Jacey-Kate is 3 Weeks

3 Weeks seems like a long time, but it's gone by so quickly. Jacey-Kate is gaining weight, not sure exactly how much, but you can definitely tell by her pudgy cheeks and growing belly. We've made some great progress with sleeping at night and then we've also taken a few steps back which seems to be normal from what all our friends have shared. Jacey-Kate says thanks to all her visitors, it's been fun for us to see our friends and family hold her and get to know our sweet girl.

A CT scan has been scheduled for Jacey-Kate on Thursday morning next week. We're hoping she won't have to be sedated for the procedure, but that Kara's milk with be enough sedation to get her through it. :-) This is one of the first steps to be taken before her surgery. Thanks for the continued encouragement and support! We'll keep you posted.

Two Weeks

Our little bundle of joy has been with us for two weeks now and we are having a hard time remembering what life was like without her. We are getting settled in to the pattern of eat, poop, sleep, eat, poop, sleep, eat, poop, sleep. She is doing great at all three of her favorite pastimes and we are getting much more sleep than we had anticipated (Russ significantly more than Kara). Although we have had a few minor medical issues to deal with, she is in great health and anxiously awaiting her nose-job in early fall. We have been so grateful for all of the friends and family that have visited, sent their well-wishes, and provided meals while we adjust to our new life as parents- we can't express how much we have appreciated everyone embracing our little girl.

Jacey-Kate's 1st Week

Jacey-Kate wanted to share her favorite pictures with you. She has really enjoyed her first week at home. She said it's way better than the hospital and almost as good as in mommy's belly. :-) Our precious daughter is adjusting well. We were really worried about the lack of sleep, but so far, it's been great. Kara has gotten up twice each night to feed her and that's been it. We do hear that babies tend to wake up by week 3, so stay tuned!!!

The Count UP Begins

Jacey-Kate is one week old today! We can't believe we've been home for a week with her- time flies. It's been quite a learning experience (especially for Russ), but we have been enjoying every minute of it. We have had lots of visitors stop in and are so grateful for their generosity- our little lady is definitely loved very much!

Jacey-Kate's Big Day

Here are a few more pictures from when Kara's water broke through Jacey-Kate's delivery. Kara made a birthday cake for her a week or so ago and froze it until she knew she'd be going to the hospital. The first pics are of Kara making and icing Jacey-Kate's birthday cake Tuesday morning. Thanks for following our blog and keeping up with our sweet baby's progress into our world! We're about to see the neonatologist and then head home. Daisy and Jonah are so excited to meet their little sister!!!

First Photos

Baby Kiefer Has Arrived!!!!

At 7:15am on July 8, 2009, Jacey-Kate Kiefer emerged from her exhausted mother and caused quite a stir from the first minute. She is now happily nursing with Kara. She can't wait to meet all of the wonderful friends and family that have been praying for her safe delivery! Jacey-Kate weighed in at 6lbs, 6oz and is 19in tall. She stole Daddy's heart the moment she arrived.

4:35am

Kara has dilated to 8-9cm and is dozing off to a well-deserved nap. The midwife said she will probably wake up when the baby is ready to be pushed out, so it looks like we will meet our little one in just a few hours. Kara has been really amazing. I can't describe the feelings I had watching Kara in labor- I'm an incredibly proud husband (and soon-to-be Dad)!

Contractions...

kinda suck. They're about 2 minutes apart and coming pretty strong. My wife is my hero.

10:45

Our midwife just examined Kara and we haven't had much progression since we got to the hospital. We have just started pitocin and are anticipating the arrival of contractions shortly. It looks like we could be in for a long night, but I'll keep you updated as things begin moving.

The Countdown Begins...

It is about 5pm on Tuesday, July 7, and we are at the hospital waiting on our baby to arrive. Kara's water broke this morning at 10am and we have since been waiting on and praying for contractions to begin. It looks like if she doesn't begin contracting before 10pm, we will need to start some Pitocin, which we are very much hoping is not necessary. We will keep you posted as often as we can, but in the meantime, please be praying for contractions to start ASAP!

A Serenbe 4th of July

We had another wonderful 4th of July with our neighbors this year. It started with a parade down Selborne Lane, potluck at Lisa's, fireworks in Grange (that's the part of the neighborhood where we live) and ended with a dance party back at Lisa's house. I figured I'd try to dance that baby out of my belly!!

One reason we love summer in Serenbe is because of the delicious tomatoes. Russ made lunch for us and as you can probably imagine, the pizza was delicious! I just picked some yellow pear tomatoes and yellow cherry tomatoes from our garden. I can't wait to taste those bad boys!!

Hope you had a wonderful 4th, too!

1 Week to go....

Baby Kiefer is due one week from tomorrow!!! It's hard to believe that the day is almost here. Kara saw her favorite midwife yesterday and has dilated to 2 cm, is 75% effaced and the baby's head is way down in the shoot. Brandy thinks it could be any day now. Who knows...maybe a firecracker baby is on the way!!

From Baby Kiefer