The family went with Grandma Kia to the United States Figure Skating National Championships in Greensboro. I think they had a great time.

I cannot help it, but I think Kasen is so cute. Of course I thought this of all my children.

Kia, Kasen, and Ann

Kaitlyn and Julia

These are some of Kylie’s first pictures on her new camera!

Kylie celebrated her 13th birthday.

Taylor helped us celebrate.

Kasen is growing and recogizing his family.

Kasen’s big event: Bronco Nagurski award for Papa McCoy

We were happy to be part of such an event where Molly’s dad was recognized for being the best collegiate defensive football player in 1969.

Katie did a great job of capturing this: http://barnettsintennessee.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-national-defensive-player-of-year.html

Kasen and Anna Kate’s first Christmas and it was a white one!

Everyone enjoys the masks.

A walk up Hagar’s Mountain.

This is the most recent picture of Kasen. He is smiling because he has started to recognize his family. Babies can smile very early, but doctors usually call their smiles “reflexive smiles.” They say they do not have “recognition smiles” for about a month or two. I do not care what the doctors say, this young man smiles when his family sweet talks him.

I must confess, Kasen’s functions right at my pace. I have always loved holding my children and falling asleep with them must be a piece of heaven.

Kasen gets plenty of love and attention. There are four very capable diaper changers in this home. Right now, everyone is still very willing to change the precious little boy. The girls love dressing him up.

Kylie and her homeade bread. One cannot tell the difference between Molly’s homeade bread or Kylie’s. Kylie and Kaitlyn have already made their very first pies for Thanksgiving. They did all the work! (Kylie’s pie is on the left and Kaitlyn’s pie is on the right).

My mom, a mother of six, certainly feels at home holding Kasen.

Kasen makes a wonderful study partner.

Kasen went for his check up today. He is weighing in at 8 lbs. and 3 oz. I love the small hands.

We are being fed so well. The church is amazing. Since this past Monday people have brought us either lunch or dinner. I hate to admit it but I must…I have gained 3 to 4 lbs. It is hard to say no to food when you know others have labored out of love (how is that for justifying gluttony? It sounds so “spiritual” ).

Someone in this home wrongly inserted the camera cartridge in our digital camera. Now the little disc thingy is stuck and our camera will not take pictures. Thankfully our camera has a special device that catches people doing stupid things.

Isn’t he cute? I think I can already see mild changes.

Kasen is opening his eyes better. Mom and baby are doing well. We are grateful that the Group B Strep is still negative.

Mom and dad are still adjusting. Molly is up about every 2 to 3 hours. She probably does her best sleeping from 2 to 6 am. During these hours, if Kasen cries, I check on him or change him if necessary. This morning we hung out from about 6 am to 7:30 am trying to give mom some sleep time before the next feeding.

 Trust me when I say, “It is all worth it.”

Well Kasen is home. We all are taking turns holding him. Mom and baby are still doing well.

Few reflections from the day:

1. It is 9:30pm and Kasen is 29 hours old. He has been through it to. As if birth was not shock enough, he has had his vitamin K shot, blood drawn, and he has been circumcized. Poor little boy! He is a bit fussy (and we can all sympathize).
2. Mom and Dad are tired. We did not sleep well (not so much Kasen but constant monitoring from nursing staff just doing their job). Tonight, Kasen might keep us up.
3. Having grandma Kia is a blessing (she too is probably tired).
4. Kylie, Kaitlyn, and Karson think Kasen is something special. They are sharing him well. (As I read all those “K” names I cannot help but chuckle to myself, “Jason, if you struggle calling your kids by the right name someday…just remember…you did it to yourself.”)
5. Molly is an awesome mother and wife.
6. All our kids are truly a gift from God (and you can say the same).
7. We look forward to getting home.
8. Kasen is still being tested for Group B Strep (and will be for two weeks). Right now the cultures are negative (which is good). He has a bit of a cough that we are watching also. We appreciate your prayers in these areas. Having a small child is a reminder how precious and delicate life is.
9. The visits, calls, and responses to this blog have been a blessing.
10. The hospital provides mom and dad with a complimentary steak dinner. They wheel in a table and serve a hot meal. It was a nice gift and a good meal. I understand the hospital starting doing this several years ago.

Yesterday, Ocober 25, 2010, Molly was being such a good sport. In love and fun, we (her mother included) said she was looking like a pumkin. Little did we know that a few hours later we would be at the hospital delivering. 

I must confess, I am a very proud father of two girls and two boys. Our family “feels” balanced! With the birth of Kasen, things have evened up around the house.

I think Kasen is beautiful….don’t you?

Our first picture of Kasen outside the womb. He weighs in at 7 lbs 14 oz and is 21 inches long.

Kylie is not pleased with this picture, but it is the only one I have of her alone with the baby. She is trying to get her hair out of his face. Sorry, Kasen…the life of having an older sister.

Welcome Kasen! We love you!