Family

Here are some pictures of our first week at home with our new family.

Mommy giving Kayla her first sponge bath.

What can I say. This is my life.

Bubbles with Nana.

Amanda is helping Mommy dress a little girl.

Soapy fingers in the mouth. Yuck!

Daddy's Girl already.

Uncle Trav is a big softy.

Fascinated by Papa.

Snuggles with Great Grandma.

Wrestling with Tav (Uncle Trav)


Learning how to be a big brother.

Getting to Know Little Miss Kayla

High Everyone!!!

I am sure now that I write this, everything is going to change. But so far here is what we are learning about our little miss Kayla.

* She loves to sleep. I think I have had to wake her up for every feeding. We are not feeding her as often as the Dr. said, because she just sleeps through it if we do.
* She does not really cry. If she does she usually stops within seconds. She fusses and makes funny noises.
* When she squirms and fusses it usually means she is about to burp or poop.
*She ALWAYS poops right after we change her diaper.
*She gets the hiccups and spits up which makes feeding her a little tricky because then she does not want to eat.
*She is precious, and I love spending all my time with her.

Here is what I am learning about me...
*It is much easier this time around.
* I still worry about whether she is eating enough, sleeping to much, and other things. But I definitely worry less than I did with the boys.
*I love having Brad home all the time and I am not excited to have him go back to work.

Wiggling and stretching during my awake time.

See I can open my eyes.

All Smiles.
One of my many funny faces.

Becoming Big Brothers

If you read my last blog you know I asked for prayers over my family as the boys adapt to having a little sister around. Yesterday the boys came home. It started a little rough. They didn't want to have anything to do with me. Which I knew was normal, I expected it, and I knew it wouldn't last, but it was still hard. Andrew especially seemed very concerned and upset. Now looking back on it, we think he was upset becuase he could not find "the baby". He knew Kayla should be there with us, but didn't know she was in the other room sleeping. Once the baby "showed up" everything got better. The boys helped Babci change her diaper and watched me feed her. On a side note now Andrew points to my clothes and tells me "off, off" so I can feed Kayla. Great! Soon the boys were climbing all over Babci so they could see and tough "my baby". Brad and I stayed in the other room so we would not disturb such a precious moment. I was so grateful that my mom was around to capture some pictures of it. Here are a few of my favorite.


Andrew giving love pats to baby Kayla.

Nathan "Baby, Baby!"

They played find the baby's nose, toes, fingers, etc.

This is an answer to our prayers, and is now my favorite picture.

It's a Girl!!!

Kayla Faith Hockersmith
Born January 18, 2010
9:56 pm
7.9 lb 20 in

Surprise, Surprise! We checked in to the hospital to monitor the baby's movement and checked out 3 days latter with our little one in our arms. Turns out that while the baby had a strong heartbeat and was moving just fine, I was starting early signs of labor. Since we were having a c-section they don't want you to going into labor. The nurse came in and told us "Looks like we are having a baby tonight, Dr. Smith is on his way, we should have you in the OR in 30 min." We were completely shocked and I am not sure I was ready.
Despite me being more nervous this time around than last time, the surgery went smoothly. Our little one came out screaming and crying, but everyone forgot to tell us if it was a boy or a girl. When the nurse said it was a girl, Brad and I just looked at each other and started to cry. I was completely shocked. I am still in shock.
We had a completely different experience this time around. Kayla never left our side the whole time we were at the hospital. I was able to feed her right away and she latched on immediately with no problem. I had no high blood pressure and no blood transfusion which was a huge blessing. We had a very calm relaxing 3 days at the hospital. Despite her loud entrance into the world, Kayla has proved to be a very calm, quiet baby. We are interested to see if this changes over the next few weeks as her personality comes to life.
The boys are definitely adjusting. They will come home today. So far they are very tentative and unsure of her. Andrew especially seems to be concerned. I know it is going to be really hard for me knowing they need extra love and attention right now and I can't even pick them up. Pray that Brad and I will have extra patience and extra love. Pray that I will be realistic on how much I can do and to give myself grace.
We are so amazed at how God has answered our prayers and given us a family beyond all our dreams.

Our 2 Boys Turn 2

It is hard to believe but our boys turned 2 today. We celebrated with mac and cheese and puppy dog cakes.



We gave the boys their #2 candles to hold for the picture. Unfortunate, I didn't think it through and the boys thought they were cookies. Notice Nathan trying to get the wax out of his mouth.


They preferred to eat their cake with forks.


YUMMM!!!
We are looking forward to programing our new puppies.


We now have out own vacuums. Thanks Aunt Kelly, it is the perfect toy. We love to clean!

Andrew checking out all this toys.

Thank you to all our friends and family who helped us celebrate such an important day. We love you all!