The Element of Surprise

So today was suppose to be the day that Don and I were eagerly awaiting a HUGE change in our life. We were not suppose to know the time or really even the day around or on this day. We were to have all things ready and waiting. We were suppose to know all answers to any question that could be asked. I was suppose to be bulging at the seams and probably in a foul mood, along with Don for putting up with me. It was suppose to be a very chaotic week with 2 Thanksgiving meals, Wade's arrival in town, and this event. I was so sure that this event would be delayed because of it being something new for my body. I was so sure of many things and GUESS WHAT...I WAS WRONG...and probably will be on many things from now on. Kate has taught us that she calls the shots and she determined that she was not going to come on or near her due date of today, November 24, 2008 but rather 6 weeks and 5 days earlier on October 8, 2008.

As you can imagine, nothing was done. I had 3 showers upcoming. The baby furniture was not in. I had not bought the first stitch of clothing due to me waiting until I had a shower to determine the missing links. WOW! Things have changed in 6.5 weeks. We somehow managed to pull it all together. The nursery is 80% finished and as soon as I get the things on the wall and a rug on the floor, I will post some pictures. I remember thinking on September 27, 2008 as we were hurriedly driving home from Jim-n-Nicks that if my water was indeed broke that I was going to have a baby in 24 hours. All kinds of thoughts came racing to my mind like: how am I going to feed her? I don't have any lanolin (ha!) where will she sleep? we don't have a crib or pack-n-play yet? she doesn't even have any clothes that will fit her right now (that I could think of)! As you know the ending to this story, Kate is at home now (after 4 weeks in the NICU) doing great. She is growing every day and might even be a little advanced in some of her movements due to her picking up her head and looking around the night I had her. I would say she is strong. She also has alot of sass to her. Later we might regret this, but right now, I like it! :) Don has his hands full!

Uncle Wade is here and got to meet Kate for the first time. He scheduled a trip home around Kate's due date. Here are a few pics of Wade's first meeting:





Here are a few of my little candy cane:



Kate with some of her favorite people:



Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We have alot to be thankful for and...ROLL TIDE!

A few pics

Here is my sweet angel smiling yesterday:



And one with her hands up:

Rock-a-bye baby at 2am every morning

If anyone else out there is up at 2am in the morning, give me your info so we can chat. :) Well I guess you can say that life has changed a little bit since little Kate has arrived to McCalla. She rocks our world on a daily basis. She normally does pretty well through the night but 2 nights ago she chose to get up almost every 2 hours. I thought I was going to die! There are a few things that make me ill: lack of sleep, being cold, and being hungry. If you ever happen to catch me with all 3 of these things occuring, watch out. I turn into crazy Allison. :) Anyway, things I have noticed about Kate this week include her getting extremely frustrated when it is time to eat and she can't get it quick enough (I would say that is like me...I lack patience), she is a little dramatic (she spits up alot and might have reflux but her faces when this is happening are priceless...that might be like me too), and she likes to stretch alot and reposition her head when she is sleeping (this might be like Don, because I don't think it is like me). She grunts ALOT. At first I was worried that this meant she wasn't sleeping sound or that she was having problems with reflux and she was in pain. The nurse from the NICU assured me that premies just grunt alot and that is normal. I am glad it is normal but sometimes it is hard for us to sleep through. We will survive.

On another note, Don and I are learning about discipline for Petey. Don bought a spray bottle this morning so that we could squirt Petey with water whenever he was misbehaving. Well, as I was typing this up Petey shoved his ball under the couch which turns into him scratching the couch. He has started doing this for attention. I quickly grabbed our newly purchased squirt bottle and sprayed him. He has since been traumatized by running to our bedroom and hiding under the dresser. He will not budge coming out. I hope I haven't scarred him for the rest of his life! Ahhhh!

Here are some pics of Kate's first bath. Who knew it took 2 people to bathe a 6 pounder!







And some visitors (sorry forgot to take pics of everyone that came by):

I'm Home!!!!!

My mommy and daddy finally broke me out of jail (NICU) yesterday! I was beginning to question their love for me then they surprised me with an Election Day escape. Jail really wasn't that bad but I wanted to see a bit of the outside world and I realized quickly that I was too cool for that place :). My first obstacle to the escape was getting my first ever mugshot. I tried to act like the lady wasn't talking to me and that I wasn't nosy when she tapped on the side of the photo table to get my attention. Somehow she tricked me and mommy was pleased with my photo. Next obstacle of the day was getting home in my carseat without my head slumping too much or losing my oxygen. Of course I survived with flying colors while mom kept one eye on me at all times. She is so crazy!!! My final obstacle once I got home was meeting my brother Petey. I could tell that mommy and daddy were really nervous about our first meeting but I wasn't. He was eager to meet me but mommy and daddy kept shouting things at him in a loud voice. He must get in trouble alot but he does not mind. I have a thing or 2 to learn from him. I think I am going to like this place. I get fed often, it's warm, people hold me and rub my back, and I always end up smelling good even when I am pretty sure I should be smelling bad. Life is good and I am happy!