On April 10, 2011, the Callaway Clan became a little bigger

On April 9th at 11:15 pm I had just told Chris how done I was with the Braxton Hicks contractions, I barely got that out of my mouth and felt a big gush. I flew out of bed, for fear of getting it on the bed, and told Chris my water just broke, to which he replied "That's awesome!!" As I sat on the toilet, Chris and momma proceeded to call the doctor and get the rest of our stuff together. At this point I was having some contractions but nothing too bad. Once we got our stuff together, I gave Andrea last minute instructions for the kids and off we went to the hospital. I could feel my contractions getting harder but not consistent. As we entered the ER they were waiting for me and wheeled me to the Maternity Ward. I got changed and was hooked up to the monitors. When the nurse checked me I was 4cm dilated, so began the waiting game.

Look at that gut

As usual the contractions continued to get harder and harder. Before I could receive my epidural (yes I am not a hero nor do I try to be, so I opt for no pain), I had to have a full bag of fluids. Around 2-2:30am I received my epidural. I pushed through two contractions and at 4:16am our Garner Matthan arrived. He came so fast, his face was bruised and halfway through pushing I had to stop because his shoulders got stuck and Dr. Castillion had to rotate them, along with pushing his hand back in so he could come out. He weighed a whopping 9lbs 7oz and was 22 in long. Chris and Memee were there to welcome him into the world.

the proud daddy

proud Memee

first feeding

getting his footprints in "The Foot Book"

Garner's first bath:

Now with the other two kids I never got to see their "first baths" because

the always took them out of the room. At this hospital they did everything

in the room (besides the circumcision), which was nice to see.

After his bath he had to lay in the incubator to raise and maintain his body heat for about 30 mins or until it reaches normal temp.

Dr. Cleveland checking him out

The kids stayed with Andrea at the house then once everyone got up and dressed, Chris' parents picked them up and brought them to meet their new baby brother, both wearing their big brother and big sister shirts and bringing "Patch" the puppy they made for him at Build-a-Bear

I was told Kagan could not wait to get to the hospital to meet Garner. He kept asking when they were leaving and why they weren't leaving now. He was very excited.

Mamaw meeting Garner

Aunt Andrea

Papaw

As you can see, Garner's bruising was almost gone by the end of the first day. When we left the hospital he weighed 9lbs 2oz. One thing about Garner, he was born with a 6th finger/digit, which we will have to have removed. Luckily it didn't contain any bone so they can remove it in the pediatricians office. That's another post......

Preparing for Garner

Well we are in the last few days before Garner is due to make his debut. All his clothes are washed and put away, the crib is up and ready, both the kids bags are packed, mine and Chris' bag is almost packed, just have to put last minute stuff in it. So I think we are pretty much ready. Just a waiting game now... 39 wks Kagan and Adaline were so nice to rub my feet

One thing I wanted to do was take the kids down to Build-A-Bear and let them make an animal to give to Garner when they came to the hospital to meet him

picking a sound to put inside the animal

the big fluff machine and Kagan holding down the foot pedal to put the fluff inside

Adaline was not into it for some reason

Kagan checking to make sure it's soft enough

they got to put hearts inside to let Garner know they love him

kissing his heart and stuffing it inside

listening to the lady talk

giving him a bath (blowing air on him)

trying to help Adaline pick out a toy but she didn't want one

after picking out an animal, a sound, stuffing him, and bathing him, then you register him and give him a name, so Kagan volunteered to do that

Introducing "Patch" the puppy

I think Kagan enjoyed doing it more than Adaline but that's ok, at least we got it done.

Just sayin...

So I think I'm just gonna post some of my thoughts. It helps get the clutter out of my head as I already have a hard enough time thinking and organizing my thoughts as it is. Just ask Chris, he laughs all the time at me for not being able to complete a thought or a sentence.

You may or may not know that Chris and I were not trying to get pregnant and that I was on birth control when I did get pregnant. In the beginning I was not thrilled about being pregnant again for several reasons: 1) I had post partum depression after Adaline was born so I was working with my doctor trying to find a medication that would help me 2)I was just beginning to see an Orthopedic doctor about fixing my back 3) I hadn't lost all the baby weight from Adaline 4) We were wanting to adopt before we thought about possibly having another child of our own and I was scared b/c of everything that happened with Adaline's birth, I didn't know if I could have another child. Overall I just wanted to feel good and feeling like myself again. Once I did find out I was pregnant I began to wonder how my back would take it and if I would be in pain and miserable for the next 9mths.

As I am nearing the end of this pregnancy (I'm at 37 1/2 wks), I have to say God has definately been in control and I only have him to thank. I have not had any back pain whatsoever. This past month is the only time I have been in pain and it has been my hip not my back. I am overwhelmed and amazed at this little miracle that has taken place this pregnancy. It might not seem like a miracle to you but for someone who lives in pain majority of the time, it's an awesome feeling! My Orthopedic doctor is amazed at how well I'm doing and actually released me from his care until I begin to hurt again (thinking I would return when I was in my 3rd trimester). I have yet to return. God is good. For those of you that have been praying for me, I truly appreciate it and know that your prayers have been answered.

The only complaints I have are the basic pregnancy complaints: having a hard time bending over even for simple things like putting on socks/shoes, drying off, etc... having a hard time breathing (being short waisted is not fun when you have a small hippo growing inside you), irritability, tired, can't sleep b/c when you try to turn over in bed you need a small army to assit you, you have to get up to pee a dozen times a night, and the list can go on and on. But the Lord has blessed me with an amazing husband who is a tremedous help not only around the house but with the kids and doesn't complain if the house is a mess or supper isn't on the table. I am truly blessed.

Don't get me wrong, just b/c this pregnancy hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be does not mean I want to be pregnant again. Someone will be fixed!!!!

I am really looking forward to meeting Garner, seeing who he looks like: Kagan or Adaline, what color his hair will be, will he have that same pouty face that the other two had, I'm just a little anxious. I have had contractions with this pregnancy unlike the other two I never had contractions so it's a new experience for me. I have eaten a lot more with this pregnancy and have craved sweets more than not. I did eat 10 donuts in a day the other day and the only reason I didn't eat the whole dozen is b/c I shared with my children. Wasn't that nice?!!

I'm sure I had other thoughts I wanted to share but b/c I'm pregnant and have a hard time thinking straight I can't remember what those thoughts were, and of course I didn't write them down b/c I have planted my butt in the chair and it's too much effort to get up and get a piece of paper and pen. Maybe that will be another post and hopefully I can take picture of my gut before he's born and will post it for you. Just sayin...

Little updates

I don't have any pics to post but I thought I would just give a little update as to what has been going on in the Callaway household.

As of now we are enjoying the spring-like weather, going to the park, playing outside and having the windows open. I esp like having the kids running around burning off some energy as I have none.

Chris has been working his tail off due to a Co-manager being out on medical leave for the past 6 mths. As of now he no longer has his 3 days on, 3 days off. He really doesn't have a set schedule, so we aren't sure exactly when he will be off or when he will come home at night. Tigger the cat has seem to take a liking to Chris as well. Whenever Chris lays on the couch Tig comes a running and hops up there with him. It's quite humorous. He has also been an enormous help with the kids and around the house. I could not have asked God for a better husband and teammate.

Kagan loves preschool and looks forward to going. Mommy looks forward to him going too! He has done really well in his class, has only had his bear in the honeypot a couple of times (which means he's been in some sticky situations aka trouble). Each year the preschoolers are tested to see how they are doing and if they should move on to Kindergarten or go to Transitional Kindergarten. He scored on a 5 or 6 year old level so we are really proud of him. Right now we are praying about sending him to Transitional K (TK) due to his age, being that his bday is Aug. 28th. We feel in the long run it might be better to hold him back due to boys being more immature. So feel free to pray for us about this situation.
He also enjoys having Adaline around to play with and boss around, but she holds her own. Although they fight most of the time I know they love each other.
He is also very excited about Garner coming and is looking forward to being a helper. He loves to feel him move inside my belly and constantly asks me if Garner is moving.

Adaline is something else. She talks big talk and acts like she's bigger than she is. She likes to boss Kagan around and put him in timeout. "time out kagy, timeout, now" she says. She is also very loving and gives kisses to anything and anyone who will let her. Every time I get on the computer she always says someone's name like "Gigi talk" or "BopBop talk", meaning she wants me to see if someone is on skype so she can talk. She is really into singing and will sit in her seat and sing any song that comes on the radio. Some of her favorites to sing anytime is "itsy bitsy", "Jesus loves Me", "Frogs" "Ducks". I need to record them and put them on the blog, cause she is too cute when she sings them. She definately talks a lot better than Roo did at her age. She refers to herself as Adayine and often says "Adayine do it" She too seems to be excited about Garner but we aren't sure exactly how much she understands. If asked about the baby she will tell you "Baby Garner, belly".

As far as me and Garner, we are trucking along. My back has been hurting me and I am having alot of trouble sleeping. My hips and back hurt when I try to sleep and I end up in the recliner sometime in the wee hours of the morning. He is measuring big but they aren't changing my due date from April 11th, so we pray he comes early so I won't be pushing out a toddler. I have some cute newborn clothes I would like him to wear :) I am of course having memory problems so I am constantly making lists and notes to myself. I am of course always tired and by the time the kids get to bed, I'm ready for bed myself. I don't enjoy cooking or being in the kitchen b/c it causes me to think and plan ahead unless I have help with the kids. They are constantly at my feet or want to help and I don't have patience for that. I'm hoping once Garner is born all of this will change b/c I love to cook/bake and try new receipes and usually have more patience.

We got a new camera so once I learn how to upload pictures I will be posting them. Hopefully sooner than later but don't get your hopes up.

love to you all!!!