Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Deanna Rose
Braylon, Macyn and I made our first trip to the Deanna Rose Farmstead last weekend with the Prier clan. What a great place this is! It's wide open and has many great things to do. We started out with a cruise on the John Deere tractor.
He also fed the baby goats. This was just too cute! All of the little goats just followed the kids around. Braylon squealed in delight. Next time I'll be sure to get video of this.
We also "milked a cow" and saw the three little pigs!
We will definitley be making this trip again very soon!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Week of the Young Child
Week of the Young Child is held each year to honor young children and thank teachers and all those who make a difference in young children’s lives. In honor of WOYC, Stepping Stones encouraged the kids and staff to participate in the celebration by dressing up in fun and silly ways each day of the week. Here are a few shots of Braylon's participation.
Tuesday was Crazy Hair Day
Wednesday was Backwards Day. So in true spirit of being "backwards" we dressed him in KU gear and he wore it backwards :)
Thursday marked Crazy Hat Day
Tuesday was Crazy Hair Day
Wednesday was Backwards Day. So in true spirit of being "backwards" we dressed him in KU gear and he wore it backwards :)
Thursday marked Crazy Hat Day
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
1 Month
Today marks Macyn's 1 month birthday! We had her 1 month appt with Dr. Hougham yesterday. She weighed 11lbs 7oz and measured 22.5 inches long. She is definitely healthy and her stats put her above the 90th percentile. She is becoming more alert and is gaining strength to hold her head up. She is awake for longer stretches throughout the day which means she is eating more too! We get up every 2-3 hours during the night to feed and change diapers. That's just with Macyn, I might add. Braylon wakes a couple of times calling for Momma and either Bryan or I will go in to comfort him back to sleep.
I'd like to say we are settling in to a schedule by now, but to be honest, we are flying by the seat of our pants. We are enjoying our little family and taking things one day at a time, yet appreciating every precious minute, chaos and all!
The Whole Story
Over the past month, I've been reflecting back on Macyn's "surprise" entrance into our lives. From the minute I found out I was pregnant, to finding out she was a girl, to the delivery. Most of you know the story, but I wanted to document it before the details escape me.
On July 4, 2009 I took my first of many pregnancy tests and it was negative. Then, on July 11, 2009 I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was up, so I took a second test. POSITIVE! Let's be honest here, this was a complete shocker! Here we were, a happy family preparing to celebrate the first birthday of our first child. I had just stopped breastfeeding and Braylon was beginning to sleep better during the night. I wasn't prepared for this! How are we going to do this and most importantly, how will this effect Braylon? After I shed a few tears and composed myself, I marched right out to the living room and said nothing. That's right, nothing. For fear that Bryan would flee for his life, I said nothing to him about our little surprise for an entire week! Finally, after reality sunk in, I sprung the news on Bryan during dinner. I think I said something like, "I have something to tell you, but you can't freak out." Somehow he knew. He was a bit freaked out, but as you know, he didn't flee for his life :) Fast forward 5 months to December 18, 2009. Up until this point, I was positive I has having a boy. I had even resigned myself to the fact that I may not ever have a daughter as I was so certain Braylon would have a little brother. So, when we went in for our sonogram on December 18th, I was shocked, yet so happy to learn we were having a baby girl! Now, fast forward to March 13, 2010. The day was already filled with anticipation and excitement as today marked the day the Wildcats of Kansas State would compete for the Big XII title and a possible number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. By 10am, I started feeling contractions and by 1pm, I was certain today was the day our little girl would come. We notified our parents and made arrangements for Braylon's care. I labored at home throughout the day, caught the big, yet disappointing game from my comfy chair and headed to the hospital at 8:30pm. By 11:45pm, I was 7cm dilated and 100% effaced. My nurse, who by the way was a rock star, asked if I wanted an epidural yet. I was still feeling good and wanted to hold off on the epidural. By 11:54pm, I had paged my nurse requesting the epidural. The anesthesiologist, I was told, was 20 minutes out but on his way as was my doctor. In order to relieve some of the back pain I was experiencing, I propped myself up on my knees and draped my arms over the back of the upright bed. At 12:09, my water broke and there was no turning back. Fear set in as I knew I would have to deliver this baby without any pain meds. My nurse assured me that if he could, the anesthesiologist would get the epidural in before the baby came. She, of course, was just trying to keep me from completely losing it. I said over and over, "I don't think I can do this, I don't think I can do this". Sometime during the chaos I also uttered, "This is the most horrible thing ever!". My rock through all of this was my rock star husband. Bryan looked into my eyes, held my hand, told me I was doing great, and assured me I could do it. One push and her head was out just as the anesthesiologist walked in. One more push and I had done it!! At 12:17am they placed little Macyn on my tummy and I looked at her sweet little face and cried, "I'm sorry I said this was the most horrible thing ever". My doctor, breathing heavily from her mad dash up the stairs, then made her entrance. By 4am, I was up and about taking video of Macyn's first bath. I ran on pure adrenaline the remainder of the night and didn't sleep a wink. I enjoyed time with my little lady while Daddy slept peacefully. He deserved it! I have to say the experience was amazing from start to finish!
Although Macyn brought many little surprises along the way, I wouldn't change a thing. This little girl is such a joy! I am blessed to have two beautiful children and a wonderful husband. My life is so much richer because of them!
On July 4, 2009 I took my first of many pregnancy tests and it was negative. Then, on July 11, 2009 I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was up, so I took a second test. POSITIVE! Let's be honest here, this was a complete shocker! Here we were, a happy family preparing to celebrate the first birthday of our first child. I had just stopped breastfeeding and Braylon was beginning to sleep better during the night. I wasn't prepared for this! How are we going to do this and most importantly, how will this effect Braylon? After I shed a few tears and composed myself, I marched right out to the living room and said nothing. That's right, nothing. For fear that Bryan would flee for his life, I said nothing to him about our little surprise for an entire week! Finally, after reality sunk in, I sprung the news on Bryan during dinner. I think I said something like, "I have something to tell you, but you can't freak out." Somehow he knew. He was a bit freaked out, but as you know, he didn't flee for his life :) Fast forward 5 months to December 18, 2009. Up until this point, I was positive I has having a boy. I had even resigned myself to the fact that I may not ever have a daughter as I was so certain Braylon would have a little brother. So, when we went in for our sonogram on December 18th, I was shocked, yet so happy to learn we were having a baby girl! Now, fast forward to March 13, 2010. The day was already filled with anticipation and excitement as today marked the day the Wildcats of Kansas State would compete for the Big XII title and a possible number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. By 10am, I started feeling contractions and by 1pm, I was certain today was the day our little girl would come. We notified our parents and made arrangements for Braylon's care. I labored at home throughout the day, caught the big, yet disappointing game from my comfy chair and headed to the hospital at 8:30pm. By 11:45pm, I was 7cm dilated and 100% effaced. My nurse, who by the way was a rock star, asked if I wanted an epidural yet. I was still feeling good and wanted to hold off on the epidural. By 11:54pm, I had paged my nurse requesting the epidural. The anesthesiologist, I was told, was 20 minutes out but on his way as was my doctor. In order to relieve some of the back pain I was experiencing, I propped myself up on my knees and draped my arms over the back of the upright bed. At 12:09, my water broke and there was no turning back. Fear set in as I knew I would have to deliver this baby without any pain meds. My nurse assured me that if he could, the anesthesiologist would get the epidural in before the baby came. She, of course, was just trying to keep me from completely losing it. I said over and over, "I don't think I can do this, I don't think I can do this". Sometime during the chaos I also uttered, "This is the most horrible thing ever!". My rock through all of this was my rock star husband. Bryan looked into my eyes, held my hand, told me I was doing great, and assured me I could do it. One push and her head was out just as the anesthesiologist walked in. One more push and I had done it!! At 12:17am they placed little Macyn on my tummy and I looked at her sweet little face and cried, "I'm sorry I said this was the most horrible thing ever". My doctor, breathing heavily from her mad dash up the stairs, then made her entrance. By 4am, I was up and about taking video of Macyn's first bath. I ran on pure adrenaline the remainder of the night and didn't sleep a wink. I enjoyed time with my little lady while Daddy slept peacefully. He deserved it! I have to say the experience was amazing from start to finish!
Although Macyn brought many little surprises along the way, I wouldn't change a thing. This little girl is such a joy! I am blessed to have two beautiful children and a wonderful husband. My life is so much richer because of them!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Safari
Today, we went on a safari. We even dressed the part! The four of us made the quick trip over to the Topeka zoo. Macyn slept through the fun, but Braylon had a great time! Here are a few shots from the big day. 
The highlight of the trip was the Children's Zoo where Bryan and Braylon fed the goats and sheep.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Easter Weekend
Easter weekend was fun-filled and sunny! We had family visit which made the weekend extra special. My dad, Grandpa Grady, visited us on Thursday and Friday. This was his first visit to see Macyn and she stole his heart! Braylon was happy to spend some time with Grandpa too! On Friday evening, Bryan's parents and grandfather arrived. They spent the weekend doting on the kids. Great-grandpa Arthur always enjoys seeing the little ones and he's so great with them. 
On Saturday, Braylon, Grandma Jean and I had fun coloring Easter eggs while Bryan and Grandpa Scott put together a new swing set for Braylon. 
Braylon loves his new swinging bee and playhouse. I imagine we'll spend lots of time outdoors playing on the new set this Spring and Summer. 
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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