Another update Ok. So it's been a while since my last post. A lot has been happening around here, so I guess I'd better get with it and update a bit more often!

We have had an eventful few months. I developed Gestational Diabetes as well as Pre-eclampsia, so was on "house-arrest/partial to full bedrest" for the last few months of pregnancy. I went to Palmer the end of April to stay for the duration. Since Brian still had to work, I took Chip with me and left Kasi and Kenny home with him to finish the school year. Because my blood pressure was not staying down, the doctors kept really close watch and we weren't sure how soon I would have to deliver the baby. I let them run an amniocentesis to determine the lung development and we set a due date based on the results of that. So finally, on May 15, at 9:00 AM Katrina Marie Brandon was born. She weighed in at 6lbs 11oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. She was born on my grandmother's 78th birthday, which was really exciting. But she was very healthy and was able to room in with me and actually was discharged from the hospital before I was. I don't remember much about the first couple of days, other than there were a lot of people around to visit, and I had some really good drugs!!

Anyway, we left the hospital on May 20 and decided to stay in Palmer with Mom and Dad until around the 1st of June. I developed an allergy to the tape they used on my incision, but was otherwise doing fine and recovering quite well when I suddenly came down with a nasty case of the hives. Apparently I am also allergic to the antibiotic they gave me! Anyway, I had a really bad case of hives from head to toe accompanied by a nasty fever that lasted for almost a week, but I managed to survive with the help of Benadryl, Cortizone spray, and Aveeno Soothing Body Wash.

We ended up staying in Palmer a bit longer than expected because Grandma developed some heart troubles and we stayed on to help drive her to the doctors appointments. She now has a pacemaker, and is doing much better. We are all very relieved to have her feeling better again.

Meanwhile, Brian ended up taking the kids out of school a couple of weeks early so they could come stay in Palmer and he could be there when Katrina was born. It was sure nice to have the family all there, especially since Brian's mom was able to come up and visit as well. It was really good to see her and to let her get to know Chip a little bit. We look forward to her coming back to visit again really soon! (Yes, that's a BIG HINT!) ;)

Anyway, we are home again and doing well. Katrina is growing really fast and I'm having a hard time keeping up with the passing time! It's hard to believe she'll be 2 months old tomorrow!

Well, she's complaining that it's time to feed the baby again, so I'll sign off but will try to post again in the next couple of days and fill you all in on Kasi's summer. She's been at Girls Camp and then in Kodiak, so she should have lots to report!

Take Care, and enjoy the latest pictures!




Our new precious baby girl, Katrina Marie Brandon, May 15,2005



Katrina with her Grandma, Barbara Reed, May 15,2005



Kasi, Kenny, Chip, and Katrina with their Grandma, Dorothy Durfee, May 15,2005



Birthday buddies! Katrina and her Great Grandma, Agnes Thiemann May 22,2005
- posted by Rosanna @ 5:26 PM