Staying Cool

With temps ranging in the upper 80's to mid 90's and humid conditions, we have found ways to keep the girls cool!  They have really enjoyed the sprinkler this summer, and it's been really convenient since getting to the pool is impossible right now with three little ones!

Grammy got Eliana this Merida doll and Nana took her to see the Brave movie - talk about spoiled by the grandmas!

Victoria wanting to read books - again.

Papa passed on running through the sprinkler and relaxed with Malin instead.

Tornado Tors - always into something!

Mommy and Ellie on Grammy and Papa's deck.

Malin trying to stay cool (she sleeps sprawled like Ellie!).

Family Visits and Warrior Dash

The weekend after Malin arrived, we were very blessed to have our immediate family all home to help us welcome her (and of course help us keep the older two occupied while mommy healed from surgery!).  We were discharged from the hospital on Friday afternoon and enjoyed the next day and a half visiting the grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Malin, Victoria, Eliana, and Kenzie

Proud Grandparents!

Amanda and Malin

Grandpa first meeting Malin in the hospital.

Papa's turn to meet Malin!

Grammy is going to be busy!

Nana was the first one to meet Malin after her arrival.

Malin, Jenna, and Sarah (and Brad, not pictured) came to visit us in the hospital!

Auntie Heather and Uncle John came to meet her on Friday.

Uncle Steve met Malin on Thursday.

Great-Grandma Marcus holding Malin!

On Sunday, Nick drove the Twin Cities for the Warrior Dash - a 5k obstacle race where he had to run up a ski slope, hurdle some walls, crawl under barbed wire, slide through mud, jump over fire... you get the hint.  Anyway, he had a great time running with John and enjoyed himself!  I took the three girls to my parents house that day and appreciated all the extra help they gave me that day!

John, Nick, and Ryan after the Warrior Dash.

I'm sorry, but I just don't see how this is "fun"...

A Family of Five!

The girls were so excited to meet their new baby sister!  Eliana kept saying, "She's so cute!" and Victoria could not stop giving her kisses. They have both been so wonderful with Malin and the transition to three girls has been easy on all of us.  So far there doesn't seem to be any jealousy, and despite my worries about Victoria being her brute-like self around Malin, she's the most gentle I've ever seen her!  I originally thought Ellie would be more interested in Malin, but besides talking about how cute she is and giving her a kiss now and then, she pretty much does her own thing and Victoria has been very interested in everything Malin-related!

Eliana's first view of her little sister.

Victoria's first view of her little sister.

Malin got her big sisters each a gift to thank them for welcoming her.

Victoria is such a proud big sister!

Eliana loves being the biggest sister.  :)

Mommy trying to wrangle the littlest two.

Daddy and his girls!

Nick's favorite thing to do with his baby daughters - nap!

OUR THREE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!

Getting ready to head home from the hospital.

Malin looking like the angel she is.

Malin's Arrival

WARNING: I have posted some photos from Malin's birth (via c-section), so consider yourself warned!  :)  My doctor has been very accommodating to me in that he lets me see (and take photos) of the c-section process.  They were able to lower the sheet during the delivery and tubal so that I could see what they were doing.  Call me weird, but I found it fascinating to be able to see these things happening to myself!  I know there are others that are also interested, so if you prefer not to see, please don't read this post.  Most of the really good pictures were taken on Nick's phone, so I don't have them here, but the ones I have below were still pretty interesting.

Prepping for the surgery.

Malin is halfway born!

Malin's arrival

Nick cutting the cord.

After she arrived, the nurse told me, "Looks like you may have reached the 9 lb mark with this one, Jonikka!".  She was right!

This is my uterus - crazy, huh?  It has already shrunk to this size just minutes after Malin's arrival.  In a few weeks it will be the size of my fist.  I had a tubal ligation done knowing this would be my last pregnancy.  I actually got to see them snipping the tubes!

My first view of Malin (after the initial cleaning).

Leaving the OR - they let me hold her on the way to my room!

Introducing Malin Marie Marcus!

Malin Marie Marcus - Welcome to the world!  Our third gorgeous daughter joined our family on Tuesday, June 26th, 2012 at 11:19am.  She tipped the scales at 9lbs 1oz and was 22 inches in length!  This beautiful little girl has been the easiest baby and we are just so thankful and blessed that God brought her into our family.  We love you, Malin!

Malin - only minutes after delivery.

Malin has a full head of dark hair!