The great pumpkin

Since Eric returned to work this week, I have had some bonding time with both girls. Yesterday we ventured out to Krop's Crops in search of the perfect pumpkin. Here is my attempt to get a shot of both girls... one sleeping and one giving the other kisses on the head.

2 weeks old

Anna turned two weeks old on Monday and got a great report from the doctor. Here she is fresh and clean after a bath, which she really enjoys.

1 week old

Anna celebrated her first week on Monday. Here she is posing with lamby for the first time, our way of tracking how the girls grow.

By comparison, here is Emilia at one week old:

And here are both girls on Monday:

The first bath

Anna's first outing

What's the perfect outing for a five-day-old born in October? If you guessed Oktoberfest, you are correct. Seriously folks, we're talking brats, German folk music, hayrides, carnival rides, and the refreshing crisp autumn air.

The little mommy

Emilia is adjusting to her big sister role very well (so far). Not only does she try to calm Anna when she's crying ("that's okay, don't cry baby"), but Emilia the trained medical professional has no reservation using her medical instruments to properly diagnose and care for her baby sister. Emilia follows mommy's lead around the house, but thankfully, we haven't caught her feeding the little one yet.

Welcome home

It was a beautiful fall day to bring Anna home for the first time.

Anxiously awaiting our arrival was big sister Emilia. At first she was a little reserved, but soon enough she was wanting to hug, kiss, hold and rock Anna. Click on Our Videos to the right to see the meeting.
And then it was time for her to get back to her top priority in life: eating.

Eric's girls...

Leaving the hospital

We had a great experience at Reston Hospital Center over the last few days. Here are some shots from our time in the hospital.

Proud grandparents arrived late Monday evening from New Jersey. Due to H1N1 concerns, these were the only visitors allowed into the maternity wing, so it was a couple more days until Emilia could meet her sister.
Very content after lunch and a nap...

Very ready to go home...

Anna Claire: day II

Anna's first night with us was pretty good. Even though we didn't get that much sleep (shocker), she was pretty low key. Even the pediatrician commented this morning on how laid back she is. Clearly, she gets that from Eric. So far today she has been doing everything she is supposed to be doing. She is very alert... and check out that light hair!

Introducing Anna Claire

At 7:49 p.m. this evening, we welcomed a precious 7lb. 5oz. baby girl - Anna Claire Korsvall. Erin did a superb job with the labor and delivery and is doing well this evening, resting after a late dinner. Anna was quick to open her eyes and was ready to eat. For some reason, Erin wanted her to cry, but she seemed very content just looking around the room, taking in her surroundings and getting fed for a couple of hours. She finally fell asleep on Mommy and was sent to the nursery to get cleaned up. Her hair seems to look strawberry blonde and we think she will have blue eyes. Anna was a nice anniversary gift for us - 7 years today. Praise God for a healthy baby and healthy mom!

Fall into Fairfax

No baby yet in this delivery room, running of out of blog entries here...

On Saturday, the final family of three outing took us to a fall festival sponsored by our county government. The weather was great, the food was fried and Emilia enjoyed the rides and her first horseback ride (that was no pony).

Due date distraction

No baby yet, so here's another entry.

On Friday night, Erin's due date came and went and Erin was ready for a distraction. We went out and had a very nice evening with our next door neighbors at the playground and dinner. Emilia and Zane, who are only a couple of months apart, are becoming buddies and shared a big bowl of pasta after chasing each other around the playground until the sun went down. Erin, still hoping for a late night delivery, enjoyed her favorite Indian food dish (not coincidentally, her last meal before Emilia was born).

Take me out to the ballgame

So, while Erin's in labor next to me in her hospital bed, she has me updating the blog so that I can be productive, too. No wasting time in this household.


Last week, Dan and I took Emilia and Nathan to see the Nationals final home game of the season. The kids had a great time with the fried food, loud music, screaming fans, and exploding fireworks. The guys had a great time, too; not only spending quality time with the kids but with the added drama that goes with a game-ending walk-off grand slam by the Nationals. Go Nats!