Thursday, June 10, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Addison Joy: Two month update
It's hard to believe that Addy has been with us for 61 days (that's two months for everyone else). She has gotten so much stronger and taller in this past month. She has continued to sleep well, even sleeping through the night twice now. This past Saturday night she slept uninterrupted for almost ten hours. Her neck muscles are getting pretty powerful too. She's fairly close to being able to hold her head up on her own, I'm sure we will be able to bust out the Bumbo and exerciser saucer soon. Mommy weighed her this afternoon and came in at eleven pounds. The official weigh in will be at the doctor's on Thursday. Pray for Addy, Daddy and Mommy as she gets her first round of shots. She is super smiley now, especially in the morning. She smiles when we smile at her, she loves to imitate Mom and Dad. Addy has been so much more alert and becoming more and more aware of her surroundings. She is making all sorts of coos, gurgles and good sounds. She can hold up her head much longer when she has her tummy time and will be sure to be rolling over on to her back soon.
Addy went on her first trip this month, she went up north to surprise Grandpa and Grandma Dodd. Addy traveled so well, we had such a good time with them, the Goods and visiting camp. What a fun weekend visit.
On Mother's Day Addison and Kate participated in the Mother's Day Parade at church. Chapel Pointe always make a BIG deal, and well they should, about Mom's and new babies to the Chapel Pointe family.
Later that day Addy and Kate went and visited her family on the other side of the state. Since I had to go on a work trip with the men in the Life Skills Program. It was a great opportunity for them to get over and see more family, on Mother's Day. That week Addy was able to meet her Great Grandma M and many of Kate's friends. She also went to her first Tiger's baseball game, of course the Tiger's beat the dreaded Yankee's. It was so fun to spend a few days with our family.
Since coming home she has begun sleeping in her crib and had her first bottle.
It has been a super memorable month of firsts, smiles and blessings. What an amazing little girl sent from God she has been and continues to be :)
Addy went on her first trip this month, she went up north to surprise Grandpa and Grandma Dodd. Addy traveled so well, we had such a good time with them, the Goods and visiting camp. What a fun weekend visit.
On Mother's Day Addison and Kate participated in the Mother's Day Parade at church. Chapel Pointe always make a BIG deal, and well they should, about Mom's and new babies to the Chapel Pointe family.
Later that day Addy and Kate went and visited her family on the other side of the state. Since I had to go on a work trip with the men in the Life Skills Program. It was a great opportunity for them to get over and see more family, on Mother's Day. That week Addy was able to meet her Great Grandma M and many of Kate's friends. She also went to her first Tiger's baseball game, of course the Tiger's beat the dreaded Yankee's. It was so fun to spend a few days with our family.
Since coming home she has begun sleeping in her crib and had her first bottle.
It has been a super memorable month of firsts, smiles and blessings. What an amazing little girl sent from God she has been and continues to be :)
Kate's 24th Birthday
Yesterday was my 24th birthday, on the 24th of May :) the Golden Year! It was a very special day. Addy and I spent the day together playing and trying to stay cool in the 90 degree heat. Addy got me some beautiful purple daisies to plant in our garden. When Andrew got home from work, Addy went to her first baby-sitting adventure at the Sterken's home. She did great! Slept for a lot of the time, but sounds like she had a fun time playing with Rolland. Meanwhile, Andrew and I went on a date and saw the movie Robin Hood. It was pretty good. Then we went out to dinner at Red Robin's, it was great, really enjoyed my guacamole burger, getting sung to at dinner, and an ice cream sundae. Then we picked up Addy, because we missed our little girl, and headed to the park for a walk. We got some great pictures and swung on the swings.
After that we headed home and fed Addison and put her to bed. Then, Andrew made a fire in our firepit and we enjoyed spending time sitting around the campfire, looking at the stars. We came inside and had birthday ice cream cake, opened cards from family, and opened Andrew's gift for me.
He surprised me with a sewing machine!! I am so excited to be able to make things now!! It was a wonderful day celebrating God's many blessings of this past year. :)
After that we headed home and fed Addison and put her to bed. Then, Andrew made a fire in our firepit and we enjoyed spending time sitting around the campfire, looking at the stars. We came inside and had birthday ice cream cake, opened cards from family, and opened Andrew's gift for me.
He surprised me with a sewing machine!! I am so excited to be able to make things now!! It was a wonderful day celebrating God's many blessings of this past year. :)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
One Month Old!
In many ways it is hard to believe that Addison arrived a month ago today. We are thanking and praising the Lord for His many blessings in our life, specifically a healthy and growing baby girl. Obviously it has been a month of firsts this is just a small list: smiles, cries, hick-ups, Bible stories, sleepless nights (Daddy and Mommy but not too many), bath, doctor check up, tulips in Holland, walks (almost daily), many visits from family and friends. Today Addison went to church for the very first time and was introduced to our church family, she got a rosebud for all her work ;)She is getting stronger and growing bigger each and every day. She enjoys laying on her tummy, just like Daddy. Her neck muscles are getting strong, and really seems to enjoy being outside. We here in West Michigan have been blessed with many sunny days this month. Addison is sleeping really well at night as well, last night she went seven hours before needing to get Mommy up. She is a very content baby and rarely cries. It has been wonderful getting to know our little girl this first month.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Addison Joy’s Birth Story
Addison’s Birth Story
On March 24, 2010, we went to Babies R Us before heading off to the doctor’s office for our 39-week check-up. Since our OBGYN was out of town in Hawaii, we saw a new doctor that morning. The check-up went great, the baby’s heart rate was good, and the doctor said Kate was dilated to 4 and 70% effaced. He said, “I’d say see you next week, but I think you are going to have this baby before then.” We were thrilled with the news and excited that our baby was coming soon!
Kate had been having regular contractions the last two days about 10 minutes apart. That afternoon, after Andrew went to work, her contractions became much more regular and over the course of 3 hours were just five minutes apart. After calling the doctor’s office and a quick call to the mission, Andrew was headed home from work early. We drove to the hospital and arrived there at 5:30 in the afternoon. Many of Kate’s coworkers cheered her on as they wheeled her upstairs to OB triage. Before admitting Kate, OB triage wanted to see some progress to see if we were actually going into labor. So we walked the halls, waited for a check, walked the halls again, waited for another check, spent an hour in the spa, and got checked again. We discussed our options with the doctor, one of which was going home and waiting it out, we decided to have Kate’s water broke as contractions were now just 3-4 minutes apart and she was dilated to 6.
At 11 pm, we moved up to the Labor and Delivery floor and met our nurse for the night, Kris. A nurse midwife broke Kate’s water and contractions really picked up. Kate was so tense and could not relax the way she needed to. We opted for an epidural to help relax her body, stop the uncontrollable shaking and shivering, and decrease the pain. When they were preparing to put the epidural in Kate’s back, she threw up all the apple juice she just had and was quoted as saying “I’ll never drink apple juice again”. The medicine did exactly what it was supposed to and what we had hoped for. She advanced about a centimeter an hour after she finally relaxed. Unfortunately, one side effect of the medicine was that it dropped Kate’s already low blood pressure even lower. Andrew saw one blood pressure of 44/22 and she was pale as her sheets. The nurses rushed in and gave her oxygen and got her bp back up. Her color returned almost as fast as her blood pressure went back up.
At 6 am, Kate was fully dilated and completely effaced, ready to start pushing. Our nurse, Kris, had warned that first time moms normally push for 1-3 hours but insisted that we have the baby on her shift, which ended at 7 am. On her first push, Andrew could see the baby’s head full of dark hair and thought, “Oh my, I am going to be a daddy!” Kate was able to watch her progress with a mirror as she pushed. 20 minutes later, on the final push Dr. Tabor asked if Kate wanted to help deliver the baby and pull the baby up to her chest. At 6:22 am, Kate gave a final push and out came our baby. Dr. Tabor said, “It’s a girl! Do you have a name for her?” The proud daddy exclaimed, “Addison Joy!” Andrew cut her cord as she snuggled on Kate’s chest. Addison weighed 6 lbs 10.5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. We are so blessed to have this gift from God!
On March 24, 2010, we went to Babies R Us before heading off to the doctor’s office for our 39-week check-up. Since our OBGYN was out of town in Hawaii, we saw a new doctor that morning. The check-up went great, the baby’s heart rate was good, and the doctor said Kate was dilated to 4 and 70% effaced. He said, “I’d say see you next week, but I think you are going to have this baby before then.” We were thrilled with the news and excited that our baby was coming soon!
Kate had been having regular contractions the last two days about 10 minutes apart. That afternoon, after Andrew went to work, her contractions became much more regular and over the course of 3 hours were just five minutes apart. After calling the doctor’s office and a quick call to the mission, Andrew was headed home from work early. We drove to the hospital and arrived there at 5:30 in the afternoon. Many of Kate’s coworkers cheered her on as they wheeled her upstairs to OB triage. Before admitting Kate, OB triage wanted to see some progress to see if we were actually going into labor. So we walked the halls, waited for a check, walked the halls again, waited for another check, spent an hour in the spa, and got checked again. We discussed our options with the doctor, one of which was going home and waiting it out, we decided to have Kate’s water broke as contractions were now just 3-4 minutes apart and she was dilated to 6.
At 11 pm, we moved up to the Labor and Delivery floor and met our nurse for the night, Kris. A nurse midwife broke Kate’s water and contractions really picked up. Kate was so tense and could not relax the way she needed to. We opted for an epidural to help relax her body, stop the uncontrollable shaking and shivering, and decrease the pain. When they were preparing to put the epidural in Kate’s back, she threw up all the apple juice she just had and was quoted as saying “I’ll never drink apple juice again”. The medicine did exactly what it was supposed to and what we had hoped for. She advanced about a centimeter an hour after she finally relaxed. Unfortunately, one side effect of the medicine was that it dropped Kate’s already low blood pressure even lower. Andrew saw one blood pressure of 44/22 and she was pale as her sheets. The nurses rushed in and gave her oxygen and got her bp back up. Her color returned almost as fast as her blood pressure went back up.
At 6 am, Kate was fully dilated and completely effaced, ready to start pushing. Our nurse, Kris, had warned that first time moms normally push for 1-3 hours but insisted that we have the baby on her shift, which ended at 7 am. On her first push, Andrew could see the baby’s head full of dark hair and thought, “Oh my, I am going to be a daddy!” Kate was able to watch her progress with a mirror as she pushed. 20 minutes later, on the final push Dr. Tabor asked if Kate wanted to help deliver the baby and pull the baby up to her chest. At 6:22 am, Kate gave a final push and out came our baby. Dr. Tabor said, “It’s a girl! Do you have a name for her?” The proud daddy exclaimed, “Addison Joy!” Andrew cut her cord as she snuggled on Kate’s chest. Addison weighed 6 lbs 10.5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. We are so blessed to have this gift from God!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Mid March AKDodd Post
Wow, it's been two and a half months since Kate and I got away for our graduation/Christmas getaway to FL. Life sure has not slowed down with school being done!
To kick off the new year we moved from our Brookmeadow Apartment to a tri-level duplex. We are most excited that we have a backyard to take our baby to be outside this summer.
I was asked to change responsibilities at work and look forward to new challenges and opportunities there. I will be teaching some Life Skills classes, doing some more one-on-one mentoring/counseling to name just a few of my new responsibilities at work. I'm excited to get started just as soon as someone is hired and trained to take over my Emergency Shelter responsibilities. I believe this new job will allow me focus and spend more time using my God given talents and passions.
Kate is still working hard at the hospital and we both can't wait until baby Dodd arrives!
To kick off the new year we moved from our Brookmeadow Apartment to a tri-level duplex. We are most excited that we have a backyard to take our baby to be outside this summer.
I was asked to change responsibilities at work and look forward to new challenges and opportunities there. I will be teaching some Life Skills classes, doing some more one-on-one mentoring/counseling to name just a few of my new responsibilities at work. I'm excited to get started just as soon as someone is hired and trained to take over my Emergency Shelter responsibilities. I believe this new job will allow me focus and spend more time using my God given talents and passions.
Kate is still working hard at the hospital and we both can't wait until baby Dodd arrives!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Florida Vacation: December 26-27
We left Daytona Beach early Saturday morning and headed north. We took a detour on the way home to visit Chip Dean in Alabama. We spent the night at his home and then went to his church with him to see his ministry there. It was great to spend the evening with Chip and to see a small glimpse of how God is using him at Capshaw Baptist Church. We made it home late on Sunday night and prepared for a busy week of packing ahead of us.
It was an amazing week. We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to celebrate Kate’s graduation from nursing school and enjoy time as just the two of us to relax, rejuvenate, and refocus as we prepare for a busy year with many changes to come.
It was an amazing week. We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to celebrate Kate’s graduation from nursing school and enjoy time as just the two of us to relax, rejuvenate, and refocus as we prepare for a busy year with many changes to come.
Florida Vacation: December 25: Our Most Unique and Original Christmas Ever!
We woke up early to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. Although it was a little cloudy, it was still worth the early wake-up call—Beautiful! We went to bed and slept in, with no sign of a Christmas tree in our room. We had the traditional Dodd Family Christmas Breakfast- Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Sandwiches. We spent the rest of the morning calling all of our family members and wishing them a Merry Christmas. It did not feel like Christmas, as we swam in the pool and splashed in the ocean, but it is a Christmas we will not forget. We cooked steak for our Christmas dinner and walked on the beach while the sun was setting.
Florida Vacation: December 24
With the realization that our days were running short, and still so much to do, we headed down to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. We had been planning to visit the lighthouse for at least 4 months, since we had viewed it on a website about Daytona Beach. When we arrived, it was so much more than the 203 steps to the top of the lighthouse. There were a number of historical buildings onsite that had been preserved since the 1880’s. It was fun to explore and learn the history of the lighthouse station and the Daytona Beach area. The lighthouse is the tallest in Florida. We climbed to the top and the view was breathtaking. Andrew really enjoyed the afternoon there, and it was quite possibly the highlight of Andrew’s vacation.
Today was also the warmest and sunniest day of our vacation. We both went into the ocean and spent much of the morning and afternoon in the water. We both got burned!! It feels great to be burned in December! We went to Christmas Eve service at the Ross’s church again that evening.
Today was also the warmest and sunniest day of our vacation. We both went into the ocean and spent much of the morning and afternoon in the water. We both got burned!! It feels great to be burned in December! We went to Christmas Eve service at the Ross’s church again that evening.
Florida Vacation: December 23
On Wednesday, after a day of Disney Fun, we slept away most of the morning! Andrew dared to get into the ocean, though it had not hit 70 degrees on our trip (Dad we have pictures to prove it). We enjoyed the pool throughout the day. We capped the day off with dinner and a movie- the long awaited Cici Pizza, Pasta, and Dessert Buffet and Invictus (a movie about Nelson Mendella’s rise to leadership and the World Rugby championship in 1995). It brought back so many memories of South Africa and made us want to get back to Bethesda even sooner.
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