2 months

This is a little late but here is Kaysleigh's 2 month update.

Since Kaysleigh's 1 month appointment she had an ultrasound done on her hip. Everything looked fine.  She has no problems with her hip.  Kaysleigh did great for the ultrasound too.  She slept the whole time and didn't mind the tech moving her around to look at what they needed.  At her 2 monthe appointment she weighed 9lb 1oz and 21 and 1/2 in long.  She is still in the 10% for weight and down to the 20% for height.  Everything else went great.  She even did pretty well with the shots.  We went ahead and gave her Tylenol right after the shots since got a temperature last time.  After that she slept most of the day.

Milestones

Kaysleigh is a very smiley baby. She has even laughed a few times. She is starting to bat at toys and I can tell she can see farther now.  I've even caught her watching tv a few times. Kaysleigh started "talking" a lot this month.  It is so cute.

Sleeping

We got lucky with Kaysleigh she is a great sleeper.  During the night she usually only wakes up once.  During the day we don't have a set nap schedule yet.  Kaysleigh just sleeps whenever she falls asleep.

Eating

Nursing is still going pretty good.  I wouldn't say we are pros yet though.  She usually eat about 6 times during the day and once during the night.

Favorites

Kaysleigh loves playing in her bouncer and talking to the hanging lion.  She likes the dogs but we try not to let them get to close because they like to lick her face.  Kaysleigh still loves taking showers with Daddy.  She doesn't even mind the water getting in her face.

Misc

This month we have had lots of fun.  Kaysliegh got to take a trip to Hickory, NC where Eric was working out of town.  While there we went to visit my aunt and uncle, Big Joe and Brenda.  One weekend my mom and Nathan came to visit and we went to the NC State Fair.  One day when Eric was off work we went to a pumpkin patch. 



1 month

I can't believe it has already been a whole month.  Things have been going really good so far.  Kaysleigh has been such a happy baby. She has been such a blessing.

 Kaysleigh was off to a slow start with gaining weight but at her 1 mononth checkup we found out she is up a whole pound from her birth weight currently 7lbs 4ozs. She went from in the 1% to 10%.  Height she is still just under 50% at 21 in.  The doctor decided to schedule her for an ultrasound on her hip.  Since Kaysleigh was breech they want to make sure she doesn't have hip dysplasia.

Milestones:
Kaysleigh is so strong she was holding her head up before we even left the hospital.  At her 1 month appointment the doctor was very impressed with how active she is and that she rolled over with very little assistance.

Sleeping:

So far Kaysleigh is a good sleeper.  For the most part she wakes up twice a night. One night she even slept the whole night. Hopefully she will keep sleeping good for us.

Eating:

Eating has been going smoothly as well.  During the day she eats every 2 to 3 hours. At night it is 3 to 5 hrs. Hunger is one of the few times that Kaysleigh cries. 

 

Favorites:

So far she loves her rock and play rocker. One of her favorite things is to sleep swaddled.  We love using the Summer swaddleme.  Kaysleigh also loves tummy time and taking showers with Daddy.

 

Misc:

This first month we have had lots of visitors.

 

 

 

Welcome Kaysleigh

 

38 weeks 6 days

Going into the hospital for a c section

 

Waiting to go back to the OR.  We were scheduled for 9:30 and didn't go back till 1:45.

Kaysleigh Nedra Benson was born at 2:24pm 6lb 4oz and 19 in long.

 

First walk around the hospital

 

 

 

Going home

 

Happy Birthday Kaysleigh

 

 

this benson is stubborn

So Tuesday morning 8:45 I went in for my 38 week appointment.  Starting there it became a very crazy day.  First off my blood pressure was high.  I went to the little room and waited for the midwife.  While waiting the nurse checked my blood pressure again and it was still high.  The midwife finally came in and we listened to the heart beat of Kaysleigh and everything sounded great.  The midwife felt for the head and decided she must be really low because she couldn't really feel the head.  We talked about my blood pressure and since I'd also been having some headaches they decided to send me to labor and delivery to get monitored just to be safe.  The midwife figured I'd be there a few hours then go home.

On the way to the hospitals I told Eric about everything and convinced him not to leave work because I knew he was gonna miss enough work when Kaysleigh comes.  I get to the hospital and it took a little while but finally around 11:30 the nurse got me hooked up to everything to be monitored.  My first blood pressure looked great and so did all the ones after that.  I only wound up having to be monitored for like an hour.  Then I had to wait for the midwife to come in and talk because they were still a little concerned about the headaches.  Finally Jenny the midwife came in and decided to get some blood work done just in case.  She also looked over my records and saw the midwife this morning had actually put head down ?. Jenny said now was as good a time as any to figure out if Kaysleigh really is head down. Jenny felt around a little first and couldn't feel the head down.  She started with the ultrasound and it took a little bit because she was looking for Kaysleigh to be head down.  Once she started looking all over we found her head in my ribs.  I started crying instantly because I knew what that meant. It was so frustrating I went to the hospital for one thing and found out something else.

Jenny talked to me about doing a version where they try to turn the baby.  The doctor that is best at them was actually there in the hospital so she got him to come in.  The doctor decided it would be worth trying. With a version there is a chance of an emergency c section.
So they had to check with anaesthesia to see if they would be comfortable because I had eaten breakfast that morning.  They decided we could do it but had to wait till 3:45.  While I was waiting lots of doctors and nurses came in and out to introduce themselves and explain the procedure.  Eric was also on his way to the hospital.  At one point I could hear the doctors talking in the hallway and apparently my amniotic fluid is on the low side of normal.  While we were waiting I had to get an iv put it in just incase it was needed and some blood drawn.  They also put me back on the fetal monitor for a little bit to watch Kaysleigh's heart beat.  Finally around 4 everyone was ready.  It was pretty intimidating when everyone came in the room.  They had me on the bed tilted back so I was basically upside down and I'm looking up and see the bright light, doctor, 2 students, a nurse, and Eric all staring down at me.  The doctor put a whole tube of the ultrasound goop on my belly and starts pushing.  These were not gentle pushes by any means.  It felt like he was digging around my stomach and then pushing on her butt and head as hard as he could to try and get her to rotate.  There was a lot of pressure and it was really hard to breathe.  It wasn't helping that I was up side down.  I don't know how long he tried but it felt like forever.  We took a few short breaks so I could catch my breath and to check her positioning on the ultrasound.  In the end it wound up not working and was very awful.  I got put back on the fetal monitor to make sure Kaysleigh handled everything OK and was given sometime to calm down before the nurse came back in to talk about the c section.

Jenny was caught up in an emergency so she wasn't able to come back and talk to me but the nurse came in and she was great.  They scheduled a c section for Monday morning.  We talked about options to make the c section more family friendly.  As long as Kaysleigh is healthy she can be put on my chest right after she is born and kept with me while they finish closing me up and everything.  She shouldn't have to be seperated from me and Eric. We left the hospital not with news I was hoping for but feeling OK with it.

Yesterday morning I got a call from jenny apologizing that she wasn't able to come talk to me again.  I thought that was very nice but I understood that there where other patients that needed her as well.  Jenny wanted me to come in today Thursday to check my blood pressure just to make sure.  She also scheduled me for an ultrasound to get a measurement on Kaysleigh.  They think she might be very small.
 If it turns out that she is in the bottom 10% the c section will be done Friday.

This has been a very stressful last few days and at this point I'm ready for it to be over.  I just want to hold Kaysleigh hear her cry and know that everything is OK.

36 and 37 weeks

Charley and I 36 weeks

How far along?  36 weeks Kaysleigh is the size of a honeydew

Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs I was hoping not to go over 30 but I guess that's not going to happen

Maternity clothes? Yes
Best moment this week: Going to one of my best friends weddings in Cincinnati.  It was a long car ride and late nights but I had so much fun.  I'm glad we went even though it probably wasn't the best idea to travel 10 hrs at 36 weeks pregnant.  Everything worked out great.  We got to see my friends who is due 2 days before me and lots of other friends.
Movement: Kaysleigh moves all the time.  They aren't just little kicks anymore.  It's like I can feel her trying to shift her whole body.  Sometimes it gets pretty uncomfortable.

Symptoms: I'm getting a lot of ligament pain. I've been having quite a few contractions.  They aren't strong and are random so I know it isn't labor or anything.

Food cravings: I've actually been craving ice cream. I don't usually eat ice cream it might have something to do with the fact that I'm always hot.

Food aversions: Nothing particular as long as I don't eat to much at once.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: none I've had some Braxton hicks contractions though

Belly Button in or out? it's pretty much flat

Stretch Marks? I'm starting to get some on my sides. I was doing good for so long.

Wedding Ring? off  :( unless I'm inside in the ac.  I try to wear it if we go out somewhere.

What I miss: Sleeping good at night. Even if I get comfortable I always have to get up to pee.

What I am looking forward to: Finishing up are birth classes. The last one is a week before my due date. Hopefully we make it.

Milestones: Kaysleigh's liver and kidneys are in working order

How far along?  37 weeks Kaysleigh is the size of a wintermelon

Total weight gain/loss: 27 lbs Somehow I lost weight not sure how that happened.  

Maternity clothes? Yes
Best moment this week:
Movement: Kaysleigh moves all the time.  They aren't just little kicks anymore.  It's like I can feel her trying to shift her whole body.  Sometimes it gets pretty uncomfortable. She is still kicking my ribs a lot.

Symptoms: I've been getting a lot of pains in my hips.

Food cravings: nothing really this week

Food aversions: Nothing particular as long as I don't eat to much at once.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: none I've had some Braxton hicks contractions though

Belly Button in or out? it's pretty much flat

Stretch Marks? On my sides but I haven't seen any new ones.

Wedding Ring? off  :( unless I'm inside in the ac.  I try to wear it if we go out somewhere.

What I miss: Sleeping at night. I just can't seem to sleep anymore. I toss and turn all night.

What I am looking forward to: Of course getting to hold Kaysleigh! Finishing up are birth classes. The last one is a week before my due date. Hopefully we make it.

Milestones: Kaysleigh's full term

35 weeks

How far along?  35 weeks Kaysleigh is the size of a coconut

Total weight gain/loss: 26+ lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes for the most part although the shirt and shorts I'm wearing aren't. I'm getting tired of wearing the same clothes all the time but I'm not buying anything
Best moment this week: Getting things organized for Kaysliegh.

Movement: Kaysleigh moves all the time.  It's starting to hurt sometimes. I feel like she is trying to break out of my stomach.

Symptoms: My back and hips are hurting a lot.  I've been getting headaches pretty often too. I'm peeing a lot more often too 2-3 times a night usually.

Food cravings: Food that's bad for you like hot pockets or corndogs but I don't buy that stuff so I won't be eating any of that.

Food aversions: Nothing particular as long as I don't eat to much at once.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: none I've had some Braxton hicks contractions though

Belly Button in or out? it's pretty much flat

Stretch Marks? nope still looking good

Wedding Ring? off  :( unless I'm inside in the ac.  I try to wear it if we go out somewhere.

What I miss: Being comfortable and not tired all the time.  I'm ready to wear my normal clothes again. I'm tired of getting tired so easy just cooking dinner wears me out.

What I am looking forward to: Going to one of my best friends weddings this weekend.  I know traveling 36 weeks pregnant might not be the best idea but I'm not gonna miss her wedding.

Milestones: Kaysleigh's hearing is fully developed.

 

34 weeks

 

How far along?  34 weeks Kaysleigh is the size of butternut squash

Total weight gain/loss: 26.5

Maternity clothes? Yes my skirt in this picture is normal though.

Best moment this week: Going to Kingsport seeing family and one of my really good friends.

Movement: Kaysleigh moves all the time especially when I lay down to go to bed.

Symptoms: My back and hips are hurting a lot.  I've been getting headaches pretty often too.

Food cravings: nothing

Food aversions: Nothing particular as long as I don't eat to much at once.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: none I've had some Braxton hicks contractions though

Belly Button in or out? In 

Stretch Marks? nope still looking good

Wedding Ring? off  :( unless I'm inside in the ac

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and just being comfortable

What I am looking forward to: Getting closer to meeting Kaysleigh

Milestones: Kaysleigh can recognize and react to simple songs.

 

 

Tonight we met with our volunteer doula.  At UNC they have a program where doulas volunteer their time.  They assign you two doulas, a main and back up in hopes that one will be available when you go into labor.  Our main doula is pretty young she is a senior at UNC and is pre med and wants to be an obgyn.  She doesn't have a lot of experience but is really nice and knows more then Eric or I do. I think she will be very helpful.

 

 

33 weeks

 

How far along?  33 weeks Kaysleigh is the size of Durian fruit (I've only heard of this fruit because I'm obsessed with chopped on the food network.  Apparently it is pretty nasty.)

Total weight gain/loss: 26 I'm guessing.  Last week at my doctors appointment I was up 25.

Maternity clothes? Yes.  Although the shirt I'm wearing in this pic is one Eric's to small shirts.

Best moment this week: Not having to work anymore.

Movement: Kaysleigh moves all the time especially when I lay down to go to bed.

Symptoms: I get tired really easy and I feel very large I can't imagine getting much bigger.  I'm starting to get a lot of hip and shoulder pain at night. It is almost impossible to try to get comfortable to go to sleep.  I'm also getting hot especially at night and have a headache almost every day.

Food cravings: nothing

Food aversions: Nothing particular as long as I don't eat to much at once.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: none I've had some Braxton hicks contractions though

Belly Button in or out? In but it's getting pretty flat

Stretch Marks? nope

Wedding Ring? off  :(

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and just being comfortable

What I am looking forward to: Hopefully we are going to Kingsport this weekend.  Eric put in a time off request but the schedule hasn't come out yet.

Milestones: Kaysleigh keeps her eyes open now when she is awake.

 

More pictures from the beach

 

 

 

I think this is my favorite picture!