Kate

Dear Abigail,

SHE'S HERE!!!! Hooray!!!! We've waited so long to meet your little sister, but let me tell you, it was worth the wait! Monday morning, Mommy and Daddy got up super early and headed to the hospital, while Mimi stayed back at the house with you and got you ready for school. While you were at school, Mommy and Daddy patiently waited and waited for any sign that Kate was on her way, but unfortunately, she was takin' her time!! That afternoon, Aunt Steph and Ellie picked you up from school and brought you to the hospital where a crowd of family welcomed you!! I was a little concerned about how you would react to me in the hospital bed, but you didn't seem to mind it too much, and you had your mind on other things - like your 2 favorite cousins that waited it out with you!

Soon enough, we were all growing rather impatient, so everyone went to grab some dinner (minus Mommy and Daddy, of course!) but then we got our first sign that she might just be making her appearance - so off to the waiting room you went. Mimi said you did pretty good with waiting although I do think you were rather hyper - but heck, who wouldn't be hyper when they are getting a little sister!!

Finally, Kate was born and let me just tell you - she looked JUST LIKE YOU!!! She weighed just a little less than you and was a half an inch shorter, but other than that, just like you! Hooray - I have 2 beautiful girls!! Shortly after she was born, Daddy went and got you from the waiting room and you got to ring the bell that let everyone know a baby was born - your baby sister!

And then... the sisters met...

You were a little leery on holding her at first, so Clara Lee held her while you carefully watched over her.

You were very excited to meet her, and let everyone know she had medicine in her eyes to make her feel better!! After you gave her tons of hugs, you headed back home to get some rest because you had a lot of huggin' to do over the next couple of days!!

You've been a big help with throwing diapers away and getting burp cloths and showing us how to burp Kate (top, top, bottom, bottom, middle middle middle!). And you CONSTANTLY want to know "where's Kate?" or "what's Kate doing" or "Oh no, Kate's sleeping again!!!". You come in from playing or school or whatever and just skip on past me and head straight to your baby sister! Here's some pics of you showing the love...

And you even helped Mimi give her a 'monkey bath'!

It's been 2 weeks since Kate was born and you are so proud of being a big sister. Your teachers send notes home saying that you love talking about your baby sister and anytime someone suggest Kate go home with them you make if VERY clear that no, she is staying with you!

You and Kate have a special bond and I can't wait to follow all your adventures with each other! Love you and your sister SO MUCH!