Elsa Amy Kirkpatrick

Elsa Amy finally arrived last week! She was born at 11:52am on June 1st. She was 7lb 7 oz and 20 inches long. Pretty much exactly what the doctors predicted, and what the "average" baby is. Pretty neat.

I know all of y'all don't care about the details of the labor and delivery, BUT here it is if you wanted to know.

The days leading up to the delivery weren't so great. I started having contractions On the 29th. The pain was mostly in my back, so Shane was constantly heating up a sock of rice and massaging my back with it...it felt great, but not good enough. The poor guy did all he could to make me as comfortable as possible, but nothing worked. We ended up going to the hospital Monday afternoon when my contractions were 5 minutes apart. When we got their they said I was 1 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced (same as my doc appointment the week before), so they had me walk around for an hour, rechecked me (no change), and sent me home and told me to come back when I was in so much pain that I couldn't walk or talk for an hour.

So, I waited. I was so exhausted from not sleeping Sunday and Monday night and was getting anxious about getting overly tired. I prayed that it would get bad quickly or that I would get some sleep before everything started to happen. That prayer was answered by me not having strong contractions all day Tuesday. It was discouraging that I was taking a step backwards, but it was great to sleep all day. That evening I asked my my mom and her friend to come over. Her friend is a labor and delivery nurse, so I was able to ask her a lot of questions. I still wasn't feeling too bad. An hour after they left I had a good long hour of back-wrenching contractions. I had heard that back labor was the worst...well, I don't know any different, but it was AWFUL! Shane and I headed to the hospital around 12:20am. We got there and I was 4 cm dilated and 90% effaced, so I got to stay! I ended up asking for an epidural. I was in so much pain and was exhausted from the contractions...and let me tell you, that epidural was amazing. It took effect in minutes. They gave it to me around 3:30am and 5 minutes later told me I was having a contraction and I felt nothing. My back had never felt so good.

At 11am the nurse said it was time to push. The doctor doesn't come in until the head starts to crown, so she asked Shane for help. He was asked to hold one of my legs up since they were both lead weights from the epidural. Shane did so wonderful. A couple hours before then he started to get anxious and got really quiet, but when the nurse asked for his help, he did what she asked and ended up watching the whole miracle happen.

All of the nurses were wonderful. They all said I was one of their easiest patients, so that was neat to hear. It was so wonderful to have no complications and we are so thankful. Mrs. K, Meghan, my mom, Sarah, and my cousin Lauren were waiting in the waiting room all morning and were able to see Elsa minutes after she was born. The grandpas were able to meet her a few days later on the weekend since they were both out of town the day of her birth. We had a few friends visit the hospital, and are going to see Matt, Becca, Will, Konomi and Grayson next weekend.

God's timing is perfect for sure. When I got to the hospital, my favorite doctor from the OB practice was on call, and around 7:30am, she left and my 2nd favorite doctor was on call and he is the one that delivered little Elsa (there are 6 doctors in the practice). If I had stayed on Monday it would have been one of my least favorite doctors. As hard as it was to be in pain for so long, it was worth it. I forgot what kind of pain I was in once I got the meds and I was all smiles throughout the whole thing...and even now. I haven't felt exhausted yet. I take a 10-20 minute nap every other day or so, and Elsa is so wonderful. She rarely cries. She just cries when she's dirty or hungry. Not too bad. I would cry too. She's been nursing great and is gaining weight. We actually went to the doctor on Wednesday because her belly button looked funny to me (it ended up being fine) and they weighed her at 7 lb 11oz (already over her birth weight). She left the hospital at 7 lb and it's normal to be back up the birth weight by the 2 week appointment. It was encouraging to see that she is growing strong. I guess what comes in eating a lot is pooping a lot...she is going through 15 diapers a day right now. 5 -7 wet diapers and 2-5 poopy diapers is considered normal. Well, little sweet Elsa poops 8-9 times a day and pees 7 or so (at least for the past 5 days). I would let her sit in it for a bit, but she lets me know right away. This little girl doesn't like to be dirty.

I'll write about last weekend's visit with the grandparents next time. Too much has happened the last 9 days, it's stressing me out to write about it all right now.

Come meet/visit Elsa whenever you can! She would love to snuggle!

Memorial Day

Thank you to our family members who serve our country. Thinking of you all on Memorial Day.

Michael (Navy)

Garin (Coast Guard)

Eli (Army)

And any grandparents that may have (All I know is Grandpa Puffer).

We are all very thankful!

Days off

Shane and I had 4 days off in a row together this past weekend. He had taken off Saturday and Sunday to go to a friend's wedding, and then work also happened to give him Monday and Tuesday off. We thought it would be a perfect weekend to have Elsa, but she decided to stay put and we were able to enjoy those 4 days just the 2 of us. It was a blessing. Sunday we were able to go to church and not worry about rushing off to work right afterwards like normal. Monday we spent most of the day out at Lake Johnson. After that we washed and vacuumed out the car, and installed the car seat. Yesterday we went for another long walk at our apartment.

We also had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning (hopefully the last for me...we'll see). We found out that I am 1 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. The doctor said she wouldn't be surprised if she comes this week, but you never know, so they scheduled an appointment for next Wednesday for an ultrasound and NST testing to check the baby and amnionic fluid levels and make sure everything still looks okay.

Here are a few pictures of our adventures at Lake Johnson.

Just proving to myself that I still can balance...

On the bench where Shane proposed. So much has changed since then...

Keeping my arms up so my fingers don't swell anymore...too late.

Shane made me take my rings off a week or so ago because he doesn't want to have to get them cut off. So, in the mean time, I'm walking around very pregnant with no wedding ring...hiding my hand.

Shane tests me every now and then to make sure I know what poison ivy is because it effects him really bad and he doesn't want me to go through that. We took a picture of it for me to study. So, if you never knew what it looked like, there you go.

Elsa's due date is tomorrow. I think it would make a great Memorial Day weekend for her to come Friday, but I guess we will have to wait and see what she thinks. Today is my first day off without Shane since I stopped working (my last day for a while was Friday), so I have no idea what to do with myself. Now off for my morning walk...

Goodbye Michael

I just wanted to say goodbye to my brother, Michael, who leaving tomorrow morning for Italy on deployment through September. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Pray for safety for he and his crew, for comfort for my sister-in-law and 6 year old nephew. I don't remember how many deployments he has been on, but I'm going to go ahead and guess that they don't get easier.

We are so proud of you Michael and will miss you. Elsa will be eager for you to hold her when you return!

And Konomi, we are so glad that you depend on the Lord for your strength to get through this time and that you are the supportive wife you are.

Love y'all.

Come oooooon Elsa!

Shane and I are pretty anxious these days. You can't tell from the outside, but Shane's insides are going crazy, and I'm not sleeping at all. My pelvic bone feels like it's going to shatter into a thousand pieces. Elsa, I know the house may not look like it's ready for you, but I promise it is. PLEASE COME OUT!

Last weekend my sister threw another baby shower, which was, of course, a huge blessing. I was able to see friends from Wilmington, friends from high school, and some family. We got some great things and are officially all set for Elsa to be here.

Some of the Apex High school girls

Some cousins, sisters, and my mom. Becca is due with a baby girl soon after me. It was fun to have her and Will in town. I heard him say "Mommy" and point to Becca's belly and say "baby." It was so sweet. He's a happy guy.

Wilmington girls. Thank you so much to those that had to drive to come. It meant a lot that y'all came and it was great to see everyone!

Lauren and Garin came in town this past weekend. Unfortunately Shane had to work most of the day on Sunday, but we were able to go to church and lunch together. While Shane was at work, Garin went for a run and Lauren and I went for a walk around the lake. Then we went and sat by the pool for a little bit. Garin actually got in. I'm not sure how, the water was so cold!

When Shane got home, we ate dinner and played a nice civil game of Monopoly.

They left the next morning for Charlotte. Thanks so much for coming. It was nice to have that time with you guys!

This past Tuesday I had a doctors appointment. Every week they measure me and my belly should measure in centimeters how far along I am in weeks. Well, I am 39 weeks and I measured 34 (at 38 weeks, I measured 38). The doctor said that Elsa has indeed dropped and that's why the measurement was lower. Her heart beat is still strong, and he's predicting a 7 lb baby. My appetite has also dramatically increased the past couple days. I'm back to over eating Shane...whoops. So here is what I need y'all to do, if you are not already doing so...tell Elsa to come out! I've been walking or going to the gym daily to try and work her out, and it's not working. So pray pray pray! We want to meet the little one!

Hopefully my next blog will be all about meeting our little girl. Until then, I'm off to the gym. :)

Impatiently counting down...

The closer it gets to "the day," the harder it gets to wait. It's so close it's annoying!

This past weekend we had a shower that my sister and mom hosted at my mom's house. It definitely finished off our list of things we thought we needed. We are overwhelmed, once again, by the generosity of friends and family. I cannot express how thankful we are for all that people have given us. God has taken care of us this past year, and He has used many of you all to do so. It is absolutely amazing to see. Looking at our circumstances alone COULD give us a reason to worry and panic, but God hasn't given us a day to have a reason to worry because He has provided again and again. I wish I could list all of the ways He has shown us His love, mercy, and grace, but there are too many to name. Things happen DAILY. I have such a peace about not working full-time, Elsa arriving, Shane possibly going back to school, etc. I was on the phone with a friend earlier today and she was asking about how I'm feeling about Elsa arriving and she said, "you sound so calm about everything!" Well, I am. I have no reason not to be, and praise be to God for that.

Today we had out 37/38 week appointment. Elsa is still in the same position as 3 weeks ago (head down, back against my left side, butt up near my ribs, and arms and legs on my right side). Her heart beat is still strong, and I'm measuring right on. He said he's expecting her to be 7 to 7 1/2 pounds and then started rattling off what we should do when I start feeling contractions and when to head to the hospital. It could happen any day now. Eake!

I took a few pictures of Elsa's room/the guest room. It isn't decorated and there are diapers stacked in the corner, BUT it shows off the crib, quilt, mobile, and changing table/dresser. I don't know how to decorate, so Mrs. K is slaving away in Charlotte trying to help me out. Thank you momma K!

Thank you again to all of y'all that have loved us, and our baby girl, through your prayers, gifts, and time. We are so grateful!

36 weeks and 4 days...almost there!

Shane and I just got back from our 36/37 week appointment. Everything is looking great. Elsa's heart beat is strong, I'm measuring right on, my blood pressure hasn't increased at all. We talked to the doctor about what to do when I go into labor, which made it feel more real. The doctor felt around again to confirm that Elsa was head down. Right now her back is along my left side, her butt is up close to my ribs, and her hands and feet are on my right side, which makes sense considering something always seems to be poking out over there. Here is a picture of the belly. Hopefully this is the month that Elsa will enter the world!

Yesterday I washed all of Elsa's newborn-3 month clothes, blankets, hats, sheets, and bibs. Very fun!