Mackenzie Jade Keys

Everyone was waiting for this baby to get here. I didn't think it would happen early, but I also didn't think it would be a week late! I was prepared to send Kenney and my mom to all of the Christmas school functions because I thought I would be home snuggling a baby. However, I was able to attend all the activities except the class parties. On Monday the 10th, Dr Ridens said that I could go at anytime since I was at a 3 and almost completely softened. I really didn't want to be induced this time because I really really didn't want pitocin again!! Dr Ridens said if I didn't have to baby on my own by the 18th (the following Tuesday), she would induce me no matter what. She also said if I would like she would induce me on Friday the 14th.  I was determined to wait it out until I no longer had a choice!

By Friday, Oma had been here a week and we were all beyond ready for this baby to get here.  However, I didn't call the doctor.  At this point, I thought for sure I would have to be induced on the 18th.  But I was sitting in the rocking chair talking to my mom Friday evening around 5:30 while Kenney was outside with the boys raking leaves and about to play football when I thought I felt something wet.  I wasn't sure if my water actually broke, so I didn't say anything.  Then Oma went to put a pizza in the oven and I stood up.  Then a lot of fluid came out.  My water had broken!!!  Finally!  I went outside to tell Kenney, and he asked if we should go to the hospital.  Umm, yes we need to go to the hospital!!

We grabbed all the things we needed and a few things to snack on.  We decided to go through a drive through before heading to the hospital because we knew that I wouldn't get any food once we got there.  I had a few contractions but nothing particularly hard or consistent by the time we got to there.  Apparently that is unusual because the doctor and nurses were ready for a quick delivery once I arrived.  Once they got everything all set up, I still hadn't had any contractions, but I was dilated to a 4.  We convinced the doctor to give me time to start contracting regularly before she gave me pitocin.  She agreed and left me alone.

I was willing to do anything the nurse suggested to get my contractions going.  I bounced on a ball for about 45 mins, but it didn't seem to do anything.  Around 10:00 they checked me again and I was at a 5.  Kenney convinced the nurse that I was making progress, even though it was slow, and didn't need pitocin.  Thankfully, they agreed again.  By 12:30 my contractions were getting much closer together and much stronger.  By 1:30am I felt like I was on pitocin again because the contractions were super strong.  I was afraid before going into labor that my body wouldn't be strong enough to push a baby out without the help of pitocin, but I was convinced at this point my body was perfectly capable.  They called the doctor back because I was at a 9.  Thankfully I only had hard labor for about 1.5 hours before I had to push.  The baby wasn't dropping far enough for a while, but once the baby engaged, things progressed quickly.

I started pushing and it seemed so much harder this time.  After 3 hard contractions of pushing SHE finally came out face up with a head full of hair.  It was much harder to push her out because of the way she was facing (her head kept pushing back against my pelvic bone) , and I had a difficult time getting her out.  Thankfully I didn't push long, but it seemed like forever!  She came out crying weighing 7lbs 8 oz and 21 inches long.  She has long skinny hands and feet just like Kyler.  Her hair is impressive, even for our kids.  Hers is dark with lighter highlights and super thick, much more so than any of the other kids.

She was super alert and awake once they handed her to me.  She looked around for a while and then ate.  It seems like a super sweet and easy going little girl.  It took until they were discharging us from the hospital before we finally decided on a name.  We named her Mackenzie Jade Keys.  I wasn't sure about the name Mackenzie because I didn't want to name her after me.  I love the name Mackenzie but felt uncomfortable giving her one of my names.  I don't want her thinking it's because of me.  However, Kenney really likes the name and feels like it goes well with the rest of our family.  Ultimately, I consented and we have a little Mackenzie, and she is so very loved!

>

She already seemed so curious but calm. 

Not quite so sure about this earth stuff!

Christmas Sing

I honestly thought I would be going to this year's Christmas Sing with a newborn. Instead I went 6 days overdue! Oma was able to see the boys do something for school which was pretty cool since she hasn't had that opportunity before. Bentley was excited to go because we left the house, which is always exciting to her, and she got all dressed up with her hair done and lipstick applied!! The songs sounded great, and I was glad I was able to go.

Radley in the front row in solid red.

Super excited to sing!!

All of Kindergarten 

Damon in the front in solid red too.

Damon behind the Santa hat.

All of 2nd grade

On his was back to sit down, but he refused to look at us.

Kyler at the end of the middle row.

All of 3rd grade

Bentley all glammed up with her lipstick to watch the boys.

Radley singing Jingle Bells.

Damon singing

Kyler singing Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree and busting out some awesome moves!

Waiting for Baby

There was a lot of waiting before the baby got here. Oma came a few days early because she went to see Nanny before Nanny flew to Las Vegas. She got here with all kinds of goodies for the kids, so they were super excited. I was able to attend a few activities I didn't think we'd get to because of having a baby, but the baby was late!

We went to the Ritz Christmas movie, made teacher gifts, mopped all the floors, cleaned out the fridge, went to the hospital Christmas party, went to the WAC and walked 2 different times, and many other things.  It seemed like I couldn't do anything to make this baby come any sooner.  Oma was patient with us and was able to stick it out until the baby came and even a few days after.  I unfortunately didn't take any pictures of her with the kids while she was here.  I'm super bummed about that!

Going to the movie theater in pj's to watch a Christmas movie.

This came home with Damon from school and it made me really proud!  It says, "I am thankful for food and animals and community helper(s).  I'm really thankful for family.  I'm thankful for friends.  But most of all, I'm thankful for God."  I was impressed with his priorities, and it makes me think that even though he hates going to church, maybe something is getting through to him.

Bentley trying to figure out what was in the big bag we got from Sara and Robbie.

Getting out some much needed energy with Daddy.  Somehow he can still take on 4 kids, but not for much longer!

Sharing some tiny Oreos with Daddy, and dunking them in milk.

Oma took Bentley to Allsups one day looking just like this:  Tinkerbell costume, bright pink socks pulled high, blue poka-dot boots, and crazy hair.  She then plopped herself down with the bag of chips she got!

Light the World

We started off strong with our Light the World efforts. We all made cookies to take to friends in town, but also to a lot of elderly people throughout the community, many of which were widows and widowers. The kids were great helpers getting the cookies ready. I tried to make them as easy as possible to keep my patience intact! They did great.

The next day, we took plates of cookies around.  I was in the car holding plates for most of the visits, but Kenney said the kids did great and the people loved it!!  The kids never complained about how many houses we went to or how long the older people wanted to talk.  The first 2 or 3 houses they went to they came out with candy or toys.  We were really hoping they would learn service without getting anything in return!!  But they came out just as happy from the houses they didn't get anything.

We didn't do great with our service the rest of the month.  Hopefully next year we'll do better (it should help that we won't be having a baby in the middle of the month).  We were able to manage doing a 'Christ tree' where the kids put up an ornament everyday that taught them something about Christ.  We read from the scriptures, talked about the verses, and watched a video.  I really enjoyed the discussions we had and was impressed by the enthusiasm the kids had for doing the ornament every day.

Adding M&M's to the cookie bars.

I think they ate as many M&M's as they put on the cookies.

It was a family effort!

Here they are in action!

On the way home from buying presents for one another, Kyler fell asleep with his mouth and eyes open.  It was pretty creepy!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We waited until Thanksgiving was over, but we got our Christmas decorations up as soon as we could because we had no idea when the baby would come. The kids were excited as always to decorate the tree. Kyler wasn't feeling too well so he went to bed, but the rest of us got the tree up and hung everything up. Kenney even put lights on the house this year. We don't have the best lights to work with, but we at least got something up outside this year.

She was loving this.

However, it was a very serious job that required a lot of concentration!

We just used our phones to take videos, and the lighting is not the best because of the tree lights. Here's the best we got!

Kyler's letter to Santa

Damon's letter to Santa

Radley's letter.  I love how there are no pleasantries; he just gets straight to the point!