Playing Dress-Up

The onslaught of photos continues...
It won't always be practical, but for the time being, we are having lots of fun dressing Kendall up in lots of cute outfits- this one is a personal favorite of mine. Uncle Derek gave her the cute boots she is sporting. Since she came out a little "riper" than we expected, we have to use her newborn clothes quickly! Ohhh, little girls are so much fun!

Santa Baby...

Spending Christmas at the hospital wasn't in our original plans, but it ended up being a neat experience. The birthing center was quite festive in decor and Christmas cheer, with Santa Claus making the rounds on Christmas Eve to visit the new babies. The newborns in the nursery were all wrapped in Christmas stockings, and nurses brought around Christmas cards made by children to brighten our day. Outside, the blizzard ruled the roads and unfriendly winds blew, but the snow was pretty to watch from our warm room as we ushered in the Christmas holiday with our newest gift.

How I Became Un-Pregnant!

According to my last blog, I should have a two-week-old baby by now. Lots has happened since then! Here's the deluxe version of our labor and delivery story for you curious folk. Read if you'd like...or just skip to the good stuff (PICTURES!).

INDUCTION FAIL

Chris and I packed up for the hospital for our scheduled induction appointment on Dec. 16th. I grimaced through the IV pokes and lab work as the pitocin drip was started. Contractions went from slow-going to intense and back to slow-going throughout the day...so slow, in fact, they decided to stop for the night and start again in the morning. After making little progress in the morning hours, we decided to pack it in and let it happen naturally. Our induction was postponed at that time until Christmas Eve...and it seemed like an eternity away.

THUMB-TWIDDLING

The days after the induction were the worst. My parents were here and Chris' family had come and gone. We were all expecting to be holding a baby by this point. Aside from the mental duress of waiting, physically I was a disaster. At almost 9 1/2 months pregnant, sitting on the couch was pretty much my only option. I think we were all experiencing a degree of cabin fever, and did our best to bide our time with games, movies and naps.

I'VE GOT SOME CRAZY BAD GAS!

On Tuesday morning (Dec. 22), I woke up with some unusual lower back pain. Staying in bed for a while, I wrote it off as constipation. Unable to get comfortable anymore, I relocated to the couch where I noticed that this gas pain came and went in semi-regular intervals. Not expecting contractions to appear solely as back pain, I was suspicious but began timing the pain anyway. Like clockwork, it would resurface every 6-7 minutes. After monitoring this for a few hours, I called Chris, who rushed home from work despite my warnings that it may just be gas. (After the last hospital disappointment, I did not want to get my hopes up just yet.) Building in intensity, I decided it was time to get an expert opinion...and off to the hospital we went. Again.

GOD BLESS THE EPIDURAL

Confirming what surely was contractions by this point, the doctor reported that we were making progress...already to four centimeters when we checked in! As we steadily approached 5 centimeters, I made the smartest decision I have ever made...I ordered an epidural. Though the pain was not unbearable at this point, the relief was sweet and I would NEED it in the hours to come! This, however, made the contractions slow down- so much so that we were briefed on the possibility of a c-section if they didn't start again. Chris and I used the following couple hours to rest up while the pitocin went to work, and I became worried because I was in no physical discomfort- surely it wasn't working.

I'M WHAT!?

The nurse disrupted our naps to check me again, and to our GREAT surprise, announced that I was 9 1/2 centimeters! I was more than pleased that the pain of active labor had taken place as I slept! We shifted mental gears and prepared for the big moment, which was coming soon. Now well after midnight, our baby would be born on December 23rd! The next hour and a half was spent pushing- and I was again surprised by the ease of this part of the process. It was hard work, but completely manageable. I didn't even break a sweat!

THIS IS A BIG BABY!

4:27 a.m. "You'll have a baby on the next push...I promise!" The doctor kept her promise, and with a little help from the good ol' vacuum, Kendall Rae Stavenger made her way into the world with the most precious cry I've ever heard. The doctor observed that she seemed like a big baby, followed by weight guesses flying around the room. After most estimated between 8.6 and 8.12, there were audible shrieks when the nurse weighed her in at 9 POUNDS, 14 OUNCES! I proudly accepted all the extra brownie points I was awarded from the staff and my husband. :)

WORTH THE WAIT

All that extra baking in my belly meant Miss Kendall popped out nice and healthy-looking, with beautiful big cheeks and adorable tummy. She was promptly visited by the troopers who waited out this long labor at the hospital: Grandma Marcia and Aunt Carrie (from Moorhead) and Grandpa Keith and Grandma Donna (from California). The experience was better than I could have ever expected, and the recent anticipation only made her arrival sweeter.


The Stats!
Kendall Rae Stavenger
Born December 23rd, 2009 at 4:27 a.m.
9 lbs, 14 oz.
19.9 inches long

Baby Kendall with her tired mommy and daddy.

Merry Christmas from Luna

...now the "overlooked child" in the house.

This is just a holdover post until the REAL update...soon!
Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

One Way Out...

My Youth Pastor taught me to ski. I spent several ski trips honing my novice skills on the bunny hills in Tahoe, focusing on getting off the lift without biting it big time. On an earlier trip, Pastor Jeff asked me if I wanted to try something a little harder, assuring me it would be a breeze and he would ski down with me.

Youth Pastors lie.

I should have known when I had to have a special pass just to get on the lift. On the way up the hill, I interrogated him about my top-of-the-hill options. I'm not the thrill-seeker sort, so I hoped for a casual, scenic trail to cruise down. That is NOT what greeted me at the top of the hill- it was so steep it practically curled under. While Jeff giggled mischievously, I looked at the big black diamond staring at me and then to the photographer taking pictures of skiers at the summit. It would, no doubt, be my LAST picture should I attempt this hill. I pleaded with the man, "is there ANY other way down?" His answer confirmed my worst fear- the ONLY way was straight down.

It was a pee-my-pants terrifying moment in my life, but the fact that I am blogging now is testimony to the fact that I did it (albeit, sloooowly) and survived.

Tomorrow is another such moment in my life. A doctor appointment today set us on the path of induction, so Chris and I report to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. to get the party started. There's only one way for this baby to exit my body, and I hear it's....uh....not pleasant. But, I suppose much like the final exams many of my friends are undergoing, the unpleasantness will be followed by great relief- and greater joy.

Thank you for taking this journey with me and for sharing your insights and encouragement. I look forward to reporting from the next phase of life!

Farewell from pre-motherhood!

(The paparazzi followed us to our last doctor appointment.)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

...and still no baby. But have some patience, ye of little patience. We have yet to reach our due date. It's after that passes that we can stomp and whine. Meanwhile, the Duluth Stavengers are ready for Christmas...and have been for a while. We caved this year and purchased an artificial tree, which turned out as beautiful as a real one (and as fragrant, thanks to Bath and Body Works Scentports).

Winter ambience.

Representing Biola here in the Northland!

The stockings were hung by the...television...with care. I know- hard to believe we don't have a fireplace here in Antarctica. But, in this digital age, I don't see why Santa couldn't somehow molecularly transport himself through our screen.

Yep...there's one for you.

Moorhead Maternity Mayhem

Before I pop this kid out, I should probably finish blogging about my baby showers! Just a quickie...My sisters-in-greatness, Carrie and Alissa, threw me a baby shower at the beginning of November. I was a little nervous to drive across the state by myself (Chris was on call that weekend and had to stay in Duluth), but said a prayer and did it anyway. It was worth the long drive, being greeted at home by all the Stavenger ladies AND my mother! She and friend Patty conspired to surprise me with her attendance at the shower, and I got a BONUS three days with her back in Duluth! Such a great time for both of us to turn our attention toward preparing for baby.

The hostesses had a great idea...all shower attendees included their favorite children's book with their gift. We now have a great library (in addition to my book from teaching days) to get our little girl started!

Auntie Carrie and Auntie Alissa- lovely shower hostesses.


Checking out one of baby's new books.

Important ladies in my life!

Beware the Wrath...

Dog hair. It is the bane of my existence.
And if you thought I was neurotic about it before pregnancy, just watch me freak out about it now.
Luna is shedding...just in time for the baby to arrive.
Just as my nesting/cleaning urges are kicking into full gear.

Chris promised, with the adoption of Luna, that he would take responsibility for cleaning up after her. And, to his credit, he's done a great job keeping the floor vacuumed.
That would be great if her hair was ONLY on the floor.
Unfortunately, most of it ends up stuck to the couch, blankets, pillows, furniture...anything she walks by or touches.

Because our lives are not broadcast on a reality show, let me sum up the last couple weeks for you:

(week of Thanksgiving)
Jamie: You really need to lint roll the sofas. There is hair everywhere.
Chris: Ok.

(Day before Thanksgiving)
Jamie: I have company coming on Monday. Can you please lint roll the sofas soon?
Chris: Yeah.

(Thanksgiving Day- total meltdown in the car)
Jamie: THERE IS DOG HAIR ALL OVER MY BLACK COAT!! UGHHHGHHHGH!!!
Chris: (silence)
Jamie: I CAN'T SIT DOWN ANYWHERE WITHOUT BEING COVERED IN DOG HAIR!! (Tears) You NEED TO LINT ROLL THE SOFAS!!! (More tears)
Chris: Okay sweetie- don't cry. I'll do it.

(Post Thanksgiving)
Jamie: The lint roller is right there.
Chris: Okay. Thanks.

(Day before company comes)
Jamie: Chris...look at the couch. There are HUGE globs of hair all along the bottom. I don't want our company leaving with white hair all over them. Lint roll, please.
Chris: (warning: fatal mistake) It doesn't look like it needs it.
Jamie: (INSERT EVIL STARE/SMOKING EARS)
Chris: (insert look of pure fear) I'll do it right now.