A year of life! Abby's Birth Story

Abigail Hope Lankford

Abigail has had a year of life!

Mike and I firmly believe that life starts at conception. We believe every life has a purpose from the Lord. 

It was this time last year unbeknownst to us that Abigail's life came to be! How precious are the Lords plans. 

{This post will have words like period, cycle, blood, ovulate.. you get the point - after all its a birth story!}

Let's back track a little bit. Mike and I had decided at the end of January that we wanted to start trying again. Since we had to try a bit longer with Mackenzie we didn't know how long it would take. I have PCOS so we were very unsure if I was going to ovulate naturally and have the chance to get pregnant! Since it was the first month off birth control we proactively were trying to NOT get pregnant (I have a bit of anxiety regarding this since our miscarriage happened in that first cycle off the pill). 

After about a month passed we figured we would just let it happened however God planned and it would work out. I had no clue if I was ovulating or even going to have a "cycle". I had to overcome that fear of planning it all out and just give it over the God. 

Well, we ended up getting pregnant about 6 weeks off the pill! I had ovulated randomly at 6 weeks -- how crazy!!! Of course I would ovulate weeks late, of course that's right when we were starting to just try! So weeks later when I started to feel nauseous I began to question... Was my period ever coming? Could I be pregnant? Why am I so tired?!

I took a pregnancy test the day after Easter - April 6! It was positive. I had kinda known in the back of my mind since I was exhausted, my boobs hurt and all the rest that comes with being pregnant. I was already 7 weeks pregnant. I had just no clue since I never got my period I thought I couldn't have been! My body didn't ovulate naturally before so why would it now?! Well it did! 

We went to dinner that night at wildfire. I didn't want to bust out the test in the restaurant so I told Mike in the car right before we went in. We both were extremely happy and just could not believe how God planned it all. I went in for blood work and an ultrasound weeks later. The confirmed the pregnancy and gave us our due date of November 26, 2015-- thanksgiving!

Here are some photos the pregnancy journey with Abby!

When I told Mike 4.6.15

My Birthday 4.11.15

12 weeks and our announcement! ;)

16 weeks in Cabo, Mexico

20-ish weeks at Alex's Lemonade Stand event in Chicago

Summertime bump!

Our Family & goodbye first home photos from the Krauskas!

Babymooning in Boston - 28 weeks :) 

30 weeks and I thought I was so big.. 

39 weeks!!! Common baby!

The night before my due date!! 

Past due.... 

So on the night of the 28th Mike and I were watching a hallmark christmas movie ;) All of a sudden I felt something... and knew labor was about to start!  This happened at about 9pm and we began to finish packing.  I brought the monitor to my mom so she could watch Mackenzie.  We got the hospital at about 11.  They checked and I was dilated enough to stay with consistent contractions.  From about 11-3 I had contractions every 3-4 minutes.  At that point I was fairly tired and the pain was starting to be a bit much!  So I decided to get the epidural - Mike left the room (after sleeping through all the contractions ha).  Once I had the epidural I was able to sleep as well! I slept on and off.  The nurse came in and checked and I had dilated to a 9 so I knew it would be any time now!  

Mike started to feel sick from being up all night & not eating so the nurses got to tend to him as well with some juice and crackers ;) At some point they told me that Abby was looking to the side instead of down but that she would most likely correct herself as I pushed.  However, when it was time to start pushing I could tell something was 'off'.  

At about 8am I started to push with the nurse.  I was with her for the first 12-20 minutes until Dr. Holden came.  She was actually who delivered Mackenzie too!  She told me that the baby was sunny side up or posterior.  They informed me that she would need to be taken right away as well since my amniotic fluid was discolored - Abby had Meconium Aspiration.  Basically, during labor she had passed meconium stool into the amniotic fluid and when she was born they would need to suction to get any amniotic fluid that was swallowed into her away gone.

So, being told all of that it was a fairly stressful birth.  I had pushed for about 30 minutes and it was definitely a lot harder than mackenzie.  I could tell when I was having contractions so I was pushing when I felt it.  On the last push Abby literally flew out - ha it was actually fairly graphic and the doctor has to CATCH HER. Like, movie style birth. It was very messy and all I remember was thinking catch her and ah (as blood, water, fluid) squirted up onto my arm.. yes my arm.  They and to take Abby right away to clear her breathing.  She wasn't breathing on her own when she came out... so there was no crying.  I remember telling Mike to go take pictures of her as the nurses suctioned, rubbed and tried to get her to breath.  As sad as it was, I remember telling Mike to take pictures - just in case - I just did not know what was happening and not being able to hear her breathe / cry was hard.

As they were working on her, Dr. Holden was talking to me trying to distract me -- 

Thankfully, after what seemed like forever - but was just a minute or two Abby was breathing and they cleared her lungs!  What a beautiful sound to hear.. at this point was when I could finally relax.

Abigail Hope Lankford - born 11/29/15 at 8:59am, 7 pounds 9oz (same as her sister) and 21 inches long!!

After they worked on her and did all of her vitals I was finally able to hold her :) I remember she started to nurse almost instantly - Mike and I were just amazed once again at the goodness of God, at his power and his blessing to us!

Abby's lungs were clear as well so that was a huge blessing!!! It all must have happened right before she was born so she did not swallow too much / aspirate it into her lungs.  

All I can say is WOW!  Abby's birth was so much more eventful than Mackenzie's.  Everyone always says it will be faster & easier and this was just totally the opposite.  I love birth stories and who every one can be so different.  I will always remember the day sweet little Abby came into the world, what it felt like to hold her in my arms for the first time and what those first days were like together.

Love you Abby!  We have loved you since day 1 of finding out we were pregnant!

We cannot wait to see the little lady you become.

<3 Mom and Dad

Medical Definition of Meconium Aspiration -- Before or during labor, the fetus sometimes passes the meconium stool into the amniotic fluid. It is not clearly understood why this happens. It may be a natural event, but it is also thought to be related to fetal distress in some babies. When the thick meconium mixes into the amniotic fluid, it is swallowed and breathed into the airway of the fetus. As the baby takes the first breaths at delivery, meconium particles enter the airway and can be aspirated (inhaled) deep into the lungs.

Abigail's 3rd month!

3 months old
January 29 - February 29, 2016

Dear sweet Abby,

There are days I say "I can't wait for you to sit up and play with toys" or "I can't wait for you to run after your sister and play!" Then in the same breath I think... "Please stay so sweet forever, stay so little, stay so peaceful..."  I was reminded yesterday that some day I will look back and miss the toys scattered all throughout the house, miss the hugs and snuggles from both you and your sister, miss having all day with you to myself.  Soon we will be off to soccer games, gymnastics and doing loads of homework.  Someday you'll see your teacher longer than me all day! It brings tears to my eyes and makes me realize who lucky we are to have these days together!

Here is what your month looked like in pictures :)

We had a play date with some friends :) 

Your space gets invaded by big sister - this is where you lay most of the day and are talking to yourself now. When its just you and me you babble a lot and we have some good talks ;) You also have started to stare at your hands like what are these?! Are they attached to MY body?! AH!  Its fun to see you looking at them and holding them together.  I remember Mackenzie doing this too!

Still working on sitting up! Just not that strong yet ;)

Playing with some rattles, you don't love any toys yet.. you still like to lay on the playmate and look in the mirror at yourself, you started to grab the your on that and on your carseat.  You have sat in the gumbo a couple of times and you do like your bouncy seat with music playing.  Soon enough you will have more interest in toys and probably Sophie the giraffe!

You were happy but clearly your sister was just not having it!

Your first Valentines Day 2-14-16

This mont you went to ALL bottles 24/7.  I think I nursed you in the MOTN a bit in the beginning of the month but once Mommy & Daddy got back from Mexico I stopped.  We started to do all bottles of breast milk all day.  I have been pumping at 7am, 1pm, and 7pm.  This gets you enough to last all day.  I have begun giving you formula at night to get your body used to it (since I know we will be on it at some point..).  Its probably helping you sleep longer though so I am ok with that :) 

You are having about 6 bottles a day and then one or two overnight.  The most you ate was 32oz but your average is about 28oz a day.  You have 4oz every 2-2.5 hours and this started near the end of the month.  Before it was only 3!  Then you went through a growth spurt and are up to 4!  Your bedtime is at 6:30/7 depending on your last nap and you are doing one bottle around 3/4am.  If your up at 3 then you'll be up around 6:30, if its 4am your more likely to sleep till 7.

Your naps are still all over the place.  You only nap for 30-45 minutes and take 4 or 5 naps a day.  They don't have any time of the day thats set in stone since it all depends on when you woke up last.  I am really hoping to make progress in this over the next month - fingers crossed!  We are praying about this a lot since it will be nice to have a schedule and I can have more time with mackenzie :) 

Unfortunately your cradle cap is still bad.  We have tried shampoo, more baths, less baths, lotion... next is coconut oil overnight and a good cleaning in the morning.  You also developed a bad rash/eczema  right when we got back from Mexico.  Not sure what started it or why it got bad all of a sudden.  This has gotten somewhat better with California Baby lotion or Coconut Oil. Still dry though so trying to put it on multiple times a day.

Your still so happy most of the time!  You only cry if your overtired or hungry.  I try to not let this happen a lot.  You cry on the way home from church saturday nights since your used to being in bed by then.  Its so sad for me to hear this... we may go Sunday mornings until your a bit older and can handle it better.  One time you spit up in your car seat from crying.. ah!

The Dr. told me at your 2mo appointment that you need more tummy time and to stretch your neck.  We have been doing this more and more - your getting better but still a bit tight.  I am hoping this next month things improve and we don't need PT.

We have started to get out more with your big sister.  This was your first library trip!  You were in the stroller for a bit and then I had you in the ergo so you could take a nap.  You did well and were perfect riding in the car :) 

Your wearing 3 month everything but it's too small! So, your sleepers will now by 3-6 month, onesies 3/6 month and pants still 3 month. 

Thats it for this month!  It went by super quick!  Cant wait to see how you change this next month.  We love you!

M 22 months

Your 22 month
January 24 - February 24

My almost two year old - ah!  It really hit me this month that M is going to be two so soon!  Is it ever too early to plan a birthday party? Probably not ;)

This month has flown by and here are some photos!

You were playing so nice and quiet!  This month you have loved lining things up and organizing or cleaning.  You will help wipe down toys and dry them.  You love to throw away trash and to sweep!

A little personality :)

You have started to have some sleepovers at "meema's" house!  

This is our at Tims birthday.  You ate onions and your breath was so stinky!

Sometimes Abby sleeps in till 8 or 9 so we had our mornings together!

Two babies you would say and lay next to Abby.  Your still wanting most of the attention but are getting a lot better with Mommy holding Abby.

Kyla & Chandie watched you when we went out for the super bowl.  I got some of these nice photos when we were gone!  CHEESE.  Your a ham!

You set up all your animals for a tea party

This happened another day Abby slept till 10:30am!

Some fun photos.  This month you love the camera and can find it on my phone.  I have dozens of pictures of well... nothing but the ground, carpet or half your face.

You colored an elephant that you got for Christmas.. and your hand, the carpet and pants ha  

Valentines Day present for Mackenzie!  Frozen People.  You love playing with your "peoples".  You put them "night night" and line them up to play.

Mommy and Daddy were in Mexico in late February.  We brought you home a music set - still practicing how to actually blow into the wooden flute. You did it the other day and surprised yourself!

This month you gave us a run for our money.  You decided for about a week that you were not going to nap at all and scream.  You did this at bedtime too and made it very stressful for us.  THANKFULLY you have been doing MUCH better.  You are now waking up a bit early around 6:30 for the day and still going down around 7.  Your nap is earlier since your up so early around 12 - 2.  We started a new MOMS group at church and you really have liked the classroom. This week you went in and turned around saying "bye mommy".  You have no trouble leaving and going to play!  You love getting out and we need to start doing it more :) 

I love you so much!  You are growing and learning new words daily.  You are so talkative.  You love hugs and kisses and just want to be close to mommy and daddy.  We are so proud of who you are becoming and can't wait to see wants in store these next two months when you will be a big 2 year old!!!

<3

Abby 2 months

Happy two month birthday Abby!  December 29 - January 29
This month has seemed a lot longer than month one but I thin its because we have been in our house the whole time and your Daddy was working again (no more nice holidays!)

Lets see here are some stats I want to always remember about you!

Weight - 11 pounds 9 oz! 50%

Height - 24.5 inches :) 98%

Health ~ Thank goodness you did not catch your sisters Croup OR the 24 hour bug we ALL had.  It was not a good one and I am so thankful the Lord kept you healthy. Other than a stuffy nose for a few days you have been healthy.  You no longer spit up (hmm projectile style) either!! You did one time this whole month and that is OK with me!!

Social ~ You have been smiling since about week 6.  Now your smiles come a lot more frequently and are bigger.  When you hear your sister Mackenzie you smile.  When she is close to you, you smile!  You must of heard her a lot in the womb because you love when she is around.  You smile easily when someone is talking to you or when your cheek gets touched :) You are starting to coo to us as well when we talk back.  The other day you were talking to yourself in the mirror too!

Diet ~ All breast milk so far!  I have to say that it has been getting harder every day.  You like to eat very quick but it gets to be a bit much and involves coughing and a mess.  (oh and every 2 hours girrrrl its ok to go 3). Your digestion has been OK since Mommy's milk is a bit unbalanced you had some *green poo* I know gross.... the world does not need to know this ;)
Sometimes when you nurse it ISNT quick enough and you cry :( So we have started bottles a lot more so that makes it easier.  You seem to be a bit gassy from them and it takes some effort to get a burp out of you!  I think by 3 months you will be on formula... maybe even in these next couple of days.  I want you to know that I tried as best I could but for right now for you to be happy and for your sister (she is still a baby too and needs mommy's attention & love which is hard at this time..) to be happy I think doing bottles and moving to formula will be easier.  Pumping takes time too and Mackenzie is OK with it but its a time that I can't love on either of you :(

Clothing ~ You are in size 0-3 months of 3 months!  Onesies are 3 months and 3 month pants and 3 month sleeper outfits :)  Your socks are staying on better now too!

Mom & Dad favorite things.. We love when you smile, that you are in your crib all night, you put yourself to sleep at bedtime (8:30ish), you kick so much at your kick and play piano, you smile to your play mobile and you are go with the flow!

Attitude/Crying ~ You really only cry if you are over hungry like DUE for a feeding and we go past.  If we are in the car too long you cry as well.  Other than that you do not cry not even when tired (well I don't let you get to that point most days).  You'll grumble a bit and yawn and then its time for nap!

Sleep ~  You are in your crib at night from 8:30 on.  You are doing 6 hour stretches (I know this is AMAZING!!!) and so that means your up around 1-3 depending on your last night feed.  Then after that feed sometimes you go 2 hours or sometimes 4.  You are a NOISY sleeper.  Grunt grunt grunt.  But you sleep through it and your eyes are closed so I just wait till I see them actually open before I come feed you.  During the day sleep is still sporadic and short.  You usually do one longer one in the morning after being up so maybe like 7:30-9:30 and then after than you are up for an hour MAYBE an hour 15 but then your tired and yawning and need a nap.  Most days your nap every 2 hours so its a wake, eat, up for an hour, sleep, and repeat.  So you have about 5/6 naps that are 30-45 minutes a day.  Your last nap actually is around 6:30 - 7:15 and then you eat at 7:30 stay awake for a little and we do bedtime routine around 8 with a new diaper, pajamas, and eat again!

This month we did...

Lots of sleeping :) 

You were watched by your Nana Kathy!

Your ok at tummy time... I just dont do it enough with you :/

Playing with sister!

hahah merry christmas every other sleeper was dirty ;)

Baby likes to... kick, lay on playmate, sit in bouncer, be held, sleep on her belly, sleep long stretches at night <3

Milestones...You can lift your head a lot better now, you are cooing & smiling!

Best Moment.. When you fall asleep in my arms after eating or being rocked :) I love it and always want to remember to take those moments in!

Worst Moment.. when you were crying pretty bad in the car on the way to church because we were late and you were hungry... then we had to turn around because Mackenzie got sick :(

You & Your Sister...are still learning about each other.  She is interested in you from time to time.  She likes to see you kick and she will help you clap your hands.  When you lay on your play mat she likes to be with you (she gets a little jealous).  At nighttime and at Mackenzies nap you come in and lay on her blanket.  She will put all her stuffed animals next to you!  When mommy picks you up (too much in her opinion) she sometimes say night night and points to a place you lay haha so we will continue to learn and grow and play together someday soon!

I love you Abby and am SO thankful for you and all the joy you bring us.  You remind us that life is a gift and to be treasured daily.  You also remind us to slow down, enjoy the moments, take life in, be silly, surround ourselves with those we love and to never wish time away <3