Cute pics.

I finally got my computer to upload pics that we have taken the last 5 weeks. Here are some of the best!

Kya grows out of her first outfit :(

Here she is on the day she came home, April 30, 2009. The outfit fits her perfect and only fit her for 3 more weeks.

We brought her home from the hospital in this outfit, and she grew out of it. I was sad but happy that she is healthy. I hate when they grow, it is bitter sweet. What a cutie she is. This picture was taken on May 19, 2009.

My kids are even sad that she is getting bigger. Kee'Onu said, "Her head got bigger." It was true and it seemed like it grew overnight. Love you baby.

Ki'Aja and her separation anxiety.

It is 10PM and the kids have supposedly been in bed since 9, Aja comes down because she "needs a drink" or "she has to go potty" or she needs to give Kya a kiss! Anyways it never ends and this time I said, "go to bed NOW!" She did, right there on the stairs. I am glad Kevin noticed her before we went to bed or she could have rolled down the stairs in her sleep. I think it is cute and I know that the new baby has been hard for her. She is no longer the baby and it makes me sad that she knows it. I love her so much and have tried so hard to make her the big helper and include her in everything that we can.
She is going to need a lot of attention so this does not keep happening, any suggestions to help with her needs and I am listening. I want her to be happy and not feel sad. We love her so much!

Keo and Sasha's Nursery Rhyme Festival.

Sasha was Mary from "Mary had a Little Lamb"

Keo was a Spider from "Itsy Bitsy Spider." The kids had a Nursery Rhyme Festival at school. They were asked to pick a rhyme and then dress up as the character. They all had little stickers that you push to turn them on and then they would repeat the rhyme they are depicting. I thought it was so cute but I then thought how sick of it they were going to be by then end of the 1.5 hours. LOL. I think Keo really liked it and him and Sasha did it so cute!
She was so sweet. We love her so much.

Ki'Aja was so happy to be at their school.

This is Keo's teacher Mrs. Zobrist. He really loves her and so do we. She has been so good to understand and know how to help Keo thrive even when he can be very challenging. She has recognized ways to motivate and keep his brilliance alive. Thanks Mrs. Z.

We love you Ke'Lao, you are such a genius with a comedian attitude. You make us laugh and keep us guessing. I am so amazed at your talent and brains. We know you are going to be a wonderful person and we cannot wait to see what you do for the world.

Visitors.

Oakley Eaton and her daughters.

Ku'uipo and her daughters.

Kalena

Larissa

Karmen

Nicea

Tyler

Colton

Mary

Tifini

Papa

The kiddies.

Nana

My Grandpa George

Cami and Alisha

Brittnie

We have had so many wonderful visitors since Ka'Lya was born. We love everyone so much for coming. There were others but I cannot seem to find all the pics. She sure is a loved baby!

Thanks Teanna!

This is such a sweet picture.
Kya in the vase, she loved the tight quarters!

This is our favorite Teanna. She has been the babysitter to our kids for over 4 years. She made this quilt for Kya using Minky. We love it and I had never seen anything like it. Kya loves the coziness.

"Little Lady"

We love you Teanna, and thank you for spending so much time on such a beautiful gift for Ka'Lya. We are so happy to have her in our lives, it is such a comfort to know when I leave my kids they are happy and well taken care of. Thanks Teanna.

Ka'Lya's birth story.

2 hours after the birth.

On April 15, 2009 I was having contractions every 5 minutes and some of them were really painful! Kevin took me up to the U and they monitored me for a few hours, and then decided to give me the beta methasone shot, which is a steroid that helps to develop her lungs faster. The shot does expire within 7 days and you cannot get the shot after 34 weeks. I got the first shot at 32 weeks and 2 days, and they give you the next one 24 hours later. I was admitted on the 15th later that afternoon. I was dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced, and when Rita (midwife) checked me I was dilated to a 3+, and that is why they decided to admit me. They observed for 24 hours and decided that the labor had not progressed and the medication was working. They gave me a prescription of nifedipine, originally used to help control blood pressure, but also found that it relaxes the uterus and helps with decreasing contractions. When I came home I was so glad to leave the hospital. I HATED being there. I was away from my kids and I missed them so much. I also felt so bad that everyone had to put their lives on hold to help me and Kev and our little family. Once I came home I was supposed to be on strict bed rest and that alone was hard to do. I knew Ka'Lya was preparing my body, because she was coming soon. The next week was very painful and the contractions and cramping hurt constantly. Kevin was really good about doing everything he could and letting me rest so the pain would not be as bad. Anyways the following week proved to be a preparation for her arrival!

On Wednesday April 22, 2009 at 12PM my water broke. I called my mom and told her we were headed to the hospital and we needed help with Aja. She was just going to come up to the hospital later, but I am so glad she decided to ride up with us that day or she would have missed everything. We dropped off Aja with my grandma and we went up to the U. When I got there at about 1PM they were going to have me just be checked at the OB ER. They asked me to stand up and they were going to do a sterile spec on me, but I told them as soon as I stand up I will gush water. They still made me stand! It was so weird I felt like I was peeing in front of everyone. The nurse was so funny, she said well I am supposed to examine you but never mind, I will get my sample from the floor. She took her Q-tips and swabbed my amniotic fluid from off the floor. I thought that was funny, but glad she did not have to sterile spec me!!!

She gave me a gown and got me a room. The time was about 1:30PM. I was having no contractions and was not laboring. Once I was settled in my room Dr. Draper and Rita came in. He checked me and said I was a 3+ and still 75% effaced. He told me that his goal was to wait until I was 34 weeks and then deliver me. I was thinking about infection and all the other stuff I had heard. Anyways, he said if I did not go into labor on my own he would give me pitocin on Saturday. At this point my mom told my dad and Brittnie that they did not need to come up because I may not have the babe that day. It was at this point I started having some small contractions that were every 10 minutes or so. Kevin decided that he was hungry and B&D burgers sounded good. He took everyone's order and left. The time was about 2:15PM. Kev had been gone maybe 15 minutes when the contractions hit HARD!!!!! The pain was indescribable. I was nervous because usually my mom freaks out when one of her kids is in pain. She panics and is not much help, with Kevin gone I thought I was on my own. This is when I realized that my mom can be an amazing labor coach. She told me to find a spot to focus on and breathe. They were about 3 minutes apart and she called my dad and Brittnie and said Stacie is a 5 and her contractions are bad so you better get up here fast! At this point I realized that Kevin did not have a cell with him and These contractions were close and bad. I was feeling them in the scar from my last 2 c-sections. They were very different from the other kids labor. The pain was scary. I knew that Dr. Draper said that he was going to allow me try to have a VBAC, or vaginal birth after a cesarean. I had 2 previous C-sections so it was a little riskier, but he believed it would be fine. When the other docs found that my pain was all in my scar area they were a little concerned. There were several docs who came in to check me because the biggest risk I had was the risk of uterine rupture. This is deadly to the mother and sometimes the fetus. I became panicked. I had to go to the bathroom and thought the position change would help. When I sat down, I realized I was wrong and that is when the terror and pain escalated. My mom caught me and held my hand. She told me to slow down my breathing and focus. The inside of my belly felt like it was being ripped apart. I imagined my uterus opening and that is when I realized something could go wrong fast. I was so glad that my mom was there. She kept me from imagining the worst even though she knew that the fear I was feeling was a real possibility. I was so worried Kevin was going to miss it. Finally after I went to the bathroom and my mom helped me back to bed, Kevin returned with his prized meal! He realized that the labor had intensified and was excruciating. He let me hold, or deform his hands, lol. The anesthesiologist came in to discuss the risks and benefits of an epidural. I was still sitting on the fence. I thought that I could do it natural. I was only worried about the contractions hurting in my scar area. I was concerned during every contraction that it was getting closer and closer to rupturing my uterus. I had one more contraction and decided that if I had not progressed then I would get one. Kevin said I was getting one no matter what! I did not find out until after the delivery that he wanted me to have one because the pain I am in and the risk of the rupture was making him stress and become very worried. The epidural would allow us to think straight and calm down as he said. I was checked and had not changed. I was in shock because for that 1 hour and 15 minutes I was sure there was a change or my body was broken!!! Since I had not changed I decided it was time for the epidural.

She got started right away and prepped me for the procedure. The biggest worry was that I was contracting during the procedure and I had to be still. Kevin came and sat in from of me and held my hands. I had to curl my back while sitting up over the bedside tray. She began and I realized that this was going to be harder than I thought. The first contraction hit and the pain was worse it seemed because I could not move! She got me numbed and began to infuse some medication and I had an immediate sharp pain on my right lower back. I screamed and she stopped. She asked where and what happened. I told her and she said she would pull all needles out and start over. It was later that I learned that she had forced blood out of my epidural space and into my lower back muscle. There was a large knot in this area and 2 days later there was a very small bruise. This caused a blood clot in the muscle and that is where most of my pain was after the delivery. It was gone after about 10 days. Once she was done she gave the medication and left. It was about 4:15PM and the epidural was not working. During this time my dad arrived and I was glad, but the pain was not gone. It was not even subsiding. They called her back in and she doubled the medication and by 4:45PM I felt good. Yeah!

It was at 5:10PM that Dr. Draper came in. he said he had a 7PM meeting but that he would check me and see if he could make the meeting or not. When he was checking me he surprised us all and said, "Are you ready to start pushing?" I was amazed I was fully dilated and effaced. Then I became nervous. I got a little scared about whether or not she was going to be OK. The Dr. who was a resident told me that if she knew doctor Draper he would have the baby out by 5:30PM. I was shocked. Wow it was all happening so fast. Then I got mad at myself for getting the epidural. I was disappointed but like Kev said it was probably what I needed to relax and allow myself to dilate. I agreed, even though I am still mad I did not wait longer!!!!!

I was so happy at this point that my mom and dad were there. My dad was the camera man and my mom showed me that she can be strong even in a scary time. Dr. Draper came in and asked if I was OK with a student in on the delivery. I was fine with it because not too long ago I was a student hoping that patients would allow me to be educated through their health care. The student gowned and gloved up and it was time to push.I forgot to mention that the entire last 45 minutes my mom and Kevin were giving a blow by blow on facebook. I began pushing at about 5:15PM and 3 sets of pushing later and Ka'Lya's head was out. Luckily Brittnie walked in 3 minutes before she was born. She said she parked her car with the valet people but did not have time to leave her keys. She just parked and ran. I thought that was funny. I remember asking Kevin, "does she have hair?" He smiled and said, "a lot!" Then one more push and she was out. Kevin remembers that right after she came out she opened her eyes and looked at him. He was shocked that being premature she would do that, it was a memorable moment for him. Once she was out she was passed through the "window" to the NICU. I was immediately crying. She was out, beautiful, breathing, and I was still alive! She never needed to be intubated or have a nasal cannula of O2. Her apgar scores were 4, 6, and 8. She did amazing and never had any major bumps in her journey to coming home. She was under the billi lights for 2 days. She never needed an NG tube, thanks to Kevin telling the Docs that our baby will not have one! She was meant to come when she did and worth every sacrifice given.

Ka'Lya ShirRae Fuller born on 4/22/09 at 5:30PM weighing 4lbs and 16.5 inches long. The months leading up to her birth were full of trials and tears for everyone. This pregnancy proved to be the hardest due to the needs of 4 other children. I was sick and vomiting often, I lost 23lbs and gained 2lbs back. I was nauseated all the time, and the pain of this pregnancy was comparable to laboring for 6 weeks. I also got a hernia in the left lower abdomen that is still healing to this day, and I have been anemic the entire second half and that has only added to the tiredness. I tell you all this because the trials and tribulations that me and my family and even friends have had to bear were all worth it. When I saw her little face and beautiful big eyes, I knew that I would have gone through it a hundred times more just to know her! She is perfect and beautiful and strong! She is small and as my mom has described it, she is a ball of joy!

I want to thank my family and friends and most of all Kevin and my mom for the sacrifice that was made on my behalf to get her here. I am so blessed to have her here healthy and strong. I thank my Heavenly Father for helping me and in those last months carrying me through the pregnancy. I am so blessed to have the kids that I have. I am happy to be here on this earth and be called Mommy! It is the most wonderful job and title I could ever be given! Thanks to everyone who is apart of our lives, we love you!

2 weeks already?

Ka'Lya turned 2 weeks on May 6, 2009. I had to take some cute pics. My computer is not able to recognize the CD drive so the really good pics on my moms camera I cannot download. These are some I took at 11PM and she was either totally asleep or mad!
This close-up makes her look so big and chubby! Her cheeks are so soft and as Aja says, "furry." LOL.

It is funny because her arms are so long. Maybe she will be tall!?! I shall hope.

This was taken today, 5/10/09, Mother's Day. Kevin laughed because the bow is as big as her head. I think she looks so cute, and yet again it makes her look so big and chubby. She is a sweet baby and actually we have only heard her cry 5 times and every time she cries for maybe 10 seconds. I hope it lasts...

Cute side view of her chubby cheeks. I just love her so much and want to squish her cheeks!

I also want to thank everyone that has come to see her. It means so much to me. We have a lot of wonderful friends and she is already loved by so many.

4lb. footloooong!

Yesterday I took Kya to be weighed at the doctors office. She only weighed 4lbs, which means she has lost 3 ounces according to the scale. However I did have to take her to her pediatrician to be able to get a baseline weight on their scales since they can be different. I just don't think they are that different! It scared me and made us even more diligent in waking her up and feeding her until she cannot suck anymore. She gets so tired so easy. It is really sad to me that we have to practically force the food down her throat. She has a minimum that she has to eat which is a little more than an ounce, or 34 cc's. If she can eat that much every 3 hours then she will most likely gain weight unless she is burning too many calories trying to stay warm.
My mom is so funny when she changes her and dresses her. It makes me laugh because every noise Ka'Lya makes she asks me, "Is that OK, or is she OK?" I have to tell her over and over that she is fine. She will not even watch her alone because she is worried that she will choke. She does occasionally choke on her bottle but you just pick her up and pat her back. I guess if my mom is that paranoid it is good that someone else be there to comfort my mom so she does not panic.

Kevin's wonderful friend Keith came over yesterday and saved us. We are putting in a fence, and my dad brought his truck over and took our Tahoe, but he left the wrong keys, so we had no vehicle to get the fence posts and all. Well Kevin will not call and ask people for help, but when we really need it I dare to. I called Keith and within 20 minutes he was at our house with his truck, he dropped everything to come and help us. I am so thankful for the wonderful friends that we have. It is a comfort to know that there are people in our lives who we can count on when we need it. Anyways, I got them Subway and he was smart enough to take a picture of Kya by the sandwich. It shows her tiny body. So here is our 4lb footlong.
I also have to thank Casey, Kevin's brother. He is doing the fence for us. He recently moved back from AZ with his wife, Shauna and their 2 adorable kids. It is so nice to have them back. I love them and am thankful that Casey can help us out so that when our little one starts walking no worries that she will wander to the front yard. It will also be nice for Keo and Aja who tend to think they are bigger than they are. Again thanks Casey and Keith!