Kellon's in Kindergarten!

We have a big kindergartener at our house now! He is loving school and very excited about all of the new things he is learning and the kids he is meeting. We are glad that he has a great teacher, Mrs. Landwehr, to get him started out right this year. I have to admit that I haven't been quite as excited about the change. Barrett, Aubree, Brinlee and I really haven't gotten used to Kellon being gone all day. He is such a great playmate and helper for us. We all really miss him, but we love the weekends when everyone can be together for a couple of days. It has made for some early mornings also with the bus coming at 7:25 a.m. I know that it could be much earlier, but for a kid that likes to sleep until 8 or 8:30 some mornings, that has been a huge adjustment. Kellon has been a great sport about it though. Most mornings he is up before I come wake him. Kellon says his favorite things about school are recess, coloring, and watching movies on the Smartboard. He also says that the best classroom job is his "free day" when they don't have a job. :) How time flies!! I look at Brinlee and cannot believe that Kellon has already gone from her size to school age. We are so proud of him!

Brinlee Jean George

I am happy to finally get around to introducing you to the newest addition to our family, Brinlee Jean George. I know she is 5 weeks old now, but some of you also know how hectic things can be with real life going on with a newborn in the mix. We are really enjoying having our littlest girl. She was born Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. weighing in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 18.5 inches long. We waited an extra 6 days past my due date to meet this girl, and we still had to start things without her permission (I was induced Friday night at 10:30). Everything went well, and she was my fastest labor at 12 hours. I shouldn't say it was "my" fastest labor because Brice and Melanie, my labor doula, can also claim it for sure. Brinlee is a beautiful little girl, but I was definitely surprised at how little hair she has compared to the other kids. It does make getting her dressed up a little easier (for now). She started smiling about 2 weeks ago, so I think that she is going to be a cheerful girl. That seemed early to me anyway. Brinlee also caught her first cold last week which has not been much fun for anyone. We were hoping to be done with that in a couple of days, but Kellon showed up with a different cough this morning. Maybe we will luck out and Brinlee won't catch this one.
Here are a few pictures from the hospital and the first day at home.

Isn't this a good lookin' bunch!

I can't believe I caught her with her eyes open when she was two days old

My sister-in-law, Annette, took some pictures for us when Brinlee was just 5 days old. I wanted to get a few good newborn pictures since the ones at the hospital usually aren't that great. She did a great job!

What a little miracle

Daddy's little angel!

Daddy's little girl