May 29, 2009

Neva comes home!






Mom and Dad were eager to come home after two nights in the hospital. Neva got to wear her first outfit and try out her car seat!




POSTED BY MEGAN HOPKINS

May 28, 2009

Neva's here! (3 am, May 27, 2009)




























Contractions started at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. It was a warm, sunny day in the Valley, and Mom and Dad did a good job staying calm. Solveig Johnson, a friend who also happens to be a nurse in Labor and Delivery, came to help at 12:30. It was about 3:30 pm when mom got to Mat-Su Regional, and Neva's two aunts and uncle were there for the action. The sky clouded up, and it began to get stormy as Mom and Dad went through triage. A nurse confirmed that mom was 4 cm, active labor. Now it was time for the hard part. It took several grueling hours and one successful epidural before Neva finally came out, at 3:01 a.m., exactly 24 hours after the first sign. She is 7 pounds, 12 ounces of joy, with a full head of hair, and even eyebrows! Her hand was by her head throughout delivery, and now she likes to keep her hand by her head when she sleeps! Mom and Dad are spending their second night in the hospital tonight and plan to bring Neva home in the morning.
POSTED BY MEGAN HOPKINS, PROUD AUNT







May 26, 2009

The Nursery is Ready!




When Megan and Jesse arrived on Saturday, they helped get the new shelves set up... now the nursery is ready!

May 18, 2009

Getting Close

Fifteen days till my due date, 4 days left of the 08-09 school year, 4 days until my sister and brother-in-law arrive, and 6 days until the 10-year Tok School Reunion BBQ at my house. Per and girlfriend Laura arrived from Boston Saturday night and visited while they planned their pre-reunion tour of AK.

I'm feeling huge, but Carlos and Dad insist I should be in pictures at this size. Carlos' bottoms are really all that are comfortable.


















May 06, 2009

Spring Has Sprung





South Central Alaska is enjoying a gentle spring rain this evening that has come at the end of a full 7 days of warm sunshine. The bright green of new life has emerged from the trees and the ground and from our squares of flower and vegetable starts.


Carlos is experiencing the new life of a no-longer 20-something young adult. He celebrated all weekend starting with the annual Kentucky Derby party Saturday, a birthing class Sunday, first lawn mow of the year and steaks Monday, ending with show and tell to 3 and 4 year olds at the local school and the requested almond cake with friends Tuesday night (see photos). As a symbol of maturity, we purchased our first professionally framed fine art for the house from a local painter to celebrate Carlos' 30th. Come visit if you want to see!


The birthing class was informative, but it gave me something really unexpected: a soaring confidence in my husband! He is already so supportive and encouraging to me, giving me strength and a sense of calm and we're not even started yet! I am so thankful for him and I know I can do anything with him by my side (or clinging to him).