The Simple Pleasures

Rain boots, "Doggie", and Wubbzy, what more does a two year old need on a rainy Oregon morning?

First Bath

Henry's belly button fell off yesterday(my least favorite part of a newborn, it creeps me out!), so I decided to give him a bath. Since Claire was a total water baby and loved baths, I figured he would be the same way. Well, not so much. He wasn't a huge fan and was pretty upset until we gave him his pacifier. Claire enjoyed watching and was a big help. I think she didn't understand why Henry didn't like his bath. Hopefully that will change!

Henry is here!

As most of you know, Henry John Koch was born on February 20th at 11:12 pm. He was 7lbs 11oz and 19.5 inches. The day started out for me normal, which is waking up at 5am. At around six, I started to feel small contractions that were different than the "practice" contractions I had been feeling through out the pregnancy. Since I wasn't sure if they would stop or not, I started to get bags ready for Claire and me just in case it was the real thing. We spent the day up at Paul's parents, which was planned. Throughout the day the contractions started to get a little more intense but weren't really changing in terms of how close together. By evening they were more intense and close together. We decided Claire would stay up at Paul's parents just in case something were to happen in the middle of the night. Good thing we did because after Claire went to bed, the contractions were about five minutes apart.
We left for the hospital and arrived around 8:45pm. I was finally admitted after the nurses realized I really was in labor. It was amazing how slow everything moved when I was obviously in labor. I was moved to a delivery room and thankfully the wonderful anesthesiologist came shortly after to give me the epidural. I did not have one with Claire and it was AMAZING to feel pretty much nothing for the rest of the delivery. The rest of the labor moved very fast and by 11, I was ready to deliver. 12 minutes later, Henry was here! He was screaming and healthy as can be.
We have  been home for a couple of days now and we are all settling in well. Claire is a wonderful big sister but lost interest in Henry about 15 minutes after he came home. I am doing well and recovery is going great. We are so happy to have him here and are looking forward to a few more months in Eugene with family!

Dancin' Machine

Claire loves music. She loves to sing, listen, and dance to songs. Every morning she is ready to have a dance party right when she is done with breakfast. Paul is a great dance partner for Claire since I get motion sickness with any rapid movement right now. Once the music starts she will find her "dance mat" or rug and start moving. Her dance moves now have names "Claire dance", which is bending sideways to the ground slowly. The "Harley dance", which mimics Teresa's dog laying on the floor rolling around with all limbs in the air. And the random, "Daddy/Mommy dance", which changes to whatever attempt at dancing Paul and I are doing. 

"Claire Dance"

A ball always joins in the party as well. 

Bookworm

Claire can be heard in the house a mile away. She never stops talking or chasing the cats while screaming. We worry when we can't hear her. Usually if Claire is quiet, she can be found in her room on her rocking chair reading books. It is fun to watch. She is starting to read the books out loud to herself and is pretty accurate with the stories. Once she notices someone in the room she wants to be read to and the quiet reading time is done for the time being.

Morning Routine

Most mornings I am the one that will get Claire when she wakes up. On a good morning that is around 7:30, on a bad one, 6:00. Claire still wakes up occasionally at night and since Paul is a good sport and wakes up with her now, I figure I can be the first one up. Also I just can't sleep right now so I'm usually up at 5:30-6. Anyways, she loves to come in to our room and "wake up" Daddy and the cats. She then pretends to go back to sleep(if only she would). Maybe some day she will go back to sleep for a little bit.

They both weren't too thrilled that I was taking pictures. Oops, sorry!