Wye Mountain

After spending Spring Break in Texas, Gabi and Bella have returned home. Gramma Jane and Grampa drove to Little Rock for the third weekend in a row to bring our older two daughters back. We took everyone to Wye Mountain for the annual tradition of a picnic and pictures on the hillside of daffodils.

Pinnacle Mountain

Gramma Jane and Grampa came last weekend to meet baby Katarina. They drove back again this weekend at the beginning of Spring Break, this time with Uncle Brian in tow. On Saturday afternoon, we went to Pinnacle Mountain for a hike to enjoy the weather.

Before and After

Two Weeks Old

Look at Katarina's beautiful smokey-blue eyes! She has been looking around more, quietly observing the world. Enjoy these portraits of our baby at 14 days:

Gabriella wanted in on the photo session as well
Katarina snuggled in Mommy's arms

Big Sisters

Gabi and Bella have both adjusted amazingly well to having a new little sibling. Gabi is very affectionate and loves to hold her baby sister and help me take care of her. Bella looks out for what her little sister might want, bringing Katya's stuffed lamb to her and even offering to share her own treasured Lily bunny.

Big sister Gabi holding Katya
Daddy with baby Katya and Bella with her doll Hannah
Gabi writing thank you notes from her birthday
Bella joins Gabi's note-writing
Unfortunately, Bella caught croup and is miserable,
especially at night (hence this afternoon rest)
Gramma Jane and Grampa come to meet the new baby
Grampa holding Katarina
Daddy singing to Katarina
Sweet dreams, Katya!

10 Days Old

Katarina's first photo shoot at 10 days old:

Growing Baby

Katarina's birth weight was 6 lbs 5 oz, and her hospital discharge weight was 6 lbs even. On Saturday, we took her to the pediatrician for a final bili check, and she had already regained her birth weight (at 4 days old)! At her one-week check-up, Katarina had grown to 6 lbs 8 oz.

Later that weekend, her umbilical cord fell off. This girl likes to run ahead of schedule!

Baby bum
Daddy admiring his baby
The first of many pictures of Katarina sleeping on Daddy's chest
Sleepy baby
Gabi was able to read half the note on this bouquet from Daddy's co-workers, even though it is in cursive!
Quiet alert time with Daddy
Holding Daddy's hand

Homecoming

One-day-old Katarina (~38 hours)

Daddy spent the first night in the hospital with us. On Wednesday morning, he and Lolo took Bella to gymnastics class.

Mommy in the hospital with baby Katya

That night, Daddy brought the two big sisters up to the hospital to eat dinner and then took them home and stayed with them at the house. Mommy and Katarina had to spend a second night in the hospital because Katya was Coombs positive and needed to have her bilirubin monitored longer.

Bella kissing her baby sister
Sister Hug
Flowers brighten up our hospital room

All of Katarina's follow-up labs were acceptable, so Mommy and baby went home at lunchtime on Thursday. On the birth certificate form, we were instructed to write our home address in the "hospital" field for Place of Birth, and Michael is officially listed as the "attendant at birth!"

Katarina ready to go home
Mommy and Katarina ready to leave the hospital

Once at home, Katya was not short of adoring family members.

Big sister Gabi with baby Katarina
Lolo holding his newest granddaughter while Lola videos