Day 4

So far so good!

We brought Kalia home on Friday at around 3:00pm. The evening went really well - until we tried to get to bed :). Kalia had some acid reflux problems right off the bat - so everytime we laid her down, she would have some fluids build up in her throat and she couldn't sleep. So, we fed, we held her (she would pass out in Michelle's arms no problem, but it's hard to sleep yourself with a baby in your hands...) and we called the doctor just to make sure we were doing everything right.

At about 5:00am she finally went to sleep after trying to set her down in her bed. We slept from 5:30am - 8:00am. Not too bad for the first night.

The 2nd night (last night - Saturday night) - she slept like an ANGEL! Slept from 12:30am - 4:30am and was only waken up because we had to feed her. At 5:30am we set her back down and she slept until 9:00am when we woke up ourselves. AWESOME! Was good to get some great sleep - both Michelle and I fell energized all over again.

Couple of thank you's so far - Thank you April, Jenny & Tom Radcliffe for all of your help so far around the house. April came over and watched her for 8-10 hours on Saturday so that Michelle and I could nap for an hour or two. Jenny and Tom have helped keep things straight around the house -- a huge help. Thanks to my parents for checking in and making sure we're still alive :) - always good to have that around!

Kalia - a couple of things (amongst a dozen) that we love about you so far:
* Your little coo'ing sounds as you sleep. And the little puppy-dog whimpers you do.
* When you open your little eyes and focus on us for only second
* For the cute little sneezes and other funny noises you make when you're awake
* For the tight little grip that will make hanging onto a 3-Wood come in handy

Things I've (Daddy) learned so far:
* Always have a burp rag handy
* Eating a sandwich with one hand isn't really that hard
* You CAN watch golf, drink coffee, and hold a baby at the same time
* Sleep is overrated

* Always have a burp rag handy (yes, I said it twice)

Will keep everyone updated as much as possible!!

Kalia Erika Ratliff

Hi Everyone! Dan here, since Michelle is resting after a pretty trying day yesterday. Here's the story, in case anyone hasn't heard:

At about 11:30pm on Tuesday night (June 24th) - Michelle said she was going to go lay down on the couch so that she didn't wake me up and so I could sleep one full night. That didn't last very long :)

At about 11:40pm (yep, 10 minutes later) - Michelle comes walking down the hall saying: "Daaannnnn....I don't feel good." Thinking it was just her having stomach pains again, I just told her to sit in the bathroom and wait it out. Turns out it was the real deal.

We called the hospital, told them what was going on and they told us to take a warm bath (sorry...Michelle...not me too :)) - and then to come in after 30 mins if that didn't stop the pain. It helped, but she was still having contractions. So, we knew the real deal was upon us. I raced around the house feeding the cats, locking stuff down and making sure everything was set for us to be gone for a while.

We got to the hospital at 1:30am. They hooked Michelle up and she was still 3cm dialated, and 70% effaced. Not good news since she had been like that for 2-weeks. Since her contractoins were 1 1/2 minutes a part, they felt she was on her way so they admitted us. We got in our room at 2:00am.

From 2:00am to 4:00am was the worst pain Michelle has endured to date...and the worst I've been around. She kept saying: "We're adopting the next one." And: "I just need a break." It was very painful to be so helpless and not to be able to take the pain away. I just tried my best to keep her calm and help with the breathing.

At 4:00am - they finally gave her the epideral. This took away most of the pain and Michelle was finally able to breathe. Michelle did really well during the shot and it didn't seem to hurt her too much. We slept from 4:30am to 6:00am...which turned out to be very helpful for the rest of the day.

At 9:00am, Michelle was 7-8 cm dialated, so they wanted us to start pushing. GREAT! We're almost there!! Turns out that wasn't the case :). Michelle ended up pushing from 9am - noon. That's right, 3-hours. Michelle's blood pressure was continuing to rise and her temperature jumped up to 101.3. The nurses were starting to get concerned.

The doctor came in at noon and asked how long she had been pushing - when we told her 3-hours, her face dropped and she said: "Sorry, I know you don't want to hear these words...but a C-section is in order." She told us that since Michelle's health was starting to get worse, and her water was broken (by the doc) that we needed to get Beanut OUT now. They had a 1:00pm scheduled c-section that they were going to bump for us to get in ASAP. This was one of the scariest moments of my life so far - I have to admit. I'm not a fan of surgeries and for us to now have no choice - it was a tough time. We just looked at each other and said it's what God has planned to bring Beanut into the world - so let's buckle down and get through it.

Michelle was in the O.R. at 12:30pm and they got to work. Everything went VERY smoothly - I tried to take a peak through the window in the drape as I was sitting by Michelle's head. But once I saw them cut her and pull her parts out and sit them on her chest...I checked out. I tried to keep Michelle calm and tell her that the "tugging" she was feeling was all good things. She didn't agree :)

Kalia Erika Ratliff was born at 12:41am (give or take a minute). They pulled her out and as we heard her crying, they held her up to the window that I was trying to avoid looking at. It was at that time that I started balling. Been a while since I've cried (I'm a tough guy, you know) - but it was the most amazing site I've ever seen. There was the this little human being that has been growing in Michelle for 9 months. And she was ours, created by God himself to take care of and raise. I can't even look back and think about how I felt because the moment was just so special that I think I can't recreate it.

They took Kalia to the little table and started doing their tests and she was off. I went back over to Michelle and guess what? She was passed out. I looked down and the doctors were putting her guts back in...tugging, stiching, pushing, pulling, cutting, and there was Michelle...snoring like a little baby herself. I looked at the Anasteasiologiest (sp?) and she just shook her head. It was funny :)

At 1:30pm - Michelle got stiched up, and they wheeled her out, back to our room. As I rounded the corner with Kalia in hand...I looked down the hall and there were Michelle's Parents, My Parents, Michelle's Sister, My Sister and our two nephews - Decker and Judd. They were all standing there watching Michelle roll back in and in good shape and me walking down with their new Grandaughter/Niece/Cousin in hand. They fell in love with her at first sight too. They asked her name (I went in to ask Michelle if I could tell them first) and I told them.

That's the story and we're sticking to it :)

Kalia is the most beautiful little human being I've ever seen (biased, I know, and sorry to everyone else out there - no offense.) Your life changes in a matter of seconds and all of the things you thought were important are automatically shoved down to the bottom of the priority list. God and your child are at the top before you know it and the funny part that I found is that it's okay for it to be that way. Golf, guitars, shopping, work, money, "things", and all of that other material "nonsense" is obsolete.

Pastor Steve came in the room just a few minutes ago and said a prayer with us (and gave Kalia her "First Teddy". He's such a great man and a huge influence in our lives.

Thank you all for your prayers, wishes and thoughts. We're blessed with such a great family, great friends and everything in between. We'll keep you all posted on her developments as the days go on. Now that I have access to the Blog - I'm dangerous :)

Still Waiting....

For those of you who have called...still no baby! In fact so many people have called, I simply answer the phone, "Hello, no baby yet." I think between my mom and my sister, I was getting calls almost daily last week. This week, just my sister ....when I told her I would call her, she now has my nephews calling. So yes...I am officially overdue, hoping I won't have to be induced on Monday, so keep praying for me!! But at this point in a week-no matter what-Baby Beanut will be born!! Today my mom came over and we ran some errands...I walked the mall and that just gave me Braxton Hicks and a back ache-no labor. I picked up heavy bags and boxes, no labor. So I gave up, and she came over, did some gardening for me while I finished the thank you notes (thank you mom)...they are in the mail this evening so be on the look out! Tomorrow, my sister is picking me up in the morning, Judd needs new shoes, so we are headed to the Outlet Mall to put me in labor walking. I assured my mother this evening that I could be at Evergreen Hospital in 45 minutes if need be from the mall and not to worry I would call her on the way there! The baby room is officially done, with the exception of one swing Dan has to put together, the bags are packed, now we just need a baby!! Keep thinking happy thoughts!

Still No Baby! But the School Year is Over!!

Dan and I went to the doctor today...I am the same as I was last week. I am tired of being pregnant and ready to get this watermelon out of me! However, today was the last day of school, YEAH!! Another year down! I was sad to see all my little behavior kids go, in fact, all of them wanted to give me a hug good bye...no high fives...maybe becasue they are going to miss a tough teacher! My students even moved all the furniture for me and cleaned up! It was great! I just need to go in tomorrow and send in a few graphics orders and I am done. Oh, yeah...right, back to what the doctor said, at this point, she thinks I could have the baby at any time now. Sunday, as you know is the official due date. If she doesn't come Sunday, I have an appointment on Thursday, just in case, to get an ultrasound and stress test, along with meeting with the doctor. At that point, they have set up a spot for me in the maternity wing to induce me on the followoing Monday if nothing happens. Those of you new to pregnancy, they have to monitor me because the placenta after the due date starts to get old and they don't like to wait too much longer. So there goes to being 1 to 2 weeks early. But I am done with school, and ready to move on to late nights up and no sleep...I don't seem to be getting any right now anyway!

Still No Baby......But Getting Closer!!!

Today I went back to the doctor again...we are up to the weekly appointments since the end of May. Well, we are now 70% effaced and 3.5 cm dilated. I have made progress. The doctor said she was going to be optimistic and say the baby will be here sometime next week. That is fine with me because school is out next Wednesday! Right now I am still exhausted. Kindergarten graduation is Friday, I have had a sub for 2 1/2 days to attend appointments and finish all 50 report cards! I am not posting a picture because let't just be honest, I look the same as I did in the last one and not to mention I am too exhausted from lugging around my giant maple bar feet and my little beanut who is strapped to be like a Baby Bjorn! We will keep everyone notified...I just have to teach Dan how to get around and use the blog and I will be set!

Marisa and Ben Get Married!!!

On Saturday night we attend my good friend Marisa's wedding. She was married at the Robinswood House in Bellevue...unfortunately, we are experiencing abnormal rain in June, so the outside ceremony was held completely under two small tents due to the down pour. It was very intimate since everyone had to huddle together, however, it was a lot of fun! Despite the weather, everything turned out beautiful and the weather added for some great humor. The pastor called it "junuary weather!" Oh, and yes, I found something to wear....it was tough but, I threw something together! Congratulations Ben and Marisa...we are so happy for you!! Marisa, now you can open all the gifts and put them away in your cupboard...it won't be bad luck anymore :o)

Still No Baby!!

Sorry we haven't posted anything for a while! Things have been a bit crazy around here. On Friday, June 6th, I visited the doctor. I am 60% effaced 2 cm dilated. Oh, and the doctor said the baby is not looking late...she is looking 1 to 2 weeks early. With that information in mind, our weekend continued. On Saturday we celebrated Dan's step-mom's birthday with a surprise party at Dan's sister's house! This past week, has been a bit chaotic for me, school is out on the 18th, I have report cards due the 11th, and I have been trying to finish testing and Kindergarten memory books. Again I saw the doctor this last Friday, for yet another wonderful exam...still at 60% effaced, 2cm dilated...YES!!! I know you all think I am crazy, but this week I have the report cards due and Kindergarten graduation...oh and we meet the pediatrician on Saturday morning. With that said I don't have time right now to have a baby. My sister did come over last week on Wednesday...my bed rest day....oh, yeah, the doctor did recommend some of those since I have been having constant contractions after 12:00pm everyday. The doctor thinks I am crazy for working till the end!! But today is Sunday, woke up sick, not sure what is is from, stomach hurts, back pain, and yes I was crying and telling Dan, I don't have time to have a baby right now...I have so much to do. He finished putting in the car seats, I packed some last things, we grocery shopped, and right now I am getting ready to head to bed. The last full week of school is this week, and I am very worried I am going to have this baby before everything has been taken care of.

By the way...I haven't forgot about thank you notes...they are coming everyone. I am usually so prompt, but again between my chaotic life, work, and my numb writing fingers from the carpal tunnel, I am doing a few each day! Take care!