Asher’s Birth Story

Our journey to this little guy was quite a rough one. I lost six babies between Grayson and Asher.

He is my rainbow and the light at the end of the tunnel that I thought I would never see. I so badly wanted Grayson to have a sibling, and Asher is the perfect little addition to complete our family. 

The last couple weeks of my pregnancy were hard. I think he was already trying to give me a run for my money. I was having migraines out of nowhere, which I have never dealt with. I was at the hospital getting tests done to make sure I wasn’t at risk for preeclampsia. Luckily, that wasn’t at risk. The week after that I started itching like crazy, so I was getting blood tests drawn again. Then the next week my OB was talking about induction. My baby was coming that week.

It was kind of nice to be able to prepare a little bit, especially already having a kid this time around. It helped me stop stressing a little bit about how things would go, because now I knew when he was coming. The night before I was going to be induced I had talked with L&D about my induction. I was scheduled for 8:00 A.M., but they said if it was a slow night they would possibly call me by 4:30 A.M. to come in at 5:30 A.M. I made sure to shower and wash my hair that night since I would be having a baby, and be in the hospital. I didn’t want to have to worry about my hair not being washed until I got home again. I got all my stuff ready to go and in the car so I didn’t have to worry about it in the morning, especially if they could possibly be calling me so early.

I surprisingly fell asleep pretty easily. I thought I would be up anticipating the next day. Grayson woke up sometime in the night and came in our bed. I went back to sleep after he came in, and then I woke up again right around 2:30. I started to roll over and I felt my water break. Of course I thought I had just peed a little. If you remember my last birth story it was pretty similar to that haha. My water broke with both of my babies in the middle of the night. So knowing it could be my water, but not entirely sure, I stayed in the bathroom for about thirty minutes trying to make sure. Just like last time, except it didn’t take me that long to figure it out this time!

I woke Shaun up and called my mom. She was taking Grayson while we were having baby boy. We got to the hospital just after 3:30. They already had my room ready for me since I was actually scheduled to be induced. The nurse said she was going to call me in early anyway, but baby beat her to it. He was a eager and couldn’t wait. They got us in the room, and the nurse came in to ask all the questions and check me. I was dilated to a four and my water had definitely broken.

She called my doctor after checking me to make sure it was okay to get everything going. She put my IV in to get the Pitocin started. Shortly after that I got my epidural. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as painless as it was with Grayson. Shift change was around 5:00. The nurse coming on checked me, and I believe I was at a four or five. She got us some drinks, ice chips and suckers. She let us rest for a little bit. My contractions started picking up and I was feeling more pressure with each one. The nurse came in to check me again. I was dilated to a seven. She checked my Pitocin and said the valve was actually turned off, so all the dilating and contractions I was doing all on my own. 

It got to be around 7:30, and I was starting to feel tons of pressure. The nurse called my doctor to let him know I was ready to start pushing, because I was dilated to a ten. She started having me push around 7:45, and shortly after I started she had me stop, because baby was crowning and my doctor wasn’t there yet. He was luckily just parking and about to come in. She let me start pushing again, and my doctor walked in a little after 8:00. He came in and said, “you were scheduled for 8:00. I didn’t know you wanted to be done by 8:00”. I pushed a few more times after my doctor got there,and Baby Asher was born at 8:17 A.M.

That first cry is such a heartwarming sound to hear. To know your baby is here and is okay is all you ever hope for while you’re pregnant. My baby was here, okay and absolutely perfect.

Asher Raun Barker

January 31st 8:17 A.M.

7 pounds 14 ounces 

21 inches long

Adventures of Homemade Baby Food

Grayson has had some big changes following his 6 month birthday!

  

He started sleeping in his own room. Sad day for momma. :(

 

He has also been able to start eating solids!

It is so fun watching him try new flavors.

I may have gotten a little excited with the baby food because I made

A TON! 

 

 

 

It took me all day to make all of it, but it is quite a bit cheaper to make it

rather than buy it. Plus you can freeze it, so it saves for a while.

 

 

I looked at the baby food at the store, because from what I read it

was quite the chore to make it (which it was) and I was not sure I was up

to the task.

 

BUT...

  

We have a baby bullet so I figured we should use it, and it is cheaper to make

the baby food myself. I always like cheaper!

Plus, I know exactly what is in the food my baby is getting, and I think

that is a big benefit of making it myself.

 

First...

 

I cut up the veggies and fruit and steamed them.

 

 

 

 

Then I stuck the steamed food in the baby bullet to purée it.

I actually just ended up using our blender. It worked a lot better.

I really like the little jars they have though.

They have a little dial on the lid so you can keep track of the day you

made the food. 

 


I used the ice cube trays to freeze the puréed food.
These are nice because you can just pop one out and thaw it when
you are ready. Another bonus is that they are an ounce serving
which is all those little babes need at first!

The food we are ready for now, I just put in these cute baby bullet

jars. We started with sweet potatoes, and he loves them! 

I also made:

Carrots

Yellow Squash

Butternut Squash

Pears

Apple Sauce

I bought some avocados too, but you do not have to

cook them or anything. :)

 Our pediatrician gave us a handout that recommended trying vegetables

first so he will not get the taste for sweet fruits and then not like veggies.

So far he has liked the sweet potatoes, and I am hoping he will like

the other things as well.

It was really pretty easy, it was just time consuming.

It was worth it though!

It is really fun to watch him try new things,

and I know exactly what he is getting.

 

 

 

Happy Friday and thanks for reading!

I hope you enjoy my blog. :)

Happy Friday!

 

The Side You Don't See

Warning:

This post is a little raw and honest.
 

I felt like I had everything to be happy about but I just was not.

I just had my baby, and I was supposed to be happy.

I knew postpartum depression was possible,

but I figured I just had a case of the baby blues.

 

I had never had a baby before, so I really was not sure what was

normal and what was not.
 

I cried everyday, alone.

I felt worthless. I felt like I had nothing to offer anyone.

I felt like my baby would be fine without me.

I knew it was normal to have crazy emotions right after having a baby.

I did not know some of what I was feeling, however, was not normal.

There was the normal "adjustment" period we went through.

All the hype of the new baby wore off of everyone,

and then it was just us trying to adjust to our new life.

I cried...

A lot.

Over nothing.
Over everything.

All the time.

 

I felt like a horrible mom for feeling sad.

I wanted to be happy and I wanted to be everything my baby needed me to be.

I told myself how lucky I was to be this baby's mom,

but then I would think he deserves better.

Why did he choose me?

 

 

I did not want to talk about it because I felt guilty for feeling like that.

I felt like I was supposed to be happy and people would

look down on me because I was not.

I was supposed to fall into this new role and perfect it.

I was supposed to be a good mom and wife.

I am having a hard time even writing about this, because I honestly have not

even talked about it.

 

I felt tired. Not the kind of sleepy tired.

The kind where you just want to lay in bed all day and do absolutely nothing.

 

 

I started to realize that was not normal.

I made myself get ready in the morning, because that was normal.

I made myself try to get out of the house, because that was normal.

I tried to do everything that was normal, but I still did not feel normal.

At my 6 week postpartum appointment.

I sat there talking to my doctor trying not to burst into tears the whole time.

Then she asked me how I was feeling emotion wise,

and I lost it.

 

 

I started bawling right there in the doctors office.

I felt so embarrassed for crying and feeling like I did.

She was very comforting, her whole demeanor changed and she explained

postpartum depression to me.  

She started me on an anti-depressant, which I hated.
I did not want to take medicine, but I wanted to get better before I got worse for my baby.
Luckily I never felt like hurting my baby.
I am thankful for never feeling like that.


The medicine took awhile to kick in, but it definitely helped!
I tried weaning off of it a couple months after, but I was not ready yet.
I still have a hard time with it sometimes, but it is getting better.
I just hope by sharing this (it is hard for me to share)
it will help someone get help or at least talk about it with someone.


I am truly so happy and feel so blessed that Grayson choose me to be
his momma. I cannot remember what life was like without him.

 

I love this little peanut more than he will ever know!

 



Sappy Late Night Blogging

Yes, it is only 9:00, but when you have a baby that is considered late

and I should be sleeping right now.

I drank a little too much coffee today and it has not worn off yet.

My husband got me an espresso maker for Valentine's Day,

and it is amazing! No more Starbucks runs for this girl!

Today was the first time I was really able to try it out.

My favorite drink is their white chocolate mocha latte. I was able to make one that tastes

almost exactly like it!

I took today to just enjoy my baby.

I am lucky I do not have to leave him with a babysitter everyday.

I have been stressing myself out trying to keep the house

clean, make sure I study when I have time, and make sure Grayson gets

the attention he needs.

 

But...

I did not worry about any of that today.

I just enjoyed my baby.

 

We went to Wal-Mart and I walked around so he could take a good nap.

Sometimes you just do what you have to do!

He got some new books in the mail today!

We love new books!

We read three of them right after I opened the package.

 

We went outside with Harlow and blew some bubbles, but

it was close to nap time so I was the only one who enjoyed that. ;)

 

After nap time we played with his alphabet board I made him

for Christmas.

 

 

He was getting crazy with it!

 

It was a good day, and I feel so much better that I did not worry

about anything else today.

I will catch up on everything tomorrow. :)

I have a few new prints in my Etsy Shop check them out! :)

Also, follow my Kallee Co Facebook Page for new print updates.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a Girl Thing

I remember the days of no responsibilities...

 

I could spend my whole paycheck on clothes and makeup without a care.

Now I just sit on my phone and "fake shop".

I add everything I want to my cart and seriously consider buying it all,

and then I delete it all before I actually do.

It somehow makes me feel better and helps my need for shopping.

 

 

 

And now that I have a baby that stuff is at the bottom of my priority list.

I would rather spend any extra money on him.

I fake shop a lot for him!

 

That being said...

 

 

I like expensive makeup, which was a habit I picked up when I was

single and could spend all my money on it.

I used to buy shampoo and conditioner that was $30... each.

I now use Pantene, and there is nothing wrong with it.

So why I spent that much money on shampoo and conditioner...

I really do not even know.

I spent an hour or two watching makeup tutorials with Grayson this morning, because he decided to wake up at 6 a.m. and not go back to sleep. ;)

I was hoping to find some good drugstore products.

I currently use bare minerals, which is $28.

I love it, but spending that much money on makeup just does not make sense to me anymore.

 

 

However, I still want to feel like my normal pre-baby self sometimes.

I feel so much better and more productive when I spend an hour on myself to get ready.

Even though it still is not really "me time" because I have to entertain Grayson

while I am doing it. Me time just does not happen anymore.

But...

He is completely worth it and I would not have it any other way!

I found a few products I would like to try and they are SO much cheaper.

The foundation I found is $6.

I have to say that is a lot better than spending $28.

 

 

I really need to update my look anyway.

I have been wearing the same old makeup the same old way for about 5 years.

I need to spice it up a bit.

 

 

If you ladies have any favorite products feel free to comment and tell me what you use!

I would like to find a nice eyeshadow palette that is reasonably priced.

I absolutely love my $5 eyelashes. I will not be getting rid of those anytime soon. ;)

I can usually make them last about a month.

I feel like it is important to do something for yourself when you have a baby.

All your time and energy is dedicated to those little babies, and you need to take a little time to make sure you are taken care of too. You cannot be everything you need to be if you are not taken care of too. Whatever makes you feel good, do it! Even if it is sitting down and watching your favorite show for an hour while your baby is napping.

 

 

Take care of yourself momma.



And...

Just because he is so cute. ;)

 

Always Stay Humble and Kind

 

 

If you have not heard Tim McGraw's new song "Humble and Kind" I highly recommend listening to it. I absolutely love it!

 

I really listened to this song the other day, and ever since I have been

thinking about how I hope my son will always be humble and kind.

 

 

I was in 9th grade and my seminary teacher was talking about this family he knew.

He said they were a family full of girls, and the girls were all very pretty but they

were also very nice. He said he asked their mother how they raised the

girls to be so humble.

The answer has always stuck with me, and I still think about it often.

 

"You are no better than anybody, and nobody is better than you."

 

When I heard this song it made me think of this, and how I want Grayson

to always know that.

Even if he is the best at something, I hope he will always be humble about it.

I hope he will always be respectful to everyone.

I hope when someone treats him poorly he will take the high road and still

be kind to them. I hope he will always spend his time making others feel like they are worth something and never making them feel like they are not.

 

"Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you have mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind"

 

I hope he will know it is okay to be friends with people who are different than him, who have different beliefs than him. I hope he can respect others opinions and know

their opinion matters just as much as his does. I hope he will always keep

an open mind.

 

I hope he will always be honest with his feelings and never be afraid to say how he feels.

I hope he knows when something bothers him it is okay to say it, but always in a respectful way.

I hope he is just a good boy, but what mother does not want her son to grow up to be a good man? ;)

 

I hope he will always work hard for whatever he wants, and never take advantage of

anything or anyone.
 

"Don't expect a free ride from no one
Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why
Bitterness keeps you from flyin'
Always stay humble and kind
Know the difference between sleeping with someone
And sleeping with someone you love
"I love you" ain't no pick up line so
Always stay humble and kind"

 

I hope he always knows his mom and dad will always be in his corner.

Especially when he is a teenager and thinks we do not know anything.

Let's face it, we were all there once. ;)

 

Happy Sunday everyone!

 

~ Keep Your Sweetness

A Red Velvet Valentine

I am a little late posting this, but better late than never, right?

We had a great Valentines day!

We spent the whole day just basically hanging out as a family, which was honestly perfect! 

I made red velvet waffles from scratch for breakfast.

I also made the cream cheese topping, which was the best part!

It was like eating cake for breakfast.

Who doesn't like cake for breakfast? 

I made some red velvet truffles too.

Basically, we had a whole lot of red velvet!

Red velvet and my boys made for a pretty good Valentines day if I do say so myself!

Of course Grayson had a photo shoot since it was his first valentines outside of my belly.

Last year on Valentines we told the world about him, and boy did that year go by quickly!

Our sweet little peanut last year.

It is crazy to think how small he was just a year ago!

Our sweet little peanut this year.

He is a whopping 19.3 pounds now!

I finally got his cute belly laugh on camera!

Baby laughs are seriously the best!

To top off the day, my husband and I got to cuddle on the couch and watch a movie together after Grayson went to sleep for the night.

It was a pretty perfect day!

I hope you guys all had a great Valentines day full of love as well. ♡