All Smiles!

Kacie smiles all the time now. She is such a happy baby! And a cute one too!!

Merry Christmas!

Kacie is still not bigger than the cat

Merry Christmas!

Check out these 1970's shades!

Beautiful Girls!

The girls had professional pictures taken last week. They turned out really cute! I don't think they can get any prettier!

First Snow!

Yesterday we got our first REAL snow fall of the season. Andie was very intrigued by it through the window so Mike took her out to play. It didn't last long, we don't have a sled yet and it was cold and windy but she has officially played outside in the snow.

Photo Shoot

I'm definitely not the greatest photographer in the world but I did get some cute shots of Kacie during our very first ''photo shoot''. I think she's a natural!

Thanksgiving

We had a very nice and busy Thanksgiving week! Grandma and grandpa Claessens, Aunt Rachel and great grandma and grandpa Owens were all in town to celebrate with us! They all enjoyed their time here with Andie and Kacie. We spent most of the time visiting but also so got some shopping in and ate alot of good food. A big thanks to Grandma Mary for making a wonderful Thanksgiving meal and for opening their house to everyone!

Kacie also turned 1 month old on Saturday! Hard to believe its been a month already! She is getting big and changes everyday. What a wonderful holiday...we have so much to be thankful for!!!

Our growing girl

Kacie is doing great. She is a very good baby, just like her big sister was. She is getting bigger everyday, she's not looking as much like a new born anymore.

Andie is also doing better. About a week after Kacie was born she started acting up alittle bit. Thank goodness it was fairly short lived and she's now getting back to her normal sweet self.

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving as Mike's parents and sister are coming up from Pittsburgh and his grandparents from Missouri.

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween was a busy day for all of us. Both girls had doctor appointments in the morning. Andie is 26 lbs and 33 inches tall, she's in the 70th and 80th% for her height and weight. Kacie had also gained weight she was back up to 8lbs 11oz (she was 8lbs 5oz when she came home from the hospital) so she is doing great! We spent the afternoon at home and went to my dad and Mary's house for dinner and for trick or treating. Andie was a monkey and Kacie was a pumpkin. My dad and I took Andie to a couple houses but it was a little cold and she didn't really understand what was going on but, it was still fun.

Adjusting nicely

We've been home since Friday. Everyone is doing well. Andie is a GREAT big sister. So far she loves Kacie and doesn't mind having her around! We've all been adjusting nicely and are having fun with our new addition!

It's a Girl!!!

On Wednesday October 24th at 7:42pm we welcomed Kacie Ella Claessens into our family! She weighed in at a booming 8lbs 12.6oz and was 20.5 inches long. She was 11 days early (thank goodness!) She is healthy and happy and a sweet little baby. She looks alot like Andie and like her big sister did, has Grandpa Ohland's crazy hair!

As for me, labor went well. It lasted about 5 1/2 hours and I pushed for 20 minutes. If she wouldn't have been so big she would have come out alot faster. Since she was so big her shoulders did get stuck after her head came out. The midwives and nurses worked fast and were able to dislodge her quickly without any injury to her or myself. I was able to have a completely natural delivery which was my goal. I felt great afterwards and Kacie was alert and ready to eat right away!!

So far Andie has done great with her new little sister. She likes to point out all of her facial features and give her kisses. When you ask her what the baby's name is she says ''She She''...so cute! She definitely hasn't let Kacie slow her down. She is just as busy as always and hasn't minded too much that mommy and daddy have to split their attention.

We are truly blessed to have two beautiful healthy daughters. We thank you all for you thoughts and prayers!

Better late than never

Even though our new baby is almost here, we thought we'd get with the times and start a blog. That way you can check up on the Claessens family whenever you are thinking of us.

What's new with us?? Well, I'm 37 weeks prego today. Baby should be making its grand arrival anytime now (I thought it would have been here by now). As of my last Midwife appointment I'm 4 cm dilated and almost completely thinned out. Baby is healthy and estimated to be about 7 lbs or so right now.

Andie is doing great! She's almost 18 months old. She's very active and is very independent. She's doesn't like help doing anything, she wants to do it all by herself. She keeps Mike and I very busy. Her favorite activity is climbing so we are always on the lookout. She especially likes to climb to the top of our 5 foot tall cat tree and flick the living room lights on and off. As far as her being ready to be a big sister...we'll have to wait and see. Some days I think she'll do great other days I'm not so sure.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we head into a big adjustment period for all of us. And also for the health of me and the new baby during delivery. We are excited to share our journey with all of you!