Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!

My best friend Angela surprised me with a birthday visit. This is especially impressive considering she had a 20 month old and a 14 week old in tow! The only pictures we have from the wonderful weekend is this one of a sad little Pierce and of course the requisite birthday hats!

It was so wonderful to share this time with Angela and her boys. Thank you for coming Angela and thanks to my dear husband and friends here in OH who also helped me celebrate.

Smiley

A few Evelyn vids

So Strong!

Aunt Cilla

Twirl girl (don't know how to rotate this image).

So Pretty!

Kathryn was so responsive from the beginning, but it was hard to catch her smiles on camera so we could have proof.

A bit blurry, but a smile none the less.

Happy Girl!

Big Sister Now

Evelyn has pretty much adjusted to being a big sister by now, but her start was not the smoothest. Learning to share mom and dad was a bit rough at first. She did have some help, though.

Aunt Priscilla trying to entertain Evelyn in the waiting room of the hospital on one of her first visits. Evelyn wanted to touch EVERYTHING in the hospital room, so Aunt Priscilla's valiant efforts were much appreciated.

Grammie and Poppy came bearing gifts...An Elmo costume to match her Elmo slippers.

Sweet Big Sister still loves to "hug" Baby "Kafryn"

Evelyn sports Aunt Priscilla's sunglasses and a shirt that declares her new status ;-)

Evelyn got to stay with her friend Claire while mommy was having the baby! Claire even shared her sunglasses and rain boots!

Kathryn

Working backwards...here are some pictures of Kathryn's first days

Grandpa and Grandma Elaine came for a visit the weekend after Kathryn was born.

All bundled up and ready to leave the hospital on a cold Ohio night. Going home was such a relief after they said she might have to stay for more antibiotics. However, it didn't feel like such an "event" I think because we weren't first-time parents, so there weren't the nerves associated with leaving the hospital with a tiny, helpless infant.

Aunt Priscilla Frances holding her second niece, Kathryn Frances.

Kathryn smiling at Poppy's funny faces. She smiled in the hospital - FOR REAL!

Evelyn looking somewhat guilty and Kathryn looking tired ;-) Big Sister has lots of energy and can't wait until Kathryn can play!

Kathryn listening intently to Grammie.

Look at all that hair!

Such a good sleeper!

Finally Here!!!!!!

Kathryn Frances Meyer

Kathryn weighing in at 8 lbs. 13 oz., and 21.5 inches. She gave a few little cries at birth and really hasn't cried much since!

Joann, one of the midwives at Wright Patterson Medical Center. She is a wonderful advocate for moms and babies. With her is our sweet nurse.

Evelyn meets "Baby Kathryn"

Baby Kathryn finally arrives home!!!!

I guess it should come as no surprise to us that we have a very laid back baby. With the arrival of our second child I think we are learning that the name of the game is patience! Evelyn came after 36 hours of labor and Kathryn came 10 days after her due date. Being 10 days late was not so stressful, but turning transverse at one point did give mom and dad a little bit of stress. After the wait we are just so glad to have her here with us. The labor was shorter this time. There was really only about 8 hours of labor. However, that was preceded by about 15 hours of waiting for labor to start after my water broke! Once it started it moved pretty quickly. Thanks to the support and encouragement of our midwife and of course Paul's unfailing support, we made it through labor. Kathryn had three elevated temps following birth and was put on a precautionary round of antibiotics while they ran blood tests for infection. It was so pitiful to see our tiny, little girl with and IV access in her arm. Kathryn was much more brave than her mother about getting an IV. She hardly cried. After much poking and prodding her blood cultures all came back normal. We were so thankful for this news.