Malaikah Grace

Dexter and I are pleased to {finally} announce the birth of our daughter.

Malaikah Grace Mulandi

September 10, 2014

8:15 AM

7 Pounds, 12 Ounces, 18 1/2 inches long

I must admit that I was actually surprised by the 'It's a GIRL' announcement!  In my mind the baby that was kicking me non-stop had to be a boy.  Plus, I'd really wanted Kyalo to have a brother, so I think in my head it just made it easier.  I was also surprised by how happy I was by the announcement - and just how right it feels that we have a daughter.  

So, the story:

Since I moved mid-way through the pregnancy, I had to find a new doctor and hospital, etc.  Unfortunately, the hospital in the town next to ours does not do VBACs (vaginal birth after Cesarean) which I had been hoping to at least try for.  The doctors were all very nice, telling me I could deliver in Portland (an hour away) or Auburn/Lewiston (30-40 min away) if I did want to try that.  Honestly, though, that felt riskier to me, and traveling that distance while in labor was highly unappealing to me.  The nice thing was I could select a delivery date for a repeat C-Section, and so I chose the one closest to my due date (Sept 14).  

On Wednesday, September 10, I had to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM (ugh) for all the check in procedures.  My parents had come Tuesday night to stay with Kyalo so we didn't have to worry about him, thankfully.  Surgery was scheduled for 7:30 AM, and by 8:15 she was born.  Interesting story.  After  my doctor had cut me open, the baby, who had been head down for 2+ months turned over (around?) and was in a breech position - and ended up being delivered feet first.  I guess that C-Section turned out to be a blessing!

Fun tip:  If you want to bring joy to the people in an operating room, tell them you don't know the sex of your baby.  There will be cheering, clapping, and possibly a bit of jumping up and down.

Oh, and small town fun fact:  I got talking to one of the anesthetists, thinking for some reason she'd just moved here.  Thinking we had something in common, I mentioned that we had just moved here, and that my husband was working at the dental clinic in town.  At least two of the women said, ' THAT's why he looks so familiar!!' Turns out one of them had been to Dexter the day before, and the other had recently been in the clinic.  Ah, small towns.

Anyway, back to Malaikah.  They cleaned her up and weighed her, etc, and then brought her right over to me for some nursing and skin-to-skin contact (something that didn't happen in Kijabe).  She nursed right away for a few minutes, but otherwise just lay on my chest while they sewed me up.

Here we are, with the newest member of our family.

Dexter was able to carry her over to the recovery room where I had to hang out for an hour while the anesthesia wore off.  This hospital is 'baby friendly' so they don't give out formula or pacifiers, and really emphasize the baby staying with the family. I appreciated that.  She never left my room for the duration of our stay in the hospital.

My parents came later in the afternoon with Kyalo.  He came running into the room all smiles and excitement, and then as he saw me with lots of wires coming out of me, and Dexter holding the new baby, he became reserved (best I can think of) and cautious.  He took it all in in his quiet, observing way.  

 the newest big brother on the block - he's not so sure about things

The nurse, who was great, got him to listen to Malaikah's heart.  He seemed to enjoy that.

Grandma and Grandpa got turns holding the baby (but we only got a pic of Gpa doing it for some reason)

After a brief visit, my parents took Kyalo down to Essex for the rest of the week.  I can't tell you what a gift that was to us - to be able to rest and recover and just soak in all the baby stuff without having to worry about Kyalo, and knowing that he was having a great time with Grandma and Grandpa.

We stayed in the hospital two nights, getting home late Friday.  It was nice to have a couple of days to acclimate at home before Kyalo returned.  I did a lot of sleeping.   My mom brought Kyalo back Sunday afternoon, and stayed through Wednesday morning.  Since I wasn't supposed to drive for a while it was nice to have her around to help with driving Kyalo to/from school and running other errands, and helping to keep Kyalo occupied.

Here are some other pictures worth sharing.

 getting ready to head home!

eyes open!

 I wasn't aware of Kyalo's arm around my shoulders til I saw this picture.  So sweet.

family of four!

September 17, 2014

So, while another C-Section wasn't my ideal birth story, all that matters to me is that she's here, and she's healthy.  In the hospital my blood pressure dropped pretty low, so they had to watch me carefully for a night, but all is well now.  She's nursing and sleeping well.  I take her back to the doctor tomorrow for another check up/weigh in.  I go on Thursday already for my two week post-op doctor's visit.  Time is already rushing by.  Kyalo's getting more used to her, and likes to kiss her and rub her soft head.  Oh! That was a surprise - that she had no hair. Kyalo had a head full of thick, dark hair that I was sure this baby would too. Instead she just has this soft little halo of peach fuzz.  I love it.

About her name.  I actually had the name in mind if Kyalo had been born a girl, so I've held on to it in hope for quite some time.  It means Angel in Swahili.  I chose Grace as a middle name as a reminder of God's grace to us through the lean school years, but really throughout the duration of our marriage.  She is just one more tangible piece of evidence of God's grace to us, and it seems appropriate to recognize it in this way.  And it is a good thing that she was born a girl because we could not decide upon/agree on a boy's name!!  :)

Life with a girl is definitely different, but we love and adore her and are so glad she's a part of our family.

Thanks for sticking with me here!

Family {of 3} Photos

Two posts in one day! It's a miracle.  Or I'm just really determined to cross things off my list before Baby comes.  I'm so glad that we took the time a few weeks ago to get our last family of three photos taken.  As I think I've mentioned, Kyalo was not cooperating very well, and we kind of gave up on getting him into many of the pictures (and a picture of just the two of us was quickly out of the question), but I'm pleased with how many turned out with him in them.

The garden where we went, here in South Paris, apparently has one of the largest collections of varieties of lilacs (color, type, etc) and many other beautiful flowers. Of course, we missed all those, but we can look forward to returning as a family of four in May.  {Aaron, can we book you now in advance :) }

So, without further ado:

 Kyalo's little smirk here! {kills me}

Many, many thanks to our friend Aaron for taking these gorgeous pictures - and for putting up with our misbehaving boy.

Next photos - family of four?

39 weeks

I'm taking full advantage of having Kyalo in school these mornings. . .getting things done, enjoying a kid-free breakfast with a friend this morning, and hammering out the final few blogs before this baby comes.

I'm happy to report that Kyalo loves school, but sadly, it doesn't tire him out as much as I'd been hoping - no guarantee of a nap in the afternoon.  Maybe we'll up his time at school in the future, but for now I like this schedule.

Sunday was 39 weeks.  As I did with Kyalo, I wanted to get a bare belly bump.

9.9.2014

39 weeks, two days

I have had no signs of labor yet - the Harvest Moon made me a little nervous last night, but Baby stayed put.  Baby continues to reside up in my ribs, it seems, so I'll be glad when that stage of life is behind us.  In general I really have no complaints in this pregnancy...very little sickness, or pain or problems. Baby has been head down for a while now, which is as it should be.  When I had the ultrasound last week, the estimate was about 7.5 pounds, so I guess he/she will be a little over 8, as Kyalo was. 

Alright, have to go pick up Kyalo soon so I better take advantage of the quiet house for the next little bit!

I'll be back later (I hope) with those family photos I mentioned the other day.

36 and 38 weeks

I'm running out of time to get these pregnancy posts up, and they're kind of stockpiling on me.

I'm actually 39 weeks today, but I'm so behind I'm going to play a little catch up here.  It is truly amazing to me that we're down to the final days of this pregnancy.  I remember when I was pregnant with Kyalo feeling kind of sad that the days were winding down and I'd no longer be pregnant.  I don't feel that way so much with this pregnancy.  I'm huge and uncomfortable and can't sleep or do much these days, so having the baby here in the flesh seems wonderful - even if it brings its own challenges and sleeplessness, etc. At least I'll be able to bend over and see my feet and all that!!

A few weeks ago we went to a local garden with friends Aaron and Gayle and Lucas to get some family photos.  The days of being a family of three are numbered!  Gayle took a few pics on our camera, and Aaron took the 'professional' ones on his.  I'll save his for another post, but wanted to get a couple up from that time.

36 weeks:

Kyalo & Lucas (4) playing 'train' 

there's not a lot of exuberance in these two boys. not at all.

If you like these photos, wait til I get the ones from Aaron up!  Gorgeous!!

And then 38 weeks:

 obligatory heart photo

I don't even look pregnant here.  

there's the belly

and only getting bigger! ah

Last week, because I'm in the lucky category of 'AMA' (Advanced Maternal Age) I went in for a final ultrasound.  It had been a while since I'd had an ultrasound (I got them at every visit in NJ - a little gift they give us!) I was excited for another little peek at baby.  I was NOT prepared for a 3D picture of our little person!

Our sleeping beauty, all curled up with a hand next to his/her face.  I sent this photo to my sister in law and mom and they said, 'Boy!' and 'Looks like Kyalo!' which is funny because I was thinking when I was having the ultrasound that maybe it is a girl.  But perhaps I'm just wishing. . . 

We'll find out soon enough who's right!!

first day of school!

I have a lot of pictures to get up here, and some general life updates, but I wanted to start with this, because it feels so monumental!

Today we shipped Kyalo off to school!  I've signed him up for two mornings a week (8-11:30) at a little Montessori school less than a mile from my home.  I like the Montessori philosophy of using natural items (wood, glass, cloth, etc) and keeping the rooms neutral so they aren't an onslaught of colors and plastic.  

We got him to school, he dropped his things in his little cubby, and off he went to play.  This morning we went extra early so Dexter could come and be a part of it, too.  Made it special.  He was off and running though.  I was trying to introduce him to his teacher and he said, ' Can I go back and play?'  Yeah. He'll do just fine.

I was sorry Dexter had to go out to work - a little breakfast date would have been nice.

Anyway, here are a couple of obligatory first day of school pictures I took on our steps.

when did he get so old??

We continue to have some behavior issues with him, and I'm hoping that a few hours away from me and in a structured environment helps to nip some of them in the bud.  It isn't asking too much to think that the school can teach him manners, respect, direction following, obedience all in 8 hours a week?  Is it?? 

Oh, but we love him so and are so proud of him and are excited for this new chapter in his (our) life.