So Bitter Sweet

Not pumping anymore at work...just nursing at night. Didn't think I would be sort of sad about it, I miss the demands of it all. No being late to work because I'm sneaking in a pump session in the car with the kids in the morning before I drop them off, no working in Johns office on my laptop hidden away while I pump at work, no sitting on a side street near Ludim's to finish an afternoon pump session, no big baggy t-shirts hiding my pump while I work around the house. I'm not sure what I will do with all this free time!!  I do know that I'm not sure I'll ever let Emily sleep thru the night...I love our night time rendezvous, the time I get my precious baby girl all to myself in the quiet of the night. Nursing her while my fingers run over her soft arms, hands, legs, and cheeks. I cherish these moments.

Mami Ludim

Kate and Emily with Mami Ludim and their friends!

 Tatem, Kate, Lauren Mami Ludim, Emily and Kai...all swinging on the tire swing and practicing their colors in English and Spanis! 

I love this woman!! She is so wonderful with the kids :) My saving grace!

Little Talker!

Kate looked at me and said, "When it starts raining I get the umbrella!" 

Big sentence for my little 26 month old!!!

We make funny faces!!!

We're in the front seat. Kate loves to drive (once we arrive of course)!

I think we're going to start potty training this weekend. Wish us luck :)

Halloween 2012

Oh what a day, we wound up in the ER with Emily for no good reason at all!!

Emily had a cough/green nose so I decided to run her up to Dr.C to make sure her lungs weren't too congested. She seemed to have a hard time breathing through the night and eating was a little difficult as she couldn't breath through her nose. This started Oct 30...just so happens the weather changed that day too- now there is a big chill in the air- coincidence? We'll see.

Well, we couldn't get in with Dr. C, so we saw the PA Katherine instead. She said Emily's lungs, ears, throat were all clear...nose is stuffy. Good news, right?! Emily was  really tired when we were there and just sort of laid there, I guess this alarmed the Dr and she did an oxygen saturation test and couldn't get a reading. She decided to play it safe and sent us to an urgent care facility downtown that supposedly opened at noon, she wanted us to get blood work for RSV and possibly do a chest Xray, I questioned the Xray since her lungs were clear, but she said something about "if necessary". As it turns out the urgent care off Thornton doesn't open until 4. When I called the Dr. back, she told me to go to the emergency room. What?!  Yeah, I was alarmed too...this sleep deprived mama broke into tears and called Daddy. :( Long story short, Chris met me at the ER and the Dr. told us that Emily is fine, her lungs are clear, her oxygen levels are perfect, her breathing is not labored...she probably has a virus, but he's not doing blood work because honestly, the treatment is the same either way. Make sure she's eating right, peeing normal amounts, her breathing is 40-50 times per minute, and no fever...all of which is in check right now.  So why did the PA send us to the ER? Who knows...that's how medicine works I guess. BOO.

We picked Kate up and head home to get our little Minnie Mouse ready for trick or treating! Daddy took her over to Jacob and Dizzle's for some Halloween fun and I sat this year out with Emily.

Thank God it was nothing serious. There were 267 kids in this hospital today...most not as lucky as we were.

All kinds of lighting effects in this room! Go Disney!

Papa and Kate- Happy Halloween 2012

Cutest Minnie Mouse ever!

Cool Hippy!!

 Ready for Trick or Treating...Mom made me eat a healthy oatmeal cookie to fill up!!

Construction Worker, Minnie Mouse, and a surgeon = best buds!!

I'm going to dress Emily up when she's feeling better :) I need a picture of my little owl on her first halloween! Pics to come!

I'm 6 months old today!

Aren't I the cutest??

Emi Allergies ??

Just noting Emily had cough/nasal drip/an allergy for about 6 weeks starting at the beginning of September. Thanks goodness it's gone...but wanted to track for next year.
It sounded like it was in her lungs, but after 2 trips to the Dr found out it wasn't..clear lungs, ears, throat, etc. He said it might be an allergy.

Nothing exciting here..just Mommy notes!

Sitting Emi-Pie

Wow, so Emily is sitting now. This is so surprising as I really feel like I was just holding a tiny baby who could barely hold her head up! Time goes by so much faster now that we have two little people to love.
I swore I would be the parent who would take more pictures of the second child, as they are notoriously neglected in this department. I'm kind of left scratching my head, wondering where the time went and why I didn't make time for more photos. Thank goodness for cell phone cameras because the majority of the photos I do have were all snapped on my handy dandy, always with me, cell phone camera!

We went to a Halloween party tonight- Here is Emily sitting in a chair playing with her butterfly!

Sitting up now...5.5 months!

Kate making pumpkin faces at Bretton and Finley's halloween party!

Me and my girls :) October 18, 2012

Tis the season for some pumpkins for my pumpkins!

Mommy and Emi Pie hanging out before the Halloween Party!

Kate & Emily Check Ups- 24 and 4 months :)

September 6, 2012 – Dr. Canizzarro

Kate-

24 Months:  25 lbs- 50% in weight, 35 inches tall- 90% in height

She will be 5’8” if still at 90% when she’s 3 years old!

MMR done

What should we be doing to help developmentally?  Crayons, puzzles, books.

She doesn’t need milk/white drink.  Does not recommend cow milk.

Recommends almond, hemp, hazelnut if we do milk, but not necessary.

Recommends smoothies with yogurt, kefir, sprouted seeds, fruits, veggies to pack nutrients..just find a combo she likes.

Dehydrator @ <118 degrees for healthy nutrient dense snacks.

Dentist @ 2.5 yo.

Emily-

4 months: 14.2 lbs- 75^th% in weight, 24.5 inches long- 75^th% in height, Head Circ 41.5 – 75^th%

Prevnar (strep) done

Since only breastfed so far we are very lucky to get 5 hours straight- most do not. We’re on track here.

Put Emily on an incline…babies love to crawl.  She has found her feet.  She will be tripodding soon (sitting with hands holding her up).

Next visit at 6 months.

“If there were a magazine for healthy babies, Emily could be on the cover!”

Mommy Kate

Last night Kate "nursed" Elmo! Chris and I smiled watching her as she said, "Elmo wants milk" and lifted her shirt up, held it with her chin and put Elmo to her chest.  She's such a good Mommy!! Haha..so cute!

Emily- Stats

I will update this regularly!

June 5, 2012. Emily smiled at me for the first time!!
August 10, 2012. Emily is laughing, smiling, talking and cooing all the time. She is especially smiley right after she wakes up! Love her so much!
October 24- Emily started sitting last week- 5.5 months!! LOVE!!!! She has so much personality now and is much fun, she loves smiling and laughing and definitely recognizes me :) She loves Kate and Kate loves playing with her, talking to her, and making her smile and LAUGH out loud!!


1 month appt:     8.12 lbs, 21 inches, Up from 6 lbs 2 oz! Yay!!
2 month appt:  11.5 lbs, 22.5 inches long, head circ 39
3 month appt:  13 lbs, 23.5 inches long, head circ 41  (60% in length, 75% in weight, and 60% in head)
4 month appt:  14.2 lb 24.5 inches long. head  circ 41.5 (75%, 75%, and 75%) PERFECTION :)
5 month appt:
6 month appt:  15 lbs, 26 inches long, head circ 43 (still 75th% across the board!)







KATE:
December 9, 2010 at 3 month appointment.
24 inches long. 12lb 6oz for weight. 38.5 head circ.
75th percentile for height, 50th percentile for weight.  25th percentile for head circ.

January 13, 2011 at 4 month appointment.
24.5 inches long. 13lb 3oz. for weight.  40 inches head circ
75th percent height.  50th percent for weight.  35th percentile for head circ.

My Pregnancy, round 2!

I decided to keep a little journal of my pregnancy this time around.

August 31, 2011: We're trying!!! Kate is 1 today and we want to give her a sibling...just so happens I'm fertile on/near her birthday.  Wish us luck!!
September 19, 2011

Found out I’m pregnant!!!  Due May 20-24 J  So excited!!!

September 21, 2011

Told Holly and Kendra & Ludim (to be sure she held a spot for the new baby)

September 21, 2011

During the night had painful cramping (only 10 minutes)

Julio told Dad, Congrats on the baby…he spilled the beans.  Dad is so happy J

October 13, 2011

First OB appointment- first ultrasound.  Baby measured 7wk, 5 days- due date May 24, 2012.

Heart beat 162.

November 9, 2011

Second OB appointment- 2^nd u/s.  Baby measured 11wks/6days.  We saw 10 toes, 10 fingers, tummy, 2 legs, 2 arms, hearbeat (72 beats per minute)!  Baby looks perfect and is growing right on track!  Dr. Cascio said the placenta is marginally attached to cervix.   She said no “pelvic activity” & no heavy lifting.  Next u/s at 20 weeks..praying the placenta has moved up…otherwise diagnosis of placenta previa and bedrest.

January 02, 2012

20 Weeks – feeling the baby!!!!!!

January 09, 2012

Ultrasound!! It’s a girl J  My placenta has moved up; no bedrest!!  The baby is measuring perfectly too.  This ultrasound included a full anatomy scan and this baby girl is growing just as she should be!  This visit couldn’t have gone any better, we are so relieved that the baby looks perfect and that I can lift/no bedrest/placenta has moved up!  Hallelujah!!! J

February 6, 2012:  Gestational Diabetes testing today.  (Do not have GD!!)

Babies heart beat is 156. 

February 9, 2012:  Feeling big J this baby is growing fast.  I can feel her so many times throughout the day.  Falling in love!  Wish we could pick a name J

Heart burn is here…smaller meals are in order from now on!   

February 28, 2012:  Tomorrow we will be starting week 28!  Baby is measuring one week ahead- I’m really starting to feel huge!  Heartbeat is in the 140’s.  I have gained 16lbs so far & I’m happy with that, I’m hoping to gain a total of 25ish lbs this time around.  I feel her all the time…so much more than I ever felt Kate (position of the placenta I’m told).  I’m starting to worry about Kate and her adjusting to a new baby in the house.  She’s had all of our attention from day one and now she will have to share Mommy and Daddy.  I bought some books about new baby/being a big sister and we have been focusing on her babies…feeding them, changing their diapers, etc.  She’s so loving and sweet, I know she is going to love being a big sister!

March 15, 2012:  All is well J  I haven’t gained any weight since my last appt and I’m happy about that- total so far, 16 lbs at 30 weeks today!  The baby’s heart beat was hard to find today and made me nervous…but the nurse found it and it was a healthy beat in the 160’s!  Dr. Cascio said the baby was measuring perfectly at 30 weeks!  She mentioned the possibility of scheduling an induction at 29 weeks if we were interested.  I really wanted to let this baby come naturally, but the more I think about it, it might be nice to plan it out and have arrangements for Kate, etc.  We have plenty of time to think about it!

March 17, 2012: We bought the baby a crib today!

April 05, 2012: 33 week OB appointment today.  My start weight was 148 and today I weigh 168= total weight gain 20 lbs.  The baby is measuring 33 weeks and change = perfect!  Her heartbeat is in the 140’s = perfect.  Sandy, the new nurse practitioner/midwife in the office felt the baby’s head, spine, and feet.  She showed me where the head was (facing down) and I got to feel it…so amazing!  She also mentioned that the baby wasn’t going to be a big baby.

April 11, 2012: Tingly hands are present quite often now, especially my left hand.  So weird!

April 24, 2012:  Had several contractions today.  I didn’t have these with Kate, so it’s a new experience.  Not too painful, more like mild cramping.  I also think I lost some of the mucus plug today.  I’m feeling her so much, I feel like she fills my whole belly and there isn’t much more room in there for growing.  Her feet are all the way to my left side, body so high in my ribs, I think her back and arms are all the way to the right, and I get these shooting pains down low where her head is.  36 Weeks today, so we need to sit tight for another couple weeks ok baby?!  Next OB appt is tomorrow, I’m anxious to see if I’m at all dilated. J  Can’t believe we’ll be holding our 2^nd baby girl so soon.  I’m so excited to see how Kate reacts to her baby sister.

April 25, 2012: Dr. Cascio says the baby is very low and perfectly positioned.  She said this will be an easy birth because the baby is positioned so perfectly.  Good news!!  J I feel like I could have her any moment…she feels so low and I am so uncomfortable.  My baby shower is Saturday, can’t wait to celebrate the new baby with my girls!

April 29, 2012: Emily Lynn Kimmel surprised us on this day. My life has changed forever, my heart grew today, I’m so in love with this blue eyed bundle of pure joy!!

Birth story to follow J

My LOVES, My Life

Lovin' my morning cuddles with my favorite girls in the world!

The fun stuff!!!

Yesterday Kate and I made Gege one of her favorites...tapioca pudding!!  Kate is the best little chef, she loves to help me in the kitchen. She also likes to smell all the spices in the spice drawer!

 Already 2 months. Lovin everything about her!

We went to Grams and G Dad's tonight.  Kate loves them..they're so much fun!

Swimming with G Dad and Daddy

I have the best little helper!

Happy 4th of July 

Sleeping beauty!

My first week back to work...sad and missing my girls, but happy to be helping Dad out with the work load.

little talker @ 22 months.

so may 3 word phrases these days!!
that's kenny's cup
bless you kenny  (after a sneeze)
i want muffin, i want ghuhghuh (this is what she calls milk in a bottle, haha), i want binky, etc.

she's totally able to have a conversation now and it is so much fun!!

last night i was singing her kumba ya before bed and she said, "no, i want sunshine"...ahh, she wanted  me to sing you are my sunshine :) i sing this to her every night before bed.  she and em are my sunshine...love my girls!!

the terrible two behavior is upon us too.  she totally beat me up at the splash pad yesterday.  i wanted to leave, she wanted to stay.

My girls

Emily is already more than 2 months old, it seems like she was just born and tomorrow she will be 10 weeks old. She's such a chunky monkey and I love all her little rolls.  I'm happy to report we have another happy baby...Em eats so great and sleeps great too.  She has never cried in the middle of the night..she just wakes up, whimpers, eats, and goes back to sleep.  I feel so very blessed to have two healthy and happy girls..life really doesn't get better and I am grateful every day to wake up to these beautiful babies.
Em had her two month check up last week and weighs 11.8 lbs, is 22.5 inches long, and her head circumference is 39.  I caught this awesome smile while we were waiting for Dr. Cannizzaro to come in.

LOVE THEM!!!

Here is a great shot of Kate loving her little sister.

Kate is into all things baby. She loves sucking on a binky, sitting in Em's baby chairs and swings, etc.  We were making tapioca pudding for Gege this morning and Kate just had to sit in Em's chair...so Em got to sit in her bathtub. We improvise when needed :)

Sleepy chunky monkey!

We had a little inside picnic today and watched the Boston Pops fireworks that Daddy DVR'd. Lots of wows and beautifuls from this one, she loved it!

Beautiful baby...I'm so in love with my new baby girl!!  I didn't know I had this much extra room in my heart..but I sure do!

More pics later. 

I've had the last 3 days off from work...Ludim took some time off, so I got to stay home with the kids and look after Gege a little bit since Uncle Jack went to a Barbershop festival in Portland, Or.  

We got to visit with Gege some, but not as much as I would have liked.  I did get to help her with her sheets (which she is very particular and cute about :)) and we had several short visits. Kate gets bored up there, so I brought her video player and that helped. Tonight we went on her porch and did some sparklers and pop its and we all had some ice cream..it didn't last long because of all the darn mosquitoes.  Gege is so small and frail now...nothing like she was just a couple of months ago. I can't believe how rapidly the Cancer has taken over her body.  Despite being exhausted and having no energy, she continues to make little jokes and keep a positive attitude.  She sleeps more in the last couple days than before and it seems there are notable differences with each passing day.  Dad just came up and told me that after dinner Gege stood up and kind of fumbled, caught herself and sat back down.  She cried...but had no tears (she said this is because she isn't eating or drinking enough to have moisture for tears)...she cried and said she wanted the lord to take her.  She is ready and at peace with dying.  I am so emotional once again...Gege has been the kindest most loving woman in my life. She has loved me for 34 years and I can't imagine life without her love, her sweet voice, her smile, her prayers for me every night.  This past year living with Dad has been a blessing. We have bonded so much over breakfast every day and talks on the porch in the afternoon.  I miss all of that so much.  Watching her die slowly to Cancer has been so painful...and she has been so strong and positive thru out.  She said today that you never know what you're going to be dealt...how you will die.  I wish her peace and don't want her to suffer long...she is going to be so missed.  I worry about Dad too...He and Gege are like best friends.  I love them both to the moon and back.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family, we all love each other unconditionally and to no end.  I am blessed beyond words to be a part of it and for me it all starts with Gege.  I love you Gege and I'm going to miss you, you will always be in my heart, always.  I hope I become more like you with time...I will always remember the things you have taught me by the way you live.  You're kind and faithful, loving and forgiving, funny and smart, sweet and innocent, angelic and beautiful.  I love you.

Gege at her 89th birthday celebration.

This was her request and boy was it yummy!!!

New Blog- Chris Bohlender

Kendra's boyfriend has this awesome blog!  Check it out, he's awesome!!

http://www.crossbowfilms.net/i-hope-you-can-dance/

 

Swimming Lessons- 19-20 Months

We decided to give Kate swimming lessons this Summer. She's such a good little swimmer and loves the water.  Here are some pics her swim coach, Ms. Shannon, emailed to me.