We were SO, SO grateful that Aunt Katie was able to come visit for a week - while we prepared for Levi's arrival, and especially during our hospital stay and the first few days home. She was an enormous help - and the kids loved having her around!!
I didn't get many pictures, but we sure did keep her busy. Here are some highlights from her visit.
She arrived on Monday, March 12, and jumped right into playing games and reading books with the kids. Each night before bed, we would discuss a plan for the next day -- *just in case* we had to head into the hospital during the night. But each morning, I kept waking up still pregnant... I started to get nervous that Katie would have to leave before getting to meet her niece/nephew!
Wednesday was 3/14 - "Pi Day" - so Aunt Katie decided we needed to make a pie. She couldn't decide between Key Lime Pie and S'Mores Pie....so we made both! She was very patient with her three very eager kitchen helpers. We all got to sample both pies after dinner, and they were both delicious :)
On Thursday, we got Jonah off to school and my friend Michaela took the girls to First Friends - and Katie and I found ourselves with 5 hours of free time! We did a little shopping, enjoyed lunch out (where I had both pineapple and spicy food!), then we spent an hour walking the neighborhoods around Jonah's school before we picked him up that afternoon. Since none of that seemed to kick start my labor, Katie offered to put the kids to bed that night so Brandon and I could go out one last time before the baby arrived. We chose to see "The Greatest Showman" - super fun movie!
Early Friday morning, labor finally started! Katie brought the kids up to meet Levi later that morning. After naps, Katie took the kids to "the castle park" in Augusta, KS - per Cora's request. Then we all enjoyed pizza at the hospital for dinner.
Saturday was St. Patrick's Day! We brought Levi home from the hospital to find a "Welcome Home Levi" sign that the kids had made. Katie and the girls even had coordinating St. Patrick's Day shirts. Jonah was a little bummed to discover he doesn't own a single green shirt. For dinner that night, Brandon made a bonfire and the kids had hot dogs and s'mores. Katie also made a pudding and graham cracker parfait - dyed green for St. Patrick's Day!
On Sunday morning, Aunt Katie took the kids to the zoo. The highlight of their visit was the rhino exhibit - the two rhinos (usually separated) were in the same enclosure, snorting and gesturing at each other - then they charged one another! The most exciting thing I've ever seen the rhino do was pee on the wall.
Sadly, when Monday rolled around again, it was time for Aunt Katie to head back to Colorado. She was immensely helpful, and the kids enjoyed having her around. I was especially thankful to have her in-house when my labor started in the middle of the night! Made things much easier. We also owe a huge thanks to Uncle Joe and the Weldons for making it possible for her to be away from home for a week!! Come back anytime, Katie :)
During our pre-baby shopping on Thursday, Katie picked out some matching rompers for the girls. She usually only gets to shop in the boy department (#boymom), so she enjoyed browsing the girls' section. We were delighted to discover Target also had coordinating outfits for the boys! Jonah was glad to be in on the matching this time, too. Cora, as always, was thrilled by it.
I didn't get many pictures, but we sure did keep her busy. Here are some highlights from her visit.
She arrived on Monday, March 12, and jumped right into playing games and reading books with the kids. Each night before bed, we would discuss a plan for the next day -- *just in case* we had to head into the hospital during the night. But each morning, I kept waking up still pregnant... I started to get nervous that Katie would have to leave before getting to meet her niece/nephew!
Wednesday was 3/14 - "Pi Day" - so Aunt Katie decided we needed to make a pie. She couldn't decide between Key Lime Pie and S'Mores Pie....so we made both! She was very patient with her three very eager kitchen helpers. We all got to sample both pies after dinner, and they were both delicious :)
On Thursday, we got Jonah off to school and my friend Michaela took the girls to First Friends - and Katie and I found ourselves with 5 hours of free time! We did a little shopping, enjoyed lunch out (where I had both pineapple and spicy food!), then we spent an hour walking the neighborhoods around Jonah's school before we picked him up that afternoon. Since none of that seemed to kick start my labor, Katie offered to put the kids to bed that night so Brandon and I could go out one last time before the baby arrived. We chose to see "The Greatest Showman" - super fun movie!
Early Friday morning, labor finally started! Katie brought the kids up to meet Levi later that morning. After naps, Katie took the kids to "the castle park" in Augusta, KS - per Cora's request. Then we all enjoyed pizza at the hospital for dinner.
Saturday was St. Patrick's Day! We brought Levi home from the hospital to find a "Welcome Home Levi" sign that the kids had made. Katie and the girls even had coordinating St. Patrick's Day shirts. Jonah was a little bummed to discover he doesn't own a single green shirt. For dinner that night, Brandon made a bonfire and the kids had hot dogs and s'mores. Katie also made a pudding and graham cracker parfait - dyed green for St. Patrick's Day!
On Sunday morning, Aunt Katie took the kids to the zoo. The highlight of their visit was the rhino exhibit - the two rhinos (usually separated) were in the same enclosure, snorting and gesturing at each other - then they charged one another! The most exciting thing I've ever seen the rhino do was pee on the wall.
Sadly, when Monday rolled around again, it was time for Aunt Katie to head back to Colorado. She was immensely helpful, and the kids enjoyed having her around. I was especially thankful to have her in-house when my labor started in the middle of the night! Made things much easier. We also owe a huge thanks to Uncle Joe and the Weldons for making it possible for her to be away from home for a week!! Come back anytime, Katie :)
During our pre-baby shopping on Thursday, Katie picked out some matching rompers for the girls. She usually only gets to shop in the boy department (#boymom), so she enjoyed browsing the girls' section. We were delighted to discover Target also had coordinating outfits for the boys! Jonah was glad to be in on the matching this time, too. Cora, as always, was thrilled by it.
Jonah refused to hold Levi because "he smells gross!" - haha!
Sisters :)
My big girl is not a baby anymore!
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