3 weeks

So we've survived another week. I can tell she is getting older. She stays awake more often and has her pretty blue eys open and looking around. She is getting better at latching on. except right now I am pumping to get through the night. she doesn't like to latch on when I'm tired or maybe I just don't have the patience that I need to help her like it.

I did purchase a little helper to help us both in this area. I would recommend it to anyone with breastfeeding problems. Its called My Breast Friend. Its a pillow that actually attaches around the waist. So it doesn't fall off like the boppy that I had. and it positions her right for a good latch. So we have a few good feeding times during the day and then at night we have to go back to the bottle. Well I'm not so sure how good they are as she always seems hungry after I feed her. So she gets what she can from me and then I have to give her a little more from what I've stored up.

I'll have some pictures posted soon. My sister took some of her and was supposed to email them to me but hasn't yet. They certainly are precious.

My friend Rached posted about funny things her husband has done at night to help out with their little one. I think I'll mention a few that Matthew has done or rather how good he is at helping me but not so much about remembering that he did.

During the night I try to feed her but if I can't get a latch I have to pump and give her a bottle, So I have matt give her the bottle while I pump so that we both can get to sleep faster. But the other night Matt did that and thenthe next morning he asked how she slept and I said she was up twice, and Thanks for helping me to which he replied, I did? He didn't remember anything.

I like to lean over and give Matt kisses after I've fed Kathryn and put her in bed before she wakes up again. He never remembers those either.

So I tried again tonight to latch her on and I can't get one deep enough. It like she is to used to the bottle and can't seem to open her mouth wide enough to do any good for her or me. The pillow realy does help but not in helping her open her mouth.

She has gotten a lot better though. Each day I can tell she's a little stronger and older. I hope soon we'll get it.

Sorry this is mostly all about me feeding woes. its just what is on my mind mostly.

Oh fun times is bath times. She just loves sitting in the sink just relaxing in the water. and then she smells so good afterwards. I jut sit her against me and sniff her head all day.

Before I was a Mom

A friend of mine sent this email to me. I think it is very true to what I'm feeling right now. I haven't felt all of it yet but I know I will some day. I do like to hold my little Kathryn just because. and the few times that she has latched on is so satisfying. Its those times that makes me want to not give up on her and me. Its crazy how much you can love something so quickly. It took time to fall in love with Matthew but the love was instant the moment I saw her. She is my little angel that God has sent to me to take care of and to nurture. Thanks for the opportunity!

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to alullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a babysleep. Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces whenI couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed ahungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

2 Weeks and Thriving

Well we made it to two weeks. I'm still sane and the baby is doing excellent. We had her two week appointment today. We weighs 6 lbs 14oz she's gained a half a pound since birth. The Doctor gave her an A+. An Excellent baby and he was actually kind of jealous that she doesn't poo a lot. I thought it was something to be worried about but since she's gaining weight which show's she's eating enough, just means she has a good metabolism and uses every bit of milk we give her.

Some fun things, we really like to shower together. I didn't know if she'd like the water hitting her skin like it does but she really likes it. Its fun to have her snuggle into me while I wash all her beautiful hair. I can't do this without Matt home though. It would be to difficult to get her in and out by myself. I gave her a bath today in our sink. She loved that as well. Warm water does the trick. She just was all laid back and easy going as I washed her hair and body. Not a peep. I laid her back in the water so her head was in it. She loved it!

Feeding her is still a struggle. I'm getting help from some amazing ladies. I went to a Le Leche League meeting and met a lady that lives close that said she would help me. I think we'll be able to get together on Sunday or Monday. We also got on WIC since I"m not working anymore and they gave me a hospital grade pump and now we have some help with formula and some staples in food. It is a nice help. I guess I could feel sorry for myself for having to have assistance but since it is there why not use it. Matt's business should be taking off in the next few weeks so I hope it won't be a need for very long. They do have great assistance though. They also have a lactation consultant there everyday and if I wanted I could go down there for some help until Kathryn gets a hang of it.

So many friends have been so supportive as well. I need it as everyday is a struggle but know that it will be worth the work and emotional roller coaster I've been on in the end.

Here are some of her two week baby pictures. I think she's adorable! It's hard to not just stare at her all day long. Her hair is so cute. I love all the curls and how blonde it really is.

I can't leave the house for very long as I'm on a pumping schedule but if anyone wants to come visit for an hour or so I would love to have some company for little bits of time during the day.

You can come love on my little baby anytime!

Grandma Weir came to visit this last weekend. Now both Grandma's have seen and loved on baby Kathryn.

Also here is Brian from Work. He and Michelle came over last Friday to see us. Brian said he'd only held like 3 babies before in his life. So here is 4. I think he did fine.

Cousins

My sister Jessica came over yesterday with her little Kash. He's 8 weeks older then my baby Kathryn. He was a little one to. 6lbs and 3ozs. We wanted to compare sizes now that Kash is older now. He's a solid little boy. You can tell he's grown and is much older. You can also tell how yellow Kathryn still is. I'm really hoping now that I know how much she's eating that this Jaundice will go away soon.



Anyway Jessica came over to take pictures of our little ones and to go on a walk to get Kathryn out in the sun. I liked getting out of the house for awhile. As soon as the clouds go away again I'll take her out for another walk that was fun!



My parents now have 12 grand kids. Kash was the 6th boy and Kathryn is the 6th Girl. We're even. My parents were blessed with 4 new grandbabies in a years time. Paige (Rachel and Mike) in March 2007, Adam (Shelley and Nathan) in May 2007, Kash (Jessica and Joshua) in December 2007 and then my baby Kathryn in February 2008. Its fun times at the Turleys for family dinners. Lots of little ones around to carry and love on.

Chloe and DamienDamien, Mandy and RorySavannah

She is the 10th grandchild for Matthew's parents. They came to see her for the first time today for a few minutes before I had to take them to the airport. They'll be back Monday for a longer visit so I can get pictures with the other set of grandparents.

Some more baby and things!

Her Going home outfit, provided by my sister Jessica. Thanks Jessica!

Well, I'm a mother now. Its been a challenging first week. I didn't think it would be this difficult to adjust to motherhood. I've wanted to be a mother my whole life and now that I am , I'm afriad I'm not doing it right. First off, the jaundice isn't going away like it should. The doctor said to have her be in the sun and then the last two days its been cloudy. So I hope it goes away on its own.

Grandma with baby!

I'm having a real struggle with feeding her. I went to a Lactation consultant yesterday and she said my baby is a lazy eater. She doesn't want to 'work' for the food. She just falls asleep when I try to feed her. So We're giving her a bottle with a nipple that is harder for her to suck on to try and improve her sucking muscles and I have to pump every 2-3 hours to keep my milk coming in. I want to feed her myself so badly. But the lady said even if she doesn't ever catch on. My first priority is to feed my baby. Not to be selfish and have her breastfeed not knowing if she's getting enough to eat. I just have to keep that in mind when I'm sitting there feeding her with a bottle that, She needs to eat one way or another and that I'm not a bad mother if I can't get her to latch on to me.

Her Birth weight.

Other then that part having a baby around is awesome. I just look at her all day long. She's so beautiful. I love all her blonde hair and everyonce in a while I'll catch her with a big grin on her face. I love it when Matt is home and carriers her and holds her and kisses on her. its fun when He leaves in the morning and gives each of his girls Kisses. He says goodbye to his "little love" and then kisses me goodbye for his "love of his life" One of these days he won't have to say goodbye but stay home and be the stay at home daddy that I want him to be.

Other news,

A week or two before the baby came our car got broken into. They broke that back little side window. I'm glad they didn't take the car seat. That was probably the most expensive thing in the car. Anyway they rummaged through a few things and ended up taking a few dozen leadership CD's. I find it ironic that that is all they got from me. I know one of these days I'm going to be at a leadership development meeting where they'll be some guy up there telling us his story about how he was not into such great things when he was younger and then one day he broke into some person's car and all he got were these dumb CD's. but decided to see what they were all about and 'well look at me know.' I'm a changed MAN!

That will be the day!

Valentines Day with a brand new baby was kind of hard for us. Matt really wanted to do something special for us but we couldn't go out with a new baby. So Matt being so sweet brought home some sushi (California Rolls) I'm not a real sushi fan. and we got a girly movie and held the baby for the evening. It was nice to be able to cuddle up with matt and our darling little girl. Not the most romatic evening but it was nice all the same. Oh and Matt likes to get me stuffed animals and this time got me a big fluffy bear and a little red one for baby Kathryn. He's so sweet. Daddy and Kathryn on Valentines day! How he loves her so!

I'd like to thank all who have commented on how beautiful our baby is and all your words of love and care. It really does make my day when I get a comment from one of my wonderful friends.

Hope you enjoy the next pictures of our precious baby.

She is one week old today. Doesn't she look so peaceful! I think I'll put a weekly picture of her on her one week, two week and so on anniversary.

Baby Kathryn Olivia Came Out To Play!

Baby Kathryn is here!!! She was born at 1:30am on Friday, February 8th. The stats are 6lbs 7oz, 20 1/4".

Heather and I together with Kathryn. This is just a few minutes after birth, and our first photo as a family!! Close-ups coming next!

Kathryn under the warming lamp while they are taking her measurements, getting shots etc. Very curly hair when it was wet.

Nice and sleepy. The hospital night-shirts have little mittens on the sleeves to prevent the baby from scratching herself.

Baby is getting ready for her first bath.... maybe we should think about giving her a second one...

President Hinckley Challenge

So my Friend Michelle sent this to me about reading the Book of Mormon. I think its a great idea to honor our beloved Prophet. I'm going to do my best. With a baby coming I might not get it all in the 97 days but then again I won't be working and can read while the baby is sleeping.

I got this poem over email a couple of days ago and I think its awesome. I can imagine the love and rejoicing that has come to him and his sweet wife. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Prophetic Passing
I imagine he's running to Marjorie now,
Yes, running, not waving his cane.
I see him embracing his father and mother,
While they keep repeating his name.
I see him now meeting his forebears,
Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.
Sweet reunion of prophets, united by service,
That only such noble men share.
I see him embraced by the Savior
While Father says, "Good and well done.
So faithful in stalwart endurance, I welcome
My noble, most excellent son."
I then hear the ripples of laughter
As he says the reception's just fine,
But he hopes that he'll get an assignment or two
Since there's no need to waste any time.
I can hear his clear voice in the stillness
At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,
Have faith and move forward ­ there's work to be done.
President Hinckley would want it that way. Anna M. Molgard

Here is the chart for helping me keep track of my reading.


If you want to join the cause
Go to Hinkley Challenge and you can keep track as well!

Let us also remember our new prophet, seer and revelator President Monson , with President Eyring and President Uchtdorf at his side. They will also need our honor and prayers.