Charlotte Pierce Smith

Born September 17 at 8:57pm
7lbs 3oz
20" long

We brought baby Charlotte home today and she is wonderful, healthy and oh-so-loved. I am feeling pretty darn good (for just having a baby). The delivery went surprisingly smooth and unmedicated as planned. (The play by play to come if I ever have the energy). My mom was with me through the whole labor (in hubby's absence) and was incredible and I will never be able to repay her for that.

A Single Moment

I have 16 days until my official due date. At this point I am waiting for that moment where I see my baby for the first time. See that she is real and precious and truly a miracle. It only takes a single moment to forget the 9 months of pregnancy trials. Right now I'm waiting- and not very patiently- to forget all these long long months.

Firsts

Today was the first day of preschool for Mackenzie and Brooklyn. They were almost as excited as their mom.

Brooklyn will be in the early 3's class with Miss Jamie. She's holding up 2 fingers because that's how old she is.

Mackenzie is in 4 year old preschool with Miss Leslie and Britney. She'll be going 3 days a week, plus karate after school on Fridays. I'm hoping the first thing they teach is to not use their moves on little sisters, especially the tiny ones. I can't believe she'll be going to kindergarten this time next year.


Last week was orientation for the kids at the Winner school. Each girl got to meet her teachers and paint the bag they will use for school. They use the bag to bring home all the cute cute things they make at school. Mackenzie had a surprise visitor come while we were in her class.


Another big first was our first BYU football game of the season. We had a blast. The girls were golden-as in we made it through the entire game and only had to get up once...though they may have consumed a month's worth of sugar in one sitting...and dad did have to bribe them to stay for the last quarter! Bert hasn't stopped talking about how fun it was. I'm so glad I got to go too because it'll probably be my only game with baby #3 imminent :)

At half time they honored past football greats and Elder Holland walked right in front of us.

Tahoe Family Reunion

After our quick trip to Disneyland we went to Lake Tahoe for a Christiansen family reunion. Out theme for the reunion was "Strong and Gorgeous" because we inherited the Girls Camp sweatshirts that were supposed to say "Strong and Courageous."

Disneyland 2010

The girls were in heaven with the rides and the characters. It was hot but it was worth it.

On the Mend

I'll start with the short version and then document the long version of Brooklyn's urinary reflux and surgery...

SHORT: Brooklyn has/had urinary reflux where the urine in the bladder can reflux back up into the kidneys and cause kidney damage and frequent urinary tract infections. Her corrective surgery seemed to go well; she'll be tested again in 3 months. She's been a champ (as long as she has some pain killers) and is mending nicely. Her incision is the only thing we really have to worry about. We mostly just have to make sure her dad doesn't see it and pass out again!!

LONG: maybe next post

Ureteral Reimplant For Vesicoureteral Reflux

Wish us luck...

Tomorrow we are headed up to Primary Childrens' for Brookie's surgery.