Gia's First Bath

A couple of snuggles and kisses : )

 Hmmmm...not so sure she likes baths!

 Lily and Caden were big helpers!

[December 10, 2010]

More Gia

Our little peanut, weighing in at just under 7 pounds.

 Taking another little rest.

 And another one : )

[December 9, 2010]

Gia at Home

Lily couldn't wait to hold her "new baby".

 Gia snuggled into her 'Dugard lovey'.

 Sooooo kissable!

 Gia's first visitors at home, aside from Neema and Neepa, were Ms. Stacey, Elliott, and Lyle.  They brought us a yummy dinner : )

 Caden helping Gia get ready for bed.

[December 8, 2010]

Gia's last day in the hospital

We were able to head home December 8th.  Before heading out, Gia grabbed a quick nap with her daddy. 

 And her mommy...

 After passing her 48-hour exams, they gave us the OK to leave.

 This is the same outfit that Lily wore home from the hospital : )

 This beautiful sweater and bonnet (blanket not pictured) were gifts from a mutual student of both Corey and me (Nicole).  Nicole's aunt knitted them.  Absolutely beautiful!!!

 Ready to go...

[December 8, 2010]

Welcome Gianna Lucille!

What a day!  We had our first big snow fall of the year, so the day was beautiful and bright!  My wonderful BPS class surprised me with a card and a dozen roses.  It was so touching.  We then headed in to Memorial for delivery...to welcome Gianna Lucille Angst.  And yes, an updated Blog name will be forthcoming.

Here I am getting 'prepped' for surgery...and trying to finish up some last minute grading : )

 Luckily we have no shots of the gory details, but suffice it to say, it was a gory!  Corey actually had a walk through this time of all of the steps.  It still took 2 vacuum attempts to pull Gia out, despite the c-section '_'  However who can complain about the end result?!?  So far her hair looks a bit red!

 Mommy and Gia's first snuggle.

 So worth the wait!!!

 She is so tiny!  Weighing in at 7.3, compared to Lily at 7.10 and Caden at 8.1.

 Our fantastic doctor - who let us play classical music again during Gia's delivery.  So nice and calming, especially when coupled with Corey being able to be right with me, stroking my cheek : )

 The delivery team!

 Lily and Caden meet Gia for their first time!

 Then we were five...

 Caden holding Gia.  We put our foot down when he wanted to carry her across the room to grandma!

 Caden kept saying, "She so cute."  And calling her a little peanut.

 Lily seemed a little hesitant compared to her daily excitement about the baby, but also thrilled.

 Here is the gift that Gia brought for Lily and Caden- a box of 7 princess Barbies.  Gia is soooo thoughtful already : )  The kids were in heaven.  Caden decided shortly after it was time to go so he could play princess at home.

True to form, Neema and Neepa braved the snowy roads to come down for Gia's arrival, and to stay with Lily and Caden so that Corey could have sleepless nights with me in the hospital.  The best in-laws ever!!!

[December 6, 2010]

Delivery Day

Well, the day is finally here!  Baby Angst #3 is due this afternoon around 1pm.  We are all so excited!  Lily and Caden have been drawing pictures for the new baby and are anxiously awaiting the arrival. 

We have told the kids that after we picked out our tree, the baby would come, and that the baby would be here for Christmas.  So 2 weeks ago when we had a our first snow fall, Lily whispered to my tummy, "Baby, you can come out now!" : )

I head in to teach my last class of my first semester at ND this morning, then we head to Memorial.  Corey's parents are due in around 1 to pick up the kids and bring them to the hospital to meet the baby.  We are saying countless prayers that the new baby is healthy!!!  And that the c-section goes as well as it can '_'  We absolutely cannot wait to meet him/her and snuggle this little baby!  Names so far are Gianna (Gia) Lucile for a girl and Gabrielle (Gabe) or Nicholas (it is St. Nicholass Day) Michael for a boy.  All subject to change once we meet them : )

Yay!  So excited!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Mom and Dave joined us for Thanksgiving.  Although a bit light on the photos, we had a really nice and relaxing time, coupled with prep for baby #3!

We then ventured out to pick out our Christmas tree.  It was the coldest day of the year so far! 

Luckily Santa was there.  Lily let him know she wanted a "Dolly Princess" and Caden requested dinosaurs.

 Our tree!  A Douglas Fir this year.

 Warming up with cocoa aftewards.

[November 27, 2010]

Morning Routine

Thank goodness for 2 shower heads.  Every morning we all jockey for position in the shower.  Lily and Caden make "coffees" for Corey and I, that bake under the shower bench.  They typically have rainbow sprinkles, which can be pricey.  I had to pay $8 for my latte one day!

It is great that Lily can reach the on/off by herself now.  She gets out on her own.  We battle with Caden long after the water is frigid!

 Then out comes the snuggle robe and cartoon time.

[November 16, 2010]

Leprechaun

We couldn't believe our luck to have a visit with the ND leprechaun at one of the girls basketball games!  You can see the kids all but embraced him! 

[November 15, 2010]

Nutcracker Tea

We made our annual pilgrimage to the Nutcracker Tea with the Hall's.  Here is our table of adorable little girls -

Lily, Elliott, Lily, Annica, Ella

 Lily with the Sugar Plum Princess

 The tea was comprised entirled of chocolate desserts and hot chocolate!  Lily did not seem to mind.

 The sugar stupor is beginning.

 Lily was one of the first on the stage at the end of the Nutrcracker sample performance where she danced and twirled for an hour!  On the way home I asked her if she would like to dance in the Nutcracker someday and she responded, "Mommy, I don't know the dance steps!" : )

 Lily and Elliott's dance teacher, Ms. Shaquera.

[November 14, 2010]