Friday, June 29, 2012

Disneyland Hotel and The Grand Californian

It was a beautiful day to walk around Downtown Disney and the Hotels.

 
From the 5th floor patio at the Grand Californian – Cadillac Range in Carsland looms over DCA.

IMG_1413 
3rd Floor lobby area.  Sure is nice.

IMG_1414 
I really like the new Disneyland Hotel.

IMG_1416 
Katie couldn’t wait to tell me all about the Big Thunder model.

 
And she loved running through the open grass.

IMG_1424 
It was hot out there.  The new water slides sure looked inviting.

IMG_1428 
This was Matty’s first trip to Disney!  We love being able to take him places at such a young age.  Such a difference from how we couldn’t take Katie out for a few months.

IMG_1429 
Bonus!  Katie got to meet Goofy!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Mother’s Beach

We rediscovered Mother’s Beach today.  It was a beautiful day and Katie had a great time.

IMG_1381
Before heading to the beach we went to lunch.  Katie running around on “the hill” outside the restaurant.

IMG_1382
Go Katie, go!

IMG_1386
Beautiful day.

IMG_1387
Obviously we weren’t the only ones who thought so.  The little beach was crowded.

IMG_1394
Katie took to the water and sand in no time.

IMG_1395

IMG_1401

IMG_1402
Surfer girl!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Closing out Matthew’s 2nd Week

Matthew’s 2nd week is almost finished and we are all adjusting to the little guy.  Julie and I are learning what a full term newborn is all about, and Katie is adjusting well also.  She wanted a lot of our attention before Matty was born, and that hasn’t changed.  She loves her big sister role, and tries to help out whenever she can.

The biggest change with Matty vs. the first few weeks with Katie is our ability to accept visitors and take him out.  Besides repeated doctor visits, Matty has already been to the park, Katie’s tumbling class, and to a restaurant.  We’re looking forward to an active summer with him in tow!

IMG_4716
Bringing him home on time!

IMG_4717

IMG_4729
With Grandma Linda.

IMG_4731
Finally the big sister!

IMG_4754
My growing family.  I sure love them!

IMG_1322
We’re getting about 8 hours of sleep, but it’s broken up throughout the day and night.  Afternoon naps are critical.

IMG_4758
Grandpa Orvin came over on Father’s day and held his grandson for the first time.

IMG_4759
Aunt Joy.

IMG_1346
Matty asleep at the park.  He can sure make silly expressions when he sleeps.

IMG_1345
Katie has discovered the monkey bars.  She loves to climb!

IMG_1347
The rope climb is quickly becoming a favorite also.

IMG_1348
Katie slept (sort of) in the same chair when she was a baby.

IMG_1350
Gas.  Oh yeah.

IMG_1371
Matty sleeps like this often.  I wonder if we’ll see this pose continued through childhood.

IMG_1375
Safe in big sister’s lap.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Matthew’s 2nd Day – Improving

Day 2 and we’re already seeing improvement.  Most notably is his oxygen dome.  It’s gone, and he is able to breathe standard room air.  They continue to monitor his heart and respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.  His IV is still in as well.

IMG_4673

IMG_4674

IMG_4681

IMG_4686
My first time holding him.

IMG_4689
Katie came for a visit!  She was so proud to give us pictures she made with Grandma Linda.  She is holding a picture she made of Matty in his bed.

IMG_4690
Her very first moments seeing him.  She was thrilled and kept saying, “Look at the baby.  He so cuuuuuuute!”

IMG_4691
I had a lump in my throat seeing her in the same NICU that she was in four years ago.  One day she will fully understand the many stories and many miracles behind this picture.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Matthew is Born!

Matthew Robert was born at 10:40 this morning, weighing 7.85 lbs and stretching 21 inches long.  Matthew came into the world after a quick but traumatic labor.  This will put him in the NICU for a few days.  Julie and I are traumatized ourselves with the idea of another NICU stay.   Even though this one will be much different than Katie’s, the sights, sounds, and smells of Katie’s stay are flooding back to us.  That said, none of the doctors are concerned about a long stay nor are they concerned about long-term complications.  For that we are very thankful.

IMG_4598
Ready to have a baby today.

IMG_4619
Seconds.

IMG_4623
You did it!  I’m so proud.

IMG_4627
Minutes.

IMG_4642
Sleeping in the NICU, safely under his oxygen dome.

IMG_4648

IMG_4650
First time with open eyes.

IMG_4663
We couldn’t believe we were back.  More than anything, Julie wanted a normal birthing experience this time.

IMG_4667
Being comforted by mama during an uncomfortable moment.


A quick video of him sleeping in his incubator.  He’s a very peaceful baby.