Notes from a New Mama

Today marks Kason's two week birthday.  Two weeks ago today I was busy bringing this sweet, adorable little guy into this world.  Wow, 2 weeks has flown by!  I need time to slow down for the next few 20 years.  I feel like I have learned SO much in the last two weeks.  Now obviously I don't have it all figured out, but I am slowly starting to understand how to care for this sweet baby that God has trusted me with.  

Here are some things I've learned after two weeks. . . 

...I come second.  I'll be the first to admit that I've always been a little self centered.  That has changed in the past two weeks.  I'm no longer as concerned about what I need, but more concerned with what Kason needs.  He is fully reliant on me, and although that terrifies me at times, I am learning to better understand what he needs.

...I've learned what it truly means to be exhausted, Ha! :)  I remember thinking I was exhausted when I was in college and busy with school...that exhaustion has NOTHING on what I'm currently experiencing.  Of course the exhaustion is totally worth it, it's just a new experience!

...Breastfeeding is hard, demanding, but 100% worth it.  This was something that I was really worried about while I was pregnant.  Would I be able to breastfeed?  Would it be a rewarding experience?  I asked lots of questions and constantly worried.  Luckily, Kason and I have figured out this breastfeeding thing pretty well.  The hardest part is knowing that I'm the only one (for now) that can feed him.  That part is exhausting but I wouldn't change it for anything!

...Snuggle time with Kason is so important!  I am trying to tell myself that a clean house is not important right now.  Blogging, talking on the phone, etc. are not important.  Kason will only be this little once and I want to hold and cuddle him for as long as I can.  I'm guilty of hitting silent when people call me and not responding to texts (sorry if you've been a victim of this!) but sometimes I just want to sit in silence and hold my baby.  I mean who wouldn't want to snuggle with this...



...I would not be able to do this alone.  Duane and I have said it over and over again, we don't know how single parents do it.  It take both of our time and energy to take care of a new baby.  We have become such a good team, and I can already tell it has made our marriage stronger.  Now I'm not naive enough to think that parenting will always make our marriage stronger, but for now, we make a great team!  Duane is a fabulous daddy and I have fallen more in love with him through watching him interact with Kason.

...My faith and belief in God has never been stronger.  I'm not sure how anyone can look at an infant and not believe in God.  This tiny human grew inside of me for 9 months and is now here.  He is healthy, and perfect.  To think that is by chance is, in my opinion, absoultely crazy.  At the same time, I am totally entrusting God to watch over and protect my baby boy.  He will help and teach me how to raise this boy, but ultimately, Kason's life is in his hands.  He knows what Kason will be doing in 5, 10, 15 years and in that I find a lot of comfort.

...Being a mommy is not going to be easy.  In fact, I have a feeling it's going to be really, really hard.  I'm going to need Duane and God to help me get through every moment.  However, I want to constantly work on learning to be a great mama to Kason (and any other babies that come in future years).  I want to raise a son that loves Jesus and I know that he needs to see that love in Duane and I.  That being said, I want to constantly be working to show him Jesus' love so that he can understand how important it is.  I'm so grateful God has given me the chance to be a mommy to this sweet baby boy! :)

Kason's Nursery {Part 2}

Back in December I gave a sneak peak into Kason's nursery.  It wasn't complete, but I wanted to show off what we had done so far.  This week we finally finished it!  It looks like a completed nursery and we love the way it turned out.  Of course Kason is sleeping in our room for the time being, but in a month or so, he will have the perfect nursery to sleep in.

Here is the final product...

{Looking in from the living room.}

{Again}

{All done! :)}

{We decided to spend the extra money and get a nice, comfy glider.  We love it!  Find it here!  I ordered the letters in Kason's name here.  We did paint them on our own.}

{I blogged about the shelves here.}

That's Kason's nursery!  And of course I couldn't blog without sharing a couple of cute pictures of the sweetest little guy in the world!


{Kaia hanging out with Kason on the play-mat!}



{Kason watching the Butler game with Daddy.  I love how scrunched up his forehead gets! :)}


Happy Monday! :)

What do you think?

We've gotten lots of comments about who Kason looks like.  Duane and I of course have our own opinions..but I want yours!  

So...

What do you think?  Is Kason a mini-me or a mini-duane?  Both of these pictures were taken a few days  after we were born and Kason was a week old in his picture.

  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! :)

1 Week!

Kason is 1 week old!  We are loving being this little guys parents!

So far these are some things we've learned about Kason after a week:

He loves. . . 

...To be held!  I think we have a spoiled baby on our hands!  We know he is only this little once, so it's hard to put him down because we just want to snuggle with him.

...To be talked to.  When he's in a good mood he loves to sit on mine or Duane's legs and be talked to.

...To eat!  This little guys loves his meal times!  He has been eating about every 2 hours that past few days.  It wears his mama out, but that's ok! :)

...Walks!  We've taken walks the last 2 days and he has loved being in his stroller.  He falls right to sleep and is so peaceful the whole time we're walking.  Unfortunately with the weather turning cold again, walks will have to wait another week or so.  Bummer!  Silly weather!

He does NOT love. . . 

...Bedtime.  I'm not sure what the deal is, but he seems to fight going to bed.  I think it's just a routine we need to figure out.

...Waiting to be fed.  Like I said above, this boy loves his food.  He does not love waiting for it!  Sometimes Mama is just not fast enough!

...Bath time.  I think this will just take some getting used to.  He hates to be cold, so I know bath time is not fun right now!

We are learning more and more about our little guy (and ourselves) everyday.  It's so fun, but so exhausting!

I'm excited to get Kason's newborn pictures taken today.  My friend Kaila is taking them.  She also is the photographer that photographed Kason's birth.  Those pictures are now on her blog..so check them out here!  I love them and cry every time I watch the slideshow.  It was the most amazing day of our lives!

Happy Thursday! :)

Random Tuesday {Picture EXLPOSION!}

I have a few random things to blog about today so I thought I'd avoid trying to find the time to type up 5 blog posts, and just scrunch everything into 1 post!  Get ready for lots of randomness..and LOTS of pictures of the cutest 6 day old I've ever seen (I may be slightly biased:)).  If you're already bored with this post..just go ahead and hit the X now..ha! :)

# 1...

I forgot to mention in the birth story about the gift my husband gave me after Kason was born.  He has been torturing me for the last week by telling me he has a gift for me.  He insisted I waited until Kason was born.  I'm glad he made me wait, but man, waiting on a baby AND a present was hard work..ha! :)  After Kason was born I of course completely forgot about the gift.  Duane knew this would happen and probably would have been worred if I would have pushed Kason out and immediately said..."ok, where's my gift?!" He reminded me an hour or so after Kason was born and although I was drugged, I was excited.  He handed me a box that help the camera lens I have been dying for!  It's a fixed macro lens that allows me to take super close pictures.  Sorry, I'm not so much for the technical camera terms.  All I know is that I wanted a lens that would allow me to zoom in on cute little fingers and toes.  Duane was so great throughout the labor process, I feel like he deserves a gift as well!  However, I think the fact that I get up every 2 hours to feed Kason while he sleeps, is a pretty priceless gift..ha!  Anyways..if you are wondering how I got so close in some of the pictures I've posted, it's the lens!  Here is a couple of pictures of a bracelet my mom got me.  I love it and it's even engraved with Kason's name and birthday.  So cool!

{Just wanted to give you an idea of the detail this awesome lens can capture.  LOVE it!}

#2...

Any of you mamas out there have one of these?

It's a sleep sheep and I got it for one of my showers.  I had never heard of them before I was pregnant, but a friend told me they are great for helping babies sleep.  They make soothing sounds like ocean waves, rain, etc.  Kason LOVES it!  Duane loves it even more..ha!  He says when Kason starts sleeping in his room, he is going to have to buy one for our room.  Kason has been having some trouble pooping (sorry if that's TIM) so nighttime has been a rough time for us.  However, as long as he's swaddled (arms and all) and has his sheep on..he's a happy baby!  If you have a new baby or will soon have one..I would recommend this! :)

#3...

We had SO many visitors come to meet Kason at the hospital and then when we got home.  We've loved introducing Kason to all of our friends and family.  He loves his snuggles and we are more than happy to show him  off.  Here are some pictures of some of the MANY visitors!

{My dad with Kason}

{My sister, Jill, with Kason}

{Nicole and Kason}

{The Whittakers with Kason}

{Duane's parents with Kason}

{My sister, Stacey with Kas}

{Grandma (my mom) with Kas}

{Isaiah came to the house to hold Kason for the first time!}

{"Uncle Steve" Ha!}

{"Uncle Todd"}

{Carrie and Kas}

{Lauren looking comfortable holding Kas!}

{Kason meets his cousin, Haylea}


#4...

I guess number four is just a bunch of random pictures!  My camera has definitely been working overtime!  Enjoy!


{How cute is this baby?!}


{Spending some time outside!}


{Kason and his cousin Korbin.  Korbin is 4 months old..I can't believe the size difference!}


{After his first bath!}


{My 6 day old cutie}


Well I think that's all for today.  I have a few more random things I want to blog about, but I'll save them for tomorrow.

Happy Tuesday! :)

Kason Asher {The Birth Story}

These last four days have been a whirlwind.   I have been typing this post since he was 2 days old.  Every time I get close to being finished I seem to get interrupted!  That's ok though, cause I'm usually interrupted by an incredibly cute little guy!

I can't believe that Kason is already 5 days old.  I feel like I was checking into labor and delivery not minutes ago.  Now, days later, I am sitting here staring at my beautiful baby boy in awe of what God has blessed me with.  He is perfect, and the only reason for that is God.  There is absolutely NO other explanation.  I wanted to blog about the day Kason entered this world so that I can have the memories forever.  I know it is a day I will never forget, but I want to try and journal every detail (don't worry, I'll leave out any gory, gross parts) so that I can come back in a month, a year, a decade, and remind myself of how I felt the day that my life forever changed.  I was so lucky to have a good friend that is also a photographer that was able to capture Kason's birthday on film.  She was there in the delivery room (obviously at my head) for TWO hours as I, with the help of my amazing husband, brought Kason into this world.  I will be sure to share the photographs with you all as soon as I get them.

Here is the story of Kason's BIRTHday, enjoy! :)

The night before Kason's birth, March 15, I was up several times and very sick to my stomach.  I knew that this could be a sign of early labor and seeing that my due date was only 3 days away, I started to get a little bit excited and a lot of bit nervous.  I finally was able to sleep for a few hours until about 4 a.m.  That's when they hit me.  The oh-my-goodness-I-am-FOR-SURE-in-labor-contractions.  The get-on-all- fours-and-rock-back-and-forth-contractions.  They were painful and they were strong.  However, they were about 7-8 minutes apart, so I just kept breathing and timing.  At about 4:30 Duane woke up and noticed I was on all fours and asked if I was having contractions.  Kind of a silly question I thought, considering I normally don't sleep standing on all fours, HA! :)  I immediately got into the shower because I figured we'd be going to the hospital and I didn't know the next time I'd be able to shower.  It took me about 2 times as long, but I was able to dry and straighten my hair.  By this time, it was around 6:30 and I knew the contractions were getting much closer together.  I ate a little breakfast (about 3 bites of cereal because I had so many contractions, a decision I would later regret) and decided to call the doctor.  After a few short questions, the doctor instructed me to come to the hospital to see if I was in labor.  After having a false alarm on Saturday night, I was a little concerned they would send me home again.  However, I was just sure that this was the real thing!  We packed up all of our "stuff" into the car, said bye to Kaia and headed to the hospital!

It was a long, uncomfortable 15 minutes car ride.  I was so thankful when we parked the car and walked into the hospital doors around 8 a.m.  The nurse immediately checked my cervix, and gave me the best news ever, I was dilated to 4 centimeters!  I was actually in labor.  Praise the Lord (I'm pretty sure I shouted that when she told me)!  They checked me into the room that I would later deliver Kason in.  We called our friends and family and everyone was ecstatic.  Today was the day I had waited for for 9 whole months.  I would soon hold my son.  I was elated and I was terrified.  I had no idea what the next 8 hours would hold.  Looking back now, those 8 hours seemed like 80, but it also seemed to fly by.  

I got my epidural around 10 a.m.  When the anesthesiologist came in the room, I was in tears and sweating due to my huge fear of needles.  However, I knew that I wanted the pain from the contractions GONE, so that helped ease my fears.  The whole process only took about 15 minutes start to finish and I was so glad to feel some relief within 20 minutes or so.  I was able to lay in bed, watch T.V. and just relax.  I spent a large part of the next few hours praying.  I was a nervous and knew that God was the only one that could provide me with a sense of peace.  He allowed me to be able to rest and relax for what was going to be a long process.  Around 12 p.m. Dr. G came in and checked my cervix.  He said I had dilated to 5 cm and he decided to break my water.  I never felt a thing, which I think freaked Duane out a little, Ha!  Dr. G encouraged me to relax and said he'd be back later.  I took a short nap, watched some more T.V., and prayed.  Around 2 p.m. the nurse checked my cervix and I was dilated to 9.5 cm!  I couldn't believe it!  In just 2 short hours I had almost dilated the entire amount.  We waited a few minutes for my friend Kaila (also the photographer) to get there and then it was time to start the long pushing process.

I specifically remember Dr. G telling me at my 38 week appointment that Kason's head was so low that he thought I would have a quick labor process.  I would agree with him for the most part except when it came to pushing.  I started pushing at about 3 p.m.  About an hour before that I had gotten another dose of the epidural medication because the first was starting to wear off.  Unfortunately, the epidural only took to my left side the second time around.  This means that once I started pushing I was in immense pain.  The nurses encouraged me to try and get another dose of the epidural.  I said no at first, but after several really painful pushes, I soon changed my mind.  The anesthesiologist came back in and gave me one more dose.  That turned out to be somewhat of a mistake.  Three doses of epidural = complete numbness everywhere.  Not only was I numb from my chest down, but my arms went numb as well.  This made it really hard to push.  I was getting really discouraged at this point.  It had been an hour and a half, and still no Baby G.  Luckily, the next half hour, I made lots of progress.  With the help of some scissors (ouch!) Kason was born at 4:54 p.m. on March 16, 2011.  He was 7 lb. 3 oz. of cuteness and Duane and I were absolutely in love.  I remember them taking Kason across the room for the nurses to look over.  I was still laying in bed getting sewn back up (gross, I know) but I remember watching Duane look at Kason as they were checking him over.  I have never, in my whole life, seen so much love come from one person.  You could see it in Duane's eyes.  There was no way our lives were ever going to be the same.  Instant connection.  Instant, never ending love.

The next few hours were a blur.   I was pretty drugged up and absolutely exhausted. I know I fed Kason soon after he was born.  Breast feeding has always been a scary thing to me, but I felt such a connection when I was able to feed Kason for the first time.  My body knew my baby needed food, and Kason knew he needed to get that food.  Amazing.  I ordered food as soon as I could.  Like I said earlier, all I had eaten that day was about 3 bites of cereal.  Starvation is an understatement!  The nurses gave Kason a bath while our friends and family came in an oohed and awed over our sweet baby boy.  I was very lightheaded so I don't remember a whole lot.  All I knew is that my son was here, and I was tired.  Aside from being tired, I remember feeling so accomplished.  Looking at Kason and knowing that I brought him into this world is a feeling I can't describe.  God placed this baby inside of my womb 9 months prior and after a lot of hard work, he was here.  I was feeling proud of myself and proud of my husband.

We spent the next 48 hours in the hospital.  We loved all of the visitors that came to see Kason and loved spending time as a new family of three.  It still seems pretty surreal that I'm a mama, but I'm getting more used to it and we are slowly figuring things out.  Kason is a great baby and a great eater so we are thankful for that!

As for Kaia..she and Kason are best friends!  Kaia is very curious and loves to sniff and give Kason kisses.  She can be a bit overwhelming, but we are so glad she is doing so well!

I could literally type a whole book about Kason's first few days in the world, but I'll spare you!  All I know is that it was an amazing experience and I loved every minute of it (even the painful minutes, HA!).

Thanks so much for all of your kind words on here, facebook, text, etc.  They are all SO appreciated and we are so lucky to have incredible friends and family.  We love you all! :)

And of course I have lots of pictures!  I haven't had time to edit many..but here are a few! :)




{My little burrito baby}



{He's cute even when he cries}





>
{Mama's boy!}



{And Daddy's boy!}



{Getting ready to leave the hospital!} 






{He wasn't so sure about the car seat at first, but he likes it now!}



{Going home!  Yay! :)}



{Kaia and Kason meeting for the first time!}



{Best buddies!}


I have lots of pictures of Kason since we've been home along with pictures of our little guy with all of his new friends and family.  I will post them soon! :)

Happy Monday! :)