Last weekend in April...

This weekend was a busy one. On Saturday, I went to the March of Dimes walk to support friends. We were lucky to not have to utilize the March of Dimes support, but it was a possibility throughout our pregnancy with McKayle. So we want to continue to support that cause. The weather was cold and wet, so Brett and McKayle did not come with us. And we ended up not completing the walk due to weather anyway. But we did walk around the park with Eric, Jen, and our nephew Jake. Then Brett and McKayle met us in town and we all went to breakfast. Saturday night late, Brett's uncle Rick from Wyoming came to stay with us. He got to see McKayle and then Sunday morning the whole family went out to breakfast. Sunday afternoon Brett's parents and grandparents came out to visit. McKayle's grandmother brought her some outfits she had from when Brett was little. She has already outgrown some of them, but they are cute. The blue outfit in the picture is 39+ years old from Holland. Too cute, but she won't fit in it for long. Brett also gave McKayle a bath while family was here. McKayle ended up wetting all over her grandmother. It was pretty funny. McKayle enjoys her baths though.
I am counting my days til I head back to work on May 1st...4 more days. And this week we plan to visit some friends, go to some appointments, and rest up. I know I'm going to have a hard time leaving McKayle, but I am glad that Brett will be able to watch her. McKayle enjoys her time with her Daddy.

McKayle is 4 weeks old today

Today McKayle is 4 weeks old. Hard to believe it has already been 4 weeks since she was born. Yesterday was her actual due date. We are so happy that she is here with us and doing so well. Today I took her to weigh in and she has gained again. Kayle weighed in at a whopping 7 lbs, 2 oz. Brett and I knew that she was gaining because she feels heavier, has fat rolls on her legs and neck and is just filling out. To others, she is often described as being "so little." Yet we think she is getting much bigger. :) It's all perspective, huh?
While Kayle and I were in Ft. Collins today, we stopped by to see some of our nurses. They were so excited to see both of us. We all miss seeing each other. Strange how you can become so close to the nurses that care for you for 68 days.
Here are a few more pictures of Kayle at 4 weeks old...so you can see for yourself how much she is changing. :) We are proud parents. She can't get enough kisses.

Weigh in day...

Kayle went to the doctor for a weigh in again...Kayle is up to 6 lbs, 9 ozs. and doing well. She she is gaining weight and keeping it on now. I knew that she was because she is filling out and has some fat wrinkles and rolls that I notice and have to clean in now. :) She is still displaying some "premie behaviors" with her sucking weakness but is feeding fine on the bottle. So whatever we need to do to have her continue to gain weight. That makes me happy.
My energy level is slowly getting a little better. I'm, by no means, back to normal energy levels, but I am able to "function" better. I'm able to get ready for appts. and go to appts. or shop or go for short walks. I still require my daily naps in the evening, but each day it is getting a little better.

Kayle's 1st Easter

Today Kayle celebrated her 1st Easter. She was able to see her grandparents in Kentucky on Skype this morning. It is such an awesome thing to be able to see them whenever we want...and vise versa I think. :)
Then we headed over to Brett's brother's house for Easter lunch with his family...Kayle's cousins, aunt, uncle, grandparents, and great grandparents. The outing wore me out once again, so we came home and I took a nice nap. Pretty low key.

Friday events...

On Friday Kayle had a lunch date with some of her friends from her mommy's work. So she got to meet and hang out with several friends for a couple of hours. Kayle slept the whole time. But it was nice to get out and see friends. Mommy was tired when we got home, but decided to go on a walk with Brett and Kayle...still trying to build my energy levels back. Then I took a nice long nap. Still feeling tired today also, but went back to the store to finish my shopping that I was not able to complete earlier in the week.
Big news...Kayle's umbilical cord fell off on Friday when I was giving her a sponge bath before our outing. So now Kayle just has a belly button.
Tomorrow is Kayle's first Easter. We will be celebrating it at Brett's brother's family's house.

Kayle is 2 weeks old already...

Two weeks ago Kayle was born. It is hard to believe that she is already 2 weeks old. She is changing every day and it is amazing to experience it with her. She should be back to her birthweight by now. Her next weight check isn't until next week though. Kayle also has her days and nights mixed up. She likes to sleep all day and be up most of the night wide awake.
Today she and I went for a short walk down our road. I want to try to work on getting my energy levels back. It was in the 60s, sunny, and windy...but nice to get out in the fresh air. She slept in her little pouch the entire time.
Here are some more pictures of Kayle at 2 weeks old...

Kayle is still gaining weight...

Today Kayle had another doctor appointment to check her weight. She is up to 5 lbs, 15 oz. ... so not quite back to her birthweight yet, but getting closer. She will go back for another weight check next week also. They also described her as still "acting like a premie baby" due to her not having the strength to nurse. But she is acting more like a full-term baby this week than she did last week. So we are getting there. She has already changed in just a week.
Tomorrow night she will be 2 weeks old. Hard to believe already. Brett and I just can't get enough of her and comment all the time on how she is such an easy, laid back, strong little girl. She is our little miracle.
Today was a long day due to our two appointments, so we are all resting tonight. Another night ahead of us...Kayle appears to have her days and nights mixed up right now and does not settle down to sleep until after midnight.
More to come later...

Mommy took an outing...

Today I decided that I desparately needed a haircut and some groceries. So I went by myself to get a haircut and go to Walmart. This sounds pathetic, but just to give you all some idea of how pitifully weak I am...I showered, went and sat in a chair while my hair was cut, and walked around at Walmart. Within 20 minutes at Walmart, I was exhausted and ended up not even getting everything on my list because I didn't want to walk across the store anymore b/c I was weak, had a headache and was lightheaded. Yeah, I thought I was cool to be able to drive again though after 3 months. What a weird feeling all around. I was happy to get home, hug and kiss my little girl, and then go and take a nap. So let's just say that I'm not back to feeling normal yet. But it was a first step in the right direction. A haircut after 9 months helped me feel better.
Kayle has had another typical day for her...sleepy in the a.m. and afternoon, is woken up to eat every 2-3 hours, and was up much of last night ready to play. She is just adorable though.
Tomorrow we have two doctor appts. for her to weigh in, etc. We'll give you the update tomorrow evening.

Still gaining and adjusting...

Kayle gained another 3 oz. at her weigh in on Friday. So she is on track to be back to her birth weight by 2 weeks old. She is eating a lot more and more consistently, yet still likes to sleep most of the day. Her evenings and nights she is often wide awake and mornings she is sluggish and sleepy. Funny how that is exactly how she was in the womb.
Brett and I enjoy snuggling, kissing, and holding her after her. She is feeding every 2-3 hours and still needs to be woke up most of the time. So she has us on a tight schedule right now. :)
My energy levels are still not up to normal. I find myself conserving energy so that I have the energy I need to go to appointments and be up with friends visiting, etc.
We have another weight check and doctor appointment on Tuesday.
Sorry I have not called friends back or been in contact much the last week. It's been hectic and tiring. So I am trying to adjust. Please don't take it personal. I'll get back to being in better contact in another week or so.
Until next update...
Shawna

McKayle gained some weight...

Today we had another doctor appointment to check McKayle's weight and SHE GAINED 2 oz. which was great. The doctors want to see her gain at least 1 oz. per day right now. So she exceeded that which made us very happy! We are heading in the right direction. Our next weigh in is Friday.