Life with the Maxies: July 2014

Wow, a whole month has passed since we welcomed our sweet Kylee Jo into the world. Like her bother, she decided to come on HER time. Also like her brother, she came a month early. As many of you know, Kylee Jo spent her first week in the NICU at Forrest General hospital here in Hattiesburg. Despite having to go to the NICU, she was a fighter and made major improvements every day. Exactly one week later we were able to bring our baby girl home. I tell people it shouldn’t count towards how old she is when she isn’t here with us!

Our family has adjusted very well (much better than I had ever hoped for) to having a new baby. I spent many nights praying for Kolt to smoothly adjust to having his baby sister home and God heard my prayers. He is such a good big brother! Kylee Jo is a very easy baby so far. You just better have her bottle ready when it is time for her to eat!

Kylee Jo typically eats every 3 hours and will eat anywhere from 2-4 ounces. Usually she likes to eat, burp, and go back to sleep. When she isn’t eating or sleeping she loves to look around with her bright eyes (especially when Kolt is around!). She loves to try and hold her bottle on her own; I think to make sure we don’t take it from her!

I will be going back to work when school starts, which for me is August 1^st. This may seem fast to some but Kyle and I both feel that this will better for everyone in the long run. Since she came early she will be 6 weeks old when I start work. This summer has both helped us and spoiled us. We have been able to adjust to many changes during a more relaxed time. However, I know that once school starts we will all have to hit the ground running. Kyle and I will both be working and Kyle coaches Junior High football.

As much as I have enjoyed the time off this summer, I cannot wait for fall. This is my new favorite season since having Kolt. I cannot wait for all of our family activities such as visiting the pumpkin patch and attending football games. Kolt has loved attending “church school” twice a week for half a day. He has so much fun and is completely worn out once he gets home. His two new favorite activities are coloring and playing with his Leggos. It’s amazing how much he has grown intellectually over the past few weeks. I will definitely miss our morning cuddles in the recliner watching TV, once school starts.
I know I have shared this many times but words cannot express how amazing my husband has been to our babies and me the past couple of months. Towards the end of my pregnancy I was so miserable and Kyle would help with whatever he could. He also put up with my many many cravings that would hit at all times of the day (and night!). Once Kylee Jo arrived, he alternated taking care of Kolt and spending hours in the NICU. If there was a cord hooked up to Kylee Jo, Kyle knew exactly what it did and why she had it. He amazed me with his knowledge of the situation. I didn’t think it was possible but my love grew for him even more that week. I will never be able to thank him enough.

As the summer once again comes to an end, I know I have so much to be thankful for. Thank you to all of our prayer warriors during a time that was both scary and stressful for us. You will never know how much your prayers were felt and appreciated.