Living Life

Last week, I got my freedom (aka, my doctor said  I could drive and could start lifting Rosie as needed)!  I was so excited because to me this meant we could start getting back to a bit of normalcy around here.  It also meant that the parents would get their freedom back and didn't need to come over everyday to help me.  Bobby and I are so grateful that our parents were willing and available to help us.  We realize how blessed we are to have both sets of parents so close and know that not everyone gets the help we've gotten in the past couple weeks.  If you know me at all, you know I don't like to sit around at home doing nothing.  I'm just not good at it.  I need to be doing something, whether it's working around the house or running around town, I just don't sit still well.  I also think that I "recovered" faster from this c-section and was itching to be able to do my own thing.


Since gaining my freedom, I've learned a few things:
1) Its a lot of work getting myself and the girls ready to leave the house. I actually called my sister to tell her that she's my hero! I'm having a hard time with two, I don't know how she does it with three (soon to be four)!
2) All stores should have family bathrooms.
3) It would be nice if stores didn't take all of their carts in. It would hurt to leave a couple out so we can put our kids in them. It would make things easier :)
4) Take full advantage of nap time. I'm amazed at how much I can get done in that short time.
5) My Moby wrap is my new best friend. It allows me to snuggle Annie and be hands free.
6) Our double stroller was a great investment.
7) My first born is growing up way to fast and I'm afraid my little peanut will do the same.

My little diva

Helping daddy

I am enjoying my time off of work with my girls but there are times that I miss work too.  I get a text or two everyday from my co-workers updating me on whats going on in my classroom or with my students.  I'm reminded frequently that my students miss me, which of course makes me feel good.  One of my favorite updates came last week when apparently my sub referred to my desk as her desk, she was immediately corrected by one of the boys that in fact "that's Mrs. Kiger's desk".  I'm glad that haven't forgotten me :-)


Bobby has been super busy the past couple weeks too.  His softball team won their district title last week and we couldn't be prouder.  The girls and I were at the game when they won the title.  When we arrived at the game at the end of the 2nd inning, they were already up 14-0!  Rosie enjoys being at the games and cheering on her daddy and the girls.  

Summer has arrived around here and we are loving it!  We are gearing up for the Memorial Day weekend.  My sister and her family are leaving very soon to head this way and will be here FIVE WHOLE DAYS!  I can't wait!  Rosie is very excited to see her cousin, "Ike-y" and her "Aunt Ree".  I'm sure she's excited about seeing the rest of the crew too and we are all excited for them to meet Annie!  

Sister love

3 weeks old!

Out & About

Yesterday was a big day for us...we ventured out of the house as a family of four for the first time.  My first observation of the day: adding one person to the family, even though she's small, adds a lot more prep time!  We got up, showered, gave Rosie a bath, and Annie a sponge bath.  My second observation:  washing the hair of a baby with lots of it isn't so easy!  I did not have this problem with Rosie, I could just use a wet wash cloth.  Annie's got a full head of hair and I struggled to get the soap out while trying to be super gentle because I don't want her hair to fall out!  :)


Our first destination of the day was the the National Day of Prayer at Warren City Hall.  It was a wonderful time of gathering with our neighbors to pray for our city and our nation.  Annie slept in her car seat the whole time and Rosie enjoyed the music and watching people.  At one point I looked over while a choir was singing and Rosie was clapping her hands and raising them in the air, it was too sweet!  I know my girls won't remember being at this event but I am glad that we were able to be part of it as a family.  

When we finished at city hall, we had to take Annie for her first doctor's appointment.  She weighed in at 5 lb. 12 oz. yesterday, which means she's gained 4 oz. since we've been home from the hospital and is only 2 oz. from her birth weight!  The doctor said she looked good but was still a little concerned about her bilirubin count so she had to have yet another heel prick and blood draw :(  I am happy to report, though, that her numbers came back perfect and we don't have to do that anymore!!!!  

Rosie was very excited to go to the doctor too.  She didn't have an appointment but he wanted to check her ears to make sure the infection she had a few weeks ago was really gone and it was!  She was very talkative while we were in the office and kept saying "doc-ta" to get his attention.  When we got home yesterday afternoon she was still re-living her time with the "doc-ta" over and over and over. 

After the doctor's appointment we stopped for lunch.  As we were being seated at the table, I looked at Bobby and said, "We take up a lot of space!".  Now I realize there are much bigger families and that some of you have more than 2 kids but this reality is still sinking in for me!  As I sat there with Rosie in her high chair to my left and Annie in her car seat and high chair to my right I decided that we would probably be eating at home a lot more :)

Our last stop of the afternoon was my favorite store, Target.  Every little lady needs to be introduced to this store as soon as possible and 5 days old seems as good a time as any.  As you can see from the picture, Annie was very impressed!  On our way to the store I realized that shopping with 2 little ones was going to be a bit more challenging than I'd previously considered.  Where was Rosie going to sit??  Now at Target this isn't a big problem because I don't typically fill up my cart so Rosie can ride in the front but what about at the grocery store?  I'm guessing we will either have to get 2 carts if we all go OR only one adult and one child can go at a time. 

Fortunately, Target has these cool carts!  I think all stores need them...there's room for THREE children (not that I'm suggesting we'll be needing that much room...for the record!)

Life with two is going to take some getting used to and I wouldn't change it for anything!  We are blessed!!

Just a couple more pictures to bore you with :-)

Rosie & Papa at The National Day of Prayer 

This little family walked passed our house this morning.  Rosie was very excited to see the "DUCK-EEEEEEE" (I didn't have the heart to tell her they are geese).  I'm glad they don't have to figure out how to go to the grocery store, where would you put 6 kids in a cart?!

Counting my blessing

We are home!!  Annie was released from her tanning bed last night, her bilirubin was checked early this morning and by 8:30 a.m. we were cleared to go!  Of course, we didn't really get to leave the hospital that early, that part took forever but by 11 o'clock we were on the road!  Bobby and I are both happy to be home with our girls and are feeling very blessed!

Yesterday, while we were sitting around in my hospital room we started talking about our blessings (or things we're thankful for) and I decided I was going to make a list.  Since I took the time to make a list, I figured I'd bore the five of you who might read this with it. Haha :)

1. God's provision for a healthy delivery for both our girls.  Rosie surprised us a week early thanks to my having preeclampsia.  Annie decided to come on her own time and as I learned Sunday morning, it was a good thing she did!  Since Annie was supposed to arrive via a planned c-section today, my OB was supposed to do the surgery.  I was a bit disappointed that she wasn't the doctor on call Saturday morning but was relieved that it was another doctor from that practice who I knew.  Once the decision was made that they were going to do my c-section immediately because of Annie's heart rate dropping, I over heard the doctor on call talking to the anesthesiologist (who apparently did not agree with the need to rush the surgery), she stood her ground and made it clear to him that we didn't need to be waiting and won the battle.  
2. So far Rosie loves here little sister.  She is already a bit protective.  Yesterday after noon, Bobby and Rosie walked down to the nursery to check on Annie and Rosie didn't want to leave her.  Anytime another baby was going into the room, Rosie would shout "No, no!  Annie".  She wanted the nurses to know they were supposed to take care of her sister and she didn't want those other babies getting in the way.
3. We've got the best parents ever!  They've all gone out of their way to help us the last few days.  They've taken care of Rosie, visited us in the hospital, run errands for us, and are making sure we're fed now that we're home.  My mom saved that day by going to buy Annie a preemie outfit to come home in because the newborn one was WAY to big.  :-)   My mother-in-law made sure our bed was made and our house was straightened when we came home today.
4. We are so thankful for our friends and family who began praying for Annie over 9 months ago and who were praying for us when they heard we were heading the the hospital (thanks to my mom's early morning Facebook post). 
5. Annie and my mom will forever have a special bond because they share a birthday.  
6. I'm so grateful for technology like the "tanning bed" Annie spent the day in on Monday.  When my dad and I walked down to the nursery to check on her, dad asked how that blue light could help her liver??  I have no idea but I'm thankful that it did!
7. A few hours after Annie was born, I was able to introduce her to her cousins in Minnesota via Skype.  By the way my favorite part of that was when my favorite 3 year old asked, "where'd that baby come from?"  TOO CUTE!
8. I got really bored in hospital and was able to use my laptop to watch my new favorite T.V. show, Parenthood, on Netflix and Hulu.  I'll also be taking advantage of this technology during those 2 a.m. feedings in the near future.
9. Bobby and I were able to send pictures to friends and family or post to Facebook thanks to our iPhones.
10. I was also able to kill some time playing Words with Friends and Draw Something.

There are of course many, many more blessings I could list and maybe I'll add them another day, but for now I'll stick to my "Top Ten" (which may or may not actually be my top blessings).  

**Can you believe I've actually had 3 blog posts in the last 3 days?  I wonder how long this will last?  I'm hoping I can keep it up but I'm not holding my breath :-)