Another Photo Update

Greetings friends and family. I know that we have not been too consistent about posting lately. We are hoping to get on a more consistent update schedule in the next few weeks.

We are enjoying life with two little girls in the house, however, we are also both exhausted most of the time.

I have begun my second semester of computer programming courses, so just about every free minute I have after the kids are in bed is spent working on trying to stay on top of my studies. This semester, I could be considered a full-time student, as I am taking 12 credits (4 classes).

Kristen is keeping busy with two children and all of the stresses and joys that that entails.

Enjoy the photos. (Remember, you can click on the slideshow to be taken to the actual online photo album that contains the pictures.)

More Photos...

Well, we are home and surviving the transition to having two kids at home. We will try to write more about that in the near future, but time and energy are lacking at this time.

Here are a few more pictures. Again, just click on the slide show and it will take you to the online photo album if you so choose.

Natalie's First Gig...

On Tuesday, Natalie got her first job! One of the nurses needed a "real" baby for a demonstration in a parenting class the hospital was offering, and we agreed to let them use Natalie in the class. The nurse was going to be demonstrating the proper way to bathe a newborn.

Before the actual bathing took place the nurse spoke for about 10 minutes. During this time, Natalie was laying in her hospital crib that we wheeled her into the class in. I was sitting right beside her, and I heard her let two explosive noises out of her butt. They came out with so much force that you could see her little body move. I knew the nurse was going to be in trouble when she undressed Natalie.

I had checked Natalie right before we took her to the class, for fear of her having a dirty diaper and Kristen and I looking like neglectful parents.

When the nurse got down to the diaper during the demo, she was even taken off guard by the amount of mess! Natalie had blown out her diaper and the mess was going up her back and down her legs!

All I could think was, "That's my GIRL!!!!!" :)

It seems that Natalie wanted to go above and beyond and provide an extra credit learning opportunity for all of the parents to be in the room.

What fun kids are!!!

Ally Singing for Her Sister

This is a short video of Allyson singing for her new sister. Ally's first visit with Natalie went much better than we had anticipated. She was a little shy at first, but soon warmed up to her.

I think Ally will make a great big sister!

More Natalie Pictures

Natalie slept through most of her first night! Kristen had to wake her to feed her. She seems to be making sure that she gets all rested up while she is in the hospital so that she can make a rowdy first night at home!

Here are a few pictures of her sleeping this morning.

Happy Birthday Natalie Mae!!!

Natalie was born at 8:35 a.m. this morning (January 8) and weighed in at 9lbs 15oz!!! She beat Allyson's 9lb 13oz birth weight!

While the C-section went smoothly and Kristen is doing fine, Natalie had a little bit of a struggle initially. They placed her in the incubator to get her breathing and oxygen levels stabilized. But, while in there, she began to have a frequent and repetive "twitching" going on in her legs and arms. This caused the doctor and nurses some concern, so in came a barrage of people to run tests.

They were concerned that these "twitches" may be seizures. Well, after keeping her in the nursery for about 5 hours, threatening to send her to a hospital in Madison, and a few second opinions, the "twitching" lessened and they let her mom and me hold her.

She is eating well and proving to be a sweetheart! I think we'll keep her!!

As you will see in the pictures, she bares a strong resemblance to another little girl in our family... She even has the same birthmark as her sister and dad.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers today.

Just click on the slideshow and it should take you to the online album of pictures.

As I See It...Daddy's Fur

Sometimes I like to get a little "wild" and skip shaving for a few days. This week was one of those times. Little did I know that it would have an impact on Allyson.

The other night we were wrestling on the couch while we waited for mom to finish making dinner. I brushed my chin past Allyson's cheek and then she started crying and saying that I hurt her.

From that point, she proceeded, as all 3-year-olds in distress do, to run to MOMMY and tell her she was hurt. When Kristen asked her what happened she replied, "Daddy hurt me with his FUR!"

It was all we could do to keep ourselves from busting up laughing. I guess the moral of this story is that I need to make sure to shave my facial "fur" before wrestling with Allyson.

Can you believe it...in just two days we can start blogging about two little girls instead of one!

I will try to post pictures sometime on Tuesday, but we'll see how things go.

Playing in the Snow

Last Friday we had the perfect snow storm. The snow was the perfect snow for building snowmen, snowforts, etc. And, the temperature was not too cold, so Ally and I spent some time outside playing in the snow. Here are some pictures from our snowy day.

We have had over 30 inches of ice and snow this December here in Wisconsin. I am so glad that I purchased a used snowblower this year! It has paid for itself several times over already.

Have a great day!

Christmas Video

I probably shouldn't even put this up. I am not proud of the fact that my daughter openly admits that she is spoiled. We were opening presents on Christmas Eve, and she proclaims, "I am so spoiled." We are not sure where she learned this fact, or even what the word spoiled meant. Fortunately (or unfortunately), we were able to catch it on camera.

Christmas Photos

I know we are late in getting these posted. Sorry about that. I guess I enjoyed the down-time too much. Well, anyway, here are some photos from our Christmas. We were definitely blessed this year. We celebrated with two excellent Christmas Eve worship services, way too many presents, Kristen's parents, cornish game hens, and lots of rest and relaxation! It was a great week.

Enjoy some photos (mostly of Ally)....who else would we photograph!!!! I know, I know...it is really sad, but come on, you aren't visiting this site to see pictures of Kristen and I!!!!

Click photo below to view an album with some Christmas Photos.

ChristmasDay2007

The Last Belly Picture.....We Hope!

This picture was taken on Christmas Eve. As you can see, the baby is definitely getting bigger. They tell us this little one is going to be over 8 lbs! What can I say, we grow 'em big. Please keep Kristen and our family in your prayers as we get closer to delivery day, which is scheduled for Tuesday (Jan. 8). We will be sure to keep you updated on our new arrival!

Click HERE to see the other "Belly Posts"