Evan

Evan Charles Hartzler

Born December 31, 2010
1 lb. 15 oz.

13 inches long

Day 4.

Day 16.

7 weeks.

It's been a long journey, but we love our little miracle nephew.

Praying he comes home soon!

Is it spring YET?

Cuz this girl is ready to get her warm weather on!

Her refusal to wear socks any longer says it all.

She's been begging to play outside, ride in her wagon, and ride her bike.

New Year's Eve

I don't know what you did for New Year's Eve this year, but mine was more excitement than I can even handle.
We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with our families.  This year was particularly exciting because my little sister Brittany and her husband Matt were expecting their first baby in the spring.  There was much baby stuff to be had.  Brittany was 24 weeks and 4 days pregnant on Christmas Day. (See previous post for picture) 

On Thursday, December 30 morning I got an e-mail from her talking about how glad she was that baby boy Hartzler wasn't due until April because they were a long way from ready. 

On Thursday, December 30 evening I got a call from her asking what Braxton Hicks contractions felt like.  Having been plagued by these from about 24 weeks on, I gave her the low down. 

On Friday, December 31 I was having a relatively peaceful day at work when I got a call from my mom around 11 a.m. telling me that was Brittany was in labor.  Like real labor. As in 7 cm dilated, no turning back labor.  Enter panic. 

Get in car. Drive. To Ohio. Panic.

This can't be happening.  This isn't the right month. This isn't the YEAR! This isn't the right trimester. Nothing about this is right. 

I will never ever forget the image of walking into my sister's hospital room and the look of sadness on everyone.  She was as upside as they could reasonably get her, being pumped full of steroids, trying to buy every second that they could of keeping that baby in. The look of defeat on her face is ingrained in my memory.

The day a baby is born is supposed to be the best day of your life.  But this was....panic. Sheer panic.

Unfortunately the hospital in my hometown does not have NICU and she was far too unstable to transport.  We asked several nurses if they had ever delivered a baby this early (25 weeks).  No one answered.

I got there at 6 p.m. Within the hour the doctor announced they were out of time and that the NICU team from Akron Children's Hospital was en route because this was baby was bound and determined to make it out before the ball drop.

Prep for c-section.  Choose name. Wait for emergency team to arrive. Panic.

Watch NICU team roll in. Panic. Panic moves from inside to outside.  Freak out the happy family waiting for their healthy baby to be born.  (Turns out that they had TWO babies born severely premature. Nice placement God.)

7:54 p.m. Enter Evan Charles Hartzler.

Christmas?

Ok so I realize that Christmas was nearly 3 months ago, but unfortunately I never had a chance to get up any pictures. Here are a few quick shots plus a lead in to my next story...

New easel with chalk and magnets and millions of little letters and numbers oh my!

Stockings with Grandma Dyer on Christmas Eve morning

The present labyrinth of my parents' house.

This is a picture of my sister on Christmas Day at 24 weeks pregnant. I realize she's holding a box, but you wouldn't know she was pregnant even without all the crap piled on her lap.



Birthday Party the Second

At Grandma and Grandpa Webb's house with ALL of our grandparents! Coccia House pizza to boot!

Grandma and Grandpa Dyer!

I discovered on this day that Maddie knows what a Barbie is. scary.

Baby "Niam"

"Ok people! I'm ready for the Nemo cake!"

And I'm out of patience with trying to upload pictures so that will have to suffice.

More Birthday Pictures

These are from the nice, fancy camera...taken by a person without a verifiable visual impairment. 

Ready to ride her motorcycle into the crowd!

Did I mention how she just puffed up when everyone sang to her. Such a big girl!

Ryne helping to blow out the candles.

New Dora tent to hide in! (STATIC central)

Instead of presents, we asked our guests to bring donations for the Ronald McDonald House. We had a nice assortment of cleaning supplies, dry goods, cash donations and toys!

(Apparently Blogger is against text editing tonight. Sorry for the small font)

2nd Birthday Party The First

I know.  It's been like 6 weeks since I've posted. This includes Christmas pictures. I know.  But if you know me, you know that last 6 weeks have been INSANE.  More to come. 

Today we were able to host Madeline's 2nd birthday party with most of our Fishers friends.  House full of toddlers (12!), playing, eating, and generally having a lot of fun.

This was a Dora themed party. During some last minute pre-party shopping, we decided to get the BIG Dora balloon. Maddie loves it. Shoot, all the kids loved it.  Here is Ollie trying to make Dora sit with him. Unfortunately Dora met her demise during a chance meting with the ceiling fan later in the day. Oops.

Here is the birthday girl grinning ear to ear.  Don't tell the gastroenterologist we let her eat this.

Several of the kids enjoying the goodies.

Normally Maddie is a die-hard fork fan, but apparently she couldn't shovel the goods in fast enough and resorted to finger food.

More to come....