Laura Brielle's Birthday

Here she is at last...

 Little Miss Laura Brielle

Born on November 14th, 8:58 p.m.

9 lbs. 13 oz.

Terribly cute

 

I started having contractions on Wed. around 1 a.m. in the morning, and they continued on irregularly throughout the day. It was exciting, but it still felt like they wouldn't amount to anything as it felt like I had been waiting for so long. They picked up in the afternoon, and started being around 10 minutes apart.

Being it was James and Anne-Marie's birthday, we were going to be having some dear friends Ronnie & Elizabeth over for supper, and I really didn't want to cancel. It felt like this baby would never come, and if things picked up I'd just go to our room. Supper was ready and all, and Ronnie & Elizabeth were game to try coming. But right before they arrived, contractions really starting picking up, and I had just enough time to say hi to them when they came, give a quick tour of our upstairs, and go lie down in our room. I didn't see them anymore after that, which was too bad, but they were sweet to still come for the birthday party. :)

We called our midwife at 6:30 p.m. - she got here at 7 p.m. and things kept moving ahead. I was at 6 cm, which felt like to me - it would take a long time - but my midwife Heather, was like nope - it's moving quickly. And yup - they did.

This labor was different than the other two - faster and harder. Katelyn's birth was quite peaceful and steady. Erik's was fast, a bit panicky but smooth. This one was fast, but with no time to enjoy the labor - if that makes sense. :) I felt like I came to the point of "I can't do it anymore" almost too quickly, which scared me. Lots of prayers and encouragement, and transition time came. That 1-2 minutes of quiet was amazing, but then the next phase began where I didn't think I could do it anymore... This babe took more work to bring into the world, and I was super done in by the end. But the baby came - praise be to God - and it was a GIRL! :)

We were both surprised, happy and excited!

So Laura Brielle Heikoop was born.

The next couple hours were wonderful and a bit crazy.

Our dear company had left 5 minutes before she was born. They were so lovely to put up with all the busyness, and I'm so glad that Anne-Marie at least, got to have a bit of a birthday party. Katelyn and Erik had been picked up by Auntie Diane around 7:30 p.m. so that was nice to have them our of the way :) - though Katelyn dearly wanted to "help the midwife".

Another midwife came just before the baby was born, and Will and Deanna had stopped by after kids club to wish James a "happy birthday" not knowing that the baby was on it's way - so they just continued on their merry way - just missing the baby. :)

Then about a half hour after she was born, Rob and Mark had stopped by to pick up a car, and James had them wait until Laura could be brought out to the living room for a quick viewing. :)

Then we just got a bit of family time in to enjoy this new little gift.

The three of us - a couple hours after she was born.

Poor little girl - her head is all smooshed in a hat. :)

Our amazing midwife Heather, doing the rest of her checkup.

Weighing the chubbers - Heather said she could have almost been 9 lbs. 14 oz - so close, but we stuck to 13. :)

Anne-Marie got to come in and finally meet the little girl born on her birthday. :)

 I'm pretty sure she likes her.

James calling the family.

It definitely takes a while to call everyone between the two families. :)

The birthday trio.

I was following in my mom, and mother in law's footsteps by having a baby on the 14th of November.

Around 11:30 p.m. Mom and Dad Heikoop show up on their way home from Ohio. Mom knew I had been in labor, and they were wishing James a quick happy birthday - but didn't know the baby had been born. :) James didn't say anything at first, until mom was about to go, and then smiled... :) Yup - the baby came. :) So they got to meet her just a couple hours later.

Holding my little girl. Amazing to think I have two girls!

Even though everything went smoothly, I felt like I didn't have a ton of time to just enjoy Laura at first. This labor being the hardest, I was kinda stunned for a bit, but thankfully, it didn't take too long before I could just hold and love her.

Needing some sleep I think :)

The next morning she had her first bath. We've done this herbal bath that the midwives recommend, so the water doesn't look so great, but it's healing. :) Herbs, garlic and sea salt. She cried at first - but eventually soaked it all in.

Then Auntie Diane and Uncle Brad brought the kiddo's home to meet their baby sister.

Katelyn was quite excited!! Erik had just woken up from a nap, so was kinda out of it at first.

Kisses for baby sister

Then Erik was ready to "hold it". He loved being a big boy and holding Laura. He calls her "Dorta". :) Katelyn had run downstairs to get her "sister" a rattle. Cause you know, all babies need rattles.

Big brother

Then James and Anne-Marie finally got to open up the rest of their birthday gifts. :)

(with much help from Katelyn)

Shantelle dropped by to meet the babe

Henry and Heather shocked me by coming all the way to meet Laura. The rascals. I told them to wait, but they showed their love to us anyways. :) Heather got the girls the most adorable matching dresses. Can't wait to dress them up!

Uncle William holding his latest niece.

So there you go - the latest from this growing family of FIVE!

 

"But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

-1 Corinthians 15:57

Squeaky Clean

{taken by Anne-Marie}

Before Baby Came...

Here's a bunch of pictures from the last two weeks with Anne-Marie -mostly pictures I hijacked from her camera. :)

 Dancing around one evening - Katelyn in her new shoes and skirt from Grandma Fehr.

 Erik getting his much needed haircut.

 A slight trim for the girl who needs much hair.

 Anne-Marie has been such a servant - taking the kids to the park, doing everything that needs to be done, while I've been resting and getting ready for the baby. She's amazing. :)

On our way to church last week. :)

Isn't he dapper? He loves his hat.

 

 

We got to go see the Daaes on Monday - a special treat! Fun to see them again and catch up.

Anne-Marie gets to see them more often than me, (at different jamborees and such) now that I don't sing with the family, but it's always special to connect with them.  

There were a few sick little ones in the Daae family, so Mrs. Daae was looking after her grandchildren, but the others did a great job without her. (though I missed seeing her)

Dear Shannon - 6 months expectant with their third one! 

I'm so thankful for Shannon - so neat to have a friend that you can just pick up with.

She's such an encouragement to me. 

So, after their concert, and everyone else left, the guys (and gals) decided to play some "bump" in the church gym, which turned into volleyball until midnight....it was fun and crazy! I played bump for a bit (come on baby!)- and then Shannon and I were elected to go for a Timmies Run. :) 

Guess the two pregnant ladies weren't in high demand for volleyball. :)

 James and Michael battling it out.

 Some of us with the Daaes; Crystal and Amanda - Lauren and Shannon were in the bus with their little sick darlings.

Drinking smoothies and ice caps at midnight - a special occasion. :)  

Starting a race - on the cars. :) Katelyn won, Erik second, with Michael and Crystal trailing behind. :)

Such a fun evening with them!

Hide n' Seek

Uncle William was over for a few hours last Sunday evening, and played Hide and Seek with Erik and James... this is where the creative uncle put his little nephew.

(and yes, he took out the garabage bag first)

Waiting for daddy to come find him.

Isn't he terribly cute. :)

"Found you"!

Erik is getting quite good at this game. I am amazed at how quiet he can actually get when he wants to be. :)

Katelyn's Room

Another room that I can finally show you. :)

Katelyn's own room. (for now - she'll be sharing eventually)

Here's the Before - though it's more of the hallway but you can see the end room is Katelyn's room.

(and the nursery - Erik's room for now - is the first door on the right) the bathroom is the first door on the left, and our room is the second door on the left. (with our little linen closet the second little door on the right.

 

BEFORE:

 BEFORE:

AFTER:

Welcome to Katelyn's room!

The bunk bed we got off Kijij and painted it over many nights in our garage. :) The top bunk will eventually be used for more than just jumping...cough...cough... but for now, it's where they like to play. 

 Her "letters" that finally stayed up on the wall. (we ended up using 3M mounting tape)

Don't you just love her bedding? Sigh... me too!

I had seen a picture on pottery barn of this quilt, but of course, they didn't have it anymore. It was one of the only ones that James and I liked, so I searched ebay and found this set - for an amazing deal! It should grow with her for a while. :) Right before we bought it, I found out that the "name" of the quilt is "Katelyn" - amazing eh? :)

The cute polka dot lamp from Auntie Heather Heikoop, and the toy chest and bookshelf are from when I was little. (just a good paint job to update them)

Here's my special "hope chest" that I got from Cameron (and my parents) when I was 8.

Cameron made me a few things for my room.

Now it is super special to pass them along to my little girl.

Here's the before of my hope chest. 

Cameron's first woodworking logo.

And the AFTER:

 

 

I used that blessed Frog Tape to get those pink lines reasonably straight and used hot pink spray paint - a fun project. :)

And the cradle was mine from when I was young too - mom made the pink blanket/pillow that matches the curtins.

The bookself that has housed soo many of my favorite reads over the years.

And yes, I did take my wedding picture down... was just trying out the frame there - decided I may spray paint a wooden one I have for a picture for Katelyn...but that's for another day.

The adorable curtins that my mom made when she was here. Aren't they cute?

Katy's picture.

The artwork we created together - from an idea we saw on pintrest. :)

It has been fun to see what we can make with just using what we have around the house.

I spent an afternoon cutting out butterflies, - they're Katelyn's favorite "animals". :)

And the room being put to use. :)

Auntie Anne-Marie and Katelyn enjoying a book together.

*Updated*

Katy's closet :)

We had a dresser in there before, but switched it up for shelving and pink totes.

 And I mad these artwork "boards" at our church getaway weekend.

Here's what they look like. :)