She's Here

Jill will be on soon to tell the story, but Cailyn Scout Akens was born yesterday evening at 5:10 PM.  She is 6 lbs. 13 oz. and was 20 inches long.  Everyone is doing well, and we'll have some pictures on here as soon as possible.

  Kris and I got to see Scout one more time today before she makes her grand entrance into the world. Today we had a sonogram to see how big she is going to be. That is her profile above and she is making a fist at us. She still moves a lot and likes to change positions. She is still head down though so thats good. According to the sonogram she weighs 7 pounds and 3 ounces right now. I am 3cm dilated and 75% effaced. We are really hoping that I go into labor on my own, otherwise I will be induced on Tuesday the 20th. I know that is less then a week away but Kris and I are so anxious and ready for her to be here that a week seems so far away to us. Our families are ready for her to be here too! I think since my body had made so much progress on it's own we had let ourselves think that she would be here already. Silly us. My Dad said "Jill, you have never been on time for a thing in your life, why in the world would you think she would be early?"  Thanks Dad :)  I am just ready to see her and to not be pregnant anymore. I have been really sore the last few days. In the mornings I feel like I have already had a baby because my pelvic muscles are so sore and laying for long periods of time makes me feel worse.  I have been in the Dr.'s office everyday this week for exams or blood pressure checks. My blood pressure has been normal this week but they are keeping an eye on it since I still had trace amounts of protein in my urine. I go back on Friday to check my blood pressure one last time before Tuesday.  So...unless i go into labor by Monday...Tuesday it is!  I hope it gets here fast! My parents will be here Monday night and I am excited to see them. I haven't seen my family in 4 months...so I am looking forward to my parents  spending a little time here after she is born.
   Everyone keeps asking me if we have figured out a first name yet. We have some options but we are still planning on waiting until we see her. Since Kris and I will get to spend a few moments with her alone right after she is born...we will use that time to count fingers and toes and try to settle on a first name. I have put a lot of pressure on the first name because since her middle name is so different, I want her first name to be unique, but feminine too. We both like Cailyn, Adeline, Riley, and Abby Scout. Kris really likes Canady. Originally I have always liked the name Canon for a girl, but it sounds so much like Kamden, Cameron , and Canaan. Since we already have Kamden, Cameron, and Canaan, and also Randy and Andy...I figured another sound alike name might be too much :) So anyway...we will hopefully see her and something will just fit! One cool thing that I just found out last week was that this year marks the 50th anniversary year for "To Kill a Mockingbird". I didn't know that until my Dr. told us last week. Thats a pretty neat coincidence I think.
 So...we are still just waiting. Even though we want her to be here today...she will for sure be here by Tuesday! We will just have to be patient I guess!  I will keep everyone posted on any changes. Thanks!! :)

Tick Tock Tick Tock...

     We are still waiting anxiously for the arrival of our baby girl! Yesterday at my Doctors appointment my blood pressure was really high...then when I laid down it went back down to normal...but as soon as I set back up it shot up again. I also had some protein in my urine so Dr. Stevenson thinks I have preeclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition in which hypertension arises in pregnancy  in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine. I have to go back to the Doctor tomorrow to re-check and hopefully figure out if it is mild or severe. If it is mild then it will just be treated with bed rest but if it is severe then we will schedule an induction. I have to admit...I am not good at the bed rest thing. When I happen to have the day off I am usually cleaning the house, doing laundry, and running errands. I am not one to lay around watching TV so this will be a challenge. I do have some work to do on the computer and a book I need to finish reading so that should take up some time at least. We are both just so ready for her to get here! The bags are packed..her room is ready (other than a few minor details)..and the car seat has been installed. We just need her to get here!  I know all the waiting, the aching back, the cramping, and always being uncomfortable will be totally worth it once I finally get to see her sweet face! Until then...I may go a little crazy waiting... :)
     I have been a little sad lately because it has hit me that other than my parents...none of my family and friends from Tennessee will be here to see her after she is born. I am very excited for my parents to be here, I just wish everyone could come. If the date of her birth were not so "unknown" then it would be easier for my sisters to come, but since we really don't know that makes it hard for anyone to make plans. I just never thought I would have a baby for the first time and not get to see my sisters, family, friends,  or Grandparents shortly after. It makes me sad...but I know I will see them soon enough. There are just certain things about being so far away that are really hard sometimes...this special occasion happens to be one of them. The good news is we are going to take her to Tennessee a few weeks after she is born and then my sisters are planning a trip to Texas in September. So I am excited about that! I haven't been to TN in almost 4 months so I am getting really anxious to get back there!
     We had a good 4th of July. We went to Uncle Lewis and Aunt Kelly's house and grilled out on Sunday. Stuart, Melissa, and baby Amelia came over too and we had a really nice time. Knox has been acting different lately...he does not let me leave his line of vision when I am at home. It's almost like he knows something is about to happen or change or something. If I get up, he gets up. If I go to the bedroom...he gets where he can see me at all times. It's really sweet and creepy all at the same time! I think he will be very interested in her when she gets here. I think they will be great friends though when he gets used to her. He will like having someone who is willing to chase him around all day once she gets older :) . I also want to say thank you to my husband. Kris has been wonderful to help keep me mellow when I get a little overwhelmed. I know I probably drive him crazy sometimes but he at least tries to make me think I am not insane and I really appreciate that. So thank you Kris...I love you and I can't wait to meet our daughter! I will update more on my progress later. Have a great day!

My last belly pic...

I finally found a shelf for the crosses that Aunt Mandi and Aunt Kelly found

Uncle Lewis and Aunt Kelly went to the World Cup in South Africa and brought back this cute little onesie for Scout.

Aunt Mandi made Scout her "First Year" scrap book. I also included pictures of some of my favorite pages. Can't wait to fill it up!

       Kris and Kamdens trip to Abilene to visit family.

The Rodeo in Mesquite a couple of weeks ago..

Amelia talking to Scout...

July 4th..

Almost there...

So I went to the Doctor on Tuesday and I am making progress! I am 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. When Dr. Stevenson was examining me she could actually feel the top of the Scout's head because she has moved down so much! I go back to the Doctor Tuesday and I am hoping I will have made even more progress. I am so ready! I have not had a good nights sleep in almost a week because I can not get comfortable and I go to the bathroom about every 1-2 hours throughout the night. I know that I will not get much sleep when the baby comes either but at least then it will be because of a sweet baby and not because my back hurts, or I can't get comfortable.The last three nights I have literally been up ALL night! I re-arrange pillows..I try different positions....I just can't get comfortable. Usually by 5 am or so I am so exhausted I finally fall asleep until about 9 and then I have to get up because I am sore. It has not been this hard until the last week or so and I think it is just because she has lowered so much and my body is getting ready to go into to labor. Of course it could still be another 2 weeks or so...but it will not hurt my feelings if it's sooner! :) Kris is ready too...we are both excited to meet our baby girl! (He is just getting much better sleep in the process than I am :)   )  It won't be too long regardless! We are still not set on a first name so for now it is just Scout. We are going to wait to see her face. Hopefully it will come to us! :)  I hope everyone has a good and safe  4th of July!!!


Our Little Girl


Before you were even thought of
God already had a plan
He would send us a little girl
To raise by his command

Even though we didn't know it
your name was picked out too
So God could have his angels
To guard and protect you

Then he sent you down to us
Much to our surprise
Then we knew we had been blessed
And a feeling grew inside

We weren't sure what to call you
So then we prayed to God
We hoped he would reveal to us
The name he had thought of

He sent word by his angels
From heaven up above
The name that he had given you
was...something Scout

to be continued....

Counting Down the Days...

Well I am almost down to the last three weeks...and I am so ready to get this baby out! I don't want to use the  word miserable because I know it could always be worse..but I am not comfortable at all!!! I can definitely tell she has moved down a lot because I can breath  a lot better and my belly looks lower to me. I feel very blessed because I have had a really easy pregnancy for the most part...but I am at the point now where I am just over it. It's no longer cute :)  I wake up about every hour at night to either re-position or go to the bathroom. Clothes are uncomfortable, especially to sleep in... so I pretty much just wear a t-shirt at night. The last couple of days I have started to have some dull lower back pain. It isn't sharp pain ...it's bearable just annoying. Anyway....WAH WAH WAH!  :)   Most of all I am ready to see her face and hold her for the first time! That thought makes all this worth it!!!
Tomorrow I go back to the doctor and I will find out if I have made any progress at all. I am really hoping all the signs mean that she will be here before the 23rd....I know that's wishful thinking, but I am ready and I have always had a feeling she might come a little early. (Again...wishful thinking) I will update tomorrow about what the doctor says.
Update on Grandfather: My Papaw, got a hopeful report at his doctors appointment on Wednesday. According to the exams they did the Doctor at Vanderbilt thinks the cancer is only in his skin and not his lymph nodes. His biopsy tested positive for anal plastic basal cell lymphoma which I believe is a form of non hodgkins lymphoma. His lymph nodes looked normal though so the doctor thinks it has not spread anywhere so it should be easily treated. They sent off more lab work and he will get the results back in two weeks. So as of right now things are looking up. We are all hoping and praying it stays that way.
Well thats all for now...hope everyone is having a good Monday so far!

 Thanks to Mandi, Kelly, April, Jennifer and Emily for our car seat and stroller!

Kris got the pack-n-play put together...

Now all we need is a baby :)

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all you Dads out there! Today was a good day. This morning we went to church, lunch, and then Kris, Kamden and I went to see Toy Story 3. It was very good! Things have been quite busy around here lately...as usual...so I am going to try and re-cap the last couple of weeks.
A couple weeks ago Kris and I finally went and took a tour of Labor and Delivery at Baylor Dallas. It was actually very informative and gave us a good idea of what to expect when the big day comes. Also we were not sure were to go as far as parking and what not so now we will not be lost in the event I go into to labor unexpectedly. Baylor Dallas was named the best hospital in DFW to have a baby and we were pretty impressed with the tour. It didn't start off so well because our tour guide got her wires crossed and forgot about us so we had to wait for about an hour before she could take us around...luckily it all worked out and the tour was great! It is a very nice hospital and their labor and delivery wing is brand new so everything is top of the line. It amazes me how things have changed so much in just the last five years even. If everything goes as planned with the birth and Scout is a healthy baby girl, she never has to leave my side from the time she is born until we leave the hospital. They call it "kangaroo care" or something like that.  She will be examined in front of me, her first visit from the pediatrician will happen in our room, and Kris will give her her first bath in our room also. If you want to send the baby to the nursery you can, but if I want her to be with me the whole time that is what they encourage. Also after she is born Kris and I get to spend the first hour of her life with just us three. This is when I will try to feed her for the first time and we will get to sit and look at her until they send us up to our actual room where we will stay. You can have other people in the delivery room if you want, but we decided that we just wanted it to be us because it is such a special moment they we can share together.  I am thankful that they give us some alone time right after she is born because everything gets pretty chaotic after that. There will be so much going on that the few minutes we will get with her right after she is born will be minutes we will cherish forever. I think it will be precious and it gives me chills just thinking about it right  now :) Mainly because the reality is starting to sink in that in a few weeks will will be welcoming a baby into the world! Crazy!   Anyway, after we are sent up to our room we will then have visitors. Both of our families are really excited so I am sure they will be waiting with open arms (literally) to see her.  Several hours after she is born Kris will get to give her first bath. That is their "special" time and I only get to watch. I think it is really neat that he gets to do that. As of my last Dr.appointment I am doing really good. My weight has sort of plateaued... for now at least. Either that or I am loosing so much water weight from the constant Texas heat!  My parents are going to come for the birth and are planning on staying for several days. I am looking forward to them being here. I wish my whole family could be here and it makes me sad that they won't be. That will be really hard for me. Luckily the plan is to take her to Tennessee a few weeks after she is born so everyone can see her. I have not been home in a while and the home sickness has really started to sink in. I miss my family and friends a lot! I got pretty choked up in church this morning because I started imagining them having Sunday lunch together for Fathers Day. If only Texas were in Tennessee :)
  Last Sunday I had a wonderful baby shower hosted by Mandi, Kelly, Emily, April, and Jennifer. Jennifer could not be there because she is busy being a new mommy to sweet little Vince! I have been very blessed to be surrounded by amazing people since I moved to Texas. Kris's family and friends have welcomed me here with open arms and I can not say thanks enough for how good they have been to me. It definitely has made the transition easier!  Mandi has made Scout the most precious first year scrap book ever! She is so creative and I can't wait to put pictures in it! Everyone has been so good to me and I truely am blessed!
  The nursery is pretty much complete other than I need a few things to put on the walls. Uncle Lewis took some precious maternity pictures of us last weekend! I will get some of them printed off to put in the nursery. Other than that we  just need a baby now :) Everyday I get more anxious for her arrival. I have been feeling pretty good all things considered. Bending over is a challenge so that makes work more difficult. I get tired more often. Typically on days that I work I come home and immediately have to lay down for at least an hour. Between the heat, the drive, and working for several  hours I am pretty much beat when I get home. This past Saturday  I managed to wash both cars and clean the house while Kris slaved outside in the sun planting flowers and doing yard work...we both payed for it this morning. I am sore and so is he! :) Oh well...we got a lot done at least. April and Ryan came over last night and we grilled out and played fast UNO ....I killed everyone! I never get that lucky..sorry guys! It was fun though!
Well...that is the update for now. I will post some new pictures below. Please keep my Grandfather and Aunt in your prayers. My Aunt Sherry just recently had back surgery and is still in a lot of discomfort so please pray she recovers soon and feels better. Also, my Grandfather will find out more about his cancer on Wednesday. He is pretty nervous so just pray it all goes well and that he gets as good of a report as possible. He seems to be feeling good so that's a positive sign at least. He is a very special man so keep him in your thoughts and prayers please.
I am off to bed now....goodnight all!

                            

Summer is here...

and it is HOT!!!   The last couple weeks have been fun and uncomfortable. We had a great Memorial Day weekend last week. We have also been spending a lot of time at the pool. Since I get so out of breath now swimming is about my only means of exercise these days. (that and cleaning the house). I hate sitting still for too long but having to catch my breath all the time makes things a little more difficult. The pool has been wonderful! Sometimes I swim laps at the pool in our subdivision and sometimes we go to the pool at Lifetime Fitness. I have definitely enjoyed being outside especially since I spend the majority of my week in windowless operating rooms. 

   I went to the doctor last Tuesday and everything is going well. I haven't had too much swelling yet which is good, but she is definitely growing and seems to enjoy curling up under my ribs at night. We are getting really anxious for her to get here. I am almost down to the last 6 weeks and I hope it goes by fast. I just can't wait to see her face and her active little body. On June 3rd Jen and Keith welcomed their little miracle into the world. Vincent James Duncan arrived Thursday night. He is so precious! We just got home from visiting them in the hospital. He has dark hair and round little checks. Holding him makes me even more anxious! 

   Other than spending time at the pool and welcoming new babies into the world things have been fairly quiet. Kris has been traveling some and I have just been working and waiting. :) We did get a new vehicle last week that we are loving so far. We got a 2010 Chevy Traverse and the extra room has been nice! Also it was made in Tennessee which makes it even better ;).We still have our car but with two kids and a dog, it was time for an SUV.  I do miss my family a lot! I miss my little nephews...they are growing so fast and I feel like I miss everything. I will be happy to get to Tennessee again...only next time I will be bringing a baby with me :) I can't wait! :)  
My Grandfather Barber (Mom's Dad) was diagnosed with a rare type of Lymphoma this past week. Analplastic Large Cell Lymphoma is the exact type. Their are sending him to a Specialist at Vanderbilt in the next couple weeks and he will undergo test to figure out where the cancer is in his body. Hopefully it has not spread to any major organs. He has a good attitude about everything and is still managing to play 18 holes of golf every other day so he is doing pretty good so far. He will definitely have to have 6 weeks of chemo, and he is pretty nervous about that. I think he will be fine...he is a very strong man and the best Grandfather anyone could ask for! I would like to ask for everyones prayers through this though. There will likely be some rough days in there and I just pray he hangs in there. My family is all pretty shaken up about it, but I have faith he will beat this! It will be a process though so please keep him and my family in your prayers!
  Kris and I are going to tour the Labor and Delivery floor at Baylor Dallas on Thursday so I will post about that then. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Summer so far and staying cool!!!! 

Memorial Day 2010

Baby Amelia - Stuart and Melissa's baby girl

Belly Pic in the nursery

Jen and Vince