Elizabeth - first week

Elizabeth had quite an eventful first week. Due to a pneumothorax that developed in each of her lungs, she needed to stay in the NICU for seven days before coming home. Ultimately, while she faced some unexpected challenges in her first week, she showed the doctors and nurses that she's got plenty of fight in her.

We were finally able to bring Elizabeth home on Wednesday, September 29th. Even better, she came home with a clean bill of health, and we're so thankful and blessed to have her home - and healthy. She's truly our "little warrior" (our friends and family members with Marquette University ties can probably understand the double meaning behind the "warrior" reference).

Here are some pics from Elizabeth's first week:

Opening her eyes

Catching a snooze...

...and then catching another snooze for good measure.

Paul's three beautiful ladies

Elizabeth with Grandma Van Ermen

Welcome Elizabeth Anne Handrich!

Elizabeth Anne Handrich arrived on Tuesday, September 21st. Weighing in at seven pounds + one ounce, and measuring 20 and 1/2 inches long, she warmed our hearts from the moment we saw her!

"Why must you put me on this cold, cold scale? Wrap me up and get me warm!"

Elizabeth and Martha's first mother-daughter moment

Smiles all around

Random Rachel Shots - August and September

Rachel's angelic, obedient, "I'll never cause trouble" pose

When Rachel heard how poorly one of Daddy's fantasy football teams was doing, she instinctively tried to push the "reset" button for him.

Special thanks to Ray Neufeldt for a special delivery of GORP a few weeks ago. (For those unfamiliar with the acronym, "GORP" stands for "good ol' raisins and peanuts," which is a must-have for football-watching Sundays.)

"Check my pants - really!"

Rachel with one of her favorite fellow Packer fans - her Uncle Philip



Rachel's self-made "crash" helmet



Playing in the yard with the magic ball vortex



"OK - so when I'm 21, I can fill this bottle with a special drink. Got it."



Rachel enjoying Grandpa H.'s company on one of her last days as an only child

Rachel on her first birthday

Possible reasons why Rachel was smiling so brightly on her first birthday:
1) Still an only child


2) A new house with an even bigger room for her to call her own


3) Fun presents from relatives near and far


4) The sweet smell of birthday cake

5) The even sweeter taste of birthday cake
6) See #'s 4 and 5

From the July archives

For those unaware, Paul is a big fan of even-numbered days, and today just happens to be 10/10/10. What better day to FINALLY get caught up with picture uploading than a day that is literally a "perfect 10?"

From the archives - not long before our camera went on the disabled list, actually - here are some fun shots of Rachel enjoying one of her last baths as a downtown resident and helping with our packing process:

"Look Mom - one arm!"

There are times when Rachel looks a whole lot like her Daddy.
This just happens to be one of those times.

"Try folding the laundry now!"

"Sure, I'll pack this box for you..."

".....SUCKERS!"

A Camera-less Update

Unfortunately, Mommy and Daddy's camera hasn't been feeling well lately, so today's LONG overdue update will be of the text-only variety.

The three of us are enjoying our new house. So much more space for me to explore. I especially love going into the backyard and playing on my slide and swing. If I even see my swing from an inside window, I just have to get out there!

And speaking of getting places, I'm now getting places on my own two feet. It's been fun for Mommy and Daddy to watch me walk - fear not, pictures of me on two feet will eventually be forthcoming - and I really enjoy my new perspective on the world. I'm sure it won't be long before I'm running...but Mommy and Daddy certainly aren't in any hurry for those days to come!

In addition to walking, I'm also having fun with talking. My favorite words are "up," "down," "ball," "eyes," "book," "baby," "block, "duck," and "sock." Of course, I talk at almost ever chance I get - Mommy and Daddy just aren't able to understand all of my complex language quite yet. They'll get there...someday.

Oh, and I just celebrated my first birthday. I had a nice dinner and cake with Mommy and Daddy, but I got LOTS of fun gifts from all sorts of nice people. I can't wait for more birthdays....and more birthday cake!

And now that my first birthday has come and gone, Mommy and Daddy are getting ready to celebrate another "birth" day pretty soon - for my new sister or brother. My baby sister or brother is supposed to born around September 26th, but I suppose it could be any day now. So much excitement to think about!

I wish I could share more pictures with you, but I know Mommy and Daddy are still at the mercy of "the Geek Squad" when it comes to the camera getting fixed. Just know that we're all doing well...I'm taking very good care of them!


Love,


Rachel

More Random Fun

These days, every day is an adventure for an energetic 11-month-old like me. Inside, outside, I love it all!

I'm ever-so-close to walking...but in the meantime, I enjoy doing the splits while counting my fingers. It's never too early to start learning how to multi-task, you know.

Daddy adores this picture...he has good taste.

I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance!