Thursday, June 30, 2011

8 weeks (edited)

I cannot believe that Jocelyn is 8 weeks old already.  We have our 2 month appt tomorrow so I can update with her height and weight.  But she is wearing 3 month clothes already in length.  She's a long tall sally (as my mom says).  :-) 
Went to the Pedi today and she is
23 1/4 inches long (84th%)
10 lbs 7 oz (42nd %)
Head:  15 5/8 (79th %)
and she's healthy!  :)

She is talking and cooing and kicking her leg a lot and oh the smiles.  She recognizes us and smiles at her brother.  She's eating very well and sleeps consistently at night.  All in all, she's such an easy baby.  
I don't think I noticed just how tall my Joe Joe has gotten until I took this picture.  
Where did my baby go? 

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Welcome to the world Kylie Marie Martha Kunkel

Some of you may remember this post about my little sister by choice. My friend who has cancer, and has fought fearlessly and tirelessly for her life. She has fought for years. She has had rejection and sickness, blessings and hope, sadness, pain, worry, fear and love. Most of all, she has the love of her family, the love of her husband and the love of her friends.

She has always recognized that life is short. No one has a guaranty of a long life. And just because she has cancer is no reason to stop living. She has made the decision to live each day, each moment... And not to EVER accept that cancer is a death sentence. Certainly not hers.

She has suffered through the usual courses in the states. She has endured unimaginable pain in Germany... Alone. She has researched and invested in new and experimental treatments. She has placed her faith in God, above all else but also in her amazing team of doctors. none of her doctors has ever given up on her... Probably because she doesn't complain and she never gives in to the fear that HAS to hit her every now and then. She is human after all.

She got married in October of 2009 and she and her husband have always hoped for a family. Danielle has gotten pregnant a few times, which defies the odds for the sole fact that with the treatments she has undergone... It shouldn't be possible. But, sadly... She lost those babies. They were set to adopt a little boy and it fell through the last minute. She has suffered unbelievable heartache.

Nine months ago... A miracle happened. Danielle got pregnant again. This time... It stuck. She told no one, not even her husband for fear she would lose the baby again. She was in Germany for a homeopathic treatment that was grueling on it's best day. They called the baby a complication. Danielle called it a miracle. She found out early on that the baby was a girl. She got weekly ultrasounds and around thanksgiving, she told her husband and parents.

Kylie Marie was thriving under the most difficult pain. Her mother protecting her above ALL else. She played music to her belly when she was on the phone. She wrote her letters every day. She prayed for her tirelessly, knowing that by placing her faith in God, they were both in good hands. She made decisions that were best for her daughter but had to be difficult for herself. But it was no longer about her. It was no longer about what was best for her alone.

Danielle got to come home the beginning of June (two full months late than originally planned)... Her husband got home (from living in Texas with us for his job) two days later and she jumped into preparations for Kylie to make her appearance. She continued to suffer through the pain, holding on to her belief that staying pregnant was the best thing for Kylie even though she would have been fine outside the womb. However, each day, each second, that she stayed inside was a day or second for her to grow.

On Tuesday, they called her down to labor and delivery for preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and purple legs. They decided to induce. But it would be no normal delivery... No true surprise there, knowing he beautiful mama. She would have no drugs, and the induction would include pitocin and magnesium making it even more painful.

I do not know the details yet from here on out. I do know that Kylie was never in distress. But Danielle was. From what I understand... She was in very real distress.

However, at 8:56 last night, central standard time, I got a text that Kylie Marie Martha Kunkel had arrived naturally at 7:52 EST and was not only beautiful but healthy. At 6 lbs, 5 oz and 19 inches long... God proved without a shadow of a doubt that miracles really do happen.

When I think of the odds that both mama and baby had to overcome, I am repeatedly in awe. I think of the doctors that didn't believe it was possible. I keep hearing what my friend siobhan said last night... the doctors only practice medicine. This was out of their control.

So... To my knowledge... Baby and mama are doing well. There have been lots of visitors and more doctors but mostly rejoicing and enjoying. I absolutely cannot wait to meet my new beautiful niece. Welcome to the world Kylie Marie. You are loved!!!!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

6 Weeks Old

I had my six week postpartum check yesterday and all looks good.  I am cleared for exercise, swimming and ahem...  other activites.  :-)  I am two pounds below pre pregnancy weight (yay) although not trying.  I did go for a long walk yesterday though and discovered I need a stronger bra.  My midwife said  that nursing and pregnancy arent what break down the breast tissue but the bouncing and age does. 

She went over the birth with me and found out that Baby J actually had the cord wrapped around her neck twice... so that coupled with her size means that God had his hand in her birth even more than we already knew. 

Marlys said that I got as close to a vaginal birth as I could have.  An emergency c-section could have been SCARY because my uterus had started to thin out in some places and uterine abruption would have been more likely if I had had to push... plus with my adhesions, etc... well, I am very very blessed she's here and healthy.  :-)  And I am truly at peace with my delivery. 

I took Baby J up to the lactation office to weigh her.  And she's a whopping 10 lbs 3 oz.  YAY baby j.  She's had some pretty bad baby acne but with cetaphil  and washing it's going away.  She slept from 11:00 pm to 6:30 am today...  wow!  CRAZY but I will take it. 

Joe continues to love being a big brother...  and he's just growing too fast for me.  Such a handsome little dude... he got his hair cut so I will take a good picture tonight and post it. 

Eileen and Joe sitting in a tree... K.I.S.S.I.N.G




My dear friend Kelly came for a visit with her beautiful daughter Eileen last week.  They were taking swim classes from our instructor and it gave us a chance to visit.  :-) 
 Eileen just loved baby j. 
 and Joe and Eileen hit it off... and played and played. 

 Doesn't she just have the most beautiful smile?  It brought a lot of smiles to our faces. 

 they got a bath together...  where Joe liked to pour water over Eileens face...  she was a trooper!

 Don't they look like a momma, daddy and baby here?  :-)
 We went to the childrens museum and had a great time...  right here though Eileen was looking out through the window and not paying attention.  Right after this picture was taken, she walked right into one of those glass partitions.  oops. 

 Joe was focused on what else...  trains. 


 Doesn't she look like a glamour girl? 



 Eileen is a tough one to get a smile on camera.  Which is surprising because she smiles all the time. 
 We went swimming...  well some of us did. 


 Joe practicing his skills. 



 Kelly and Baby J formed a real bond. 

 Joe got to show off his abilities on the slide.  I cannot believe he goes down this alone!  Where did my baby go?
Baby J taking it all in.  :-)  
What a great week!  Thank you Kelly for coming to stay with us!  And cooking for us.  And loving us. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

5 Weeks Old

Joe is FOUR!

 on May 14th, Joe had his birthday party.  It was a short 11 days after I had given birth and I was kicking myself for not having all of the details nailed down but mom and Jason and Crissy and Cindy assured me that it was enough. 

We had a train painting station...  and our cupcakes. 
 there were swings
 and fields to run
 our pavilian
 and of course a TRAIN ride
 there were friends... hannah and chase
 Samuel 1
 Samuel 2
 Cooper and Haley (with Kristi)
 Faith and Cooper (and baby)
 Autumn and Cole
 Keylon joined in the fun
 Reagan, Sarah, Jacob and Crissy... of course Abby was there too with her daddy and John. 


 we blew out candles (twice because his friends blew it out the first time)
 some laughter and giggles
 balloon animals

 hand holding




 then we came back to the house for some fun, some burgers and some friends. 
I took Joe for his 4 year stats and God help me FIVE shots.  That was BRUTAL! 

He was 40 inches tall (54%)
33.5 lbs (28%)
and 20/30 vision and they did a hearing test but I can't decipher the results.  :-) 

He is perfect!  :)