This weekend the Miller family came from Forest City to stay with us and meet the newest member of the family. They got here on Saturday and since it was such a nice day, we spent most of it outside. Jared (Jill’s brother) and his girlfriend, Jodi, also came over and all the boys had fun playing frisbee and baseball and Aubrey and Anya had fun swinging and going down the slide. We even started a fire in the firepit and had smores–they were yummy! Sunday we also took advantage of the nicer weather and went to a park a few blocks from here and let the kids run off some energy there. It was a very fun weekend and we are glad that Josiah got to meet his cousins and his Aunt Jill & Uncle Jason!

Things have been going pretty smoothly around here still—Josiah has started to nurse longer and stay full alittle longer too-so the last 2 nights I have gotten 3 hour stretches of sleep–and it is so nice! In fact today, Anya, Josiah and I all slept until 9am and we all needed it! Josiah is also starting to stay awake for longer periods during the day and Anya has fun talking to him when his eyes are open. He has really started to find his hands and they usually end up in his mouth and I was finally able to clip his fingernails so hopefully he will scratch himself less now.

Well, I guess that is the update for now. Here are the pictures we took in the last week…enjoy!

We have had a very fun weekend around here. Yesterday, G’pa Ronnie, G’ma Jeryl and Aunt Joni came to visit for the day and had a great time entertaining Anya and Josiah. Anya was pretty bummed when they had to go home, but excited to see them again soon!

Today we had our first official family outing to church—I am so happy to report we made it on time and without incident. Our church is so wonderful–they had a welcoming ceremony for Josiah in which our whole family went to the front of the church to receive a flower and Pastor Steve held him for the congregation to see. It was very nice and Josiah (and Anya!) liked the attention.

Otherwise, we had a quiet day. Jason & Anya spent a lot of the afternoon outside enjoying the beautiful weather–we even ate supper on the deck and it was so nice to have the fresh air.

Here are a few pictures of our weekend fun.

Well, another week has passed and Josiah will be 2 weeks old tomorrow! With all the craziness we had with his 1st week here, this second week has been much calmer and we are starting to get a routine down that works for us all. Josiah was able to stop the bili-blanket on Monday, so that has been nice to be able to hold him whenever we want (which is ALOT for Miss Anya)! He also lost his umbilical cord, so tonight he got his first official bath which he seemed OK with at first and then decided he liked it on land better than sea and was glad to get out after a good washing.

Last night the Cathcart family came over to meet Josiah and brought take-n-bake pizzas for supper. Anya and Jaxson had a great time playing–I think they wore each other out. Anya seems to be handling having Josiah around pretty good. We had a rough week last week with potty training, but it seems to be getting better this week, so fingers crossed she will be back to using the potty full time in no time.

Otherwise all is going well around here. Grandma Barb and Papa Jim were both at our house for several days helping us get settled into our new routine, but now we are running solo and so far so good. Josiah, just like his big sister, has been a very easy baby so far, so we thank God for that and hope his easy-going nature continues as he gets older.

Here are some new pictures of our fun in the last week.

Well, we survived our first week at home with Josiah. We had a rough start to the week as Josiah got admitted to Blank Children’s hospital Sunday morning with high jaundice levels. So, after spending Sunday, Monday and Tuesday under the billi-lights in the hospital, he is now doing much better. He has been on a billi-blanket at home since Tuesday and will probably be on it until our next appointment on Monday. We are just so glad to have him home.

I am happy to report that Anya is taking her roll as big sister very seriously and has made it her personal mission to give Josiah a kiss or hug at least every 5 minutes! She has been such a good helper with everything and has adjusted surprisingly well to having another person in the house. Jason & I are so proud of her and enjoy watching her interact with her little brother. Today was her first day back at daycare since Josiah’s arrival and she was so excited to tell all her friends about her new little brother….we even made cupcakes for her to give to her class to help celebrate his birth. She was so thrilled that she got to put the sprinkles on the cupcakes!

As far as Josiah, he has pretty much been another perfect baby. He is nursing like a champ and sleeping great during the night only waking to eat every 3 hours or so. My mom (bless her heart) has taken the night shifts and changes his diapers and then brings him in to me to nurse–so I have it pretty good right now and will definitely miss that extra help when she is gone!

Well, here are a few more pictures of our first week with our bigger and better family.

I am happy to report that after 259 days of carrying him, 8 days of bed rest and 16 hours of labor, Josiah John Paul McArtor was born today (4/4/08) at 1:56am. He weighed 7lbs 5 oz and was 19 inches long. He & I are both doing great, big sister, Anya, is so ready for her baby brother to come home so she can see him whenever she wants and Daddy is thrilled to have his little boy here.

We are in the hospital until tomorrow, so will post more then, but here are a few pictures of our first 19 hours with our new little boy.