Kaleb Dean Strong

Guest Author Aunt Rachel here...

Kaleb Dean Strong was born early this morning, at 2:39am. He weighed 7 lbs, 10oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. Both Mommy Tiff and Baby Kaleb are exhausted, but doing great...and Daddy Kevin is a little overwhelmed, but doting and proud. :)

Tiff asked me to post a few pictures here for you guys to see...I'm sure she'll tell the story of Kaleb's arrival and post some better pictures soon!

The crazy cousins visited today, too...This picture says it all! :)Congrats Tiffany and Kevin! We love you!

Kaleb's House

As most of you know, we are moving at the end of June. Because of this, we did not want to set up a nursery at our house now, just to take it down and re-do it in 3 months. So, we have been working REALLY hard to squeeze everything we need into our house--which we share with Darren!!! Alas, it is completed! But, instead of Kaleb having a room, he pretty much has a house! Here are some pics of his future residence!

We have put a bassinet into our room for him to sleep in at night...

He has his own dresser that is complete with 4 full drawers of clothes, blankets, bibs and booties! Poor Kevin, even he doesn't have his own dresser!!

I, somehow, managed to clean out half of my closet to be devoted to his real clothes or clothes that he won't be wearing quite yet!

And then there is our living room. This is home to his pack-n-play/changing table/diaper storage/toys/blanket storage/diaper genie!!

If it didn't look so terrible, I would also have a picture of our spare room that is packed full of extra furniture that no longer fits in the other rooms, the carrier and both car seat bases, his vibrating chair and boxes of diapers and wipes!!

I am soooo excited that our house actually reflects the fact that we have a baby coming soon!! It really helps to make it seem more real! (not that my current physical condition, aches and pains aren't enough to make it real!!)

So, here it is--Kaleb's House--hopefully the next time you see it you will see his beautiful face as well!!

I would be ok with prayers...

So, I know that my due date is still technically 2 1/2 weeks away. I know that Kaleb will come when he is ready. I know that I do not want him here too early (or as Mom puts it "we don't want him doughy"). However, I would be ok with everyone beginning to pray for this pregnancy to come to an end!! I feel that Kaleb is completely ready to be on the outside. I am afraid that he will soon get too comfortable and (with the stubborness he has surely inherited from his father) will never want to come out! If I didn't have to go to work it may be one thing. But having to sit at work today has proven, at least to me, that I am not that strong! I am afraid that 2 more weeks of this will have me soooo exhausted that the actual birth will be impossible. Because my stupid substitute doctor did not check me last week, I have no idea what progress I had made.

I do know, however, that:

I can not sleep on the same side for longer than 1-2 hours at a time or I will wake to a terrible shooting pain down that side of my body.

I cannot sit with my legs even close to together. I feel very un-ladylike!

When I sit with my legs apart for more than 10 minutes it takes a good 30 seconds to get them to go back together in order to walk.

I feel as though there is a bowling ball between my legs and on top of my bladder.

There is a sharp, shooting pain in my "down there" area when I try to walk.

The indigestion is now not soothed by eating.

My lower back aches and aches and aches...

I feel like it is the day before that "time of the month" everyday!!

So, again I ask for your prayers. First that Kaleb will be healthy, that I will be able to suck it up and make it, but most of all-that he will choose to arrive VERY VERY soon!!

Shower!

I had my final baby shower this weekend. It was soooo great!! I cannot begin to express my gratitude to everyone for their kindness and am still in awe that we are loved sooo much! We got so many great gifts! In fact, afterwards when trying to sort through and decide what, if anything, else would be needed before Kaleb's arrival, we were at a loss! We got EVERYTHING!! Of course, this does not mean that we will not continue to shop!!! It just means that our shopping is out of want and not need! (the best kind of shopping!!)
Here are a few pictures--

As I said, we got TONS of presents!!
Of course, this meant lots of tissue paper to keep Joey occupied!!

And I, of course, was never lacking in helpers! Thanks Micah and Jenna!

Of all of the gifts, I have to say that the best came from Conner, Micah and Joey! Rachel let them each pick out a toy for cousin Kaleb. They were sooooo proud of their gifts! Just seeing the excitement on their faces as I opened their gifts was priceless!! I cannot wait for them to meet Kaleb! This is the fish toy from Joey.

One thing I could have done without was all of the side view shots!! Every picture of me is from this angle. I look like a snowman!

Then, of course Kevin made his end of the shower, take a picture and load the car appearance!

Again, I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for their love and kindness! Alright Kaleb--time for you to come out and play with all of your new stuff!!

Ohhhhh!!!

Over the past couple of months I have developed a concern about the end of my pregnancy. This is going to sound strange, but I have been concerned that I wouldn't realize what was happening when things started happening. I know, I know--when the contractions are real, I'll know. I understand that, but what about the Braxton Hicks contractions? I have read blog posts and talked to other people who have been having them since the 7th month. I haven't had any. I know it's not a big deal, but as I have stated previously, I am a planner. I like to know that things are starting to happen and my body is preparing for Kaleb's arrival.

I woke up in the middle of the night Friday to use the restroom. In doing so, I realized that my stomach looked like I had swallowed a cinder block. It was flat in the middle and rectangular in shape. Weird, I thought. Well, I had been laying kinda half on my side, half on my stomach so I guess the baby had just positioned himself oddly--whatever--I was going back to bed. I told mom about this the next morning and she laughed and commented on how he was running out of space and would have to get into some weird positions!!

Later Saturday I looked down and noticed the rectangular shape had returned. I ran/waddled quickly into the kitchen to show Mom. She put her hands on either side of my stomach and burst out laughing. She then stated, "Sweetie, that's a contraction!" Oh--well-- this has been happening. She and Rachel both got a good laugh and reassured me that I would know when it was real labor, but that what I was feeling was actually a contraction! Hmm... well I guess I have been "feeling" these for about a week now! So, now that I know what I am looking for, I have been having at least one good one (without any pain) each hour during the main part of the day. This also helps to explain my low back pain as I can now associate this pain with the beginnings of each contraction!

Well...now I know...

Surprise Shower!

Tuesday was a typical icky feeling day for me! I got to work feeling like I was going to throw-up, my lower abdomen was all achy and (due to Kaleb's dropping) my shirt wasn't long enough and my pants wouldn't stay up!! Great day!!

I continued moping around the store--trying to stay awake! Holley (my store manager) had sent out an email that she would be using the break room for training from 8-10:30. Great! That meant no access to water. I usually drink several cups in the morning. (It's nutritionally necessary and a great time waster!!) My baby brain is really bad because even though she was supposed to be "training" Holley was on the sales floor and in her office all morning. (I should have caught that!) Then there were the weird looks from people every time I walked into the back room. (Never clicked that they were afraid I was going to catch them being sneaky)

At about 10:40 someone called my desk and asked me to bring Holley some more pens for her training group. Ughhhh! Why me? The pens are under the counter--I had to bend all the way over--painfully--to reach them. Then, as I am approaching the break room door I think, why is she still in training? And why is she still hiring people? We are cutting everyone's hours right now...she was supposed to be done at 10:30...she better not still be in here at noon when I need to eat my lunch...

Then I opened the door.

To my COMPLETE surprise all of the other managers, Mom and Kelly were gathered around an adorably decorated break room for a surprise baby shower!!

There were snacks and cake...

even my own, special for me, strawberry cake...

And of course plenty of gifts!

These are all of the pics that I have, although they hardly do the party justice! You guys are just too great!! I am soooo lucky to have such great friends as co-workers!! This definitely perked up my icky achy day!!

Thanks for the warning...

I had my 36 week check up yesterday. I would first like to say thank you to all of my baby having friends for all of your advice, opinions, tips and suggestions to this point in the pregnancy. Having said that, YOU COULD HAVE WARNED ME!

First, I had to have the Strep B test done. For those of you who have not experienced it, this is a normal test to see if you carry the Strep bacteria in your "down there" area. It's not a big deal-some women do, some don't. Sometimes you may carry it during one pregnancy and not during the next. The doctor just needs to know so they can give you antibiotics during delivery. Basically, the doctor stuck a DRY q-tip in (and not into my ear) and swirled it around a couple of times. OUCH! This visit couldn't get worse--Right?

Then, she said that she was going to check my dialation and such. Ok--I'm excited. I want to know if things are getting going or not. --Here's where the warning would have been useful--Granted-Mom you did attempt to warn me, but it was one comment and was not made out to be that bad. I thought I was going to throw up. That really really really hurt.

But I did find that I am 1cm dialated, 25% effaced, he is at a -1 station, very much head down and the cervix is getting really good and soft. So, that's good--we are beginning the progression!
So, to anyone who has not yet had a baby--the "checking" is not even close to comfortable. In fact, it hurts worse than anything I have had happen so far. I know that there is more pain to come--but I have been warned about that!

Peppercorn Ranch Whatachicken...

I was sitting in the bed the other night watching tv. Kevin had just walked into the bathroom when I exclaimed something along the lines of -oh my gosh, Kevin look- He comes running out of the bathroom to find me watching a commercial for Whataburger. I knew as soon as it started with the picture of a bun with ranch dressing on it, that the commercial was for my FAVORITE sandwich from Whataburger-the Peppercorn Ranch Whatachicken Sandwich! I was sooo excited! He very sweetly commented on how excited he was for me and for the fact that nothing serious was wrong and walked back into the bathroom. With me stating--I am going to need one of those sometime soon!

The next afternoon, while sitting on the couch after work, I informed him that Whataburger was definitely what I wanted for dinner. He looked over and sadly said, "I know. I am such a bad husband. I should have gone last night and got you one. You haven't had any crazy cravings, and when you finally did--I missed it. I'm sorry!" I started laughing and told him that I didn't want it the night before and wouldn't have eaten it if he had gone and got it!

So, we went to Whataburger, I got my sandwich, and it was the best thing I had eaten in months! Chicken, peppercorn ranch, pepperjack cheese and bacon--how could it not be the best thing ever? At least that's my thinking. Kaleb, however, did not agree. He still hates chicken and the rest of the spiciness did not help my indigestion.

But that's ok. I got my one Peppercorn Ranch Whatachicken Sandwich and it was great!

I am ready...I think...

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a planner. Although I am not as OCD about it as Krystal, the fact still remains that I am a planner. Usually, however, I could be best catagorized as a procrastinating planner. I plan and plan and plan, just sometimes I wait until the last minute to complete my plan. But that's ok. Because I plan it that way! I get things so put together in my head, and work out the best way to multi-task my plan, that I can get everything done in half of the time!!

Kevin, however, is not a planner. His opinion is that everytime we plan something it gets messed up. We can be planning all week to go out to dinner on the weekend and then plans will change and we are left with no dinner plans. But, if we don't plan on it, something will come up and we'll decide to go to dinner at the last minute and everything works out great! -Whatever-I am still going to plan!

So, here I am a month away from Kaleb's due date and pretty much completely ready for him. It's really weird. I have washed and folded and organized and re-organized all of his clothing and accessories. I have rearranged three rooms of our house several times to find the best fit for all of his things. I have packed both mine and his bag for the hospital. I have made a list of the few things that do still need to be done (none of which are imperative to the hospital trip or the arrival home) and am working on my call list for when he makes his arrival.

We do still have our big shower left, so I know that this will lead to a need for a little more organization, but I am ready!

Wow, I really am pretty much done...now what?

Five Weeks and Counting...

So, I know that I have mentioned on several occasions that I am not "loving" being pregnant. I love the idea, but not the actual day to day stuff. Well, that was then...now I am beginning to see how much I should have "LOVED" being pregnant! I really should have taken advantage of the first 8 months because this is miserable!! Here's my recent list of ailments:

-swollen ankles (not too bad but enough to make my feet hurt)
-indigestion (not that this is really all that new--but it has managed to worsen!)
-constant aches at the top of my stomach (thanks to Kaleb having positioned himself correctly--head down-- so soon!)
-what has to be knives stabbing both sides of the bottom of my stomach.
-constant pressure on my bladder (causing a few "near" accidents!)
-constant aches in my lower back
-the continuous urge to pee--even when there is no pee!!
-this really aweful pain when I stand up--like something is cutting me in half.
-constant exhaustion-even when I get 12 hours of sleep!
-the beginnings of Braxton Hicks contractions--not bad and not too often!
-one eye twitch--yeah--just the right one!

---hmm...apparently I am finally experiencing pregnancy pains!

The good news is I know that all of this means that Kaleb is on his way to making his appearance.
The bad news is I still (should) have a ways to go! Five weeks doesn't seem like a long time. And in the grand scheme of things, it's not. But when you are talking to a pregnant woman--it's an ETERNITY!! I can't imagine how time will continue to slow over the next few weeks!

I am really really really ready for him to be here! Kevin got his dresser put together earlier this week, so he now has clothes folded and organized! For such a tiny person, he takes up more dresser drawers than Kevin, and I have only put newborn-3 months up! He still has a closet full of clothes that he won't be able to fit into for a few months! But our house finally feels like a baby is coming!! I walk into our room each afternoon and just wish that it was him actually in the bassinet instead of his rabbit and come home outfit!

Because of our birthing class, Kevin is starting to pay more attention to things that are happening and trying to not be paranoid!! Anytime I am cleaning or straightening, he is afraid I'm "nesting" and that means the baby is only days away!!! He is too cute! I think he is secretly hoping that my "nesting" will be longer than most and that it will lead to me taking back over the cooking! He is getting tired of cooking every evening, I am getting tired of waiting for dinner to get ready, so we have eaten out a good bit more than usual!!

But, this is all ok--only 5 weeks left...

We had our first baby shower this past Saturday. It was a BLAST!!! Thank you so much to all of our fantastic friends! I especially want to thank my hostess couples--Krystal/Clint, Kelly/Drew, Caroline/Adam, and Sierra/Cody. You guys did WAY too much! It was perfect!

I am going to warn you that there are quite a few pictures here! (if anyone has anymore good ones-send them my way please!!)

When I arrived (quite windblown) I was greeted by a house totally decked out in red, white and blue football mania! You can kind of see the diaper cake on the right side of the first pic--it was ADORABLE!!

Mom, of course, made way too much! I had two bags of homemade goodies! Everything from the most adorable little rabbit-to burp cloths-to cart covers-to hooter hiders!! She did an amazing job on all of it!

Kevin and I both got our diaper bags--he is VERY possessive of his wipes. They came in his bag, they are his!

Jennifer got us lots of bathtime goodies! Kevin was most excited about the shark towel! When I pulled it out of the bag, he exclaimed--Hey cool! I remember scanning that!!

The big gift--from the hostesses--was our bedding!! We were both soooo excited!! I just wish we were already in our house with his room actually set up!

Of course, most of the party consisted of all of us sitting around and catching up! It was great to have Krystal there--who just had a baby--and Kinsey--who is due 1 month after me--to share experiences!

Thanks again to everyone!