Lazy Lake Chelan

Kari and I figured we didn't have enough craziness in our lives this week, so we decided that 24 hours (almost exactly) after leaving the hospital, we would pack our three kids (still feels wonderfully weird to type that) in our minivan and head over the mountains to Lake Chelan. Lake Chelan for Labor Day Weekend has been a decades-long tradition for Kari's family.

We headed into the road trip thinking we'd be stopping every hour to tend to our 3-day-old daughter. Instead, Hannah literally slept the entire way, even during a coffee/potty break for her parents and siblings.

Of course, we still have tomorrow's trip home for her to turn the tables on us. But for now, we're just enjoying the downtime with family - sleeping little, and eating more than we should. (But it's sooooo yummy!)

Headed home!

We have survived Night #2! She ate well, slept well (as well as a 2-day-old baby can sleep) and the doctor has said we can go home. As I type, the nurse is taking the IV out of Hannah's foot (ouch!) and then will prepare the discharge papers.

Thank you for following us on this journey. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for visiting us. Thank you for offering free babysitting for the next 10-12 years. (Hee hee)

I'll be adding more pictures, stories, prayer requests, and crazy happenings in the days, weeks, and years to come. So keep checking back with The Ferrin Five!

The first night

Things started out rough. From 10pm to 1pm Hannah would eat, but only for a few minutes at a time. Then she'd zonk out. Of course, we were exhausted so we were happy to wrap her up in the "baby burrito" and lay her down. Unfortunately, during those first three hours, she wouldn't lay down for more than five minutes.

Up. Down. Feed. Wrap. Cry. Repeat.

Finally she had a really good feeding just before 2pm and then the nurse came in to check her vitals (which were perfect!). Then she said the sentence that helped turn the tide.

Hey. Things are a little slow. If you'd like me to take Hannah for an hour or two, I'd be happy to.

She took Hannah. The room went quiet. We drifted to sleep. And all of heaven rejoiced. (At least that's what I dreamed.)

About 4:45am she ate well again, and then slept in my arms in the reclining chair from 5-8am.

Sleep is a beautiful thing.

Hannah's Photo Album

Windows Live Spaces

Looking good!

Hannah is about 15 hours old right now and doing extremely well. We've had heaps of visitors today and talked to lots of people on the phone. Hannah and Kari have both had their fevers disappear, so we thank you for your prayers.

 

 

Sarah and Caleb got to meet and hold their baby sister for the first time. Very fun to see their curiosity and excitement - and a hint of bewilderment.

We're hoping to have a pretty low-key evening, with some naps, uploading some more pictures - check back soon - and maybe watching a movie.

Thanks for taking this journey with us. And pray that all goes well the next couple days so we can head home on Thursday morning.

Hannah's here!

After 21 hours in the hospital Hannah GraceAnne Ferrin was born at 3:22am on Tuesday, August 26. She is a gorgeous, perfect, very big girl. Twenty one and a half inches long and – are you ready for this? – 9lb 7oz! Mommy and baby are both doing well, although they both had fevers at birth. Because of this, they want to keep us in the hospital for 48 hours, which will have us heading home – God willing – Thursday afternoon.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. We can’t wait for you to meet Hannah!

Rejoicing in the miracle of life!

Keith & Kari

A new day

Well, I guess Hannah didn't like the idea of having her birthday on the 25th. Or maybe she wanted her birthday exactly a week after her big sister. In any event, we're past midnight, so Hannah will - God willing - be born today, August 26th.

Things are moving along. Most likely this baby will be born while you were sleeping. I'm also guessing this will be the last time I use the word "sleeping" for quite a while.

ZZZzzzzzzzzzz.......

"Waiting" is the word for today...

Things are progressing…just very sloooooooooowly. No need to worry, Hannah is doing well. Kari is doing well. Please just pray that Hannah comes safely – and specifically – that we can avoid a C-section.

We just can’t wait to meet this little miracle!

Waiting…and hoping…

Contractions AND joy (believe it or not)

It's 4 o'clock in the afternoon and the contractions have started in earnest. Kari's doing well and we're praying she goes soon so our doctor can be here for the delivery! Please pray with us...

Heading to the hospital

At 7am we dropped Sarah & Caleb off at Aunt JJ's and Uncle Doug's and had JJ snap the last photo of us as a family of four!

Unbelievable! By 7:30 we were in our room with a wonderful nurse named Karyn. Dr. Wells came by about 8am and said everything looks good and she'll check back about lunch time - unless she hears from us. :)  And now we wait...

Tomorrow is the big day!!!

So...we just got a call from the hospital and they’ve schedule our inducement for 7:15am tomorrow (Monday)! So…we’ll be dropping off the kids with Kari’s sister and heading to the hospital bright and early.

Pray for a smooth labor and a healthy baby girl. We can’t wait – and Sarah and Caleb are so excited!

With joy and anticipation …Keith (Hannah's daddy!)

The oldest two...

Best friends. They may drive each other crazy, but they sure do love each other. (Even when Sarah's making Caleb pretend to be a kitty cat, or Caleb's tackling Sarah for no reason.)

The passing of Max

It happens to everyone. The death of your first pet. Today was the day for Max Ferrin. Sarah and Caleb's beloved beta fish. He's lived with us for the better part of two years. Right there on the kids' bathroom counter. Hey Max. What's up Max. Just brushing my teeth Max. Gotta go potty Max...don't watch. And now he's gone.

Right before dinner we headed out on the other side of our creek. I had shovel in hand. Sarah carried a small popcicle cross with "Max Ferrin" written upon the crossbeam. Caleb had "the deceased" inside a small box, inside a Ziploc baggy. A hole was dug. Max was placed ever so gently inside. Dirt was filled in. The cross was poked into the dirt. And we bowed to say a prayer.

Thank You Jesus for the honor of having such a wonderful pet. Max was a great fish. We hope he has fun in fish heaven. Amen.

Immediately upon the word Amen, Caleb says, So...can we get a snake pet now? To which Sarah replies, Well, maybe we should get a frog or a turtle. And thus, the end of Max's funeral.

[Heavy sigh]

Still waiting...

No...the baby isn't here yet.

No...there haven't been many contractions.

No...we don't have a clue when she'll come.

Yes...we can't wait.

Yes. Yes. Yes!