Welcome Keira!

We proudly introduce our daughter....

Keira Noelle Neal

May 31, 2008

7 lbs 15 oz

20.25 inches

Although we had already scheduled our c-section for Thursday, Keira decided that her arrival would be on her own terms. I went into labor early Saturday afternoon, and by 3:30 pm we were at the hospital getting checked out. The doctor decided it was time to get the show on the road and we were set up for a 6 pm surgery. Keira joined us at 6:52 pm, making us a family of four. Everyone is doing well despite the sleep deprivation. She has already been in for her first check up and is back to her birth weight. Julia loves her little sister and just wants to kiss her all the time!

In the recovery room. Julia wanted to eat Mommy's crackers.

Grammy and Keira

Daddy and his girls

Julia gives Keira her first kiss from Big Sister

Mommy finally has enough feeling back in her arms to hold the baby.

Mommy and the girls

Great Nana and Keira

Daddy and Keira

Time to go home.

Countdown!

So the final countdown until we are a family of four has begun. By this time next week, Keira will be here to bring us smiles and tears! We are scheduled to have a c-section Thursday morning at 9:30. All in all the pregnancy has gone well. I've been very tired these past few weeks and I'll be glad to at least get comfortable sleep, although not much of it. I have gained only 1 lb during this past 9 months so I'm giving myself a giant pat on the back! I'm still standing by my prediction that Keira will weigh in at 7lb 12 oz, and 22 inches. My OB seems to agree that my weight guess is in line with what he expects. I've also gone ahead and had a good 6+ inches of hair cut off. What do you think of the new "mom" do?

As for Julia, she is getting bigger and smarter every day. I can't wait to see her in big sister mode. We finally got the trailer up and running at the shore, and Julia is adjusting nicely. We even went to the Cape May Zoo over Memorial Day weekend. Her favorite part was the barn animals where she got to feed the "baa-baas". She spent a lot of time clucking at the chickens as well.

She thinks the bubbles are for eating!

What a ham!

Mother's Day

38 weeks with new haircut

Daddy, Julia and Pop Pop feeding the goats at the zoo.

She touched his nose once, then got freaked out. But she still liked to watch.

The Backyardigans!

So we bought our first home in August 2004 and ever since then we've been talking about fencing in the backyard. It was one of those things on the "would like to have list" when we moved to our second home, but unfortunately, it just wasn't part of the deal. Anyway, we did it! We finally fenced in the backyard! Hooray! Now the kiddos and the dogs have a place to roam free. It is especially helpful at this house because we are on a corner lot and three of the four sides of our property are roads. I feel so in touch with "The Backyardigans" now. I can't wait to spend the rest of the summer watching Julia run around and play!

Construction in progess.

Ahh, fence.

More fence.

Julia's favorite part is the dirt left behind from digging for the posts!

A big boo-boo. Julia bumped her face and now has a nasty bruise and swelling on her cheek.

34 weeks. I feel like I'm carrying a giant lead watermelon in my belly!

Busy, Busy, Busy

We were so busy this weekend that our days were just crammed with activity. Check it out.

We started off the day with the most important meal. This was Julia's first donut.

Angie came to visit us. We had so much fun!

After a LONG day of mulching, there was still much to do. Grammy and Julia were pulling weeds.

What a big helper!

Julia got to play with her friend, Olivia, while we were babysitting.

Some day they will be great Mommies.

Mmmmmm, messy spaghetti. Messketti.

What do you mean I have to finish my dinner before dessert?!

A Special Treat

Julia had her very first ice cream cone yesterday. Her favorite part was when she got down to the cone and could hold it and eat it all by herself.

Big Girl Bed

Julia went to the doctor for her 15 month check up and is right on track. She is up to 31.8 inches and 22.6 lbs. She is meeting or exceeding all of her milestones. She has also progressed into her "big girl bed". We've got the girls room set up and nearly ready for Keira's arrival, and Julia is enjoying the freedom of leaving the crib behind for her little sister. She is also now completely and totally obsessed with Dora the Explorer. We purchased a small flip open couch for her (which will become her bed at the shore) and it's the first thing she runs to when she wakes up. As for Keira, the pregnancy is progressing normally with no complications, and I'm counting the days until I can have my body back!

Tubby Time

New bath toys. Note the "Boots" on the wall.

New set up for the girls' room.

Julia in her big girl bed.

Playing with Dora

She prefers to nap on her "Dora Bed"

A moment of rest

Two favorites...Dora and her blanket (nah-nah)

29 weeks

Warm Weather

Warm weather means finally getting outside and soaking up some much needed sunshine and Vitamin D. We also managed to find time to take Julia to the park for the first time. She was a little shy at first, but by the time we were ready to leave she was really having fun.

The flowers are blooming.

This crocodile at the park was in need of hugs.

Climbing the stairs with Daddy.

Little Miss Independent marching off on her own.

Time for Spring Chores.

Let me help, Daddy.

Taking her baby out for a walk.

Apparently her maternal instincts are still in development phase.

She saw some "tweet tweets".

Sidewalk art with Daddy.