Mallory playing dollhouse with Grandpa (what a good sport!). Grandma rocking Kaisley. Thanks so much Mom and Dad for coming to help us all week!
These girls are so cute together. Mallory loves her baby sister so much.
They love to do everything together.
Leaving a cookie and milk for Santa
Kaisley Ruth Caldwell, here is your story:
Kaisley, you were born on December 8, 2011 at 8:56 PM. You were named (your middle name) after your Father’s grandmother, Ruth Porter. You were 6 pounds 2 ounces and 19.5 inches long at birth. The process of getting you here to our family was not easy but well worth it. Here is your story…
On April 4th, 2011 we found out we would be welcoming a new little spirit into our family in December. Your Mom started feeling sick just one week later and continued to feel sick through the rest of the pregnancy. You were not going to take it easy on your Mama J. On July 26th we found out you were a girl! You sister Mallory was so excited to have a sister. We started preparing for another sweet little girl.
As it got closer to your due date Mom went to Dr.’s appointments every week. When she was 36 weeks along she was dilated to 1 cm. We decided to schedule for a c-section and if you decided to come earlier we would try for a vaginal birth. The Dr. said she would schedule Mom for a c-section on December 6th but we asked if we could wait 3 more days until the 9th for your Daddy to be finished with his school finals. So, as much as we wanted you out to meet you earlier, we hoped you would not come until December 9th so your Dad could finish his schooling up so he could spend more time with you when you came.
On Sunday night the 4th of December, Mom started having painful contractions. They were coming every 5-7 minutes but did not seem to get closer. After 5 hours of contractions she decided she had better get checked at the hospital. At 4 AM she went in to the hospital but was still only 1 cm and 0% effaced so the nurses sent her home. They said she was having labor contractions but not progressing enough to stay. So for the next 2 days she continued to have painful contractions day and night and got very little sleep. When she went to her 39 week Dr. appointment, 2 days later, she was 2 cm and 80% effaced so some changes were happening but again, not enough to be in active labor. Then, the next day, on Thursday the 8th, Mom had more contractions and they were getting stronger. This was the very day that Dad was taking his last finals and doing his final presentation at school and the day that Grandma and Grandpa Dayton were on their way to come help. Between your Dad’s last final and presentation we went to the hospital again. We had our friends, Brian and Mackenzie Holik watch your sister Mallory. We were admitted to the hospital around 11:15AM on Thursday December 8th.
Once admitted we found out that Mom was still only 2 cm and 80% effaced, so, no changes even after many hard labor contractions. It was decided to monitor Mom a few more hours and then let the Dr. decide what would be best to do. So, while Mom was monitored Dad ran back to school to do his 1:00 final presentation at school. Then after he got back the nurses started preparing me for c-section in case we decided to do it that night instead of waiting for our scheduled c-section the next morning since Mom was having so many contractions. Grandma and Grandpa Dayton got to town around 5PM to get Mallory and then when the Dr. came to see Mom around 6:30PM she checked Mom and she was only 3cm and 80% effaced but it seemed like she was starting to have more regular and closer contractions. We decided to wait for 1 hour to see if Mom progressed anymore and then decide if we should try for a vaginal birth or c-section. An hour later there was no change again so we prepared for c-section.
In a few minutes the anesthesiologist was in to start Mom’s epidural. She was a nice women and stayed with Mom through everything until you arrived. Mom was also given some other medications that made her feel a little crazy. They did call it the “crazy” medicine. She remembers talking and talking and just speaking her mind without holding back. She said she did not like the way the medication was making her act but couldn’t help it. In time it wore off though and that was nice for Mom to get back to feeling like herself.
Just after receiving the epidural and medications Grandma and Grandpa got to the hospital with Mallory. Soon after that Mom was taken in to the operating room. Mom was very drowsy from the medication but she fought to stay awake and remember your birth. She remembers the Dr. and nurses prepping for surgery and getting her set up on the operating table. Just before surgery started Dad was brought in to stay by Mom. Once the Dr. started the operation Dad was telling Mom “They are cutting you right now”. He was not doing the greatest job at distracting her that is for sure J . After about 5 minutes they were pulling you out and it took just a few seconds before you started to cry. You were so beautiful and weighed in at only 6 pounds 2 ounces and 19.5 inches long. We had thought you would be bigger than that and were a bit surprised you were so small. You were one healthy little girl though. You past every medical examination with flying colors and scored a 9 and 10 on your APGAR scores just after birth. (Can’t get any better than that!)
Your Dad, Mom and Sister love you so much Kaisley and sure have enjoyed starting to get to know you. We feel so blessed that you are healthy and happy. We can’t wait to make many memories together! Love you
