Happenings

Kaisley was 2 months old last week and finally fits in the some-what matching outfits I bought the girls, so I decided to do a little photo shoot of them. As always, just when I got both girls dressed and ready, Kaisley was not a happy camper. She cried through the whole thing so here are a few of the lovely pictures I captured :)

p.s. Kaisley's 2 month apt states were :

11 lbs 11 oz and 23 inches long putter her at about 70th% for both weight and height. She was only at 12th% at birth so she is really working her way up the ladder. She loves to eat! :)

Oh.. and Mallory had her first 2 tests done on her heart and both were normal. We only have her ECHO left to do on March 26th... we are praying that that one comes back fine and we are good to go with 2 healthy girls!

3 days ago it SNOWED!!! Mallory had fun trying to make snow angels in the 1/2 inch deep snow. She was covered more in mud than snow when she got up but it was fun to see snow here in San Angelo.

 Last week we decided to take Mallory to Beauty and the Beast in 3-d. She loved it (I think her face explains that!) She kept saying "It just comes right out at you!"

She is really in to getting married (oh no!) So I had to rig up a beautiful wedding gown out of garbage bags. She was pleased with the final product so I guess that is all that counts. Here is her "prince" (Porter) giving her her ring.

And last by not least, my two Valentine girls! Gotta love them!

My girl. What a great sister she has been.

EKG and Echo result for Kaisley are in...

They show that her heart murmur was innocent. Probably due to her being sick and that she has a healthy heart! Thank goodness. Now we get to have Mallory's heart checked next week. They heard a heart murmur on her also a few weeks back and want to run some test to make sure she does not have something wrong. We need another good report on that one and we are good to go! Heart problems are all too familiar in our family. Porter's little brother, Gunner had heart surgery only a few years ago and there are a few others in the extended family with issues. We are praying for good results on her tests too.

Healthy heart...happy girl! Yay! 8 weeks old today.

The good the bad and the ugly.

This week has been full of ups and downs. These girls are typically so happy and full of energy but two Thursdays ago Mallory started the rough sounding croup cough. She also started running a fever to we took her to the Dr. the next morning and he gave her a steroid shot and said she would improve with that but still have a bit of a cough for a while and to just try to keep her and Kaisley separate if possible. So... we tried and this is how things went (see picture below). 

Anyway, Mallory's fever and cough persisted for 4 long days and on that Sunday night we heard Kaisley start the dreaded cough. So, Monday morning we were back in the Dr.'s office having Kaisley looked at. Once again, Dr. said she probably had croup or a cold and to not bring her back in unless she had a fever over 101 or had more than 60 respiration's a minute without stopping. So, we went home. The two girls did not feel good to say the least but Daddy's birthday was the next day so we were excited to try to have a fun day.

 Here is Porter with his two girls. He had a great B-day and despite the kids not feeling the greatest we were so ready to get out of the house so we went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and to an Angelo State Basketball game. It was the last bit of fun we were going to be having for a while... :)

Then on Thursday I became more concerned about Kaisley. She still had not started a fever and her reparations seemed faster (at times they were 60 per minute) but then she would settle down and they would become more regular. I was still worried though and she started gagging from her long coughing spells and throw up when I would feed her. She was struggling to breathe and I called the Dr. again to see if they would see her. They said that she just had a cold that need to run its course since she did not have the fever and continuous fast breathing. So, despite my concern we went to bed Thursday night. Kaisley was worse that night and at 12:30 AM began throwing up over and over again from the coughing and was breathing super fast and her little eyes looked fearful as she panted for air saying "help me mom!" That is when I knew, I am going to take her in right now! I don't care what they keep telling me.

So... low and behold, we ended up admitted that night at about 1:30 AM. Kaisley tested positive for RSV and her chest xray showed viral pneumonia. They said, "we are going to admit her overnight", so, I was thinking we would be going home the next day.

 Well, that was NOT the case. She only progressively got worse as the time when on which they explained to me was normal because RSV usually gets worse before it gets better. Despite her being so sick she did have a few moments where she would interact and even give her mom some sweet little smiles. She is just 7 weeks old and starting all the cute little smiles.

It broke my heart to watch her go through all the poking and prodding and struggling to breathe. She had cords an IV attached to her making it difficult for me to hold and love on her and nursing was not that easy either, especially since her tummy was so unsettled from all of the mucus she was swallowing. I guess they say RSV is so bad because the mucus is soooo thick that the little ones have a hard time breathing through there narrow air passages and they have a hard time clearing it. I think that yucky mucus that was filling her lungs and clogging up her nose and throat was making her gag and throw up.

She continued on monitors to watch her reparations and breathing treatments and other than that we just had to wait for the virus to run its course.

 Then on day 3 we get the news that they had been hearing a heart murmur which is not too common at 7 weeks old so they need to run some tests to be sure she was not having any other heart problems. They did and EKG and Echo which we are still waiting on the results for. They say it could only be due to her being sick so we are crossing our fingers for that!

I hated this darn IV and was so excited when it was finally time to take it out and come home! (day 4)

We just got home and Kaisley seems better already, just being out of that hospital makes us all feel better I think. We are continuing breathing treatments here at home and she should be fine before long! I have sure been thinking about how grateful I am for all the blessings we enjoy. It is hard to recognize all the good we have until we are faced with something that stretches us. I was so exhausted since I was the one staying at the hospital day and night because she nurses and Porter was taking care of Mallory. Little Kaisley was not sleeping well and wanted held whenever she did sleep, not to mention the hospital staff were checking on her so often and running tests and treatments so it was VERY hard to rest. I remember at points wondering if I was going to be able to keep doing it. May arms were so tired and fatigued from no rest and holding her constantly. Funny though now somehow we make it through with help from family, friends, ward members, priesthood blessings, prayer, and strength from our Savior! Thanks to everyone for the love and support! We are just so happy things seem to be okay now.

p.s. we sent Mallory to AZ for the week to spend time with her grandparents there. I have been sooooo sad without her around... The house is so quite.  I love being a mother and can't wait for her to get back and for us to get to be a "normal" family again. Fun thing is, she is just fine without us and having a great time :) haha

Kaisley's Newborn Pictures

My beautiful baby girl. She was about 3 weeks old in these pictures. (Thanks Britt for helping me take them and editing some. You are the best!)

She sure does love her sister :) ha

Kaisley has been such a good baby. We love having her in our home and are grateful she is a healthy, happy girl.

Kaisley's baby blessing day

On New Years Day we blessed Kaisley. She was only 3 weeks old but it was the perfect day to bless her with all of our family still in Snowflake for the holidays. We blessed her in Snowflake 10th ward which was our old ward last year before we moved to Texas and my Mom and Dad's ward. Porter gave her a special blessing and she was so good during it. She looked like a beautiful little angel in her white dress. We then had a brunch with family afterwards and it ended up being a very memorable day. Thanks to all of our family for coming to support us and Kaisley. We love you!

Before the blessing... on the way to church

The girls.

Brunch.

The Dayton clan.

The cousins playing games while we ate.

The Caldwell bunch.

4 generations of Caldwells.

Mallory posing up for some pictures. 

And... the special little lady on her big day.

We love you Kaisley Ruth Caldwell.

Christmas

We had a great Christmas in AZ. We spend most of our time with Porter's family this year but got to spend time with my family too. We really loved seeing EVERYONE from our families after going so long without seeing anyone. It truly made Christmas great.

On Christmas Eve Santa brought Mallory a present.

And oh.... it was "sharp shoes" (high heels). Look how excited she was. She has been asking for "lots of sharp shoes" for months now.

All of the Caldwell Grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa. Christmas Eve.

Mallory only wanted dresses and sharp shoes and gloves for Christmas. Grandma and Grandpa Caldwell gave her this on Christmas Eve. She was so happy.

Daddy and "Snow White/Rapunzel" dancing.

I love this picture. Porter looks so happy to be back home with his parents. :)

Mallory giving Kaisley her Christmas gift from her.

She was so happy to get her gloves with her Cinderella dress.

Christmas day with my girls.

Now she is in her Ariel dress. This girl keeps busy with her many dresses.

Kaisley on Christmas day.

Dayton grandkids in their new pjs.

Everyone ready to indulge in our yummy shrimp boil on New Years Eve. Thanks Mom and Dad! It was sooooooo good! Even the kids liked it. (and thanks britt and aaron for contributing the lobster and crab) soooo good!

First week home with baby Kaisley & Birth Story

 The day we got home. Gingerbread house! Kaisley loves making this face. haha.

 Daddy and his girls. (one lucky and out-numbered guy :)

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.

 Sometimes too much :)

They love to do everything together.

 We had a "Christmas Eve" and "christmas morning" here in San Angelo so we don't have to take everything to Snowflake. Here is our Christmas eve dinner.

Leaving a cookie and milk for Santa

 She loves her new Christmas dress. This girl is obsessed with dresses!

 And loves her new trampoline!

Then she got to go on a daddy and grandpa date to the Elmo Show here in town.

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 4^th, 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 26^th 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 6^th but we asked if we could wait 3 more days until the 9^th 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 9^th so your Dad could finish his schooling up so he could spend more time with you when you came.

            On Sunday night the 4^th 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 8^th, 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 8^th.

            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