Emeline meets Kate

Emeline got to meet her little sister the morning after she was born.  She stayed the previous night with Aunt Diane and Uncle Miles, and Aunt Diane showed her a picture of Kate on her phone when she was born, and she said Emeline was very excited.  She said when Emeline woke up (extra early, I might add) the next day she was in her crib talking to herself saying "Diane, Miles, Mommy, Papa, Baby Sister...".  Lots of anticipation.  

She was very excited when she got to the hospital room, and wanted to hold Kate right away.  Here are a few of our favorite photos:

Diane holding Emeline give her a good view.

Emeline going in for a hug.

Sitting next to sister, very excited!

What's in here?

Kisses!

Papa and his girls!

Here are some more!

Emeline meets Kate

Kate Susana Zuber

Kate Susana Zuber made her speedy entrance to the world on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 5:59pm.  She weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 20 inches long.  

A more detailed birth story to come when we have some time and sleep to reflect, but here is the short story.

Elaine had some false labor the previous Sunday night and almost went to the hospital, but the labor petered out.  She'd had some contractions off and on throughout the week, and Friday was no exception.  Friday morning she took Emeline to the park, chatted with various people about how she was very "done" being pregnant, and about how cool it would be if the baby came on 6/29 because Emeline came on 3/29.  Around 3:00pm, Elaine thought she might be leaking amniotic fluid so she made an appointment with the on call doctor to be seen at 4:30.  She had some more contractions, but nothing major starting around 3:30, Wes came home at 4:00pm and all three of us went to the doctor for the 4:30 appointment.  At the appointment the doctor said Elaine's water had not yet broken, but she was 5 cm dilated and definitely in real labor this time.  So we headed down to labor and delivery and got checked in around 5:00pm.  Contractions were getting harder, and Elaine was grateful to have Aunt Diane come get Emeline so Wes could help her through the contractions.  Emeline was very sweet to Elaine while she was in labor, telling her she loved her and rubbing her back.  Elaine was even more grateful for her labor support, Elizabeth, to arrive around 5:20 when things were getting really rough.  Elaine progressed quickly through a very difficult and intense transition.  Elaine's doctor arrived around 5:52 and Elaine delivered Kate after a few pushes at 5:59pm.  Maybe a 1.5-2.5 hour intense process depending on when you start the clock.

Kate is healthy, strong and breastfeeding relatively well.  We are so grateful to God for such a quick delivery, a healthy term baby, and all the wonderful bonding time we've had with Kate here in the hospital.  Looking forward to heading home soon and starting our adventure as a family of four!

Here are some photos of Kate's first few hours.  Enjoy!

Baby Kate

Somersaults

Emeline recently figured out how to do somersaults on her own.  She's having lots of fun with it.  Last night, albeit while trying to have prayer time before bed, she was doing somersaults in her room yelling "woo hoo!" afterward.  It was very cute, though a little much before bed.  So today we had somersault time in the living room.  It's also cute to hear her say "somersault", but as you can see she wasn't too keen on saying it for the camera.  Enjoy!

Baby Girl's Heartbeat

We had our 37 week doctors appointment today (will be 37 weeks tomorrow!) and I recorded a little sound byte of her sweet heartbeat.  Enjoy!

Barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen

Here I am, barefoot, 36 weeks and 4 days pregnant, and in the kitchen.  The NEW kitchen I might add.  There is not much cooking in the kitchen these days, though it is mostly done, it is not unpacked, and we are still waiting for the pantry cabinet to be installed, as well as some other finishing work (so more pictures of the kitchen later).  But we did it!  We made it past my previous record of being pregnant (35 weeks and 1 day with Emeline), and we are getting close to 37 weeks.  We also managed to finish the bulk of the kitchen remodel without having a baby, and while preserving most of our sanity.  Still lots to do, but if the baby comes, we wont be in complete chaos.  

It is hot, I'm feeling huge and full of baby, I'm very tired and sore, but I haven't thrown up in nearly 2 weeks, so maybe I can finally say the pregnancy sickness has passed?  Kinda silly to say this late in the game, but I'm grateful none the less.  

So now what?  I'm in a new stage of pregnancy I've never done before, so I guess we wait, try to stay cool (it's getting pretty hot here as we head toward July), try to tie up loose ends around the house, and try to get as much rest as possible.  Ha!  Not so easy while chasing a toddler ...not to mention the almost complete inability to sleep due to heat, a huge belly and a sore back, but try I will!  Looking forward to meeting you baby girl!

P.S.  Happy Father's Day to Wes!  I don't know how I could survive this pregnancy without him.  He is the most supportive, loving, self sacrificing papa/husband Emeline and I could ask for.  And he has worked so hard on this new kitchen!

Fire Station Birthday Tour

Emeline got to go to a fun birthday party for her friend Max this weekend.  Max loves fire trucks, so not only did he have a fire truck themed party, but we all got to go on a tour of a local fire station.  It was amazing to see so many young kids waiting patiently for the tour to start, and staying with their parents to see the scenes.  Here are some photos:

With Papa looking at the trucks.

Getting to sit inside the fire truck.

Reading bout fire safety while Gracie sits with her.

Birthday boy enjoying a ride.

Playing with fun buttons and levers.

Sitting on the fire truck!

 

Happy Birthday Max!

Backyard time

As I get more and more pregnant, I'm having less energy for outings with Emeline, especially in the afternoon.  So we've been spending more time playing in the backyard.  We get out the water table, kiddie pool, water plants, rake leaves, eat oranges off the tree, draw with chalk on the patio, and wait for the weather to cool off and for Papa to come home.

It's been super hot lately, so I tried freezing some yogurt sticks to make a fun cool snack for Emeline, and she really liked it.  Much better than last summer's attempt at popsicle.  Here's a fun video of her in the backyard, you can hear her cute little voice and I love how she says "fro logurt" for "frozen yogurt"...you have to wait a bit for it in the video, but it's worth it!

Gymboree

Emeline has been going to Gymboree for the last six months, thanks to a very generous Christmas gift from Aunt Diane.  From day 1 at Gymboree she's loved all the activities, games, dancing, and climbing.  I'm always seeing other parents taking pictures, and I realized I hadn't taken any, and we may not go much after baby sister arrives, so I thought I'd better document some.  Here are some videos from the butterfly themed week!

An Emeline Medley

Emeline has really been enjoying singing lately, but it's been hard to get it on camera.  Once I start filming, she usually says "No (insert name of song)!!".  So the videos haven't been too interesting.  But today, while stuck in traffic on the way home from playgroup, she was singing up a storm, and I was able to get some of it.  (No, I was not driving while filming...traffic was so bad I was basically parked, so I was not being unsafe ;) ).

Some of Emeline's favorite songs are "Jesus Loves Me", "The ABCs", "Hallelujah", "Happy Birthday", "Twinkle Twinkle", and a few others.  Enjoy the medley!

Sprinkles

I had the honor of being "sprinkled" twice this weekend.  For those of you not in babyland, a "sprinkle" is a kind of low key baby shower, usually for mom's expecting their second or subsequent child.  Sometimes people only have baby showers for their first, but sometimes we get lucky and treated to something special even for second babies.  

First I had the honor of having a combined sprinkle with two other women from my mom's group who are also expecting their second babies this summer.  We had some delicious food, lots of which had sprinkles, some games and gifts.  Here's a picture of us with the bellies.  From front to back, Liane due August 18, myself due July 11, and Mary Grace due July 8.  

The next day the ladies from my church home group treated me to an afternoon of pedicures and cupcakes.  It was wonderful to have someone make my toes look pretty for summer, since I can't reach them myself.  

 

Then we sat on the grass in the sun, chatting and listening to live music, and enjoying some of these delicious treats!

 

Thanks to these women for a wonderful weekend!