Stryder Don Kendrick

Well I'm a little late in getting Stryder's birth story posted but it's better later than never!

On September 20th just after 3:00AM I woke up to a strong kick and a gush of water. I actually heard the pop of the water breaking, it was the weirdest thing. I woke Kevin up and called my Aunt Red and we headed to the hospital. I was 2 weeks 1 day early so I knew that baby was definitely on his way, they wouldn't make me wait any longer this was finally the real thing.

They got me set up in a room and hooked up to the monitors. I wasn't contracting horribly bad and they weren't too close together. I was only at 3cm, which is what I was at my appointment a few days earlier, so the doctor ordered pitocin shortly after I arrived. Holy crap, that stuff works! All of a sudden the contractions were right on top of each other and incredibly intense. I was trying to hold off on drugs for as long as I could but I wasn't making progress after a few hours and I was in so much pain. I finally let them give me an epidural around 10am. WOW, epidurals are awesome - I could feel all the pressure but no pain. It kind of freaked me out feeling the pressure and no pain but it was definitely better. There was one spot that never did numb but I didn't think anything of it. Things were still not progressing, by 4PM I was still at 3 cm and the baby was starting to show stress with every contraction. The doctor ordered a c-section and the nurse told me it was going to be quick. I was devastated, I really wanted a natural birth. But, more than that I wanted a healthy baby so off we went.

The anesthesiologist gave me a big dose of medicine before taking me to the OR, I had that spot that wouldn't go numb and was able to lift myself up off the bed. When we got to the OR they started prepping me and the stubborn spot on my stomach happened to be the incision site - it was still not numb. The anesthesiologist had to redo the epidural with a spinal block. After over a dozen pokes (my husband counted 18 puncture marks in my back) he finally got it in right and they were able to deliver the baby.

Stryder Don Kendrick was born at 4:48PM. He weighed 7lb 1oz and was 21.5 inches long. He wouldn't cry much and though breathing on his own wasn't taking deep breaths nor was he getting enough oxygen. They took him to the nursery and tried to work with him while I was in recovery.

When I got back to my room they still thought he'd get to come room with me at night. I couldn't wait to see him so was trying to build up my strength to get to the nursery. I got the nurses to agree to let me go if I could get myself from the bed to a wheelchair. By 10PM I thought I could do it and was sooo ready to see Stryder. I called the nurse to help me, Kevin was in the nursery and was able to make it to the wheelchair. As I was heading out of the room Kevin came back to tell me Stryder had to be moved to NICU that he still wasn't breathing deep enough on his own. We couldn't go to the NICU so it wouldn't be until morning that I was able to see him. Kevin was so good and took lots of video and pictures for me to see. We were finally able to see him in the morning and though we couldn't take him out of the incubator we were able to put our hands in and touch him - I also got to change his diaper. He looked so perfect and made so many teeny little expressions, he was a million personalities in one tiny little man. We were in love!!! On day 3 he made it out of the level 3 NICU and was moved to level 2 where we could hold him and cuddle him all we wanted. He developed jaundice and had to get light therapy but finally 24 hours later he was completely healthy and we were able to bring him home. Wow, what a surreal moment, we were actual parents and completely responsible for this tiny perfect little human.

The past 10 weeks have been magical! Kevin was able to stay home with me the first 3 weeks and for the most part it was just the three of us. Stryder is such a mature spirit. He has a million expressions still and is our little Bejamin Button. The past week he's started smiling and trying to talk and laugh. He has so much head control and even from a couple weeks old was able to lift his head up and do tummy time.

Maliek is so excited to have a little brother. When Stryder cries he'll tear up sometimes wondering how he can help him.

Nine years of trying, nine months of waiting and we finally have our precious miracle. What a blessing!!!

Below are a bunch of pictures, I think they're pretty awesome! :)

Pick a label for our baby!

Okay... not a big secret that we've struggled with this. Until we actually had a viable pregnancy and had to seriously contemplate giving our child their first and most prominent label we didn't realize how hard this would be. We've narrowed it down (we think) to a list of 8 names. These are in no particular order. Please select your pick from the poll below. Also, if you have a different combination of the names that you feel fits better - feel free to comment!



Thank you Friends & Family! Kylee is really looking forward to nailing this down so fate will finally allow the contractions to progress. For the last 48 hours she's had completely inconsistent but painful contractions.

2011 Family Pictures

Family Pictures 2011 - taken by Tracy Porter Photography. These were taken at Antelope Island in Utah.

35 Weeks

Wow - my blogging goals are shot! I can't believe that I've waited this long to update.

The pregnancy is going well so far. And by well I mean that the baby is doing great - I'm miserable :). I'm convinced after this last week that the end of pregnancy is your bodies way of mentally preparing you for child birth. The discomfort and exhaustion actually makes you want to shove a watermelon out of a place that was never supposed to be that size. Honestly, I'm completely freaked out about childbirth. I've always wanted to be a mom, I can't remember a time as a little girl that I didn't dream of being a mom. But the actual getting the baby here part freaks me out!

I've always told people that my two boys are perfect - adoption made them that way - they didn't give me any stretch marks, no painful labor, no up all nights or diapers and potty training. Now, all joking aside, I'm freaked out about taking care of a new baby. I'm a control freak and there is nothing about the next few weeks (or months for that matter) that I can really control or predict. But, I'm also so excited to have him here!!

We still don't have a name for the little pirate. I like Kameron Michael, Kevin really likes Travis Ryan or Ryan James and Maliek wants to name him Chandler. I guess we'll know when we see him. We have everything we need but a crib mattress and we'll be getting that this weekend. The nursery is set up, the bassinet Kevin surprised me with has perfect little bedding his mother made ready to go. My hospital bag is packed, the diaper bag is packed, his coming home outfit is ready. The car seat will be installed this week. All we need now is a baby. His movements are so strong now and Kevin can really see him moving around under my skin. Kevin thinks it's hilarious to poke my almost outie belly button because the baby kicks back every single time.

We've been blessed with the timing of Kevin's layoff and he will get to stay home with the baby the first few months. This has really taken a huge load off my mind about daycare and going back to work. I'm hoping to go back after 4 weeks, knowing Kevin is home will make that goal a little easier. The loss of his check has hurt but we knew it was coming and planned as best we could. Now baby and daddy can spend time together through at least the holidays. He should be back to work in January as long as everything goes according to plan. It's crazy to think that we will have a baby home for Christmas this year. We've tried for so long to have one I'd let myself give up on the thought of a baby's first Christmas. This is really going to be a year to remember!

Below is a slide show from 13 weeks to now of my baby bump. My Aunt Karen has insisted that I post pictures, thanks to her I have this photo log of my ever growing bump.

13 Weeks

Tomorrow I hit 13 weeks. I'm starting to show and can't believe how much my body is already changing. I still have a blood hounds nose and some nausea but am now feeling the effects of the ever increasing need to use the bathroom and weird cravings. I was able to hear the heartbeat last week and could have listened to it on that table for hours. It was magical to finally hear a heartbeat and know this little life is healthy. Now we are extremely anxious to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. We both are REALLY hoping for a little girl. I also can't wait to feel this little life move and jump around inside me.

Luckily I'm ahead of the game after 9 years of trying. I have quite a few things that I already wanted. I also have two bins full of clothing, bottles and other baby 'stuff'. We picked out a crib, armoire and dresser a couple weeks ago. Now we just need to wait for the wallpaper to be put up and we can start putting everything together.

It's been really cute to see Kevin's reactions to all of this. He's excited beyond belief. He is taking such good care of me and is always telling me to take care of his baby. We are going to tell Maliek Easter weekend. We are hoping he is excited, he has always talked about wanting a younger sibling in the house but we are afraid he may react differently once it's really going to happen. He was looking forward to it just being us for awhile with Dae off to college. He'll be a great big brother either way and I'm sure will be quite protective.

8 Weeks

I hit 8 weeks today! This is the farthest I've ever made it in a pregnancy. Kevin and I were able to see the heartbeat a little over a week ago, it was extremely exhilarating. When we first announced to everyone we were pregnant I thought I was so much farther along based on my cycle. I was really scared initially once we found out I was only a few weeks along. I was petrified that the world would know I was pregnant and I would then have to immediately tell them all I miscarried. But, on the last visit the doctor gave us great news saying that there is only a 3% chance of that now. I cannot even begin to describe the comfort this brings me. After 9 years, several miscarriages and a lot of tears it's hard to believe this is actually happening.

Kevin has been beyond adorable. He keeps reaching out for my stomach at night, he's all about helping pick stuff out and he just glows when he talks about a baby. He has been such a wonderful to our two boys I just know that he is going to be wonderful with a baby too. My official due date is October 5th, I'll likely ask my doctor to induce me early so it is easier to plan everything with work and leave my clients in order before disappearing for a few days. Right now the symptoms of the pregnancy are taking their toll. I'm really having a hard time keeping food down, I have ALL DAY sickness - not morning sickness. I'm always tired and spend the day yawning and yearning for a nap. But I do take comfort in what my doctor told me - these symptoms are a good sign that things are going well.

We are both very much hoping for a little girl, with the two boys already we'd both love the experience of a little princess. My doctor won't determine sex until at least 18 weeks (so much later than most doctors) I really can't wait to find out and am counting down the days.

All in all, things are looking up and I'm very hopeful for a smooth 2011 with the latter part of the year bringing us a new little bundle of joy.

Pregnant!

I can't even begin to describe my shock at seeing the little screen on the digital pregnancy test scream back at me 'pregnant'. I was honestly not expecting a positive result. I was taking the test at my husband's suggestion, but after 9 years of disappointment I really didn't think I'd get this result. I was a couple weeks away from going to the fertility specialist for more intense treatments. My doctor had told me that he couldn't do anymore for me that I needed to see the experts. But now... well I'm pregnant and without any type of fertility medicine.

As soon as saw the positive test I took a break and ran to get a few more - silly I know but I didn't want to run to the doctor only to have him say the test was wrong. After three more tests I was still pregnant. I somehow made it through the work day without bursting at the seams, received confirmation from the doctor that all was well. I had all the 'healthy' symptoms. I've had cramping but no bleeding, I guess this is a good sign, my body is responding to the pregnancy and my uterus is getting ready. Now I had to get plans ready to tell my husband. I'm TERRIBLE with secrets. I knew that if I didn't do something that night I would blurt it out and this wouldn't be as special an announcement as I had hoped. A scavenger hunt seemed like a fun idea and I had the guise of an early Valentine's day surprise to hide the real intent of the hunt. I recruited a good friend of mine to drive Kevin from spot to spot and help along the way if he needed it. I dropped off the clues at various places and then camped out at Brand Restaurant inside Monte Carlo. This was to be the final destination. I had a stuffed dog and card for Kevin that I purchased over 7 years ago that was finally able to come out of the dark bin it had been stored in. Kevin had found the dog a few weeks earlier when we were reorganizing items in the garage and I told him to remember that stuffed dog that when he saw it. I told him that he'd know there was a baby on the way. I was simply waiting for a viable pregnancy to give him the items. The managers at Brand were unbelievably helpful. I told them what the dog signified and they suggested bringing it out in a dessert bowl with the final course - ingenious and perfect!

Kevin finally arrived at the restaurant and we had a beautiful dinner which I hardly touched because I was so nervous. When it was time for dessert the managers came out and laid out the stuffed dog and I handed Kevin his card. He didn't realize what the significance was, he'd completely forgotten finding the dog, but when he read the card he kept asking me if it was 'for real'.

It's been a whirlwind weekend to say the least. We've announced the pregnancy to the world now and I have two doctor's appointments over the next two weeks. Hopefully Monday they get a firm due date with the better ultrasound. Right now they've guessed about 7 weeks. In the meantime I'm completely tempted to go buy all the pregnancy tests I can find just to see all those plus signs, lines and positives pop up!

Symptoms: Sensitive smell, exhaustion (I'm so tired all the time), very sore and tender breasts, constipation, getting car sick, a little morning sickness.