I'll be home for Christmas...

So, because Steph had recovered so well, and because Rylee was doing such a good job eating and pooping and all that, we got to go home a day early, just in time to celebrate Christmas Eve with Chad's side of the family!

Rylee loved the drive home. She was so comfy in her carseat and hat that Grandma Larsen made!

Having been able to go home for Christmas, we got to dress Rylee in the Christmas dress we got her!!

One of Mommy and, I'm man enough to admit it, Daddy's favorite things to do is dress her up in her cute outfits!

But Rylee's favorite thing to do is take snoozes on the living room floor!

Visitors!

We had fun hanging out with our friends who came to visit us in the hospital!

Ellen and Kyle Kvenild came...



Kristin and Steve Baty came (Kristin wasn't ready for her picture to be taken, sorry Kristin! Have I mentioned I am a TERRIBLE picture taker?)

Pastor Mark came to see us and prayed for us and Rylee...
Nikki and John Roeder made the trip up from Rochester to see us....David Tjader came from Wisconsin to see us once we got home...

Rylee Grace Larsen

Rylee Grace Larsen was born at 9:45 a.m. on December 22nd, weighed 8lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 inches long. She also shattered 8 glasses in the operating room from the fully developed lungs we had to wait an extra week for.
Our first family photo taken by the anesth......an....the guy with the numbing stuff.

I got to hang out with Rylee for a while in our room while Steph was being put back together in the operating room. My dad was waiting by the elevator on our floor (4th) and said he could hear Rylee through the elevator screaming from the first floor.

Ok, so I suck at capturing the "Kodak Moments" during special events, so these were the only "Family Holding Rylee" shots I managed to get during the whole process. In my defense, the thought of "Hey, I should get a picture of this!" was shoved to the back of the line by the enormous and intimidating thought of, "Holy crap! I'm a daddy!" So to Dixie, Laurie, Mom, Dad and Jenny: I am soo sorry! Do I lose the title of "Award Winning"?

Thundercats are go!!!

Steph was really excited to get the show on the road. She was getting some medication to help soften up her cervix to get her dilated more. Everything was going great. She was even dilated 3 cm's. But something just didn't seem right. The nurses could not feel the head, even though the head was down a week before. Turns out, the little bambino had flipped around in the last few days leading up to delivery, and Steph would need a c-section.

Steph was a little apprehensive about the whole idea of a c-section. She was looking forward to a traditional delivery. After a few words of affirmation from her award winning husband, Steph began to get excited that the baby would be here in about an hour.

"Whoa. Check me out. I'm McDreamy. I kinda want to go walking around in this and see if people think I am a surgeon."



Steph: "McDreamy? More like McDreaming!"

I think the biggest argument against my case for passing as a surgeon was the scrubs were about two sizes two small. Apparently only jockey's wives have c-sections.

False Alarm

Steph started having contractions on the 15th so we went in thinking it was time. Turns despite the fact she fit the criteria for contractions and labor, she did not fit the criteria for dilation. Even though we were in the hospital from 1-4 a.m. for nothing, it was a nice little practice run.

Can you guess...?

Whose stocking is whose....uhh, belongs to who....whom....who's.....whatever. Just guess the stockings and their owner's.

Larsen Family Shower

I know, I know, it's out of order but whatever. I just found the pictures. Steph had her Larsen family shower towards the end of October. Chad's side of the family and friends of Steph were there while the men hung out in the basement.


Again, Steph is very thankful for each and every person who came to celebrate her pregnancy.

9th Month Picture and Update

So, "Where's the 8th month picture?" you ask?

Good question. I wish I had a better excuse than, "We just never took one" but I don't.

But, this is Steph at the start of her 9th month. Things were going well....

Until she got put on bed rest. Steph had high blood pressure for the last few doctor visits and at her last visit the doctor decided she needs to be on bed rest for the time being. There's a chance she could get off bed rest, but it is not likely.

Steph is doing very well though. She is in good spirits and Chad is taking very good care of her. Chad doesn't want to brag, but there is talk of an award named after him. Chad's parents have stopped over a few times too and have been a tremendous help. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!!

Hansen Baby Shower

Steph, Laurie (sister), Tammy (aunt), Dixie (mom)

Looks good enough to eat, right? Too bad it's full of diapers...

The Baby Gifts

Steph had a great time getting together with all of the Hansen women. There were 15 people there in all, and Steph is thankful for each and every one of them.

7th (month) Heaven

We're getting closer!!! Steph's mobility is getting that much tougher as her belly gets that much bigger. Thankfully, her saint of a husband is there to push her up the stairs, put her shoes and socks on and take 'em off too. Above is her picture from the 7th month.