The Niederer's: 2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Christmas 2015

Christmas this year was super great! Previous years around the holidays I would typically have a pitty party because I was bitter, sad, and depressed that it was taking so long to get a sweet baby here. It seemed to be that those were the times that were especially hard. Now that we have Kinley, Christmas was just everything I hoped it would be. I didn't care about presents or anything. I had everything I have EVER wanted--a family. I had my baby to hold around the Christmas tree. I didn't feel like the black sheep on either side of the families because we have Kinley. I don't know, the feelings with everything were just different this year and I felt so blessed and grateful for how my life is right now.

Christmas day we woke up and got ready. Me and Caleb opened our presents to each other which was fun because I think for the past 2 or 3 years we really hadn't been able to give each other a gift. Caleb's gifts from me was a pair of new shoes, and then in his stocking I put new socks, a money clip, and some peanut m&ms. The shoes were kinda big so we need to return those and either exchange or trade em out or something. For me from Caleb, I got a new perfume and in my stocking were some bath bombs, my absolute favorite!

We then came upstairs to have Christmas with my family. We ended up eating a super great lunch before we did presents since we were waiting for my sister and her little family to finish Christmas with her in-laws. Finally we got to gifts I think around 3 that afternoon. Gifts given to us from my parents was a crib mattress and some money. To Kinley from my parents she got a doll, and some clothes. From my sister, she got me a pair of sweats, and to Caleb she got him a 12 pack of coke and some rice krispie treats haha. He loved that over anything else he got.

The rest of the day we just hung out and enjoyed family! Here's some pictures.

I looked at a couple different places for Christmas eve pjs and no place had any! So, we settled for some panda jammies. She blew through these at 3 that morning so they didn't even make it through the night. haha

Cozy Christmas day. I didn't realize that we all had red sweats/pants on haha. We were just feeling super Christmasy apparently!

Her little Christmas outfit I got for 2 bucks! So cute. She blew through this that evening, so she at least made it through most of the day.

Merry Christmas from the Niederer's!

A couple random pictures from the last week.

Apparently Libbie thinks that if baby is up at 3 a.m. that she thinks it's play time. haha

Wicked bed head. haha

Caleb had his work Christmas party a couple weeks ago. They went to Fuji for dinner and then afterwards went back to Juds for a white elephant gift exchange and games. It was a lot a fun and Kinley did super great. Everyone was ooing and ahwing over her. Caleb received a Santa outfit for his white elephant gift. It was hilarious. Everyone was getting pictures on Santa's lap and since Kinley hadn't met Santa this year, this worked out perfect. ;) I miss working at Juds! It's always a fun time since I used to work with half the people there. I don't really feel like a stranger at his parties which makes them a lot of fun.

Just ahead of Christmas, me and my mom braved the winter weather and got some Christmas shopping done. Mom ran into a store while I had to feed the baby in the car. #momlife. Even though I miss out on a lot, it's worth it for these tender moments.

One month!

My sweet Kinley Ray is one month old. Bittersweet for sure! I have never changed so many blowouts, dealt with so little sleep, or had a heart so full of love in my entire life.

A little about my babe.

-She wakes up 2-3 times a night

-Gets the hiccups about 4 times a day, just like she used to while in my belly

-Still in newborn clothes and diapers

-Only cries if she is hungry or has a bubble in her belly

-Has at least 1 blowout a day. Definitely a power pooper. Doesn't matter the brand or size of diaper

-Loves to be swaddled

-Always sneezes in twos

-Loves to look at lights

-Has theee fluffiest blonde hair

-Hates her carseat

-Loves when I wear her (only way I am able to get errands done)

-LOVES her momma

-Has her dad wrapped around her little finger

-Is the most sweetest little baby

Happy one month sweet baby. We love you more than words could say!

Saturday, December 19, 2015

The smiliest baby

Kinley has changed our whole lives and it's been such a joy to have her here. I cannot believe how fast time is going. She is changing so much and getting bigger every day. I again just want to document a bit of how postpartum is going and then a little about her and how the past few weeks have been!

For me, I'm healing up really good. I was really sore for the first 2 weeks and then still just tender after that. I still take it easy but I feel like I am definitely healing up good. Slowly but surely!

My weight is still just shedding off. I feel like every time I step on the scale I'm down a little bit more. As of today I'm down 23 pounds below my pre pregnancy weight. Total of 33 pounds down. It's been great having my pre pregnancy clothes not be SO tight like they were if not a bit big. I'm really hoping it continues to just keep coming off. It's slowing down for sure, but as long as it comes off I'm happy.

One of the hardest things that I've had to deal with while taking care of a newborn is how crappy this flu season has been. I have theee WORST immune system and cannot seem to catch a break. First it was a cold that seriously JUST barely went away. That lasted me a month. On top of that, that first few days home, I got the stomach bug of some kind. All while this is happening, my family is sick with colds too. Yesterday I woke up to my brother having a nasty case of the stomach flu. Poor guy threw up like 10 times. I stayed clear away from him all day, but what do you know. I woke up today with I think a touch of the flu or something because my stomach has been off and I've been in the bathroom all day. So 3 times I've been sick in the past month. Not ok. Caleb has had a cold, he had a day where he was nauseous, and everyone has just been sick. I hate flu season so dang bad and I hate it THAT much more having a new baby around it. I PRAY she doesn't get sick. It's hard enough not feeling well alone, let alone having a baby to tend to all day and night. No one should be allowed to get sick, but mom's especially!

As far as baby blues, they seem to have settled down. I really only had a few days where I was weepy. I notice I get more weepy if I am overly tired. I'd say I have had more post partum anxiety since having her more than anything. Even the people I trust holding her I don't want to hold her. It's like if it's not me taking care of her or her not in my sight, I have a lot of anxiety. It too is getting better with time but that first little bit was hard.

Sleep is overall getting better. She now is for the most part going about 3 to 4 hours in between feedings at night which leaves me getting about 2 to 3 hours of consecutive sleep which is SO much nicer than half hour to an hour increments. There was one time she went 6 hours between a feeding but she had gone to sleep so early so I was still up at like 2 to feed her. But, it does show she is getting better! During the day, especially the last few days, it seems all she wants to do is eat. Like every hour or 2. Growth spurt maybe? Not sure.

Speaking of growth. She is totally growing. Her cheeks and thighs are filling out, and you can totally tell she is just simply changing and getting bigger. It's bittersweet. When we first brought her home, her newborn clothes were a bit baggy. Now, they fit about perfect and some are even pushing it. It won't be long till we up her size of clothes! Hmph :(

Kinley had her 2 week doctors appointment last Friday. I had a ton of anxiety going out alone by myself with her for the first time. I ended up having my sister meet me at the doctors which helped a lot. The car ride there and back was ok. She cried some, but overall did good. At her appointment, she weighed 7 pounds 8 oz and had grown almost 2 inches in 2 weeks! Crazy. No wonder they sleep so dang much. During the day anyway. haha.

First time going out alone with my baby! A little scary mainly with all the what if this happens then what do I do kind of stuff. Little things like, what if she needs fed in public? Do I just run back out to the car to feed her? How do you work those changing tables in those nasty public bathrooms? What if she has a blow out? Just all the things that will I'm sure happen and you just do what you gotta do I guess.

I had to go out and run a few errands. I was nervous taking her out because it's still so early, but I didn't do my Christmas shopping before I had her, so I had to make a quick trip to walmart, the bank, and to pick up some diapers. I was mainly nervous for walmart. She doesn't like her car seat and I wasn't sure how to have the car seat sit on the cart. Would I be able to even see over the car seat once it was in? If I put her in the big part of the cart then I would have no room for my groceries. So, I decided to wear her. It was a win win. She loves to be held and she slept the whole time while I had both hands and an empty cart to fill. I now know what to do if I need to run to the store. Baby wearing for the win! That day I was completely on my own and I thought it went super well.

Caleb invited me to run to town with him so he could do an errand for his work. I stayed in the car with Kinley and she of course needed to be fed when we got to the store.

So you hop in the back, and feed your baby. I'm getting this going out thing down slowly but surely. I'm more so realizing you do what you gotta do and to plan extra time because you never know what you'll end up having to do.

So earlier last week we finally decided to go pick up Libbie. She had been staying at Caleb's parents while we had Kinley and a little while afterwards so we could adjust and take it easy. I had a lot of anxiety about bringing her back home because in the past she has not done well around kids AT ALL. She gets extremely jealous and whimpers and jumps on you and is kind of a nightmare. The first day home she was concerned every time Kinley would cry but to my surprise has done very well. Like, she has acted completely different around her than ANY other kid or baby she has been around. Maybe she just knows. I don't know. Caleb still takes her to his parents while he's at work so I don't have a baby and a dog to care for, at least for now, but I think she will do ok even when we decide to have her stay with me during the day.

I don't think I have done so much laundry in my life! haha! I do at least one load a day. Which is a lot for 3 people I think. This girl is a power pooper and either pees through or has a blowout at least once a day. She didn't have a ton of newborn clothes to begin with so she often wears unmatching clothes because that's all I have till more laundry get's washed. I think her favorite time to have a blowout is in the night while I'm half asleep and have to change her clothes, wipe her down, and change that changing pad cover. My mom just laughs at me every day when I bring up my laundry basket to get washed because she just knows.

Overall, I have totally LOVED being a mama. I feel SO blessed to be this sweet girls' mom. I have often cried happy tears just staring at her, especially at night when I'm rocking her to sleep for the night because they really are just little miracles. They are a little slice of heaven. It's amazing to think about how I grew this sweet baby in my belly that started out the size of a sesame seed and grew to a little baby that is as healthy as can be. It just puts me in awe. God is amazing.

Here are a ton of pictures. Some of my favorite pictures are of her smiling! She is SO dang smiley for a newborn baby! I have caught lots on my phone yet it's probably maybe only a quarter of the smiling she actually does.

I got up to feed Kinley in the night and looked over to see Libbie like so, haha completely asleep.

A favorite!

I am seriously obsessed with her. I never knew I could love something so much. Happy 3 weeks baby girl. Momma loves you.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

The first week and a half

Kinley is already 11 days old. It's true that time is already flying by. She is changing every day. My family constantly mentions how she is already looking bigger and it makes me sad because it's only been 11 days! I want her to stay my little tiny forever. It's been a hard, yet great last week and a half. I'll start with the bad and end with the good. The bad/ hard was/is, is that like I mentioned in my last post how I had a bad cold, I still have had that cold. It's mainly gone now but I still have that pesky cough that I hate. On top of that, last Tuesday, I was up all night. Not just from Kinley, but because I had come down with a flu bug of some kind. I spent the next 3 days in the bathroom but it lasted about 4 days before I started to feel more myself again. So those on top of just giving birth, my body is sore and healing, my milk coming in leaving me so sore, I got sick on top of being sick, and being sleep deprived all kinda made for a few rough days. My mom was great and took a half day at work so she was able to help me out. On top of all that, the baby blues have hit. I'm not ashamed. It happens to I think most of us. It hasn't been too bad yet, but I did have a day where I was just being the most giant boob ever. I was weepy for who knows what all dang day, so tired, and I think the adrenaline from the hospital had left and it was ALL just starting to hit me. I know it's all those hormones just trying to regulate themselves, but it can be a bit rough while they are trying to do so! Something else that is SO annoying, is that at night, I will wake up just drenched in sweat. Totally gross I know. My mom said it happened to her after she had all her babies. Again, it's just the hormones I'm sure, but it is totally gross. Every once and a while I'll get the shakes like I'm freezing cold too. It's one extreme to the next. Today I am feeling pretty good. My flu bug is gone, my cold is near over (sorta), my body is healing and I'm not near as sore as I was.

Now onto the good. Being a mom has to me come very natural. I have not felt overwhelmed at all (minus the sicky days). I feel I just know what to do. I have definitely learned to prioritize my time more and I'm still working on that and trying to get more into a routine. It's getting better every day. The nights are probably the hardest. This was what I was most nervous for before kids. I love my sleep, and I sadly turn into a bear if I don't get my sleep. Kinley likes to eat every hour to 2 hours. By the time she wakes up, gets changed, eats, falls back asleep, me take a bathroom break, and then me fall back asleep, I'm only asleep for maybe a half hour to an hour and a half tops. There have been some nights I feel I get zero sleep, and then last night was hands down the best yet and she was going about 2.5 to 3 hours between feedings. I can function MUCH better if it's like that. I don't know how mom's do that and have to be up bright and early to work or whatever. It's a challenge for sure. I'm sure this all will get better with time (hopefully, at least).

We had her first doctors appointment the day after we got home. She weighed 6 pounds 9 oz and was super healthy! She was slightly jaundice but otherwise super healthy.

Her little cord fell off exactly 1 week after she was born. Faster than we expected. It's definitely nice to not have to worry about anymore though.

My weight shed off like it was nothing. I was shocked. I thought for sure my body type was going to be one that I had to work hard to lose a pound. I only gained 10 pounds during my pregnancy and at 1 week post partum I was down 20 pounds leaving me at 10 pounds pre pregnancy weight. Today I am 15 pounds under my pre pregnancy weight. I have NO idea why now after a pregnancy my body decides to shed the weight when there have been past times I would work my butt off just to find I hadn't lost a pound. It was so frustrating in the past so now that it's happening makes me thrilled and very grateful. All I want is to be healthy and look good. It's SO nice being able to actually fit into clothes again. My old pants fit, my shirts aren't tight or belly shirts anymore, and I'm much more comfortable in my clothes.

Something crazy is how things are just back to how they were just like that. I have had ZERO heartburn, acid reflux, or nausea (besides the flu) and haven't had to take anything for it. I feel cold again! It's so wonderful! I remember feeling like I would just be ROASTING and it was like 68 degrees in the house, now if it's under 70 I'm just chilly and grabbing jackets. I probably really did freeze Caleb out at our apartment all summer. :/ Sorry tutz! I can sleep when I get to sleep, and I'm oh so comfortable. I can turn in my sleep no problem, and oh how I have missed sleeping on my stomach. I can bend over no problem, my shirts aren't belly shirts, the fridge doesn't bump my belly when I open it, and I just feel so much lighter and quicker to move. I do already miss having my belly and feeling her move inside me. I never thought I would miss it, but I truly do.

Other than that, things are great. Me and Caleb are still doing good. He is so cute with Kinley. It's fun to watch. He before had had NO experience with babies so to see him hold her, talk to her, rock her, is quite possibly the cutest thing ever.

I have a load of pictures that show our last week and a half.

Always checking on her. He fell asleep next to her.

First bath at home=a disaster. Haha note to self, don't attempt to sponge bathe them in the tub. The next bath we just did at the sink while I held her and Caleb washed her little body. It worked out waaay batter. Still learning. haha

Just so cozy while asleep.

So I kid you not when I say she is theeee SMILIEST newborn I have ever seen. She grins all day every day. Not at you necessarily, but in her sleep, after she eats, or when daddy talks to her. It's like she is thrilled she is finally here. I have caught a few smiles on my phone and they are just the most darling things ever! Cutest little grin I ever did see!

Daddy playin with my toes.

My pretty girl.

The snuggles will never get old. I LOVE this.

Bonding with dad.

I was able to get some newborn pictures taken last week. I do wish I could pay a professional but you do with what you got and I wanted to have some pictures of her as a newborn. Excuse the phone quality. She is 5 days old here.