Family

Over the long weekend, Amelia had the oppertunity to meet some of her family. My sister and Kyle brought up the girls for Valentine's Day. Amelia got to meet her only 1st cousins Shelby and Macie. Even though the two girls were a little more interested in playing with the toys and swirling chair we have, I am sure they all will grow-up being close friends. Shelby is going to be a great baby sitter and Macie is going to teach her how to have some fun.

On Sunday we took Amelia on a walk to Padden before heading out to Lynden to meet the great grandparents and wish grandma a happy birthday. While on our walk we ran into Wade's Uncle Bruce and Aunt Shirley. It was nice to see them and also get some fresh air. Once out in Lynden Amelia got to meet her great grandparents Kornelis and her great grandmother Van Dorn. Wade is blessed with a big family and we were also lucky to have Aunt Louis, Uncle Sid, Daniel and Uncle Ray there too. These are just a few of his aunts, uncles and cousins.

Here are some other pictures of family. We can't forget all the grandparents!!
Happy Birthday Grandma!! (A little late). Wade's mom.
Grandpa. Wade's dad.
Mimi and Papa. Karli's Parents.

One week old.

Last night while talking to my mom she reminded me that a week ago I was starting to go into labor. It then hit me that a week has already flown by. It has only felt like a couple days due to it being full of firsts. This week has been very eventful. Amelia went to the doctors for the first time, she met many new friends for the first time, she went on her first walk to Lake Padden,..... This week has also been firsts for Wade and me. We have really been enjoying being parents and can't thank all the people who have been giving us support, dinners, gifts and advice. It just confirms that it does take a village to raise a child. Bring on the village!!!

Wade has also shown to be a natural father. He has not only shown to be an awesome dad, but has shown to be a SUPER awesome dad to a little girl. He is very hands on and nurturing. I can already tell it will be a special relationship for a lifetime (she already has him wrapped around her little finger. I love it!!).

Getting ready for her first car ride home. Katie bought her this outfit and I thought it was the cutest thing ever! The drive home was a little intimidating due to it carrying something so small. Wade said he felt like he was taking his drivers license test again.
Meeting Tracker! Long before Amelia came, Wade and I talked about how our first baby was going to handle a new baby. This was a moment we have been looking forward to and thinking about a lot. After excitedly greeting us home, we introduced them. Tracker was a little timid at first, but licked her and went back to greeting us with excitement. Since then he has adjusted well to her. He'll come and give her random kisses and now instead of running away when she cries, he'll come and run to her. The other night he also slept in the bed between me and her bassinet. With each whimper he would look in and check on her, then back to bed. Best friends already!!

Meeting Uncle Derek. Derek and Kaitlin drove up from Seattle to meet Amelia. They were able to stay for a couple hours and visit. "D" was a little scared to hold her at first, but as you can see he got more comfortable.

My mom and dad drove up here with my grandma and Aunt Shelby. It was great to have 4 generations in the room. Just think, for me to be like my grandmother, Amelia's kids will have to be having kids! My grandma held her for about an hour while she slept.
Once Wade looked and said "it's a girl" one of the first things that I thought was about the special relationship Lyla and Amelia will have. This is a very special meeting because they are "god" sisters. They are the 4th generation of the "god" family. This relationship goes back to Megan's and my grandparents. What makes it even more meant to be is that Wade and Brett are fraternity brothers. They knew each other before Megan and Brett even met. We aren't even the reason they did meet!

On the day you were born...

Over the weekend Wade and I welcomed Amelia Ann Koning into our family. She was born at 10:34 Friday night, weighing 7.5 lbs, 21 inches long and all 10 fingers and toes accounted for. The day February 6th has been changed in our lives forever. While going through the process of labor and delivery, Wade and I talked about how each year on this day we will have to tell Amelia her birth story:

"One the day you were born, I was in labor for 28 hours. It started the night before while out to Mexican with friends. I came home and started tracking the contractions. Around 11 that night I decided they were far enough apart that it was time to go to the hospital. We arrived around midnight and they sent us home around 1:30 with two Ambiem due to not enough progress from my weekly check-up with the doctor. I was told I would either sleep or be up all night. I was up all night. With each hour the contractions got worse and worse. Finally, in the morning I couldn't take it any longer and called the doctor and asked if I could go in NOW! They said yes. At 9:00, February 6th, we were back at the Childbirth Center at St Joesph's Hospital. I was admitted. I was supposed to get an epidural right away, but due to the arrival of an emergency C-section I was the last priority. I waited for 3 more hours feeling it all!! Around 11 I had the epi and life was good. We hung around for the day. Sleeping, talking and visiting with family. At 7 that night it was time to start the pushing. However, during this time a "window" of pain opened up. I couldn't get it fixed because every time I moved to have the epi even out you didn't like it. I had to stay on my right side. So my right leg was REALLY numb and the feeling in my left came back. After pushing for 3 hours and you still weren't here. At this point they called the doctor in to see what the next step was. He watched a couple pushes and decided to bring on the vacuum. He said we would give it three more contractions and then it was off to get a c-section. Again, I could still feel my right side. They strapped me in, got the vacuum attached and did a snip here and a cut there. Contraction 1: nope. Contraction 2: nope. Contraction 3: nope. But, a 4th contraction started right away...the doctor reached in (literally reached in) and was determined this was going to be it! He got the head out and saw that you were sunny side up. The contraction stopped and the doctor had to move your whole body around and cut the umbilical cord that was around your neck. This combo was what was making you not able to get through that final part. Once done and one more push we welcomed you to this world 10:35pm. You didn't really cry, you just sat and looked around. We were all very tired, but extremely HAPPY!" The Koning Family: Wade, Karli and Amelia. Right after delivery.
Dad and his new girl. Wade has shown to be an awesome father. He does 90% of the diaper changes, has done all her baths, and is taking great care of me. He also is all about Title 9. All cleaned up and ready for some rest after the big day.