Christmas 2007

We were so blessed this year to be able to visit with all of our family on both sides. We had my Nana's Christmas at my parents home where all of the cousins, grandchildren and great grandchildren were able to be there. Then Brad's family came to our home where I hosted my first Christmas. It was so nice to have everyone in town and we had a great time watching Kaleb and Kohen play while Kamryn was passed around for everyone to hold. Brad and I were able to be "Santa" this year and watch Kohen have no interest in any of his new toys. Instead, he enjoyed gathering the wrapping paper and throwing it in the garbage sack. He is such a mini version of his Father. I wonder what Kamryn will be like.
New Year's was great. We went over to Rachel and Randall's home and had an "adult" night with no children. It was nice but we found ourselves talking about our 5 kids the entire night. It is funny how nothing else seems important anymore once you have a family. We tried to discuss other things but found ourselves right back in deep conversation about eating schedules, poopy diapers and how much we can't wait until the Chapman triplets are running everywhere (poor Rachel and Randall). 2007 was a great year and we are looking forward to seeing what 2008 will bring.

Welcome Kamryn Delaine

What a wild morning. I went to bed having a few minor contractions and thinking they were just typical Braxton Hicks (which I had been having on and off for weeks). I woke around 2:30 with minor cramps but was able to go right back to sleep. Right at 5:03 am, I was beginning to have contractions about every 8-9 minutes but they were so short (20 seconds or less) and I wasn't sure if they were the "real thing". The alarm went off at 5:30 for Brad so I went on and got up to eat some cereal. At 5:45 I went into the bathroom to let Brad know I was going to go to work but he needed to stay in the area because I had a feeling I was going to be calling him later that day. By 5:55 as Brad is getting into his truck, I walk out to let him know that I thought we needed to go to the hospital. By now, my contractions were about 4 minutes apart and were bringing tears to my eyes. I called my doctor while Brad called my mom to watch Kohen who was asleep upstairs. For some reason, I decided to take my time and curl my hair thinking I had at least an hour. We got in the car right around 6:30 with my contractions 2 minutes apart. By the time we were 5 miles up the road, they were 1 minute apart and I was in a lot of pain. We were 2 lights from turning in the hospital when I was screaming at Brad saying we weren't going to make it. We pulled into the fire lane of the hospital, left the car running and headed to the 2nd floor. I could barely walk in and when the nurse behind the counter saw me, she ran to get some help. I made it into a wheelchair and onto the bed to find that the baby was crowing and I needed to push. After about 5 minutes, she was born. Dr. Rivero didn't even make it in and the nurses had to deliver her. The hospital room wasn't even prepared so they were using towels from the bathroom to clean her off and they were searching for an umbilical clamp. It was so amazing. No drugs. No IV and I felt wonderful afterwards. She was so beautiful weighing in at 7 pounds and 9 ounces. She is so short compared to Kohen. Brad calls her a little frong because her legs are so short. She was only 18 inches. I didn't get to hold her immediatly as they had to take her out of the room to get her prepared since they room was not. I had to stay 2 nights which was so hard because I missed my little boy. I think I will remember this day for a long time. She is so pretty and has a head full of dark hair (like her Mommy). Brad and I are so thankful to God for giving us such a beautiful family.