My Precious Newborn -10 Days Old

Pictures were taken by Misty Kastl with Loves And Hugs Photography.

Bringing Sylvia Home

Time to leave the hospital and introduce Sylvia to her new home. 

 

This homecoming was a little different.  When Andrew and Dominic came home we had lots of family there excited to meet the new little one and we documented every minute with video and photos.  This time we came home to a quiet house.  Both boys were napping and the only visitor we had was Grandma Kathy who was staying to help out.  It was kind of nice to just sit for a few minutes and let it soak in that we were now the parents of three little ones. 

 

 

 How did you get so grown up Dominic?  My little Dominic is having a hard time adjusting to his sister.  These first few weeks have been very hard.  He is constantly whining and pulling at my legs.  He just needs my love and attention.  Thank goodness that Grandma Kathy is here to distract him while I am nursing and help out with everything that needs to be done.  We wouldn't have been able to manage without her!

 

Andrew has got this big brother business down!  He loves looking at her and hugging her.  He can say Sylvia very nicely, but most of the time he calls her Se-va for short.  He thought it was pretty neat when we told him that Sylvia has his nose!

 

Despite the craziness that has come with three children under the age of three and suffering through a week of the stomach flu, we have been enjoying the beginning of our precious Sylvia's life.  We are so blest to have her in our family.  

On the Night You Were Born

My little Sylvia Kateri, you blessed us with your arrival at 9:15 pm on Saturday, Feb 9th.  I was hoping you would come on the 9th since that was your due date, but also it was your Grandpa Dave's 64th birthday and would have been your Great-Grandpa Mark's 100th birthday.  You tricked me.  All day I kept thinking to myself, "it's not going to happen" and was getting discouraged.  I wasn't feeling any signs of labor.  So I spent the day shopping for tile for our kitchen backsplash, then got a babysitter for the boys and your dad and I went to Saturday night mass.  Our church was having a "Celebration of Marriage" event that we were planning to go to, however, you decided tonight was the night to make your arrival!  All through mass I was feeling contractions, so when it was over, we headed to the hospital.  We were all checked in by 7:30 and at 9:15 pm you were born! 

 

Thank you for coming so quick.  I had only two hours of bad labor pains.  Everything was moving so fast that I almost didn't have time for an epidural.  Looking back, I should have been brave and done it without the drugs because fifteen minutes after it was in, you were born. 

 

We chose your name very carefully.  Sylvia was the name of your great-grandmother (your dad's mom's mom).  I never met her but wish I had.  Her children and grandchildren have such fond memories.  The stories I have heard about her makes me think it wasn't really what she did that made her saintly, but how she loved...a great example for you to follow. 

 

Kateri was chosen for Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a native american woman who was just canonized a few months ago.  Her life's motto was "Who can tell me what is pleasing to God that I might do it?"  People always wanted to be around her because they could feel the presence of God.  They said when she prayed her face would change and become full of beauty and peace, as if she were looking at God's face...another great example to follow. 

 

Grandpa & Grandma Kastl were the first ones to meet you.  You are the first girl in their family of 5 sons and 4 grandsons so expect to be spoiled!

I am so happy you are here.  My first daughter...a perfect addition to our family.

Grandpa Ray

Dominic and Andrew had so much fun when Grandpa Ray came to visit.

 

Thanks Grandpa for spending some quality time with them.  And by the way, I'm very impressed with your wrestling skills!

Nesting

Two more weeks to go!  Today I am starting my 38th week pregnant with this little one and I'm getting so excited to finally meet her.  I keep thinking that I am going to go into labor early so these last few weeks I have been preparing for her arrival.  This "nesting" has included lots of laundry, cooking, and crafting. 

 

Most of my spare time has been spent in the kitchen doing a lot of freezer cooking.  It is so helpful to have ready made meals in the freezer for those first few weeks after bring baby home.  I've also been baking bread and have decided that I am not going to buy another loaf of bread from the store.  I am disgusted with paying over $3 for one loaf when I can make it at home for a fraction of that price.  Plus, homemade bread tastes so much better!

 

And thanks to Pinterest, the rest of my free time has been spent making the cutest headbands, hats and flowers.  Oh the possibilities!

I have been talking a lot about the baby with Andrew, trying to prepare him for all the changes that are to come.  He seems to be excited about the baby, his new bed, and sharing a room with Dominic.  Let's just hope the excitement lasts until it all actually happens!

Sledding and Stitches

It was a beautiful winters day...perfect for getting outside and enjoying the snow from the last snow storm.  Jarod took Andrew outside for their first sledding of the winter.  I stayed inside and watched from the window!  They were having so much fun going up and down the little hill on the side of our house. 

I would have thought all that exercise would have wore Andrew out, but boy was I wrong.  It may have been the excitement about Great Grandma Francis and Aunt Valerie stopping by for a visit, but he had so much energy the whole day.

Then came the real excitement!  As he was running from the living room to the kitchen, he slipped on the kitchen floor and hit his chin on the table.  I was sitting at the table and watched the whole thing.  I immediately knew we would be taking him to get stitches.  I am so thankful that Jarod was home.  He took care of the wound and held Andrew in the car while I drove to the clinic.  We left Dominic with Grandma and Valerie.  It really was the best situation we could have asked for.  Oh, I am dreading the day when one of the kids really hurts themselves and I am home by myself with three of them.  I won't think about that now!

 

The doctor had him stitched up and we were back home a half hour later.  It took Andrew a while to calm down and stop crying, but the promise of a green pop (7up) sure helped.    

One would think that after all of that he would have learned to not run in the house.  Nope.  But he does like to tell his story to anyone that will listen. "I fall down.  Hit chin on pable (table)".