Miko's Second Birthday!

Our little girl is two!!! It's hard to believe. She's getting sooo big!

We had a small celebration on her actual birthday (the 21st) with BobbiJo and her kids. We got her a fish tank with two gold fish and a frog for a gift. Then we had little cupcakes with Dora figurines on them and some ice cream in a cup!

We had her birthday party the weekend after Tori was born. The girls' birthdays are only four days apart. That means either life will be easier throwing joint parties, or a lot harder because each one will want their own special party. Yay! Ha ha!

Anyway, we threw her a duck-themed party because she knows what a duck is and keeps doing the sign for "duck" (those sign language classes finally paid off!). Chad hung blue and yellow streamers and balloons and PJ made a special rubber ducky birthday cake. BobbiJo, Christopher, Relena, and Connor were all still here helping out since Tori's birth, and Glamma came from Omaha. Miko had a ball!

Glamma met Satori for the first time!

Miko got a few books for her birthday

And a really cool tricycle!

She loves it!

The cake!

 

She had to think hard about what wish to make!

 

Nom nom nom nom!

You know it's a good party when someone passes out with cake icing all over their face!

Poor Connor...he partied hard!

Now if we could just get the "growing-up" process to slow down quite a bit, we'd be happy!

The Birth Story...

We had another baby GIRL!!!

Her name is Satori Chou Miller! Our newest little pumpkin in our ever changing patch!

Here are her stats for those interested:

Name:
Satori (Sah-Tour-Ree) (Japanese for 'Enlightened') Chou (Ch-Oh) (Japanese for 'Butterfly') - Chad named her! He called PJ one afternoon from work shortly after Kimiko was born and said that if we had another baby girl, he wanted her name to be Satori...PJ agreed it was beautiful, and also it was agreed that since PJ chose the first baby's name, this one was all Chad's.

Birth place:
Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado

Birth date:
October 17, 2010

Birth time:
7:50am (mountain)

Birth weight:

8 pounds 10 ounces

Birth length:
21.5 inches

Her birth story:
Her due date was October 8th (she was one week and two days late in getting here - just like her mommy who's late for everything!). Labor was induced due to her being overdue and the midwives did not want her to be over 10 days late in getting here. We were scheduled to arrive at 7:30am on Saturday the 16th, but then received a call saying to be there at 7:30pm on Friday the 15th due to a cancellation. PJ was very excited and anxious to get the pregnancy over and done with (she was having a miserable time with aches and pains). Bags were packed and loaded into the van, showers were taken and we were ready to head to the hospital. We called the birthing center at 6:30pm as instructed to so they would be prepared for our arrival. They informed us that they had a run of women already in active labor and rescheduled us to come in at 7:30am the next morning...with instruction to call at 6:30am. We had went through this with Kimiko, so it wasn't a new experience, but PJ was already an emotional wreck and broke down. Chad said that she was breaking his heart seeing her cry and suggested that we take advantage of the situation and go out to dinner, just the two of us. So, we headed out to Red Robin while BobbiJo watched Kimiko for us. It was the first time since our two year anniversary (Halloween '09) that we went out to eat without Miko...kind of weird, but very nice. PJ was pleasantly surprised to find that she still had that "butterflies-in-the-belly" feeling when Chad kissed her and held her hand after getting out of the van to walk into the restaurant. We really do need to find someone who lives closer to us that we would trust completely to watch our kids. Ha ha ha!

Anyway, the next morning, PJ was trying not to get her hopes up about being admitted just because it took about six tries before we got in with Miko. PJ had just gotten out of the shower when Chad called the birthing center at the hospital and got the okay to come in. We arrived at PVH at 7:30am on Saturday the 16th and met our nurse, Elizabeth. When the fetal monitors were hooked up, the baby inside greeted everyone with hiccups! It was a funny sound. PJ was familiar with the hiccups...the baby had the hiccups every day towards the end and would actually wake PJ up some nights! It was determined PJ was 1.5 centimeters dilated. After being stuck numerous times, an IV was finally put in PJ's arm, then she was stuck a few more times for blood being drawn. At 9:15am, our midwife, Kelly Jean, started PJ on prostaglandin/cytotech (a suppository that will help contractions get started to thin out the cervix). We walked around a little bit after that trying to get the baby to move further down the pelvis. Chad brought PJ a bagel to eat around 11am, then we Skyped with BobbiJo for a few minutes to check on Kimiko. PJ fell asleep shortly after that while Chad watched a zombie movie on Netflix. Ha ha!

Kelly Jean came and checked on how things were progressing at 1:15pm, there wasn't much change, so she inserted another cytotech around 1:30pm. We ordered lunch around 2:00pm...believe it or not, the hospital food at PVH is actually pretty good! PJ had a grilled cheese sandwich with sweet potato fries while Chad had a veggie burger with sweet potato fries. PJ fell back to sleep shortly after eating.

At 6:00pm, Kelly Jean found that PJ was 4.5 centimeters dilated and ordered Pitocin (the induction meds) via IV drip. After that was started, we ordered our dinner. It was Fettuccine Alfredo for PJ and Penne pasta with Veggies for Chad...yummy!

We met our new nurse, Deb, for the overnight care when they changed shifts at 7pm. Contractions were uncomfortable but consistent. By 9pm, they had intensified quite a bit.

We Skyped with BobbiJo again around 9:30pm to give her an update and to tell Kimiko good night. Miko was excited to see us on the computer and she was having so much fun with her three cousins. We knew there was no need to worry about her, but it did feel weird being away from her.

At 10:30pm, Kelly Jean checked in again and found that PJ was 6 centimeters dilated, so things were moving right along, albeit rather slowly. At 11:30pm, the baby started hiccuping again. Ha ha! Meanwhile, the contractions were getting more and more intense for PJ.

Finally at 12:30am, PJ couldn't take it anymore and asked for her epidural. This time, it was administered a bit differently than the first time. This time Chad was asked to sit directly in front of PJ and hold on to her while she leaned into him. The hard part for PJ was holding still so the anesthesiologist could stick the needle into her back. The pain of the needle being inserted and the contractions that were steadily coming proved to make it more challenging. But, once the epidural was in place, the relief was worth it. By 1:00am, PJ was 7.5 centimeters dilated!

Around 2:00am, Kelly Jean and Deb were discussing whether or not breaking PJ's water would be the next step. Well, just then, PJ's water broke on it's own...decision made! Ha ha!

At 3:00am, they started PJ on oxygen because, just like with Kimiko, the baby seemed to be having a hard time breathing when PJ laid in certain positions, which is necessary to constantly flip when given an epidural. PJ was also at 9 centimeters at that time. When they explained the situation of the breathing problems to PJ, she became worried, especially because they seemed very concerned with the monitoring of the baby. There was also a discussion of whether they should try to do a more internal monitoring to make sure they have a proper fix on the situation. It was stressful. But, the decision was again made by the baby's guardian angel, because just then, the monitors were able to pick up that the baby was okay and breathing just fine again!

After the epidural was placed, Chad pretty much slept through everything else that happened, but PJ woke him up to tell him about the midwife's concerns and express how scared she was becoming. Chad got the nurse to explain everything to him, then worked to calm PJ's nerves. After he handled that situation, he went back to sleep.

While Chad was blissfully passed out, PJ was instructed to start pushing with every contraction that came along to try to get the baby more ready for birth. After about three hours of doing this, PJ woke Chad up for support...and to get the cameras ready.

After an eternity of pushing, or so it seemed, the baby still wasn't wanting to come out! It would be right at the opening, then slide right back in. It didn't matter how hard or long PJ pushed. So, a delivery doctor was called in to assess the situation. When Dr. Kozak came in and did her assessment, she told PJ there were two choices: c-section or forceps. PJ then started bawling her head off. Not the way we had anticipated our second birth experience to go. We've always heard that the second one was so much easier. Ha!

PJ knew she wanted a vaginal birth, and Chad stood by her decision, so forceps was decided upon. Things moved pretty quickly after that. A couple more pushes on PJ's part, some forceful pulling on the doctor's part, and out came a baby girl! Satori Chou!

They rushed her over to the examining table...again, PJ wasn't able to hold her baby immediately, which caused her to cry even more. PJ, who couldn't see anything because of all the NICU nurses and doctors around the table, waited to hear the baby's first cries for what seemed like forever. She kept asking Chad if the baby was okay, and he told her that it was...he could see it moving around while they were trying to clean out it's airways. Finally, she cried! PJ breathed a sigh of relief and Chad started snapping pictures. They even let him cut a little piece of her umbilical cord! When the doctors felt it was okay for the baby to be held they asked if PJ wanted to hold her. Since PJ was still being stitched up, she insisted Chad hold his new daughter first. One of the nurses captured Chad with his new girl with our camera. It was a beautiful sight!

We were moved to a private room where BobbiJo and the kids came up to visit a little after noon. Kimiko "pet" the new baby a little bit, but was more interested in climbing into bed with her mommy and trying to get into all the drawers and cabinets in the room.

We were released from the hospital on Tuesday. When we got home, all the furkids came up to greet the newest member of our family...well, except Fancy and Harlot who pretty much live back in our bedroom and wouldn't come out. Eros sniffed her out, and Rodeo and Sake gave her some sweet kisses already. 

Our family has grown yet again, and we couldn't be any happier!
 

Pee-Pee In The Potty...and Baby is A'comin'!!!

Last night, we had a milestone happen with Kimiko! She pee-peed in her potty!!! For the first time ever she actually showed a true interest in using the potty, and then, just did it! She has been going into the bathroom with Relena when Relena has to go potty, and she's been watching her sit on the big toilet like the big girl she is (Relena just turned 3 on October 9th).
Well, last night, after Daddy finished brushing Miko's teeth, Mommy decided to put her on the toilet and just see what she does. Miko sat there and started taking little pieces of toilet paper and wiping herself, dropping it into the water, then turning and flushing the toilet. This happened about 5 times. Then, Relena came skipping in and announced that she had to pee-pee. So, PJ picked Miko up and stood her next to the tub and helped Relena get up on the toilet seat.

Miko stood there and watched Relena, then grabbed her crotch, said, "Uh-oh," then sat on her plastic singing potty chair. Relena started chanting, "Pee-pee in the potty. Pee-pee in the potty..." over and over again, then said, "She's going!" To our astonishment, she really did go! She immediately wanted toilet paper to wipe herself, then she stood up and tried to sop up the urine that was in the little plastic bowl (she learned to clean up spills from all the times she's knocked over the furkids' water dish while playing in it).

Everyone came into the bathroom (we have a very full house right now) and started cheering for her and clapping. She got a great big smile on her face and started clapping and screaming for herself as well!

This was huge as far as we were concerned! PJ had tried and failed at potty training her back in September (it was so bad, there were lots of tears shed...on PJ's part), so this was very rewarding to see. PJ was so excited that she actually wanted to call friends and family back East to let them know what just happened. Chad had to point out that it was 1am there. BobbiJo said that everyone would think she was calling to say that she was in labor or had just had the baby. So, PJ did the next best thing and emailed 57 of our friends and family with the news! Ha ha ha!

We are going to continue working on the potty-training...with BobbiJo and Relena's help. Hopefully, our little girl will be completely potty-trained by the end of the month!

Taken this morning when we tried again...but no luck this time.

Miko is in love with her cousin Relena...so much so that she keeps playing with her hair and trying to do everything she does. BobbiJo was doing Relena's hair this morning and Miko climbed into her lap after she was done, so BobbiJo did her hair as well!

Cousins...about a year apart in age.

So proud of her hair-do!

When she was told to pose, this is what she did...we think she hangs out with her Uncle Chris too much! Ha ha!

Yesterday, the 14th, PJ went in for another baby appointment. Everything is looking great! Baby's heart rate was at 136, measurements of the belly put us at 43 weeks, and PJ's blood pressure was perfect (it was elevated during the last few weeks with Kimiko). Then they did a non-stress test for baby, and it was perfect as well. Baby moved 15 times in the 20-minute test and it's heart rate was right on.

We had originally scheduled a 7:30am admission for Saturday the 16th, but they had a cancellation for Friday the 15th in the evening at 7:30pm. So, we are going into the hospital tonight! We should have a baby in our arms by Saturday the 16th in the afternoon! So, by the end of this weekend, our family of 8 will have grow to a family of 9!

Waiting For Baby

So, it's been a while since our last post...at least a month! Time seems to be moving way too fast! We've been busy getting everything set-up and ready for the baby's arrival. PJ has been measuring large, so we honestly thought the baby would come before it's due date of October 8th. Well, here it is the 11th, and still no baby!

Chad has been working his tail off trying to make sure he's making enough hours to get bills paid and also be able to buy the essential items needed for the baby's arrival. He's been glued to his phone this last month since everything we've been hearing from PJ's midwives is that the baby could arrive at any moment. He's also worked hard to get the house set-up for the baby and visitors expected here soon.

PJ has been feeling a lot of pain from the baby kicking and re-positioning itself all day and night long. She has talked to her midwives about all the discomfort, worried that it may mean that something is wrong, but they assured her that it's just her ligaments stretching preparing for the impending birth of the baby. When she was 39 weeks, they finally ordered an ultrasound to see just what they are dealing with (she was measuring 42 weeks around that time). The ultrasound showed that the baby is in position, ready to come into the world, and it's measurements are showing baby will weigh about 8 pounds 11 ounces! Kimiko only weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces, so this is quite a difference! AND, this ultrasound with measurements took place 6 days ago, so heaven knows how much the baby's grown since then!

We went in for an appointment this afternoon to check on where we are, and the baby is still in position, but PJ's not dilated any more than she was last week (1.5 cm). So, our midwife asked that we come back in on Thursday (the 14th) for another looksie, and went ahead and put us on the schedule for a Saturday the 16th admission to the hospital at 7:30am for induction. So, one way or another, we will be having a baby by the end of the week...unless they push us back like they did with Miko because everyone in town seemed to having their babies that weekend.

Thankfully, PJ's sister, BobbiJo, and her three kids, Christopher, Relena and Connor, all arrived at our house on Wednesday the 6th. BobbiJo will be the one helping PJ with taking care of the house, Kimiko, and the baby. They will be here until at least Halloween (since BobbiJo lives in an apartment, the kids should have more fun trick-or-treating around our neighborhood). We are so thankful for her being here...especially for that long. This will give Chad a break from working all day, then coming home and having to help in the beginning, and also help PJ to establish a great nursing routine from the start without having to worry about distracting Miko right away. Kimiko is having a ball playing with her cousins! She's running and laughing so much it makes us smile just watching her. She even played "doctor" with them and acted like she was mixing medicine in a bowl and feeding it to the patient! And she's teaching her cousins not to be afraid of dogs, cats and bugs. She tells them, "it's alright" and shows them how to hug the furkids, then shows them her newly captured insect friend (one day it's a spider, then a grasshopper, then some kind of weird flying fur covered bug, etc...our daughter has no fear of anything thus far!). At first there was a lot of screaming and crying, but now everything seems fine.

So, we are still playing the waiting game for the newest member of our family to arrive. Hopefully it will be soon. We're hoping this baby will come on it's own (PJ wants to experience labor that comes naturally, not the kind that's induced upon her).

BobbiJo told PJ that evidently the babies are so comfortable and happy in her womb they don't want to come out. It's nice having a great sister that can make you smile and feel good! We love her!

Now to share some pictures!

This was done on Kimiko's due date (10/14/08)

PJ's belly was a lot smaller! Chad did a wonderful job with the artwork!

"I Wish I Had A Watermelon"

We can't believe how much bigger PJ's belly is this time around!

Chad painted the watermelon 10 days before this one's due date.

Kimiko likes to talk to the baby and feel it moving around in PJ's belly.

And she likes kissing it...

...and blowing raspberries at it!

And here's tonight's family picture...BobbiJo, Christopher, Relena and Connor all joined in as well!

Baby #2 In 3D!!!

We went and got a 3D ultrasound of Baby #2 today!!! The session was amazing! It was so much better than when we did it with Miko. Miko didn't cooperate at all! She kept putting her leg up in front of the camera and looking away. This one was front and center! It was chewing on a hand, then pulled one of it's feet up into view...it even yawned for us at one point! We told the guy doing the ultrasound that we did not want to know the sex, so when he first put the wand on PJ's belly, he told us to look away in case he caught something we didn't want to see. He found that the baby was in the correct downward position with it's back towards the front (facing PJ's spine, in other words...the correct position to be in for birth). He had PJ roll to her left side, and focused on the baby's face. He said he never went to the genital area (which Chad confirmed he didn't because he was watching the screen - Chad says all he saw was the baby's backside, then the guy moved the wand down towards the head and never went back to that area), so he had no idea the sex of the baby, however he kept saying "she."

Kimiko was a big flirt with him, and he was going nuts over her! She kept running to the TV screen pointing at the images saying, "Baby" over and over. He thought she was the cutest thing ever. He was the same guy who did her 3D ultrasound over two years ago!

Okay, so here's a couple of the pictures from Kimiko's session on August 20, 2008:

Pointer shows Kimiko's right eye.

The leg that kept getting in the way...notice that very toned calf muscle?!?!

Now, onto Baby #2's pictures from today:

Baby's left eye...it's hand is right up to it's mouth.

Baby's lips.

Baby's eye's are open!!!

And then they're closed again. Left hand is in the mouth, right hand is covering the right eye.

Mouth open for a big yawn!!!

And mouth closed again with hand in mouth.

Bringing a foot into the picture...see the big toe?!?!

We can't wait to pinch these cheeks!!!

It turned for one final shot so we could see it's whole face! Look at that little chin!

It was a very good session...it actually brought tears to PJ's eyes, of course. We were amazed at the clarity of the images, considering Kimiko's were kind of hard to make out. We are sooo happy we did this!

So, that's the exciting news for the week! Oh! Other than the fact that that big mouse is still in our house...it's fast, and smart! We had it corned at one point, but then it jumped at Chad, landed on his shoulder, then ran down his leg and disappeared under the oven. We can hear it, but as soon as we go moving anything, we swear it becomes a statue so we don't hear or see it anymore. We're thinking about setting up a homemade humane trap (consisting of an empty paper towel roll, food, and an empty tall garbage can) and hopefully catching it that way...but we don't know if the cats will knock the garbage can down to get to it once it's caught. Ugh! This one has us stumped!