Knock Knock Knock....SURPRISE!!!

On Christmas Eve Grandma Theresa, Mark, and Auntie Jake came over for dinner and stayed the night. We all woke up Christmas morning and opened presents. Then we got a knock on the front door. Assuming it was Grandpa Mike delivering Madison's presents, Sabrina quickly ran to the door. Instead she heard carolers. When she opened the door there stood Grandma Jenny and Grandpa Ron....SURPRISE! We were all so excited to have them there, and VERY surprised. It was a great Christmas present!!

Shhhh...don't wake the sleeping baby!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas time is here! We went and got our first Christmas tree as a family of four. Callie loves to lay and look at the Christmas lights.

 Getting our Christmas tree

 Swanson's Nursery

Sleeping in front of the Christmas tree

Meeting Melody...

The weekend after Thanksgiving we got to meet cousin Melody, who was born September 21, 2010. We all met up at Great Grandpa Jim's house. 

 Momma's and Babies: Randi and Melody, Sabrina, Madison and Callie, Brittany and Aaliyah

 Melody and Callie

Thanksgiving!

Callie's first Thanksgiving was at Great Uncle Tony and Great Aunt Kim's house, just up the road from our place. 

First Halloween

Little baby was a Little Ladybug!! Madison was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

Snuggle time with Daddy after Trick-or-Treating

Grandma Jenny and Grandpa Ron Visit!!

Grandma Jenny and Grandpa Ron came up from California to meet Callie when she was a week old. Grandpa Ron left earlier than Grandma Jenny, who stayed for another few days and helped out around the house. It was wonderful!

Sister Love

Madison LOVES her little sister. She holds her, and gives her kisses, and snuggles with her all the time. The two of them absolutely adore each other!

Welcome Home Callie!

Soon after we got home, before really settling in, guests started arriving to meet Callie. Auntie Jake came to the hospital to meet Callie and help with everything. Grandma Theresa and Madison met us at home. Melissa, Sonny, Brendan and Jonah came over with a Sounder's (Daddy's favorite team) soccer ball. Soon after one of our closest friends Amanda came over to meet her new best friend. Then, cousin Brittany, Orion, Jackson, Aaliyah, Great Aunt Beth, and friends Ally and Jada also came over to meet Callie. Callie slept the entire time!

Cousin Jackson with Callie

Cousin Brittany with Callie

 Great Aunt Beth with Callie

Here She Is....

Late at night on October 14, 2010, after spending a day walking around the Seattle Aquarium with a friend (who was trying to get the labor started), my water broke. Since my water didn't break with Madison until after I was at the hospital and had an epidural, I wasn't exactly sure that my water had actually broken. I called my mom and let her know what was going on and she assured me that yes, my water had broken. I was having irregular contractions, so I wasn't really that worried about it. I sent Joe a text to let him know that my water had broken, but told him to take his time coming home. Madison was a little worried and didn't want me near her because she didn't want me to "pee on her". I called my mom back and asked her to come over. She got there, and Joe came home and I called the hospital to see if I should come in or not. The doctor on call told me to come in and they'd check everything out. We got to the hospital at about 11pm. They checked us in, and checked everything out. My water had in deed broke, however my contractions were still irregular and I was only dilated to 1-2 cm. Since I had been like that for a month they weren't really concerned. At about midnight I took a nice bath, while Joe took a nap. At around 1:30, after getting hooked back up on the monitors I asked for an epidural because I was in a little more pain than I would have liked to be. When the anesthesiologist finally got there it was too late. I was already 10cm and waiting for the doctor to get there so I could push. Finally the doctor showed up, I pushed twice and at 2:47am, October 15, 2010, Callie Michaela Albin was born. It was so fast I couldn't believe it. Joe sat in shock, just staring at Callie. She was 8 pounds 11 ounces, the biggest baby born into my family. At about 7 am, my Mom, Madison and Mike came to the hospital to meet Callie. Madison was so excited that her sister was finally here. We had a lot of visitors in the hospital. It was a great experience. We had fantastic nurses and really enjoyed our stay at the hospital. We got to go home on the 16th.      - Sabrina

First Bath

Warming up under the heating lamp

Sweet baby all bundled up.

Callie meets her big sister

Proud Daddy!

Going Home outfit

Family Baby Shower

Grandma Theresa planned a shower with Big Sister Madison and held it at Great Aunt Kathy's house in September. Grandma Jenny flew in from California just for the shower. We had a great time, and again we were surrounded by family and close friends. 

 Very pregnant!

Maternity Pictures

Mommy's co-worker, David, took maternity pictures September 13th, 2010, just a little more than a month before Callie was born.

Custom shoes made by Daddy's friend, Jeff.

Daddy's artwork 

Madison's handprints

Luau Baby Shower

Lara and Erin threw a Luau Baby Shower for us in early August 2010. We were surrounded by great friends and family. We couldn't wait to get everything home and go through all the gifts!

Patiently waiting to open up all the presents

 

Great Uncle Tony and Daddy Joe hanging out, enjoying the party!