Meeting Callie - Part 2 The First Week

Callie - 1 week old

It has been a lot of fun getting to know Callie over the past week.  She is a real sweetheart.
I think, as newborns at least, she and Andrew look significantly alike.  I watched some videos of Andrew right after he was born, and they even have the same cry!  Don't get me wrong, Callie does have more petite and feminine features.  But the biggest difference is the hair!  I thought Andrew had hair-- you couldn't see much of it in the pictures because it was all in the back for him. But he was bald compared to Callie.  She has so much more hair!

Andrew when he was a couple days old.

Callie at a couple days old.

I had hair when I was born... and actually I think Callie and I look pretty similar too.

Here is a picture of me when I was born.

The hospital picture of me
shows my hair to be a little lighter.

Oh and why not, here's one of Briant too.
There's were Andrew's baldness came from!

Okay, enough comparing.

Everyone has been commenting how small she is.
When you take pictures of babies, they look way bigger than
when you actually see them in person.  This picture
shows my hand and her hand and her head.
Maybe that will help.
We have had lots of fun with bows since she was born.

Callie had her days and nights mixed up a little bit her first few days of life.  It's normal for them to want to nurse a lot-- and it's good because it stimulates to get your milk to come in.  But she was nonstop nursing from like 11PM-3AM a couple nights in a row and I was nodding off because I lost a whole nights rest the night she was born.  I didn't have Briant to help me and in our hospital they do rooming in and don't take them to the nursery, but I had an incredible night nurse who was very perceptive.  She knew I had hit a wall and needed some sleep, so she took her for me and I finally got a couple hours of sleep (she always got her to sleep and brought her back in a deep sleep every time --I almost asked for her number).  By the third night, I guess my body was sick of it and I got a migraine. I feel like I've been getting over that migraine this whole week.  Thanks to the Mountain Dew and Ibuprofen, it is starting to subside.

While it is fun to be pampered in the hospital (all the food you want, and everyone waiting on you hand a foot), it starts to feel like a prison after a couple of days.  You can see the trees outside and fresh air calling your name... torturing you.  The toddler gets restless because there really isn't a lot he can do (and wonders why you don't come home with him every night). Anyway, we were all ready for us to come home.

A couple hours before we came home. The boys were so ready
to get out of the there.

Doing great in her car seat!

Andrew cried and cried until we got to the car.
Callie just settled right in and loved it!

We got this awesome rock n play sleeper. It
sleeps at a little bit of an incline and she seems to
really like it!   We started out swaddling, but
she sleeps just fine unswaddled right now.
We'll see if that lasts.  She also startles at everything...
except Andrew screaming and screeching!
I told her she need to toughen up!

I don't love being inside all the time.  I've been outside just a few times, for Doctor and WIC visits and a slow walk around our neighborhood with Callie in the stroller.  It's good for all of us to get fresh air, and I plan to keep up the walking.

Nursing has been going MUCH better this time around.  I'm feeling more confident every day.  I've got some tricks that work for me and am finding my groove.  I still have to find my way to a routine, but I know I can't rush that right now (even though I'm craving it).  Right now is the time to love on my baby, and catch up on my sleep whenever possible since I have Briant to help with Andrew. 

But I still hate being stuck inside and keep thinking of my life out there waiting.  I'm anxious to start feeling more like myself again (and gets some baby weight off).  I can't wait for some clothes to actually fit right again and not show both muffin tops! My bike and a good run sounds good!  It's been so long since I could bend over and twist and stretch out-- and now I'm so close! I just have to wait till after we move, than I can get my life back in order.

Anyway, back to Callie!  

She is such a sweet little baby.  She is very alert and really only cries when she is hungry.  We have to check her often because she will totally just sit in a dirty diaper, totally fine with it.
Unlike her brother when he was a newborn, we haven't worried about much of anything with her. She has gained all her weight back and fills her diaper like she's suppose to.  She eats regularly and sleeps great too.  She still wears newborn clothes, but I'm sure that will change quickly if she continues to eat well. Her umbilical cord hasn't fallen off yet, but it looks great and I haven't had the issues we had with Andrew's.
One thing we learned about all that hair... you have to wash it more often because it gets greasy quickly.  But of course I'll take it!  I love all the bows and I love dressing her up!

Andrew seems to really like Callie.  He is always asking to see her and is always telling us "She is SO cute!"  And while he is having a little defiance streak (throwing fits when he doesn't get his way), he hasn't taken any of it out on his sister yet.  He gets plenty of playtime with his dad right now.  I'm so grateful Briant can be there for him.  I hope I can handle two when he goes back to work (I get overwhelmed thinking about it).

We have blessed so much this week.  We have a beautiful healthy daughter.  We've felt so much love from family and friends as we have welcomed Callie into our lives this week.  Friends and neighbors have come to visit and bring food, which has helped us out so much!  I even had one friend bring me Orange Leaf in the hospital!  She knows me all too well! I'm so grateful for the Lord and the blessings he has given to us.  We are mindful of Him and His Son and have felt the Spirit accompany this sweet little girl with much love.  She is a real sweetheart and so special to us, and we are excited for the joy she will bring to us all.

You've got to have a couple pictures like this.

Look at that sad face!

It's a shame this one is blurry, cuz I got a little smile out of her.

Meeting Callie - Part 1 The Birth Story

40 Weeks

When I found out we were expecting our second baby I began thinking again about the birth experience I had with Andrew.  We had all sorts of snags with his birth and I was a little anxious about going through that experience again.  Hemorrhaging isn't fun and neither are the after effects.

With Andrew, I had an epidural, and while so many women get them and love them, I wasn't really completely satisfied with mine.  There is a place for everything and to each and everyone their own, but for me, I had a feeling I just needed to try something different if I wanted a different outcome.  I still went into everything with an open mind.  With birth everything can change quickly so you have to be flexible when making plans or you'll come away disappointed.  I decided I wanted to try again for a natural birth.  With Andrew I had wanted to attempt it, but I reached a point (somewhere around 5-6 cms) where I didn't know how to keep on going by myself.  I wanted to be in control again.  My husband is wonderful and would have done anything I asked of him, but I just didn't know what I wanted-- I had an inability to come up with different solutions or think of new things to try.  I was in a different world.  Before the experience even began, Briant didn't know, and to be fair, I didn't know what I would need to help me keep going. So in the end I got an epidural and a whole lot of other interventions along with it.

Before I keep going, I am in no way trying to persuade anyone that epidurals are bad and that you shouldn't get one.  But, they do have consequences that many people are not aware of-- and that I wasn't aware of either with Andrew.  Knowledge is power and having that made all the difference for me this time... and helped me feel more in control of the the decisions being made.

So with this one, I decided to hire a doula for support.  I knew she would have attended many births and would know how to support me and help Briant support me without passing judgement or what we decided to do in the end. She met with me beforehand and helped me think of some other ways I could deal with the pain (like making visual aids to remind me of my goals). I did more homework and I went into this birth experience with a different mindset and understanding.  Pain is seen so often as a bad thing.  But there are many types of good pain, such as massage or exercise. Birth, complete with contractions can be seen as bad and very painful (which, lets not lie-- it is very painful), but can also be seen as something that can be dealt with positively and with a good outcome. I read other natural birth stories.  There are so many scary stories out there about birth (and it seems everyone wants to share them with you when you are pregnant), but I wanted to read about positive births that would encourage me. I also tried not to dwell on my previous experience and see this one as bran new with the possibility to be totally different.  I also took a non-hospital birth class from a friend who is certified birth educator. This was very informative and very helpful at giving me a more broad scope of what you can expect with each decision you make.

Okay, I know you are all saying.... "lets get to your story already!"
First off let me just say, I have no problem waiting until my due date.  I have never felt rushed to get my kids out.  I feel like they come when they are ready (unless there is something seriously wrong with my health or theirs).  So as my due date came I was pretty calm and not stressed at all.  The only time constraint I was thinking of was just being able to watch Briant graduate... then after that I was peachy to whenever they wanted to come.

The week of my due date I got a massage, a pedicure (my first), and I started walking more.  Being on my feet for more than 15-20 minutes always made me really crampy.  At each of my appointments I usually saw a little bit of progress.  But at my last appointment I still was only at 1 cm and 60-70% effaced.  I wasn't worried.  On the 16th, I went for a really good walk and was disappointed when I got home I wasn't more crampy after all that work.  I took a relaxing bath that night and was having irregular cramps/contractions when we went to bed around 11pm.

At around 12-12:30AM my contractions became much more regular and I started timing them with my newly downloaded contraction timer app around 1AM.  I had about 3 contractions that were 6 minutes apart before I decided to get up and go to the bathroom to see if that would help them be less painful (I was always in pain if my bladder was full).  I decided to get my birthing ball and try sitting on it for a while.  After a while I graduated to the floor on my hands and knees with my ball.  My contractions went from 6 minutes apart in bed, to 3-4 minutes apart out of bed.  I texted my doula and my babysitter.  Briant woke up because I left the bathroom light on and I had him get me a hair tye.  A few contractions later I had him start timing them for me.  They were getting way more intense.  He only timed a couple then he decided to get up and dressed and finish packing what we needed.  He was awesome!  After our babysitter arrived and we told the doula to meet us at the hospital instead of at our house (she was in route) we left for the hospital around 2:50AM.  I was totally having second thoughts about having a natural birth on the way there.  They were so much stronger than with Andrew and I thought that if I had hours more of labor than I wasn't going to be able to do it.  My contractions were about 2-3 minutes apart at this point but they only would last for about 45 seconds.  I remembered something I had learned in the birth class that really helped-- and that was that when you labor you aren't in constant pain the whole time, but you have breaks in between them.  I remember telling myself each time I just had to make it to the next break.  When we got to the hospital and they checked me, the nurse said I was at 9 1/2cm!  I was totally surprised! I was like, "WHAT!?!"  She asked, "Were you planning to have a natural birth?" and  I said, "Yes, but I didn't think it would happen that quickly!" (My labor with Andrew was 20 hours long.) That also helped, knowing I was almost done and I had no choice but to keep going.  Briant and my doula were there encouraging me and supporting me.  They did a great job! My doula was helping me remember not to clench up and to breathe. Briant went and got my visual aid sheet and would read the things on there to me.

I remember reading one of the scriptures on this page and saying,
"I misspelled thine!"  That made everyone laugh.

If you look close at the picture with the bridge in the background you'll see
Andrew picking his nose-- I thought that might lighten the mood for me a little.

The nurses told me my doctor was on his way and to not push. My water had broken during a contraction and I was having small urges that were VERY hard to control.  My body just pushed sometimes without me really doing anything.  So when that would happen I would pant, in the rhythm of her heartbeat.  My doula was actually breathing and panting right along with me which actually really helped!  As soon as my doctor got there he told me I could push. It only took 3 or 4 fast pushes (in about 2 contractions) for her to get here.  At one point (while I was experiencing the ring of fire) I sang Johnny Cash for everyone... "I fell into a burning ring of fire!"  That gave everyone a good laugh too.

Callie RaNae Giles was born on May 17, 2014 at 4:08AM.  She was 7lbs 3oz and 20 inches long.

So basically from start to finish, my labor was only 4 hours long.  I got to the hospital about an hour before she was born.  They didn't even have time to give me an IV!  The nurses all commented that they were surprised how composed I was since I was already at a nine.  Well, I don't know about that.  I didn't know I was at a 9 or maybe I would have acted differently.  I actually feel like I was pretty loud.... but I'm really proud I didn't cuss once!

Our experience after she was born was way different than with Andrew. My doctor honored my wishes to not cut the cord right away, I didn't hemorrhage at all, and I actually got to cuddle with my little girl... for hours!  I loved it!

She was so awake and alert!

This girl loves to get her hair done!  She was so relaxed!

Andrew loved meeting his new baby sister.  He has been
really sweet with her.

My recovery was way better and faster.  I was up and walking by myself in no time and feeling really good!  Don't get me wrong, I still need to take things easy but I'll take it.  I know that Heavenly Father answered my prayers.  I am thankful it all went fast and that it is over.  It was really intense, and I'm sure it will still take me a couple years again before I get baby hungry.  I am grateful for this experience, and for the empowering knowledge of what an incredible thing my body can do.

We'd Like You to Meet....

Callie RaNae Giles

Born May 17, 2014 at 4:08AM

She weighed in at 7 LBS 3 OZ and 20 Inces

 We are absolutely in love with this little girl!  So far, everything has been easier without the drama or anxiety.  She is super alert and I think she is going to be an early smilier.

I am absolutely in love with all her hair!

Andrew has totally been smitten with her.

This is what both the kids have done when Briant holds them.
They look away from him and just look around.

Right before we came home.  We got a family picture this time!

I'll have her birth story up soon complete with lots more pictures.

Maternity Pictures #2

So naturally, since it's my due date, I'm going to post the maternity pictures I had taken in March... as if that will get her here any faster. HA!  I'm sure it's just wishful thinking. With Andrew I posted my maternity pictures and then I had him the next day.... maybe things will follow that same pattern.

I don't feel like I'm as big as I was with Andrew (I actually had these taken a little earlier in my pregnancy --which I'm so glad I did). I still have gained probably about the same and in the same places as with Andrew.  The pregnancy at times has seemed easier.  At least it has gone by much faster this go around. But, it is still hard some days.  I don't struggle so much with my body image, but just being able to be me.  It's hard to do what I love to do.  It has been especially hard when I want to pick up my boy, play with him on the floor, or let him sit on my lap to read stories.  I miss those things and am antsy to do them again.  I want to run, and ride my bike.  I know things won't be completely back to normal for a while still and I'm okay with that. I am so grateful for the blessing to carry a child again, but it will be nice to feel more myself.  I have felt such guilt during this pregnancy.  Guilty that I'm not doing more.  Guilty Andrew watches so much TV. Guilty when I ask for help with the tiniest things that I just want to do myself. Just guilty. In the end I have to tell myself it is only a short period of time, and I will make up for it.  Carrying a baby is so important, so miraculous.  And while it isn't 100% fun, it is 100% worth it.

I will miss feeling her kick from the inside.  That is my favorite part.
I can't wait to meet her.  I can't wait to hold her and sing to her.  I can't wait for her to smile at me for the first time.  I'm excited to try on clothes and bows! I am so excited for this little girl I've always wanted.  I am trying to remember those things most of all as I prepare for the her birth.

I will always love this sweet little boy, so much.
He brings me such joy.
He is and always will be my buddy! I hope
he remembers that as I spend some time getting
to know his sister!

One of my favorites!

The day we had our friend take these it was a little windy, but I think she did an awesome job! Thanks Stephanie!  I can't wait to post more pictures of this little girls soon!

The MBA Graduate

Today was a big day!  We have been preparing for it for about 6 years.  Briant explained his plan to me while we were dating.  But really, Briant has been preparing for it for much longer.  He got the grades and did the hard work in high school, at BYU, at Melaleuca, and here at IU, to be where he is today.  I'm so proud of him.  While we both made sacrifices, he made way more.  He's the one that had the plan, prepared for school, and did all the studying.  He deserves a huge pat on the back and some major recognition!

Today, Briant is a MBA Graduate.

I am SO proud of him.  He has always been driven, motivated, and works so hard!  All strong reasons why I fell in love with this amazing man.  Seeing him reach his goals makes me love him even more.

Briant has wanted this for so long, and while I know he wanted it for himself, I also know he did it for his family too.  So we all can have a better future.  He wants to be a good supporter. That makes me think the world of him for putting our needs in sight.  I couldn't have asked for a better man at my side.

Briant has had some great support along the way.  I want to thank Briant's parents for teaching him how important a good education is and supporting him along the way.

Here are some more pictures from the actual ceremony:

Shaking hands with the Dean.

After he got his diploma.

Clapping for those who have supported him.

This was what Andrew was doing the last half of it.

Some more after the ceremony:

Little stinker keep sticking out his tongue.  This would have been
a great picture too.

Here is one of all of us that were there.

I took some pictures of Briant earlier this week so we would have less to worry about today (and so I could space out my energy).  Here are my favorites:

He also wanted a picture with the library that he spent some quality time in.

Here are some more I wanted to include:

Here is a picture taken of Briant and his Consumer Marketing Academy.

Briant was awarded some pretty fun awards.  In his class he was voted runner up for "Most Likely to Become CEO" and "Most Likely to Teach Your Kids Marketing Frameworks," but he did win the award outright for "Most Reliable Teammate".

He jokingly said he was voted most likely to represent the entire MBA
class at the university wide commencement.... since he was the only one
who attended it.  Ha ha.  I thought he was serious.

So here we have it.  After two years...

... we have completed the next chapter of our lives.  We are very excited for the future and the opportunities that lie in our path (prepare for pictures of baby#2 and life in Hershey).