A sneak peek at photos by friend Paula...

Once again, Paula Porter (an old HS friend) came to take pics of our family (now that our Oct. pics are outdated). Especially pics of our newest arrival, Baby Kate. Here a few she shared via Facebook. What a tease...we can't wait to see the rest! She's amazing...even though neither the weather nor the sun cooperated for natural light photography, she still managed to get some wonderful images.

The Latest with Baby Kate...

Another trip to Children's Mercy...we had the ultrasound this a.m. at 7:30 followed by a appt. with Nuclear Medicine for the Renal Scan. She had to be catheterized again after which, they hooked her up to an IV. She was strapped down for an hour while the images were collected but did reletively well despite having to fast prior to the appt. Once finished, we visited Dr. Gatti’s office (our Pediatric Urologist). Looks like what they suspected originally, based on preliminary testing, is the case. She has a duplicate ureter (connecting the kidney to the bladder) on the right side, and a uretercele (malformation). She does have partial function in her right kidney! YEAH. We are grateful for that...it appears only 15-% is not functioning. So she will go back in September for another ultrasound prior to open surgery around her first birthday (Dr. Gatti assured us the scar would be minimal based on where the incision will be). He will simply connect the two ureters and that should prevent any future problems. She will continue to be on an antibiotic daily and we are to monitor for any signs of a bladder infection..otherwise she’s doing great. She weighed in at 11.5lbs …only 7lbs shy of big brother Nickles. Chubba, Chubba. Here are a couple of pathetic little pic of her all strapped down and not the least bit happy. We are all glad that’s over. Now we have some time to mentally prepare for the next and final step.

Easter 2008

Another cold Easter this year....better luck next year when Easter will be a bit later in the spring. Despite the chill, this Easter was full of fun family activities that have exhausted our little men (who crashed on the drive home tonight). Saturday we went downtown for breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Rotary building in Clinton (with Grandpa and Grandpa Mac) followed by an egghunt on the courthouse lawn. When Nick spotted the Easter bunny...he practically ran to him (as quickly as his still unsteady, little legs could carry). Jonathan on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with him (an echo of our last experience with Santa). The boys spent a little time at the Clinton park later Saturday morning and soon after, Jonathan had special outing with Grandpa to see a movie (Horton Hears a Who) with cousin Daniel. (Brave grandpa for taking two of his very young grandsons BY HIMSELF to a movie). We all placed bets on how long they would make it before Grandpa would return home harried from the experience. (Jason had the most faith in him saying he'd make it the whole time and walked away $40 richer!) Easter Sunday Mass was followed by another amazing late afternoon feast (courtesy of my mom) followed by another egg hunt. It's always great to spend time with family...

Playtime with Greta

I think Nick's smitten...with sweet blond haired, blue-eyed Greta (daughter of good friend, Bec).

Oh Beautiful Spring Day!

Ahhhhhh....finally. A beautiful, glorious, sunny, clear day to kick off the first day of spring! Spring is by far my favorite season of all and today confirmed why. It was perhaps one of the best spring days I've had to date. I opened the windows, then decided to pack the kids in the car and go to the park (we would have walked, but I wasn't sure how the boys would do sharing the sit-n-stand). What could have been a very stressful outing with three so young was anything but! We had a picnic of what else but McDonalds and played at the park for over an hour. Nicholas loved swinging and sliding, Jonathan, the adventurer, tried new playground equipment he just a few months ago was too scared to try. Katherine basked in the warm sunshine and snoozed away. Then we all went for a long walk on the trails...here are of few pictures of our little Spring adventure (well, adventure for mom at least).

SHE SMILES!

Nothing melts a mom's heart quite like the first time her baby begins to smile (purposefully...non-gas related that is)! Witnessing a reaction that says, “my baby is happy,” is pretty hard to beat…. A shared smile or laugh creates a very special connection. I've always enjoyed those little smirks she's gets on her face right before falling blissfully asleep (which is why I've had hard time sleeping when she does...I could literally stare at her for hours). Now she stares right into our eyes and gives the biggest, most genuine, cheeky, dimpled smiles. A baby’s first smile or giggle (still waiting on that one) is, without a doubt, one of those magic moments for every parent!

Brotherly Love...well sort of.

Less than two weeks and counting....

...

Well, it's gone by far more quickly than I anticipated, but maternity leave ends in just a couple of weeks. Remarkably, we've transitioned to a family of five fairly easily although sleep (or lack thereof) has been an issue. Between Nicholas teething and Katherine simply deciding she's wide awake, we've had our share of short nights and groggy mornings. Nick is walking quite proficiently and when he does lose his balance, he falls with such grace. He is the most tender, sweet and affectionate little boy who easily brightens one's mood with his baby blues and his big flashy dimpled grin. Jonathan seems to be becoming more and more of a challenge to his parents behaviorally. He's a very strong willed little guy and tests our patience constantly. Regardless, he's given Jason and I many laughs with his sense of humor and his developing sense and questioning of the world around him. So as chaotic as one might think a family with three children so close in age would be, so far, we are loving every minute of it (well, not exactly every minute...let's be real here). But Jason and I make a fabulous team and without his help, support, encouragement and love; I don't know where we'd all be! ;)