Baby Sister's Story

By the time we were ready to get to work on baby #2, it was a little later than Mother Nature had intended. Science to the rescue! Dr. Thyer helped us find the very best of mama's eggs and put them together with the strongest of daddy's sperm and voilà! A beautiful embryo was formed. 

Dr. Thyer placed it in mama's uterus on March 18, 2015 and let Mother Nature take over. Little sister grew and grew and passed all her tests with flying colors. A little nausea and some heartburn for mama, but an otherwise uneventful and easy pregnancy all the way to the very end, even though baby was more than a week past her due date. As Charlotte said, she was so cozy in there she just didn't want to come out! 

Welcome Gloria

Just as we were getting ready to turn in for bed, well before midnight on New Year's Eve, baby sister finally decided to make her appearance- a little more than a week after her due date. Mama's water broke and we knew it was time. Nanni and Poppi were at a movie so Titi came over and off we went to the hospital. The clock struck midnight just as we were on the highway driving past the Space Needle, so we were treated to a fire works display! Alissa our doula met us there and Dr. Harvey was on call so she was there, too. Mama labored for a long time (ouch!) but like your sister, you did not seem to want to come out. Finally, Dr. Harvey advised us that it wasn't safe to wait any longer because the monitor watching your heart was making her worried. So into the operating room we went and out you came! And similar to your sister, your cord was wrapped around you like a sash plus you were sunny side up. 

You weighed 7lbs 1 ounce and you were perfect. You laid on Mama's chest while the doctors worked and then we went back to our room where you promptly latched on and started breastfeeding like a champ. 

The next day, big sister Charlotte and Nanni and Poppi came for a visit. Very exciting! Nurse Brenda took care of us until we were ready to go home. Titi came to help us check out and we brought a special balloon for big sister. Welcome Gloria!!!

Holidays 2015

December always seems like a busy time for the Wasses, and this year we have a lot to squeeze in before baby sister arrives. We kicked off the season with the  new Nutcracker ballet and a Hannukah party with the fam. Then Mama came to Charlotte's class to make latkes for the kiddos. When the week long torrential downpour finally ended, we got our chance to go to Wildlights at the zoo. So pretty! Santa and his reindeer were even there for a visit. However, we opted to just observe other kids sitting on his lap. Maybe next year. Then it was time for our annual vodkas and latkes party- during which Charlotte spent the night with Nani and Popi. Then we built a gingerbread house, made our Christmas cookies, and re enacted the nutcracker multiple times before it was finally Christmas Eve. We had the Maloneys over for a big ham, and daddy whipped up some homemade peppermint ice cream in his new machine. We spent Christmas Day with the family- brunch, then Charlotte's first movie in the theater (Charlie Brown) and finally Chinese food. Wow! What's next after Christmas, Charlotte asks. Alas, just back to regular life, and of course waiting for baby sister to make her appearance.

4 years old

Charlotte was well feted this year for her 4th birthday. First a kid party with under the sea themed crafts, dress ups and imaginative play at a local arts org, mermaid cake decorated by daddy the cake master; Then a school celebration and visit from mama and daddy; then sushi dinner and cupcakes just the three of us; and finally a family party (with recycled mermaid cake). This will be her last birthday sans siblings, so hoping she won't be too disappointed if things are a little simpler next year :)

October 2015

It's a big month for the Wasses, getting ready for Halloween! Festivities started with our preschool trip to the pumpkin farm.

A little one night baby moon getaway to Whidbey Island for mama and dada to celebrate 10 years since we met.

And of course pumpkin carving. Matt is our resident pumpkin artist- this trio is the Octonauts, Charlotte's favorite cartoon undersea explorers. 

Bubba Linda and Tata were in town for Tatas book tour, so Bubba joined the Swan Lake crew: Charlotte was the white swan queen Odette, mama was a swan attendant, daddy was the prince, Poppi the sorcerer, Bubba the black swan, and Nanni was a cat of some kind. The rain stopped just long enough for us to tromp around the hood. We went trick or treating with the Maloneys and brought in a big haul of candy.

The Fair

It's that time of year again, the end of summer and the last day of the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. It was a long day of rides, sweet treats, and farm animal viewing/riding/petting. Charlotte, emboldened by her best friend Carrie Ella, had her first pony ride! And Mama got to see a whole litter of adorable pink piglets. Much fun was had by all, and the whole family is ready to hit the hay early tonight.

Why?

We seem to have arrived at that phase of development when just about any statement is met by Charlotte with the question why. In many cases this can be answered by asking her why she thinks x is the case, but a bunch of the time she is simply asking legitimate questions about the workings of the universe, which we feel compelled to answer. Daddy covers questions of atmospheric science, physics, and astronomy, while mama is in charge of biology, sociology, and chemistry. I am seriously curious  what on earth happens to parents with less than 3 graduate degrees between them at this stage! She stumps us all the time. God bless the Internet.

Mama, why can't I hear you when my ears are under water?