She's Here!!!!

We are delighted to (belatedly) announce the arrival of Caitlin Emma Dye- born September 10 at 2:58 a.m. She has been such a perfect addition to our family- it's hard to remember how we got on before she was here! We are just having so much fun. Catie is a very sweet and easy going baby- so we really do get to mostly just relax and enjoy- plus it's a lot less scary being a new parent the second time around. Zach is so in love with his baby sister- he can't wait to see her in the morning and smother her in kisses- Catie, for her part, seems to relax when Zach holds her and doesn't mind the occasionally overenthusiastic love of her big brother.

Justin took 2 weeks off of work to stay home and enjoy Catie. He's now back at work, and I've decided that I can't hibernate forever. So here are some photos of the last few weeks!

Born early in the morning after a very easy and quick labor- Caitlin weighed 8lbs 4oz and was 20 inches long:

Zach, who had been staying with my parents, came to meet Catie first thing in the morning- he was largely uninterested (but enjoyed the gifts that come with having a new baby sister):

My parents are just a little excited to share in the joy of a new grandbaby :)

Alex and Maggie came by to meet the new addition after being on call for 36 hours at a hospital across town:After we got home- we got a chance to relax ...

...and marvel at our little beautyAnd Zach fell in love (seriously- he will ask to hold her for a hour straight, not wanting to give her up, he would rather hold her than eat cookies!!, and he loves to give her a pacifier while announcing "Zachy make happy"- what an amazing boy we have!!) We also celebrated my 30th birthday- it was wonderful- I feel so lucky (yes, I know Justin looks slightly crazy in this photo, but I love it!)

Our little sweetie

It's amazing how your heart just expands with love for a new child. We hope you agree- she's an beautiful little girl!

Last days as a family of three?

I got an ultrasound today and they estimated the baby to be 9lbs. 4 oz.- not scary big, but big! Tomorrow I see my doctor and I anticipate a serious talk about induction.

We're very excited to meet our little girl, but I was also shaken by the idea that we may only have one or two more days as a family of three. So to savor my time with Zach, I picked him up early and we stopped at a park on the way home.

He played on the slide:

Then we checked out the water park area- and Justin came to join us!!

We all had a lot of fun- especially Zach. I know it's silly to be anxious- but this is a big change!! We'll keep you posted on what the doctor says!

Back in the saddle....

It has been pointed out by several of you that we have fallen behind on our blog. As Zach has now turned 2! and I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy- it seemed like a good time to update. So here are a couple of pictures from over the summer:
My boys in San Diego:
The outdoorsman (definitely got his daddy's genes...)

At the Grand Canyon being tickled by mama:

Our beautiful, brilliant, hillarious, happy, bossy, sweet boy:

Justin goes back to school this week. Zach is back in day care- in the 2 year old room. And I'm at work, but finished with trials until the baby comes.

2 months later, the boy can dance!!

Zach is walking!!!

So cute!! We're so proud of him!

So far the record is about 5 feet- but he's different each day!

More update...(see below)

Zachary's first birthday party!

Adorable cake by Justin!Playing with Daddy and Uncle Alex (yes there were LOTS of other wonderful people there, but I don't know how they feel about being on the blog) Sharing his cake...

Enjoying his cake!!

Zach and Justin go visit Grams and PopPop in Montana

Helping with the lawn

Zach loves swinging with Grams! Daddy catches a fish (and this one doesn't escape!!)....

...while Zach swims under the supervision of Grams' ducks

San Diego, July 2009 First day at the beach:Not too sure about the water
By the end Zach has embraced the beach lifestyle...and the sand

We're still here!

The past 6 months (a daunting update!):

March- at a baseball game with the DUI unit (aka "the Unit")- Katy and Karen look on- Karen even held Zach!
April- "Fake Aunt Stephanie" aka "Fairy Godmother Stephanie" and Zach at the zoo (not sure what the face was about- but Steph looks great :))

April- Uncle Nathan and Enida come to visit!!!Mid-April- Grams and PopPop come to Tucson for Zach's baptismNathan is Zach's Godfather, Alex stands in for Stephanie who is Zach's Godmother

May- Grandmommy's birthday! Zach with his Grandaddy and Great Grandaddy!

Zach LOVES to eat!

Late May- Zach swimming for the first time- he ends up LOVING it- and we swam a lot this summer!

June- Family trip to Prescott, AZ- Justin and Zach join Lindsay who is there for a training. Zach loves the grass in the center courthouse square- we all love Prescott!

Oh yeah, and Zachy can crawl EVERYWHERE

First teeth- 4 teeth coming in beginning at 10 monthsConcert in the park (I love steel drums!)- you'll note that sweet potatoes stick and stain like tar... yummmLate June- family reunion in Lake Tahoe, CA

Boating with Daddy

Dinner with most of the gangLots of fun playing with Quinn and KyleGoing homeZachary's FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! What an amazing year. We love you little boy!Dinner with all the Tucson familyTrying spaghetti

Loving spaghetti (and the mess he makes!)