Rollie Pollie

Kayla Rolled over from her tummy to her back today! It seems really early for that, but she did it!

Best Buddies!

Well kind of Best Buddies. I had to trick Austin to sit next to Kalya by putting his Lightning cup up on the chair with her.

Look Sissy, It's Lightning! Ka Chow!!!!


I think I am going to chew on brother's clothes. They look yummy!

Look, this is my little sister. Her name is Kayla


Ok Sissy, look at Mommy and Smile for a picture. Wait...where are you going?

I love my Big Brother!!

I'm outta here! See ya Sissy!!

Ahh, this chair is comfy!!



Ha! I got away!!


Look Mommy, I got Lightning!!!

A Whole New World

Texas is so different from Michigan. It is going to be a huge adjustment for me and my Family. We are in a small town near Dallas. Just some differences I have noticed so far are..

The people here are VERY friendly and polite all the time

I love to listen to the southern accents. I wonder if Austin and Kayla will talk with the accent?

The dirt is freakishly orange

It is warm in February, very warm!

The Sonics are like McDonalds at home. They are everywhere, but we only have 2 in the whole state of Michigan. Oh and they have Volleyball courts. Haven't seen anyone use them, but it's neat

The bugs I have seen so far are huge

Most radio stations are Country Music

People seem to be very religious

It gets very dark out here. At night the speed limits are 5 mph less than when its daytime.

People with big fancy houses have lights in the tops of the trees. I don't get it.

There are many more jobs down here, which I guess is why we came here in the first place.

When Jason ordered a burger the guy asked him if he wanted it "all the way." We had no idea what he was talking about. I guess it means "Do you want everything on it?" We had to ask him to specify what it meant. Right away he knew we were not from the South.

Everything down here is Coke, not pop. If you say pop I don't think they know what you are talking about.

People are very proud of the State of Texas. The State Flag is everywhere. I even had some waffles in the shape of Texas!



Thats all I can think of for now. I am sure I will think of more as time goes on. I am still in major culture shock. It couldn't be more different from my hometown. I don't get out too much because Kayla is so young. That will change as she gets older. I do enjoy being home with my kids. They sure do fill the days and keep me busy. Here are a couple pics of them since we moved to Texas.

One Whole Month Old

My Little Kayla Bug is one month old today! It's so hard to believe how fast time flies. I know it's not too long, but it still went by very fast. She is doing very well. She is an awesome sleeper and only wakes up once at night, sometimes sleeps straight through. She is a good eater and doesn't fuss much at all. She loves to cuddle and is such a sweet little girl. She seems to have a very laid back personality like her Daddy. Austin is more high strong and fussy like his Mommy lol. Austin still doesn't know what to think of her. When he thinks we are not looking he will come and talk to her. He likes to show her his cars. Sometimes when she cries he will bring the pacifier to her. Usually he puts it in upside down. It's so cute. She loves to stare at him and watch him play. Austin still gets very jealous too though. He is very shy around her, but if we are lucky he will give her a kiss goodnight. We had to take her into the Doctor today for a rash. It is all over her tummy, chest, head and face. Turns out it's nothing to worry about and she will be just fine. She is growing well. She was 10lb 11oz!

Happy One Month Kayla!!!

Greetings from Texas

Well, I made it - I'm living in Texas now. We have been here for about 2 weeks, but it took a while to get internet, and time to type. Its very different for me since I was used to Jason not working. Now there are 2 kids to take care of and we live in a new place. I have never been to Texas before we decided to move here, so it's been strange.

I don't have much time to sit at the computer right now, kids are sleeping but I think Kayla is waking up. I am being summoned. I adore being a busy mommy of 2. I will post more pics and updates hopefully later tonight when Jason is home from work. I miss all of you back home so much!! You wouldn't believe how much Kayla has changed her looks in 2 weeks!

Love to all

Dawn

It's Not Goodbye... It's See You Later

Our last day in Michigan was a very tough, emotional, busy, touching day. It was very hard to leave and I can't wait to be back and see everyone in May. I know it was very hard on many people when we left, and it all happened so soon. Also it was at the worst time after just having Kayla. It was hardest on me to leave my Mom and Dad. I am sure it is the same with Jason. I was also just starting to get in touch with old friends. Don't worry though. we will see you soon and keep up a close relationship. I won't say Goodbye, but See you later! I love and Miss you all.

Here are some pics of some friends and family saying, "See You Later."












I wish I would have taken pics of more people. I didn't even take these, I wasn't thinking about it then. Sorry!

Thank You

We just had Austin's 2nd Birthday Party a little early. I guess it was a going away Party too. We are moving to Texas in 2 days. Jason got a job offer we could not pass up. We both lost our Jobs with this bad economy. If we stay here in Michigan we will be in trouble. We have to think of the kids, but it still breaks my heart to leave. This is the only home I have ever known. No matter where I go in the area I have memories and friends and family are only a minute away. I am not sure how to deal with them not being there.

Not everyone could make it today and I have some people who came earlier in the week and who will come tomorrow. I have to say I am so touched by all of you. I feel so loved. You all mean the world to me and I hate to leave. I got very emotional the closer the end of the day got. When you all left I cried so hard. I hid in the bathroom to be alone with my thoughts and tears. So many memories came flooding from my life here and memories that include all of you. I want my Children to grow up where I did. I want to be just a drive away from my Family and Friends. I want more than anything to stay close to everyone. Please, lets make sure that happens.

I am not sure what else to say right now other than I am truly touched. Thank you for a perfect day and of course for Austin's gifts.

More to follow...

The Birth

Well, I have to post Kayla's Birth story. I have been so busy with adjusting to this new life. Now 2 weeks later, here it goes.

Jason left for Texas on Friday morning. We didn't think I was going to go into labor because everything was steady for a while. We thought it would be safe to go for 2 days. Well, we were wrong. Saturday night I felt some leaking and thought it would be best to get it checked out in Triage. It was midnight and my mom and good friend Jenn took me up there. I got checked out and I didn't leak any fluids. The baby was being monitored and she was very sleepy so they had me stay for a while to make sure everything was ok. We stayed there until 4am I believe. Jason's Dad and his friend Cheryl stayed at our house and slept on the couch because of Austin. We got back about 4:30-ish and they went home. I brushed my teeth and got in my jammies and crawled into bed. I was so tired. I felt a gush of water and knew my water had just broke. I was really frustrated because the last thing I wanted to do was have that baby without Jason there and with no sleep. I wasn't sure if it was the real thing or not so I walked around to see if I was going to gush anymore. Well I gushed every couple of minutes and it was everywhere. We had to call Jason's Dad back over. He had just crawled into bed too! I started to panic and feel contractions every couple minutes and they hurt bad. We waited for Jason's Dad and I kissed Austin then my Mom and I booked it to the Hospital. She was going very fast and I was screaming with every contraction. I had the urge to push, so it didn't look good.

When we got to Triage I was in the worst pain I have ever felt. They got me all checked out and I was dilated to 6. I couldn't believe that was all. Jason was calling me from the airport in Dallas and he was so upset. He was due back that day, but the flight was about 3 hours or so. He was getting ready to board the plane which meant we would not be able to communicate. I got into L&D and it all happened so fast. I got my epidural right away and I was very comfortable for a bit. I had some visitors, My Dad, Diane, Chad, Jenn, Mom, and my friend Mindy all visited. I was exhausted so I decided to try and get some sleep. That didn't work out because my doc came in and decided to give me meds to speed up the delivery. I wasn't too happy about that, but the baby was having a hard time with each contraction so I didn't complain. I just hoped I could hold out for Jason.

The contractions got very intense again and I had to push. I could feel the pressure and just wanted the baby out. The Doctors came in and the ceiling transformed into mirrors and bright lights. My mom and best friend Jenn stayed in the room with me. They did an amazing job helping me and I am so glad they were both there with me. I started to push and right away felt so weak. I thought I couldn't do it. it was a very scary feeling. It didn't help I had residents delivering me and the Doctor on call was a real jerk. My Doctor wasn't available. I was so disappointed about that. She was so nice and she was the Doctor who delivered Autumn, This Doctor was just shooting orders at the residents and yelling at them that they weren't doing it right.

I just kept pushing and felt bad pain and anxiety. The doctor got mad at me because I would have rather torn than get cut. I didn't tear at all with Austin, so I thought it would work out the same way. I was wrong there too, but I will explain later. I had a final push and next thing I knew everyone was screaming and the nurse was pushing on my stomach really hard. I didn't know what was going on. The baby's shoulder got stuck and she wasn't coming out. I was confused but all I could do was push my hardest to get her out. Next thing I know she was born. She was very white in color and I didn't hear a cry. She was taken over to be examined and no one could go over there yet. They worked on her for a minute then I heard a cry. My mom and Jenn went to be with her. They were very happy and excited, so I knew she would be ok. The residents were working on me and I was feeling very uncomfortable. They looked very concerned and I had no clue what was going on. I asked and they didn't respond. The Doctor then told me that I had a 4th degree tear and I had to go to the operating room so he could repair it. Then I found out Kayla was 9lb 5oz. Well of course I Was going to tear from having such a big baby! I got to see her for a minute then I Was taken to the OR and Kayla was taken to the nursery.

When I Was out of the OR I went back to my room. I was told I couldn't see Kayla yet because she had low blood sugar. Everything from there was a blur. Jason came in not long after. His mom picked him up from the airport. He went to see Kayla in the nursery and Austin did too. Austin kept calling her sissy. Austin came to vosot me after that. Gramps and Cheryl brought him up. It was such an amazing feeling to see him after having another child. I can't explain it, but I was very happy. He always makes everything better. After that Kayla was brought in and I was complete. She was Healthy and everything I had hoped for came true. We were then a Family of 4 plus one in Heaven. I can't forget Autumn.

So it was not the best experience, but I got through it. We were upset Jason missed it, but it's ok. Everything worked out and Kayla and I were both healthy.Thank you so much to my Mom and Jenn. You both were amazing support in there with me. It meant more to me than you will ever know. I love you guys. Mom, you did it again! You helped me so much with this Pregnancy. What would I do without you??

Oh, I almost forgot to add how Jason found out Kayla was born. We know someone who works for Northwest, Tracy. He is Jason's Mom's boyfriend. He contacted someone who contacted the control tower. They took the information about Kayla's Birth and announced it on Jason's flight. Well the Flight attendant took a note to Jason first and congratulated him, then the Pilot announced it. Everyone on the plane cheered and clapped. He was in shock and very proud, but bummed he missed it. We will always have a story to tell Kayla when she gets older about her birthday.

Here is the first time I saw little Kayla.

Austin and His Sissy

Austin loves his sissy. He loves to give her pacifier to her and give her kisses. He also checks on her while she is sleeping. He is a great big brother.