Colin and Kailey

Ever since Kailey was born, I have been thinking about my two birthing experiences constantly because at times, I can't believe just how different each one was. Now that Chris and I are in such a different place, we easily discuss the day Colin was born and even make some jokes about the day. Now I know that comparing Colin and Kailey's births is like comparing peas and carrots, but, I still find it interesting nonetheless and I thought I would share some of the things that stand out to me. Labor: Once I started with contractions with Colin, they progressed quickly and 12 hours later, he was born. With Kailey, I was having regular contractions for days and even spent 9 hours in the hospital the day before to get sent home. I got an epidural for Colin that didn't work and then his heart rate started dropping and not coming back up to where he became an emergency delivery and I was moments away from having a c-section. The delivery itself was not enjoyable because of the stress and the pain. With Kailey, the epidural was wonderful and the delivery was smooth and calm. Holding my babies for the first time: As soon as I held Colin, I could tell that his eyes were different and I'm not sure if the words Down Syndrome crossed my mind, but something didn't feel right to me. When we look back now, there was tension in the room and a lot of hushed whispers. As soon as I held Kailey, I will admit that I was searching her eyes for a clue, and even asked Chris what he thought. You could just tell looking at her that her eyes were swollen from the delivery, but she did not have the beautiful almond eyes that Colin was born with. The room was light and cheery and did not feel somber the way Colin's did. Moments after deliveries: After Colin was born, he was put on the warmer to get cleaned up after I initially held him and I had asked Chris to get the camera and go take pictures of the measurements (weight and height, etc.). I remember the doctor telling him to wait kind of sternly, so we actually don't have any of these pictures. At the time, I just thought that he wasn't allowed (that must have been when the doctors and nurses were discussing his possible diagnosis), but I thought it was odd because I could remember seeing pictures of my friend's kids getting their measurements done. With Kailey, the doctor and nurses were surprised we weren't immediately snapping pictures, and more than once, told Chris to get the camera to take pictures of her measurements. I was given Colin back after his measurements were taken, again, sans pictures. Appearance: Although these pictures don't show it, Colin and Kailey looked very different. Colin weighed in at 6 lbs 4 ounces and was 20" long while Kailey was 7 lbs. 15 ounces and 21 inches long. Both were full term, 40 week babies, but Kailey came one day later than Colin. Both were very healthy at birth, but Colin had trouble regulating his temperature which put him into the special care nursery along with his feeding difficulties. Colin has shorter fingers and toes, while Kailey has super long fingers and toes (but they are like their Daddy and Mommy respectively).

Alertness:

Although Colin's eyes were briefly open after birth, he pretty much slept the rest of the time we were in the hospital. Kailey was very alert for awhile after birth and then slept the rest of the time with a few bouts awake. We saw Kaileys eyes open a lot more than we did Colin's. After we were told that he was being tested for DS (we think it was about 10 minutes after the delivery), I remember analyzing his eyes incessantly. When he was asleep (which was all of the time), I was able to convince myself that he didn't have it because his eyes looked "normal" (whatever that means!). I had even asked my mom and my sister what they thought!

Feeding:

Wow, this is probably the biggest difference. I am going to lump crying into this category too because they kind of go hand in hand. I remember bragging when Colin was a newborn because we would get asked all of the time if Colin ever cried. We would smile and say no, he was such a calm and relaxed baby! When I say he literally never cried, it's the truth! Kailey on the other hand, lets her needs be known! Colin had some troubles getting the hang of sucking on the nipple and we had to try lots of different nipples and techniques. Although Kailey struggled the first day, she got the hang of it really quick and we haven't had any problems since. When she is hungry, you know. She even makes the mouth movements where she is trying to get something in her mouth, which Colin never did. Until recently, he has never been motivated by food. I can tell that she is going to be a bit different...

Heading home:

Colin had to stay an extra night to get his temperature and feeding issues under control while Kailey was cleared very quickly. She fit very nicely into her going home outfit while Colin was swimming in his. He looked so tiny in the car seat while she didn't even need one of the inserts because it didn't fit with her in it.

First weigh in at the pediatrician (2 days after going home):

Colin was over a pound less than Kailey and had a slow weight gain even another few days later (I think it took over a week (from 6lbs. 7 ounces) to get into the 7 pound range while Kailey gained 11 ounces in a week (they want them gaining an ounce a day). They even look different on the scale!

Posing:

Need I say any more? I used these pictures for their birth announcements and thought it was funny that we were able to capture the same poses!

I would never change anything about either of their births, including Colin's. I think that everything happens for a reason and they are experiences that are a part of life. I think I could appreciate Kailey's to the extent that I did because of my experiences with Colin's birth. I think that witnessing Kailey's development is going to be unique and different and interesting and although I was always on a time frame with Colin in the beginning, I appreciate our patience now. It makes the rewards at the end that much better...

I love my little boy and girl and look forward to the journey that lies ahead with both of them. I appreciate their differences and uniqueness and I enjoy what they are both going to make our family...