Big Brother

Kellen has been a great big brother so far. One of the first things he said when he walked into the hospital room was "hold it." Here is a picture of him the first time he "held it." :)


He gave her the dog that he picked out and now that we're home he will bring Anna the dog if he notices she doesn't have it with her.


Anna gave Kellen a barn for his animals. It provided quite a bit of independent play once we were home.

Kellen loves to kiss and hug his sister. He is realizing, though, that she is here to stay. If he feels like I am not paying enough attention to him, he will tell me, "baby in there" and point to the bassinet. He's got it figured out that if the baby is in the bassinet then he has mommy all to himself. Over all, I feel like he is doing fairly well with the adjustment. I know that we will have some rough times after Mema and Peepa leave on Sunday and he doesn't have their extra attention. But I think he's going to make it through this transition without too much trauma. :)

Time Line

Tuesday, February 23th

11 am--Went to the doctor and I was dilated to 4 cm. He stripped my membrane in an attempt to naturally induce labor. I had contracts all day. By dinner time they were 5-7 minutes apart.

Wednesday, February 24th

2 am--Contractions were 4-6 minutes apart so we headed to the hospital.

3 am--Checked into our room. 5 cm dilated.

4:30 am--I got my epidural, YEA! 7 cm dilated. Contractions were 3-5 minutes apart.

5 am--I was given a small amount of pitocin to help regulate the contractions.

8 am--I was fully dilated and ready to push.

8:16 am--Anna Elizabeth was born!! When the doctor said, "It's a GIRL!" Tandon and I both burst into tears. I had been convinced I was having a girl until my 20 week ultra sound when I thought I saw boy parts. I was disappointed but spent the next 20 weeks preparing for another boy. Our sweet baby girl was a total surprise. Tandon and I both accidentally called her a "he" numerous times over the first 24 hours. Ha! I still can't believe we have a GIRL!!

It's a GIRL!

Anna Elizabeth was born Wednesday, February 24th at 8:16am

7 lbs even ~ 19 inches long

Language Development

Kellen's language is exploding! He talks NON-STOP! I thought I would document some of the things he is saying and doing before I forget.

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He has been singing Row Your Boat and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for a while now. The other day in the car I heard him burst out in song. It went something like this . . . "baa here, baa here, baa baa here, E-I-O." Then he ask me to sing the "goose song." I told him he sings so pretty that I thought he should sing it. "Honk here, honk here, honk honk here." Melts my heart just thinking about his sweet voice.

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We had our first real conversation a few days ago. Again we were in the car, Kellen was naming animals and what they eat. "Cow, hay. Horse, hay. Cat, cat food." Not sure where he learned that. . .but I asked him what does Kellen eat. I waited a few seconds, expecting the conversation to remain one sided as normal. He replied "chicken." I was amazed that he answered a question that was not rote. So I asked what else? "Fries." What else? "Pizza." A boy after my own heart, pizza in his top three pick of foods. :-) I'm looking forward to many more conversations with my little man!!

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Imaginary play has picked up in the last week. He enjoys having a party with his stuffed Piglet and Pooh. He gets them situated in chairs at the table and puts a bib on each guest before setting plates and cups out for everyone; followed by magnet letters on each plate for food. The other day I heard him tell Pooh "your welcome" after giving him a plate. :) Tandon is not exactly thrilled with this new game (Ha!), but we both enjoy the entertainment of watching what Kellen will do or say next. Who needs TV when you have children?

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My mom and I took Kellen shopping the other day to pick out a present to give the new baby. Kellen had definite opinions about what he wanted to give his sibling. When offered a stuffed bear verses a stuffed dog Kellen held his hand out and said "bear stay." We then carried the dog to the wrapping aisle. My mom got down a bag to see if the dog would fit in it. I decided I didn't like that particular bag, so we got another one to put the dog in. Kellen proceeded to take the dog out of the second bag and reach for the first. He was not a happy camper until the dog was safely back in the first (ugly-I might add!) bag. So, dog in the ugly bag are awaiting the arrival of the baby. We talk about giving the dog to our new baby almost daily. Kellen also has a present coming from the new baby because I'm not sure he is going to give the dog up very easily. :) It has been interesting to see him develop personality and opinions.

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There are no new developments on the baby front. I was still 2.5 cm at the doctor appointment last week. UGH!! We go again on Tuesday and are hopeful for better news this time.

Mema, 'Cycle,' and the Doctor

My mom finally made it to NWA. However, she was a day late because of delayed and canceled flights. Kellen has been in hog heaven since his mema came to play. Tandon and I went out for a friend's birthday dinner the night my mom arrived. Kellen saw us getting our coats on to go somewhere and got upset. However, he quickly calmed down when he realized that Mema was not going anywhere. He could have cared less that Mom and Dad were headed out the door, as long as Mema was staying. :)

My parents got Kellen a 'cycle' for his birthday. He can't quite reach the peddles, but has had a wonderful time climbing on and off the 'cycle.' He also enjoys when Mema pushes him around the living room. However, every once in a while he will hold out his hand and say "stay." Letting her know that he is going to try to peddle by himself. Someday soon he will be tall enough and get the hang of peddling.

I went to the Dr yesterday morning. I am 2.5 cm dilated and 75% effaced. It is good to know the contractions and over all uncomfortableness are accomplishing something. I was going to be angry if they weren't. The Dr said I would deliver in the next few weeks. I could have told him that!! He doesn't think it will be this week, but quickly followed that statement with "although it could be tonight." So basically, he doesn't know anymore than I do when I'm going to deliver this baby. I guess the waiting continues!