Heading to Kentucky

We are packing up and getting ready to head to the airport to Kentucky today. This will be our first family trip and McKayle's first plane trip. We all got a good nights sleep though as she slept from 9:30pm til 3:00am. We are excited that Kayle is going to get to see her other cousins, aunt, uncle, grandparents, and great-grandma while we are back there. My aunts, uncle and cousins will also be there at some point I'm sure. So it will be good family time.
I know that Kayle is going to love the swimming pool, so we will have lots of good pictures in the pool as well as with the animals and family when we get back. Until then, here are a few pictures of her recently.
An update on Kayle's growth...she had her 2 month well-check on May 20th. She weighed 9 lbs, 2 oz. and was 22 inches long. She made it to the growth chart finally. :) Her weight was at the 23rd percentile and her height was at the 50th percentile. So she is doing great. The only challenges she had being a month premature was that she never took to nursing due to weak sucking muscles and she spits up often due to weak abdominal muscles that don't hold the milk down. But she is not upset or fussy with any of that and is gaining weight, so the doctor was happy with her progress.
We are officially on summer vacation now. :) We will keep you posted on our happenings.

8 weeks old

McKayle is 8 weeks old today. She had her 2 month wellness check up today. All is well and she is doing great. She now weighs 9 lbs, 2 oz. which is the 23%ile on the growth chart. And she is 22 inches long now which is 50th%ile. So she is growing and putting on weight. She is very strong and able to lift her head and turn it when on her belly. She is starting to smile, does lots of cooing and grunting/making noises. My favorite is her cackle that is like a laugh. She is also turning her head to look for daddy and I when she hears our voices. She is sure changing every day. It is just amazing.
Until next update...

My 1st Mother's Day

Last Sunday was my first official Mother's Day. I spent a lot of time holding Kayle and snuggling with her. That was such a blessing in itself. She is such a gift in our lives now. We also went out to brunch with Brett's parents and grandparents which was nice. We dressed Kayle in a really cute dress and handmade sweater that had been given to us as gifts...but we didn't make it out of her nursery before she wet all over it. So we had to change into another cute pant outfit that had been given as a gift. No matter what she is wearing, she is just getting more adorable every day.
We have not had to take her in to get weighed lately, but we estimate that she weighs in the upper 8 lb or 9 lb range. She seems so big to us, yet others comment on how small she is. But she seems to be getting much longer and starting to fill out.
I have been back to work almost 2 weeks now. I admit that I am exhausted and do not have my normal energy back...but I only have a couple more weeks before summer vacation.

6 weeks old

Little Miss McKayle was 6 weeks old yesterday and she is sure growing and changing everyday. I have gone back to work...started last Friday, May 1st. And Brett is staying home and taking care of Kayle. So she is enjoying bonding with her daddy. I am adjusting to being back but still getting physically exhausted by the afternoon. Probably went back to work too soon, but I'm back now and counting down the days til I'm done...22 calendar days til summer. :)
Yesterday was 80 degrees here with sunny blue skies. It was gorgeous. So our family took a walk down the road after dinner last night. We met several neighbors when we were out which was nice. Babies seem to attract people. It's funny. But we enjoy it because we get to show off our precious little girl.
Many of you ask if Kayle is sleeping through the night...the answer is no. But she does seem to be getting better and stretching her wake times out. But it is not consistent. I would say last night was probably her best night yet...but I don't know when she actually went to sleep because dad was up with her. I went to bed at 10:15pm and woke up with her at 2:30am and at 6:00am. So I thought that was great. And she continues to eat well and gain weight. We have not taken her in to check her weight, but she has outgrown several outfits and we are in size 1 diapers now which are a little big, but the newborn diapers were too small. I would say she has to be over 8 lbs by now. And her little chubby cheeks are filling out. They get kissed a lot. :)
That's all for now. Update more later.

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.