And then there were two....

Well we found out recently that we are welcoming Baby #2 in August. We are very excited that McKenna is going to be a big sister! However, the baby is due on Kenna's birthday, but we don't think we are going to let the doctor take the baby that day. We really want her to have her own birthday. I will post some pictures soon from Christmas. Kenna had a great Christmas and got so many presents. She now has an electronic 4-wheeler, a tent, a doll house, a doll and stroller and a kitchen set. Plus a ton of books and clothes. And Day Day bought her some Nike Shoxs. Can you say spoiled? I hope everyone has a blessed New Year and I will continue to post updates. We go back to the doctor on the 17th so I'll hopefully know more then.

15 Months already!

I can't believe that Kenna is already 15 months! She is growing and changing all the time and we are always so excited to see what she is going to do next. Last weekend she went on her first trip to Elgin by herself. It was very difficult for us to let her go, and Thursday was the worst day ever but we survived. We decorated the inside of the house for Christmas so that she would be surprised when she got home. When she walked in she kept saying "Wow!" It was so adorable. She has been very good with the decorations. We say "No touch," and she leaves them alone. It surprised me. Here are a few pics that we took at Old Town Spring. We can't wait until Christmas, because we know it is going to be so much fun!

Our Girl is 1!

Well on Sunday, August 8th, McKenna turned one! It seems like yesterday that we came home from our long hospital stay. I can't believe she isn't an infant anymore...ladies and gentlemen, we have a toddler on our hands. She is so unbelievable and she makes us laugh everyday.

Here are a few things she can do now:

• Kenna is 30 inches long and weighs 22 lbs. She is very tall for her age!
• say "dada," "dog," "duck," "that," "book," "Day Day," "Mickey"
• points to flower, flag, tree, giraffe, zebra, dog, cat, pig, duck, water, her sippy cup, the food she wants, "Mr. Wood Man," "Swimmy," her toy, "Mickey Mouse," and a ton of other things that I can't remember right now
• She is still crawling, but has started to stand on her own and she took 2 steps alone the other day. Although when she realized it she fell down.
• Loves to go shopping and ride in the basket.
• She has started to hate her car seat....not a good thing.
• She recognizes Kooper and Dylan, her friends from daycare.
• She loves music and dancing.
• She claps her hands to the beat of music.
• Can point to eyes, nose, mouth and hair...only on other people though....=)
• Loves to swim and be anywhere near water.
• Loves the outdoors and crawling in the grass.
• Loves to be outside when daddy drives up.

Here are a few pics from her birthday parties. She had one in Elgin and one in Spring this year. This will be the only time we do that though...to expensive! We had a blast with our friends and family. Happy Birthday sweet Kenna! Mommy and Daddy love you!

10 months

This is one of Mike's favorites...such a cutie!

I think this one has to be my favorite...it is priceless! Our beautiful girl!

I love this one...it shows her personality...

Well this week Kenna hit the 10 month mark. We can't believe how fast time has flown by. She is such a sweet girl and I'm enjoying staying home with her this summer. Here are a few pics that we had taken by a friend of mine. We love how well the pictures turned out. Well here are a few new things Kenna can do these days....

• says "done" when she is finished, she also signs "finished"
• says "Day Day" when she sees Deborah
• says "dog dog" when she sees Macie or Callie
• crawls everywhere and fast!
• pulls up on anything she can reach...and has started trying to balance without hands
• can walk forward in her walker now
• points to things she wants
• can drink out of a sippy cup...finally!
• says "dada" when she sees Mike or me...one day "momma" will be there!
• dances when she hears music
• likes to watch the Disney channel
• she is 28 1/2 inches long and weighs exactly 20 lbs. I think she is going to be long and skinny...don't know where she gets that?
• loves water
• likes to be outside in the grass
  
  
  
  

Relay for Life 2010

Well we made it through another Relay for Life. I only stayed until 12:30 last night, and then got up to go to The Woodlands garage sale at 6:30. However, Kaufman Teachers Against Cancer teams kicked butt and raised the most money out of all the teams! We had a great turn out and it was a nice evening to honor all the special people in our lives that have been touched by this disease. Here are a few pictures from the fun evening.

Make a free photo slideshow

Time to update

I know, I know...it has been months since I have updated my blog, but I am going to try and get it together again. Some updates on our little McKenna...

She can now say "Bye-bye" and wave
She loves to eat yogurt melts and cereal, which she feeds herself.
She can almost crawl, and gets frustrated that she can't seem to go anywhere.
She likes to wear headbands and bows in her hair.
She dances when she hears music and claps her hands.
She loves any toys that move, dance or sing to her.

I'll post some new pics soon....

Christmas 2009

Well it was our first Christmas, and it was great! Kenna is getting so big. We can't believe she will be 5 months in a few days. Here are a few pictures from the holidays.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Well Kenna is 10 weeks old, and Mike and I were just talking about how much easier parenthood is from a few weeks ago. Kenna is so awesome and everyday she is doing new things. Here are a few things she is up to now...

She can hold her head up and look around for us when she hears our voices.
She sleeps in her big-girl-bed.
She tries to roll from her back to her tummy. She gets so angry when she can't do it, but it won't be long.
She likes to look around and watch people.
She stands up and her legs are getting stonger.
She smiles when she sees me.

My favorite time of day is in the morning when I get her up for work. Sometimes she is awake and other times I have to wake her. I love it because she likes to cuddle and stretch. Most of the time I just rub her cheek or head and watch as she starts to fall back asleep. She is the most precious thing in my world, and I still can't believe I'm her mommy. She reminds me of all the good things in life, and I thank God everyday for her. I hope you enjoy the pictures of our little angel...

2 Months Old

Kenna looking so cute in her new dress.
The hat, sweater and booties that Aunt Melissa knitted Kenna.

Such a cutie!

The family before Mike and I went on our first date night....

Well today our little girl is 2 months old. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. This week was also my first week back at work. We were lucky that my mom offered to use her vacation time to stay with McKenna. It has been a very tiring week, but I think this is going to be a great year. I took some new pictures of McKenna, and some of us before Mike and I went on our date night. We had a great time, but were both yawning by 8:45. That is when we realized that we are either old, parents or both. Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

7 Weeks

Well this past Saturday our little girl turned 7 weeks old. I can't believe how fast time is going and she is growing so fast. Kenna can already hold her head up for about 10 seconds on her own and she loves to look around now that she can focus better. She also stays awake more during the day and has started sleeping through the night...at least a couple of them. The thing that melts my heart the most is she recognizes me now. When I get her up in the morning or I'm changing her diaper, she will smile so big at me. I especially like it when she starts cooing at me and laughing. It is like we have our very own special language that only the two of us know. I have started to recognize her cries and I'm better at figuring out what is wrong and how to make it all better. I know that the first few weeks were tough, with her colic and all, but the last few weeks have been awesome. I think her colic has gotten better, or I just block it out better! =) Anyway, this is my last week at home with her. My mom is coming down next week to stay with her during the day. I think that will help make me feel better while at work. Then she will go to Mrs. Sandy's after that. I know she will be in good hands, so I'll be fine. I will miss her during the day, but hopefully it will make the days go by faster. Anyway, here are a few new pics of our growing girl.

Chilling out with Dad
Dad figured out a way to help me sit up...however, I don't feel too comfortable.
Such a big girl.

1 Month Old

Well McKenna is now 1 month old. It is amazing that she is growing so fast. We have had a good past few days, so things are going well. Last week I took her to the doctor and she thinks Kenna has colic. I bought some Gripe Water and have been giving that to her several times a day. It has seemed to help. We have also found out that she likes to nap on our tummies during the day. Not such a bad thing, because then if forces me to sleep also. Today I took two 1 1/2 hour naps with her. It was great! I can't believe I only have 4 weeks left before I have to go back to work. I am excited about the school year, because I hear we have some really sweet kiddos. I just get nervous about sending her to daycare, although I know Mrs. Sandy will take good care of our baby. Today is also the first time I allowed her to sleep on her stomach during nap time. She sleeps so well on me when she is laying on her tummy, but when I put her in her crib she cries after a few minutes. So, I figured since she has such a strong neck and can already hold it up, it would be safe just for nap time. Of course I have checked on her a hundred times in the past 30 minutes! =) She has also started cooing and "talking" to her stuffed animals. Every once in a while she will bust out laughing, which is the cutest thing ever. We have taken her to the mall twice and she went to Chili's with us this past weekend. She is such a good baby. We just love her so much. I take so many pictures of her, but here are a few I took last night during her bath (which she loves) and when she was hanging out with mom.

She loves when Daddy sprays her with water...even if it gets on her face...crazy girl!

Wide awake...so adorable...

Hanging out with mom...probably about to eat...=)

New pics of our girl

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2 Weeks Old

Well I know I have fallen behind on posting, but my time is spent with McKenna and trying to rest so my incision will heal. I can't believe Kenna is already 2 weeks and 2 days old. She is growing so fast, and she isn't the same little girl we brought home from the hospital. Her cheeks are getting bigger, and I think she has gotten a lot longer. We have had a couple of rough days, but I think it is due to my diet. I sometimes forget that what I eat can hurt her little belly. Mom has to do a better job on this from now on. Other than that she is great. Mike is still loving every minute of her, and we with he could stay home with us also. My mom ended up staying a few more days, because I had another hematoma develop under my incision. That was quite an adventure last week. As of today, it is much better and the hematoma drained out so it looks much better. I have a doctors appointment today with Dr. Smith. I think she is going to be very happy with how well it looks now. I know it feels good to see things returning to normal.

We went to Kaufman on Friday for a short visit. I wanted to take her up before the students and germs returned. We had a nice visit, but it was cut short because Kenna was getting fussy. We hope to go to Daddy's work soon, but we are going to have to wait until Mommy can drive. I think I can try soon, but I'm not pushing it. It has been so nice having my mom here to keep me company during the day, and she lets me rest when Kenna is sleeping. However, my mom has been doing way too much. I think all the laundry, cleaning and mowing is done and she is still asking what can she do next. It will be different next week when she isn't here....tears...but I know that eventually I was going to be here with Kenna. It is just a little scary as a new mom...Well hope everyone has a great week. I will post more pictures soon. Promise!

McKenna Renee Welch

Aunt Day with Baby Kenna

Daddy Mike adores her....

Mommy meets her little girl...

Mike and I in the recovery room... Daddy Mike showing off our little angel, McKenna Renee

Well I know this is late, but McKenna Renee Welch entered our world on Saturday, August 8th at 12:13 a.m. We were called into the hospital on Thursday around 10:30 p.m. to start the Cervidil. Friday morning Dr. Smith came in and broke my water around 8:00 a.m. and I got my epidural. Most of Friday I was pain free, and I think I once said, "This is easier than I thought." I ate those words quickly after that. By Friday evening the epidural was wearing off and my cervix was not dialating fast enough. I had a band of scar tissue that the nurses were trying to break, but after 24 hours of labor my doctor came in and suggested a c-section. The only other choice we had was to turn off the Pitocin, try to rest through the night and start the Pitocin again Saturday morning. By this time I was exhausted and the contractions were wearing me down quick. After talking with Mike we decided to go with the c-section. I was really upset and felt like I was letting Mike down, so I cried for awhile, but he reassured me that we gave it our best shot.

They got us ready for the c-section about 10:30 p.m. but we were bumped, because an emergency c-section came in through the ER. So around midnight I was rolled into the operating room, and by 12:13 a.m. our little girl was here. I got to see her for a brief second, but Mike taped Dr. Smith getting her out of me. Then Mike brought her over to me before he carried her to the nursery. After that I was stitched up and sent to the recovery room. They would only allow one person back at a time, so Deborah came back first. She said that Kenna was perfect and that I did a great job. My mom came back next and we sat and watched the time pass by. I was so ready to hold my baby girl. Finally, about 2:30 a.m. my nurse Robin rolled me to my room and Mike put my girl in my arms. It was love at first sight. We had a room filled of visitors, and everyone wanted to hold her. All together my parents, Nee Nee and Huey, Aunt Day, Aunt Niki and Uncle Aaron, Tricia and Stacie all got to see our precious angel. Around 3:15 a.m. everyone left except Mike and Deborah. I finally got to breastfeed my little girl, which was the one thing I wanted to do no matter what. We got very little sleep that night before the visitors started rolling in on Saturday.

Now we are home and Kenna is already a week and a day old. She has changed so much since she was born. She isn't as chubby, and she makes the cutest facial expressions. Mike and I spend a lot of our time just staring at her. Deborah was here for the week, and had to leave on Sunday to go back to work. My mom is going to come down and spend the week with me, since Mike has to go back to work too. I think she is ready for some Oma time with her little girl. I hope you all enjoy some of the pics I posted. I have a total of 681 right now, but I figure that is too many to post...=) Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers during our special time. Love you all and God bless!

Due date comes and goes...

Today is our due date..it is crazy to think that 10 months ago we just found out we were having a baby. My friend Tricia took me to the hospital today to have my blood work done for the induction on Friday. We sat there almost an hour to find out that blood work is only good for 72 hours, and I have to go back on Thursday. Priceless. However, I did go ahead and sign all of my paper work, so all I have to do on Thursday is go straight to the lab. Also, I am going to be admitted on Thursday at 5 p.m. to start the Cervidil. Hopefully this will start opening my cervix so that Friday morning they can start inducing me. It is hard to believe that by the end of the week McKenna will be here...one way or another.

Trying to sleep anymore seems pointless to me, since every time I lay down I feel like I can't breathe. Last night I went to sleep on the couch so I could prop myself up. It wasn't the most comfortable thing, but I felt my tossing and turning was keeping Mike up. Later did I find out that he didn't even remember the conversation we had when I moved to the couch, so I guess I wasn't keeping him awake. =) I slept from about 2:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and then I moved back to the bed until 8:00. Not a lot of good sleep, but I guess I can't be picky right now.

Well I will have my laptop at the hospital and I will try to update my blog as soon as I can. I know we have a lot of people coming in from Elgin that are ready to meet her. Plus, the amount of people here in Houston that are patiently waiting her arrival...it should be a crowded room. I just feel great that so many people are as excited as we are. Keep checking back this weekend for any updates...Happy Tuesday!

New News!

Well yesterday I was at home and Dr. Smith called. We had yet another visit to the ER on Thursday, because I have been feeling sick for the last week. Dr. Smith was concerned that I might have the swine flu and wanted me to get checked out. Don't worry, I don't have the Pig Flu! I was having constant headaches and feeling achy all day for about a week, so she was just being careful.
She called back yesterday and said that she doesn't think my cervix is going to open without some help, so she wants to start the induction either Tuesday or Wednesday evening. I will go in at 5 p.m. and they will place some type of induction medication on my cervix and then we wait for 12 hours. At 5 a.m. they will check my cervix again and see if I have started dialating. If I have they will start pitocin and hopefully things will get rolling. If not, we will sit through another 12 hours and check it again. So, we are praying for the first scenario to occur. So, McKenna could arrive anytime between Wednesday or Thursday of next week. I did ask Dr. Smith if she really felt like this could happen naturally, and she said she wouldn't call a c-section unless I wanted one or it was an emergency.
So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. It might be a long labor and I am asking God to grant me the patience and energy to do the best I can. I am also asking also that He grant Mike the patience for putting up with me! =) We will let you all know when she gets here and post pictures as soon as possible. Thanks for hanging in here with us through the last 10 months!

39 long weeks

Well here I am at 39 weeks. McKenna is a big girl now, and my stomach feels like it can't get any bigger. McKenna is still moving a lot and it looks and feels really weird now. Many times her kicks and jabs hurt so bad! I have almost given up trying to sleep at night. Last night I had a hard time catching my breath and I felt like my heart was racing. I finally gave up and sat up in bed and I guess she moved away from my lungs. I still can't believe that our due date is next Tuesday, but I am also relieved. I am ready for her to make her debut into the world, and see what our little girl looks like. I will post more next week after our 40 week appointment. I am not seeing my doctor this week, because she isn't in the office. She is still in town, but working at the hospital most of the week. However, I don't see McKenna coming this week, so I didn't stress out over it. If everything works out, McKenna will be here by the end of next week...ready or not....

38 Weeks

Well Mike and I went back to the doctor yesterday, and I was so sure that I had started to dialate. In fact, when Dr. Smith walked in she was her happy, joking self, but after checking me I saw the seriousness wash over her face. I still haven't started dialating, and she thinks the scar tissue on my cervix is the reason. I knew going into this pregnancy that my cervix had scar tissue from my surgery in 2007, but I tried to keep a positive outlook on everything. Well, now that it is coming down to the end, my cervix isn't wanting to work with me. We talked about inducing now, but she said that it would only end in a c-section. It didn't take long for me to say no to that idea. So, here is what we came up with. I go back to her August 5th, and if I still haven't started dialating she will induce on either the 6th or the 7th. We aren't sure if she will try and induce, or just schedule a c-section. If my cervix is still completely closed, I have a feeling she might want to do a c-section. As much as I am wanting to have her normally, I don't want to go through hours and hours of labor just to find out my cervix isn't opening. So we have a lot to think about, but we still have 2 weeks to figure it out.

So, keep us in your prayers that things will work out like they should. We know that God knows McKenna's birthday, and He will bring her into this world when he sees fit. We will let you all know when something happens. Have a great weekend...Mike and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary this Sunday. I can't believe a year ago I married my very best friend ever...I am such a lucky girl.....Love you to the moon and back Mike!

Oma's 60th Birthday

Well this past Saturday the 18th, we celebrated my mom's (Oma's) birthday. Deborah and I surprised her by driving into Elgin on Friday and shocking her as we walked into her party at work. I didn't have my doctor's permission to do this, but since there was no change at the last visit, I figured I would be okay. We spent 2 quick hours in Elgin and then drove back to Spring. It was a long and exhausting day for me, and I quickly realized why traveling this close to giving birth is crazy. I was so ready to get out of the car, and my poor toes were the size of watermelons.

On Saturday morning, my parents came to Spring and we spent the day at our house. My dad brought BBQ and all the fixins', and they brought us fajitas from Elgin for breakfast. It was a great day. Mike and I went swimming for a while and had some excitement. We were just lounging and Mike was pushing us from one side of the pool to the other. We did this several times, but then suddenly the side of the pool collapsed. I went down first backwards, which scared me to death. I didn't realize what had happened, and when I hit the ground I looked up to see Mike headed my way. He was able to stop himself from falling on me or my tummy, and he pulled the wall back up. I was dazed for several minutes. My mom and sister were out in the yard and ran over to check on us. Mike kinda started to laugh, but I started to cry. I didn't really hurt myself, I was just worried that the fall hurt McKenna. However, the water did help to soften our fall, and besides a few bruises and a scratch on my shoulder I was okay. Later that day I was able to laugh about the fall, but for a while I was very shaken up. I guess McKenna had her first wild water rapid...

I go back to the doctor on Wednesday, and I'm praying there is a change. I really want to have her naturally without inducing, but I will do whatever is best for her. I'll keep everyone posted. I wish now I had a picture of the pool incident to share, but believe me I'm sure it was a sight...have a great week.

37 Weeks....full term

Well we have made it full term! For so long we thought we might not make it to this day, but now McKenna seems very comfortable inside her momma. We went back to visit Dr. Smith today and she was excited that this day has come. However, after checking my cervix we found out that my cervix hasn't progressed any. This was a little upsetting for me, because I just knew that I was at least 1 centimeter, but not this week. I will admit when she was checking me I was in a lot of pain, she kept saying, "You might feel a little pressure..." Whatever! She said she was trying to get me started....wow, it was painful. So, she suggested walking as much as I can and spending some time with Mike...isn't that what got us in this situation to begin with???

We also spoke with her about how long she thinks we still might have. She feels McKenna will be here at about 39 weeks, but we will see. If she isn't here by 40 weeks, and my cervix still isn't progressing she will induce. She would start by trying to soften my cervix and see if it will open and then she would start pitocin. So, we have about 3 weeks to figure things out and see if McKenna will come on her own. Since I did have the surgery on my cervix back in 2007, the scar tissue is possibly the reason my cervix isn't wanting to work with us. However, Dr. Smith also feels that the scar tissue might be what kept my cervix closed, which didn't send me into preterm labor...so she said it might have been a good thing at that time.

Well I'll keep you all posted. We go back for our 38th week visit next Wednesday, so hopefully something will happen. Fingers crossed!