Big Brother

Growing up I always thought it would be fun to have an older brother. Daniel has been such an awesome big brother to Kendall. Sometimes I wonder why he loves her so much. After all, since she came along he's gotten much less attention from us and he has to hear a baby crying all the time. Yet he won't take a nap or go to sleep at night without giving her kissed and hugs and he did an excellent job bathing her the other day. I am so proud of him!

Garden

The boys in our backyard.

Meeting People

Kendall has been busy eating, sleeping, pooping, and meeting all the people that love her the most!

Kendall and Chelsea.

Kendall, Auntie Val and Cousin in the Belly.

First sponge bath by Daddy.

Val brought us a delicious dinner, gifts, and arms to hold Kendall.

Papa and Nonna returned from their Arizona trip to meet their newest great-granddaughter.

Daniel loves his new sister.

Always sweetest asleep.

Kendall, Kelley and Baby Ball (due next month!)

Sweet kisses.

Kendall and "Gruncle" Allan.

Luisa stopped by to meet Kendall before leaving Santa Barbara.

Brian & Kendall with Danny & Logan.

More Family!

Brian's parents and grandma came over tonight and brought us dinner. There were lots of birthday presents for Daniel and lots of snuggles for baby Kendall.

Kendall and Granny.

Kendall and Gramps.

Kendall and GG.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Daniel Kai!

On May 12th, five days after welcoming his new sister to the world, Daniel turned three! It's such a cliche but it's hard to believe that three years have already gone by. When Daniel came to the hospital to meet Kendall for the first time, both Brian and I were shocked by how big he suddenly seemed to us. Although it can be challenging raising such a stubborn, strong-willed little boy, his huge personality is so fun to watch develop. We can still always count on Daniel for hugs, kisses and snuggles. Daniel loves to have fun, make people laugh, be read to, ride his trike, play with sand and/or water and loves cars and trains. He loves eating waffles and eating fruit. His favorite shows are "Sid the Science Kid" and "Curious George". He likes sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's house and making fresh-squeezed orange juice with them. He continues to struggle with his speech but we are so proud of the improvements he has made and new words he has tried since starting pre-school. He loves to wear sunglasses and won't leave the house without them if it is sunny. So far, he is an awesome big brother! Happy 3rd Birthday, we love you, Bug!

Daniel's new chair from Auntie Val and Uncle Jeff.

Daniel and Grandma baked apple muffins to bring to school as a birthday treat.

In the sandbox at school- one of Daniel's favorite places to play. Daniel is wearing his new sunglasses!

Grandma made Daniel his favorite dinner- risotto!

Presents!

Daniel's favorite present is his new backpack that is just his size!

Special birthday train cake made by Grandma.

Make a wish!

First Visit to the Doctor

Healthy baby girl!

Brother and Sister

Daniel adores Kendall!

Kendall Day 2

Kendall was born the day before Mother's Day. We spent half the day at the hospital and then decided to head home to start life as a new family of four (or five, counting Charley-Boy!)

Daniel came back to the hospital to visit and teach Kendall how to dog-pile Daddy!

Happy grandparents.

Happy Brother.

Happy Mommy.

Buckled up and ready to leave the hospital.

Uncle Randy and Auntie Mary stopped by for a quick visit.

Welcome, Kendall Grace!

I started having regular contractions around noon on Friday. After our MOPS meeting, Daniel and I stopped by my parents' house. I still wasn't sure if this was "the real thing" or not. After hanging out for a while, I decided to leave Daniel at my folks and swing home to pack my bags and get things ready just in case. I called Brian at work and told him that I thought I might be in labor and that he shouldn't go surfing after work but instead should come home and take a nap. Brian had been out super late the night before helping his friend Tim with an Oakley event so I knew he would need some sleep because it may be a long night.
Brian had barely lay down to rest when I decided we needed to leave for the hospital. Since Daniel's birth had been pretty quick, my biggest fear was not making it to the hospital on time. We ended up at the hospital around 6:00 p.m. Originally we had planned on just having Brian in the delivery room, but a couple hours later I was having intense back pain during each contraction and needed an extra set of hands to help. We called my mom at home and asked her to come to the delivery room. She came and brought snacks with her which was great for Brian since we hadn't had dinner.
Although we had planned to try to have another un-medicated birth, after struggling with the intense back pain and shivering uncontrollably non-stop, I caved and began to beg Brian to let me get an epidural this time. Brian gently encouraged me that I was strong enough to make it through without an epidural and that I had done it once before. I threatened him that if he didn't let me have the epidural he could leave the room! The anesthesiologist was called and I got the epidural around 10:00 pm. Soon nice Ashley replaced grumpy, mean Ashley. After 15 minutes of pushing, my doctor walked in the delivery room just in time to grab the baby. Kendall Grace was born just after midnight on May 7, 2011. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 0 ounces. After having a scrawny baby the first time, we were so surprised to have such a big baby. She is so chubby and adorable!

Daniel meeting Kendall for the first time Saturday morning.

Kendall and Grandpa.

Kendall and Grandma.

A full head of hair!

Kendall with Granny and Gramps.

Annie came to bring us smoothies and meet her new Goddaughter!