3 weeks.
It's been 3 weeks since we became a family of four. We're settled in now and taking things one day at a time. Lots of people have been asking a series of questions lately and I thought I'd answer them here so I can remember how we felt during this time.
1) What is life life with two kids?
Crazy, wonderful, chaotic, fun. Those are the words I would use to describe our life right now. In some ways, we're more predictable. At 5:15 p.m I'm cooking dinner - at 6:00, if it's warm, we are loading up for a walk around the block - at 8:00 we're getting ready for bath and bed times. In other ways, it's more chaotic. For example - we set down to dinner the other night and had 10 minutes of quiet before Sam had thrown up and Reagan was screaming. We're learning to go with the flow.
2) How is having Reagan different from Sam?
When Sam was born, Scott held him in the hospital whispered that he loved him in his ear and I fell in love with my husband all over again. It was instant and overwhelming. In that moment every reason why I'd married this man ran through my mind. It felt good. With Reagan, he held her in the hospital and I thought - how sweet, but no rush of emotions. BUT - the night when when I was ready to pass out from exhaustion and he offered to wake me when it was time for her feeding - it happened. This leads to the next question...
3)What is the one thing you couldn't not live without?
Take my play pens, fancy bottle warmer...heck...take my diapers. I could do it without all of those things. But you try to take my husband out of the picture and I'll fight you to the death. I'm not joking. I'll fight you to the death. :) I need him. He needs me. We're safer now. I never forget my seat belt - he wears a life jacket in boats. We need each other. I can't imagine doing this along. I don't want to imagine that. Ok, now I'm shaking.
4) How are girls different from boys?
I'll get back to you on this one. Besides the fact that Reagan has peed on me more than Sam did - I can't tell yet. She's so sweet. Her features are so delicate. I imagine how our play will be different when she's older.
Ok - more q&a later. It's almost 6 and we're due for a walk around the block!!!:)
Friday, January 9, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Even more pictures!
Here are a few more pictures from the last few weeks.
We took Sam and Reagan to our neighborhood park with Honey and got the following shots.
Reagan...sleeping through the fun.
This has to be one of my favorites. Sam LOVES playing with Honey. Look how happy he is in this picture.
We took Sam and Reagan to our neighborhood park with Honey and got the following shots.
Reagan...sleeping through the fun.
This has to be one of my favorites. Sam LOVES playing with Honey. Look how happy he is in this picture.
Rylie Jo and Reagan hanging out at Honey and Papa Tom's house for the New Year. Rylie didn't stay up to ring in the New Year - She's already sleeping through the night!!!! Reagan, however, decided to pull an all-nighter.
I know everyone thinks their kiddo is cute...but really...isn't she adorable?
Friday, January 2, 2009
And more pictures!
Family photo after the Christmas Eve service.
The kids...Sam loves to hug on Reagan.
Ok, not the best shot, but check out that cute Christmas dress.
More loving on Ray Ray
A little lunch with Papa Tom.
We've downloaded over 1,000 photos in the last two days to our computer. So, more picture posts coming soon.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Pictures!
Here are some pictures of our last few weeks. We are in heaven with our new little girl. Sam's officially calling her Ray Ray. So cute. She's been a dream to care for and Scott and I keep just looking at ourselves and saying..."can you believe we're a family of FOUR!?" We are so blessed with these little people. I can't imagine life without them. Now if time would just slow down so we could soak in these days a little more.
Posing for the camera after giving Ray Ray kisses.
Sam meeting Ray Ray for the first time.
Our first family photo.
One of our favorite nurses at the Med.
Welcome to the world, Reagan!
Reagan meeting Mom and Dad for the first time. 
Scoring a healthy nine on the apgar test.
"C'mon people...enough with the checking me out stuff!"
This was me seeing Reagan for the first time. I couldn't get over all that curly black hair.
Ok, a rare shot during labor. It was 9:30 a.m. If I'd known that it would be 9:30 p.m. before I'd be holding my baby I think I would have been crying!!!! :)
Posing for the camera after giving Ray Ray kisses.
Sam meeting Ray Ray for the first time.
Our first family photo.
One of our favorite nurses at the Med.
Welcome to the world, Reagan!
Reagan meeting Mom and Dad for the first time.
Scoring a healthy nine on the apgar test.
"C'mon people...enough with the checking me out stuff!"
This was me seeing Reagan for the first time. I couldn't get over all that curly black hair.
Ok, a rare shot during labor. It was 9:30 a.m. If I'd known that it would be 9:30 p.m. before I'd be holding my baby I think I would have been crying!!!! :)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
She's here and beautiful!
Reagan Lee Kenley was born December 18, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. She is beautiful with a full head of black hair!
Scott and I arrived at the hospital at 5:15 am and by 6 I was hooked up and the pitocin started. I labored from 6 am to 12 pm and then asked for an epidural. I expected that she'd be here by 2 at the latest. I was wrong! :)
I stalled out at a 6 around 2 pm. Needless to say my progress hadn't been stellar up to that point. Baby looked great the whole time - good heartbeat and showed no signs of distress.
Around 3:30 - I started getting a little nervous. Things just didn't feel right and I began to accept that we might be looking at a c-section. Around 5:30 our nurse said that our chances of having a natural delivery were not looking good. I cried. :) I was so tired and just ready to be done. We agreed to the c-section and thought that we'd be back in the OR by 6.
At 6, almost on the dot, my epidural completely wore off. I had made it to an 8 and labored like that for an hour. That 60 minutes taught me a lot - mostly that I'll never labor at an 8 without medication again. Killer - horrible - terrible pain.
At 7 the nurse came back in and found a very crabby patient. She tried to start some more meds, but they didn't work. Our doctor came in around 7:30 and we made the final decision to go for the c-section. Apparently he'd given me the extra hour and a half to see if I could progress on my own - when that didn't happen our decision was clear.
I cried again. Terrified of the c-section I asked for 10 minutes alone with Scott before they took me back. The nurses and dr left and Scott prayed. I was still scared, but not doing the full face cry thing anymore.
They wheeled my back to the OR and started some strong drugs. They gave them to me through my epidural site. The only hard part of this was that it left me feeling like someone was sitting on my chest and gave the illusion that I couldn't breathe. I pulled out every counseling trick I know to calm anxiety. Some of it worked. :) I had three episodes of throwing up from the medication on my empty stomach, but nothing outside of that.
About 30 minutes into the c-section we heard this beautiful, strong cry come from our daughter. She was 8 lbs 3 oz, pink, healthy - a perfect moment.
I cried.
I cried from exhaustion, excitement. It was such a release of emotion.
Scott got to weigh her and go for her first bath. All firsts for him. When Sam was born he was whisked away to the NICU without us even holding him. So - this moment was extra sweet for Sam - He played the proud Daddy role and got some great pics with the nurses and drs. I was so excited for him. One memory just so we don't forget - at the hospital when a new baby is born the dad pushes a button that plays a lullaby throughout the hospital to announce the birth. With Sam there was too much going on and he never got to push it. I cried when I heard that lullaby playing. Such a small thing - but so meaningful to us.
Reagan's doing great. I can't believe we're a family of 4!!!! Parents to two kiddos. Well, right now very sleep deprived, excited parents.
Scott and I arrived at the hospital at 5:15 am and by 6 I was hooked up and the pitocin started. I labored from 6 am to 12 pm and then asked for an epidural. I expected that she'd be here by 2 at the latest. I was wrong! :)
I stalled out at a 6 around 2 pm. Needless to say my progress hadn't been stellar up to that point. Baby looked great the whole time - good heartbeat and showed no signs of distress.
Around 3:30 - I started getting a little nervous. Things just didn't feel right and I began to accept that we might be looking at a c-section. Around 5:30 our nurse said that our chances of having a natural delivery were not looking good. I cried. :) I was so tired and just ready to be done. We agreed to the c-section and thought that we'd be back in the OR by 6.
At 6, almost on the dot, my epidural completely wore off. I had made it to an 8 and labored like that for an hour. That 60 minutes taught me a lot - mostly that I'll never labor at an 8 without medication again. Killer - horrible - terrible pain.
At 7 the nurse came back in and found a very crabby patient. She tried to start some more meds, but they didn't work. Our doctor came in around 7:30 and we made the final decision to go for the c-section. Apparently he'd given me the extra hour and a half to see if I could progress on my own - when that didn't happen our decision was clear.
I cried again. Terrified of the c-section I asked for 10 minutes alone with Scott before they took me back. The nurses and dr left and Scott prayed. I was still scared, but not doing the full face cry thing anymore.
They wheeled my back to the OR and started some strong drugs. They gave them to me through my epidural site. The only hard part of this was that it left me feeling like someone was sitting on my chest and gave the illusion that I couldn't breathe. I pulled out every counseling trick I know to calm anxiety. Some of it worked. :) I had three episodes of throwing up from the medication on my empty stomach, but nothing outside of that.
About 30 minutes into the c-section we heard this beautiful, strong cry come from our daughter. She was 8 lbs 3 oz, pink, healthy - a perfect moment.
I cried.
I cried from exhaustion, excitement. It was such a release of emotion.
Scott got to weigh her and go for her first bath. All firsts for him. When Sam was born he was whisked away to the NICU without us even holding him. So - this moment was extra sweet for Sam - He played the proud Daddy role and got some great pics with the nurses and drs. I was so excited for him. One memory just so we don't forget - at the hospital when a new baby is born the dad pushes a button that plays a lullaby throughout the hospital to announce the birth. With Sam there was too much going on and he never got to push it. I cried when I heard that lullaby playing. Such a small thing - but so meaningful to us.
Reagan's doing great. I can't believe we're a family of 4!!!! Parents to two kiddos. Well, right now very sleep deprived, excited parents.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My last post
Baby Girl Kenley will arrive on Thursday at the latest.
I'll check in on Thursday morning around 5 a.m. and she will probably be here by noon.
We'll try to post pictures, but we do not own a home computer right now and it's at almost the bottom of our list of things to purchase. So, I don't anticipate getting one any time soon. :) We will text something to family and friends to let you know that she's arrived and to reveal her name.
May you and yours have a very blessed holiday season. May the love of Christ be in everything you do and may we all remember the great sacrifice of His love.
With full hearts,
Scott, Jenny and Sam
I'll check in on Thursday morning around 5 a.m. and she will probably be here by noon.
We'll try to post pictures, but we do not own a home computer right now and it's at almost the bottom of our list of things to purchase. So, I don't anticipate getting one any time soon. :) We will text something to family and friends to let you know that she's arrived and to reveal her name.
May you and yours have a very blessed holiday season. May the love of Christ be in everything you do and may we all remember the great sacrifice of His love.
With full hearts,
Scott, Jenny and Sam
Thursday, December 11, 2008
What is love?
Last night I was up from 1:30 to 4:00. I was pretty sure that I was going into labor, but the contractions puttered out and I just ended up having a pretty miserable night. As I was sitting on my bathroom floor I started to think about love.
This whole Christmas season is about love. The love of God - who while we were yet sinners sent His only Son that none may perish, but all have eternal life (John 3:15). This time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus - the beginning of His time on earth which led to the miracle of the cross. It's overwhelming really when you stop to think about it.
And we have all read 1 Cor. 13. The chapter on love. Love is patient, kind, long-suffering...you know the verses. It's read at almost every wedding - both Christian and not- that I attend.
But last night on my bathroom floor, I started thinking about how love gets translated every day. How do I see love? How do I give it? How do I experience it? It all started with an act of kindness by my husband. I love it when God uses a not so great moment in life to remind us of the bigger picture.
So...here's a list. A list of blessings. A list I should spend more time thinking about - pondering over.
1) Our Children- of course I see love in Samuel and Baby girl. It's truly an experience to see the love that you have for your spouse walking around. Before Sam, I had no idea that my heart could actually feel that strongly. Love is hugs before bed, enforcing the naughty spot, playing in the front yard, and singing Deck the Halls 150 times in the car from preschool to home (about a 15 minute drive!)
2) Love is waking your husband up at 2:00 in the morning because you've gotten sick and need help cleaning the bathroom up. Love is your husband telling you to rest and then doing the job himself before getting up at 5 am to go to work. (Sometimes marriage is not pretty, folks).
3) Love is Scott correcting me when I'm wrong. Love is telling me when I need to slow down, rethink, reconsider. Love is Scott being willing to hear my counsel, too. Love is not panicking when we face problems - but remembering that we are on the same team.
4) Love is being firm - steadfast - never wavering. Love is being honest with those around me.
5) Love is sometimes hard to accept and even harder to give.
I love this time of year. I always have loved this time of year. And I'm a bit of a sentimental sap when I'm not pregnant - so throw in being 9 months pregnant this year and I keep hearing myself say remember to ponder as Mary pondered. Read Luke - read how many times that it is written that Mary pondered "all these things" in her heart. I believe that God wants me to always be thinking about the roles that he has for me.
Today I resolve to open the eyes of my heart this season to more pondering so that I may experience the fullness of Christ - more of the love of Christ.
This whole Christmas season is about love. The love of God - who while we were yet sinners sent His only Son that none may perish, but all have eternal life (John 3:15). This time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus - the beginning of His time on earth which led to the miracle of the cross. It's overwhelming really when you stop to think about it.
And we have all read 1 Cor. 13. The chapter on love. Love is patient, kind, long-suffering...you know the verses. It's read at almost every wedding - both Christian and not- that I attend.
But last night on my bathroom floor, I started thinking about how love gets translated every day. How do I see love? How do I give it? How do I experience it? It all started with an act of kindness by my husband. I love it when God uses a not so great moment in life to remind us of the bigger picture.
So...here's a list. A list of blessings. A list I should spend more time thinking about - pondering over.
1) Our Children- of course I see love in Samuel and Baby girl. It's truly an experience to see the love that you have for your spouse walking around. Before Sam, I had no idea that my heart could actually feel that strongly. Love is hugs before bed, enforcing the naughty spot, playing in the front yard, and singing Deck the Halls 150 times in the car from preschool to home (about a 15 minute drive!)
2) Love is waking your husband up at 2:00 in the morning because you've gotten sick and need help cleaning the bathroom up. Love is your husband telling you to rest and then doing the job himself before getting up at 5 am to go to work. (Sometimes marriage is not pretty, folks).
3) Love is Scott correcting me when I'm wrong. Love is telling me when I need to slow down, rethink, reconsider. Love is Scott being willing to hear my counsel, too. Love is not panicking when we face problems - but remembering that we are on the same team.
4) Love is being firm - steadfast - never wavering. Love is being honest with those around me.
5) Love is sometimes hard to accept and even harder to give.
I love this time of year. I always have loved this time of year. And I'm a bit of a sentimental sap when I'm not pregnant - so throw in being 9 months pregnant this year and I keep hearing myself say remember to ponder as Mary pondered. Read Luke - read how many times that it is written that Mary pondered "all these things" in her heart. I believe that God wants me to always be thinking about the roles that he has for me.
Today I resolve to open the eyes of my heart this season to more pondering so that I may experience the fullness of Christ - more of the love of Christ.
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