Monday, May 25, 2015

Jaundice

Dear Kalvin and Kacie,

We are LOVING having you home at this point, Kalvin. You are so precious and perfect. You sleep amazingly and, as I keep saying, you are so chill! Seriously, you don't react to much which is great because your sister is crazy!




You are perfect, even with all of your zits and scratches.


Well, the one thing I haven't mentioned yet is your jaundice.

Jaundice is just the worst! Kacie had it too and I really thought we would avoid it this time around but alas, here we were, putting you on that blasted billybed.


Luckily the technology these days has drastically improved from when your Uncle Jerm had to be on the bed. My mom told me her horror story of sitting next to the 'fish tank' bed just crying because she couldn't hold you. Your bed didn't have a cover and was easily portable and there was also a little 'billy blanket' that was awesome for keeping you near us or holding you. It gave you a rat tail though!



It was difficult keeping your sister away from you. She just wanted to touch you all the time!


The great thing about having a photographer mother is that you get lots of amazing newborn pictures for free!


We put you and Kalvin in the bath one night and when we were done bathing him you climbed into his little tub and giggled. You thought you were so funny!


Just Kacie being enthralled by the billybed again.


Kacie, you loved holding Kalvin all the time after we brought him home. you would wrap your little arms around his even littler body and just look at his face for a few seconds (cause your attention span is short).


Kalvin, I spent a lot of time just laying by you and watching you.


This was our first family outing, and yes, it was to Costco! I was impressed by your daddy who carried both you kiddos at the same time! (for the record, I'm pro at carrying you both now too!)


Kacie, you still love the makeup toy from Grandma Sandra. You wouldn't let me move it from this spot on the floor!


And here you are watching something on the iPad while I fed Kalvin. Sometimes, that is the only way I can entertain you!


after a few times of seeing daddy and I hold Kalvin on our chests, you decided that you wanted to do that too. you would yell at us, lay on the ground and pat your stomach until we set Kalvin down. Then you would just giggle and giggle!


Here you were trying to put on your socks. You kept saying "outside. outside." but I was feeding Kalvin so instead you tried to get ready by yourself!


I think one of my favorite things about babies is that they look so different all the time!

I took these two punctures one right after the other and just look at how much you change Kalvin!



Your sister loves you.


She gives you kisses all the time


and is always in your face!


She'll just lay by you and laugh and pat you and smile and say "Kowmin. Kowmin."


Such a handsome boy!


Dad was so good to take you in to the lab to get your blood drawn. He took you every day so I didn't have to worry about it! This jaundice thing is so hard for us. It's just frustrating knowing that you are having to be poked and naked laying on this uncomfortable light! Dad was so good to take care of me and you while it was going on!


Bathtime! - Which so far you aren't totally fond of!

Heres daddy taking pictures of you with no diaper on so of course you peed on your towel mid picture!


Kacie is laying in your bed watching TV. Someday you will be off the billybed and be able to sleep in normal places where your sister hasn't taken over.


Our friends little boy will go hide while he is pooping and if you acknowledge him while he is doing so he will get mad at you. I just thought that was so funny but this one day you stood right in front of me bent over and started pooping. When I asked if you were you yelled at me "NO!" and wouldn't look at me until you were done.


Those first few weeks are exhausting with a new baby so we were playing some games on the iPad one morning. Kacie you were concerned that Kalvin couldn't see so you had me position him and the iPad like this and then you were pointing at the screen, looking at Kalvin saying "watch. watch." and trying to get Kalvin to pay attention. Someday he will watch TV with you Kacie. Someday.


I'm exhausted but I love you two so much that it's ok! I can't wait to see where we will be as time continues on!


We love you two a lot and love that you are just the cutest kids ever!

Love,

Mom & Dad

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Welcome Home!

Dear Kiddos,

We finally made it home!


And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grandma Sandra. When I had called and asked what she wanted for her birthday she said 'a baby!' and man did I deliver, literally.


Kacie jumped right into helping dad with chores… which was nice because we had to do laundry because she was sick!


We brought home the little bath tub from the hospital (the nurse basically forced it on us!) but it is the perfect size for all of the little books! And I just knew Kacie would be excited for it!


I'm not sure Kalvin wanted to be held, but Kacie, you enjoyed it a lot!


So that night we celebrated me and grandma's birthdays. 


I got a cute little jar that says "pedi cash" from my mom and you guys gave me a gorgeous necklace!


These are the beautiful flowers that Uncle Colin brought for me and for my mom.


The first few days you were home Kalvin were wonderful! Here you are raising the roof!


You were so calm and just chilled wherever you were!


We just love that squishy face of yours!


Dad was in heaven basically because he was off of school (spring break) and work! he still had some homework and studying to do but it was a great break for him to spend so much time with you kids.


Grandma Sandra is really cool because she has an iPad. You kept finding it in her purse and playing with it. One time, you had it on the couch next to her while she was holding Kalvin. He turned his head and just stared at you! It was hilarious, like "Who is this moister that keeps attacking me and how do I take her down!?"


You always want to do what we are doing Kacie, including holding Kalvin on your tummy! It makes you giggle when we set him on your belly!


We are so blessed to have both of your sweet spirits in our home.

We love you two so much!!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Thank you, Kyle!

Dear Kyle,

Thank you for being there for me during my pregnancies.


Thank you for taking care of me when I was tired, sick or cranky!


Thank you for loving me when I wasn't so lovable!


Thank you for going to work, day after day, even though it's not what you want to do as a career and even though it is a bit difficult to put on a smile while you're there!


Thank you for going to school and spending hours reading and studying to better support the kids and I.


Thank you for making me smile and laugh and for making sure that I was comfortable and happy.


Thank you for being my friend and for letting me talk to you about anything, even if it's boring!


Thank you for being kind and understanding and for teaching me to be more accepting.


Thank you for introducing me to new things!


Thank you for loving me!


Thank you for giving me these beautiful children!


Thank you for loving them as much as you do and for being a wonderful example of hard work!


I am so blessed to have you as my husband and am honored that you would choose me to be your wife!


Thank you for being you!

I love you!

Love,

Kayla