Brynlee Facts

Brynlee Kristan Anderson

June 15, 2013

8 lbs. 4 oz.

21.5 inches

Born on her aunt Nikki's birthday and shares her middle name as well.

Brynlee is absolutely adored my her big brother and sister!

Brynlee made a great Father's Day gift as she arrived home at almost exactly midnight Father's day!

Our little Bryn-Bryn is seriously so sweet.

We are still working out feedings and trying to adjust to the nursing thing, but it's working!!  That makes me SO happy as I didn't have much success in this area with my last two!  She eats about every 3 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night.  Waking up at 2 and 6 AM hasn't been to shabby.  I'm very lucky she's been a good sleeper.

My sweet mom came out and sent a week with us.  I'm so thankful for all her help especially with Jase and Maycee.  I'm so glad that I was able to soak up so much sweet newborn goodness seeing that it is quickly disappearing.  Brynlee is my perfect little baby girl, but we noticed when she was born that her right foot was really turned inward.  After having it examined, the doctor told us it was a mild clubfoot and could easily be corrected with a cast or brace and we were referred to a children's orthopedic hospital to have it taken care of.  The news didn't really bother me too much and I was glad it wouldn't require surgery.
However, today was the big day- and it was rough!  Now suddenly my newborn doesn't seem so newborn anymore.
(more to come on this later)

We love you Brynlee Bug! Thanks for coming to our family!!!!

She made it!

Brynlee's birth story, as far as timing goes, is a lot like Maycee's- quick!

I had been feeling mild contractions everyday for a little over a week and was beginning to feel very frustrated that nothing was happening.  I would go to bed each night feeling contractions and thinking that it would happen that night only to wake in the morning feeling pretty good again.

June 15, 2013

Woke up in the morning feeling great.  Decided to keep prepping the house for baby.  Washed sheets and even the comforter to our bed.  Swept and mopped the floors and worked on my young womens lesson for the next day.  

Ryan got home around 3 and we got ready to go to Jase's t-ball party and trophy hand out.  Went to the party at 5 and joked around with the other parents about being pregnant forever...little did I know that just 3 short hours later Brynlee would be here.

We got home around 6:30 and ate dinner.  Just after dinner I started to feel contrations again.  At first they felt like they had every night for the past week, but then they quickly became more painful and I was already counted them about every 2-3 minutes apart.  Knowing my history with Maycee, I had Ryan call to make arrangements for the kids and then call my midwife, while I took a shower to try to relax a little.  It didn't help.  Our good neighbor came over right away so we could leave quickly and then my dear friends Alicia and Cher came to pick up Jase and Maycee later and took them for the night.  We left the house about 8:10- got to the birthing center at 8:20pm.  

I decided I would like to try a water birth to see if that could relieve any of the pain.  My midwife was already filling up the tub when I arrived.  I got in right away and felt a little relief, although the contractions where definitely very painful and I felt ready to push, but I was scared because I remembered the pain of pushing from last time and simply didn't want to to do it.  However, my body just moves through labor so quickly that I didn't really have a choice. A few more strong contractions in the tub and it was go time.

Although the pain was intense, this time I was able to really think more about what was happening and I knew every step of the way what was going on.  I felt my water break with my first push. The second push I felt her head crowning. The third push  I felt her head coming through and with the fourth push her head was out. I could tell I still had one big push left to get her shoulders and body through and that's exactly what it took- one more push and she was here- 8:47 pm (27 minutes after getting to the birthing center).

They gave her to me right away.  

The instant relief and joy and love is the most incredible feeling ever.  

Just a few minutes old, cuddling with daddy!

She weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and is 21.5 inches long.  

I was surprised at her weight.  Jase was only 6/13 and Maycee was 7 even.

Got her home safe and sound around midnight that night!

Yay for not having to stay over night at a hospital :)

Meeting big brother and sister the next day!

We love our little Brynlee.  

More to come on her later ;)

Yesterday...

was a busy/very full day.  

Ryan had the day off and I guess we just decided to make it our one last hurrah for awhile since baby should be here any day now.  

Here's the breakdown of our day.

8 AM

EAT

Yummy oatmeal pancakes and strawberries for breakfast.

9 AM

GOLF 

Ryan and Jase hit the driving range.

10:30 AM

BABY STUFF

Maycee and I meet up with the boys at my doctors appointment. (Details: dialated to a 2, having lots of contractions, my midwife says this baby is ready to be born.  She sends us home with a HUGE ball and some exercises to do to get baby on her way)

11:30 AM

SHOPPING

Shopping spree for the kids who desperately need summer clothes. We discover the awesomeness of shopping at Once Upon a Child.  Each kid got like 6-7 shirts, a bunch of shorts/skirts/basket ball short etc. for about $50.  Ryan was sold.   

1 PM

RACE CAR

Visit a Lowe's parking lot to see a real NASCAR race car there, which is being sponsored by a company our friend works for.  Jase thought it was pretty cool.

1:30 PM

EAT

Lunch at Chick Fil A- let the kids play in the play place for awhile while Ryan and I chat.

3:00 PM

PLAY

Head to the mall for some See's suckers and more playtime at the indoor playground they have there.

4:30 PM

MOVIES

Matinee showing of  EPIC.  It was a cute show and it was so nice to get all four of us into a movie for the same price as one ticket to see a movie in Boston!!!

6:30 PM

MEDS

Pick up a prescription for Maycee (ok so we had to throw in a least one errand).

7PM

SWIMMING

Still super hot out- so Ryan takes the kids to the pool while I make a late dinner.

8PM

NBA FINALS

We eat dinner while watching game four of the Heat vs. Spurs.  We are all still very confused on who we are actually rooting for.

9PM

BEDTIME

Kids and mom go to bed- dad finishes the game.

NOW...we wait!  

Seriously this baby girl is giving me a hard time.  The last 4 nights or so I've been going to bed with some pretty noticeable contractions and just really achy.  I keep thinking "tonight's the night",  but then morning comes and I feel pretty good again-- and that's kinda frustrating.

Come on little girl.  We're dying to meet you and we're ready.  I want you to be ready too, but it'd be really nice if you'd at least make your debut before or while we have help in town! 

Here's to hoping that my next post will be a birth story!

Preschool Graduation

May 31, 2013, Jase had his little preschool graduation and program!  

I'm so grateful for the teacher he had, seriously Jase had a great experience!!!

I am continually impressed with how much he is learning.  

They sang some songs for us and did the Pledge of Alligence (which Jase now is trying to teach Maycee- he know the whole thing by himself).

As each child got their certificate, the teacher read us somethings they said about themselves.

"I am extra special because... my mom loves me and I am a super sweet boy!

Things that I find exciting are... my sister's birthday, playing games, SPORTS!, the letter J, and the number 100!"

We also got a binder with a lot of his work through the year and other fun things- it was hilarious to read through some of the things Jase said.

Examples: when asked what he will look like when he's 100 years old he said, "I will have white hair and scribbles on my face."

What is something your mom and dad always tell you? go somewhere else to do something noisy if they are on the phone.

This kid is getting so BIG- please make it stop!  

We are ready to bring on Kindergarten.  Jase is super excited and that makes me excited too, but I know the first day of school is going to be rough (on me)- going in to register was hard enough!

Jase, buddy- we are so proud of you!  You are an amazing kid!  You are so good at anything you put your mind to and we know that will succeed in life.  You are an incredible athlete and also one of the sweetest kids around!  We couldn't ask for anything better.

LOVE YOU!

closing the season

Jase just finished spring sports season of t-ball and soccer.
I'm so glad he loved it and learned SO much,
but I tell ya- some weeks were crazy!
With Ryan at work, I was the shuttle bus.
We sometimes had 4 games plus 2 practices a week and back to back games.
Running from one event to the next with Jase, Maycee, and a baby on board was no small accomplishment.
However, it was another great season, and we have been so fortunate to have GREAT coaches!
It makes a huge difference!

The Indians

Huddle up!

GO INDIANS!

Jase & his best buddy Jaxon (our backdoor neighbor) 

So glad they got to be on the same team.

Coach Robinson

Happy Birthday Babe!

32 years old and he gets more handsome each year!!

I LOVE this man!

Ryan's hard to get presents for for three reasons:

1. He can't wait.  Once he's found something he wants he always jumps the gun and gets it early. (example: this year it was the Chrome Book)

2. He researches everything to find the best one and knows what store has it, for how much etc. I can't keep up with that.

3. He doesn't like clothes- only electronics- which I know nothing about.

So for his birthdays I usually try to give an experience! 

Something fun, crazy, &different we can do together.
(like here and here)

But being 9 months preggo is very limiting.  

So this year it was a large surprise package at his work filled with balloons, donuts for the office, and some other little treats for him.  

Then a date night (which we haven't had forever) to Olive Garden and the movies.

The kids got him a Sky Bouncer (Frisbee meets bouncy ball) and we celebrated with really good cake!

Happy Birthday Ry!

SO SO glad you were born ;)