awake

asleep

julia at two weeks

Stats from Julia's two week appointment...

length/height = 21.25 in (90th percentile)
weight = 8lbs 1oz (50-75th percentile)

snow fun

Snowman created by Josh & Madeline

Taking a break

thank you!

The snow has been cleared off the roads, so Grandma & Grandpa Bartel headed back to Kansas today. Thank you so much for helping us navigate these first couple of weeks as we grew into a family of four. We love you!

christmas wishes do come true!

M has been wishing for snow for Christmas and her wish came true! It started snowing in the evening on Christmas and we awoke to a wonderful white landscape this morning.



Thanks, Grandpa B, for clearing off our sidewalk and driveway, especially since we have less than ideal snow removal tools!

merry christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration today! Grandma and Grandpa Bartel helped us open presents this morning and then we feasted on waffles. The feast and presents continued in the afternoon with Grandma & Grandpa Lingenfelser and Natalie's family bringing over Christmas lunch with all the fixings. We really appreciate everyone rearranging their holiday traditions to accommodate us!

preschool christmas

Madeline's preschool had their Christmas program and brunch this morning for the kids in the 3 year old and 5 year old classes. Josh and I attended while Julia stayed at home with Grandma and Grandpa Bartel. The kids were so cute with their songs and poems!

The 3 year olds at APPLE Seeds
(M is second from the right in the first row, pink shirt)

bathtime 2.0

Julia's first bath at home

I can't wait for that umbilical cord to fall off so that we can use the baby bathtub. I'm worried I'll drop her into the sink -- soapy, wriggly babies are so slippery!

long and lean

Julia had an appointment with the pediatrician this afternoon to check her weight gain and make sure her little bit of jaundice was on its way out. She's now at 6.8 lbs (about 7% under her birth weight) but everything looks good. Look at those long, skinny legs and those long feet!

dress up

Madeline decided that Grandpa Bartel's workboots were the best accessory for her overalls. While she can clomp around the house wearing Mom's shoes, Grandpa's boots were so heavy they kept her fixed in one spot!

enough with the pictures already!

going home

Julia and I got the "all clear" after this morning's rounds, so Josh and Madeline picked us up this afternoon for our first family trip home.

The carseat and its safety harness seem way too big for little Julia.

That's one full back seat!

proud big sis

nice to meet you

first look

Madeline was fascinated with all of Julia's little features:
little fingers, itty-bitty fingernails, and teeny-tiny eyelashes.

she's here!

Julia Katherine arrived at 10:56am today, weighing 7lbs 5oz and measuring 20.5" long.

first snow of december 2010

We were surprised by the giant flakes that started falling this afternoon... guess we haven't been watching the forecast very closely lately! There wasn't much accumulation, but it was sufficient to provide M with some thrills (she's been wishing for snow for Christmas). Once we saw the flakes start, we all quickly donned our hats and coats -- well, I put on a few layers instead since my coats don't zip around the baby belly -- and played in the snowfall for a while.