2 weeks down!

Life is still moving quickly here at the Birkholz household. We realized we have not been taking many pictures so far. Poor Reese will have 1/2 as many pictures as we took of Henry when he was a baby!

We have been doing a bunch out and about which has been a lot of fun. Just keeping busy and figuring out how our little unit of 4 functions.

Reese slept for 6 hours last night before I had to wake her to eat! I have to remind myself she is only 2 weeks old. All the sleep worried me for a bit, but she is gaining weight and has been showing all the signs of a thriving baby so I guess I just need to savor it!

Here are some pictures below of our week so far.

Bill got Henry a playhouse from Costco that he just loves. He must spend 2 hours a day outside digging and playing house!


Here is a video of the fun. Couldn't zoom out so it is a really close up video...sorry!





I got Henry some overalls like Bill's as a joke, but I ended up loving how he looked in them! My little farmer.


Reese has started to open her eyes more and more. She loves to just stare at everything and has got some pretty funny expressions!


The 2 pictures below are what our evenings are like. We always mean to make phone calls and clean up but we end up passing out on the couch with Reese!

Day 10

We have hit day 10 and all is well. Reese has little cold but other than a little trouble feeding she is taking it pretty well. She is just a dream baby so far. I hate to brag about it because I know it could change at any minute but I just can't resist. She sleeps well ( a 4-5 our stretch at night), barely cries and eats like a champ! Henry was a pretty colicky baby so we really feel the difference between the two. Also Bill and I are so much more relaxed and that is making a big difference as well.

We have been taking things really easy. All of us have had a cold in the past couple weeks so we have been resting and also getting out to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather and sunshine! My mom left at the beginning of the week, and though we miss her terribly, we have fallen into a nice routine as a family of four. It is so nice to have Bill home and I am a little worried about how I will meet everyones needs once he returns to work, but we will cross that bridge when it comes!

Henry is still the best big brother in the world and has yet to show any real jealousy towards his little sister. He runs to her when she peeps and checks on her a lot. He has stayed busy playing at the park and constantly painting, which is his new favorite activity. Bill has been getting up with him in the morning and this morning he really wanted to see me so we all got in bed together and had a snuggle fest which was just so sweet. Between the feedings, cleaning, laundry and trying to get quality time with each kiddo the days just fly by! I have like 20 people I need and want to call but I always seem to be so consumed with our new little life it is hard. I know in time a little routine will be established and all will be back to normal...whatever that is!

Below are some pictures of the past week. I have a video or two as well but I will have to post later this week because I need to find them.

Reese taking a nap.



Henry painting masterpieces with Reese


First family walk


Henry holding his little sister



Titi giving Reese her first bath


This is what happens when we get consumed with the baby while Henry is painting!!!

Big Brother

First of all I have updated the picture site! So click the link to the right and their are lots of pictures of the new gal and her brother.

Henry is fitting into his role as big brother perfectly! I almost hate to brag because I am sure this is the honeymoon period, but he has not shown even one ounce of jealousy. Tonight at dinner she started to cry and he announced to us he would check her and then ran over to her bassinet and told her it would be okay...precious! He has shown us what a big boy he is and I am just so impressed with him.

When he came to meet Reese at the hospital he walked in with a big smile on his face and acted as if things had always been this way. He met his new sister, checked her out, posed for the photo opp an then looked at us as if to say, whats the big deal? We gave him a gift from Reese and once he opened that he did exactly what he did in the video below...like one hundred times!!!



Reese is the missing link we never knew we were missing. It feels like she has always been with us and I now totally get how I am able to share my love. Just like her brother as a newborn, she has some jaundic issues so she has been on a light bed here at home. So our time so far has been focused on getting her stronger with lots of light time and feedings. I do just love the precious time we get when I get to take her out of the light bed and feed her. She is just a squishy little love and it is so hard to put her back in the bed when we are done.

Reese hanging out in her light bed


Grandma Titi is here basically doing everything for us which has been a dream. She and Henry are like peas and carrotts and they have been playing a lot of hide and seek and other goofy games. I believe I heard him tell Titi today he was her boss, which was pretty funny.

I can't remember the last time I felt this lucky or happy, but I also know the sleep deprivation hasn't kicked in just yet.

Hen and Reese getting to know one another


Our Sweet Girl


An awesome Reeses themed boquet my sister in law made for us!


Henry's big brother shirt Emily made him for his first meeting with his sister.


The first meeting

Reese Elizabeth Birkholz

So we did it! Checked into hospital at 3:20am and had our little plump princess at 6:22am! I realize that 3 hours is an insanely short labor and I am not even sure how it happened so fast. I had an epidural that did weirdly wear off but again i was lucky because it only took 4 pushes and she was out! The craziest thing is that she weighs an amazing 9lbs. 7oz.!!!!!! She is also 20 inches long. She is so cute and also so funny to look at because she seriously is a huge butterball! She has eaten 3 times already.

I just love her so much. She is so expressive already and as we speak is cuddled up in Bill's arms taking a nap. I am in awe of her precious little personality already and am so excited she is mine and I get to take her home. My Mom and Bill were wonderful coaches and I could not have had such an easy time without them. They should go into business as birth coaches.

Big brother Henry is coming this afternoon and I am so excited to see what he thinks of his little sister. I also miss him and our family of four is not complete without him. We will keep you posted!

It's All Happening...I think?

Been up most of the night timing contractions. It is 2:30am now and I am thinking and hoping for a baby girl by this afternoon. Probably wishful thinking but I might as well give it a shot.

Henry is fast asleep in his room and has no real idea of what is about to hit him. When he wakes he will go spend the day with the Hubert's plying with is girl and buddy and getting lots of love from Em and Gregg. We did a lot of cuddling and playing yesterday, which felt so nice. As much as I have loved having it be just me and my little partner I think we are ready to invite our new little one into the mix. I think of how much Henry will teach her and how much she will teach him! I see the beginnings of a beautiful friendship.

A couple days ago Henry and I had a great little conversation. It went like this:

Henry: Mommy what is that in your tummy?
Me: The baby.
Henry: When is she coming out?
Me: (very surprised he realizes she is coming out) I don't know hopefully soon.

After this exchange we moved on quickly to talk about trucks and such but it melted my heart and showed me that he is picking up what we have been putting down!

The next time I post it will hopefully be pictures of our new little girl! Wish me luck! Here are some cute pics of the past week of my favorite little guy.

Little Picasso and Wating to be a Big Brother

As we patiently wait for Henry's little sister to arrive he has been more than entertained. First off my parents are in town helping us while we prepare for our new addition. They are amazing. Henry has been entertained and I have been basically doing nothing. They clean, cook and have done all of my laundry since the second they arrived...it is truly bliss. Todays daily project was making a bird house with Papa and then painting it. Painting has become our favorite activity these days! It was cute to watch them buld together and they held the drill as a team and each time a screw went in Henry yelled "we did it!"





We also had saved an amazing fire truck that Henry had received for Christmas from his Auntie Anna, Uncle Andy and Cousin Lucy. We decided to bring it out this morning much to Henry's enjoyment! He loves it so much we got a picture of him hugging it. He has been playing with it all day!




I had the Dr. today and he said everything is going well. He is expecting the baby to come by the weekend but he also scheduled an induction for me on the 18th if she decides to be stubborn. So no matter what we will have her on the 18th or 19th! I have an ultrasound Friday to check on her and I am excited to get a sneak peek at the little gal who has been making me breathe so heavy and waddle like a duck. So I am planning on posting to the blog when the baby arrives with pictures and some info so hopefully I will be doing that sooner than later!

Below is a picture of a book Henry's Auntie Tink, Uncle David and Cousin Eva gave Henry for Christmas. It has been key in getting him ready for his transition into big brotherhood. It talks about how he helped paint the room and also has a picture of Henry in it driving truck. He just loves it and so do I!