Some pictures/updates

Well Leighton left the hospital weighing 6lbs 7oz, she was "slightly jaundiced" meaning she was yellow but the levels weren't high enough for home health. By Friday we were worried about her coloring as her whites of her eyes were yellowing and the yellow was spreading down. I was also worried about her weight as I wasn't quite sure I was doing the breastfeeding thing right. We took her in and she had gained 5oz! She was up to 6lbs 12oz which made me feel soooo good! They were concerned with her color and did the heal stick for billirubin levels. They called yesterday to tell us her level was 18! They like it to be at or close to 10 so home health came out and put up her billibox. It was sad but she seems to like it which makes it easier for me AND I have to put her in it so I have to put her down which meant yesterday I actually rested. I am putting up some pictures of her in her box. She has to stay in it as much as possible, only getting out for feedings (which she is doing wonderfully with every 2 hours on the dot), and diaper changes. She really is doing well with it. They estimated she'd be on it through Tuesday but they'll come out daily to check her weight and levels so say a prayer for us.

Yesterday, she also got her first at home sponge bath. Michael and I laughed at how curly her hair is! As soon as she got out and I dried it her little hair just curled right up. It is SO cute!

Last night, Kodi, Kaci, Laney, and Mason came by to see us. We were so happy to see them. I could not believe how big they have gotten this week! I loved on Mason until I hurt, LOL..he's a squirmy BIG guy! He seems huge after holding tiny little Leighton all week! Laney is beautiful as always and ate up a storm last night! It was soo good to see them and Kodi and Kaci too! We finally got Leighton out so she could meet her friends. I couldn't believe how tiny she looked next to Laney or how yellow! I cannot wait to watch them grow up together. Mason has already seen his girlfriend topless and neither dad was excited about that! LOL! It was fun though.

Mimi is going home today and we're going to miss her. SHe has been so much help to me especially with the boys. Its been hard for me to not be able to do much with either of them but sit. She has kept them entertained and been a big help with Leighton and doing household things. Thanks mimi!!!

Friday, Aunt Tammy, Gracelyn, Brittany, and Landon AND Nana and popo are coming to visit! Nana already got to meet Leighton in the hospital and she was here to save the day at Leighton's birth. I don't know what we would have done without Kodi, Kaci, Nana, and Mimi this week!

She's here!!!

Leighton Reese Kacal is here! She arrived on Monday, May 18th at 6:41pm via c-section. She was 7lbs 12oz and 20 1/2 inches long. She has a LOT of blonde wavy hair and looks otherwise a lot like big brother, Garrett!

Monday, I went to the dr. for my 37 week appt. I was 37 weeks 4 days. I had been having some back pain the night before and just didn't feel good. Kaci happened to be at the dr. as well that morning. I went in and was 3cms dialated and 70% effaced. They sent me over to the specialist to get monitored to see if I was contracting, if the back pain was labor or not. Kaci went with me (THANK GOODNESS because I was really scared). They didn't show many contractions but Kaci who had been through that informed the nurse that my breathing changed when I got one and she could tell it was happening more than the machine was showing. They sent me home but told me my OB would be calling me shortly to let me know what they wanted me to do. After about 45minutes my OB called and wanted me to come in to be checked again. I got there and was a 4, 85% effaced...so they sent Michael and I across the street to the hospital to be admitted for my c-section!

Michael and I were both so excited but so not ready for that. He paced nervously and I just kept thinking it was not real.

They got me prepped for surgery and we filled out some paperwork and before we got everyone called and even adjusted to the idea ourselves we were in surgery having our baby girl!

Leighton Reese Kacal was born at 6:41pm on May 18th, 2009. She weighed 7lbs 12oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. She came out with a head of blonde hair and deep blue eyes. SHe scored an 8 and 9 on her apgar and then a 9 and 10 on the second. She had to go to the nursery for some oxygen but got to our room about midnight. She fed like she knew exactly what to do and amazingly I did too!

We had great hospital care, lots of friends, and family came to see us. Garrett and Caden love their baby sister but Garrett was a little concerned about his Mommy! My mom came down and stayed with us for the week and has been so much help! The boys have enjoyed having her around!

Here are some pictures!!!! We've been so busy but hope to hear from you all soon!!!

Count down....16 more days AT MOST

So yesterday I got an email that some how made reality set in. It was from Melisse asking about payment for the next weeks. I have known for a while that Cayden and Cole's last day with me would be next Friday 5-22 to get ready for Leighton's arrival. Somehow the question she asked hit me that HEY thats next Friday. For some reason that sent me into a little panic yesterday. I'm not sure what it was exactly I was cramping, I was having a little braxton hicks, my stomach was really upset. I laid in bed last night...after my breakdown just trying to figure out what I was going to do with Caden and Garrett if I were to go into labor before the 29th. I got up washed the dishes from dinner, repacked my bag for the hospital, checked my camera to be sure it was charged, laughed at myself...got back in bed, tried to think more about what to do with the boys. All the while my back is cramping up and my stomach is hurting. I convinced myself to go to sleep...if it were labor it would wake me up or keep me up. Last I looked at the clock it was 3am. Needless to say getting up this morning was not fun.

I went to the dr. for my 37 week appt. Now according to my last menstrual period I am 37 weeks today but according to my first ultrasound at 6 weeks I am 36 weeks 4 days which is what my dr. office is going by...either way it doesn't matter. SO I go in and the nurse---who is the best EVER!!! measured me and she looked at me funny and said 37 weeks right and I explained and she laughed and measured me again and looking a little puzzled or amused told me my belly is measuring 39 1/2 weeks and I dropped. LOL. I can't quite guess if she's going to be big or not. Some days I just don't feel like she is as big as Garrett then I hear she's measuring 4 weeks ahead and think ok yes she is!

Rhonda said my contractions are likely the result of what they call uterine irritability...best way I can explain is that as my uterus is measuring 39 1/2 weeks and as it stretches to its capacity it gets a little irritable and contracts...these contractions don't really help things happen though...but they are not quite Braxton hicks. She told me that if I were to come in at a 3 or more it was straight to Labor and Delivery but if I came in at a 2 but not in any pain or discomfort they'd let me go home and wait to see how much longer I could go at this point. She gave me the option of getting checked but I opted not to. I don't think I am in labor, I hadn't been contracting this morning and I think I can make it AT LEAST another week to my next appt when they will check me regardless. The last thing I want to do is make things happen faster. LOL! She said Leighton's heartrate is still in the 150s she was moving around a lot...everything looked great. Blood pressure was low but good. Sometimes having such an easy pregnancy makes me worry about the delivery OR the baby HAHA!

I definitely dropped last Friday...not only can I tell by how I feel but everyone has commented. Cole even asked me why I was walking like a duck...the girl at the Science Spectrum commented, random people and people close to me. Its definitely that time in my pregnancy.

So from today I have 16 days left at most but it could be any day now which is both super exciting and terrifying for some reason! So keep us in your prayers. We can't wait to meet our little girl! I go back to the dr. next Monday so we'll know a little more maybe then but I am confident I will make it...I believe it the power of positive thinking...I told Kaci this as she errupted in laughter...to some extent I guess!