Pictures

The Dress Grant's Aunt Karen made

Josiah was playing in the dirt then rubbed his eyes Little Lillian

Lillian's gallery

Amanda finished up Lillian's photos. They are so wonderful. By now I'm sure everyone knows the drill. Go to Amanda Elpers Photography... Potraits... Clients...password: Lillian. Amanda always does such a fantastic job capturing our family. Thanks Amanda!!! Lillian is still a really good baby. I woke her up today because after 4 1/2 hours of sleep I was ready for her to eat. Grant has been great as he gives her a night bottle so that I only have to wake up with her around 4. It's been wonderful. She is so mild mannered and doesn't mind her big brother driving trucks on her, pulling her by her legs, or his wet kisses on her head. Josiah has had a better week this week. Last night he took my nursing pad and tried to put it down the front of his shirt. It was so hilarious! Today he completely took apart a candle lighter, butane and all in less than five minutes. He makes us laugh all the time. We have such a wonderful family that actually calls to take him for the day. He's talking up a storm, still obsessed with tractors, and always trying to snatch up his sister's pacifer. We can't believe that Lillian is going to be 4 weeks old on Saturday, our baby boy is no longer a baby, and that Grant and I will be celebrating our 7 year anniversary on Monday. God has been so good to us. He has blessed us in so many ways .

2 weeks

Lillian is now two weeks old. I can't believe how fast it is going. I expected it to go faster this time, but wow! She has been really good so far. I can only think of 2 "bad" nights and 1 fussy day. I like to joke that if Jojo had been this good we would've had her sooner. Josiah has adjusted pretty well. Just the past few days has he been getting a little crazy on me. So we sent him to my mom's for a day away and he spent last night at Aunt Christine's. I'll post some pictures because she's just now opening her eyes up long enough to get a picture in. Speaking of pictures in you go to Amanda Elpers (link to the right) she put some of Lillian newborn pictures up on her blog. I look forward to everyone getting to meet her. The door is still open for visitors.

Lillian Louise

We are so happy to announce that Lillian Louise Kissel is finally here. She was born yesterday, September 13, at 2:54 am. She weighed in at 6lb 12 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. So far she has been one sleepy baby. I think I've seen her awake for maybe 3 hours since she was born. I know that will all change the minute we walk through our door. Josiah was excited to meet his new sister. He new right away that she was a baby. We were all nicely surprised that he was gentle with her. It was a very special moment for all of our family to be together for the first time. We had a wonderful birth experience. It was pretty short and sweet. The contractions started out mild and about 2 minutes apart around 6pm. We left for the hospital around 11 and when I was checked at triage at the hospital at 12:00 I was dilated to 4.5 cm and 100% effaced. We made it to our room before I got in the labor tub I was at 7cm. When I got out of the tub after being in there for about 30 min or so I was to 9 1/2 cm. I labored a little longer then the doctor came in and broke my water. After about 5 contractions I asked what we were waiting for and the doc told me she was waiting for me to say I was ready. So I said it's time. I pushed during 2 contractions and then she was in this world. It was an amazing experience. Anyone that wants to come visit just give me a call. We will be going home tomorrow and I'll be off of work until the beginning of November. Of course, the invitaion stands beyond then also. I want to thank you for all of your support and prayers. We want to thank the Lord for blessing our family with a healthy beautiful daughter and sister.

Summertime Picture update

Anderson Orchard with Sophia

at the zoo

playing at Brandywine

40 weeks

So we have reached out "official" due date. I have a feeling the day is going to come and go just as the days before have. It's ok with me though. I've been enjoying my days with Josiah and once Lillian arrives it will be chaos. We know that she will be here in the next 2 weeks without a doubt. Women don't stay preggo forever.

Josiah is becoming a really big boy. We went to the playground last night and he was running all around that thing like no one's business. He even went down a slide all by himself. I was about 50 feet away on a bench. It was one of the tube ones so he couldn't fall off the side, for those of you who I make nervous. He still has no concept that he is getting a sister. Although I did set up the baby swing in the living room and he likes to put his "baby" in it.

So I'll update as soon as the good news comes. Oh yeah, and let us not forget, "GO COLTS!!!!"

It's been a long time

Sorry I haven't updated for awhile. Josiah has managed to mess up my computer. I can't get it to do anything, but a black screen that tells me to reboot. I hope I haven't lost all my pictures and other stored info. It's been so frustrating! Anyway, Jojo has been so much fun lately. His vocabulary is expanding at an incredible rate. he learns a new word every couple of days. Last time I counted we were up to 37, but he's picked up even more since then. His new thing is if you say "one" he'll say "two". It is so cute. He is still completely obsessed with tractors. Or as he says, "trac-tor." We are working on his pleases and thank you's, but they are pretty crude. We had a good eating week this week. I think it was the first time he ate something grown out of the ground in months. Thanks to Dana and her yummy home grown green beans cooked in bacon. We were able to visit with my cousin Josh and his family from Colorado this week. Hope (2) and Josiah have very similiar personalities and the same high frequency squeal. Dove (4 mos) was the first baby Josiah has been up close and personal with. He new she was a baby and wanted to hug and kiss her. Later, Kristina told me that his kiss turned into a bite. I did notice her black hair was wet afterward. As for Lillian, we are just in the waiting game. I have an appointment on Monday and I'm curious to see if I've progressed anymore this week. Last week I was 2cm, 75% effaced, +1 station (for the girls who care). I worked extra this week trying to get some appointments moved up. I'm still feeling good and really she can stay in there for another 2 weeks. If some of the sharp pains and contractions would let up that would be nice. The nice thing about progressing was it made me get my tushy in gear. I got her room put together, clothes bought and washed, and the pack n play put together. I started to pack, but just can't seem to get the bag out and be officially packed. Grant did a triathalon on a whim a couple of weeks ago and did quite well so I need to toot his horn for him. He ranked 4th in his age group (24-29 yrs) and 8th on his bike overall (somewhere in the 250 person range). So I'm very proud of him. Even though he wasn't going with a whole lot of expectations (he hadn't ran or swam in close to 2 months) he finished in 57 minutes. Last time when he did train his goal was 60 min and he finished in 1:01. So good job Grant! Well, hopefully I'll get my computer possibly going again and get some pictures posted. I know that's what really makes blogs fun. So have a good week everyone and maybe I'll be back with pictures of Lillian soon.