First shopping trip with Mom

It was a beautiful day at the Lake so we decided to hit the out door mall. I wore Kai while shopping using the Beco, which I love by the way, while shopping I let Kai pick out a few of her outfits. I think she had fun. The beginning of a life long friendship and shopping partner. So thankful

3 things as a new Mom I could not live without

As a new Mom I thought I needed one of everything. I bought the swing, bouncy seat, pack and play, monitors, toys and clothes galore. Now most of this stuff I have yet to use, but there are a few items I have found very useful on a daily basis.

1. Medela steamer bags. These bags shave precious minutes off all the time I spend washing pump parts and bottles. I rinse the pump pieces and bottles then throw them in the bag add some water and microwave for 2-3 minuets and like magic they are clean. Thank you steamer bags:)

2. The video angel care monitor, which is an apnea and video monitor. We had this purchased before our little Kai had us scared in the NICU with apnea issues. I could not sleep a wink with out this little device. I can open one eye and see Kai on the portable video unit which also has a ticker at the top that swings back with her breaths. I love to see the little ticker moving during the middle of the night and her sweet little face. As a new Mom who is pumping and breast feeding you don't get much sleep anyway so being able to sleep a few hours during the night is amazing.

3. Halo sleep sack. We were given 2 of these when we left the NICU, a light weight sack and a fleece sack. I had no idea of the goodness of these sacks. They keep Kai warm and swaddled all  during the night with the Velcro. She loves them.

Most of the other stuff I bought I have yet to use. But I have it just incase:)

Newborn Photos

We got a sneak peek of our newborn photos from yesterdays photo shoot. I am excited to share with you the photos because  I love them all. Click on the link below to view beautiful Kaiana.

 http://inthemomentstl.com/blog/2012/04/kaiana-rose-frontenac-mo-newborn-photographer/

Our first Dr appointment yesterday

Kai had her first Dr appt yesterday and checked out perfect.  She passed all her tests and weights 5lb 10oz.  She is 10% for her head size and weight and 75% in height. So she has mommy's head size and weight and daddy's height:) Love her so much....

Today I had a photo shoot at home. Here are some of my favorite ones. 

We made it through our first day at home:)

Here is what my first 24 hours looked like. I pump every 2-3 hours then I feed Kai every 2-3 hours. I change diapers, lots of diapers, my girl is a good popper.  I wash my pump parts and bottles and I love every minute of it. SO Thankful to have this job. 

We are home!!!

Wow!!! We have been home with Kai for 3 hours and it has been perfect. Daddy read her a story and Mom looked on with happy tears. We are home and a family at last. We are so thankful to have Kaiana in our lives.

Look everyone, no tubes

I'm a big girl now and eat all of my bottles. I passed my hearing exam today and now I only have one more test to pass tonight, which is the car seat test. After I pass that test I get to go to this place called home and Mom is super excited about it. Mom says I have a really pretty nursery and lots of clothes and books. This home place sounds kinda neat. I can't wait until tomorrow.

Day 10 in NICU

Kai is doing well. She has had no apnea spells and is gaining weight like a big girl. I can't believe her umbilical cord just fell off last night, how times flies. We are hoping she gets discharged on Wednesday. To be discharged she needs  to eat a certain percent of her bottles. She is getting close but not quite there yet. Then she gets her NG tube out.  We are really hoping she gets this eating thing down soon. We want her home!  She just finished her 2 antibiotics and got her IV out:)  She also has to pass her carseat test, in which Kai has to sit in her car seat for 2 hours with out desaturations. She has to continue to gain weight.  I am pumping every 2 -3 hours so Kai has a good supply of milk. I was hoping to breast feed, but with a NICU baby it is much more difficult to get them home. I plan on trying to transition her back to breast at home.  Wyatt and I had to watch videos before discharge to remind us not to shake a baby. I think we already had that one down. We took infant CPR just for a reminder.  Wyatt and I have been doing shifts at the NICU. He is here from 9am to early evening then goes home to let out the dogs. I am here from 10am to 10pm. I call and check on Kai around 2am to see how she is doing. During the day Wyatt and I take turns feeding her every 3 hours and changing diapers.  We are really excited to take Kai home. I can't wait to have her in her own crib and her own home and get to a new normal for us. We are so thankful to have her and love her soooo much.

Preemie outfit a little snug for this big 5lb 7oz girl

I'm so hungry, i'll just eat my fingers. 

Daddy loves me, this I know.

Dear Kaiana Rose Hadley

Dear Kai,

I loved you from the moment I saw 2 lines on the pregnancy test. It seems odd to fall in love with a plastic stick, but I already knew I loved you. I loved the idea of late night feedings, kissing your skinned knees, and holding you tight. I fell more in love with you when you kicked in my belly and you pushed me with your feet. I thought every hiccup was an amazing act by you and I felt privileged that I got to experience you in my belly. I am forever grateful to have you in my arms and in my life. Kai, I love you! I am excited to teach you new things, such as how to fish for bluegills with a net,  turn over rocks to look for crawdads and go skiing at the Lake. I can't wait to take you shopping and watch you swim in the ocean. I want to teach you to always be kind and love all creatures.  We are going to have so many new experiences together and I am excited to see the joy on your face.  I will be present in your life. I will be support. I will watch you grow and make a few mistakes along the way and I will always be available to hold you when you need a hug. I am thankful to have you in my life. I am so excited to watch you grow up to be a beautiful, brilliant, happy, healthy girl. I am your Mom and I love you always.

I am a little Hawkeye

Is it Hawkeye football season yet?