So Thankful!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We got to eat 2 times and hang out with both of our families. I know I have said it before, but it is so nice living so close to our families. Kate was excited to get out of the house and see some new surroundings :) We started by going to Aunt Karen's house. We had a really tasty traditional meal. We celebrated with Susie, Don, Carl, Traci, Uncle Ricky, Jan, Joe and Karen. It was wonderful. I think the only time Kate was put down was when we were eating. She is so loved!


After Karen's we headed to my parents. Erik and I got a much needed nap and Kate got to hang out with Mimi, Grandpa and cousin Noah. Mimi had the two babies posed up for Thanksgiving pictures and Grandpa was snapping pictures left and right. Aunt Courtney got them matching little outfits and they were just precious. We ate AGAIN around 7. Iron chef Kevin :) and my mom really made a delicious meal. It was one for the record books. We didn't get any pictures of my family on Thanksgiving, but we did take a family photo the night before. Our little family of 4 has grown to 6 now to 8! Court and I promised mom we would not post the family shot because she is going to use it for her Christmas card.



We are very thankful---especially this year. God has blessed us with the most precious gift--baby Kate. We are so in love with our little girl and we are both enjoying being parents. Kate turned 2 weeks old on Thanksgiving. Here are a few of the quirks we have discovered about Miss Kate.
-She loves putting her hands over her ears
-She is eating about every 3.5 hours
-She is a very peaceful baby and very content--most of the time :)
-She is outgrowing some of her newborn clothes (already!!)
-She is a good sleeper (hope I didn't jinx it!)
-She weighs 8 pounds 5 ounces (we went to the Dr. today)
-Her cord fell off on Wednesday
-She sleeps the best when she is swaddled up tight
Here are some pictures from this week.

This bath went much better for baby and mommy & daddy!

This was the sweet little dress I was baptized in all those years ago.
Mimi had it cleaned and it fit Kate so nice.
She looks like a little doll on the blanket Grandmother
Schindewolf made for her.

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Thanks for reading,

Kristen

The weekend

We have had a good weekend. I love it that Erik has been home!! He is still so helpful :) We no longer say good night to each other when it is time to sleep--we say good nap! Here are a few pictures we snapped.




Have a great Thanksgiving week!

Kristen

1 Week Old!

Kate has been such a blessing this week! We are so thrilled she came early (18 days) to join our family. Here are some special traits of our baby girl.
- she loves to cross her legs high in the air when she is nursing
- she loves to be rocked
- she loves when her daddy picks out her clothes and dresses her
- she eats about every 3 hours
- she is always moving her little legs, arms and long fingers
- she weighs 7 pounds 5 ounces and is looking great according to the Dr. today
- she doesn't enjoy her sponge bath but she loves it when daddy washes her hair under the faucet
Here are some pictures we took today. We love changing her clothes and snapping lots of pictures. She is like a little doll.


I am off to nap. There is definitely some truth to sleep when the baby sleeps!!

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Sweet Kate!

We have been enjoying our little girl so much! She seems to have her days and night a little mixed up. My mom, Mimi, has been staying the night and has been a lifesaver. Susan comes over in the morning to help as well. Courtney has even been in Spring offering so much assistance and answers to all my questions. We are so very lucky to have our families so close. Here are a few pictures from the last couple of days. Kate experienced her 1st sponge bath and a trip to the Dr.

She is a little jaundice. The Dr. told us to let her get a little sun. This afternoon we put her in her moses basket by the window. She was actually pretty content.

What an angelic baby!

Not too happy!

So alert.

Look at those long fingers. Maybe she will be a piano player.

Erik is back at work today, Wednesday. We are surviving without him---just barely. I am a little slow when it comes to changing diapers. We hope you are having a good Wednesday.

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Home Sweet Home!!

We made it home this afternoon around 12:30. Kate slept the whole 15 minute trip home from the hospital. We were greeted by Susie, Don, my parents, and Courtney & Kevin. Kate also got to meet her cousin Noah. He was smiling at her and welcoming her to this family. It was so sweet. My dad was great at taking pictures today as usual. Here are a few from her 3rd day. She is such a gift from God!

I am off to take a nap.

Thanks for reading and all the sweet emails!

Kristen

Day 2

Here are a few more pictures of our baby girl. She was a little more alert this afternoon. We are so in love. Reality hits us tomorrow when we leave the hospital. Erik has been amazing. I can tell I am now the number 2 girl in his life. She has stolen his heart!!






Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Welcome Baby Kate!

Kate decided to bless us with her presence two and a half weeks early. She was 21 inches long and 7lbs 12ounces. She was born at 8:51 AM yesterday, November 12th, 2009. We think she is precious in every way. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by, called, or texted. We will update more later, but here are a few pics.








Thanks for reading!

Kristen, Erik, and Kate

Not much longer...

We are going to be induced on Monday the 16th! I went to the Dr. today and my blood pressure was still slightly high and I am still swollen. So, this baby girl is going to be here before her due date. My mom went with me to the appointment. Kate was monitored for about 20 minutes. We got to hear her little heart beat for all that time. She was also kicking the monitors on my tummy. The Dr. said we have a happy baby in there! That made us feel good :) I will be exactly 38 weeks on the 16th. For now, I am still on "bed rest" according to the Dr. I better enjoy this week of rest because I probably won't have another one anytime soon.

Thanks for checking in!

Kristen

Relaxing Weekend

We had a nice relaxing weekend spent with our families. Noah and Courtney spent the weekend in Spring. So, we had lots of laughs and time with the "Baby Bear." It is so funny to see my parents interact with "The Boy"--as my dad calls Noah. They are completely in love with him and it is neat to watch. Kev missed out. He was hunting having a grand time!! Erik went to our friend Damian's wedding on Saturday night. He had a great time catching up with family and friends he had not seen in awhile. On Sunday, we were spoiled rotten by the Burke family. Cheryl was so sweet to bring us a delicous meal! Tommy even smoked us some of his famous ribs! It was amazing. We wrapped up Sunday by visiting Don and Susie. Erik helped his momma set up her crib and bedding for her upcoming grand babies. We always like to spend time on Schindewolf Lane. It was a nice weekend!

I am going back to the Doctor tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, I will have some exciting news to post! I am disappointed that I didn't take any pictures of the weekend. Courtney got some adorable ones of Noah-check out her blog. It is linked here on ours.

Erik and my dad had a couple of big projects. They put together this cradle for Kate and installed her carseat. We are soooooo ready for her :) I will update again soon.


Thanks for reading,

Kristen

False Alarm #1

Sorry to get your hopes up, but it looks like Kate is going to stay put a little longer. We had another Dr. appointment this afternoon. My blood pressure was within normal range and all my blood work came back good. Which should make us very happy; that the momma is healthy. But....we were so looking forward to meeting this little baby on Monday. I have another appointment on Monday afternoon when I will be 37 weeks along. For now, I am still supposed to take it easy and not lift a finger. We will keep you posted.

Thanks for reading!
Kristen

Big News (Possibly!)

Well, we had an oh so exciting ultra sound and doctor appointment this afternoon. Susie, my mom and Erik were all in attendance to see Miss Kate. She wasn't cooperating so we didn't get a good shot of her face. We did get to see her profile and her little arms. It was also great to see and hear her heart beat. The Grandma's were through the roof excited. Now for the big news..... the doctor thinks she is already 7 pounds and 3 ounces!! Can you believe it??!! My blood pressure has been high lately and the doctor thinks there is a good chance we will have this baby in 1 week. I have another appointment on Thursday to confirm the plans for Monday. I am under doctors orders to rest for the remainder of the week. That means Erik will be doing the laundry, cooking dinner and catering to his girls :) We will keep you posted.

Thanks for reading!

Kristen