The big ONE

All nestled up -seems like not that long ago...

One year later...what an amazing change!

She loves to cheese!

Happy 1st Birthday Kaelyn

Hard to believe that it was one year ago already that we were given such a precious gift in Kaelyn.  I vividly remember that day...waking up and feeling "weird"...taking down the Christmas tree with Hunter, playing a bit, and then laying down for a nap at about 2 pm.  We were all tired...Chad and Hunter had the stomach flu earlier in the week and I'd been cleaning and was clearly VERY pregnant...so naps indeed!  Barbara texted me at 2 and asked if anything was happening and I responded with a confident "no".  Boy was I wrong...I woke up at 4:30 with a contraction that I was convinced was absolutely nothing as I was not at all ready to have our baby.  I had loved this pregnancy and did not want it to end :) 

Chad was sound asleep on the couch and I woke him so I could lie down there and see if I felt better...the contractions though were kinda just lingering...not close together...but enough that I wondered.  By 6 I decided to shower and see how I felt.  At that point I worried that it might be time as my contractions were stronger but still not close together.  This being the first natural labor I wasn't so sure what was going on and was certain that even if the contractions had begun...it would be awhile...yeah right! 

My big fear was that everyone had the flu so who could watch Hunter...luckily Emily and Michael were home and graciously took Hunter (air mattress in tow) as I decided at just before 7 that we better go to the hospital just in case.  I called the labor and delivery triage nurse who told my snidely..."You can come in if you want and we will check you...if you aren't far we'll just send you home."  Yikes...she was cranky and made me feel silly for coming in.  Fortunately, I did not let that change my mind.  We checked into the hospital at 7 pm and when I was checked I was told, "Well you are having a baby tonight...you are already at a 7!"  I immediately freaked, cried, and then tried to rushidly prepare to have this baby soon.  I just kept thinking...oh my gosh...I don't think I can have an epidural!!! 

The nursing staff was amazing and they immediately got us into our labor and delivery room which I walked to and barely made it...my contractions were intense and fast!  After a quick bathroom stop I was checked again and within about 10 minutes was at 8.5!  Now I was panicking and begging for an epidural...lets face it...I'm not one of those Mom's who said they'd deliver all naturally for months...I openly stated that I'd be an epidural delivery!  U of M did give me an epidural but it didn't work probably because I'd already gotten the shakes and they couldn't quite hit my nerve....so natural delivery I had!!!  By about 8 pm, the resident came in and told me I was to 10 and she was going to break my water.  Once that happened the pushing began.  Everyone assured me that b/c I labored so fast I'd push this baby out in no time...but not so much.  Man, natural childbirth hurts....it took me a full hour to push until I delivered Kaelyn!  Chad jokes that everyone in the waiting room heard me screaming, "Get her outta me!!!"  And they probably did since I was in the room closest to the waiting room :)  My Mom barely made it in time for the pushing and boy was I glad for the extra support from someone I knew had gone through it too! 

At 9 pm on the dot, Kaelyn Noelle Easton was born at a nice 8 lbs 5 oz and 20.5 inches long!  She was a beauty and just so wonderful.  I was blessed to be able to hold her basically constantly and snuggle her.  Immediate love.  It was so special to have my little girl and finally meet her!  Time flies...seems like yesterday!

Now to January 9, 2012....Kaelyn is now 1 year old.  She fulfills my heart and soul in a way I never imagined.  She is my love, my happiness, my humor, my snuggle buddy, my appendage (a new nickname..hehe), my best friend, my joy, and my world (and Hunter too).  We are so blessed to have her as our daughter and Hunter to have her as his sister.  Thank you Lord for bringing her into our lives!

I like the idea of recording what the kids are like at each birthday...so here goes the list of Kaelyn at one year old.

Loves:
Hunter and everything he does
Mommy
Daddy
Dollies
Dogs (specifically Maggie and Champ)
Cheetos
Chicken Nuggets
Pizza
Bottles
Chewing on her toothbrush
Dancing
Clapping
Playing "so big"
Pretending like she is going to fall when Mommy says, "Whoa"...over and over
Pointing to her dolls nose, toes, eyes, and ears when we ask
Smiling real cheesy when we say "nenenene"
Giving hugs and kisses to her dolls
Most table foods
Waving bye-bye and hi
Getting people to laugh or smile at her and doing it over and over again

Dislikes:
Being away from Mommy
Being in her carseat
Loud barking
Diaper changes
When Hunter squeezes her hand
Sleeping through the night
Veggies
Really cold foods like ice cream
When she doesn't get something she wants

What Kaelyn is doing:
Walking
Says: Dadda, Momma, NaNa (night night), da-ye (dolly), da (dog), Unta (Hunter), Antha (Samantha), Baba (Barbara or bottle)
Plays peek-a-boo
Plays so big
Waves
Dances (bounces)
Pretends to fall
Flirts
Has her dollies or Mom wave, clap or blow kisses
Gets up all night long just to sleep with Mom (5 times a night usually)
Laughs
Has four teeth
Points
Makes bubble sounds
Climbs stairs whenever we let her get to them
Points at every kid she knows and calls them a dolly

Happy Birthday Kaelyn!  We love you!