The Karsch Family

We had a great weekend! Hope yours was fun as well. Here are some pics.

I know I shouldn't say this, but I can't remember the last time Andrew didn't sleep through the night!

The warm weather has arrived and with it comes heavy machinery and the people that run it: carneys!

Last week we went to the carnival at the Granite Run Mall and Madeline wanted to go down the giant slide. I asked if she wanted me to go with her and she promptly said no! I watched anxiously as she grabbed her potato sack and climbed the 103 steps to the top. I anticipated that she'd get up there, get scared, and I'd have to run up after her. Nope. No way. She was a pro.

Tonight, we went to the world (or South Jersey) renowned St. Charles Carnival. Madeline didn't stop talking about it all day. Finally, the time arrived and we hit the road for Grandmom and Popper's where we had dinner and Madeline informed us that the carnival was starting, and she could see kids going over there. Her patience was wearing thin.

We made the trek across the street and the first thing Madeline wanted to do was go on the giant slide. Up she went! Like a pro.

Then we met up with Madeline's new friend Abby and proceeded to cover just about all the rides that they were tall enough to ride. Dragon roller coaster, ferris wheel, bumper boats, fun house...you name it, they did it! We all had a great time and I don't think I've ever seen Madeline go to bed so fast.

Yeah, I've been slacking. But we were able to get some new Andrew pics yesterday. He's growing by leaps and bounds. We're not sure how much he weighs yet but think it's probably over 10 pounds by now. Enjoy the pics...

The first couple days home have been...uh...different. But good. Andrew is a great eater and sleeper. Madeline is getting adjusted and Mommy and Daddy are just trying to keep up. Today we made our first trip out as a family for Andrew's first doctor's appointment.

Jennie's really been focused on making sure he gets off to a good start with the nursing. He's kind of a cluster eater (and sleeper), so he'll eat on and off for hours at a time, but then he'll also sleep for a few hours straight. He has his active moments, but really it's about 90% eating and sleeping at this point.

His birth weight was 6lbs 15oz, which dropped a little by the time we left the hospital to 6lbs 7oz, but his round the clock eating has him back up to 6lbs 12oz, so we're excited that everything's going well there.

Other than that, the week is flying by and soon we'll be in our regular routine: Daddy and Madeline heading off to work/school in the morning and Mommy and Andrew staying home, at least for the next couple months!

It looks like Andrew and Mommy will be coming home today...Here are some more pics to tide you over.

Here are some photos from Day 1:

Today was important not just because of our new arrival, but also because Madeline officially became a big sister! The changes in the family dynamic were definitely on our mind leading up to this day, so we were a bit nervous about her reaction when the day finally came.

So far she's been wonderful, as you can see in the video below. However, we're trying to be aware of her feelings and emotions as the transition occurs. For example, the original plan was for me to stay in the hospital tonight and for her grandparents to sleep over tonight. However, we got the feeling that she wanted one of us to be home with her overnight. In fact, as she was leaving the hospital tonight she said "I'm still your daughter." So, as much as I'd like to be there tonight with Jenn and the dude, we still have a big girl to take care of, so I'm writing this from home.

Anyway, enjoy the video of Big Sister Meets Baby Brother!

Andrew Stephen arrived this morning at 10:26am, weighing in at 6 lbs 15 oz at a length of 19 inches.

Mom, baby, new Big Sister Madeline and Dad are all doing great! More pics and video coming soon!