Merry Christmas!

We've been blessed with another wonderful Christmas. We've had a great couple of days. 2010 has been so good to us. Thank you family and friends for your love and support this year. We love you all!

Kate's First Playdate

Kate and I visited Parker and Presleigh Sisney, twin son & daughter of my friend Brooke Sisney, on Thursday, 12/23/10. Parker & Presleigh were born on October 25, 4 days after Kate. Brooke and I have been on almost the exact same schedule for IVF and our pregnancies, so we really enjoyed trading stories and staying connected over the past year. In Brooke's words, "yay for us older moms!".

Kate is 2 Months Old!

Kate celebrated 2 months of age on 12/21/2010. She had an appointment with the pediatrician and she weighed in at 8lbs., 6oz., and has grown 3 inches in length! Dr. Payton was very happy with her progress. Kate also had her first round of immunizations, which were not fun. She got THREE shots in her thighs. She cried real tears and mommy and daddy felt like crying, too. On Wednesday she was very sleepy, but thankfully no fussiness, fever or other side effects!

8pm versus 3 am

There are many differences between 8pm and 3 am.  I won't belabor the obvious ones.  But here are my top things I find different.

1. An unannounced rubbing from the cat against a bare leg.  A warm welcome at 8pm.  At 3am, it's more of a mini heart attack.

2. Any infomercial by the Sham Wow guy.  At 8pm, amusing.  At 3am, either I'm going to kill him or order 4 shaw wows... mood dependent.

3. Baby farts.  Much funnier at 8pm.  They smell worse at 3am.

4. 40w bulbs.  At 8pm, I can barely see to do anything.  At 3am, "it burns!"

5. The barking neighbors dog.  At 8 I'm annoyed... at 3am, I'm ready to make the owner look like the Sham Wow guy.

6.  Mixing a bottle.  At 8pm, it's a simple exercise.  At 3am, I used 4 spoons, two bottles, a strainer, half a roll of paper towels and had to change shirts.  I left the kitchen so covered in formula powder that it looked a cocaine factory.

7. Changing a diaper.  Again, 8pm = simple.  3am, I wiped her bottom with the burp cloth.  Whoops.  Then I forgot to put the diaper on, and buttoned her up.  Good thing I noticed there was less "junk in the truck" when I picked her up and corrected my mistake.

8.  And finally, feeding.  At 8pm, a simple exercise and one that needs to happen fast because there is a lot to do.  At 3am, it is something to be relished.  It feels like just you and her in the world.  Yeah, sleep deprivation can suck, but being alone at 3am providing for a little one is indescribable.

Peace.

Kate's First Visit with Santa

Kate met Santa for the first time on Friday, December 17th. She has been a very good girl this year!

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is now one week away. I've been busy finishing up the shopping, and I've only wrapped about 6 presents. I thought I'd share the photo from our Christmas card that was taken on Thanksgiving. Kate was exactly 5 weeks old on Thanksgiving.

Little Kate is growing fast. Bryon and I both have gotten smiles from her in the past 2 weeks or so. I can't describe how wonderful it feels to get that sweet smile from her! We've even heard a little coo here and there.

Tuesday brings her 2 month birthday and we go to the pediatrician for a check up and shots. I am already dreading the shots, but I am looking forward to seeing how much she's grown. At her last appointment she weighed 7lbs., 6oz., so I'm sure she's over 8lbs. by now. She's gotten longer too. Her "newborn" size clothes fit almost perfectly right now!

Kate's Birth

This is simply a repost from my other blog, but still a fitting start to the Castleberry Chronicles.


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10/21/10  

Well it was an adventure. Kate wasn't due to arrive until 11/18. So I decided to go to a work conference this week in Denver and even booked a mini vacation in the mountains for Thursday and Friday. Angie called Thursday morning to let me know she had a few signs of labor. But at her doctors appointment he said she was fine and I should stay in Colorado. 

At noon, her contractions were bad enough that Julie (her boss) sent her home. Meanwhile, I was wringing my hands on if I should return or stay for my mini vacation. Angie and I toiled over the decision until I listened to her experience a contraction over the phone and I knew it was time. One canceled hotel, one cancelled car, and 1 flight change and I was on my way. Unfortunately, I had 7 hours before the flight left. 

Back in Arkansas, the contractions got quicker and more intense. Angie's mom gathered her up and took her to the hospital. I was still sitting in the airport. Delynn, my colleague (who is 7 months pregnant herself), kept me pretty calm for the next few hours.  I even helped Angie through a few contractions over the phone. She was only 3 centimeters at that point. Plenty of time... right?

However, just before getting on the plane she was at 6 and heading for the epidural. This is the exact moment that I started 

Freaking 

Out. 

A 2 hour plane ride with no updates. Even Delynn stopped pretending I had plenty of time. 

By the time I landed, an entire plan had been put in motion. My quick phone call revealed Angie was 10 centimeters and ready to push.  I also found out I had people waiting on me. The plane crew let me off first and the Gate crew ran with me to clear a path through the airport. 

Maisha was at the top of the escalator wanting my keys and directing me to a white SUV waiting at the terminal. Julie was waiting in her Land Rover with a police escort. As we flew through the back roads, Julie's glee at being in a police convoy kept me distracted. We survived the back roads and as we barreled down I-540, Julie explained my exact route through the ER door to my wife's room. 

Meanwhile, Maisha convinced a incoming airport passenger to drive her around the airport economy lot until she located my car. 

As I arrived at the hospital, I jumped out, got through the doors and made it just in time. The stirrups were in place and the pushing started immediately. 1 hour later, after a heroic effort by Angie, Kate Lauren entered the world. 5 lbs 1 oz, 19 inches long at 11:45pm. Mom and baby are great. Kate has a full head of brown and the tiniest hands imaginable. 

I'm a proud dad and now I get to lose sleep all over again. A heartfelt thanks to Linda, Delynn, Maisha, Julie, the police, the passengers of flight 6729, and the Willow Creek staff for a crazy, stressful and ultimately wonderful experience. 

And of course thanks to my lovely wife who did the hard work while I sat in an airport.