Day 3 with Miss Isabelle

Here she is--Miss Isabelle herself. She is so small! Today we will be going home and finally getting to meet/see big brother Isaiah for the first time. With the ban on vistors to the birthing unit, only Dan has been allowed up to see me and Isabelle. I am very thankful for technology when there are circumstances like these.

As I changed Isabelle's diaper and clothing she sucked on her pacifier. Doesn't it look huge compared to her tiny head and fingers!
All cozy in her new pink hat and polka-dot layette.

Fast asleep in her little crib. This is a pretty great look at her close up!

Sleeping on Daddy's chest looks pretty comfortable to me!

Can't Get Enough

We just can't get enough of our new little girl!! It's so fun to experience having a girl versus a boy. It definately feels different--in a good way! Here is Isabelle awake and alert this afternoon. These are the best pictures. Cuddle time with Dad

She was a little fussy right after being fed and Dan, with his magic shoulder, calmed her right down.

Here we are all offical with Isabelle's birth certificate.

Isabelle Tomoko Lawson. She's all ours!!!

More pictures of Isabelle

We just wanted to share a few more pictures from this morning with you, so you can be a part of this special time with us.

Here's mommy with her new little Isabelle
Isabelle stirring and waking up, getting ready to eat

A visit from Dr. Norgard, our fabulous OB/GYN doctor. Seeing little Isabelle the day after her birth.

Daddy and Isabelle having a little coos time

Sweet little Isabelle all snuggled up

Introducing.....

Introducing our NEW DAUGHTER!

Isabelle Tomoko Lawson!!!!!! Born 3 weeks early last night at 10:33 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 1 oz and 20 inches long. She has light brown hair and has beautiful little eyes. She is named after Christine's dear friend, Tomoko Schnieder who has been someone close to her heart for many years.

The delivery went very well. Christine saw her doctor for a regular check up at 2:30 p.m on Wednesday afternoon, finding out she was dialated to 5 cm. She went home, hung around with Isaiah for a few hours and began experiencing some hard contractions around 5:15 p.m. She called Dan from work, telling him he needed to come home early and by 6:10 p.m. they were at the hospital.

After finding out Christine had dialated to 6 cm, she recieved an epidural and her water was broken. She progressed quite rapidly from there and within a few short hours she reached 10 cm and began pushing. Isabelle arrived after only 18 minutes of pushing! What a champ!!!

Both Christine and Isabelle are doing well. Isabelle took right to nursing and was SO happy to be near mommy.

We will continue to update you all. Please pray that Isabelle, being that she was born 3 weeks early would continue to do well. Thanks for all your thoughts and well wishes.

With the proud mommy and daddy

Daddy getting to hold his precious littl girl for the first time

Auntie Lisa / birthing coach getting to hold Isabelle for the first time. We found out we could have one extra "birthing coach" in the room with us shortly before leaving for the hospital. Lisa was with us for Isaiah's birth too.

Little Isabelle trying to get warm under the heat lamps

Look Who's Driving Tractor

Anytime that Isaiah hears the sound of a Tractor outside, he goes running to the window, climbs up on the heater and looks out to see if he can see it. He knows that sound usually means that Grandpa is outside mowing and Isaiah just loves his Grandpa.

He will do just about anything to get to spend time with him.

Even if it means driving the Tractor.

Willy believes in starting them young, and Isaiah loves spending time with Grandpa, so...

Get to work Isaiah!!

Isaiah loves to ride along with Grandpa. Last week he was on the Excavator with him and when we took him out to go home... he cried! So Willy said he should take him for one more pass on the Excavator before he left.

I am not sure who is having more fun here.

This time he rode along with Grandpa for a good half hour. He just didn't want to come off.

He is getting more and more like Grandpa everyday.

Labor Day get-a-way

This weekend we decided to get-a-way a bit just the three of us, so we visited Arrowwood Waterpark and Hotel outside of Alexandria, MN. We had never been to Arrowwood and really hadn't heard about it until recently. The grounds were beautiful and there was tons of stuff to do. We went paddleboating on Darling Lake, swam in the pools, enjoyed the waterslides (well, only Dan and Isaiah) and had a GREAT night sleep. We all slept about 12 hours! Finally we were able to catch up on some sleep after these past few weeks. Here are a bunch of pictures from our little get-a-way.
Our view from the room

The indoor waterpark

Riding on the luggage trolly. Daddy's little helper

Isaiah enjoying the balcony view

Mommy and Isaiah. Mommy is 35 weeks pregnant

Enjoying the beautiful flowers

Isaiah was quite intrigued

Time for swimming!!

Isaiah found the water to be a lot of fun and really liked the big beach ball that he found

Checking out the stepsLearning to swim on his belly with Daddy

He loves the water!

Dad and his little man

Mama got into the pool too! How refreshing!

Squeeze!

Then there was the indoor waterpark. Going down the waterslide with Daddy.

Maybe Isaiah didn't like the slide so much....

Trying on his lifejacket so he can enjoy some more freedom.

After about 30 minutes Isaiah was tired out and was cold. He cuddled with mom and dad to try to get warm.

After the first day and all that swimming and water, we were all ready for bed.

DAY 2 - Starting the day off right with an Oreo cookie!

Shoving the whole oreo into his mouth

Yummm

Oh so good!

We enjoyed a ride on a paddleboat and visited the waterpark one more time before taking the trip back home again. Our DAY 2 ended around 1:00 p.m. and the little man slept the whole way home! What a great trip and so worth it.

What's that Saying?

What's the saying....killing two birds with one stone. Let's just say, I killed two tasks in one sink.
So, I washed the dishes, disinfected the sink, then plopped the wee one in for his eveing clean up. He loved it so much he actually threw a real tantrum when I took him out. Maybe we'll stick with the bath tub.
I must say, he is quite a little charmer.