This has been quite a week. Kiera feeds two to three times a night. The third time is usually early morning, but then she'll sleep until 8 AM or so. She is so much fun, and a lot of work. I don't feel like I have really slept in the past two weeks, but I also think it could be much worse. She is a good baby and once asleep tends to stay asleep for a while. Her and Scott are great napping buddies. I got to take my first nap with her this week. Otherwise I had been trying to keep her in the sun and daylight as much as possible to help her get rid of her jaundice. That first week was tough and we were so concerned about her as her bilirubin numbers was just below the level where they admit the baby to the hospital to get put under the bili lights.

I rode my trainer for the first time this past tuesday. I am still tender in the saddle area, but if I sit crooked I can make it work. I was able to ride two times that day on the trainer for about a 1/2 hour each time. My first outdoor ride was this past wedsnesday. It felt sooooo good to ride outdoors and not have my belly in the way. I could breathe relatively normally. Pregnancy made me really short of breath, so it was so nice to be able to actually breath harder because of effort and not just because of extra fluid, hormones, and pregnancy-induced anemia. I had to ride the trainer again yesterday - but I made an hour that time all at once as our little peanut took a nice nap with Scott. I am supposed to not lift anything heavy while my body returns to normal, but I figure lifting some weights is Ok as long as I don't overdo it and am cautious. It is amazing how quickly I am losing my baby belly. I still have a pouch, but after two weeks I think I am on track. I lost 20# the first week, but I am sure I will lose more slowly from here on out. I only get to weigh myself once a week so I don't get compulsive about it. Thankfully, I don't crave crappy food for the most part and with caring for a newborn we often miss meals. I have figured out how to hold Kiera while nursing and free up one hand to do other things if I need to. She makes the cutest little noises and faces though that I often just stare at her.

I wish I could race Sheboygan this weekend, but my body is not feeling recovered enough to race. I am supposed to 'take it easy' for 6 weeks after giving birth to allow my body to recover, but I can tell to push it at this point is not wise. It takes a while for parts that dilated to return to normal along with some other changes. I am hoping to race the Iceman, but we'll see. I love that race!

Our little baby developed jaundice this past week. Her numbers were pretty high, but not high enough to be hospitalized. We kept her in the sun; best without a diaper. This photo displays the result of taking that risk. Scott and I laughed so hard because it shot out of her like a cannon! Amazing such a small little person has such power.

Kiera Esther Kylander-Johnson was born on Saturday September 27th at 4:11 AM. She weighed 7 pounds and 1/2 ounce and was 20 inches long. Scott and I cannot describe how amazing and precious she is. I never thought I could love someone so much (besides Scott). She is alert and makes the best noises; even her farts are cute. We have taken her for several walks and a hike on trail this evening. She is lulled to sleep by walking and is a very good baby. She has a bit of jaundice right now so we have to keep a close eye on her and I have been spending a lot of time sunning her in the window. Scott has been fantastic and we share as much of the baby duties as possible; except for nursing of course. Our life has definitely changed; but I couldn't imagine it any different. We are enjoying Kiera immensely.

I am a bit sore as I have a few stitches and will need some time to heal. But otherwise motherhood is suiting me very well and Scott is an exceptional father. Kiera is one lucky little girl to have such a good dad.

We have had so many well-wishes from friends, family, coworkers, and studnets (and their families). We feel very blessed to have so many people care about our little family.