A few pics.

Here are a few pictures of Norah and me. As you can see she is wearing me out. I feel like all I do is hold her and sleep....I'm even holding her when I sleep....

Doing Great!

We've survived the first week! Although days and nights have blurred together these last 7 days it's almost hard to imagine she's is already a week old. Sleeping is getting better every night - Norah is working her way up to 3 hours between feedings during the evenings which is good for Mark and I. Nursing is going well and (dare I say it..) we're starting to get into a routine. We're having fun visiting with Aunt Anna and Tessa and Grandma Deb and as you can see Norah is very happy to be getting so much attention. I feel so truly lucky to be the mama of this little angel - Norah Grace!

What waiting game?

Katy typed the previous post on Friday. Little did she know that the waiting game should of actually been titled end game! We were checked into the hospital late Saturday night and at 4:38 Sunday morning, Norah Grace was born. She weighed 6.5 pounds and measured 18 7/8 inches long. She is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen and I'm not being too biased, I promise. Here is picture for you to be the judge. ;) Both Katy and Norah are in good health and we hope to be out of the hospital late Monday.

The Waiting Game

It's truly amazing that we've been anticipating our new arrival for 9 months and yet her birthday seems to have snuck up on us! We are both buzzing with excitment as we count down the days to due date and simply cannot wait to have this precious baby in our arms. Health-wise everything is on track. Two weeks ago we went through a procedure called an 'external cephalic version' to move her from a breech to head-down position. It was a success - she turned so quickly the doctor commented that it was one of the easiest versions she had done in 15 years of practice. Now we are all set for a natural start to the labor process - whenever she chooses to make her grand enterance of course!

But perhaps the most exciting news is that we've chosen a name for our sweet baby girl! We think it is beautiful and classic and can't wait to formally introduce her to all of her friends and family on her birthday. Everything is ready (her mom and dad are are ready as they'll ever be I guess!) and we're looking forward to those first signs. 8 days to go before due date and counting every moment! -KK

34 days to go....

November is here. I've been anticipating this winter with an enthusiasm I have never quite had before. Our little girl comes in a little over one month! We put the finishing touches on our nursery today and are nearly ready for the Chicago baby shower next weekend. Marylin will be visiting from Nashville and we are looking forward to having her visit. Everything is great health wise - aside from getting tired a little easier and (..I admit it) some mood swings - I am feeling good. Next doc appointment is Tuesday and then I'll go in every week until the due date. I'm sure the month will go by quickly with getting everything ready to hand over at work and then Thanksgiving. 34 days to go and ready to meet our baby girl! -KK

Pictures

Our cousin Doug took several pictures of us last week. We went to Palos Hills, just outside of Chicago and were treated to a wonderful fall scene. The leaves were changing and we had a great time. Afterwards, Doug and I did some "Mountain" biking. We had a blast!
It was really nice to get out of the city for several hours. We hope you enjoy these pictures and keep checking back. We have so many more that we will continue to add. I can't believe we only have 6 weeks to go!

Week 32!!! OMG

No, this is not a cross section of Katy, but it is a picture of what is going on these days.

I know...I know....

So, we have been very slow about updating our blog as of late. We have had so much happen in the last 3 months....I completed my first triathlon...and you couldn't imagine the feelings I had as my beautiful wife cheered me on. Her shirt created quite a stir among the other cheering fans.

The votes are in!

Well, it was an amazing race and the votes are final. We had a vote total of 11 to 10 in favor of a girl. Well, I don't know who made the final vote to push the girls over the edge, but they must of known something, because I'd like to announce that we are expecting a beautiful little princess....a little bambina...a future heartbreaker...a sweetie pie! I can't believe it! The technician checked 3 times and there was nothing but empty space there. It must be true, I have a daughter on the way. And I can already tell that she is going to have my wrapped around her little fingers in no time. We should have some ultrasound pictures posted in the next couple days. MK

We can't wait!

Today is Sunday and we can't wait for Wednesday to roll around. We have our appointment to see what we will be having. So, today we went and blew off some steam at the lake. What a beautiful day it was. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. We took Laila with us and she had a blast fetching with her two legged mommy. MK

I can't wait!

So, I missed my last appointment with Katy...I know, I know. BAD MARK! But, I had to be judicious with my time off from work, especially with what's coming up next Wednesday. That's right! The wait will be over and all the voters will know if they were correct. Katy and I have our final ultrasound scheduled for July 16 and we will hopefully find out if our little bundle of joy will be a little bambino or a little bambina. I can't wait to see. At first I was thinking of wanting that ultimate surprise come December, but common sense prevailed. Now we will be able to begin designing our nursery and buying those little blue outfits....or pink ones, we see in the store when we go. Wish us luck and come back to see if you were correct. MK

Can I just wear sweats?

Well, here I am in the middle - not yet in maternity clothes but growing too big for my regular duds. Rubber bands, hair elastics and saftey pins have been quick-fixes to make my current wardrobe last a while longer. Still not quite noticable to strangers I sure FEEL like I'm twice the size already and my waist has definietly left the building. My sudden cravings for lemon sorbet and Rolo's are contributing but our little bean is growing fast - the book says he or she is the size of an apple this week! (...mmm, an apple sounds good right now....) Mark has been so good in acommodating my cravings for crunchy vegatables or creamy fruit smoothies and luckily, with his triathlon training we are both eating well. (um...except for the batch of chocolate cookies I just made) As a matter of fact, I think it's time to grab a quick evening snack after all this talk about food. Welcome back appetite! ... -KK

wush, wush, wush, wush, wush...........

Yeah, yeah so, I can't type the sound it made, but that's as close as I can get. Katy and I went to our June appointment last Wednesday and we got to hear the heart beat. We have decided to call it Bean, but I'm sure that will change very soon. It was so amazing to hear that repetitive wush sound as Bean's heart thumped away. It was going a thousand miles per hour. It puts such a smile on my face as Dr. O waved her magic wand across Katy slowly yet eerily rapidly expanding belly. Dr. O is Dr. Brenda Onia and we really like her. She's exactly the kind of doctor Katy and I wanted. - MK

What's this I see????

Wow! Katy and I went for our first ultrasound last Wednesday. I had only seen other peoples photos of ultrasounds and could never quite make them out until now. As soon as JR...umhumm or JUNIORESS!!! showed up on the monitor I could instantly see what was going on. I was able to see the fingers and arms, toes and legs, body and head....I could even see the eyes. I couldn't believe it. I was so amazed by what I was seeing. I have never had so much emotion well up inside of me all at once. I'm going to be a daddy! Wow, I finally get to see what all the hubbub is all about. I can't wait! - MK

And Baby Make 3...part deux

That's right! Even EVAN can't get over it! It's true!!!! Katy is pregnant! Our prayers have been answered and! I got home from work on Friday night, March 28 and Katy could hardly contain herself and I could see it all over her face....she had news to share. It looks like another Kaufman December baby....There are so many of us. -MK