New Kline Lady

Welcome Tabitha Morgan Kline! Born April 19, 2011 @ 7:03pm. 6lbs 13ozs and 19 inches!

Babies are always worth it. Worth all the morning sickness, the going without sushi and wine for 9 months, being huge and uncomfortable for months. But Tabitha was also worth waiting over 12 hours in a hospital room to have our "scheduled C-section". The one that was scheduled for 9am and happened at 7pm. She was worth my spinal anesthesia wearing off half way through my surgery (umm.. yeah THAT'S painful, I felt like Braveheart with my guts open while I was strapped to a table. I was contemplating yelling, "Freedom!!"). She was worth the pnuemonia that took hold of my body when it realized I was weak and recovering from a surgery. Worth the ER trip and the fear that I was losing my milk. And she's worth the residual breathing problems (apparently it can take a month to get back to normal) and the pain from surgery that I'm still experiencing.
Everything surrounding her arrival just pretty much sucked. But last night Thomas looked at me holding her and said, "She's worth it huh?" Without a doubt, no questions asked, yes she is.

The third time around it's so much more enjoyable for me! I don't know if it's her temperment; she's happy or sleeping most of the time, unless she's hungry or gassy. And since Mom was literally unable to leave the couch for 3 weeks, she is used to being comforted sitting down. So far, no pacing back and forth to make the crying stop. If she sqwaks, you either feed her or pat her back. I'm sure this will all evolve and change (especially now that I've written about it!) But blessedly, while chaos reigned in the Kline home after her birth, Tabitha took it easy on old Mom and Dad, and she is so enjoyable. No first time (or second time) Mommy nerves, just enjoyment.

The Thursday after she came home she rolled from her tummy to her back twice and has done it over and over since. She smiles often at Caelen and I got my first smile yesterday while she tried out her vocal chords for the first time. She sleeps at night, stays awake most of the morning, takes a big long nap in the afternoon, is awake in the evening and then off to slumber land for the night. What a blessing!!!

Addison loves to lay her head on her sister, or kiss her head. She also palms her head and I'm always trying to make sure she's not pushing Tabitha's soft spot. But Addie is gentle and shares her tabby blanket. Caelen wants to be Mommy. She wants to hold her all the time, read to her, be in her face talking with her. Caelen has a hard time if I tell her it's time to back off or give her back to Mommy to eat or be burped.
Addison was clingy to Daddy at first. She didn't want much to do with Tabitha and espeically Mommy, but she's coming around now. Her only obvious display of adjustment is her refusal to sleep in her bed. She sleeps on the floor now.
Caelen had her own bedtime tactics that involved all kinds of stalling, getting up to pee 5 times in half an hour, crying that the light wasn't right. You name it, she tried it. She would be up until 9pm some nights. She's become a bit more head strong and little more defiant, we've actually had more trouble with her than Addison and we actually expected it the other way around. But overall I'd say the little Kline ladies are doing well.

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Addison said her first prayer at bedtime on Tuesday. It was shyly whispered with a smile but she thanked Jesus for Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy, sisters and all her books.