jesus for these hugs. Thank you for Collier and Thank you for Your love being bigger and deeper for me to ever understand!

And then I got to work and the 'Adorable' blog post was waiting for me to read and it was just perfect! The simple reminder of God's true love for us. In one of my morning devotion this week that was about ironically about waiting, trusting and hoping [since that is exactly where I am with this little girl...actually it isn't ironic at all is it God knowing that I needed this very reminder and devotion] but at the very end it says to be on the look out 'to pick up even the faintest glimmer of My Presence' [this is from Jesus Calling devotion and it is written as if Jesus is speaking directly to you. If you are looking for an amazing devotion I highly recommend it] So this week I have really tried to keep my eyes and heart open to see Him more and more in my every day life. Not just when I am in need of Him or when I have a minute but in every situation. He is here. He is real!

Two Minutes with Collier

Enjoy! It just makes me laugh so hard to see him slurp those noodles up! I remember being young and thinking it was so much fun to do that with a really long piece of spaghetti.   Plus he was having fun and actually eating what I fixed him.

This past weekend was good and very low key.  We actually didn't do too much.  Justin and Collier worked out in the yard for a little while on Saturday and then Sunday we went to a small pond that has a walking path around it.  Justin and Collier fished and Brinkley and I walked.  We went to a birthday party Friday night for one of neighbors.  Saturday night we went and ate with Mom and Dad.  Sunday night we cooked steaks!  
Collier has been waking up before 6:30am for the past two weeks...normally he wakes up closer to 7am, which Justin and I both prefer.  But this morning he slept until almost 8am, I guess with the time change he needed a little catching up.  Not that I am counting on that becoming a habit but just goes to show that they will catch up when they need it.  It is times like this when I am really thankful to have a flexible job that allows me to come in a little late when needed and also for Mom...I could just take him in his PJs to Nammies house! Which made both of us [Collier and I] happy!  He loves to go in his jammies to her house...although some days she has a hard time getting him out of his jammies which isn't any fun for her! 
Because I have had my bags packed and ready  I also went ahead and packed up my camera.  Last night when I was uploading pictures from the sprinkle I realized that I haven't taken any pictures in February or March...except a few on my cell phone.  My bags have only been packed for 3 weeks so I am not sure what my excuse is for most of February.   I don't have any pictures to show for what we have been up to and that is killing me.  The camera is coming back out so that I can do better with snapping pictures to better document.  I know once baby girl arrives I'll do better but I feel like I've had lost time since I don't have pictures to show for what we've been doing [which honestly isn't much which would also maybe explain why I have no pictures]....Lord knows that my brain can't remember anything and that the pictures are really a requirement at this point for me to remember anything!  We'll see how I do. 
Hope that you've had a good Monday!  Please join me in praying this little girl will arrive soon!