Happy Easter!

Dave had to work at the fire station on Easter, so we took full advantage of the beautiful Saturday weather and participated in a local church's Easter Egg Hunt and festivities. It was our first outing as a family of 4, so the adults were a little nervous :o) McKenna was super excited about finding eggs...she was probably just so thrilled to be leaving the house she wouldn't have cared where we were going!!!


They had bounce houses, music, and characters walking around. JFRD sponsored a bounce house, so this dalmatian came along with it. For the longest time I couldn't figure out what a dog had to do with Easter :) Ha!


McK didn't need any practice, she knew just what to do. She did get preoccupied when she found out there were treats inside the eggs! Every time she found one, she had to open the egg, get the treat, have the treat opened, eat the treat, and then she'd continue :)


Egg hunting is hard work!

This is how Addison enjoyed her first Easter Egg Hunt! She was a great baby during our morning. Slept the whole time! We were so thankful!


Gigi left some goodies for McKenna's basket before she went back to Oklahoma. McKenna loved her bubble blower, DVD, pool toys, new sippy cups, and more!


My sweet redheads in their Navy Blue dresses.

Addi was ready for her first Easter!


After the service, our church puts on a giant Egg hunt for the kids. McKenna was excited to find more treasures and go hunting with her friends.


She didn't make it home with very many eggs this go 'round...too busy wanting to know what was in each one of them!



I got the girls dressed, fed, and out the door on time all by myself East Sunday. I must admit, I was way impressed with myself :) We missed Dave terribly, but were thankful to have had such a good day together on Saturday. The Burke gals ended up over at the Baughman's house for Easter late lunch/early dinner. More friends were there and we had a grand 'ol time!

We are thankful for the real reason we celebrate Easter. We serve a RISEN Lord and couldn't be more humbled by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

Living Life: The First 2 Weeks!

As mentioned, my Mom got into town the day we got home from the hospital, Dave's mom left the next morning, and my Dad got here Saturday! All hands were on deck as we started trying to figure out how our new life as a family of 4 was going to work out!

We got our family's picture taken professionally before Addi was 10 days old. We did this with McKenna (she was about a month old) and I really wanted to capture the "newborn" stage with Addison. The pictures turned out beautiful and I know we will treasure them forever. We also got a generation picture with us four girls since Mom was still with us! I went with 4 outfit changes for the girls (HA!) and we made it into 2 of them...with only 1 really turning out :o) A Mom can hope right :o)

McKenna continues to be perfectly wonderful with "Baby Addison". She continues to say, "Her so cute!" whenever she sees her. She also wants to "hug her head" and "see her eyes" and "touch her". There hasn't been any jealousy (knock on wood and thank you Jesus!) and she is such a good helper. I know McKenna would like for Addison to be able to play with her. McK doesn't understand why Addi has to sleep so much and loves it when "her eyes are open!" :o)

By Friday of the 2nd week, things started getting worse with breastfeeding. I was going through what seemed to be the "normal" aches/pains with breastfeeding, but it wasn't getting any better. In fact, it was getting more painful instead of less. Finally I did some "research" and diagnosed myself with mastitis, a breast infection. I called the OBGYN explaining my symptoms and she called in a prescription for me. I went downhill fast! It felt like I had the flu - high fever, sweats, chills, among other hurts. I was so thankful my mom was there! I just needed to sleep and that would have been impossible without her help! By Sunday I really hadn't improved and called the doctor again. They called in a different prescription and had me come in for an appointment on Tuesday.

By this point, Addison had stopped taking my milk. She outright refused no matter how hard I tried. She was having really tough nights, being awake and very unsettled for about 3-4 hours at a time. She usually became wide awake (and very unhappy) from about 11pm - 3am. This was every night! We just couldn't figure it out. We literally had to sit and rock her or hold her up on our chest until the 4 hours was over and then she'd lay back down and be fine. She was perfect through out the day, but come 11pm you could forget about sleeping! One of the nights she hadn't eaten in far too long (in my opinion) so we tried some formula and she inhaled it! Ugh...what to do?!

We went for Addison's 2 week check-up Monday, and she was up to 9lbs and 21.5 in. The doctor walked us through how to take care of her little clogged tear ducts in her eyes, was impressed that her belly button had already fallen off (ick!), said that her incredibly odd hiccups were normal, and said the word COLIC when I explained her nightly episodes...SIGH. Definitely not a word you want to hear, but at least we now knew how to better help her through her nights. I also shared our breastfeeding woes with the Pediatrician and she suggested we move to a formula that is specifically made for babies with colic. I would continue to pump through the infection, but Addison needed a formula that would be easier on her digestion. She also said for us to use "gripe water" to help settle her tummy. I was armed with some good information and determined in my heart that this colic thing may be a long tunnel, but there was light at the end of it! The Pediatrician said that Addi will grow out of the colic by about month 3-4...sigh...We can do this!

Tuesday was my OB appt. They confirmed my self-diagnosis and talked me through some options. We decided to continue on the antibiotics, pump until the mastitis is gone, stick with the colic formula, and be finished with breastfeeding. So that was that. It felt good to have something resolved and a decision finalized with what would be best for both me and Addison.


McKenna got some GREAT one-on-one time with Gigi. They played play-doh every day, hide-and-seek, tag, read books, sang songs, played in the water table, played on the neighborhood playground and swung in the swing! Gigi taught McKenna some new songs that her preschoolers sing. McKenna loved the song "These are my glasses, this is my book" the best.


Ellison and Shelby Voiselle came for a visit...Time with Daddy is always fun!


I supervised and took pictures while Gigi gave Addi her first bath. I felt like I needed a crash course in remembering how to do everything. Addison didn't mind her bath. She enjoyed getting her hair washed (what girl doesn't?) and smelled so sweet after we lotioned her up!


Addison is not a BIG fan of her swing or papasan chair. She will sit happily for about 10 minutes right after she eats. She has fallen asleep on occasion, but that has been rare. She also doesn't seem to get a kick out of the "vibrating and/or song" features with her pack-n-play or papazan chair. McKenna loved these features, but not this chick! I'm hoping she'll learn to enjoy her swing more the older and more alert she gets!

Addison doesn't not like being on her back. She likes to be up against your chest, belly to belly, over your shoulder. She is a tummy sleeper too! After 1-2 rough nights, we just flipped her over and it really seemed to help. She is very strong and has good neck control. She is able to turn her head side to side, so I haven't felt worried about her being a stomach sleeper! The pressure on her tummy really seems to comfort her.


We were thrilled that Pop could come for a few days! McKenna adores Pop and soaked up all of his attention. Pop got some good snuggles in with Addison too, but what we REALLY used Pop for was to burp Addi! He is a pro at getting that girl to burp. It took forever sometimes, but Pop stayed with it and got the job done!!! :o)


We got to go to church the Sunday after Addi was born and it was so good! It was fun to be up and out of the house, showing Addison off, and worshiping God whom we were so thankful to! I always love when mom and dad can come to church with us here in Jax. Our church family is so good to us! One of the pastor's wives set up meals for us for TWO WEEKS!!! We had someone bring us dinner every single night for the first 2 weeks! It was SUCH a blessing and we could not even begin to express how thankful we were!

Our girls are so pretty in pink!


Grandma Joan and Kelsea Kirton, along with Mama Martha and Auntie Ginny (Braddock) came to get some snuggles and brought fun gifts! Our friends spoil us rotten!


Gigi got the girls these PRECIOUS big/little sister shirts and bows. This was the best we could manage for pictures while Mom was here. I'm hoping to get some other good ones before Addi outgrows her onesie!

The first 2 weeks FLEW by! Although some of the days (and nights) seemed much longer than others, they really did go by quickly. Before I knew it, it was time to send Gigi back to Oklahoma to wait on Grandbaby #3 from Keith and Hannah! I wasn't necessarily "ready" for Gigi to leave, but I knew we had to do this on our own sooner or later. It was time for our family to just be the Burke 4! I had to keep repeating, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." :o)

Addison's Birthday Story

Our little girl finally made her debut! She took her sweet time in getting here, but she came on her own, and we are loving her to pieces!

Dave's Mom went ahead and drove down to Jacksonville Saturday, April 2nd. We were all ready for her to be here, and boy are we SUPER thankful she came when she did! We enjoyed Sunday together with church and a slow afternoon. Monday morning, April 4th, she encouraged me to go ahead, take the time, and run the errands I needed to run...some last minute shopping. She would stay home with McKenna and I could enjoy the morning ALL. BY. MYSELF. Those words are music to ANY Mamas' ears, so off to The Town Center I went, feeling VERY good about things!

I hit up Babies R Us, Maternity Destination, DSW Shoes, and made my way to Target. While at Target, I started feeling a bit tired, thinking that I better start winding down and heading home. I even saw my girlfriend Becky and she took one look at me and said, "Are you ok? Your cheeks are red and you're lookin' a bit tired." I responded with, "Yeah, I think I've overdone it a bit. I'm headed home." But, I had ONE more stop to make to cross EVERYTHING off of my list that needed to be done, so off to The Party Shop I went. While there I started to feel worse. At one point I had a sharp pang in my tummy. Again, I made a mental note of needing to get home to put my feet up b/c surely this baby was not going to come on her own...I had convinced myself that she was going to be stubborn and need to be forced out...evicted...by our scheduled induction date of April 7th. Driving home another pang shot through my belly. This one caught my attention and I begin to wonder...

I was home by 12:30pm and explained to my mother-in-law that I was having some sharp pains in my stomach and that I think I way overdid it with my shopping marathon that morning. Dave was putting his shoes on to walk out the door to Paramedic School when another pain hit. I looked at him and said, "Yup...you're not going anywhere. I think I'm having contractions." This was a new thing for us, these contractions. We did not experience contractions with McKenna. With McKenna's delivery my water broke at home, we got to the hospital, I got an epidural, and it was smooth sailing. The pains kept coming and we got out the stopwatch. My M.I.L. started cleaning everything in sight, would sit down then stand back up...the nerves were setting in. I wasn't convinced they were true contractions...maybe false labor...still thinking I had just done too much and been on my feet too long...I just needed to rest... Well, the mysterious pains went from 10 minutes a part to 8, then to 5 in about 1.5 hours. I had been on the phone texting family in Oklahoma and finally called the OBGYN. She said come on to the hospital so we can see what's going on. Dave had our bags in the car, we said farewell to the nervous Gran, and McKenna was sound asleep for her afternoon nap.

We got to the hospital by about 3:15pm. They quickly determined we were in active labor, moved us to a room, and the real fun began! I was able to breathe through the contractions fairly well, but made it clear I was nobody's hero and wanted an epidural! The nurse took note of my face at one point and called for the anesthesiologist. The "miracle worker" walked in and took the pain away...he was my most favorite person in the world at that time! Dr. Bing came in to break my water and stayed to chat with us for a while. When she left things got ugly...

My girlfriend Kim, also known as our baby paparazzi, got to the hospital by 8:00pm. She was there with our delivery with McKenna and it wouldn't have been the same without her for Addison's! She can manhandle a video came, iPhone, and digital camera with mad skills :o) I couldn't really "welcome" her the way I wanted because my epidural stopped doing its job. I started feeling each and every contraction and could verbally tell you when the next one was coming. This should NOT be the case when you have an epidural! They were about 3 minutes a part and they were STRONG...they HURT! It was the most sharp, stabbing pain I have ever experienced in my lifetime...I'll leave it at that...won't go into the drama that ensued, but needless to say my "miracle worker" was called back into my room to "DO SOMETHING" about 3 different times until FINALLY he took the epidural out and put it higher up my back. Within minutes it started to take effect. I could hear Angels singing and birds chirping. I could open my eyes again and speak full sentences! Not 2 minutes after the anesthesiologist walked out of the door, the Dr. walked in to check my progress...I was a full 10cm dilated. She looked up at me, smiled, and said, "So how was that natural child birth?"...Har-Har-Har...

The room became busy with nurses, machines, and excitement. I gave the first push with the nurses and they hollered, "STOP!" Miss Addison was ready but the doctor still needed a minute to get prepared to catch her :o) Once everyone was in place, I pushed 2 more very small pushes and at 8:57pm we were holding our baby girl!! The Doctor had offered for Dave to assist with the delivery, with catching Addi and everything, but he chose just to be the dad/husband and settled with cutting the cord :)

Addison came out giving us the business! She cleared those lungs and before we knew it cleared the room! As fast as everyone came in, they were out and we were left with our new little addition.


Post-epidural (that worked) and pre-baby!


She's here!!!! Born Monday, April 4, 2011, 8:57pm, 8 lbs. 8 oz. 21 in. long...RED hair :o)


Dr. Bing was fabulous!


Mommy & Daddy checking out their little bundle.


Aunt Kim is a rock star! My sweet girlfriends, Lauren & Lindsey, jumped in the car and headed over to meet Addison THAT night! They brought me a strawberry shake from Sonic so I of course let them come :o)


Tired, but lovin' every minute!


We were overwhelmed with the love we felt from our church family. Our senior pastor called to check on us and 3 of the other pastors (Pastors Bruce, Scott, and Mark) on staff came to visit! Uncle Chad works at the hospital where Addi was born so he was among the first to get snuggles!


McKenna and Gran came Tuesday around lunch time to see Baby Sister. This was a moment that had me awake at night...how would McKenna do??? Dave went to pick them up and bring them to the hospital. I had Addison in her little bed and was changing her diaper when I heard McKenna's voice in the hallway. "Where is her? I wanna see her!" The door opened and McK gasped, "There she is! I wanna hold her!" WHEW! Thank you Jesus was all I could think! We set McK up right away to hold Addison and the kissing and hugging began! She would also just look at her and say, "Aww, her so cute!" The pictures and video were going and it was such a sweet sight to see the girls in their Big/Little Sister shirts and together finally!

McKenna did NOT want to share Addison. She didn't want Gran to hold Addi, b/c Addison was "her baby". Gran was patient and waited until McKenna lost a little interest :) McK did a great job and was pretty gentle. She loved to rub her head and kiss her on her cheeks, head, and mouth (sigh). I was unbelievably thankful for the sweet and memorable meeting!


Finally Gran got to have a "turn" holding "McKenna's baby" :o)


McKenna got a "Big Sister" present and wore her "fancy shoes" up and down the hallway of the hospital. She loved the way they sounded as she "clickety-clacked" the "runway". The nurses just ooohhh'ed and awwww'ed. She was one, proud Big Sister.


The new and improved Burke Family! Dave's sleeping situation was much better this go 'round. There was a couch that he fit on instead of sleeping on the floor like last time. He and McK tested in out.


More sweet visitors and friends...Pastor Mark, Christine, and Vanessa


Our girl is pretty in pink!


Dana works at the hospital and was able to visit a couple of times. Jen and Bradly came with gifts! We are so blessed by our friends that serve as family!


It was finally time to take our girl home! Dave went home, got McKenna, & drove to the airport to pick up my Mom. Gran came to the hospital to help get us girls going. It was a slow, safe, careful drive :o) We got to the house, brought Addison inside, looked at each other and said, "Now what?" :o) I said, "I guess we take her out and look at her some more!" So that's what we did :)


Finally Dave, McK, and Gigi got back from the airport and Gigi got to meet Addi. Gran passed the baton to Gigi as we had to say goodbye to Gran Thursday morning.

It was a whirlwind, but such a memorable, joyful, and treasure of an experience. Before we know it we will be celebrating her birthday again...but we are soaking up every minute and not wishing the time away at all! Happy Birthday Addi-bug. We love you oh-so-much! You have made our family complete, and we are so thankful to God that He gave us you!