Announcing Austin Daniel Shannon

I wanted to make sure I documented Austin's arrival. He is a huge unexpected blessing for us and fits in our family so well. When I first found out I was pregnant our expected due date was January 16th. After my 20 week ultrasound our doctor changed that due date to January 18th, however I was non the wiser. I didn't realize this until about the last month of my pregnancy. I had a few times in the last few weeks before my due date that I thought he would be born early. After that didn't happen I realized he would come when he was ready. I shouldn't have been suprised since Kailin was born one day before her due date. We were expecting a huge snow storm on Wednesday January 18th so we asked my mom to come up the night before just in case we needed to go to the hospital. I'm glad she came up because around 5 am I was woken up by some strong contractions.

I was so worried I wouldn't know I was in labor although this is the second time around but believe me I knew. I decided to wake up for the day after three strong contractions so I showered, ate breakfast, and cleaned up the house a bit. I woke Craig up probably around 6:30 and told him we were going to need to leave for the hospital so if he needed to shower it was time for him to do so. I went and told my mom we were going to leave for the hospital. I wanted to leave by 7:30. I looked outside around 7:00 am and the snow was just starting. When we left around 7:30am the ground was completely covered. It took us 45 minutes to get to the hospital when it normally takes around 10 minutes.

Once at the hospital the nurse checked me and I was at 5cm dialated and about 90% effaced. I was happy to hear this because that was improvement since my last doctors appointment. We were admitted around 9 am and began to walk the halls of the labor and delivery floor. I sat in the jacuzzi for about and hour which was awesome and just mainly tried to stay relaxed and focused through the contractions. Around noon the contractions were really difficult and I was getting discouraged. I couldn't find a comfortable position, so I had Craig call the nurse to talk about pain relief. I was dialated to 7 cm and 100 % effaced. After some discussion I decided to get an epidural.

I should have realized I was in transition and it was almost time to deliver Austin but I didn't. The minute the anesthesiologist was putting in the epidural Austin dropped and was ready to come. I let the nurse know I was feeling a lot of pressure so they did a combination of a spinal tap and epidural combo so I could get immediate relief from the pain. The nurse called the doctor and told him to get ready because once I started pushing the baby would be born fast. I'm not sure how much the doctor believed her but she was able to say "I told you so later to him".

The doctor was ready and told me to push during the contractions so I pushed, 1, 2, 3 times in on contraction and his head was almost out. I then pushed 1, 2, 3 times during the 2nd contraction and Austin was here and in my arms at 1:13 pm. It was an amazing and very calm experience. I'm sure the medicine helped a lot to calm me down. When he was born he was very purple and very very wrinkled. I guess that is what happens when you are in water for 40 weeks. Also he had the longest finger nails I have ever seen. It was very shocking.

Speaking of shocking I was so suprised to see how much he weighed. 9 lbs 4.4 oz!!! He was also 22 1/2 in long!!! When I saw him first I didn't think he looked bigger than Kailin was and she was 8 lbs 6 oz, but I was wrong again. Sadly we didn't get as many pictures of him as we did when Kailin was first born so please forgive the first picture of me holding him. I normally don't like so show so much leg :) I am having problems downloading pictures so those will follow.

Kailinisms

I have really been having a lot of fun with Kailin lately and the funny things she does. I wanted to document these so when we are having a rough day I can read them and remember how sweet she really is. The other day we were in the car and Kailin was trying to sing her abc's. She was doing really good at first this is kindof what it was like "a,b,c,d,e,oooo,mm,oooo,ho,ho,ho,santa,santa,funny,ha,ha,a,b,c,d,e,b,birthday,s,s,s,s,s,snowman,snowman." I was laughing so hard I couldn't help it. At least I know she can sing a-e successfully.

Kailin thinks it is really funny when she or anyone farts to say "Toots" and laugh. So Craig was telling me he laid her down for a nap and a few minutes later was outside of her door looking at our DVD's trying to decide what to watch. He passed gas and immediately heard Kailin start laughing a deep belling laugh while saying toots, toots, funny. She is so funny it cracks us up.

She is really a sweet girl. I am excited for her to have a baby brother to see how she interacts with him. We often have dance parties at our house and this morning while dancing she went over and grabbed her baby doll and started dancing with her . While dancing I looked at her and she was also singing to her baby while patting and rubbing her back.

She loves Jesus and anytime we eat makes sure we say prayers.

She also love Santa and is disappointed, really disappointed when we go to the store and there are no longer Santa decorations.

She currently says a lot of words, who knows how many probably around 75-100. Her most recent are basketball, football, touchdown,and repeating every last word we say.

I know this post is a lot of things about her but like I said at first I wanted to document some things I love about her.

Merry Christmas!!

So one day I do plan on updating this blog. However for now here are some videos to see how much Kailin has grown up and her joy for Christmas morning.

Splash Park

We went to the splash park this evening at Settlers Park. We haven't been yet and I couldn't wait to take Kailin so I decided after a day of her wanting to take naps but not falling asleep we would go there to wear her out. I should tell you something about Kailin. She LOVES water, in fact she loves it so much she asks for a Bath every day and will try to run into the bathroom before I can close the door. I wasn't sure how she would like it but her love of water won out. She also was trying to give all of the other kids hugs. It was so sweet. Here are the pictures. It was so much fun I think we will go a few times a week.

I think she has my legs haha

She would see another fountain and walk over to it to play

Despite the look on her face she loved this!

I felt really bad on this one. I stood underneath a bucket and of course it dumps water to the left of me. I was hoping to get wet but instead Kailin took the bucket of water on the head. oops!

Easter

We had a great Easter this year. Kailin is a little too little for the Easter Egg hunt but some of our best friends the Hones were visiting so it was a lot of fun to see them and spend time with them before their little boy was born. We went to Albertsons for their Easter Egg Hunt and it was a really fun time. Kailin was a little scare of the bunny but honestly I would be too if I were her.

Kailin Screaming at the easter Bunny while I just laugh, such a nice mom.

Brett and Kiley

Go Daddy Go!!!

Craig has been running quite a few 5k's and 10 k's lately. There are always a lot offered in the Boise area and it has been fun going to see him run.

Waiting for the St.Pattys day race to start.

Craig and Isaac after the St. Patty's Day 5K

Craig after the Idaho Potato 10K

Visit from Nana and Brandi in March

We had such a fun time having Sharon and Brandi visiting in March before Kailin's first birthday. I am always amazed at how much Brandi loves little babies. It is the sweetest thing ever. Even when she isn't feeling the best she wants to be right beside Kailin. I don't think Kailin would change that either she absolutely loves her Aunt Brandi. Here are some pictures from our fun week with them.