How Is Maddy Doing??

Lathering it up in the tub last night. Maddy LOVES to make bubbles and can get quite a mohawk going if you let her go wild with the shampoo.

Where's Maddy? When my Mom was here she and Maddy had a blast getting lost and found in all the stuffed animals (or babies as Maddy calls them).

When we pulled out the bin of Maddy's 0-3 month girl clothes for Karis, Maddy was entertained for THREE DAYS piling, stacking, sorting and hiding in it.

Maddy got to the Thanksgiving table first before us and managed to use the big serving spoon to dish generous helpings of cherry-sausage stuffing onto everybody's plate and bowl.

Well, it has been a wild couple of weeks for our little Maditude! She really loves her little baby, loves to give Karis kisses and hold her and bring her blankets. We are thankful there has been no aggression or unhappiness directed right at little Karis. But she has had a pretty tough time sharing her favorite playmate and especially being very jealous of the times when Karis is nursing. Her sleep has been disrupted and that has been hardest on Jason and I who weren't expecting it. But Dr. Jen had a great insight, that Maddy is so busy and active during the day that the only time she can process all her feelings about the new baby is during the nighttime when her body and mind are still and it is quiet and she can get our full attention. She assured me that if we give Maddy time to express her feelings and give her extra empathy and special time together as I can, it will pass more quickly. She is right, but it is hard to watch Maddy feel such big feelings and know that the only way through it is to just get through it together. The past few nights have been better, especially as we get more into our old "routine" and things are somewhat back to how they were before little sister came. I think she is getting back to her sweet and sassy self during the day times too, fewer outbursts and tantrums each day. None so far today and it is 2:30 in the afternoon, not bad for a two year old! All in all, she is doing okay and we are settling in, the more love and snuggles she gets from mama the more secure she feels, so that is my daily goal. That and to comb the dreadlocks out of her hair, if I can get that done I consider the day a success.

Thankfulness

Karis and I went to our 4 day check with Dr. Jen yesterday and everything looks great for both of us. Day4 is when babies have lost the most weight, but not my little nursing champion. She has already regained her birth weight and the scales are still climbing. She is a rockstar power nurser with a perfect latch (and I am a thankful mama for that little blessing!).

Here are some snapshots of the three people I am most thankful for this wonderful holiday. We spent a quiet day snuggled up with one another in our jammies. I couldn't be happier or more blessed than we are right now.

Sister Squeezes

Spontaneous Kisses
Milk Coma

Introducing Miss Karis Anne!

Welcome to the world, Karis Anne! Moments after her birth...
Day two, snoozing away....

Dr. Jen and her apprentice Jeannie the next day when they came to check on the two of us....
Karis getting her newborn exam about two hours after birth by Dr. Zieman
Maddy meeting her new little sister! My friend Krista watched her during my labor and brought her back home a few hours after Karis arrived. She exclaimed "Oh! My baby!!!" and gave her some loves and then ran off to play with her toys.

Karis Anne Zollner was born at home in the water at 2:47 pm on Saturday November 17th! She weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and measured 19 3/4 inches in length. She is perfect in every way. And while she looks like herself, she has a remarkable resemblance to Maddy, only darker with more hair. We had the best midwives and support team imaginable to help us make this dream come true. My labor and birth were truly perfect in every way, even better than I hoped and prayed for all these months. I have lots of great juicy intimate birth pictures for those of you who are so inclined, you just have to ask. I'll keep those private for now, but here are some pictures of our new little one.

More Contractions

My uterus still has no vacancy. More of Maddy asking "Baby OUT!!!". More contractions. More dilating. More waiting. More closer to having my baby in my arms!!!

Contractions

Contractions! Contractions! I'm having off and on contractions! Baby is getting closer! Woo Hoo!! It can't be long now until our little one is in our arms (remind me of this when I am still pregnant in December).....

Howl-a-ween

Little Fairy Alayna - oh she is so cute!

So for Halloween this year Maddy was Snow White. I found the cutest costume on ebay and then got the red sparkly Target shoes to go with it. There was a headband too, but it fit me so Maddy will have to wait 20-30 years or so to grow into it.... but she seemed content enough with her red clippy in her hair.

We went to two different parties before Halloween and then yesterday went to our church's extravaganza. We had underestimated what it would be, it was wonderful! There were HUGE bouncy houses, tons of games and prizes and candy and face painting and she had the time of her life. Jason liked the bouncy house too, in face, I couldn't tell who was having more fun. Jason's double back flip over the rock climbing portion of the bouncer was the talk of the room. Maddy's dress was totally thrashed by the end of the night, a sure sign that she was in her element. I am not so sure that tulle and my little roughster go together, but she did tell me over and over again as she twirled around, "Mama, I pitty"

BABY UPDATE: Baby is super low, in fact Dr. Jen said she could really get her fingers onto baby's head today. I am effaced and dilated to 2 -- stay tuned for contractions to get this party started! I am feeling pretty good, just tired and like a big hippopotamus at this point. I distinctly try not to waddle around. Baby is ever so slightly posterior, but mostly in the right position, so I will continue to be vigilant about my posture, positioning and getting in to see the chiropractor to keep things as aligned as possible. Luckily Jen knows a LOT about positioning in labor and delivers posterior babies even if they won't turn, so I know I am in good hands if this one continues to turn sunny side up. But lets hope it doesn't!!! Fingers crossed all continues to go well, we just keeping praying and trusting all will be as it needs to be for the birth we dream of.

By the way, everyone keeps asking if we think it is a boy or a girl and EVERYONE has girl vibes. No boy votes so far at all.....maybe little Jake will surprise us all!