Summer Fun

We bought Levi a "fun sprinkler" today - to give him some relief from the summer heat. Of course, being in the yard is not a complete experience unless some type of sports is involved.

Kara's Eyes

We're seeing these beautiful eyes more and more now.

Visitors

Kara Jane met her Mama Rains and Great Aunt Kathy today. What a treat to have these wonderful ladies come to visit us!




Here's our beautiful Mama Rains with both her great-grands.

Weighing In

Kara Jane went to the doctor today for her two week appointment - and weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces. The doctor was very pleased - and I was thrilled.

Kara is becoming quite the eater. She still sleeps a great deal, but the doctor said it is still completely normal for her to do that since she technically hasn't even met her due date yet.

Big and Little

Levi is really sweet with Kara Jane. He wanted to hold her by himself for a long time. I was finally brave enough to let him - and take a picture - today.


He never likes to hear her cry. If he hears her (and she really doesn't cry very often), he'll say, "We need to check on baby Kara."

He "taught" Daddy how to change a baby girl's diaper.

He loves to help me with things for her.

He is a great big brother - and we try to tell him that as encouragement at every turn.

Kara is a very sweet baby. We are so blessed.

Sunday Baseball

Daddy took Levi to a minor league baseball game - and my two boys made a BIG day of it.

Levi ate his first cracker jacks.


Levi watched the game (at least for a couple of minutes).


Levi jumped in a bouncy house.


Levi threw the baseball.


Levi met the team's mascot.

You might be able to see in the picture above that Levi is holding a red bat. That was the treat Levi picked from the team's store - and it has quickly become one of his most treasured possessions.

Levi ate some ice cream.

And loved it...


Levi got to run from first base to third base after the game.






Daddy said that Levi actually rounded third heading for home when one of the guys on the field had to re-direct him back to the stands.

They had such a great time - while Kara and I stayed home. Maybe we'll get to join them next year. :-)

Week One

Kara turned one week old on Friday, and we've been home one week today. Kara Jane (we haven't decided yet whether she's Kara Jane or Kara) has been to the doctor twice. On Tuesday she weighed 5 pounds 14.5 ounces - essentially the same that she weighed the day after her birth. On Friday, she weighed 6 pounds 1.4 ounces. The doctor was very pleased with her increase and said that she had been hoping for at least a half ounce a day - to have almost an ounce of weight gain a day was a great feat for a little one Kara's size.

Kara Jane sleeps a great deal, but each day she seems to have longer and longer "wakeful" periods.

Kara Jane has had some special visitors during week one - including one of my uncles and aunts from Texas who had come for a surprise party we'd planned to celebrate Khaki finishing her doctoral program. The party was held as scheduled - on June 4 - the day after Kara's surprise arrival. Levi got to go to the party - and had a great time - while Mama, Daddy and Kara continued our recuperation at the hospital.

Levi is doing exceptionally well with her. He loves to "hold" her and kiss her. He's only said a couple of times that he'd like for her to go back into Mama's belly. People warned me before Kara was born that I would be shocked at how BIG Levi is now, and they were telling the truth about that! He seems so much more grown-up! He's been able to have some fun times this week with Daddy - the zoo, the library, and other little trips to "just get out of the house". He also got to go swimming and then have pizza with Audy and two of his favorite boys one evening.

First Swimming Lesson

Levi had his first swimming lesson today. Thankfully Audy had already agreed to be the stand-in parent for Levi's parent-child lesson.

Birthday Pictures

Here are the pictures from Kara's birthday.

In all her "I'm here; see what God has made!" glory...


Daddy with his baby girl...


Getting her first bath - and loving it...


Levi's first time to "hold" baby sister...


Our first family photo (please forgive my disheveled appearance!!)...

She's Here

Kara Jane Hughes arrived on June 3 at 1125 - about four weeks early. She weighed 6 pounds and 3 ounces. She measured 20.5 inches. From my water breaking at home a little after 6 am to Daddy being five hours away in Augusta, it is safe to say her arrival story is not one we will soon forget. Daddy made it to the hospital with about 45 minutes to spare to see her birth.


I'm having some trouble uploading pictures, so I will try again in a little while...