Two Weeks Old!

( Kayda with Payton and Mom 2 weeks old)

Today Kayda is two weeks old and she is doing great. I cannot believe it has already been that long. I think she is a great baby. She is starting to get on a little bit of a schedule and last night she actually slept for four hours before waking up to eat, which I hope continues to get better everyday. Typically during the day she eats every three hours then stays awake for 30 minutes to an hour and then goes back to sleep, at night she usually eats and then goes back to sleep quickly, so I think she is starting to figure out the difference between night and day.

This week Kayda got to go to both her grandparents house for the first time and she went with me to my two week check up. Also Reddin took today off to spend sometime with us, so we decided to take Payton to Peter Piper Pizza, which was Kayda's first big outing (she slept the whole time), Payton had a great time playing the games and she liked that baby sister got to come with her. I feel so blessed to have another healthy baby girl in our house, and I look forward to the day when she sleeps through the night (but right now getting up in the middle of the night is not so bad, because I get to see her cute face).

This really has been a pretty good week. I have started to feel a lot better, I was able to take Payton to her swimming lessons (and she passed the class that day so it was fun to see her ring the bell and get a medal). I was also able to start driving again, and thanks to Megan, my mom, and my in-laws I was able to get a lot of rest, because they all took care of Payton for me (thanks everyone).

(Payton holding baby sister)

Baby Update/Recap

(Going home from the hospital)

Well I am home from the hospital and am starting to feel better so I figured it was time to recap last weeks events before I forget them. (Warning this is going to be long, because I want to remember this)

The night before we went to the hospital I could not sleep, I got a few hours of sleep, but mostly I watched the Olympics. Payton spent Thursday night at my parents house so Reddin and I got ready and where at the hospital at 5:00 am on Friday morning (August 15, 2008). I was prepped for surgery and ready to go right around 7:00am. Once again they had a really hard time with the spinal block (I guess my spin is close together), but they got it after several tries and Reddin got to come into the operating room. I felt really sick and was trying so hard not the throw-up that I did not know they had already started cutting, so before I new it Kayda was out and crying at 7:37 am. This time I got to see Reddin cut the umbilical cord, because of where the table was in the room (I missed that with Payton). They let me see her for a little bit and then while they finished with me Reddin took her out to the nursery, which is where Payton got to see her for the first time. They actually called the operating room and told me that she was 8 lbs 11 oz 21 inches. I knew I was going to have another big baby so I was not really surprised. Overall the whole surgery experience was a lot better. This time I was actually talking and joking with the doctors as they finished with me (they where trying to convince me to have another baby in a few years).

After surgery I went back to the recovery room and Reddin came in with Kayda a few minutes later, so I got to hold her and feed her for the first time (right from the beginning she has been really good at nursing). I actually stayed in recovery for close to 10 hours, because the hospital was so busy they did not have any rooms available. I really did not mind, because Reddin and I got time to ourselves, and I got to rest (I was pretty out of it because of all the medicine, and my lack for sleep the night before). At around 6:00 pm we finally got put in a post partum room (the same room I had with Payton, thanks to Reddin cousin who requested a big room if one was available). Our family came to visit that night and I finally got to see Payton. It was hard, because I wanted to hold her, but really could not do much of anything, but she did okay.

That night they had me get up and walk around (once again not as bad as it was the first surgery) and that night around 2:00 am I got up again and got my IV out. The next morning I could get up and walk around a bit and everyday after that I felt a little better. I really had great nurses (one kept making me laugh, which really hurt, but it was fun because I had her for all three night and she always brought Reddin and I drinks and food late at night).

I actually decided to go home on Monday instead of Tuesday so I could see Payton some more, I was pretty emotional but we make it through the rest of the week thanks to all the family and friends that offered to help. Reddin was home on with us on Monday and Tuesday, which was great because he was able to entertain Payton and take care of me and Kayda (what a great husband). My mom came over and helped the rest of week and Reddin parents took Payton for me on Friday and kept her busy and happy so I could get Kayda to her first doctors appointment and get her newborn screen done. I have not had to cook since last week, because Kim brought us dinner on Tuesday night and then the ward brought over meals for the rest of the week (what a blessing).

Our first day home, it was great getting to see Payton and having her with us at our house.

Dad with his two girls, I think he is a little out numbered at our house.

Anyways things are going pretty good I feel much better. Kayda is doing well and Payton seems to be adjusting pretty good, with the help of great grandparents that are welling to take her to do fun things so we can all get some rest. I think Payton likes being a big sister she is always happy to throw away diapers, get Kayda’s pacifier, and she asks me all the time if I am going to feed Kayda. Kayda wakes up about every 2 to 2.5 hours at night, so we are a little tired, but she is so cute it is worth it. I really am glad she was born during the Olympics, because it gave us something to watch in the hospital and it nice to watch it when I am up for late night feeding.

Payton laying with Kayda, Kayda looks so small compared to Payton

Well that is about all I can remember right now, I have to agree with all my friends the second c-section is better, because I think you know what is going to happen. I also think the whole process is a little easier, because you know how to talk care of your new baby. I think my next challenge will be to talk both kids out for the first time without help, but I do not think I will be attempting that for a few weeks, because it still does hurt to lift Payton.



Kayda laying on Payton's bed after having her first sponge bath


Payton holding Kayda, she really wants to hold her all by herself


Kayda laying in her crib

Kayda and Mom, this was friday right before my mom and I left to take Kayda to her doctors appointment.

Kayda Jane Evans

Kayda arrived yesterday morning at 7:37am at a whopping 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 21 inches long.

Both mom and baby are healthy and well. I am sure everyone is dying to see the new baby so here are a few pictures. I will let Karen expand upon the experiance when she is home and well.

Almost time!

Well I made it. I cannot believe that in less then 24 hours Reddin and I are going to have another little girl. I think everyone in the family is excited for tomorrow. Payton is all prepared to stay at Grandma and Grandpa Redger's tonight and then come to the hospital in the morning to see her new baby sister. She has been busy putting all her baby dolls to sleep in the bassinet, swing, bouncer, and car seat. I cannot wait to see how she acts when there is a real baby occupying them.

For me I am a little scared to go through the whole surgery and recovery process again, but I am ready to not be pregnant anymore. I do not remember being this uncomfortable when I was pregnant with Payton, so I would not be surprised if she is another big baby (Payton was 9lb 1 oz 21.5 inches). Well wish us luck we have to be at the hospital tomorrow morning at 5:00 am and the baby should be born sometime after 7:00 am. I will have Reddin post some pictures as soon as he can.

Flagstaff Trip

On Friday I took Payton up to Grandpa & Grandma Evans time share in Flagstaff. Her cousin Ruth came up with us. We met up with Marcus and Carrie and their kids and my parents who were already up there. It was a short trip but we had a good time. The weather was nice and cool with a few mountain thunder storms in the afternoons. Overall it was a good trip, and I think Karen enjoyed the break.

These were the sleeping arangements for our trip. I had brought Payton's blow-up bed for her to sleep on, but she wanted to sleep with her big cousins.

All of the cousins got to take a ride on Grandpa's quad. As you can see, Payton is very excited.

Most of the time we were up there it rained but all the cousins had a good time.


The sun finally came out and we were able to go to the activities center for a little round of mini golf. This was a short trip with a lot of rain, but it was fun to be able to get out of the heat for at least a little while

Summer is coming to an end!

I do not know what I am going to do with Payton for the next two weeks, now that most of our summer activities are over. This week was the end of summer story time at the library, today we went to our last summer movie, and yesterday was the last swim day at my in-laws, because my nieces are starting kindergarten next week. That is three days of activities that I need to replace, so if you have any ideas let me know.

This summer has been hard, because it has been so hot and I am very pregnant, but it has also been a lot of fun. Payton always had a great time on Wednesday, because we would go swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Evans house with all of her cousins. I am so grateful that I have Grandparents and sister-in-laws close by. Here are some pictures of our swim day yesterday. They are not great pictures, because it really is hard to take pictures of kids swimming if you are not in the pool.

Passing the Time

So I have really been struggling lately when it comes to being patient with my child. She really is not that bad, but I am very tired and emotional, so it is easy to make me upset. I feel bad for her, so I have been trying to keep my days pretty full, because I seem to have more patients when we are out doing something and she seems to be happier and better behaved then when we just stay at home. I hope that when I am no longer pregnant that I start to feel a little bit better and that my patients returns. Anyway she no longer takes naps so we have a long period of time to fill before Reddin gets home (about 11 hours). We usually do something like the library, a movie, or swimming in the morning, but those activities only last for so long. We usually always have about 3 or 4 hours at home in the afternoon that I try to fill. Today we took pictures (Payton’s request). She brought me the camera and said will you take my picture. After I took the picture she ran over and said I want to see. This lasted for a good 20 minutes, I really did not take great pictures, but she had fun. If anyone has good ideas to help pass the time please let me know. Here are a few of the pictures.

Do you love the apron and the turtle I promise that was all her idea?