BU and ATM

So the family BU and A&M rivalry continues...

We lost to A&M again. We (me) even put Kaitlyn and Jackson in BU attire for good luck this weekend. Kaitlyn and Daddy wore A&M attire two weekends before and A&M won. Here are a couple of photos below.

We still chugging along. Gigi is here until Wednesday when Brandon's brother and sister in law go in for a scheduled induction and we will then have a new little cousin. Yeah! I think we are all looking forward to October and getting out more!

(This is a BU dress, but you can't see the BU on it)

One Long Day

September so far has felt like one long day. We have been so fortunate to have friends and family cook for us. It has been a relief as we try to sneak a bite here or there in between taking care of Kaitlyn and Jackson. They don't seem to sleep in the afternoon at the same time for very long and then trying to catch up on getting a shower or other things does get in the way of sleeping. I don't know how I am doing it with as little as four hours of sleep, but the body keeps on going. As long as I am not going out of the house too much, we are all a-okay that way.

So that is the update for me. Jackson seems to be doing better. He still has the occasional cough, but not like last week where he would go all morning with reflux and then congestion from a cold as well. I think there is still some of the cold left, but I hope we can start getting better about going to sleep for the little guy.

Kaitlyn is great and is calling him her baby brother. She said today he can call her K.K. She is pretty happy these days and is getting so much better about going down for a nap and to bed at night. All of August and part of September have been a nightmare in that department. It would take her an hour or more to go to sleep. It was part of adjusting to going to sleep without her pacifier. We are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Yeah!

Now Brandon's mom is coming to help out this week after my mom has helped us out for two weeks. I don't know how I am going to do it once she leaves, but I am going to enjoy having help this week for sure! I think Kaitlyn has definitely benefited from the extra attention to make the transition a little easier.

It will definitely be a fun October!

A couple of setbacks

What a week! Kaitlyn is sick. I am sick. Brandon is sick. And Jackson is sick. And my mom got sick while helping out this week. We all have the same cold! As soon as Jackson is over jaundice, he catches a cold. Poor thing! The doctor's office knows him really well now!

Since we have had to introduce a bottle early because of the jaundice, we have had some setbacks with nursing, and I was really worried this week about it. Luckily, I was able to call on a free lactation nurse hotline for some help. It has worked so far. Yeah!

I forgot how this whole eating thing takes such a long time, and will have to wait to see if any patterns develop after he gets better.

Kaitlyn and I enjoyed some time at the park and she loved school this week. She is definitely feeling the loss of some attention from her mommy and is acting out. I feel so badly about it because I want to give Jackson a lot of attention as well. I think I am on the right track though to work through it by letting help and attention come for Kaitlyn and trying to have our little activities while Jackson sleeps.

We had some visitors come this week to bring dinner, and that has helped bring some normalcy into our lives. Thanks to our friends John and Amy Woodard, Rebecca Palmer and friends from my mom's group like Ellen who have set up some friends to bring dinners this next week.

Around two weeks, we took some black and whites of Kaitlyn so here are a few of Jackson from today. Enjoy! It was awefully cute to take them and see him falling asleep. When I have a chance, I will send a Kodak Gallery of all the photos in B/W.

1 Week and Counting

Can't believe Jackson has been here a week! The last couple of days have been a blur with trying to get Jackson over his high levels of jaundice, Kaitlyn's cold and my arm injury. We are waiting for Brandon to come down with something.

On Sunday, Jackson's jaundice came down and we think he has made it over the hump. We can now stop supplementing with an extra ounce of formula and hopefully get back to exclusively nursing, although I hope the bottle has not ruined any chances to nursing longterm. We will see how it goes and will have lots of questions at his 2 week checkup. I just need sleep. He is wanting to eat every two hours because that is what we have had to do with the jaundice.

Kaitlyn has been into games the last week. She has been playing with all of the board games and I think it is time to bring on CANDYLAND. Yeah, can't wait for that because I loved that game growing up.

Here are a few recent photos - sponge baths and hanging out.

I don't like my sponge bath!

Ah, Big Brown Doggie!

It's in the genes. Picture time!!!

A precious gift

Can you believe this is me going into the hospital as I was having a contraction last Saturday?

Well, there are so many things to write and so many things to remember from this week. I have wanted to write an update earlier; however, time has not permitted it and sleep deprivation is going to my brain.

First, we had our precious Jackson Benjamin Meche on Saturday, September 1. We had no idea what we were in for when we woke up that day. I started feeling contractions at 1 pm and got to the hospital at 2:45 with very strong, regular contractions. They worsened just as the nurse was going to order the epidural and then it went from bad to worse where I just involuntarily started pushing. It was amazing how everything just went so fast and without me doing anything except be in a lot of pain. The epidural finally came through, thank goodness for a good CRN there and the pain eased up before the head crowned and Jackson was born at 4:56 pm.

He had his eyes wide open almost immediately and only gave a couple of soft cries. He is so sweet. The grandparents and Kaitlyn didn't even have time to wait as they started arriving about thirty minutes later.

We had so many visitors on Sunday. It was really nice. For me, I was worn out, Jackson too. But great surprises. The Green family surprised us with a visit and we didn't even know they were in town. Yeah!

Now this week, Kaitlyn has just loved on Jackson, but hasn't really been able to be too involved as he is sleeping so much or eating or she is sleeping or trying to go to sleep. She is so sweet on him and I haven't seen too much jealously yet. She does get very upset if I don't put her to bed. We are still working on getting the routine down.

This week, we have had absolutely no sleep and I have been a wreck, emotionally. What a surprise, I had that with Kaitlyn, but I haven't been able to nap like I should and that is adding to it.

Jackson just loves to stay up at night and sleep all day. He is eating well for the most part, but we still have some nursing issues, learning each other. We went to the doctor yesterday for a weight and jaundice check. Jackson has elevated levels of the birlilum (sp?) and we had to check him again today. It is still really high and I now have to add an ounce or two of formula after a feed. Hopefully, this won't interfere with nursing too. We will have to get his levels checked out again tomorrow. We have him by the window for indirect sunlight too. We are hoping that today will maybe be an improvement.

He really hasn't been fussy at all except for when he gets really hungry, diaper change or something is wet that is on him like a wet wash cloth.

Yesterday, I turned the big 30 and I couldn't stop crying all day, even at the doctor's office. I am so happy that we were able to do a bday celebration early. Although, Brandon and Kaitlyn went to get me a cookie cake and that was pretty tasty.

It was bad yesterday and trying not to get too stressed out about call backs, etc. and leaving a lot to Brandon. Wow, he is doing a great job with Kaitlyn. The hard part is getting over this initial two weeks with Jackson and no sleep. More to come...

It is definitely time for a little baby to arrive!

It is definitely time for Jackson to be here. We have been anxiously waiting his arrival and had thought he would be here by now. Around the first week or two in August I was busy getting last minute things together before he came and closed out my work projects. I went to the doctor, and I had started dilating. We thought this was great news because I didn't dilate at all before Kaitlyn came.

Now I am sitting here and it is August 28th and still no Jackson. His due date is exactly a week from today and I have been miserable for the last three weeks. Ahh, me! Last week, we had a false alarm as I was throwing up with contractions, but they subsided and I went home. I felt pretty bad the whole week. Now this week, I have a huge rash on my belly. It itches and it is hard to sleep.

Anyway, an induction is in order and just got a call for it to be Tuesday, 9/4. I hate to be whining and can't wait to be out of this state and see little Jackson. I just have a feeling he is going to a real sweetie and endear us all to just cuddle with him all the time.

Kaitlyn is telling everyone that Jackson is in mommy's tummy, and I can't wait to finally see her face when he is actually here. We have been talking about it so long and I have been so big for so long that I am sure she will not know what to do. I am so excited to be able to get back to regular physical things too so I can play with her more again. Right now it is so hard to get down on her level or have the energy.

I know that it will be tough with Jackson, but my take on everything is that anything is better than this. I can't do anything I want to do and that is tough to accept right now. Even though I complain, I am thankful for this because I can look back when there is a day that is hard with having two and know that it is still easier than the physical state and pain I am in now trying to take care of Kaitlyn.

Daddy dressed Kaitlyn and put her in pigtails this morning all by himself while mommy slept in.

More to come soon...

Showtime!

Well, I haven't been blogging too much or taking photos because of how enormous I am. It is hard just to get off the couch without help from Brandon. hehehe.

We went to the doctor for the 36 week visit. I am almost at 2 cm dilated. I thought something had started happening this week. I have been trying to clean up, all I can think about is what is around the corner and how our lives are going to change, and practically staying up at all hours at night. For example, last night I was up from 1:30 am to 2 am just finishing up washing some dishes, and then I got out a pad to write out a grocery list. What am I doing???

I think we are ready, but I just don't have that feeling like I am totally ready like I did with Kaitlyn. I keep thinking of how Kaitlyn is going to adjust. She has been totally enamoured with her babies lately, and I hope that is a good sign. It will be fun to have her help me change a diaper and see her eyes get very concentrated on one little task.

Even though I have been miserable physically and down right hormonal at times with some complaining, I feel this has been another good experience because it is God's little miracle coming to life once again.

One prayer request: Brandon's grandfather is gravely ill. He is moving home this weekend. Brandon plans to go visit this weekend in Louisiana. He is concerned that I will go into labor, but I think the odds are in our favor that we have some time right now at least.

Reading is fun!

Here is a sample of Kaitlyn reading on our way to the Dallas World Aquarium for a little family outing this weekend.



Unfortunately, the Dallas World Aquarium was packed, being renovated and Kaitlyn was tired of all the people so we didn't stay too long. She had way more fun in the pool the next day with Uncle Stephen, who came over and showed us his mad pool skills! Other than that, we have been playing it lowkey. And what has really been wearing us out is trying to work with Kaitlyn to listen and obey her parents better. What a struggle with a 2 and a half year old right now; but we just forget about any power struggles when she is so cute reading her books!

A Very Meche Weekend

This past weekend was a weekend for celebrations. Since I am due around my 30th birthday in early September, we decided to celebrate early with a little Murder Mystery dinner at the Gaylord hotel in Grapevine. It was sooo much fun. We had a group of about 30 and enjoyed a buffet of all sorts of food and a murder mystery based on the Old West.

I loved getting out for the night and enjoyed seeing friends I haven't seen in awhile! Kaitlyn was a little confused to see everyone leave her at home, but she did very well and needed her sleep.

Here are a few photos from the dinner:
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On Sunday, friends, Judy, Emily and Brooke hosted a little shower for Jackson. It was nice to just see the girls and we all had fun seeing all the blue little outfits for him. I think the biggest hit was the A&M stuff; however, I still think the BU onsie was a hit with me! A&M usually wins out around here so if I can get some BU in, that is awesome!! He also received his first pair of boxers - so cute!

Here are a few photos from the shower:
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It just amazes me at how friends always come through for you and do amazing things to show you how much you are loved. I felt so loved and cared about this weekend and am so appreciative of all of my friends that I have made throughout the years. My goodness, I had friends from junior high and elementary, college, post-college and post-baby all come this weekend and I just don't have the words to express my gratefulness and thankfulness for them.

And of course, my family and Brandon's family have been so supportive and loving in preparing for a new baby and helping with Kaitlyn while I am physically tired and unable to do all I want to do. It has been wonderful this experience has truly come from the Lord above to help show the way because I have definitely had hard times with this pregnancy! And to Brandon, a round of applause for all of his hard work in organizing the dinner and helping more than anything around the house and with Kaitlyn. I couldn't imagine doing it on my own!

Welcome Baby Noah Zafereo

Just thought I would help share the good news, our friends, Judy and Jason Zafereo, had their baby boy on Monday, named Noah Francis. He came about 12 days late and weighed 8 lb. 6 oz. Kaitlyn was so excited to hold him TWICE. It was a special treat to get to hold him again before we left the visiting room yesterday.

Judy is doing great and both she and Jason are just so relaxed and happy to have him now. They are going to be great parents. (Just a note - Judy is one of the hosti for the baby shower this weekend. I hope she can make it for a little while.)

He had a lot of hair and just reminded us of Jackson's impending arrival. It was so sweet to see how Kaitlyn was gentle with him and just waited patiently to hold him and be by the baby. She is quite the big girl helper now.

100th Post

Well, this is the 100th posting to this blog since we started last year. Wow, can't believe it! This will be a great entry because we have a little story to share on how Kaitlyn is showing her understanding of Jackson. Well, at least, we think she is, and she could definitely have a different song and dance when we bring him home in the next 6 weeks.

Yesterday, she had her first swim lesson with Haley, the swim instructor, coming to our house. As we were getting ready, I was talking to Kaitlyn about helping to take care of Jackson and asking her where he is.

Her friends Zoe and Ian came to join us in the swim lesson. Both of them have baby sisters. When Ian's baby sister, Emily, arrived with Ian, Kaitlyn just loved to look at her and help keep her pacifier in her mouth. Zoe's mom asked Kaitlyn if she had a baby as in baby brother. Kaitlyn said that her baby was in mommy's belly. It was just too cute to hear her. Of course, by now she recognizes mommy's huge, gigantic, enormous, large, bowling-ball shaped belly.

Kaitlyn did great in her swim lesson and took straight away to Haley. We practiced blowing bubbles, kicking and pulling our arms.

Swimming On Own!!

Included video of Kaitlyn swimming on her own in the pool with her lifejacket!

As for our little munchkin, we finally got one full day of good ole' sunshine on Saturday and played in the pool, perhaps a little too long, but it was well worth it. We put on a little lifejacket for Kaitlyn, and she just wanted to swim around all day long by herself. Now we are in the market for one of those swimsuits with the floaties in them because that would keep her up to play around on her own more. Of course, we are right by her side all of the time, but she is now at a point where she wants to do it all by herself, which is great to see her learning and exploring on her own.

July's Potty Update

Kaitlyn is making great progress. It has been a month since we first had our Potty Party and introduced potty training. This week she is beginning to feel more comfortable on the potty by waiting for the pee-pee to come, and shows us signs of needing to go before she has an accident. She is starting to tell us and even letting #2 go while on the potty. She is a pretty regular little person, and for awhile things were out of whack, but I see things getting back to regular everyday. This is great news for her mommy who "feels" so big; it is hard to get up when sitting with her in the bathroom.

I think she is on to us about this "other baby" business. She actually used my big belly for a pillow the other day when we were sitting on the couch. At least, it is coming in handy for her, too. She does tell us that baby Jackson is in mommy's belly. And she has been especially clingy lately and wants me to pick her up a lot more.

She has loved to take an old diaper of hers and change her babies' diapers lately. I don't think I will fight her to change Jackson's. Heeehhee.

Mmmm, That's Yummy!

Is it me or does it take forever to get anything at Wal-Mart? I went today for the first time in weeks for groceries. Since I was up in the night with some heartburn, probably because I had a spicy chicken salad at lunch, I thought I could take a nap and get the grocery shopping done while Kaitlyn was at summer school. No can do. I spent two hours at Wal-Mart alone - part waddling around because I move slow now and part because that place is just so huge. I can never make a quick trip to the store anymore, but maybe that is part of pregnancy as well because everything looks so much better to eat when pregnant.

For about a week now, whenever Kaitlyn plays in her kitchen or groceries or even eats a meal, she says, "Mm mm, that's yummy." But yummy comes out a little different in her pronunciation. I caught it on video.

Busy June Weekend

It was a busy June weekend for us. I am entering my 30th week of pregnancy and things are definitely slowing down for me, except I feel I have so much to do before Jackson's arrival. I am taking today to rest from the weekend.

Also, several friends and family have experienced a loss in their family as well as a family member being very sick in the last week including Katie Cottrell who lost a family member this week and a close Meche family friend who is in the hospital with swelling in his brain without a reason. Please keep them in your prayers.

Alert: Kaitlyn just told me she had to use the potty and we went and she immediately went #2. I think it just may be more of a regular thing for her now. So cool!

In the morning on Saturday, Brandon's Bro and wife, Spencer and Christy came over to swim and we had quite the crew. She is six weeks behind me with a girl. I also went by some garage sales in the morning and bought a couple of toys for $3 and a double jogging stroller for $30. This double jogging stroller is awesome and like new. They normally go for around $250 or if you find a used one at least $100. I am sure we will get some use out of it in the fall when it cools down for walks.

We went to a barbque at Brandon's new boss' house. We were there for a really long time, and I was definitely talked out by the time we left. It was funny because all the guys went in the back to hang out, and that was when Brandon received requests for his famous impression ability. He is pretty good at doing impressions of people. He says co-workers always request him to do his old boss.

On Sunday, Kaitlyn's friend, Emma turned 3. She had a pool/Hello Kitty party. Her dad carried Kaitlyn and Emma around the pool over and over. They loved it. Kaitlyn had no problem going to him as long as she was playing in the pool!

In addition, I found a swim instructor that comes to your house for swim lessons and a good place for pizza - Pizza by Marco's off of Park and Tollway - yummy. Anyway, she taught at the Emler Swim School, and is very reasonably priced. Several friends have expressed interest in using her too so we may be in business to start our own class around Pool Time Fridays. I have got to call and find out more information for July and part of August.

Sweeter than Sweet

Another potty update. I couldn't contain myself when I picked Kaitlyn up today on her second day of summer fun at The Ark Preschool. She went No. 1 and No. 2 in the potty! Yeah for Kaitlyn! I am so proud of her.

I know this is a slow process and she is doing agreat job of learning how to do this thing we call going potty on the toliet. As a mom, it is wonderful to see your child pass another major milestone. The teachers all smiled as I talked about how exciting this potty training experience has been. And how thankful I am to be able to work on this now with Kaitlyn before Jackson is here.

I tried to get a little movie of her licking a popcicle today, but wasn't fast enough. It was cute how she stuck out her tongue just to lick a part of it and that was it. She was pretty worn out today as she didn't have a nap and konked out around 5 pm. We woke her for dinner and then she went back to sleep.

Happy Father's Day and A Present from Kaitlyn

It was a happy Father's Day for Brandon! We enjoyed The Meches coming to visit and Brandon hanging with his dad on Father's Day. Kaitlyn did well the whole weekend going on the potty! She is starting to recognize the need to go and say poopoo on the potty beforehand, but we have to still try and catch it.

On Sunday early evening, we went to the mall to ride the carousel. Kaitlyn really enjoyed herself, so did dad. Then I took her to the potty, which is located right by the ride. She went on the potty there. It was so cool!

Uncle Stephen came to visit today and she got so excited that we didn't make it to the bathroom.

Tomorrow she will go to the second summer session on The Ark Preschool. I was worried about it; however, she has really gotten the potty thing a lot more in just the last couple of days. I hope tomorrow goes well. She will be in the 2 year old room with a bathroom right there.

Amazing Update from Rest of Today

Okay folks, we had an amazing day potty training. How unexpected! She got up and we went potty this morning, count 1. Then tried about every 45 minutes in the morning, until went pee-pee before nap time at 11:30, count 2. We did the whole take a turn bit. So I went first and then she went! Then when she woke up at 3. She went again and we took turns, count 3. And lastly, tonight at 7:30 pm, she went poo-poo on the potty, count 4. Four times!!!! Wow, we got a lot of practice in! In between 3 and 7:30, we went swimming for a long time, so who knows what happened then, but we had to get out of the bathroom, so it was a good break.

I knew she had it in her and now we wait for the breakthrough where she tells us she has to go. I am just elated that we are making good progress. Of course, I have to tell myself we are going to have days that we may step back.

For those of you who are asking for tips, here a couple we have learned the last few days, not that I am an expert, but these things worked for Kaitlyn:
1. Have a fun sticker chart to encourage them just to sit on the potty - giving and putting a sticker on after just trying helped to bring her to the potty every time we said let's go. ("Potty Training in A Day" book is what I went by for all of this.)

2. Once we started her on the potty, there was no turning back to diapers. It was underwear the rest of the day and training pants for naps/night time.

3. We had a potty-training doll and this helped Kaitlyn because she is into dolls/babies right now.

4. We had a bucket of small presents from the dollar store, etc. for when she did go on the potty and this has been great motivation, once she figured it out.

5. We got the "Potty Power" video and she has watched this over and over. She loves the songs. We also bought a few books she can read, but not as much into those right now. But this is how we started the whole thing, was to alternate between the bathroom and going to read a potty book or see a video.

6. I would sometimes bring them into the bathroom. Having a portable video player helped to keep her on the potty as well as games/coloring/cards so we could try and catch her.

7. What has helped the most was our excitement and big, happy and smiling faces. We would race to the bathroom, get excited over stickers, her just sitting on the potty or just staying dry. She definitely picked up on our fun and excitement as well has having family members being excited for her.

Tonight, I couldn't help but see how she is turning into a BIG girl right before our eyes. She read Brown Bear, Brown Bear all by herself. I read it first and she started to. She was saying all the names twice and then turning the next page and saying that animal just like how it is written. I hope she becomes a great little reader! Then she can read me a night time story and I may just fall asleep and can't be moved!

Potty Update Number 2

Well, we like number 1 and number 2. Yesterday, Oma came over to help as I had some project work and had to go to the office. Kaitlyn went pee-pee and poo-poo on the potty after being closely watched. Her face says it all.

Last night we stayed in the bathroom for a good 45 minutes from 6 to 7 because I knew she needed to pee-pee, but as soon as we got up to pick something up outside, there was an accident.

This morning Kaitlyn got up around 7 am and we went to the bathroom first. We only sat there for about 10-15 minutes and she went pee-pee. I think maybe she is feeling a little more comfortable to let go.

We plan to work on it today and tomorrow only. We cancelled Pool Time Friday so we can just focus. I see a little progress everyday like this morning. I can't wait to see everything click and she goes to the bathroom first before she has an accident or tries to get there first.

News Flash!!!

This morning I had a different strategy. For the last two mornings, she has had an accident eating breakfast at the table. We had just sat with her on the potty beforehand too.

This morning, I brought our portable DVD player and we sat there for awhile with a video. Then we got off to say bye to Daddy. Then I said let's get our breakfast and bring it in the bathroom with us. She had muffins while sitting on the potty and then went pee-pee on the potty! Yeah, man, it was so exciting! That was my whole goal today, if we could just get her to go this morning, the easiest time.

We have been telling her that if she went on the potty she would be able to open a present. This morning she was able to finally open another present! She was excited! Hopefully, this will start a snowball effect, but if not, at least I know we can do it with a little patience and time.