9 days old

Doing what we do best these days, just chillin'.

And just because I can't resist this hat, more photos with the hat! I'll be so sad when this hat doesn't fit anymore.

Semi-pro

These photos are my attempt at being a semi-professional photographer. For months during my pregnancy I had contemplated hiring a professional photographer to do those super cute photos you see of newborns dressed up in cute hats lying in a basket. I wanted them for Khloe's birth announcement. I found several local photographers and had all their information lined up, prices, scheduling, etc, and was ready to the moment Khloe was born. Photographers like to take those photos when the baby is 5-10 days old.

After Khloe was born I came back to reality of the outrageousness of the cost to use one of those photographers ($500+) and so I thought to myself, "You can do this yourself. It might not be as good, but you can do it". So, today, in a super spontaneous moment, I set up my semi-professional studio with my semi-professional props and took my semi-professional photos.

Now, I did not take the 3 - 4 hours like the professional would do in her studio. I had more like 3 - 4 minutes. Maybe we'll work on rounds 2, 3 and 4 another day. Here's just a sampling of a few photos.

Holding big sister's hand

Squishy yummy goodness

We went back to the doctor's today just for a quick weigh-in. We had our first trip to the doctor when you were three days old where you weighed 8lbs, 8oz. She asked to see us back in a few days just to make sure you were gaining weight okay, and you are! You weighed in today - exactly at one week old - back at your birth weight - 9lbs, 1oz. Good job Khloe! Nine pounds sounds like a lot for a newborn, but you're still so little and cuddly and squishy to me!

April 25

I have studied this date on the calendar for far too long; for many, many months. I have counted up, counted down, counted sideways to continually see just how far off this date was and thought about ways to make it come faster. For me, this date was the end of a journey - a very long journey - and the beginning of something new and fun and complete for our family. I often felt like this day would never come! For so long this date held such significance and priority in my life, but now its only significance is its benchmark to the fact that you came 6 days early.

Today is your due date, Khloe. April 25th. But, you are here with us and already 6 days old! I can't imagine you still inside me and not here with us. Besides already being big enough and long enough, you were ready to come out - and did so - all on your own. Thank you God!

I'm glad I did not have to wait another day for you to come. I was waaaaaaaaay beyond ready. I was miserable, crabby, cranky, tired, drained and I'm pretty sure that was wearing on everyone. Hard to think that just last Monday I was still pregnant and not aware of what the next morning would bring!

You're here, you're healthy, you're beautiful and that's all that matters.

Three days old

Khloe,

We cannot believe you are here with us! If only you could hear your Daddy and I say that to one another over and over and over all day long. We are so in love with you! Do you hear us tell you that over and over and over again all day long, too? Your Daddy and I say to one another we can't believe how awesome you are. Its true, you are awesome. Awesome in so many ways. You're so unbelievably precious. You're cute. You have soft fuzzy hair. You smell like candy.

Sometimes I look at you and can't believe how tiny you are! You are just a little peanut! Your nose is so tiny, your fingers and toes are so dainty, your body so fragile. And then other times I look at you and think you are so big! You were inside of me??!! You, just three days ago??? How did you fit inside? You are a big peanut! Your body, your long legs, your chubby cheeks, I pushed you out of me? How is that even possible? It still amazes me.
You are so sweet, Khloe. You are sweeter than a million candy bars. You are sweeter than a double-chocolate hot fudge brownie.
You are truly a blessing, miracle and gift from God. We're glad He chose you to be part of our family. We love you!

{APRIL 19}

Happy Birthday, Khloe Jean.

The wait is over. Today is the day. The day one journey ended and another began.

We love you and are so glad you are here! Thank you for coming early and not making us wait a minute longer. We love you so much!

Tuesday, April 19
12:50 p.m.
9lbs, 1oz
21.5"
Perfect. Healthy. Happy. Relieved. Blessed. Thankful. In love.

April 18

I'm officially off work and now just.... waiting. And waiting. Waiting to feel something. Waiting to feel different. Waiting to feel anything. I had my 38 week check-up last Friday and my doctor ruined my perfectly good weekend plans by telling me that I would not be having her over the weekend. That was not what I wanted to hear! She also told me that 50/50 I could have her during the week, but that chances were, that I would see her back in her office again this Friday. First of all, she also told me that same thing with Kayla, and we all know what happened there. Second, 50/50 gives me some good odds that I will bet on! And last, I told her that I was going to do everything in my power to not see her in the office, but rather in the hospital.

Then, last Friday, my contractions came every 2 minutes for 2.5 hours. Exciting, right? I thought so! But it wasn't enough to move things along. That was disappointing. I thought for sure that that was going to be it. So instead, Kayla and I are hanging out this week, having good quality girl time which Kayla is excited about, until Khloe arrives. I was feeling guilty about not going into work this week. I had it in my head that I wouldn't be working this week AND I would have a baby in my arms. But my doctor convinced me not to feel guilty, to take the time for myself, and I also realized that I really have nothing more to do at work this week and that seeing and talking topeople would just test my lack of patience even more. It's just a crazy thought to now be done with work until July! It hasn't hit me yet.

I'm ready Khloe, in every way possible! Just give me a sign, or a hint, would you? You can come out now, it's okay. You're big enough, I promise.

April 11

My day today...

This morning at work: "You're STILL here?"

Then, out to lunch: "You should've had that baby by now!"

And later, out shopping: "Are you having twins?"

And just for good measure, I got a "Do you feel like a beached whale?", "You've been pregnant longer than any other person I know" and a "Are you bigger than last time?" last week too.

And that was my day. Now multiply those comments by 252 days.

Needless to say, my smiles, friendly disposition, and patience are wearing thin, if not completely gone already.

All this gave me a revelation this week. I think I've finally realized what the point of the 9th month is, because I have always wondered. It seems so pointless, the 9th month. Can't pregnancy just be 8 months? The 9th month is so brutal, so miserable. But up until the 8th month I wasn't completely mentally, physically, emotionally prepared to have a newborn in the house again. Then you reach the 9th month and you realize you have no more doubts, no more worries, no more concerns, no more hesitations. I'm way way way more than ready to hold little Khloe Jean in my arms!

April 9

Don't mind if I do! I'm going to ride this train as long as I can! Why aren't there more of these signs around? Thank you, Best Buy!

April 1

I had to do it. It is, after all, April Fools Day. And a prank like this can really only come around once in a lifetime.

Everyone around work knows I'm ready to have this baby, and quite frankly, could possibly have her at any time. So I had the idea to prank my boss and tell him that, in fact, I did. (Oh, don't I only wish!!!)

I sent him a text at 7:30 a.m. before I was expected to show up to work at 8:00 a.m. It said "I won't be at work today. I went into the hospital at 2:30am and will be having my baby today. I will keep you posted". He text back, "Good luck".

By the time I showed up at 8am my boss had spread the word to the entire department that I was in the hospital having my baby. That is, until I walked in. Pregnant. Everyone clapped at the success of my prank, I received lots of high fives and lots of "That was a good one!" cheers. Even my boss couldn't believe I got him and agreed it was a good one. He took the bait hook, line and sinker, but why wouldn't he???

For the record, Aaron cautioned me not to do it. My boss has said he will be planning his retaliation for the next 12 weeks. I get what I deserve, but man, it was worth it.