Newest Addition!!

Welcome Micah Robert Klingenmaier!

I have officially joined "Team Auntie" and I couldn't be more thrilled about it! My very first nephew, Micah Robert Klingenmaier was born December 31, 2009! Proud parents, Erika and Aaron (my sister and brother-in-law) are doing great and adjusting easily to this new realm of parenthood. Matt and I were so glad that we were able to be in town for his birth and able to meet him in person (not just via skype)! Since Micah was due to arrive on Jan. 11 we were thinking we might miss out on that. It was such a blessing to be able to hold him and see my sister shortly after giving birth!

Micah's original due date was Jan. 11, 2010. Erika had been having some troubles in her third trimester with high blood pressure, high levels of platelets and proteins, retaining lots of water, etc. So the doctors were keeping an extra close eye on her. She was a trooper through quite the roller coaster ride of numerous doctor appointments, ultra sounds, and non-stress tests. She had a doctors appointment on 12/30 where the doctors were going to do some special tests and depending on the results, they might opt to induce her that night or wait until 1/5. We were torn- praying that both Erika and the baby were healthy and that the test results came back good but at the same time, if she was induced on 12/30 then we would most likely get to see the baby before the DeBoer clan headed back to CA on 1/1. Erika and Aaron went to the appointment early on 12/30 and were sent home. Everyone thinking that the baby would be born on 1/5 - which also happens to be my dad's birthday. However, later on in the day Aaron received a call from the nurse saying that Erika's protein levels were quite high and that they needed to come back that evening to induce- it's baby time! It was quite the day! We were able to have a nice dinner with the whole family, which included Aaron's parents, Bill and Debbie, by this time and then sent the soon to be parents off to the hospital. We were kept informed of the happenings via phone calls and text messages. Erika wisely opted for the epidural and was able to rest comfortably for most of the day. The baby's heart rate would drop whenever Erika would have a contraction, much like when I was in labor with Luke, so the doctors were a little concerned about that, but otherwise, things were progressing fine-slowly, but fine. Around 6ish we got a phone call from Aaron saying that the baby was getting tired and the doctors felt that it was necessary for Erika to deliver via C-section. Everything went very smoothly and our precious little Micah Robert was delivered around 7pm! Nice tax planning guys. :) We (my parents, brother Jim, Jim's girlfriend Julie, Matt, Luke and I) were all gathered around the phone to hear the news and were all jumping up and down and praising God for a healthy new baby and healthy mama. We were able to go visit them all in the recovery room just after that. The hospital staff graciously kept them in the recovery room longer so that we could come visit. If they had moved Erika up to her room they wouldn't have let us in since visiting hours were over. I know I said this before, but it was SO wonderful to be able to be there and see the happy family so soon after Micah's birth! What a blessing!!

Baby Micah all snug in mommy's arms

Uncle Matt getting used to holding a newborn again

The DeBoers (minus Luke who was not allowed into the recovery area). See Erika's head popping up between us - ha!

Proud Pops and Proud(er) Daddy

The whole big happy family!

(and yes, if you are a man in our family you must have facial hair - it's required)

Sisters and new moms - what could be better?!

SO happy!!

The original Thomson kids and the newest member of the next generation!

Daddy and Micah - what a way to ring in the new year!

I have MUCH more to blog about. I was not able to meet my goal of getting our blog fully updated before leaving for Chicago. So I have those posts and now more posts about our trip/Christmas. No promises as to when I'll get those up but stay tuned. For now we wish you all a very Happy New Year! Blessings.