Great News in the Copley Household!!

NO, WE'RE NOT PREGNANT AGAIN...

WE ARE GOING TO THE BEACH!!!

April said she was tired of vacuuming with one arm and carrying a baby with the other. (Not Really)

After much debate, and weighing the pros and cons, we have decided to go to the beach. We won't be able to go to our favorite destination of St. Augustine, Florida for the normal two weeks. And I won't be taking April to Hawaii as intended for her 30th birthday, but we are going to Cherry Grove for a week at the end of July. This is the northernmost area of North Myrtle Beach. Good for fishing and relaxing. No wild parties, just older couples and families. In fact, you have to be at least 25 to rent in this area.

Ayden has made mention of the beach too many times in the last couple of weeks to keep her in good ol' Wayne all summer. Yes, we can take her to the pool, but it's just not the same. You just have to have the sand and the salt. Years from now, I want to tell my future son in law that if he can't take my daughter to the beach and buy her flowers for no reason then he needs to find another girl on which to waste his time. This is something that we tell Ayden often, and April has started telling Kylee already. Yes, we believe in starting early. I don't want a dead beat son in law. Something I'm sure my in laws say daily about me. I sure hope not. Which, I have given them two beautiful granddaughters. Surely, that raises my value some.

Ayden has spent every birthday or her life at the St. Augustine beach and we can hopefully keep that tradition going by spending her 3rd one at Myrtle Beach. April and I like to go places and do things to model for Ayden what a good education and hard work can do for you. Not just material things, but manners and morals and things of that nature. Which, material things are nice, don't get me wrong. We just can't get obsessed by them, and make them our number one priority.

April says that we Copleys suffer from a rare condition. It is know as salt water deficiency. We just need to go to the beach every summer and soak to reset our systems and get ready for the coming year of work.

Monday, June 29, 2009

As I was leaving to go to my appointment "Aunt" Jenn came to visit. She had bought the girls shirts from her travels to Nashville. It was very nice of her. She stayed until I was on my way back home. She must not have wanted to see me. Too bad for her. I'm glad she and Sherry had a fun trip and returned safely home.

I just returned from my doctor's appointment with Dr. Ahmad. It was a rather short check up. He increased my dosage of Topamax from 50mg to 75mg a day. He seems to think that this increase will take care of the remaining headaches that are hanging around. He stressed that I should drink plenty of water with this medication. He also suggested that I take the meds in the night at bedtime rather than in the morning like I have been. It may be easier for me to remember if I start taking my meds of the night.

On the way home I stopped at Spurlock's and bought April and Ayden some flowers. Ayden was really excited. She placed them on her nightstand beside her bed and gave me a big hug for them. April seemed to be pleased also. I went a little away from norm and got April Carnations instead of Roses. The cards appropriately said, "Just Because".

When I returned home, I kept Ayden while April and Kylee went to Wal-mart for some groceries. Ayden and I played with her Little Tike's Animals and watched Noggin. Very fun. I think we are going to have Lasagna for dinner. Not my homemade, but good enough.

Kylee was up a lot last night. She must have had an upset stomach because she vomited three times. She went through two changes of pajamas and a sheet change. I was up all night. I was awake when Josh left for work. He had stayed all night because Will and Pam had gone to Columbus for a doctor's appointment. He came into Ayden's room during one off my many trips in there last night and asked if we were having a party. I told him we sure were and he was more than welcome to join us.

One thing about not sleeping at night is you can catch up on a lot of things. Like laundry, reading, and television. There is a new series based on a novel I read. The series is called True Blood. It is about Vampires and all other sorts of "Beings". It is my new favorite. I can watch it anytime using the On Demand feature from our cable provider which makes it nice.

Sunday, June 28, 2009 Fun in the Dunlow Sun

After I finally fell asleep at 4:30 this morning, I woke up at about 5:30 and helped fix Kylee a bottle. I went back to sleep and April woke me up at 11:30 to get ready for the pilgrimage to Dunlow for a cook out at my Granny's house. Also, let's not forget, the home of Ayden's chickens.

It went really well. Ayden was glad to see us and Kylee in all of her grace, slept about 90% of the time. She was awake long enough to eat. Twice. I think I am going to have to get an extra job to feed this child. She eats every two hours. I think I may start putting steak and eggs and pinto beans in the blender for her. That may get us an extra 30 minutes or so of down time.

Ayden got to see her chickens and was worried how "Blackie" was doing. All of the chickens, not just Blackie, were doing really well. Blackie was the first one to hatch out. April, Ayden, and I watched the entire process of her hatching. They looked healthy and like they had grown double since we had taken them to their new foster home. Daniel and Ava, Ayden's cousins, were there. She was happy to get to play with them. She likes playing with children her age. I watch her playing with other children and am simply amazed. She is such a little lady. She uses her manners and everything.

It makes me proud to say that I feel April and I have done an okay job with her thus far. Of course we can't take all of the credit. We have a wonderful support system. The jailer at the youth correctional facility where she spends her nights, the Warden at Shawshank, the supervisor of the work release program that is assigned to her case and the list goes on. She has really come a long way since undergoing rehab at Betty Ford for Cheez-It abuse.

Nah, she is only 2 1/2. She hasn't met these types of people yet. At least in a professional setting. She was tuckered out by the time we left. We hadn't driven three miles and she was sound asleep. I carried her in and put her in her bed. She didn't even wake up. It is now 11:00 and so far so good.

The visit to my grandparents was a good one. Not all of the family was able to be there but it was nice all the same. I was able to talk grown up talk to relatives that I don't often get to see. You know you are getting older when discussions revolve around politics, insurance companies, gardening...and flowers. My granny sent me home with some flowers she had dug up from her flower garden to plant in mine. (If you call a few planters and hanging baskets a flower garden). Her garden was somewhat overflowing with what we call 9 o'clocks. They are a green bush with have a yellow flower and appropriately, it blooms at 9:00 every night. It is a plain flower and a large green bush. But I believe a beautiful one.

I would like to have more time and energy to "garden". Not the corn and potato garden. But the flowers and trees type. I enjoy it, what I have done of it. Except roses. They take too much time and need far too much attention. When we moved into our house we had about 40 roses. We are now down to a little more than half of that. If I have my way, the rest of them will be gone by summer's end. I'm just not a big rose fan. At least growing them anyway. I'll stick to buying them for April and now Ayden. In a couple of years Kylee too.

Ayden is now up. It is Midnight. She had to have milk and Cheez-Its. She is also in the bed with us. She told me that someone forgot to put a Dora on her. Meaning a Pull-Up. She doesn't need one at all. In fact, she has slept several nights without one, but it is her security blanket so to speak. Actually, she didn't even have pajamas on, just the dress she was wearing today. So we put Ariel pj's on and got her snacks and of course Pink Baby. I had also forgotten to put her in the bed with Ayden earlier this evening. Big mistake. If you know Ayden, you know Pink Baby is her cocaine. She goes nowhere without her. Outside, inside, restraunts, Lowe's, and even church. She is actually on the third generation Pink Baby. Meaning that she has worn two out. Not necessarily worn them out just got them so dirty they couldn't be cleaned. They are battery operated and the clothes can not be taken off of them to be washed. The hand and feet are sewn onto the ends of the clothing, with the battery pack in the back. Wouldn't be so bad to just pick up a new one you say. Well, they are sometimes hard to come by and cost about 25 dollars. Not too bad if you are just going to get one. But we are going on nearly 100 dollars worth of Pink Babies now. Of course it is her favorite one. What we do for our children. Of course its only going to get better as the years go on; Proms, Senior Pictures, College, a Wedding. I better stop I'm getting depressed. I want her to stay 2 1/2 for the rest of my life anyway.

Stay tuned followers, more from the Copley Household to come...

Saturday, June 27, 2009 Some Pictures

Kylee showing her stuff for the guys over at Sports Illustrated. Eat your heart out boys. Future cover of SI's Swimsuit Issue. Actually, she was getting ready to go to Sherry's and swim for a while.

What an angelic little face. She is gaining weight really well now. She is having no problem eating.

This is what happens to innocent fingers around "Killer K" when she gets hungry. Keep those digits at a safe distance. Told ya she was eating everything in sight.

This is the only problem she has when it comes to eating. The "I'm hungry get me some food now" discussion.

Mommy must be making funny faces in the background. That, or I think I may have a case of Baby Gas. Yea, I think that is it.

New outfit from Baby GAP. She will be able to wear it next summer. Without the shorts the shirt makes a dress. Not meant to, but does on her. Better not let the folks at GAP find out, they'll want to sell it as a two in one outfit.

Same picture, she just got tuckered out and closed her eyes. She gets frustrated with us often and just slips off to sleep. Somewhat demoralizing at times. But with our second child we are becoming more use to it. Tell me she doesn't have the legs of a Thoroughbred.

Ayden helping me post "Tweets" on my Twitter page @MikeCopley

Ayden swinging on her Mega Playset at mom and dad's. It was a major undertaking to put together. 28+ hours. It has a 17' spiral tube slide, two swings, three levels, one glider, four windows, a rock wall, two flower boxes, a 4' slide, a picnic table, and a ladder. There are also 3 tons of recycled rubber tire mulch surrounding it. She says it is soft so she won't get hurt when she falls. I'm sure it will get a work out this Fourth of July during the annual cook out. I'll try to post pictures of it here. Plus cook out pics and story.

Friday, June 26, 2009

I had a doctor's appointment today. That seems like all we get done lately. I don't know what we'll do when we reach our "Golden Years". My doctor made me a referral to the pain clinic at St. Mary's. He said that is the best thing we can do for my back at this time. Since we have finally gotten my head taken care of, time to start working on my back...again.

Kylee is doing very well. Eating and growing. Sleeping a lot. Which I believe, is the reason she is growing. Ayden is with my mom and dad for Matthew's race at Snowshoe this weekend. She likes "four-rider" races. She is really becoming a Daddy's girl. About time too, I must say. I have been waiting nearly three years for this to happen. She told dad she wanted to call and talk to me this evening. She told me about seeing a mommy deer and five baby deer that had spots. And that she did not want to take her orange medicine. That was all she said. But those three sentences were enough. Dad said that when they arrived there today she wanted to know if they had any ear plugs for her. Funny, she has been to numerous races and never mentioned ear plugs. She has even fallen asleep at the starting line before. And believe me, that is something of an accomplishment.

April, Kylee, and I went swimming this evening for a couple of hours. Kylee had a fabulous time. She slept the entire outing. It was nice though. We haven't been swimming in a while. As much as we like to swim you would think that we would go more often. But there is not enough time in the day.

We are trying to decide if we are going to try and go to the beach at the end of July. We would like to, but traveling that distance with a newborn would be difficult. Once there it wouldn't be any different than being here. Even if we had to stay in, we would at least have the view of the ocean and not that of Rt. 37 like we do here. The salt in the air there just seems to have healing properties that we don't get here in the "chemical valley". I just can't comprehend it.

That is a decision that we will have to make soon. Some of the realty companies are having 40% off of the listings that they have remaining for the summer. They are really good deals, but it goes back to do we want to put Kylee as well as the rest of us through the trip there or not. I will keep those of you in the blogosphere that are hanging on the edge of your seats waiting to know updated.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Wow, April just called and Kylee has gained another 14 ounces. That brings the grand total to 6lbs, 14 1/2 oz. It is really storming here. Pam went to the Kylee's appointment with April. Ayden wanted to go with baby sissy. So Pam went to help.

April and I spent the majority of the day in the Emergency Room yesterday. My back is yet again out. They took x-rays to see if there was any noticeable compression issues with my spine. They said there was some arthritis and degenerative issues. The doctor said it was rare for someone my age. I told the doc that is also rare for a 19 year old to have back surgery. She agreed. They gave me Tordol and Deloded. It did not help at all. Other than making me sick last night. Oh well. Gotta try to get some relief.

The girls are doing great though. That is the main thing. You should have seen the us this morning getting ready for the doctor's appointment. Doing what I like to call the Copley Household Shuffle. I bathed Ayden, April ran Kylee's water. Then April rinsed Ayden while I bathed Kylee. April was dressing Ayden and fixing her hair while I was doing this. I put lotion and a diaper on her and got Kylee dressed. I fed her while April was getting a shower.

Kylee is eating about three ounces a feeding now. She has no set schedule. She can eat as often as every 1 1/2 hours or go as long as 5 hours between feedings. It is very strange. She also doesn't take as much formula as breast milk. The formula is thicker and she seems to spit up a little more with it. We had to start with formula because she was eating so much more. We just feed it to supplement. She doesn't seem to mind, as long as she gets fed. April was going to discuss adding cereal to her milk with Dr. Miranda today. I'm just waiting on them to get back.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Well, I finally decided to post an update. I know there are thousands of you out there in the great blogosphere just sitting in front of your computer waiting to find out what is new in the Copley Household.


April, Ayden, and I just got home from Dora Live in Charleston. Ayden had a wonderful time. She was singing and dancing in the aisles. She was yelling at Swiper the Fox. I had a great time just watching her. The show was actually entertaining also. We bought her a shirt and she immediately had to put it on. It was so funny. Kylee is spending her first night away from mommy and daddy. I feel that she is probably handling this better than we are.


Will and Pam are keeping her tonight. Nanny is staying with them to spend some time with Kylee. April called her mom to check on Kylee and Pam told her that April's grandparents, Bill and Biddie, had came over to see Kylee. This is the first time that they have seen her. Bill held her and apparently she initiated him. She threw up on his arm. I think it was a good bit by the sound of it.

It was great to see Ayden feeling better. She has been pretty sick with a virus. She has been running a fairly high temperature on and off since around Thursday. We could not keep her away from Kylee and fearing that Kylee would get sick also Pam volunteered to take Ayden to her house for a few days. This was nice but boy was she missed.

Dad and I took Ayden to the doctor on Father's Day and the doctor said that she would probably feel better by today. The doctor was correct. He gave us a prescription and said that if she wasn't feeling better by today to start it. We did not start it because she was feeling better.

On the way back from the doctor on Father's Day we stopped at Beech Fork Marina. Ayden had a blast feeding the fish. I don't know which one of us had more fun. I think it was my dad, Larry. He bought Ayden Doritos and fish food to feed the Carp. She even told them she loved them and that she would see them later when we were leaving. She told dad that she wanted to go out on a boat for her birthday, so he is now planning on getting a pontoon for a day for all of us to go out on. I don't know how that is going to work, but I'm sure it will be an experience.


Kylee is doing well. She goes back to the doctor this Thursday. She is gaining weight. She is eating more and sleeping less. I saw some baby pictures of April this evening and Kylee looks identical to them. It is scary. April is feeling much better. Other than being very tired. I am not helping her enough. I need to help more. She looks good. She has lost a good bit of weight.

Rick, Sherry, and Jennifer Webb came over on Friday to visit. Sherry brought a shirt for Kylee and Ayden from Washington, D.C. She also brought a box of diapers. You can never have enough of those when you have a new baby. Kylee's said "Future President", and Ayden's was Tye-dyed. Ayden loved her shirt. She said it was just like mommy's. April has a Tye-dyed shirt also. Sherry also brought Ayden some M&M's. She knows how to get on Ayden's good side. It was too bad that Ayden was sick and staying with Will and Pam when they came over.


We talked about how hot it had been and I mentioned that my air conditioning unit had not kicked off for some time. Well, this is ironic because Saturday morning the air conditioner unit stopped working. By Saturday afternoon it was about 80 degrees in the house. Dad came over and looked at it. He said that he could not find anything major wrong with it. I called Ross and Williamson's emergency number and they called me back. The technician said that they were covered up. If he came on Saturday it would be 1 or 2 am before he could get there. He and I decided Monday morning would be good enough since we had some place to go. We loaded Kylee up and went to stay with mom and dad Saturday and Sunday nights. Since Ayden was already at Will and Pam's this worked out fairly well.


Ross and Williamson came yesterday morning and fixed it while I was at an in service. I believe I could live without a lot of things, an air conditioner isn't one of them. When you have lived your entire life with one you rely on it way too much. More so than some other things. For example, I think it would be easier to live without heat. You can always put more clothes on to get warm, but you can only take so many off. And I'll stop there before I make the thousands of you reading this sick from mental pictures.


Kylee took her first official trip to Wal-Mart yesterday. She has been before, but stayed in the vehicle with April or me. We took her in with us yesterday. She had a wonderful time. She looked for cartoons and at shoes wan. She wanted all the pretty cereal boxes. No, wait. That's what Ayden does. Kylee slept the whole time we were there yesterday.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Kylee is awake and eating more. That is just fine. It means she is growing. We can tell she is actually getting bigger. A week from today she goes back to Dr. Miranda for her second Well Baby Check Up. She and Mommy got to spend the entire day together today.

Ayden and I went with Sara to Mineral Wells to get some tile for her kitchen floor. Sara stayed the night with us last night. Ayden is sick with a cold. She slept in the bed with me last night. April slept on the couch in the living room. We wanted to try to keep Ayden away from Kylee and April as much as possible. Maybe keep Kylee from getting the cold.

We stopped and unloaded the tile at Sara's house in Huntington. Mom and dad came by and said they were going to Tenampa to eat. Ayden looked at me and said, "See ya, daddy. I'm going with meemaw." She stays with them on Thursday nights so she can go to dad's office on Fridays.

She is so funny. In the truck today she started howling. Sara asked her what that was and she said a kangaroo. She had to stop a total of four times to pottie. This is in addition to the scheduled stops we had. I think she gets bored and wants to get out and look around. At one point she told Sara she wanted to play house. She would be the person and Aunt Sara could be the evil witch. I don't know where she gets it. She said hey guys look at me. She had two tissues, one up each nostril, to stop the snot flow. She is so pitiful when she is sick. She tries so hard to be in a good mood. Last night she wanted to play house with me and told me to use her pink baby and she would use the "Fairy Tooth Mother". This is what she calls her Cinderella Pez dispenser. She is getting to the point where she is really, really funny. She can tell good stories too.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Up and at 'em early. The headache has subsided for now. The back pain is in full force. I can't win. I have to roll out of bed then use the bed to stand up. Sounds like fun, I know. Anyway, going to shower and take a walk, try to get it to loosen up some.

After the walk, I'm going to call April's dad, Will, and see if he is free to drive me to Lavalette and pick up April's car. I had it detailed yesterday. If you read this and need a detail on your vehicle, believe me, Pioneer Detailing has done a really good job for me when I have used them.

Kylee and Ayden slept well last night. Kylee is starting to eat a little more often. She has this little thing she does with her fists when she gets hungry. She tries to eat them off. April joked that she was going to nickname her killer. Because when she gets hungry she kills everything that gets neat her mouth with her mouth. It is funny. It is like a little puppy with a chew toy. All she needs to do is growl and it would be a perfect match.

Back from my walk. I stopped on the way back by the Pioneer Drive In. I got the girls an order of biscuits and gravy each. I saw Chase and Brayden, Mike and April Jackson's boys. They have really grown. They were asking about Ayden. They swim together at the Beech Fork Pool in the summers.

I went in and checked the laundry that I had started before I had left. Still washing. April and Kylee were still fast asleep. Ayden came out of her room as I came back to the living room. She wanted juice and biscuits and gravy. How did I know. I can read her like a book.

Laundry is now in the dryer. I have a couple of loads to dry. Still trying to hold strong to my new child resolution. Trying. Kylee ate about 6 am. Hopefully Ayden and I can stay quiet enough as to not wake April up. I talked to Pam and she said that Will did not have anything planned for today and he would probably be more than happy to ride with me to get April's car. Going to be great. All clean, driving it home in the rain. Well, at least the inside will be clean. That was the main objective. That and getting it waxed.

We went over to mom and dad's this evening. Ayden wanted to play on her swing set and dad needed help moving some things to Huntington. We came back and had dinner with them. Glad it is raining. We haven't had much rain in a while. I was beginning to worry about a drought. All is well, back and head giving me some problems. May try to get to the doctor soon. Going to get some rest. More to come later. Stay tuned.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Not much happened today. I was awakened by a little girl who was kissing a hugging on me. She was telling me that she loved me. All is right with the world when you wake up like this. I think she only did this because she wanted breakfast. It was kind of late. We were kept up to about 3:30 am by a certain little angelic darling that has her days and nights confused.

First thing this morning, I had to call and get Dr. Ahmed's office to refill my Topamax that I take for my headaches. They called back and said they had called it in at St. Mary's. On the way to pick it up at the pharmacy at St. Mary's we dropped April's car off in Lavalette to get detailed. I'll pick it up tomorrow. I have had a pretty bad headache for the past two days. I've had to have April give me two shots of the Immatrex. It helps some.

The girls were really well behaved. Kylee slept and Ayden went in St. Mary's with April. She had to go into the gas station with me also. It is getting to be that she wants to go and do stuff with us more. She is no longer content with sitting in the vehicle with one or the other of us. She wants to be in on the action so to say.

Uncle Josh stopped by after his first day as an official RN. He has a few days of classes before he starts working on the floor. Later Uncle Matty stopped in and held Kylee. Ayden was asleep when Matthew stopped in, so he just played with Kylee. This really hurt his feelings. Mom and dad dropped off a couple of Frostees for April and Ayden. Ayden was asleep so hers got put in the freezer. She doesn't eat many sweets, but she does like ice cream.

Ayden has been asleep for some time this evening. She has had a long day. Kylee has been awake more to day. So it seems. Maybe she will sleep tonight. We'll see. I took a nap this evening because my head was hurting so badly. I really can't complain. It hasn't been bad for a while. The Topamax has really been helping. The only side effect that I seem to have is that it makes my feet tingle and burn. That is an even trade to me.

Ayden getting ready to go to today. What she likes to call the big city. She loves wearing her big sister shirts. She is the best big sister. She is really a good little helper.

Random Thoughts at 1:18 AM

1:00 feedings are the best. It is so still. Except for the fact you can hear little miss piggy piggy guzzling her bottle. Its adorable.

I love fixing the bottles. It gives my life purpose. I couldn't think of anything else in life that would give me more satisfaction.

Being a father is the best and most scary experience I have ever had.

That is a good thing. Fear lets us know that we are alive. It makes our heart beat a little faster and our senses a little more on edge.

Having two helpless creatures completely depend on you is a little overwhelming at times. But, it makes you have your priorities in order because now if you fail, two others are going to be there with you. Success is the only option when it comes to a having a family.

More men should step up and take responsibility for their family. Children need to grow up with both parents in their lives. It takes a man to to raise his children and give them love and compassion. To bandage the scraped knees, to wipe away the tears, to scare the monsters from the closet, to applaud them, to spank them when they backtalk, and to model what behaviors they will need in their future lives.

Priorities are important in life. People have all different views on religion and spirituality. And I won't express mine to you here. I feel it is a matter of choice and the choice is your own. As long as it ranks up there near the top you are going to be alright. So, yes, I would say my first is Spirituality. A close, if not tied for first second would be family. There is nothing that I wouldn't do to care for and protect my family, nothing, period. Third, not because I like to, but because number two means so much to me is my career. Without it I would not be able to provide for number two. April and I are fortunate to have great careers that are not affected too much by this economic crisis. Our jobs are pretty much in demand. We make enough money to do what we like and have nice things. We also make sure our children don't do without.

April, Ayden, Kylee, and I are also fortunate to have a wonderful family. They help us out tremendously. I could never repay them even if I tried for a million years. Even though we have our disagreements from time to time with one another we are always there when needed. Hey, that's what families are for, right.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

I was sleeping soundly when the doorbell sounded. It was the mother-in-law on her way to Sunday School. Ayden did not have a pair of shoes and she had to get a pair. I wasn't able to go back to sleep. So, I ran the vacuum and fixed breakfast for me and April.

Ayden made it home around 12:15. She was very tired. Pam said she was restless last night and that she didn't want to get up this morning. She played with her babies for a while and posed them for pictures. Then she was ready for a nap. She wanted to lay on my belly. So of course I said yes. She is very good at putting you to sleep. I woke up at about 2:30. I put her back on the couch and covered her up. She is still asleep. Along with April and Kylee. I guess we are losing more sleep through the night than we realize. It is worth it. Life is pretty good when your biggest concern is what are you going to fix for the next meal and what time are you going to fix it. Life is definitely good.

Kylee sure can fill a stinky diaper. She really forces it out too. It sounds like a cappuccino machine. It is so funny. She has slept a lot today. I thought that she would start staying awake more and more. So far, that hasn't happened. She has had a couple of days that she has been awake for a longer amount of time but nothing steady. I'm sure when she starts staying awake steadily, I'll wish she was sleeping more. I guess that's how it goes. We're never happy.

Ayden and I went to Wal-Mart. Lord, what did we ever do before Sam Walton? She got a coloring book because she behaved so well, and she wanted to get baby sissy a rattle for a present. They have me wrapped. She is not spoiled she just gets what she wants. If she behaves. Which she always does.

Kylee has has a lot of visitors today. Will and Pam stopped by this morning for a while. Aunt Sherry, Grandma Violet and Grandpa Ruben came by after church this evening. Mom, dad and Uncle Matty came by too. Uncle Josh came by. He is going to stay with us tonight. His first day of work is tomorrow. Will and Pam are in Columbus so no one is at his house.

Dad is going to take our old computer for something or other at the shop. Part of his security system or something. It really doesn't matter as long it is another piece of junk that we get out of her. It is really useless for using other than what he is going to use it for. It is antique for a computer, it is about 7 years old.

The girls continue to do well. Kylee eats, sleeps, and poos. Ayden plays house and princess. She kisses and hugs Kylee. This evening she ran around the house catching butterflies. I don't know where she got that. The child really has an imagination. It is unbelievable sometimes. Even for me.

Ayden and Grandpa Ruben went about 12 rounds with each other. IT is funny to watch. Ayden had her butterfly net and he had his cane. They were sword fighting, shooting each other, and pretending to shoot each others' pet rabbits. WOW. I'm going to order a tent for this circus. I wouldn't change it for a thing. There is never a dull moment. Not at the Copley Household.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Today was a very lazy day. Almost. I went to bed at about 2:30am, I was back up at about 6:00am to help dad and Matthew move a building from Huntington to dad's. Kylee slept well. She went from 2:30 to 9:00 before needing a bottle. I picked the girls up some breakfast before returning home. They ate and we all took a much needed nap in the living room. Ayden included.

When we woke we all got ready to go to Will and Pam's for a cookout. Ayden was a little cranky, but soon got over it, when Grammy played school and princess with her. It was a lazy evening there also. Sara and Josh were there. Kylee and Papa Will got to spend some quality time together, while Grammy and Ayden played and explored all through the house.

We were getting ready to leave and I told Ayden to start picking her toys up. She said, "No thanks, I'm going to stay here." And so she did. We left and stopped at mom and dad's with Kylee for a while. We ended up watching some poorly acted Lifetime Movie. It was not what you would call Oscar material. We got home about 11:00. I did a load of Kylee's laundry and washed some bottles. April fed her and we got in the bed. All are asleep except of course, for me. As usual. Not much happened today. Pretty lazy. It was nice.

Ask me about the older gentleman at Wal-Mart that I made mad by disagreeing with. It is really funny that people think that Obama actually runs the country. I thought we were a Democratic Nation. Anyway, that is for another blog and not here.

Friday, June 12, 2009

It sure is boring around the Copley household without Ayden. She has been gone all day. She has spent the day at the "Tiny Shop". Then she was going with Uncle Matt, Meemaw and Peepaw to Sam's and Ponderosa. She really likes Ponderosa. She can get all of her favorite foods as well as ice cream with "frincles" on top. She is so funny. She likes posing for the camera. I don't know where she gets it.


Kylee has been the typical contented baby today. Eat, sleep, poo, repeat. All day.

I have done about 5 loads of laundry and folded them too. Usually, I wash and dry them, but don't always get them folded. That is my new child resolution. To fold them as they dry. So I don't have piles of clean laundry lying on top of the washer and dryer. Plus, if there is no clean laundry on top of the washer and dryer I can show off the new units. They look like something out of a Ray Bradbury novel. Sci Fi looking they are I must say.

Nanny had been to Wal-Mart and stopped by. She had bought Kylee and Ayden an outfit each and she dropped them off. Wal-Mart has the cutest children's clothing. I just can't seem to find any newborn gowns for Kylee. Nanny ended up getting caught here during the storms which was perfectly fine with her. She was able to hold and cuddle with Kylee. And don't forget give me a hard time. That is her second favorite thing to do.


The gowns Kylee wears are a little big. At times she can get her arm through the neck hole. She moves the most of any 2 week old baby I have ever seen. She is starting to pick her head up and follow mine and April's voices. It is really something to see when Ayden starts talking to her. It is like she lights up. She will start moving and bouncing and kicking. It is very heart warming to me, as the daddy, to watch this.

Just before it was time for her 8:00 feeding, Kylee and I went for a walk in the driveway. The storms of the day had cooled it down nicely. She was a little cranky and April had a couple of things to take care of, so out we went. We looked at birds. Robins and Blue Jays. I showed her the sandbox where she and Ayden would be able to play. I had filled the Hummingbird feeder and there are several of them visiting it. I tried to show them to her. Of course, she was asleep for all of this. I still had a good time. Plus, I know that she couldn't see them anyway. That doesn't make it any less fun.

After the feeding, which was another record, we posed her on the couch in a sitting position for a few pictures. It was as if she knew what was going on. She started putting her finger in her mouth like she was thinking and rubbing her head. It was really funny.

April and I have been talking about how much Kylee has seemed to be awake today. More so than normal. That wouldn't take a whole lot. We have joked that she has been looking for Ayden and not been able to find her. I miss Ayden not being here. I like being off in the summers, that is one of the benefits that April and I both have as teachers. It just makes it really hard for us to go back to work in the fall.

Ayden finally made it home around 9:00. The first thing she wanted to do was wash her hands so she could hold baby sissy. We went ahead and washed her up for bed. We put on a Dora gown and a pull up. She hasn't really needed a pull up in some time now, but we still use them just in case. The last time that she didn't wear one, which was months ago, she wet the bed just before we woke her up to take her to the sitter. She kept apologizing and crying. It was so sad that I almost cried. She also still wants to wear one.

She loved on Kylee for a few minutes and talked to us about her day. Then she just looked at us and said, "I'm ready to go to bed." Wow, that caught us off guard. So we put her a movie on and tucked her in. Uncle Matty went to her room with her for a while. She is a really good little girl. I don't know how we got so lucky. We keep telling each other that Kylee is the one that is going to make up for it. I'm sure that if we are not careful we could end up like a lot of parents that we have talked to. They say if their second child had been their first, they would have only had one.

I know that they are just joking and they love their children dearly, but no matter what happens in the future, I will always remain very thankful to April for giving me two beautiful daughters. She has put herself through very dangerous health problems that may plague her for years to come in order to be a mother. She is great at it, as if it is what she is meant to do. I would never make such a comment kidding or not. I have too much respect for her and would never want to upset or hurt her.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The doctor's visit with Sherry Miranda went very well. Kylee has gained 7.5 ounces in a week. She now has surpassed her birth weight. She is a whopping 6 pounds, 1.5 ounces. Dr. Miranda was very good to include Ayden in the visit. She had Ayden help her hold Kylee's head and explained to her each and every little thing she was doing. Of course she had to, because Ayden was full of a million questions.

Dr. Sherry said that she looked, and sounded great. That you could expect for a baby to gain about .5 of an ounce a day, Kylee has gained 1 ounce a day for the last 7 days. This is good compared to the way she was eating in the NICU. She said that she would see her back in two weeks.

We left the doctor's appointment and went by St. Mary's Pharmacy to get a couple of prescriptions filled since we were in town. We stopped by the new School of Nursing and saw some of April's co-workers. Allison and Ayden really get along well. I think I will have her come to the house to play with her. Allison could really keep her occupied.

We then went by dad's office to have lunch with him and mom. We picked lunch up since we owed them. They had brought us Chic-fil-a several nights ago. Kylee started throwing what I like to call a "demon fit" while we were in the drive thrus. Ayden did her best to calm her down. She sang her best lullaby to her. Everyone wanted Burger King, but because they don't have chicken nuggets, we had to go across the road to McDonald's to get Ayden a McNugget Kid's Meal. She's not a real picky eater, she is just a chicken nugget freak.

Ayden was wore out. She was up from 10:00pm until 1:30am this morning. We could not get her to go to bed. No amount of pleading and bribing would lure her to the bed to go to sleep. While April was in the pharmacy at St. Mary's she was able to sign up for a 20% discount with AT&T for being a hospital employee.

We stayed at dad's office for about an hour. Long enough to feed and change Kylee and get us a bite to eat. We left and went to AT&T and April bought me an iPhone. A pretty white one with a shiny blue case. I guess for boiling and washing so many bottles. Ayden slept the whole entire time. I tried to put her down several times and she would have nothing to do with it. She slept until we got home.

Mom stopped and picked Ayden up at about 6:00pm. It is Friday tomorrow and she is going to work with dad. She hasn't been there to stay in a while. She has her own office there, furnished with crayons, coloring books, table, desk, lamp, phone, cot, dolls, more dolls, DVD player, dolls, the list goes on and on. No wonder she wants to go there. Plus, it will give April and I a chance to sleep some tonight.

All in all, it was a great day. April was really tired. With being gone several hours yesterday and then running several errands today, she has had the lick. She tried to take a little nap this evening before Ayden left. I tried to occupy Ayden so she could do this. We went out and sat on the porch and filled the hummingbird feeder up. She told me she liked to sit outside with me. Kylee slept. As usual. She might have gotten a 15 or 20 minute power nap in.

Will and Pam came over at about 8:30. They brought hot dogs that they had fixed on the grill. Yum. Pam is feeding Kylee, I think she just finished the bottle in record time. She is really turning into a little piggy. I believe we are going to watch Gran Torino. It is a really good movie. April and I have already seen it but it was when it was on the big screen.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Kylee continues to eat well. I believe she may be gaining a little weight. The premy clothing swallows her though. It looks funny. Can't go any smaller. I could probably find some of Ayden's doll clothes to put on her. I just can't find any that look suitable.

Last night Ayden wanted to sleep in her room. When we brought Kylee home, I had moved Ayden's mattress in our room beside the crib. I thought it might be easier to get her to sleep at nights in the same room with us and baby sissy. So, she "helped" me carry her mattress back into her bedroom and onto her bed last night. She even picked a movie to watch that she use to cry for us to turn off. She asked me to read her a book, and or course, I did. Fox in Socks. It was fun to read and she was crying with laughter. After the book, she went and gave April and Kylee hugs and kisses and went back to her room and went to sleep. She came to our room about 8 am. The problems she has been having with her sleeping this whole time may have been due to being off of her normal routine. I think probably so.

We got ready this morning to go to Dunlow to see my grandparents. They have been out of town and haven't seen Kylee since seeing her in the NICU. We were delayed a little by the storm that came through. The electric went off for a short while. Ayden acted like she was scared. Yea, right. If there were monsters in the dark, I assure you, they would be scared of her. Plus, she says her daddy has a gun to shoot the monsters if they come to get her. She knows that her daddy will protect her and that makes me feel manly. Let's just hope that she tells the boys about my guns in a few years. Because if she doesn't, I will.

My grandmother took the 12 chickens I hatched in for foster care. They are now four weeks old. About half of the 12 turned out to be roosters. Ayden told them to behave for Granny Doe. Ayden got to see the inside of a chicken coop and ran from Granny Doe's bigger chickens. She finally did pet one after Granny Doe picked it up for her. Then of course in true Ayden fashion, she wanted to catch one by herself. Even though she was petrified of the larger ones. She is so independent. It makes me sad to see her growing up so quickly.

We stayed for a few hours and had dinner with them. As usual, it was delicious. Even Ayden thought so. My grandmother can cook more food faster than anyone I have ever seen. I don't know how she does it. She cooks everything on high, and it is cooked to perfection. Nothing is ever burned. Kylee, right on time, had to eat in the middle of our meal. April and I must have gotten a lot of practice with this when Ayden was a baby because we never missed a beat. I got Kylee and held her while April ate and then I passed her off to April while I fixed the bottle. She held her and ate while I was doing this. It went rather smoothly. Now that all we have do for Ayden is fix her plate and make sure she uses a napkin, it isn't so bad.

Granny Doe and Poppy held Kylee and fussed about how content she was. They played in the floor with Ayden and held big people conversations with her. It was a really good visit. April was glad to get out of the house for a few hours. It was the perfect place to go. Ayden started getting grumpy, she did not take a nap and I knew Pam would be waiting to see Kylee. She had been gone for a couple of days to a conference in Charleston. Kylee started getting a little cranky as we were leaving but before we had driven 5 miles, Kylee and Ayden were both snoring. We arrived home and I carried them both in. April and I did dishes and a load of Kylee's laundry (baby laundry smells the best). We fed Kylee and put a clean diaper and pajamas on her. Then she pooed again. I love babies. I swear she was laughing about it. No lie.

It is 9:30 and Ayden is still asleep. She may be out for the night. I surely hope so. We have to get up early in the morning and take Kylee to her first doctor's appointment at 9:15 with Dr. Miranda. Ayden is just like her mommy when she doesn't get enough sleep so I'm not going to wake her until we are walking out the door in the morning (that's a joke). I'm anxious to see if Kylee is back up to her birth weight of 6 lbs. She came home at 5 lbs. 10 oz. But it won't be horrible if she isn't. As long as she has gained and not lost.

Tueday, June 9, 2009

I woke Ayden up around 7:00am so she could go to the last day of work with me. The administration was having breakfast for the teachers and I thought she would enjoy it. She was a bear while we were getting her ready. It might have been due to the fact that she was awake for a few hours in the wee hours of the morning. On the way there Ayden wanted to know if Sherry Webb was my teacher. I told her not really.

Once we got there she was not her typical self. She was more like a zombie. She didn't really get going until it was time to go. Although she did play with balloons while we were in line to get food. She ate well. She looked at me and said, "Daddy, I ready to go home now". She wasn't mean about it, she was just tired and ready to go home. She was happy to see Sherry and Jenn Webb.

Shawna Lewis gave Ayden a whole bag of "good" junk. Ayden was in heaven. We were able to see Paul, Jeanette, Ty, Heather, Becca, and Sherry, and the rest of the my co-workers. I'll take this opportunity to give a shout out to my "Angels", you know who you are. I haven't forgotten you. Thank you Cheryl Canterbury. I haven't really seen any of you guys in a while. Between my illness and the new baby, I have been out a bunch. Oh well. You'll have that. It was good seeing all you guys and chatting with you all. Thanks for the well wishes and the words of encouragement. It helps tremendously.

We went to Wal-Mart and picked up a few things including a new pink baby for Ayden. The old one was pretty scroungy, even Ayden thought so. We got home and Titus, Vada, and Hollie came over for a play date and to see Kylee. They stayed and had lunch with Ayden and watched Yo Gabba Gabba. Debbie and Pam stopped in to see Kylee and they said that they wanted to see us too. I told them that they didn't have to fib. We still loved them. They gave us and update on Nanny. It is good to have family like them. We are blessed that all our friends and family are. I wish they lived closer and we got to see them more often.

Great Grandpa Ruben and Great Grandma Violet came to visit this evening. Jake also came to cut the lawn. He came in a visited. He called later and told us the he got a B in Microbiology. Mama Violet held Kylee and Ayden, because Ayden has to oversee everything that goes on with her sissy. They stayed for a good little visit. They were tickled that Ayden was so involved with Kylee. They thought that she was a good little helper because she went a got a diaper for April to put on Kylee.

Will and Josh came over. Will was able to hold Kylee. But of course, just like the last time, Ayden had a little fit so he had to take a time out. After about three minutes she was finished and he got to get her back. April gave Kylee a bath while Will was here and yet again, she squalled her little head off. But of course she smelled better. Not that she smelled bad.

Mom, dad, and uncle Matty came over. Ayden met them on the porch. She was happy to see them. She has had a busy day. Uncle Matty told Ayden that he was going to take Kylee home with him. She said, "No Matty, she's a keeper." We all just about peed ourselves. She can be really cute.

But of course she has had one of her days for the most part. I think it is all due to her midnight escapade. She does not want anyone to handle Kylee. I have tried to explain that she needs to share with other people because she gets to see baby sissy all of the time and other people just get to come and visit her. I really don't understand why a 2 1/2 year old can't understand reasoning. I guess I am just asking too much.

She loves giving mom, dad, and Matty a hard time. She told dad just before they left that she only had one hug left and it was for Meemaw. Then he acted like he got all upset and she said she had enough left for him one but not Matty. She finally gave him one. When they were pulling out of the driveway, I had to carry her and chase Matty down. She told him he forgot a secret. She had to tell him a story and give him another hug and tell him she loved him. She is a really good little girl. I couldn't ask for a better mannered daughter. I'm confident we will do just as good with Kylee.

I believe that you can only teach your children so many manners and instill in them so much knowledge. You have to model correct decisions and just hope that they use that knowledge to make correct decisions of their own when the time calls for it. You can wear yourself out worrying about what ifs. Especially in today's society. I think the key to rearing successful, productive members of society, is being a good role model yourself. This is imperative. Surround yourself and your children with loving, caring individuals that are goal oriented and look for the best of life and in other people.

That's enough of me being a "philosiphiser".

Monday, June 8, 2009

Not much happened today. Kylee ate and pooed, ate and pooed. Ayden, in typical big sister fashion, helped take care of her. I didn't feel real good. Just lost a lot of sleep. Not due to the new baby. She is sleeping great. It is just having her here. I just listen to all the new noises and have to get up every few minutes to look at her to make certain she is alright. I'm just paranoid.

Carey Lynn Dillon made a lasagna and brought it over for dinner. It was really good and appreciated. I did not have to cook. I finally fell asleep and woke up about 3 am. Ayden was awake. We stayed awake until about 5:30am. She was really cranky. You would think that a newborn would cause the new parents to lose sleep, not the 2 1/2 year old big sister. My how things turn out not the way you imagine.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Last night went well. Kylee slept well and is eating very well. Ayden stayed the night with Grammy so she could go to Sunday school today. She will probably spend most of the day with them. It gives April and I a little break.

Debbie and Pam stopped in around 12:30. They came in to stay with Nanny while she went home after having her second knee operation. They stayed for a while and visited with us. They held Kylee. They agreed with me, we didn't remember Ayden being that small. Although, she was. I fixed April cinnamon and cranberry pancakes. They were actually pretty good. Low in sodium too. We didn't do much today.

Sara came by for the first time today since she has had to work everyday since we have been home. She stopped at the store for us and picked Ayden up some milk. She also was nice enough to pick us up a bag of ice. Man, do we go through a lot of that. It was nice to visit with her. She mentioned it is a mere 59 days until Zac will be home from Afghanistan. That will be nice.

Will and Pam came over and brought Ayden home in the afternoon. She came straight in and had to check on her baby. She immediately had to hold her. She hugged and kissed her and told her how much she had missed her. They stayed and visited for a while. Ayden said, babies sleep a lot, "I think I will call her sleepy head". She comes up with some of the funniest things. I don't know where she gets it.

Mom and dad came by with pizza. Matthew came over too. Ayden was glad to see them and started to give them a hard time. She told them she was all out of hugs and kisses. She eventually stopped harassing them and gave them all plenty of loving. April was holding Kylee, and each time she held her close to Ayden she would "kiss" her cheek. Ayden would giggle and laugh each time. It was really funny.

Ayden helped April feed Kylee before we put them both to bed for the night. Ayden really knows how to work me. We were going to let her fall asleep in our bed and then I would carry her to hers. She drank some juice and then wanted some water while she was watching cartoons. I told her I would get it in a little while for her. I thought she would forget about it and go on to sleep. Boy was I wrong. She rolled over to me, wrapped both arms around me, blinked her big blue eyes, kissed me, and whispered, "Daddy, I love you. I want some water". What could I do, other than get up and go get her some water.

It sure is going to be a fun, expensive, and tiring, experience having two darling daughters! Did I mention fun? But hey, I can handle it, I'm Super Dad...Right?

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Wow. It takes a certain amount of dedication to be a parent. Anyone can have a child but it takes time, caring, patience, and of course flexibility of routine to be a parent. I wouldn't have it any other way. I think it is the greatest gift that we are given as adults. Of course it gives me ulcers but it is well worth it. I am the nervous type and it really does a number on me to do the feeding but sometimes I am able to overcome this and work one in. Don't get me wrong, I help. I do the laundry and clean the bottles. I cook and do dishes. I will get up at every feeding and fix the bottles, I just get really nervous when I am the one feeding the tiny bundle of joy. I guess it has to do with the traumatic experience we had with Ayden when she was 12 days old.

Today went well, April's blood pressure continues to stay really high. I am worried. I am trying to prepare meals by the doctor's specifications. Lower sodium. He says this will help with the swelling. She was able to rest a good bit today. Kylee slept, Ayden and I did laundry and dishes. We fed Kylee and even went for a little walk outside.

Pam and Nanny came over and Ayden did not want anyone to hold Kylee. She had a meltdown and did not want to share her baby. We don't have to worry about anything, Ayden takes care of it. She makes sure everyone washes their hands and uses "handitizer". She tells people not to kiss her on the lips to make sure they kiss her on the cheek. This has made her very good about her own personal hygiene. She now loves to wash her hands.

Later this evening Pam came over and took Ayden to stay all night with her so she could go to Sunday school tomorrow. She still loves to visit no matter what is going on here at home. I think it just makes her want to come home a little sooner now is all.

Mom and dad were going to come over and stay the night to help with Kylee but Matthew raced today and they didn't get home until late and everyone is tired. I really thought that we would have a lot of visitors today, but we didn't. I'm sure we will tomorrow after church. If not that is alright. We have just been home since Thursday and we are still getting into a routine. I'm sure we will be getting some in the next few days. People are hesitant about coming in on a new baby and that is a good thing. I completely understand.

Friday, June 5, 2009

All went very well today. Other than mommy and daddy being very tired. Ayden woke up and first thing she had to do was check on "cutie pie" Kylee. She sang to her and got her passy. She loves helping take care of her. It is hilarious some of the things that she says to her. she pulled the blind at 9:00am and said it is morning time, time to get up and play. She doesn't seem to understand that baby sissy can't get in the floor and play house with her.

Uncle Josh came over and took April's blood pressure. We have to do that a few times a day now due to the trouble she had while she was in the hospital. Her blood pressure continues to stay high. The swelling of her legs and feet is not going down like it should. She had an appointment with the nephrologist and has to watch her sodium intake and take some medication until her next visit to see how the levels are then.

Josh took Ayden with him to the field day that the elementary school was having. They had some inflatables and she was able to see some of the school age children that she goes to day care with. She came back and the first thing that she did was check on "her" baby. She checked the crib and was really worried when she found no baby there. I had to tell her that I had the baby in my lap and then put her in my lap too before she was satisfied.

Mom and dad came over and put up some balloons and a couple of signs welcoming Kylee home. Of course, Ayden helped them. She was more than happy to. Josh and Pam stopped by to check April's blood pressure and it was still high. Mom stayed with Ayden and Kylee while April and I ran to Wal-Mart to get a few essentials. I called to check in and both the girls were sound asleep. When we returned home I carried the groceries in and then carried Ayden to bed. I don't think she moved after I layed her down.

Kylee is eating every 3 or 4 hours one time she went 5 hours but that was only once. We just finished the 12:30 feeding and I am watching Defiance. It is about the Jewish resistance in the forest that saved, I believe 2500 lives during the war. Hope I can stay awake for it.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

We finally were able to go home today. We made it home this evening at about 8:00pm. Kylee had to undergo a lot of things today before we left. She had the Hepatitis B vaccination, had a physical, passed her hearing test, and passed the car seat challenge. April and I also had to watch a CPR video.

Ayden was so excited to see Kylee. Today was the first time she was able to see her. She was so excited and also very, very tired. By the time we got home she was almost unbearable. She was crying because she wanted baby sissy to come to her bed right away. There was no consoling her. Finally, I looked at April and asked if she was ready to go to bed so we could get Ayden down. I had to take the mattress from Ayden's bed a put it in the floor beside the crib in our room that Kylee is going to sleep in for Ayden to be satisfied. Then it took begging and threatening to get her into it. I hated to run everyone off but we were really tired and Ayden was upset because she was so tired. All you had to do was look at her and she would cry.

Mom and dad brought Ayden to the hospital and helped haul some of the things home since I did not have room for them. Now that I have two car seats in the vehicle.

Kylee did well with her 8:30 feeding as soon as we got home. Mom and Pam helped me get some things put away once we got home. It feels like I have been gone for a month rather than a week. I can only imagine how April feels. My heart goes out to her.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

April was finally able to sleep in a real bed last night. When she arrived at the hospital today she looked refreshed and well rested. She was able to stay most of the day in the NICU today without getting too tired. I am worried though, that she will over do it and wear herself down.

Mine and Kylee's sleepover went so well we are doing it again tonight. It wasn't too bad. Other the couch was really hard and I had to roll out of it this morning to be able to stand up. The nice thing about the new NICU is that they have a family room, Zaine's Room, that has a shower in it for parents. My mom, the greatest, brought me some clean clothes and breakfast so I was able to shave and shower. I guess I was getting a little woolly. The Unit Clerk made a commit about, "If I wanted to shave...". They provide you with linens so that is nice.

Kylee passed the hearing test, and got a bath and clean clothes and bedding. She is so cute. Of course, you all are probably getting tired of reading that. She took all of her bottles today except the 5am feeding which the nurse had to use the tube. She has lost a little more weight but nothing to be alarmed about according to the nurse.

Papaw Will brought April down this morning and visited for a while. Meemaw Teresa came around the noon feeding and stayed for a short visit. Aunt Sara was able to leave work early and decided to spend the evening with us here in the NICU. Grammy Pam and Nanny Eadris came while April did the evening feeding while Sara and I let them visit. We went for a walk, I needed to stretch and she went with me to get some things out of the truck.

April and I went for a romantic dinner, just the two of us, at Chick-fil-a. Pam met us back at the hospital to take April home while I came back up to the NICU to settle in for the night. It is worth mentioning that the entire staff that we have dealt with while on the NICU and when April was on Mother/Baby Unit B have been wonderful. It is not often that you find professionals that will call in on their days off to check on patients. That means a lot. It gives us as patients a little piece of mind that people do care and want to help out.

Photos

The first two you can see the CPAP machine on her nose, the feeding tube in her mouth, and she has an IV in the top of her head.

Doing better. Not having to use the feeding tube. I told April that she was going to have a head full of hair because she had bad heart burn during the pregnancy.

What a beautiful little girl.


Sleeping peacefully after eating her bottle in all of 12 minutes. The doctors decided to move her to eating every 4 hours. That way she may be a little hungrier and would eat more of the bottle. It seems to have worked thus far for the most part.

Doing the Car Seat Challenge to make sure her breathing and respiratory rate will be good during the car ride home. Just another step toward going home! YEAH!

Last feeding in the NICU. The doctors needed to make sure that she was going to take the whole bottle. This is the only feeding that I did. I will help April with anything. I just don't do a lot of the feedings.

Does she look like a happy big sister? Take my word for it. She was.

She was so happy she did not want to share her baby sister with anyone. She told her she loved her, sung her lullaby's, kissed her, and petted her. It was worth everything we have been through to watch Ayden with Kylee. It would melt even the coldest heart.

Mom, dad, and Matthew put up balloons and a couple of signs to welcome us home. Ayden helped them. She was more excited than anyone.

I didn't know who was going to make it up the driveway first, me or April. I was glad she felt like getting out and walking to the end of the driveway and then back up to the house.

Meemaw Teresa feeding Kylee for the first time. I think she was filling her diaper as she was eating. Ayden thought this was funny.

Big sister has to oversee everything that goes on with her baby. It has to be done to meet her exact specifications. If not she will definitely let you know.
Ayden wants to start everyday off by holding baby sissy. We have to make bargains with her to get her to wait. Here she said she is "fastly asleep". She is so funny with her.

Tueday, June 2, 2009

Kylee and I are having a sleepover. Not the kind that I would hope for. April was discharged earlier today. Although, I feel that she could have used another day to rest. But all is well. We dropped some things off at the house and then I dropped her off at her mom's. We discussed it and thought that it would be more convenient if she went there. I told her that I would come back since parents could stay the night in the NICU, simply for her piece of mind. Not that I could really do anything. I am also a "Nervous Nelly". I helped April a lot, but the nurses have to do everything for Kylee. It just makes me so nervous without April here that I want to puke. I know I am a pansy. I admit it.

Kylee is still not eating the best in the world so they want to keep her a little longer to see if her sucking reflex improves. It seems to with each feeding. It may be tomorrow or Thursday before she is released. That is alright. We are not going to hurry things. We want to be sure that she is ready.

Sitting here watching her sleep after filling her belly it makes me wonder how any human allowed to draw a breath could harm an innocent angel like this. If it were up to me, and it is not it is only my opinion, anyone that harmed a hair on a child's head would suffer a worse punishment than death. For death is an easy way out, a coward's escape. There would be far worse things in store for them than what is claimed to have happened in GITMO, each day of their life. Oh no, they would not be saved by the death penalty. That would be an easy out.

Monday, June 1, 2009

This picture is the one that Ayden told everyone was of her baby sissy being in a box so she could stay warm. Each day is an improvement. Kylee is now off the CPAP machine, IV, and tube feeding. I finally was able to hold her today. I forgot how small Ayden was when she was in the NICU and when we first took her home. It is going to take some time for me to get use to it again. April is showing her true colors, I honestly believe she was born to be a mother. She is great. She is really tired after getting cleaned up, eating, pumping, then going to the NICU to hold the baby and feed her. She wants to spend more time there but she has to watch her strength.

Her labs are looking better and she will probably be discharged tomorrow. Kylee may leave Tuesday or Wednesday. We will probably go stay with Sara until Kylee gets discharged so we are close. April and I will stay during the days and I will stay in the NICU during the night. Each day is an improvement and we are thankful for that. I am going to try to attach a picture of Kylee when she was hooked up to all of the machines.