Alden's 2nd Birthday

Alden had a Donald Duck themed birthday party on Friday, October 9th. He had a great party! He got a lot of exciting gifts and had fun with family! He got a Dinosaur from Kathy, Nathan, & Kaleb; Sailor Mr. Potato Head from Jodi, Jamie, Brandon, & Eric; Singing Book and money for college from Great-Grandma & Grandpa McKnight; Tiger Beanie Baby & Golf Cart Toy from Great-Grandma & Granddad Holman; Yellow Football (that you see in all the pictures because he wouldn't put down) and Elmo legos from Uncle Chris; Money for a travel fund & book from Uncle Greg & Auntie Debra; Bat Cave & Batman accessories from Nebraska City Grandma & Grandpa; Legos & Money for college from Grandma & Grandpa McKnight; and Legos from us! He opened some legos first and decided he wasn't going to open any more gifts until he played with the legos so that was a challenge to get him to open another gift! He was pretty funny when he was blowing out the candles. He just stared at the candles and at the cameras as we sang Happy Birthday. He was very straight faced!

Clair's First Husker Game Day!! (Nebraska @ Mizzou)

The kids got dressed up for the Huskers' road game against Mizzou last Thursday night. They only got to stay up until about half time, but they still yelled "Go Big Red" alot.

Clair

Little Miss Clair

We had a good first week home with Clair. She is a very good baby girl! She sleeps about 3 hours and then eats and then sleeps another couple hours and eats and then does the same thing all over again! Samantha & Alden are adjusting to life as big sister and big brother. Alden has done fairly well with Clair, considering she totally interrupted his life! His main issue is that I can't pick him up because of my c-section. So, once I can pick him up, I think he will be a lot happier! We gave Clair her first bath at home on Tuesday. Doug was afraid the kids would try to help too much, but they just watched intently! My mom came up on Wednesday afternoon and stayed until Saturday afternoon to help me out and it was wonderful! She took care of Sam & Alden and I focused on Clair. She helped me take Clair for her first Dr. Appt in Fremont with Dr. (Uncle) Tom on Wednesday afternoon. She did great! She is up to 8 lbs 8 oz (up 4 oz from her discharged hospital weight of 8 lbs 4 oz). She even enjoyed the car ride there and back for the most part! We stopped in Omaha on the way home to get groceries, so it was a long trip for her!

Alden Turns 2!!!!!

The day we brought Clair home from the hospital, Alden also turned 2 years old!! I realize it wasn't the best way for a 2 year old to spend their birthday (getting a new baby at home to have to share mom & dad's attention with), but I thought it was better that I was actually home for his birthday!! Grandma McKnight & Samantha make birthday cupcakes during Alden's nap that day to celebrate! He loved the frosting! Doug & I let him open one of his birthday presents - a Lego Police Station and he loved it!!!

Coming Home!!

We brought Clair home from the hospital on Monday, October 5th. We were discharged by noon and got to spend a quite afternoon alone with just Clair, because Grandma McKnight brought Alden & Samantha home to us after they took naps at her house. Clair slept the whole ride home and only squeaked a couple of times. Nebraska City Grandma & Grandpa also stopped by for a visit. Grandpa McKnight also came over after work and brought pizza for supper.

Clair - Day 3

Our last full day in the hospital was a mellow one. We only had a few visitors, which gave us time to rest! We took a couple naps and Clair got her first professional (by the nurse) pictures taken in the nursery. You can view them at: http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?BirthId=b7fe7032-92be-4344-89ea-f41e83192946

If you need a password use: merritt. Samantha & Alden came with Grandma & Grandpa McKnight in the morning; then we had Doug's dental assistant and my friend Kim Stec, who brought us some yummy cookies; Doug's friend Scott Sneller, who was back from Army deployment in Afganistan for his sister's wedding, came and visisted; Pastor Larry & his wife Ellie also visited us. Lastly, my parents came up after work and helped Doug carry a bunch of stuff to the car to get ready for going home the next morning. They also brought us supper because we were sick of hospital food! :)

Clair - Day 2

Saturday was a busy day for people visiting Clair and Doug and I. We had Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa McKnight, Doug's aunt Jodi, and cousin Jamie & Brandon, Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Holman, friends Kathy, Nathan & Kaleb, my aunt Donna, uncle dave, and cousins Matthew & Jacob, my aunt Lisa, my mom, doug's mom and dad, Samantha and Alden, and my aunt Janet and uncle Craig. Clair was very good and enjoyed all the attention she got. I got out all my IVs and was able to move around the room more and Alden wasn't quite as afraid of me! Clair also wore her first bow in her hair! :)

Day One

Some Snap shots of Clair's first day! The Kids

Did good with the new baby. Alden wanted nothing to do with Michelle, he was afraid of the tubes and pumps. Samantha said she was soft like a pillow, so now we have to make sure she does not become a pillow. Sam and Alden were most excited by the gifts they got. I think they have been having too much fun at Grandma's! And yes Clair is wearing a Husker hat on her first day of life!

She's Here....Introducing Clair Elizabeth McKnight

Clair Elizabeth McKnight was born at 9:36am on October 2nd. She weighed 8 lbs 12 oz and was 20 inches long. More picture to come! :) Doug & I will be in the hospital until Monday morning at Methodist Hospital in Omaha.