Kenadee's 1st Birthday

My dearest Kenadee Payton, on your 1st Birthday…

Your almost a year old Kenadee…what a year this has been. Even before you were born, it was such a fun time being pregnant with you, so many different things I experienced, and dealt with from an adult point of view. You have changed me forever and for that I am grateful.

When we found out we were pregnant, it was 5am in the morning on a Friday, and we called Grandma to let her know. Daddy was smiling ear to ear and we couldn’t go back to sleep. There was such a wave of emotions that we just stayed up and called everyone! Mommy used to smoke, so when we found out you were inside of me I had to quit, and that was another great thing that happened to me! We went to the Dr. on Jan 28th and heard your heart beat…that was the most amazing thing I have ever heard. I didn’t know how to act, I will never feel that moment and be so excited, happy and full of love as I was that moment. You were in my belly.
Weird right?

Every week I followed your progress on how big you were getting, there were times I would put my hand on my belly waiting to feel you kick, and then May came along and I felt you kick me for the first time. It was something I waited for my whole life with out even knowing it! When I got further along, you could actually see your foot and elbow through my tummy!

We were about 35 weeks pregnant and we were at the Dr. and she confirmed us to have a C-Section to have you delivered. We got to pick the date of your arrival, so that’s how we got to bring you into the world on Friday, September 3, 2010. What a morning that was. I was nervous, scared, excited, happy and all in the same day! Daddy started doing dishes before we went to the hospital he was so nervous! He stopped at McDonalds because he was in for a long day and I couldn’t eat anything because they consider a C Section surgery.

We got to the hospital and they welcomed us on the maternity floor. I was admitted into the hospital, hooked up to all the necessary machines, filled out all the paperwork and then the Dr. explain what happens in a C Section. You had to see Daddy trying to put on the hospital outfit. He went to sit and split it right up his butt! LOL! I waved to Grandma and Aunt Pat who were waiting in the area for us to be done and headed off into surgery.

Daddy had to wait outside while they gave me what’s called a Spinal (to numb me while they took you out of my belly). Once that was done, Daddy got to come in and sit right next to my head. He had the camera all ready to go! You didn’t want to come out; you were way to comfortable inside of me! The Dr. had to make a extra long incision and use another Dr. to help to pull you out. You were born at 10:56am, that’s when they took you out of me and put you on top of me! You were so chubby at 9pds, 1oz…You had low blood sugar because of my diabetes (I will explain later) so they gave you some sugar and then Daddy got to take pictures of you and take you to the nursery and give you your first bath while they stitched me back up.

Daddy brought you out to see Grandma and Aunt Pat and they were so happy they were crying all over you! I had to be in recovery for a while so I didn’t get to see you again until almost 5 hours later (that was a long time) I had to lay flat because of the medicine so Daddy, Grandma and Gerri were holding you and changing you. Then we had everyone come up to see you!

You were so stinking cute Gerri bought you hats to wear because when you’re that little you have to keep warm. You stayed over night in the nursery until the next day…then Uncle Lenny, Aunt Karen and everyone was up to see you and bring you all kinds of gifts, I mean, it was your birthday!!!!

We were in the hospital for 4 days because of the C Section you have to be monitored. Daddy stayed every night with me in the room as uncomfortable as that chair/bed was, he never left our side (only to go home and shower). Grandma came that day to help us bring you home; you had a lot of stuff! She stayed with us the first week because you had a hard time sleeping, you would want to be awake during the night and sleep all day! So Grandma helped us out big time!!!!

Then right after you came home Daddy’s had appendix surgery, you were only 2 weeks old! And he was on bed rest for almost 2 months…he finally got back to work and Grandma Sharpley was at the time in a nursing home (we can tell you all about her when you are older) you got to meet her when you were just 3 months old right before Thanksgiving, and she took a turn for the worse and was hospitalized then she passed away on December 22, 2010.

It was a very hard time, with Christmas 3 days away, and it being your first one, we tried to make everything special (even though you didn’t remember) Daddy celebrated with you as if nothing happened! He was truly a soldier at that point. Grandma Sharpley was buried December 30, 2010 and that day we decided to have you stay with Gerri. You were too young to attend such a grown up function. You were so good for her and Marcus that day…you helped me and Daddy so much!

Oh, did I mention that we moved into a house 3 days before Grandma Sharpley passed away…yep, we weren’t even unpacked yet! Our lease was up in our apartment, so we found this house in Hamilton and we had to take it because we needed a place to live. It wasn’t the greatest house, ask Daddy about it when your older! You continued to grow so nicely, even the doctors said you were growing so fast, so ahead of other children with your height, weight and all the activities that you were doing. You crawled and 2 weeks later, right to walking! You have been walking since 10mths! You are so ahead of the game you don’t even want formula anymore.

You love noodles, bread, jello, pudding, bananas and ice cream! You hate chicken and beef…but we are still trying new food every time we eat. You only ate baby food for about a month and you got tired of it…it was very funny you would shake your head no when we would put it near your mouth. You put everything in your mouth, literally. Carpet, dirt, grass etc. You love water, that was your favorite, and then you wanted the bottles when we were done drinking it. You only slept between someone’s legs, or in the bed (bad habit).

You love Dora the Explorer, she is on the TV the whole day and night, even the same episode, you don’t care as long as you hear the theme song and the map sing you would sit there and dance. We are having your 1st birthday as a Dora the Explorer party.

You also love ducks! You would walk around the house saying “Duck” “Duck”. Aunt Debbie and Uncle Steve got you this huge duck for Easter and you carried it around the house and would tackle it with Daddy and Uncle Shaun all day long. You loved to mimic when someone coughed or laughed. You loved Daddy, you would cry for him if he wasn’t in your site. You used to crawl in the cabinet when we weren’t looking in the kitchen! LOL!

Oh Kenadee, you are almost a year. I have seen you grow so much I don’t even believe it, it shocks me every day. Daddy just sent me a picture of you and I just starred at it because I couldn’t believe how big you have gotten! I love you more then anything in this world, you are my world, and I will always be there for you and do everything for you. You make me smile every day and bring so much joy and happiness into my life, I love you peanut…


Mommy

as i sit here while you sleep...

you remind me of myself...sweet, loving and a temper to rock this world. But you also bring me happiness, happiness i never knew could be possible. When you laugh at me singing "bottom's up" i feel like I am on a stage and a audiance of a million people think i am funny. When i come out of a room and see you for the first time in over 5 whole minutes, you smile from ear to ear. When Daddy holds you and you get all rammmy and want to wiggle over to me, that makes my day! You are such a beautiful soul, and I can't wait till you realize how much you mean to me. You are my baby daughter, even when your 25!!!!

Valentine's Day...

Daddy is taking his girls out for Valentine's Day...

5 months have passed...

I can't believe that my little girl is 5 months old today. Really, where did the time go? She rolls over, blows raspberries all day and night, loves to be naked, hates sweet potatoes, but loves her lion that plays music. I remember bringing her home and she would just want to sit in the swing, now she is so active, we can't leave her in the swing cause she sits up and tries to reach over the sides! its amazing, literally to watch your child grow, learn new things every day...i am very blessed that i can do this all the time. i wouldn't trade it for the world! Love you peanut! Don't worry, Daddy will be getting you a new toy today! LOL!!!!

Really, is it February?

I can't believe it...this thursday, feb 3 Kenadee will be 5 months old. its also when My dear friend/cousin/hairdresser (lol) is due with her lil boy. Alot has happened, we lost Dave's Mom in December, we moved into our new house, Aunt Pat took a 23 day cruise to Antartica/Chile, Mom broke her wrist and had surgery, Dave fell down a flight of steps on a fire call, oh, and Kenadee rolls over and back! Whew, that was alot of stuff...that should update everyone! LOL! Can't forget we are planning her Christening too in March...lots of stuff to do for that. Ok, my whole 5 min of alone time is gone, she woke up from her nap...TTYL!

Time...

is something that goes so quick...i cant believe my little girl will be 3 months old next friday. Seriously, i have 6 bags of clothes that she outgrew! I know all kids grow, but it was cute when it was someone else's child. But she is my baby, and I am already remembering my time with her while i was still in the hospital, can you imagine when she is a year old? I sometimes catch myself watching her sleep, looking at how much she has changed, or how her hair color has gotten darker, and her eyes lighter. I can truly understand how everyone says they grow so fast, i am experiencing that right now. My one and only little girl is developing right in front of me, and bittersweet moment, I want her to stay this little, and sweet and how she looks at me in the moring with this huge grin when i pick her up...i hope that stays, but even if one day she is screaming at me at 7am when its time for school, i will still look at her while she is screaming and say I love you Kenadee...Ugh, ok here come the tears! I only have 4 years till school!!!! AHHHH!!!!

2 months old...

Where has the time gone...I remember counting down till she was born, and now we are two months in and i remember every moment. I hope i can say that ten years from now! She is a beautiful little girl, and i love her more and more each time i look at her. She makes me smile, laugh, and my heart is filled with happiness...

These quotes are very true!

I read this and said hey, who was in my head? I am only a month into being a Mommy, but these quotes are the most accurate words on earth! Please read and share with a Mom you know...

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid. [See a reader's perspective in #22, below.]

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...


1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth."

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth."

3. "You now know where the sun comes from."

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have."

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers."

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night."

7. "Silence? What's that?"

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having."

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had."

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule."

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one."

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog."
13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late."

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury."

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger."

16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place.

17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do!

18. You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution.
19. You have to quit watching the news because you see every story from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart.

20. You just plain love life more - everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them.

21. You finally find out the real reason you have those breasts.

23. The support you get from other people surprises you, because the people giving it are not always the ones you'd expect.

24. Nothing is just yours any longer. You share EVERYTHING!

25. No matter what you've accomplished in life, you look at your child and think, "I've done a GREAT job!"

26. You want to take better care of yourself for your child.

27. You can have the most wonderful conversation using only vowel sounds like "ahhh" and "oooo."

Kenadee is almost a month old!!!!

Where has the time gone????

Our Beautiful Gift...

Kenadee Payton...
9/3/2010
9lbs, 1oz...21inches
We are so very blessed to have her in our lives...she is the best little angel and you will never love anything more then when you are in the operating room and they say "its a girl" the tingle you get, the feeling of love and how your life is just filled with love in a matter of a second will never compare. You love this little being from the moment you find out you are pregnant, but when you see her for the first time, nothing compares. She is a beautiful gift from God, and I need to thank him for giving us this blessing and for letting us become her parents.

Wow, other people are pregnant besides me!

When your pregnant, you seem like you are the only one who is experiencing this amazing gift, the gift of life. But then, you find out 4 others are pregnant and you start comparing symptoms..."Hey, can you even put on a bra?"
"Is it normal to cry while watching The Real Housewives" and then you realize, yes this is all very normal. YOUR PREGNANT! You have no control over your body anymore, its in the hands of the cutest little thing you have ever seen on a screen, but don't get to meet until 9 months later. Well, I am going into week 34 on Saturday, and now all the fun stuff is over and the scary sets in. I can't walk straight, my stomach is out further then my boobs, i sweat walking to the car, i can't sit for a long time, and i pee every hour on the hour. But in the end, which is in 6 to 7 weeks, is all worth it. I can't wait to meet the little person inside of me that kicks me all day and night, and i can't wait to dress the baby in its first yankee's outfit, or take the baby on its first car ride...all the firsts are about to be here...YIKES! See what i mean, the scary sets in! But it will all come to me and like many Mom's before me, I will be fine! Now, if we can cut a deal with the baby to let me get more than a hour of sleep at night that would be great!!!! But they say, that's Mother Nature's way of preparing you for when the baby is up all night...stay tuned!!!!

Tor is 12, Mom is turing 62, and I am going into week 29...

all the numbers for today, its time to play the lottery! LOL! Happy Birthday to Victoria and Mom, they get to share the same birthday! Tomorrow I start week 29...and true to form, I felt my first Braxton Hicks contractions! SCARY! only 11 more weeks...Dr's visits are now every two weeks, and its harder and harder for me to sit for long periods of time. Its funny...u get pregnant, and you can't wait for the baby to arrive, it seems like a eternity! Now, only 11 weeks away from my due date and I am almost sad...sad that I won't feel the kicking, or the waddling everytime i walk. its like your in a special club and the only people who remotly understand how you feel is another pregnant woman. I do, as always have to give my husband the praise that he deserves. He is a saint, he does everything for me and I love him for everything that he puts up with...

Neutral it is!

We have tried since April to find out what we are having, Baby Sharpley will roll around, so sommersaults and flips, but will not show us the goods! Baby is very healthy, 2.5 pds and spine is in perfect alignment! So, that was the positive! It was a little upsetting at the appt. yesterday cause I have a boy and a girl set picked out, but I did find a semi neutral theme called giggles from babies r us. So, now we get to register...only 12 weeks to go! ! ! !

I would like to thank my Husband...again!

For saving my mom's house from a fire on sat night. He went into the house while it was a full blazing fire in the basement, no mask, no gear, just sneakers and sweatpants and single handly put the fire out with out water...while the cops just stood around, and said "Wow, that's a big fire". So, once again, I would like to praise my Husband for being a true hero, in Hamilton, and now in Ewing! Thank you baby! ! ! !

Keep your fingers and legs uncrossed!

We go to the dr for my checkup/ultrasound on Wednesday, hopefully the baby will cooperate this time! Momma wants to have some fun and shop!!!!