Calla's 1 month old!

Wow, seriously cannot grooved it's been a month since Miss Calla Jane joined our family! It has gone by so quickly! Though it seemed to drag on at times--the delivery recovery, learning/relearning breastfeeding, getting into a routine. You forget all the hard parts after awhile, that's why I think they can hit you so hard! But I wouldn't trade any of it.

It really has been a dream transition going from one to two. I could not ask for more from either of my two girls.

Augusta is completely in love with you, Calla, and still is a month later. She loves to kiss and hug you. Hold you for about 30 seconds, lol! And talk sweetly to you. Sisterly love! 

At a month old, Calla is enjoying eating, sleeping, and looking around her world. She's starting to focus on our faces which is fun, were even getting a few smiles! She's found her hands and likes to eat on them (hungry or not). She also blows bubbles in her mouth! She turns side to side to locate us from our voices which is fun to watch. But her favorite thing is snuggling!

She dislikes having her diaper changed--though it's getting better! Doesn't like it when her headband gets in her eyes. She is not a fan of baths! 

Some stats for the first month: sleeps in about 3-3 1/2 hour stretched at night; takes a long afternoon nap from 4 or 5ish to 8-9ish; at 2 wk check was up over her birth weight at 7lb, 13oz; umbilical cord fell off at 6 days (early!); was said to have jaundice at 3 days old, but labs were normal--so no fun bloodwork for basically nothing; already had her first holiday--Easter!; holding her head up so well; and working her legs like she wants to scoot! 

Calla Jane, it has been such a magical month with you! You're starting to come out of your newborn phase and your little personality is starting to develop. You are such a dream baby--so easy! You only cry when you need a change or are hungry for the most part. You fill your belly and rest, rest, rest! You also are so sweet and snuggly! Looks like you'll be a big snuggle bunny like your sister! :) We love you so much baby girl! You were the missing piece of our family and were so glad God chose us to be your parents! We cannot wait to watch you continue to grow--just don't do it so quickly! :) 

In her favorite Chair

Big sis had to get in on the photo shoot

Baseball Fun

Easter 2014

This is Calla's first Easter. And it has really been a blessed one! Besides the fact that allergies have hit me and Augusta pretty hard, we are still celebrating and praising our savior. Remembering the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us, the true meaning of the holiday, hasn't been lost. I enjoyed attempting to share the true Easter story with Augusta, even though I know she didn't totally get into it--the seed was planted.

We've also done other Easter activities this year. Calla and Augusta met the Easter bunny. Augusta was so excited to meet him, that is until we got right up to the bunny and then she lost it! She wanted nothing to do with him! I had to sit up beside him and hold her to even get her in a pic. Meeting the bunny didn't faze Calla--she slept through the whole thing! 

Augusta has really gotten into the hunting eggs. Especially the opening and seeing what's inside them part! She loved the egg hunt on the courthouse lawn after meeting the bunny. Eggs were everywhere so it was really more of an egg pick up than a hunt. But she was thrilled with her treats--the majority were filled with Hershey kisses! Her faves! 

Saturday before Easter Gammie and Pap had an egg hunt for Augusta at their house! Augusta found all the eggs with a little assistance from pap on the ones that were out of reach. The girls also got a basket with an Easter bunny for both and other fun happies.

This Easter Sunday we started with a wonderful church service with family. Church was so packed we had to split up, but it was still a great time of fellowship and worship. It was also Calla's first church service. It was so nice to finally bring her! And she did wonderfully, slept through the whole thing! Even though she did end up needing mommy to hold her! 

Afterwards we went to Mims' and Pa-Paul's house to dye and hunt Easter eggs. Augusta loved it! She was so into picking the colors for her eggs and then dropping them into the glasses! She also loved hunting at Mims house--this was her biggest hunt by far! Her basket was filled to the brim with eggs! Mims and Pa-Paul had Easter happies too. Augusta was most excited about her bubble mower. Calla slept through everything! But mommy and daddy are excited about her diaper happy! ;) 

Next we went to another family gathering with Chase's extended family. His Nena had lunch cooked for everyone and it was wonderful. After lunch and dessert, the little girls--Augusta, Mads, and Emma Claire hunted eggs again. This time the dyed eggs were in the mix and they were Augusta's favorites. She kept calling them her "colorful eggs". :) Calla, again, slept through everything! 

It was a blessed Easter, especially getting to share it with family. And it being our Calla's first holiday. What a special one! I'm so thankful for all the blessings in my life. And especially for the promise that my life will go on, even when it's time to depart from this world. Death isn't the end for us. So thankful for the price Jesus paid to make this so!  

Sisters before meeting the Easter Bunny

Calla sleeping through all the Easter festivities

Augusta with her Nerds!

Easter basket fun!

Calla Jane is here!!

I cannot believe it's been two weeks since our little miracle joined our family. We are completely over the moon in love with her!

It all started on the morning of March 21st. We had a scheduled induction, so I woke up before 5 to ensure I was showered and ready to go. Chase got up shortly after and packed his hospital bag (I'd had our bag packed for a few weeks). Pappy came up to our house around 5:30 to watch Augusta so we could head to the hospital. 

We arrived at the emergency room (where admissions is) between 6 and 6:30. After being admitted we went up to labor and delivery. Once there, I changed into my gown and got settled in a bed. After answering about a hundred crazy questions, it was time to get started. 

The induction started off rocky. First while trying to put in my IV, they blew my vein in my right hand. I literally almost passed out from the pain. Next they tried the vein in my left hand--it blew. I had told them with Augusta I had gotten the IV in my arm. And where did my IV end up? In my arm. Guess third time was the charm on that one. And I'm happy to report, that was the worst pain of the day! 

I was checked for progress then. I was still 1 cm with a little room. I was left to wait for dr. Harper to make get rounds. My pitocin was started and they said it would be bumped up every 30 minutes. 

Dr. Harper broke my water about 8:10. It took her a minute because she said the sac was pretty thick. When the water was broken she could see Meconium in it. So it was a good thing Calla was going ahead and making her debut.

Around 10:10, I got my epidural and catheter in. I was checked then and was 3 cm and Calla was really low. The epidural made me super tired, which worried me because I didn't remember that happening with my other one. It also numbed a larger area, but that ended up being just fine too. Even though I was so tired, I wouldn't let myself fall asleep! 

At 12 the nurse came back and checked my progress again. I was 5, almost 6 . Then when she came back at 1, I was complete and ready to go. The nurse said we just had to wait on the word from dr. Harper as what to do next.

Dr. Harper said she wanted us to wait awhile. The nurse explained that sometimes when you do this the baby will move down on their own--making delivery easier for both mom and baby. 

Well between 1:50 and 2 we started pushing. It only took 3 sets of pushes and Miss Calla was born at 2:11 pm! Her daddy cut her umbilical cord, which was wrapped around her neck. Not badly though, as soon as dr. Harper saw it she was able to get it off. She also had to be suctioned to the max due to the meconium, but we finally heard that sweet cry! 

Calla Jane weighed in a 7 pounds even! She was 19 1/2 inches long! Such a perfect baby! With her addition our hearts doubled in size--we love our new baby girl. She is the perfect addition to our family! 

We are so blessed to be your parents, Calla Jane. Mommy, Daddy, and big sissy love you to the moon and back! You are sure a special baby! 

One month to go!

We are exactly one month, or more precisely 4 weeks, from baby Calla Jane making her arrival! That's round about 28 days, people! I'm so excited, I cannot wait! I want to hold her and kiss her sweet face, but I still want her to "bake" for as long as she needs!

Augusta is getting excited too. She'll ask me to "open my belly screen" to see baby sissy. (So cute!) Then she'll kiss my tummy and say things like "I love you baby sissy" or "you're cute, baby sissy". It's the most precious thing ever--hope that sweetness sticks around once she's here. I know there will be some jealousy, but my girl's loving spirit is gonna win out I'm sure! 

We are getting the house ready for baby too. I've organized all the clothes and been washing others--some have some stubborn stains that appeared while on storage that my mother-in-law has offered to tackle. I've tried lots of tricks, but if she cant get them out, they're just gonna be stained. Also the pack-n-play and baby swings for emerged from storage. Augusta is used to them and understand they are for baby sissy--guess we'll have to see if that sticks. 

Back to the belly talk, I just have to record this--Augusta was having a conversation with her baby sister the other day. She told her all about the clothes we'd bought her, even that they had a flamingo on them. Then she "showed" her her swing. When I told Augusta she couldn't see the swing, she retorted "Yes she can." I just left it at that! :) 

Today I had a doctor appointment to check on baby girl's stats. They did an ultrasound and the sweet technician turned on the 4d so we got a good look at this cutie's face! She looks very similar to her big sissy! Another way she's taking after big sis is in the height department--femurs were in the 92nd percentile! Overall growth and head measurements were average at a little over the 50th percentile. Her heart rate was 141 which is perfect! One way she's going to differ from sissy though is on birth weight--Calla is already estimated to be 6 pounds, 7 ounces! Augusta only weighed  4 ounces more at birth. And predictions are babies gain about half a pound per week right here at the end, so basically were looking at an 8-pounder! But it's like the doctor said, you want to have the smaller one first. And as long as my girl is healthy, then I'm a happy momma! 

On the mommy side of things, my bp was great. And super good news--the placenta has moved and is no where near my cervix! Prayers answered--God is good, all the time. He has his own plan for things! Also, Calla's not showing any signs of wanting to arrive just yet (good bc it's still too early). But my cervix is still high, 1cm dilated, but it's thick and back--baby still has some baking to do! 

We love you and can't wait to meet you Calla Jane! 

Potty Training

So we are deep into the throws if actually trying to potty train Augusta. We went through the "okay, this is fun, but I don't have time for it stage". Then we went through the "screaming-crying fit because I in no way, shape, or form want anything to do with this" stage. And now we are in the "alright, I understand I need to do this stage and I get rewards--double win" stage! 

Two weekends ago I finally decided it was time. I needed to focus my time to get this thing done for my child. (And of course for me too since were about to have another one in diapers). So I really enforced the potty chart. (I had made the previously in an attempt to entice her--didn't really work at the time). And I laid on heavy that she got to get m&ms when she actually used the potty--another good motivator. Well, long story short, she had enough success (earning stickers to place on her chart) that she finally earned her first prize. She got to go pick out a lalaloopsy doll. Click--prize got some extra motivation going! 

The next week was kinda crazy with snow days and me having jury duty, so we had more time to work with it. I took her to the potty about every 2 hours, after sleep, and before laying down. She started to get the drill, that if she went we for to go back to our previous activity. So she became consistently faster. 

The next weekend we had one accident on Saturday! Yay! Then a few more on Sunday because we were visiting with Chase's family for awhile. She has fall backs when she doesn't have her potty chair--so we've got to find a way to transition to the big potty--possibly one of those inserts. 

She's learning and she's getting it though. Every time she does go in her diaper she'll come to me and either say "please I need to use the potty" or "please change my diaper". She still won't poop in the potty, but we're getting there. So proud of my "big" little girl and the progress she's making!! 

Valentine's Day!

We had a great Valentine's Day this year at the Goolsby house! Just being with my loves always makes for my favorite kind of day. This year it was fun to actually make some crafts with Augusta. She helped make valentines for her daddy and cousins! She used a glue stick to stick hearts together, decorated them with stickers and confetti, and of course "wrote" her valentine messages! 

We all exchanged valentines and chase surprised me with some hand-drawn portraits of me and Augusta! It was such a thoughtful gift--just have to find a place to display them now. Augusta of course got Lalaloopsy--her current obsession! Chase and I also had a dinner out alone, which we don't do often enough, and it was very nice. Getting to actually talk and enjoy one another's company is a great thing to be able to do! Thanks for the babysitting Mims and Pa-Paul! 

Hope your Valentine's Day was filled with love! Until next year! :) 

Tumble Time

Someone has started tumbling classes and she absolutely loves it! She gets so excited to go to her class and do flips (with assistance on a cheese mat) But it is beyond precious! 

They also stretch, dance, do mini-cartwheels (or bear hops), work on pre handstands (teeter totters) and just have so much fun! Well those are the skills they've tackled so far, I'm sure there will be more to come! 

Week one was a big success, Augusta stayed on the mat the whole time and was fully engaged, participating in all activities. Week two (this week) was a little bit of a different story. There were no tears, but she kept running off the floor to me and her daddy so we could brag in her. She'd go right back out, but she wouldn't stay too long before she had to run back. I'm thinking this is because we woke her up about 20 minutes before her class started (she took the longest nap yesterday!) So hopefully she'll be more fully engaged next week! (Since next week has come and gone and still hadn't posted--just had to say she did much better! Stayed out there the whole time and was even attempting flips and teeter totters by herself!!) 

Anyway, we love watching her have fun. And as long as that's happening, I don't care if she wants to come tell me about every little thing she does. She enjoys it, and loves our applause. Plus, she gets a lollipop at the end of each class, so I think she's pretty psyched about that! :)