The LONGEST two days

All (3) kids in the car for the first time headed to Kensley's first well check up.

The doctor thought she was doing good. But because her skin is so red he couldn't tell whether or not she might have jaundice. So he had a blood test done "just to be sure she was okay". One nurse came in and only got half the blood she needed and couldn't get any more. Kensley was freaking out and so was Tanner. Tanner doesn't like anyone messing with his sister. He saw a nurse prick her heel in the hospital and got teary eyed. This time he was prepared... he crouched down put his hands over his ears and closed his eyes. But with a second nurse having to come in his voice cracked and he asked me, "Why are they doing it over? It hurts her."

We left the doctor and went to Joann's for a little bit to pick out fabric for Kensley's blessing dress. Only about an hour and a half after leaving the doctor I received a phone call saying she DOES have jaundice. Kensley's bili count was a 20.4 and doctors don't like it going above 14. So she was well OVER. Within an hour after the phone call a Respiratory Therapist was at OUR house with both "the tanning bed" and the bili blanket. The RT was getting everything set up and said she would say Kensley would be on the lights for 3 days 24 hours a day. I couldn't believe it. As soon as the RT put her in the "light bed" she began throwing her arm up in the air, scared to be in such an open space. I asked if I could put socks on her hands so she wouldn't scratch or a little blanket to calm her. The RT said, "No she needs all the light, nothing on her." I felt so helpless to see her scared, grabbing, and crying for help and I couldn't do anything. Kensley would start to shiver and try to curl up to get warm. We finally hung a blanket over the front and her temperature went up. (We had to keep checking her temp., documenting any diaper changes, feeding, etc.)

A nurse came back last night after Kensley had been on the lights for 5 hours to take more blood to get the bili count. After leaving the house she called me about 20 minutes later saying the bili was down to 18. GREAT NEWS. I had Andrew and a friend give her a blessing that night.

IT was a LONG night of taking her in and out of the bed to nurse and change her, while still keeping the bili blanket on (she couldn't be off the lights). Andrew, my mom, and I all took shifts sleeping on the couch by Kensley (me more to feed her). The following morning a nurse came here again to check her out and take more blood. The blood clotted on the way to the hospital, so a nurse had to come back out to take more. FINALLY we got the new bili count (13.5). Kensley was doing so good. The doctor gave permission to take her all the way off the lights. WOOHOO!!! She will go in to see the doctor on Saturday morning to make sure things are still looking good.

I am SO grateful for the priesthood blessing she was given and the gift of healing which I believe shortened the time she had to be on the lights. The doctors thought she would be on them longer, possibly 3 days. She's a fighter!

Curled up and feeling vulnerable.

Warmed up and stretched out.Wrapped in a blanket Grandma made and out of the light bed I am one happy girl. Now to get rid of the bili blanket."Why are they doing this to me again?"Three times yesterday and two times today Kensley's poor heels were pricked to draw blood. 11 little viles total were taken. :(

Kensley started sucking her thumb when the nurse was taking blood from her heel this morning. It looked so cute.

First bath

Starting to get stripped down for the first bath.

And a.... little... UPSET! :)
NOT enjoying it at all.
I should have had her more wrapped up. I think she was a little nervous.

Finally over!

Big Brother Benson

There has only been once or twice Benson didn't seem to thrilled about baby Kensley. But other than that he is very excited and LOVES to hold her... that is if Tanner hasn't claimed her already.

SHE IS HERE!!!!

Kensley Nicole Bleak

arrived Saturday, August 14, 2010

at 11:14 am

weight: 6 lb. even

height: 19 in.

Just like our boys she came early. At 36 weeks she joined our family, 4 weeks before her due date. Luckily she is strong and healthy. The doctors think she looks great and aren't worried about a thing.

The story:

On Wednesday night I started having contractions 1-2 minutes long and 4-5 minutes apart. After they lasted for an hour I couldn't take it any more and got up to take a shower. I felt a lot better but I could still feel pressure. I was nervous to lay back down for fear of the contractions to come back, but being tired got the best of me. I laid back down and they started right up but were further apart. I finally went to sleep.

Thursday was my scheduled doctor appointment so I went in the was checked for the first time. I was dilated to a 4, 80% effaced and a +1 (meaning she had already started to drop). I knew I would be having the baby within the next few days. I called my mom and said to pack a bag. Since I didn't get much sleep Wednesday night I prayed I'd get some on Thursday. My prayers were answered and I slept ALL night. It even felt like I wasn't even pregnant. (I was that comfortable.) I couldn't believe it, then thought, "well maybe the baby isn't coming?!" I told my mom in the morning how I slept and her reply was, "It's just the calm

before the storm."

Sure enough Friday night the contractions started back up at 2 AM and where harder but not consistent. From 4:30-5:30 I slept pretty good. Then they started back up harder but still very random. I thought if I could just make it a few hours more our friends wouldn't have to come over to watch the boys. At 7 AM I got up to shower and told Andrew to get ready "Just in case". The boys woke up right after and we all got ready. I was feeling good then a hard one would hit. I called a friend to ask what I should do. She said call the doctor first. I debated back and forth on whether or not I was just being a wuss. I thought I just need a sign on if we should go or not. Seconds later the HARDEST contraction hit. There was my sign!!! Andrew took the boys over to our friends so Mitch could watch the kids (Allie was selling at the Farmer's Market). Andrew was taking so long so I started honking. He runs to get in the car for us to drive off then asked if I wanted a blessing. "YES... BUT LET'S GET GOING", so we backed up to Ever's they gave me a quick blessing and we were finally on the road. And of course I felt GREAT all the way to the hospital. Then at the hospital they have made a new maternity wing and there are NO signs anywhere. We go to three floors before we think we know where we are going by following people. (8:15 am) We finally find some nurses and ask, "Where do you go if you THINK you are going to have a baby?" They laugh, ask me a few questions, and send me to a room. I get in a gown and the nurse checks me and laughs. I ask whats funny. She says, "Well it's not really funny, but you are at a 7/8" "WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!"

I soon have nurses running in and out of the room to get the room ready. Within 20 minutes of us arriving I am getting an IV and epidural. They didn't want to break my water, so it was about 10:30 before I was at a 10 and 100% effaced. The doctor got there and decided to break my water. I started pushing right after. (10:50 am) Because I had been feeling so good (as good as you can I guess) they put my epidural on low and said I could have it turned up if I needed to. Well it wasn't until I felt her head coming out that I realized I should have had it TURNED UP! I felt everything! Kind of cool experience....after the fact. :) At 11:14 (BABY GIRL) entered our lives!

Dr. Kirsch and Kensley
(Did such a GREAT job. I'm so glad he was my doctor.)
He was my doctor for Benson as well.



Happy DADDY with his little PRINCESS!
I had to wait in the delivery room because there were so many new mommy's that needed to be discharged. Andrew went to get my mom from the airport and pick up the BIG brothers. So I sat there.... WAITING! :)

The IN HEAVEN brothers. They love her to death. We would have to ask TANNER if anyone else could hold her.

Grandma Peterson with Kensley

Tiny toes

It took us over 24 hours to decide her name. I can't count how many times we were asked by everyone. When I finally told the nurses they came in with the "name" card minutes later.

Getting ready to go home!

Strapped in and ready to go home!

Tanner can't get enough of her!

Arrival home!

Tanner is ALWAYS holding Kensley. He is actually the one that made the FINAL decision on the name. And knew she was a girl before I was even pregnant and then when I was pregnant. So it must be a sign sent from heaven.

Benson has held her a lot to, but we have videos of him holding her not any pictures. :(

BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE

for all their help, prayers, dinners, treats, and company!

Trying to stay cool

It has been so HOT here in Omaha lately that I don't even like to go outside (The heat index this week has been between 110*-120*) RIDICULOUS!!!. Last night Andrew was out watering our dying flowers and grass when the boys jumped in to stay cool. I even went through the sprinklers a couple times. Not enough to soak me, just to get a little wet. And it felt SO good. Benson is usually shivering... not this time!