Baby's First Valentine's Day

Good morning my dears, 

How was your Valentine's Day? Was it different than in years past? Ours was. We traditionally celebrate Valentine's at The Ballantyne with an afternoon tea. However, this year with the pandemic, urging us to stay-at-home, and of course with an 8-month old baby, we decided to stay-at-home. That doesn't mean it has to be like every other ordinary day, it can be a special, memory making, time together as a family. 

For me, I like to plan ahead, and so I started my Valentine's Day tablescape shortly into the new year. That way, whenever Drew would take a nap, I could slowly add my chintz tea cups, loose leaf teas, miniature bud vases with stems of freshly cut pink roses, my Susan Branch books, fuzzy felt hearts, floral napkins, etc. until it felt like a sweetheart tea party could be served. 

My Susan Branch books, Sweets to the Sweet and Love. 

This Valentine's Day was special for another reason, as it was Drew's first. He joined us at the table in his high-chair in his darling red corduroy overall. We sipped on loose leaf teas from our travels to England, and ate strawberry jam sandwiches (which I attempted to cut into heart shapes), pink lemonade cupcakes, and sugar cookies which we frosted and decorated. It was a special day, one we'll remember forever ~ or until we loose our memory. 

- Family Home Movie - 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day, 

Kiki Nakita 

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Baby's First Day At The Lake

Good afternoon my dears,

We are probably one of the few families who are still staying at home, under the recommendation of our pediatrician. 

Over the past four months, we have only left our home for OB visits, the hospital to have Drew, and the pediatricians, so we needed a change of scenery. We recently spent a day at Lake Tillery in the Uwharrie National Forest. 

The Uwharrie National Forest has scenic mountain backdrops and trails... for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. 

The lake is host to boats and jetskiis, which create enough wake to make waves along the shorline.

This is our favorite spot, a secluded 'mini beach' along the shoreline. The perfect place to have a picnic, dip in the water, and watch the wildlife.

We took our baby, Drew, and one of our pups, Oscar, for our first family outing together. It was just the change of scenery that we needed.

Here's a video of our family day at the lake.

Kiki Nakita 

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Bloglovin' 

Welcome To The World, Baby Drew

Our miracle baby boy is here.

He's been the bestest baby for us newbie parents.

Drew's Birth Story

On Wednesday, May 27th, we started our day as usual. At lunchtime, I had gotten out the ingredients for some delicious sweet potato and black bean tacos, but wasn't up to cooking, so Cory made lunch. During lunch I started getting some contractions, close enough together that I started using the contractions counter app. Then, after eating lunch, at around 12.32pm, I went to stand up and my waters were broken and bloody. I called the nurse at my OB's office and they asked me to come to the hospital.

At 2.30pm, we pulled into the hospital parking lot. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it through the hospital alone to my OB's office on the 4th floor, so instead we asked to go to triage, where Cory would be able to accompany me. 

While in triage, they performed the Covid-19 test on me, so that I could labor without a mask. Thankfully, my test results came back negative, as I couldn't imagine having to labor with a mask on. I feel empathy for anyone else who has to. Cory had to wear his mask the whole time, whenever someone walked into the room. While in triage, I had a speculum exam and they took a sample of my bloody waters to look at under a microscope. It confirmed that my waters had broken and my placenta had ruptured, which is why they decided to admit me, even though I was only 2cm dilated. 

At 4.30pm, we were taken to our room for the next few days, room 230, a corner room with a balcony. We did a video call with my Mum and sister, pointing the phone up to the ceiling during contractions. 

Around 8.00pm, after chewing on lots of ice chips to help distract me from my contractions, I asked how long it would be until my epidural, as the pain was becoming a lot more intolerable. The nurse said I'd have to be at least 4cm dilated, which she wasn't expecting me to be at for many more hours.

A little while later, I had the strongest urge to push, so the nurse did a cervical check and was shocked that his head was already there. She then called another nurse to confirm that I was already 9cm dilated, and progressing extremely quickly. It was too late for an epidural, and besides there's no way I would've been able to sit still enough during my contractions.

Hearing from the nurse that I was 9cm dilated, felt affirming. I had come this far, naturally, and the urge to push meant I'd get to meet our miracle baby boy soon. The nurse promptly called the doctor-on-call and other nurses, who got my room ready for delivery.   

At 8.40pm, after four contractions and pushes, baby boy Drew made his debut into the world. Cory got to cut the umbilical cord and I got to hold him in my arms and give him lots and lots of kisses. 

On Friday, May 29th, (aka my birthday) we were discharged from the hospital and made our way home-sweet-home. I've had some interesting birthdays over the years, but getting a birthday buddy, was the bestest early-birthday present I could ever ask for. 

Kiki Nakita 

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