Intorducing...Rylee Victoria Callison

This little girl just couldn’t wait to join our family – coming no less than 17 months after her big sister, Brooke.  And when it finally was her time to come – she didn’t wait!    Labor was less than 3 hours from the time I first felt a contraction to when she was born.  And once we got to the hospital, things moved very quickly and she was born within an hour and half – and it would have been within an hour if I didn’t I hold out 30 minutes waiting for the meds!  Who knew you could get epidural at being dilated a full 10? Not that I recommend it…and not that it was by any means worth it.  But still, she was ready to come and there was no stopping her!!


Meet Ms. Rylee
Every single part of her was perfect…but so incredible…SMALL!!!  There’s no WAY my other children were ever that small!  All of us, sisters, nurses, doctors, were estimating how much she weighed.  For sure no more than 7 lbs!!  Anthony was the only one who ventured higher with 8 lbs.  Turns our, her tiny little head fooled us all.  She was a whopping 8 lbs, 4 oz!



And 21 1/2 inches long, almost reaching to 22 inches! She might be tall, but still as skinny as can be. 
And with dark hair, she was such a pretty little thing. Brooke's twin, except with dark hair and not nearly as much “rolls”.

But one thing is definitely true – babies that don’t get an epidural are WIDE AWAKE!  Rylee was definitely NOT sleepy and was screaming as loud as can be!  And it lasted for at least an hour until she got to eat.  Then she was perfectly content.  Knickerbocker women…they know what they want!

 

BEFORE

AFTER

 

Nearer to God
For me, I’ve never been able to separate the spiritual side of having a baby.  There’s just something about holding a fresh little bundle, straight from heaven, that brings the Holy Spirit with it. 
It’s a feeling of peace, of joy – a feeling of complete contempt.  for me, I’ve never felt closer to god than holding one of His children.

And holding Ms. Rylee in my arms just never felt more right.  All the fear and anxiety about having to care for another human left.  Instead, peace and joy abound.  She was ours…meant for our family right at that moment in time…not a day, week, month or year later.  And knowing that made all the difference.  I’ve never felt happier!

Sibling Love

Tanner and Brooke couldn’t wait to meet their new little sister.  Tanner, cause he knew a new Lego book was in store, his newest gift from his sister than he happened to see beforehand. 



Tanner – “Oh my, she’s SO BEAUTIFUL!  She’s a little princess!!  Just look at her.”  And he just kept going with these perfectly penned little love messages to her. 


Brooke, well, she didn’t have a clue what was about to happen – but when they she met Rylee for the first time, it was love at first sight.

Brooke – Lots of Oooohhhhs and aahhhs, followed by giggles.  She ran up to her, perched herself next to me, and just laughed as she pointed and loved on her new sister. 

She was SO happy!!!

Both Tanner and Brooke got awesome bracelets, naming their new roles!



Birth Story
We barely made it to the hospital in time!  After I felt the first initial, breath-taking contraction, I was the only one home, Anthony had taken the kids to Tanner’s last soccer game.  I figured I had time – so I took a shower, packing a few more items, and getting the kids settled to bed.  And making arrangements for someone to watch them at our house.  Thanks – Uncle Lance!!!

About an hour later we were on our way to the hospital.  In my mind, my only fear was that they’d just send me back home.  Not the case.  I was already to a 5 – and then shortly after my bag of waters broke – and after than – I don’t remember much at all except for PAIN!  Constant PAIN!  Normal contractions give you breathers in between – and for a slight second – you feel absolutely fine – but I don’t remember getting much of a break as things quickly spiraled out of control.  

I immediately began asking for an epidural.   The nurse re-assured me that as soon as the initial IV and liquids was in – that would be in the works.  But 20 minutes later, she checked me again, and then said something you don’t ever want to hear, “This baby will be coming soon.  I can’t promise you you’re going to be getting an epidural!” 

Well – nearly 30 minutes at being dilated to a full 10 – I was still holding out for that epidural.   I’m still not sure that was the wisest decision – considering how every single muscle in my body was telling me to push that baby out.  And if I would have known she’d come out in less than one push, I could have had a baby in my arms rather than enduring more contractions.  But foresight is an amazing gift.  In my mind, I could only think about how the pain was only going to get worse, which was totally unfathomable.

People who choose natural childbirth are prepared.  They have strategies for helping coax with the pain – midwives and doulus coaching them, lie in hot tubs, and massaging their body.  I, on the other hand, had Anthony.  He was right next to me and was a very nice “distraction” although both my sisters thought it was only a matter of time before he got a dose of my wrath :)

The anesthesia's finally came, offering a spinal block and some other type of epidural that was quicker/shorter lived.  Whatever is was, it worked!

And for once, I could relax and enjoy the special delivery headed our way!

Within a few minutes of the anesthesiologist leaving, this little girl was born. She was right there, ready to come!!!  In fact, I thought Chelsea was going to have to catch her as she was already on her way out. 

The doctor quickly got scrubbed in, alongside Anthony.  And Dr. Ridgeway graciously let Anthony be a part of the action. One contraction later and less than one halfway push – she was here!!!
Caught in daddy’s arms!  He’s never looked more proud!!!

And here he thought he was going to have a quiet evening of relaxing and waiting for baby to be born. But after arriving to the hospital, baby was born within an hour and half – so there was none of that. And if it weren’t for Anthony, not sure what I would have survived. He was such a lifesaver!

Pretty sure Rylee felt the same way, all cuddled in Daddy’s arms :)

Holding onto Daddy’s finger after her eye drops…

 

So glad Dr. Ridgeway let him be a part of the action!

First bath
I loved how at this hospital, the baby stays with you the entire time, rather than being whisked away for an hour shortly after delivery.  Everything happened in the room with us…so this was the first baby bath I got to witness!

Not that she was a huge fan…she screamed most of the time!

 

 She has quite the set of lungs…in case you were wondering.

Visitors
There were lots of people who just couldn’t wait to meet this sweet little baby.   We had tons of visitors – Aunt Katelynn being the first to hold Miss Rylee – shortly after she was born and on her lunch break the next day.  She couldn’t wait to get her baby fix!

And Aunt Chelsea got to meet her as soon as she was born, and then again when she brought Quincy and Avery up to visit the next afternoon.  Now if they can only wait a few months later their baby brother to arrive. 

Later – my parents and grandparents came to visit.  With all the excitement new babies bring, I’m shocked my mom didn’t come any sooner.  But she was thrilled to see her.

And hold on…there’s more.  Keith and Kristan came all fancied up to see her after their family pics.  And if only I would have taken more pictures of all these sweet moments!!!

Going Home

After all that excitement, Rylee got a little worked up.  She started breathing faster and her heart rate was on the climb…so they started supplementing her with formula to ensure she wasn’t getting dehydrated and monitored her in the nursery to keep an eye on things.  The nurses/doctors were worried that since she came out so fast, she didn’t get a chance to absorb the liquids from the IV or clean out her lungs or get the group B antibiotic like she needed.  But it was all just to be extra precautious cause when morning came, the new nurse let her return to us and the doctor pronounced her healthy enough to go home.  Yeah!!

 Our precious angel, here at last!

Brookey-Rookey (16 months)

You know how I said how Brooke was so sweet…well…I take it all BACK!  Don’t ask me what happened, but this past month – she’s been a bold batch of SWEET N SASSY!

One second, she’s as happy as can be.

Then, in the blink of an eye, a look of complete and total despair wipes across her face:

There’s lots of causes, but mostly cause she can’t do something herself.  And it frustrates her!!!

But she knows how to turn up the drama as she puckers those lil lips and turns ON the wine!

But she has all sorts of tricks.  Like I say her name, and she takes off running.  She’s faster than this 8 month preggo mom, and she knows it! 

Her sweet “cuddles” have evolved into using my belly as a jumping bag.  If this baby doesn’t come early, it will be nothing short of a miracle.

She’ll let out the loudest, saddest cry, the kind where you think you’ll have to rush her to the hospital cause she just about killed herself.  Only to find out she’s upset cause she can’t get on her own shoes by herself. 

She has a slight shoe fetish, that only seems to be growing stronger over time.  And she LOVES Tanner’s boots, cause she can get those on all.by.herself.

And heaven forbid I leave her alone to go to the bathroom.  On one occasion, she found the mascara in my drawer, unscrewed it, and then pretended to “beautify herself.”

But she had one thing right.  Her eyelashes don’t need it.  They’re the longest, thickest, prettiest ones I’ve ever seen. 

And one week, the word “MINE!” was replaced by the word “Please.”  Except in the car.  While driving, she’ll use the nicest, sweetest voice, and then insists, “Up, please!”  Any other time, of course I’d say yes to that! 

Trying to tell her “NO!” is a joke.   Brooke, stop climbing up the kitchen stool onto the counter, you’re going to hurt yourself.  She doesn’t even bat an eye or pause to acknowledge your concern or turnaround to give us the look of defiance.  Instead – she just keeps on going – only faster!

But she’s still as sweet as can be, but only when she wants.

When Scarlett is around, the two can be so silly. 

Brooke was doing a ‘fake’ laugh on the way home from the store, and I’ve never heard Scarlett giggle so much!  There’s no sweeter sound, just hear for yourself!

Giggles in the car

OBESSIONS

Brooke has two new obsessions.

PURSES!  She LOVES to carry her purse around.  Anything with a handle, she’ll tote around all day long.  She tries to carry my purse, or the diaper bag, but I’m pretty sure they weigh as much as her.  When Tanner gets his backpack for school, she’s not content until she has her purse.  And somedays, it follows us everywhere! Even outside playing, strapped into her swing, she was holding onto her purse!

And going to Tanner’s soccer practice, she had to carry share all.by.herself.  There was no “helping” allowed.

The other obsession – my car!!! We finally got real and figured with three kids, it was time to inevitable – time to get a new minivan.  And these kids would have thought it was just for them!!  Brooke LOVES the new car – and would easily sit and play for hours if I let her.  Instead of letting me get her out of her car seat, she’d make a mad dash for the back row, landing herself in the extra booster seat.  And one day, instead of fighting her, I caved in.  I moved her car seat in the back row next to Tanners – and she couldn’t be happier.  I love that she can climb in and out herself, and she can have a stash of fun toys/gadgets within an arms reach, and if she needs help, Tanner is right there.  And most days, those two are back there singing silly songs and giggling together.

Tanner shares the same obsession, but in different ways.  He insists on always being the one to push the button to open/close the doors, wants to the “movie” every time the backup camera comes on, and loves that he can talk to dad on the phone over the car speakers.  He also loves there’s a light, a/c controls, and other buttons right above his head.  Now if there was only a way to NEVER let them turn on the light, I’d be ecstatic too.

She still loves music, shaking it whenever she can.  She LOVES to listening to songs, especially those with hand motions.  I usually can distract her when she’s mad by simply starting to sing, “If you’re happy and you know it” and pretty soon she’s busting out all her moves and hand motions.  It’s adorable when she smiles, points to her lips when the words, “then your face will surely show it!”

She’s also learned a few new “dance” moves - pivoting on one foot, twirling in circles, and walking backwards.  It’s so entertaining to watch!!

SMART COOKIE

And she also thinks she’s a big girl.  I’m always SHOCKED by the things she has learned to do:

Like counting to 3.  I’ll start by saying one – and she’ll follow by saying, TWO, and then THREE with the biggest smile.  At the pool, we’d count to 3 to have her jump into the water – and she didn’t forget – and surprised us one day when she started doing it completely on her own.  And sometimes, she’ll keep going to FIVE.  Seriously, what 16 month old knows how to count, let alone even by able to correctly say each numbers name?  This makes her borderline genius, right?  At least in the accounting world! 

Or swinging herself in a big girl swing.  Now she wants to sit in a big kid swing.  she holds on tight, leans back, and begins to pump her legs to SWING by herself.  And she’s totally enthralled for 10-15 minutes swinging all by herself.  But we still have to be careful.  She’ll see someone, and let go so she can wave hello and say hi.  Luckily, no disasters yet. 

But despite her new found defiance, some other little miracle has come about in our home. 

Tanner and Brooke LOVE playing together.  Anything, anywhere. 

And yes, even Tanner’s coveted LEGOS!  Tanner will share his Legos with Brooke, and she’s never been more ecstatic. 

And occasionally, it use to be anytime there was an outburst or loud cry heard, it would quickly spiral out of control until both were screaming and crying at the top of the lungs.

Then one day, something magical happened. One began to scream, and the other begins to hug the other.  They’re both smiling, giving more hugs, and soon, they’re rolling on the floor, laughing and squealing with delight. 

Now anytime one gets their feelings hurt or upset, the other insists on a hug.  And then, things are magically okay in the universe and they move to playing just as they were. 

Tanner has been so patient and kind to her.  Maybe it’s because he’s in school—and misses her during the day – or maybe she’s finally grown up and he enjoys playing alongside her now – but either way, it’s been wonderful. 

This small little tender mercy from the Lord always makes be smile.  I' LOVE both my kids, and LOVE that they love each other.  I hope this “phase” lasts forever rather than “quickly passes by”!