Kolton's Birth Story

December 12th, 2015 was the long awaited day to welcome our surprise baby-baby #3! A few weeks back it was decided that I would be induced because of the gestational diabetes and I decided that if induction was how things were going to go that I wanted my doctor to be delivering the baby. That is why, I was induced on a Saturday and it seems crazy to people that inductions can happen on a Saturday; but they can when your doctor is on call! I am also grateful that I went ahead with induction, because about two weeks before delivery day I really started to struggle with fear and anxiety over delivering another baby. Now, I admit that I always get nervous, because lets be real-delivering a baby is no walk in the park…it is one of the most painful experiences of my life yet amazing experiences that I have done twice before. But, this time the fear was a new feeling that I was experiencing-I didn’t like it, this wasn’t my typical self. I spoke with my doctor about it at my last appointment before induction and I cried about it with my husband. I just kept praying that when 9 a.m came on Saturday that I could put the fear aside and put my game face on.

Saturday came and I actually woke up feeling rested! I enjoyed a light breakfast and just focused on keeping myself busy after a mini meltdown with my husband. I was able to keep my composure pretty well until it was time to say goodbye to my boys. I just couldn't get over the fact that the next time I saw them I would be holding baby #3 in my arms.
I was thankful that as soon as I arrived to my hospital room that the nurses were quick to get me settled in and ready for the day before my doctor came to see where we were at. I had only been 1/2 a fingertip dilated for that two weeks prior and my doctor wanted me to be at a 2 so he could simply break my water. I was hopeful. Unfortunately, while yes I had progressed more it was very slight-I was almost a fingertip. This was not how we wanted to start the day. My doctor gave me 50 grams of cytotec in an effort to get things moving and get baby to descend with contractions. After receiving the cytotec I had to stay in bed for 30 minutes to have baby monitored and then the walking began. We lapped the labor and delivery floor a gazillion times-or so it felt. At 2:40 my doctor decided to check me and I was barely at a 2 and baby was still high. My doctor decided to go ahead and break my water as he left his fingers inside me to make sure the cord didn’t drop first. I had a lot of fluid, just like I did with Justus-I filled 5 chug bags and gushed through to my mattress and with that came instant back labor. Oh what joy that was! Thankfully, I had the use of the whirlpool and was allowed to labor in there-a new experience for me I had never been allowed to do that with my other two boys. I could feel the contractions getting stronger; but the use of the tub took the edge off. I just knew I was progressing.

At 6:30 my nurse took me out of the tub to monitor baby for a bit and check my progression…Joseph and I were pretty sure that I had to at least be dilated to a 6 because that is when I usually start to really feel the contractions. My doctor checked me and I was only at a 4 and 80% thinned. I immediately vocalized how ridiculous this was and was unsure of how I was going to handle the 6 centimeters I had to go…it really felt like I was in hard labor already. I asked to get back into the tub after a few minutes of monitoring because the contractions were feeling intense. My nurse Beth, told me no that with how the contractions were going that she thought it could be soon and told me that things could be drastically different in a matter of 30 minutes. That annoyed me because I couldn’t see how that would be possible. At a few minutes before 7 my doctor came in, without being called and said it appeared it was delivery time. Um, really? I couldn’t believe it. But, then I had to push! Apparently, my doctor is a doctor for a reason-he knows more than me! Ha!

At 7:00 I started pushing and at 7:10 Kolton Miles made his debut into our world! This was the best job I have done with pushing a baby out, I always stink at that; but my doctor was awesome and encouraged me between pushes with awesome instructions that I could follow. I felt proud of my “pushing job” and with popped blood vessels I just look at them as marks of being a good pusher! This was also the first baby I didn’t have any tears with, but I assumed it was because he was SO tiny. I couldn’t get over how tiny he was-he looked smaller than Justus was at birth. I asked for them to weigh him because I couldn’t wait to see how tiny he would weigh…was I in for a surprise when I discovered he was my fattest baby and shortest baby weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz and measuring 20 inches long. We still can't believe his size!

In spite of labor taking forever, there were no issues. I felt silly for being so fearful and I was also grateful for a successful delivery. However, about 11 that night the nurse decided it was a good time to give Kolton his first bath and his first mohawk! Holli (the nurse) and I were laughing at how even only being a few hours old he could already pass for a baby with an attitude. She laid him on the bassinet and was getting ready to dress him when he suddenly started to roll over. I would like to say it was because I birthed an advanced baby; but it was because his body stiffened up and he stopped breathing. She called for help and I took myself out of the room. He struggled to breath for 5 minutes and once it was under control they took him to the nursery for observation and to run labs and tests to see if they could find the root cause of the episode. They could find nothing, chest x-rays looked perfect…the initial blood work came back fine. The pediatrician was baffled. The following morning when my doctor arrived for his rounds he was surprised to see us sitting in the nursery with our baby hooked up to monitors. He went over the labor and delivery notes and looked over it all to see if he missed something; but once again it was a “textbook” birth. At the 24 hour mark some blood cultures came back positive for some sort of skin contamination; but the pediatrician reordered that test because he didn’t believe it. However, until the results were received we had to put Kolton on antibiotics and he was unable to be released. Those results came back negative and on Tuesday we were able to be released from the hospital! Kolton hasn’t had any episodes since and no signs of problems since, it continues to remain an unexplained mystery. Or just maybe it was God working?

Ten on Tuesday-Bring You Up to Speed

1. We are now living in Wisconsin and have been here for almost a month! We are loving it.
2. Justus is now 16 months!

3. Klayton is getting ready to celebrate his 5th birthday and is in pre-K!

4. I am 28 weeks pregnant! And I "get" to do my glucose test on Friday.

5. We are excited to meet this little guy in December.

6. Klayton has lost 2 teeth while Justus is getting 2 new teeth.
7. Thursday my hubs will celebrate his 36th birthday. Upward swing to 40-he's getting old.
8. A little laugh for this Tuesday, courtesy of Klayton! My mom had a deer in her garden that she told Klayton about. He told her that he needs to get his gun (don't worry he doesn't have a real one) and come shoot. She asked him, "why? are you going to eat it?" His reply, "I don't like deer meat-I like people meat!"
9. God gave those little children to you, Mama-to you. No one else can mother them like you can. You may have your work cut out for you, but you're the one cut out to accomplish it.
10. Have a Happy Tuesday and I am promising to be back this week!

Justus-11 Months

Justus, you are 11 months!

One month away from being ONE...

YOU:
*Wear 9 month and 12 month clothes.
*Wear size 3 diapers.
*Weigh in at 18.4 lbs. Yes, I did have to include the ounces and not round it down or up!
*Are working on finger foods.
*Still not keen on veggies, you will eat them mixed with fruit.
*Scoot around on your bottom.
*Still no interest in crawling, though you are getting restless.
*Hate tummy time...I think this will be a life long hate.
*Love being outside.
*You have a short quick scream of sorts to get our attention.
*Love to use your hands.
*Clap.
*Wave.
*Found out you get to be a big brother. Wow.
*Love bath time.
*Know how to go backwards in your walker.
*Have 3 bottom teeth and evidence of 2 that could be on their way on top.
*Mama's boy all the way.
*Love apple/blueberry and cherry/blueberry.
*Sleeping through the night except for an occasional rough teething night.
*Have a fascination with peoples faces.
*Love to dance, or shake yourself up and down its so cute.
*Have decided that you are not to fond of naps anymore unless they are in mommy's hands. This has been a rough battle.

Oh, My Justus,
Last year I was so anxious for your arrival and now I am so sad as we approach your birthday. The time has just flown by. You are not so tiny anymore, you are my chunk! Thank you for being my boy. Thank you for always wanting me. Even on the days that I am like you need to just let Daddy or someone else deal with you so I can get things done, I am secretly deep down smiling that you only have eyes for me. I am going to enjoy these last days of baby life and I am going to look excitedly to more milestones with you. I love you and I am so glad that you are my guy!
Love, Mama

Egg Hunt

A couple weeks ago we had received an advertisement about the largest egg hunt happening in our area. I just knew Klayton would have a blast! Not knowing what to expect we arrived 20 minutes early and already were standing behind at least 200 people!

Kids were let into the park area and hunted for 5 empty eggs a piece and could redeem them for a bag of candy. At first I thought how odd; but it was the best way and most fair way to do it because there were big and little kids all looking at the same time.

Klayton was able to go through the park three different times and came home with a bucket load of candy! Sugar high anyone?

We ended the day with Justus getting in on some of the action. These are the days that he is mainly just along for the ride...his day will come we promise him!

Justus, Ten Months

Justus, you are 10 MONTHS!

YOU:
*Wear size 3 diapers.
*Weigh in at 19 lbs.
*Wear clothes anywhere from 6-12 months.
*Have a tooth and two more on the way.
*Dropped your morning nap.
*Introduced Puffs.
*Love your ice cream.
*Love your bath time, especially when you get to take it with brother.
*Leave no doubts in anyones mind that you are a Mama's boy.
*Have settled into a nice bedtime routine, baby food, nursed, diaper change, pjs, bedtime prayers and a kiss goodnight puts you to sleep within 5 minutes.
*Sleep through the night for me.
*Still a bum, I say that with love. But you are just content to sit and observe.
*Traveled to Colorado and Pennsylvania for the first time.
*You are not fond of chicken and rice.
*Have a fascination with peoples eyes, noses and mouths.
*Do not like feeling forgotten or left in a room alone.
*You love your brother; but we can already tell that he annoys you at times.
*Hate being on your tummy still.
*Enjoy being read to.
*Like to smile.
*Have excellent gripping and grabbing skills.

Thanks be to God for letting me be your Mama and I am loving all the smiles and snuggles! I can't believe in just 2 months we will be celebrating your first birthday. Time is passing too quickly for this Mama's heart!

First Ice Cream Cone

It is no understatement that the Barnhardt family likes loves their ice cream! Especially the boys and Justus may only be 10 months tomorrow; but he is just the same!

I scream,

You scream,

We all scream for ice cream!"

Now that is a face of pure contentment...yum!

Bowling

Klayton has been asking to go bowling for what seems like ages! Tonight he FINALLY went to the "alley"!

Of course we asked for bumpers!

It may of been more for the benefit of his parents and grandparents...we will never know though!

He loved watching for the balls to be shot back from the lane! He also figured out that its not a good idea to cross "the line" on the lane because lots of slips and falls will ensue.

Overall, one game of bowling was just enough for him, yet leaves him wanting to go back!

First Field Trip

Klayton has been waiting and waiting for the chance to ride the school bus! And FINALLY the opportunity came as his class went to visit the library!
Parents were invited to attend; but I am still unsure how he would behave with me around. So, I met up with his class at the library for story time.

And some silly songs!

Followed with art time in the children's section.

But, my most favorite part of the field trip was watching him line up to ride the bus back to school. My heart was just SO happy knowing that his "little dream" had come true.

School days will soon be passed and I am thankful that I can look back at these moments with fondness.

Winter Carnival

The 8th graders at Klayton's school hosted a Winter Carnival in the gym for a class fundraiser. It was $5 at the door and that gave you 10 tickets to play with in the gym. There were several activities, face painting, decorate a cookie, make your own ice cream sundae; but Klayton's favorites were the bowling, ring toss, basketball and bowling again and again!
Klayton loves being a Ninja and he brought his ninja moves to the Penguin Ring Toss, I wish I would have video taped his Ninja moves! His moves were show stopping as parents of girls stopped to watch! I emphasize girls because I think Ninja moves are something you rarely, if ever see a girl doing!

The bean bag toss gave me a giggle as Klayton would stand behind the tossing line and then quickly run to the snowman and drop the bean bag in the hole.

A photo opp!

And finally, the place we spent the most time...bowling!

My favorite quote of the day was as Klayton stood next to a 12 year old girl who was bowling...he told her to take her turn first and then said, "I'll show you girlfriend!"

Pajama Party at the Beach

One thing I have always loved being a part of is story hour at the library for Klayton! This one was particularly fun as he got to go in his pajamas! Even Justus went in his pajamas!
There was singing and dancing...

There was a story...I didn't take pictures because I felt funny aiming the camera when I knew I wanted to blog about it and didn't know the other kids to make sure their parents didn't mind their faces being plastered on the internet!

And to the end the evening a craft!

If your local library has a story hour aimed for your young children, I encourage you to take your kids! They will have a blast! Well, they will have a blast if the program is done right! I have taken Klayton to some where we have ended up walking out because it was SO BORING! Klayton loves going to the library and I think story hour has a big part in that love!

Christmas Day With No Tears

If you read my previous post you know that our first Christmas Eve with Justus was filled with lots of tears! Apparently, he just needed to sleep on it and process it all because he woke up Christmas morning in such a happy spirit! Yay!

We just spent the morning as a family! We read the Christmas story, enjoyed a yummy breakfast and opening more presents.

In the afternoon we went to my parents for an italian dinner and more presents!

And the time I was anticipating most, giving my parents their gift! I made it, with my dad's help! Haha! He didn't know when he was the sawing the board that it was for him; but well he figured it out when we brought it in! He said, "looks like you brought me that board again!"

So, thankful for the Christmas season; but ultimately we are thankful for the Reason for the Season-Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas from our family to yours!