Settling in at home

Here's the little peanut just a few days after coming home from the hospital.

Evie and big sister Madeline. Although their coloring is much different, their features are similar. Their nose is the same (but we don't know who they got it from), and they have the same chin. When Evie has her eyes closed and hat on, she looks very similar to Madeline as a newborn.

Aunt Laura flew home from Colorado last weekend to meet Evelyn.

Is that a smile???

This picture was taken this morning. Two weeks old, and already she's growing and changing!

She's Here!

Welcome Evelyn Elizabeth! Born at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. She did not have a name for a few hours after being born as Dan and I were still in deliberations. We had a few names chosen for both a boy and girl, but agreed that we would wait and see what the baby looked like before making the final choice. Of course when she came out, we had differing opinions. I was determined to get it resolved quickly though so we could tell people her name when calling with the good news. Evelyn won.

We couldn't have been more thrilled when she was delivered and the doctor said, "It's a full head of dark hair... and it's a GIRL!" What a precious gift.

Here we are in the recovery room about 30 minutes after delivery. My experience was much different this time having a scheduled c-section and not going through labor first. I was pretty wiped out after almost 24 hours of labor and 2 1/2 hours of pushing with Madeline, so I was nowhere near this alert or feeling this good.

At about noon Madeline was able to come visit us and see her brand new sister. She is relishing the role of "big sister" and beams when she gets to wear her Big Sister t-shirt.

Evelyn with Grandpa Schmitt

Our first picture as a family of four.

Proud Dad and Grandpa Hay

Grandma Schmitt and Uncle Mark

Madeline brought her baby when she came to visit, and it was an interesting size comparison.

Dan had to take this picture of his sleeping accomodations before we left the hospital. The mother/baby unit was being redone, so we were on a different floor with rooms half the size and no couch for dads. His "bed" was a flip down chair that was about 5 feet long. Even with the chair at the end to rest his feet, it was less than comfortable. I guess it was preparing him for the sleepless nights to come at home.

... and here is the chair during the day.

Just Too Cute

I took this picture the other morning and just love the expression on her face!

Getting Near the End

T-minus 2 weeks. This pregnancy seems to have gone faster than the last. However, Dan said to me today, "It must be weird to have been pregnant for most of last year." He's right. I don't really remember what it's like to carry Madeline without difficulty or have the energy or ability to do whatever I want. We're really excited to meet our New Baby- and even Madeline is excited to have New Baby come live with us. She pats my tummy often and says she loves New Baby. It melts my heart. :) On to a new chapter in our lives...

New Year's Eve- Kid Style

We hosted a New Year's Eve get-together with our playgroup friends this year. Families gathered around 4 and headed home at 7 for bedtime. Moms and kids get together weekly, but this was another chance for Dads to meet up and see how our kids get along... and see that some of the toddler issues we deal with are universal!

We counted down at 6:00 and rang in the New Year with some fun noisemakers!

Note to self: I have to learn more about my camera. This would be an even better picture if Madeline was in focus, not Dan.

HAPPY 2010!!

Christmas Day

Madeline spent the night in her new BIG GIRL BED on Christmas Eve! We moved the bed in there earlier in the day, but weren't planning on making the transition until at least the 26th, but after reading bedtime stories there, she was perfectly content to close her eyes and stay there. We've had no problems with her getting up and wandering around the house, so the crib is now waiting for it's new occupant in the baby's room!

Our new family tradition is to go to Mass on Christmas Day rather than fighting the crowds on Christmas Eve. We've spent too many years arriving at a service early to find that there are no seats available, standing in a cold hallway or vestibule. Christmas Day is much less stressful with 1/3 of the crowd and all of the cheer. After 9AM Mass this year, we went downstairs to see what Santa had left for us. Madeline was thrilled that Santa knew of her love for Thomas the Tank Engine!

We then went over to Grandma & Grandpa Schmitt's house for more food, gifts, and celebration. Aunt Laura and Uncle Hunter braved a 16 hour drive from Colorado to be with us.

Laura was amazed by how much bigger I had gotten since Thanksgiving, and was treated to a love kick.

How did Santa know that Madeline had a stocking at Grandma & Grandpa's house too?

Merry Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve tradition is to host the Hay side of the family for the afternoon and evening. We enjoy yummy treats all day, a delicious meal using our fine china, time together, and of course, cap off the evening with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Madeline spends time with Grandpa, Uncle Will, and (soon to be Aunt) Jenny.

Grandma and Aunt Marie enjoying the photo book we complied of Madeline's year.

Opening more gifts...

a toolkit! Madeline loves "helping" Dad when he is working around the house, and she loves having her own tools now!