Tyler is 3! June 4, 2010

Happy Birthday, Tyler Dearest! We can't believe you are 3 years old already! We made sure Tyler had lots of fun and attention on his birthday so as to not be upstaged by his new little sister. It worked. He had a blast!
Tyler woke up this morning saying, "Is it my birthday today?" He has been practicing holding up 3 fingers for weeks now.

Birthday presents were set up in the living room. A little motorcycle, a life vest, a piggy bank, a Curious George book, and a bunch of Disney's Cars. Other presents from family continued to arrive throughout the week. He loved his extended birthday.

Then Tyler and Tyson went on a Father and Son date to the zoo, the toy store, and SamsClub for pizza.

After his nap, we completed the day with cake and ice cream. In place of dinner. What can we say? It's only your birthday once a year!

From Hospital to Home

Lydia and I were at Sanford Hospital here in Sioux Falls until Thursday, during which time Tyson and Tyler visited often. The hospital was actually quite nice with very nice and helpful nurses, big, clean rooms, and food available for all of us 24 hours (I called it my cruise ship). They had the best toffee and chocolate chip cookies!

Tyler's "bed" where he could watch the hospital's helicopter take off and land.

Big Brother, Baby Sister, and Daddy.

Tyson finishing Fablehaven. I love it when he reads to me! I'm sure Baby Lydia was listening to hear the end too since she got to hear the book while inside my tummy.

Cute :-)

All bundled up and heading for home. Look how tiny she is! I had forgotten how wonderfully tiny and soft and sweet newborns were!

Home at last - Lydia winking.

She is one content baby.

Tyson with 2 of his babies.

Lydia's Birth Day

Though the doctor had predicted an early arrival, Lydia had still not arrived on her due date, June 1st (which actually was a good thing as I had been sick with a flu-like thing for the 2 weeks prior). So on that Tuesday morning we dropped Tyler off at the Jensen's (friends in our ward) and checked in at the hospital at 7am. I was scared to tears (despite my brave face in the picture below), but was blessed with very nice nurses (one prayer answered).

Dr. Landeen came in and broke my water at 8:15 and everything went very quickly from then. 3 1/2 hours later (I got the epidural just in time!) our baby girl was born. She would have been born earlier, but the doctor hadn't arrived yet. It had all happened so fast that the nurses told me, "Don't cough! Don't laugh! Don't breathe!" as the smallest thing would have sent the baby out into the world. The doctor rushed in and a couple of pushes later, Lydia Anne Plastow was born.

8 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 inches long. Born at 11:42am on Tuesday, June 1st.

She is not sure about all of this.

Just minutes old, content to snuggle with Daddy.

Getting all washed up. Instead of whisking her away to the Nursery, the hospital bathed her in our labor and delivery room, which was nice because we got to be there with her.

Lots and lots of light colored hair. We can't decide if it's very light brown or a darker blonde.

All clean! She is healthy and whole (another prayer answered) and looks very much like her brother did when he was born - a lot like Tyson. Don't worry, we have lots of hairbows to show that she's a girl. :-)

Nice and clean, warm and safe, snuggling with Mama. Could anything be better than this?

Tyler finally gets to hold Baby Sister. He loved on her for about a minute, then got bored and started exploring the hospital room.

Daddy, Tyler, and Lydia. The end of a great birth day!

Tyson edited and posted a short video of Lydia's arrival on his blog - http://www.tysonp.blogspot.com.

Lydia

Lydia Anne Plastow born June 1, 2010 @ 11:42am.

8 pounds and 2 ounces, 20 inches long.

Mother and Baby are doing well.

More pictures and details to come!