Traeger lovin' on his sister!

Traeger meeting Ataly!

We arrived home Monday around 2:30 PM to see Traeger peeking out the window patiently waiting to see us again after 2 days and more importantly to meet his new baby sister!

Nonnie made special signs to welcome Miss. Ataly home!

A special spot!

This is the day she was born.

Ataly has a little perfectly circled red spot on her head that is called Cutis Aplaisis. I noticed it shorty after she was born. The midwife had never seen that in 24 years of work so she went and got the Pediatrian. He knew immediately what it was. It is a special spot she will always have. I guess it's where some layers of skin don't develop in that one little area. It has since gotten a scab over it and eventually we probably won't ever see it because her hair will grow around it. Her hair will never grow in that one area. It is genetic and we think my mom's dad had it on his head by his ear.

The scab came off Wednesday night so this is what it looks like now.

The Arrival of Ataly Raen

On the big day we got to the hospital in Wausau about 7 AM.

When we went in, Kaela was two cm dilated. She was induced at 8 AM,

and her water was broken at 11 AM when she was 3-4 cm dilated.

She continued to progress and was dilated to 8-9 cm at 1:53 PM.

About 20 minutes later she started to push to help her fully dilate.

At 2:45 she finally fully dilated, and Ataly arrived at 2:59 PM!

Here's Luke cutting the cord.

And now the moment of truth:

Yes, Kaela really did deliver a 9 lb 4 1/2 oz baby with no epidural!

We praise God that Mom and Baby came through delivery healthy and safe.

What an answer to many prayers! God is awesome!

And about an hour after she was born,

Daddy got to give Ataly her first bath.

She didn't really like it until the end when Daddy started brushing her hair.

That was really the first time she stopped crying since she was born.

And we're grateful that she's been a very calm baby so far!

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

It is truly incredible to see how God creates new life!

Belly pictures!

Here we are the night before we got to meet our daughter. Cherishing the last moments of having her with me all the time!

Visit!

John, Nicole, Annabelle and Madison came to visit us the weekend before my due date. As always we had a relaxing time with them and it was a helpful distraction to keep my mind off the fact that I was about ready to burst at any moment.

Madison, Annabelle and Traeger ready for bed!

John, Annabelle, Traeger and Luke reading Bible stories before calling it a night!

Here we are pregnant together...me- 8 wks and Nicole 34 weeks (due with Madison)

I called it then and it came true :O), Nicole pregnant with baby #3 at the end of my pregnancy.

Mikaela 39 weeks...Nicole 9 weeks pregnant with Baby Hatfield #3

How fun it's been to go through this stage of life together!

Welcome Ataly Raen Hatfield!

We are thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter, Ataly Raen Hatfield!

Sorry it's taken so long. We actually had some trouble posting photos to the blog, as many of you know. But at long last, here she is!
She was born Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 2:59 PM. She was 9 lbs 4 1/2 oz. and 21 inches long!
Everyone is home now, and both mom and daughter are doing fine!

Ataly's First Car Ride

Here's Ataly all ready to head home from the hospital!

More pictures of Ataly

Check out those chubby cheeks!

She had so much hair that she wore her first barrette in the hospital!

Happy 21 Months!

As of the 27th, Traeger is 21 months! He's creeping up on 2 years old which is so hard to believe! Traeger is a ball of energy and is constantly on the move! A few things we're loving about this stage of development...

1- His schedule is predictable! ( Can you tell I'm anticipating the infant stage again :O))

2- Traeger's language is expanding every day. A few new words: stuck, help, spin, colors. My other favorite is when he can't say the word, he tries to sign what he's saying.

3- He is developing a sense of humor (will laugh at moments he thinks are funny and actually are).

4- When a babysitter is coming over he gets so excited! The moment they walk in the door he lights up, takes their hand and is immediately ready to play for the evening. He likes the change of pace from mom and dad :O)

What's your guess?

For those of you keeping track at home, we are about 10 days away from meeting our daughter. I thought we could do a prediction poll just for fun! Submit your guesses on the date and time of her arrival and how big you think she'll be. Let the fun begin...

You'll have to excuse the late night photo. I have no makeup on but y'all just want to see the ever growing and expanding belly anyway :O)

Baby!

In an effort to prepare Traeger for his baby sister (due to arrive in the next 15 days), we thought we'd try giving him a baby of his own. Since I found it for $5 brand new at Goodwill I thought, "Worst case scenario: he doesn't take to the idea at all, and then we'll give the doll to his sister." The idea was that he can take care of his baby while Mommy and Daddy are caring for his baby sister. It has been 2 days now since we have given Traeger his doll. He loves it! I didn't expect this at all because stuffed animals don't really interest him. He takes wonderful care of the baby by feeding her and making sure she has her blanket. Occasionally he will even share his pacifier and pile a ton of toys next to her. At nap and bed times he really wants her to sleep with him, but since it's such a distraction we made a little bed for her outside his bedroom door. As soon as he wakes up the first thing he asks for is his baby. He insists that she travels with us in the car. We all know how much he loves balls and going to basketball games, but even that wouldn't distract him from his new joy. We left the baby in the car on Tuesday while we went into the game, not without protest. At about half time he kept asking to go get his baby. We think it's pretty cute! Hopefully the love for his new baby will transfer to his baby sister!

Special delivery!

I was getting ready this morning when Luke walks in the bathroom with this box. My mind immediately went down the list of questions like, "what did I order?" or "when did the package arrive because I never heard the doorbell?", and then out pops Traeger with a huge smile on his face. It brings me so much joy when I hear my boys giggling and having so much fun together, which happens often because Luke is always coming up with wild and crazy activities that I just would never think of doing.

Congratulations Oldberg family!

Kierstin Sierra Meghan Oldberg made her arrival Feb. 19th @ 5:20 p.m. She was 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long! Everyone is doing well!

Andre, Krista and Sierra
We got to visit the Oldberg's this morning.
Despite the look on Traeger's face, he actually did great when Mommy and Daddy were loving on Sierra!

Valentine's Day!

Luke and I went out on Tuesday night to celebrate Valentine's Day. We're not big into the "holiday" but figured why not use it as an excuse to get out for another date night! We enjoyed dining at the standard, Applebees. We had a gift certificate for there so that always helps make the decision on where we should go easier:O) After dinner we headed to the local movie theater to relax and enjoy Fool's Gold! I always enjoy traveling to Marshfield or Wausau so we get 45 minutes to an hour of what we call "quality car time"...uninterrupted time to chat!

We also got to hang out together all day Thursday since it was Luke's day off! Yeah for me...lots of quality time with my boys :O)!!!

The countdown has begun!

28 more days until we meet our little one!

Like Mommy like Son...wait that's not how the saying goes :O) Someday we'll teach Traeger about who really carries babies! But for now he thought it was hilarious to have a tummy just like Mommy.

Baby's room!

Yesterday morning we finally finished putting the Baby's room together! Of course, I was more anxious than Luke to finish this project but he willingly helped out. It's amazing to me just how different you feel between your first and second child. The first one you think you need everything in order months before they come (though I never had that luxury with my first one either because we were moving with only 4 weeks left in the pregnancy). With your second you just don't feel the same urgency. With only 4 weeks left, I've started to feel like I should proably get the breast pump out, get the car seat ready with the bundle me and head rests strapped in, pick out an outfit for the baby to come home in, buy a few newborn diapers, get the baby bath up from the basement and that should do it for the necessities right away!

We are super excited to meet our daughter! It doesn't mean the excitment isn't mixed in with a few anxious thoughts of how are we going to handle WAKING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT again and adequately care for TWO little ones. In the midst of my anxious thoughts, God reminds me of how sufficient HE is and that HE is in control of ALL things! So I find myself laying my worries at His feet time and time again and reminding myself that I'm not going to have to do this alone! This is a picture of her room from the door.

This again is from the door.

The flowers above her crib with the saying, "Bloom where you're planted."


This picture is taken in the corner from the right of the dresser.

Soon the picture frames will be filled with sweet pictures of our daughter and Traeger. The canvas boards say, Trust, Courage, Blessed.

Loved!

We have so much to be thankful for! One of those things is the love our Father lavishes on us and the love of family and friends!

Grandpa and Nonnie hooked Traeger up with a special treat for Valentine's Day! Traeger was saying please with both hands for Nonnie to open up some of those yummy M & M treats... and what else is a Nonnie to do but give them to him despite the fact that it was nine in the morning :O)!

Traeger loved the sweet card he got from Nana and Grandpa. He thought the penguin on the front was hilarious!

Traeger got to open a yellow package that came in the mail. He loves opening them and knows that typically a special treat is in store. Auntie Casey came through for him and sent us the traditional candy hearts and separated the yellow ones just for Mommy! What a dear friend that she goes through the whole bag and picks out all the yellow ones just for me and then sends the rest of the bag too for my family!
Here's a picture of Traeger insisting that he get to partake in the goods immediately! Gee, I wonder who he takes after? Unfortunately, both of his parents are candy addicts so I guess he comes by it honestly!

Thanks Buddy and Nanny for the thoughtful card and for including some stickers and $1 to save! Traeger thought the stickers were really fun!

Baby Shower for the Oldbergs!

On Sunday, our small group enjoyed showering the Oldbergs with baby items as they prepare for their little girl to arrive soon, due this Saturday!

Krista being very patient with the boys and their "helpful" hands!

Traeger and his bud, Simon, hanging out at the baby shower.

On the road again...

Traeger and I headed south to visit Grandpa and Nonnie and the Patricks. Luke had a Jr. High Lock-In. I figured instead of sitting inside by ourselves for yet another day, we'd take a little adventure. I know once the baby comes, traveling by myself with two kids will be more difficult so I'm taking advantage of my freedoms while I have them :O)!

Nonnie and her boys enjoying quality time together!

Cool dudes, Kieran and Traeger!

Grandpa and Nonnie with the kiddos!

The Patrick boys were great with Traeger.

They gladly shared their toys, made him giggle lots and gave him lots of hugs and kisses!

Pajama Trouble!

So are you asking yourself, "Where are Traeger's warm, cozy, fleece pajamas on a cold winter night?!" Well I was asking the same question the first night Traeger decided to unzip and take off his pajamas. I walked in and found him down to his onesie. I had to walk out just as quickly as I walked in, but it wasn't because I was angry - I couldn't contain my laughter! I left the room, and once he fell asleep I put his pajamas back on. I was tempted to do the whole love and logic discipline and have his consequence be that he didn't get his jammies for the night because he chose to take them off, but I figured his room gets pretty chilly at night so that would be on the edge of child abuse. I didn't know how to make him keep his pajamas on so in the morning when I greeted him, he was down to his onesie again. Again last night Traeger took off his pajamas before he fell asleep. By accident when Luke put them back on in the dark he put them on inside out. Well, that solved it. When Traeger greeted me at his door this morning, he had his pajamas on. Yeah! So for a while we will be putting his pajamas on inside out. If you have any other suggestions, we're open to hear them :O)!

Grandpa and Nana visit!

We were thrilled to have Grandpa and Nana visit this weekend! As always they were super helpful with Traeger and let us get a little break. Sleeping in, not having to change diapers, or do dishes is a good change of pace. I guess we're getting spoiled and should not get used to this routine of having grandparents visit back to back :O). We had fun playing a few games of Settlers and a game to 100 of Nertz. They also helped put together the baby's dresser!

Traeger and Nana organizing the dresser pieces for Luke and Grandpa to put together!Traeger helping Grandpa and Daddy put his sister's dresser together!