Zoe's bath and the slower blogs

It has been an eventful few weeks in Casa Stevenson-Riedlinger, where we had several firsts. Activities started with Q helping to feed Zoe her first bottle.

You can see him concentrating to make sure it stays in just the right place.

We also found that Zoe is a very happy side sleeper. Q always did better on his stomach, and it seems like his sister takes after him. She works her legs and hips until she is able to get over, which is very funny to watch.

Our little side-sleeper

Zoe has also had a few baths at home since the umbical stump fell off. The first one was quite exciting, with Q helping, water on the floor, and then, after we got her all cleaned up she decided to spit up and (stop here and skip past the picture if you prefer to not hear about some of the grosser things babies do) squirt poo right at her mom. I had stepped out of the bathroom for a minute and missed the full action, but it required washing a rug and Katharine changing her clothing. She's pretty amazing for such a small one.

I'm all cleaned up.

Many people have noticed the lack of posts recently. Part of that is just balancing time between Q and Zoe and sleep, and part of it is the beginning of a slow transition, with the fact that eventually, we will stop posting pictures of Q online. It is a difficult decision, and the plan is not to stop immediately, but over the next year or so.

Until then, we still have many happy moments to share - like Q was dancing last week - and he didn't seem to care that I started filming (check out the one minute mark!) he is really great fun.



Easter pics and more to come soon.

A plethora of photos

We have been sleeping - and yet, I still haven't uploaded photos. After hearing from several regular readers, I made the effort to post a few tonight.

Enjoy!

Yep, we're all in love, too.

Zoe's arrival

Zoe decided that Friday was her day. April 8, 2011 at 5:23, she flew into this world. Katharine had started contracting around 8:00 Thursday evening and went into the hard labor around 3 AM, before pushing her out a few hours later. Katharine, as always, was so incredible and amazing. We had a fun moment around 5:00 when Katharine told the hospital staff she was ready to push, and the doctor came and checked, and then kind of forcefully called nurses to come assist, saying "I mean I need someone - NOW," in that tone. We were surprised to have one of the doctors on rotation and not one of the midwives, but the delivery process went well and no interventions were needed to assist Zoe out.

Quinlan came to meet his new sister and spend some time holding her with his Mom.



It is pretty amazing to watch him experience being a big brother.

We were able to come home about 36 hours after the delivery. The hospital is amazing in that they are not very eager to let you leave. And as much fun as the nourishment room in the postpartum recovery area is, I like the idea of not trying to go back and forth between home and Q and the hospital with Zoe and Katharine. We were very lucky to have Grandma MJ down to be able to help Q out at home.



We are taking it easy and will be happy to see visitors in person or via skype. Feel free to call either of us if you are interested.