Who needs sleep anyway?

The beginning of our journey as a family has been exhausting (which is probably no surprise to any of you parents out there). Between recovering from delivery and feeding a newborn the size of a three month old, Logan keeps us on our toes (or in the case of this first photo, in bed napping whenever he gives us the opportunity!). But he's a good little boy and only fusses when he needs us - be it because he's hungry, tired, in need of a diaper change or cuddles. He's the only thing in this world worth being sleep deprived over!

And then there were three....Welcome Logan David Kvidahl!

Most of you know by now that Logan David Kvidahl arrived (as predicted by his Daddy) on Super Bowl Sunday (of course!), February 7, 2010 at 11:19pm. Weighing in at 9lbs. 4oz and almost 21 inches long, Lisa finally now understood why the last trimester she was waddling so. Once her water broke during the beginning of "Baba O'Riley" by the Who, Logan was quick to make his entrance. From the water breaking 'till Logan's first appearance it was approximately 4 hours. Although in all fairness to those women who might be cursing at a 4hr. labor, we now realize that what we believed to be Braxton Hicks contractions (that had Lisa crawling on the floor most of the afternoon...literally!), were the real deal contractions. Thank goodness the water broke, otherwise Logan might have been born at home as we waited for "evenly spaced out and increasingly intense" contractions (so much for what the books say about 4-5 minutes apart)! Lisa was able to deliver Logan naturally and without any medications. However, Logan's big size meant that Mom had some substantial and immediate reconstruction (look out Housewives of Orange County!). She also lost about a unit of blood which means that we are still waiting for the color to return to her cheeks. But it won her the title of "One Tough Mother" by her OB!

Our little family made it home on a cold and snowy Tuesday night (after David battled with and won a fight with the car seat). Although the adjustment to parenthood and sleep deprivation hasn't been easy, there is no doubt in our minds that Logan is well worth it. We've also been fortunate to have the help and support of both sets of grandparents, who each came to stay for a while shortly after Logan came home. Their expertise, reassurance, and help doing the simple everyday tasks that no longer seem so simple has made all the difference in our confidence and sanity as we begin this new adventure.

So, without further adieu....Here's our special little guy!!!

Logan, seconds old

Proud Poppa

Logan's favorite hangout -- the changing pad (no kidding!)

Logan's first stroller ride with mom

Logan's Winnie the Pooh Bunting

Logan's facial expression when he isn't being heldThe amazing cradle that Grandpa von Wahlde made especially for his grandson.

Logan sleeps in it each night!

And so our journey through parenthood begins...Stay tuned!

Waiting for...Godot?

Don't worry, we won't be naming Little Kvidahl "Godot". But we are definitely playing the waiting game. The nursery is complete, the bag has been packed (and unpacked...and packed again...), the car seat has been conquered (it was a heated battle but David was victorious), and I've even begun dilating (4cm!). With extremely limited space, Baby probably doesn't have room for a calendar in there. So it begins -- we're on Baby time. At almost 38 weeks, doctor reassures us that our little butterball is pretty much cooked. However, if baby takes after mom and dad, Little One's gonna to come into the world when baby darn well pleases (thank you very much)! As mother used to say, "good things come to those who wait." There's no doubt that the waiting will be well worth it!


"Let us not waste our time in idle discourse! (Pause. Vehemently.) Let us do something, while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. But at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it, before it is too late!"- Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot

Showered with Love

Watch out Santa Clause! There's a belly that might be a contender! Christmas is always fun in the Windy City, but this year it was even better, sharing the excitement of the ever growing belly (and baby!) with my family. In addition to participating in the family's Christmas traditions, my mom, Jen (my sister-in-law), Jen's mom and sister threw us a fabulous baby shower that even 6 inches of snow couldn't stop! As much fun as it was to get the most adorable baby gifts and baby essentials (no wonder we get baby fever! Everything is so darn cute!), it was even better being surrounded by women who have known me since I was a little girl.

Baby or Butterball?

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We were the lucky turkeys who were able to celebrate in Sun Valley with the Kvidahls. It's always fun to visit family, but this year was extra special because David's family was able to see my ever-expanding waistline (and bustline and...well you get the point!) in person. The next time we see them will be when baby has finally made it into the world.

Soon-to-be Grandpa K and I went to workout each morning before everyone started the day. And we went on lots of walks as a family. David, his dad and his bother went to the U of A vs. ASU football game, while soon-to-be Grandma K and I got facials (I'll take the facials over football any day!). Later on in the week David, his dad, his mom and I went to an ASU basketball game.

We were even able to visit with a Chicago snowbird, Mary Kay, at her house near the Mountains.

I'm now approximately 32 weeks and the countdown is on! It's hard to believe that there are only 8 weeks remaining (give or take baby's schedule) to wrap up work and prepare the baby's room. Logistically one knows that pregnancy is only 40 weeks, but at times it feels like pregnancy is forever. Little Kvidahl is now completely aware that space is at a premium, but with frequent elbows, kicks, punches, and body turns, Baby still tries awfully hard to find extra room in which to get comfy. Some days I think we just make an unspoken pact to be uncomfy together as both of us shift from position to position!

Baby and I are doing well. However we found out that I have gestational diabetes. The good news is that it is temporary and doesn't pose any serious risks to myself or Little One. The not so good news is that I have to be even more careful with what I eat and I have to exercise more than I was before. Just when you think you're eating as healthy and being as active as you can, heredity smacks you upside the head and says, "Nurture only takes you so far sweetie!" So now I'm adjusting to my new regime to keep Little Kvidahl from becoming a butterball of Perdue proportions!

Still growing....

At 25 weeks (we're past the halfway mark!), I am now noticeably pregnant to pretty much everyone (you know you're looking pregnant when strangers in the checkout line no longer hestitate to ask, "So when are you due?"). Now that my energy has returned (at least for now), I am feeling large and in charge! Baby's presence is felt off and on throughout the day in kicks, punches, swirls, and twirls. But we are starting to notice that baby is developing a pattern much like dad's in that our little one doesn't really start getting moving until about 10:30 or so in the morning (unless mom forgot to eat a snack before bed, in which case baby wakes mom up at 3am to remind her it is time to eat!), gradually becomes more active as the day progress, and seems to be ready to party from after dinner until about midnight. I say, "live it up little one while you still have the real estate for acrobatics!" I'm hoping in the next few weeks that David will be able to take part in the fun and be able to feel the high fives and the hi-ya's when he puts his hand on my belly. But for now it appears that baby and I have our first "inside" joke!

A picture is worth 1,000 words

About 4.5 weeks ago (Baby aprox. 19.5 weeks) we had our anatomy ultrasound. During the ultrasound we saw most of Baby Kvidahl's developing parts. Weighing in at about 10 ounces so far, our little one is already ahead of the curve size wise. But, that is probably no surprise for the Kvidahl side of the family! Baby was demonstrating some early martial art skills in the form of kicks and punches. Both the ultrasound technician and our doctor said that everything is looking just fine. David indulged me a bit by encouraging the technician to linger on the images of the brain. We didn't get a picture of it (much to this "brain dork's" disappointment), but here is a profile picture and a picture of baby's foot eager to kick mom at every opportunity! So tiny, but so amazing....