One Year Ago...(Kendall's Birth Story)

So I thought in honor of Kendall's first birthday, and since I don't have the pictures from her party yet, that I would recap her birth story so she can look back on it one day and see how it all went down. :)

All during my pregnancy I was working as a 7th grade science teacher at Montgomery Middle School in Linda Vista. I loved my job, as challenging as it could be at times. Each day was different and it kept me active and focused on something other than pregnancy symptoms. I had a great friend teaching next door to me so that helped, too.

Fast forward to my last week at work: I was supposed to quit work on Friday, May 15, but I just had this feeling that I needed to quit a little bit sooner. So, I moved it up to Wednesday, May 13. Sure enough, the next day at around midnight I started getting contractions. Chris was sure they weren't "the real ones," but I knew. I was practicing my breathing and just concentrating on getting myself in a positive frame of mind for childbirth. I was doing lots of really deep,long breaths to help ease the pain during contractions.

Finally, around 2 we called the doctor and they said we should come in, but we could kind of take our time. I called my mom to come over and stay with Brandon. As soon as she got here we left for the hospital. When I got there they sent me to a triage room and when they finally checked me I was at 7 cm, so they were like, "get her upstairs, stat!"

I wanted to maintain my positive, strong frame of mind, so I refused the wheelchair and walked to and from the elevator. I can't explain but I felt so in control and ready for the experience. I just felt like I could do this. I really was my own personal cheerleader!

In the labor and delivery room, I kept breathing through the pain. As I got closer to transition and things got more painful, I told the nurse I wanted an epidural. But she said I was ready to push and I could do it (she knew I wanted a natural childbirth). Sure enough, the doctor checked me and I was ready. Pushing hurt (duh) but the nurse was so good, she kept cheering me on. And Chris was right there trying to say the right things but kind of like a deer in the headlights, poor guy! I was in it to win it so when they said she was almost out and ot keep pushing through the pain, I gave everything I had. The next thing I knew, she was out! I felt instant relief and joy as the nurse placed her on my chest. Little Kendall didn't waste any time and she nursed practically right after she was born. My little love!

7lbs, 11 oz, 21 1/2 inches long. Dark hair and lots of it!

I have never run a marathon, but I have given birth naturally and I really felt like a rock star after that! Wow, what an experience. Was it painful? Yes, but the pain was manageable. Would I do it that way again? Absolutely! We will plan on it for this next little one and hope that his/her birth is just as perfect as Kendall's was!

Kendall Goes Shopping...

So, yesterday Daddy put together a birthday present from Gammy. Kendall got to play in the box while Daddy was busy building it.

Not that she liked that.


Luckily it was pretty interesting watching Daddy hammer the wheels on.


Then Kendall got to take her new grocery cart for a test drive!


She drove.


And drove.


And shopped 'till she dropped (literally. She's still not that great on her feet.)



I think it is safe to say that she loves her present. Thank you, Gammy! (Just wait until she sees her other present from Gammy!)

Chloe's Birthday!

This Saturday we had the pleasure of helping Kendall's little friend Chloe celebrate her first birthday. It was seriously a blast! They had the party at a kids gym, and it couldn't be a more perfect place for a party. There were trampolines, a ball pit, jungle gyms, tumbling mats, etc.


Kendall had an absolute blast. She didn't stop going except to eat (reminds me of someone else I know...)


One of her favorite things was this little step thingy. It had rails on both sides and steps that go up and down. Kendall is obsessed with stairs but usually needs our help to get up and down. With this she could go up and down to her hearts content all by herself using the handrails!





There really was a lot to do here... see those giant multi-colored balls? A kid can fit in it and then you can roll the whole thing around. Wish they had those in grown-up size!


Kendall enjoyed pushing these giant balls around.



So, what a fun time. Thank you to Chloe for inviting us! We really enjoyed celebrating with you!

Oh. My. Gosh.

11 pounds, 6 ounces. Yeah.


Let me also say that my sis in law is 5' 1".


I asked her what prenatal vitamins she was taking. Target brand! LOL


He's a beautiful, big, healthy baby! We are all so happy for Derek and Shelly, and excited to meet our newest addition.

Encinitas Street Fair

We decided to take the little fashionista to the Encinitas Street Fair this weekend. We got there and it was just a beautiful Sunny San Diego day- the kind we are known for. We started off having breakfast at St. Germaine Cafe.

I let Kendall nom on a coffee creamer until our food came. It worked perfectly...until it popped all over her!

There were lots of booths of some pretty random things. Doggy visors? Seriously? Paintings of cows wearing cowboy hats? OK...


And unfortunately Kendall had not had a great nap earlier in the day, so soon after this picture was taken she had the meltdown of all meltdowns. Inconsolable crying, body-arching, etc. Poor thing. Luckily we were close to the car and she fell asleep soon after getting buckled in her carseat.

And here are a couple shots of her being her cute self.




Playing with the drapes.

Why yes, we do have kids...

My fantasies of having a house that is both clean and organized is becoming farther out of my reach each day. As Kendall grows and learns how to open drawers, cabinets...

She particularly enjoys carrying things around and leaving them in random places. Thus, the pictures below. These were all taken the same day, mind you. Some of the etcetera is from Brandon, as well. And some of it is from me! See if you can figure out who put what, where!






*And yes, that is a paper bunny. It actually belongs in the popup book also in picture. Kendall ripped out a bunch of her favorites from that book.










Ah, how fun to explore each and every little thing when you are small. "Beginner's Mind," the Buddhists call it, if I remember correctly. To just experience.