Sikorski Saga

Kyla's family came to visit for two weeks just before Katja's birth day until today (August 22 nd ). The 7 from Minnesota drove the 1,100+ miles in one minivan and Anna shows how they all fit. We were going to take them to Bloom's Broom for lunch, but it's closed on Mondays. Here is Karen, Dan, Tim and Kevin. Kevin, Maren, Isaac, Peter, Kirsten, and Anna sitting around the table at Cheeseburger Cheeseburger. Karen and Dan noticed that all the restaurant's logos say " Cheeburger Cheeburger " without the "s". Luella and Kyla share a Butterfinger milkshake - just one of their over 80 varieties of shakes. At home Kyla and her siblings hanging out on the couch checking email. The brothers-in-law playing Guitar Hero. Issac and Maren playing their Nintendo DS's .

Luella is hanging out with Grammy, Granddaddy, Aunt Kirsten, Uncle Peter, Uncle Kevin, and cousins Isaac, Maren and Anna while Kyla and Tim are in the hospital. Here Luella is meeting Katja for the first time with Grammy and doesn't know what to think of her younger sister. Luella touching Katja to make sure she is real, with Anna playing doctor. Upon further investigation, Luella decides she LOVES Katja ! Luella loves Katja so much she gives her a Big Sister kiss! Luella playing doctor with Katja . Katja and Uncle Kevin The proud Grandaddy Oldest cousin Isaac Second-oldest cousin Maren Isaac, Maren, and Anna taking it all in.

At 9:45 am EDT on Wednesday, August 13 th Katja Johanna Sikorski made her grand entrance to the world. She weighed in at 7 lbs 1.5 oz. and was 19 inches long. Both Kyla and Tim remarked about how easy this birth was compared to Luella almost two years ago. With this being a scheduled c-section, everything went much more smoothly and stress-free compared to Luella's emergency c-section. Both Kyla and Katja are doing well. Kyla is relaxed and in virtually no pain (we'll see tomorrow when she attempts to move around) and Katja is the most content little baby - happy to sleep and eat. Katja only minutes old in the OR. Kyla's first look at Katja , also our first family photo! Katja showing off her blue eyes and some of her blondish/reddish hair. First bath - the most she cried all day! Katja enjoying her finger. First family photo outside the operating room.

Tim finished Luella's toddler bed when he got home from Texas this afternoon. She loves it! Smiling away, playing on her new bed! For those who were wondering how we were going to make the bed and crib fit in the same room - here you go. Katja will stay in Kyla and Tim's room for a few months. The reading corner by the closet. Let's hope the "luck" of 08/08/08 will keep Luella in her toddler bed all night! The Chinese seem to think it will work for the Olympics! Too bad Katja didn't want to come a little early since this would be the coolest birth date ever.

This week Kyla and Luella are participating in Vacation Bible School at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Kyla is the cookie and juice lady. Luella is in the nursery. So many people are amazed that Kyla is helping out the last week before Katja arrives. Kyla forgot she volunteered last February to be the cookie lady, since that was the last time we talked VBS with the coordinator. Oh well. It's sit at home or do minimal work to help out the hungry and thirsty kids for 3 hours during the day. Kyla had her last OB appointment and pre -operation consultation today. Everything looks set and ready for our scheduled c-section on Wednesday morning. Last night she had a tour of the labor and delivery ward. Starting today they are implementing a new security system that involves a PIN number from the parents of the newborn to all visitors. So if you want to visit us in the hospital, call our cell phones for the PIN number. Tim is hanging his hat in Texas, getting rained on from the last tropi...

Sorry for the nudity (probably a bigger apology to Luella in a few years!). Right before bath time Luella sits on the potty and this time she told us she was "taking a crap"! We don't use that particular terminology - so where did she pick it up? What's Sesame Street teaching her while Kyla's in the shower?!

Luella loves smiling for the camera! Kyla painted Luella's toddler bed. Tim cut it all out and will put it together, but left the paint job to Kyla. The footboard is pink like the butterflies with a small bookcase attached. Luella loves the dragonflies. Kyla loves the caterpillar . Luella loves the chimney for Santa and Tim loves the windows and door he attached to the house. More butterflies and other insects! We can't wait to see if Luella will love sleeping in her very own house!