Welcome Katherine Anne!

Katherine Anne Fritsche joined our family last Wednesday, June 24th at 10:02 p.m. I had a scheduled c-section on Thursday morning, June 25th, but she decided she wanted to come a little early. My water broke around 6:30 p.m. on the 24th and after throwing things into a bag for the hospital (I wasn't packed yet!), Jeff and I headed to the hospital. Before we left we snapped a few pictures - one with Ben and me and another of my belly. The lighting in these pictures is sort of weird as Jeff was the photographer. :)

We met Kate for the first time at 10:02 p.m. She weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 21 1/2" long. She had a head full of light brown hair.

Here are some pictures of our stay in the hospital.

First picture of Baby Kate - I think she's getting a bath.

Kate & Pops

Kate & Babbie

Kate with Daddy and big brother Ben. She brought him a Thomas train named Donald so he was quickly smitten with her.

Kate & Uncle Cockles

Kate with Aunt Nini. We think Cockles is thinking "gee, I'd like to have another baby."

Daddy, Mommy & Kate

Daddy & Kate catching up on all the Michael Jackson news coverage. Everyone keeps asking if Daddy kicked me out of my hospital bed. I was up voluntarily and was tired of sitting in it!

Getting Kate ready to leave the hospital.

Her going home outfit.

All set to see my new home!

More Thomas Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from our recent trip to see Thomas.

Taking a ride on Thomas.

Sir Topham Hatt was there too!

Thomas Comes to Town

This weekend we went to see Thomas the Tank Engine. He came through Blowing Rock, NC and we made the trip to see him. It was very exciting to see a real life Thomas and we even got to ride on him. Ben and Elise got to play with trains, get Thomas tattoos, ride a merry-go-round and even met Sir Topham Hatt! It was quite an eventful day. We then grabbed some lunch and ice cream in Blowing Rock and headed home with two very tired little ones.

While I remembered to charge the video camera's battery, I neglected to notice that our regular camera's battery was dead. So, here are a few pictures that we purchased and I hope to add more that Michael and Jeanine took. So, stay tuned...

Erica, Jeff, Ben, Michael (aka Cockles), Elise (aka Ehweees) & Jeanine (aka Nini)

Two More Weeks

I'm scheduled to have baby #2 two weeks from today. I don't feel like we're quite prepared since moving into our new house has been quite time consuming! However, we're excited about her arrival. I went to the doctor yesterday and found out that between last week and this one she has completely turned herself around and is now breech. I don't see how there is room in there for her to have done that, but she still managed it. Here are a few pictures from our 4D ultrasound that we did back in late April.

That's a hand up by her face. Umbilical cord down by her chin.

The dark spot on her head isn't hair, it's where she was pressed against my uterus.

In other news, once we get things in our new house organized I will post some pictures of it. We've had some requests to do so, but it's in no shape for photographs quite yet!