My First Baby Girl

Wasn't it just yesterday that my little Kaylee Renee was born?  New memories with our little Selah girl are a faint reminder of blissful days gone past!  Will it be tomorrow when Selah too will be standing on the edge of yesterday reaching for tomorrow with a family all her own?  Until then, I will ponder all the moments, the good and the bad, of all those the Lord has entrusted to me!  May I live up to this high calling of mother!

Kaylee, Casey and Selah

My big kiddos are always so gracious helping me or taking pictures themselves that often...somehow, they escape having their own pictures taken. So here you go.  In just a week, we'll be able to add Michael's first picture too!  We all can't wait, especially Selah!

Week of Firsts...

The first week...a week of firsts!  Here are some pictures of our little Selah's first week.  First bath, first visit from grandparents (my parents...we get to see Scott's family in just a little over a week), first car ride, first family basketball game, first giggles from siblings, first Sunday at church and so much more.  We had a wonderful week full of games, conversation, love and laughter as my parents came for their yearly visit!  Everyone worked hard to make sure I rested, even our loving church that brought us meals for the week.

However, yesterday was not the first time that I have been told by my midwives that my baby is growing very nice and plump, gaining over an ounce a day:)!  Selah is already 8 pounds 12 ounces which was no surprise to me.  I could already see her little cheeks filling up!

Selah also got her first little cold yesterday.  I was up all night with a stuffy nose baby sleeping on my chest.  Aside from being a little tired, to me that is Heaven on earth!  Get well soon my little one!

The Birth Story...

For those that wish to read on, here is the birth story  (Not too detailed but read at your own risk)...

This was the first pregnancy where I was not sure of the exact due date, just an estimate of August 5th.  For at least a month, I had my usual pre-labor contractions but no signs of labor.  By Friday August 10th, I decided that I might need a boost to start labor...the awful but always faithful castor oil.  I have taken this with probably at least half of my deliveries.  I spent most of Friday vacillating between courage and fear as I knew labor was approaching regardless.  Around 5:00pm, I decided to take at least a little to help labor progress.  Around 9:30pm, I had a few contractions that told me labor was just around the corner.  I headed to bed around 11:00pm and was able to sleep off and on for the next three hours.  Around 2:10am, I knew this would be the night that would change our family ... a boy or a girl?  After just a contraction or two, I called the midwives, telling them that they could come whenever they wanted.  She told me that they would be over in an hour.  By the time I got off the phone, the contractions were really picking up.  Around 2:30, I called her back and said...the sooner the better would be great.

They arrived sometime around 3am. At that point, I was breathing through the contractions and glad to see them come.  I really thought it might be a few more hours.  After about 35 minutes, my water broke.  About 6 more contractions and she was born at 4:06am, about an hour after their arrival.  It was the first time that I delivered on hands and knees and I think the gravity helped make it faster.  It was a very smooth, calm, fast delivery, much faster than any of us expected.  

As some of you may remember, I had a very difficult recovery with Benjamin.  So, we had already decided to take some extra precautions and act as if I was going to bleed a lot again.  This was the best decision we ever made!  I did start to bleed quite a bit despite the fact that we were being proactive.  About an hour after delivery, we debated on transporting to the hospital.  My bleeding had slowed considerably but was still at a trickle and would not stop.  Thankfully, my blood pressure and pulse stayed stable which is what went wrong with Ben.  It did slow way down and we decided to just watch me for the day and stay completely on bed rest for 24 hours.  I could tell right away that I was feeling much better than after I had Benjamin!  I have been feeling stronger and better everyday which has felt so encouraging!  I am to stay down for about a week and let things heal which is actually proving to be quite difficult.  Selah has been a trooper through it all.  She was a vigorous nurser from the start and is much happier now that my milk has arrived! Thank you all for your prayers for a healthy birth!  I could feel them!!!!

Selah Mercy

The first two days with Selah!  She is a beauty!  We are enjoying her!

Our New Daughter!

Dad talking here...Just wanted everyone to know that the Bryant family has welcomed our new baby daughter, Selah Mercy Bryant. Pronouncing it SAY-luh, but wanting to keep the biblical spelling and meaning. She was born at 4:06 am this morning. 20 inches long and 8 lbs and 5 oz. Kimberly is doing well, and of course I'm very blessed to have such a beautiful bride who demonstrates such strength and love as she endures to bring us our baby. Thank you so much for your continued prayers as she will be staying in bed for the next week or so.  More pictures to come! 

Summer Fun

Playing in the mud and summer church games...fun pictures full of life!

Puppies?

No baby yet but...we do have puppies!  We have 2 female Goldens due at about the same time as me.  So far, one of our dogs has had her puppies.  Bella, bottom picture, is due any day, as am I:)  I think she'll go first but we'll see.  We are enjoying the new life in our home and anticipating the ones to come!

Mesa's Birthday!

She's 3!!!!  Mesa Hope is now a big girl, with her very own kitchen set.  We had a great day celebrating her life and watching her grow up right before our very eyes.  Mesa loves to play with "Benny" as she calls him and is a great little mommy.  Already at 3 years old, she's full of fashion, obsessed with pig tails and has her own sense of humor.  She is a delight to us all and has lived up to her name...bringing us hope as we are reminded of God's faithfulness!  My beautiful Kaylee made her a special breakfast and birthday cake!  We love you Mesa Hope and look forward to many years of life ahead for you!!!!