Grammy & Paka Visit

Thank you Uncle Jeff & Auntie Mallory for my "1st Christmas" outfit.

Home At Last

A Visit from GrandMary, Grandpa Al & Auntie Anna

Cana Meets Adley

Adley meets Cana

A present for the big sister...

Kisses for little sister

Excited, but unsure what to do...

"Now can I hold the baby?"

More kisses

Even more kisses

Sisters!

It's Official

Introducing

Cana Grace Eggebraaten

Thanks for all the prayers and support! Michelle and Cana are doing well but will remain at the hospital until at least Sunday. Grandpa Al, GrandMary, and Auntie Anna are on their way and we're thankful for the help. As soon as mom and baby get home, we'll get some more pictures posted. Cana will be baptized soon--a second birth if you will--and we're hopeful that this birth will be easier on Michelle (but harder on the devil!).

After 33+ hours of induced labor...

It's a girl!

Born - 6:47pm December 11, 2009
Length - 21 inches long/tall
Weight - 9lbs 7oz

Baby Eggebraaten doesn't have a name yet, but that will be coming in short order. As soon as we all get some much needed rest and have a family huddle, we'll let you know.

M.I.A.

We are 28+ hours into labor... the launch sequence has begun... but still no baby. Michelle is doing a great job; the bag of waters has been broken and the contractions are finally intensifying--yeah! You'll know when we do!

Baby Charmer?

Five days overdue, and Adley thinks she can coax this kid out!

Well, it didn't work, but mommy and Adley had some fun--looks like another woodwind musician in the making.

Sunday, December 6

Our family of four...

Fuzzy, but still family.

Where's that smile?

Just waiting for a baby...

"I hear something!"

December 4 - no news

Winter has arrived - but no baby yet.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers - we'll update soon!

Love,
Jared, Michelle & Adley

Lights, lights and more lights!

Monday, November 30 we had an extra special family night. We went out to dinner and then donned all of our winter gear to watch the outside light display at the Bolingbrook Promenade. The Promenad hosts the "Symphony in Lights", a nightly light show that is coordinated with three selections from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

This is the first year we have gone to the show and although it was cold we enjoyed ourselves. Adley has been exclaiming over the Christmas lights put up by each of the subdivisions on our way to church so we knew she would enjoy seeing a light show with music to boot.

100% Princess says it all.

Mommy & Me

Daddy & Me

4 new additions before THE new addition

This has been an busy fall at our house.
Here's a peek at some of the things we've been working on, at least the ones that we can share. Some of them are surprises!

September 2009 - we were given this beautiful piano by cousins David & LaVonne. Thank you!

I look forward to playing when I can actually reach the keyboard. The piano made it easily home from Iowa and we were able to enlist the muscles of two gentlemen from church to move it off the truck and into the house.

Also September 2009 - the before picture of the new garage storage shelves.

Jared completed these built-in shelves to house all of Adley's outdoor play equipment and other miscellaneous storage. Having the shelves has really helped keep the toys separate from the tools - a win-win situation. Can't wait to use that sled on the top shelf!

October 2009 - the long-awaited cleaning closet. This spring we completed our entryway closet makeover which was converted into a home office. Unfortunately, we lost some storage space for cleaning supplies, etc. So....

Now, thanks to several evenings of cutting, measuring, sanding, painting, etc. we have this ever so useful space to keep all our cleaning supplies out of reach. Notice the height of the knob? The closet will eventually be locked as well to further ensure that no munchkins are allowed.

November 2009 - last but certainly not least - the "quick to build" tool cabinet. The tool cabinet is hung on the wall and already housing many of the tools that used to be laying around on the workbench or counter top. The best part is that it was completed pre-baby so all of the sawdust could be cleaned up.

Awesome - and just in time too!

No News - 11/30/09

At 39+ weeks and our due date of 12/4 approaching we have no news to report.

We are all very excited about our "new baby" and Adley is especially excited to be a big sister. She is firmly convinced that we will be bringing home a little sister for her to play with.
When asked what we should name the new baby she frequently says "Adley."
This is due to the following reasons:
A. Adley is the coolest name in the whole world
B. Her name is now "Princess Jasmine" or "Kelly"
C. She likes to see Mommy's reaction when she suggests this
D. No boys name would even be considered
E. All of the above

If you answered E then you are correct!

Learning to dress myself. Note the two different socks - both belong to Mommy.

November 1-4

Sitting still...a rare moment.

GrandMary sent a sticker/coloring book with a surprise poster inside. It was an instant hit. Thanks Grandma!
(Shhh, we saved the other book for a later date. Mommy needs all the help she can get.)

(This was supposed to be a smile)