Back to the Hospital - October 4, 2009

Caitlyn had developed a touch of jaundice. Her levels were re-tested this morning. Unfortunately, it is getting worse instead of better so Mommy and Caitlyn have to head back for another hospital stay.

Here is what Caitlyn had to spend about 24 hours in.

In order to protect her eyes, she had to wear these special goggles.

Go ahead....you can giggle....poor kid does look kinda silly....

Here are Caitlyn's little glow-in-the-dark piggies.

Hopefully she'll be sporting a great tan when she gets out of there!

(Notice the smaller shades the nurse located for her.)

My Beautiful Glowing Sister

Fortunately, the phototherapy worked well. Caitlyn and Mommy only had to spend one VERY LONG night in the hospital. Daddy and I are sure glad to get them back home again!

Caitlyn Comes Home!! - October 3, 2009

Today is an exciting day for all of us....Baby Caitlyn and Mommy get to come home!

Here's Caitlyn all dressed and ready to go.

She's snuggled up in her car seat for the very first time.

When I left the hospital in January of 2007, New Jersey was experiencing very warm temperatures. Can't say the same for October of 2009. Caitlyn needed to be bundled up!

Can you tell Daddy is excited to get his girls home?

Bye Bye Hospital!

Caitlyn is home! I was so excited to see her.

I did my very first noble act as a Big Brother...I shared Percy, one of my favorite trains, with my little sister. (I'm pretty sure I made Mommy cry!!)

She's so cute!

Our neighbors, Grandmom, and PopPop decorated our front porch.

Here's Caitlyn's special balloon...

...and here's my cool dump truck balloon.

Pretty Pink Flowers for my sister!

Welcome Home Baby Caitlyn!!

Here's me holding my baby sister for the very first time.

Proud Grandparents

Here's Mrs. JoAnn....our good friend from across the street. She has 3 sons--so you can only imagine how excited she was to cuddle a baby girl!!

Even Chic stopped by to welcome Caitlyn home....Meow!

Here's an absolutely priceless (and very short)

video of me and my sister.

Caitlyn and Mommy's Hospital Time - October 2, 2009

Mommy and Baby Caitlyn stayed in the hospital for a few days. A couple of very important people stopped by to see them.....The Great Grandparents!

Here's Caitlyn with her Pretty Great Grandmom.

Wow! That means there were 3 generations in one hospital room! : )

Here's Caitlyn meeting her Great Handsome Pop for the first time.

Uh oh....the lip!!

Caitlyn snuck in a nap after her visitors left.

Mommy's turn for some cuddles.

A precious Daddy~Daughter moment.

Look at those tiny little piggies....

Sooooo precious.....

I can't wait for my baby sister to come home!

Time to Meet My Sister! - Oct. 1, 2009

Today started out as a quiet day for Mommy & Daddy.

Mommy started the day out by snuggling with Baby Caitlyn.

Daddy knew that Mommy had been craving a cheeseburger all during her long labor, so he ordered one for her as a surprise.

Daddy had time for Caitlyn Cuddles while Mommy ate.

SURPRISE!!

It's finally my turn to meet my Baby Sister!

PopPop held me over her crib so I could get a good look.

She sure is tiny!

Grandmom was very excited to meet her new granddaughter.

It's been over 20 years since she held a baby granddaughter!!!

PopPop's turn!

Check out the time---Caitlyn has been alive for exactly 12 hours!!!

I brought my Baby Sister a present....her very own POOH BEAR.

This way, she won't have to even THINK about taking mine!!

She's pretty amazing! : )

I wonder where Baby Caitlyn's blonde hair is????

Grandmom, PopPop, and I wore special badges in Caitlyn's honor.

Here's a closer look.

Aunt Bet came to meet my sister, too. I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight!

Aunt Bet calls her KatieBug.

It's been a very busy day for my little sister. It's time for her to rest.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz.....

I love you, Baby Caitlyn!

IT'S A GIRL!!!! - October 1, 2009

It's very early on Wednesday morning, September 30th.

Daddy took Mommy to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to check in.

Mommy still felt good enough to take a picture on the way in.

Here's Mommy in the Labor Room. She passed the hours by posting lots of updates on her Facebook page. I sent my favorite train with her so she would always have company.

The Phillies were playing a really big championship game during Mommy's labor, so she wore her lucky socks. Guess what? They worked! The Phils clinched their division!! :)

Well, it's almost midnight....still no Baby Russell...

Looks like his or her birthday might be October 1st!!

Finally, after a very long labor, my baby sister made her grand entrance!

At 12:14am, October 1st,

Caitlyn Elizabeth Russell

was born!

She weighed in at 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Here's Daddy giving her lots of love. She was only about 20 minutes old!

Here's Mommy holding her precious baby girl.

Life is good!! : )