Our Fam: Introducing Anika!

Anika (pronounced Ah-nik-ka, long A, not Anne) Mikaela Workman was born August 13th, 2011 at 10:12 a.m. weighing 6 # 15 oz and 19 inches long, with a 13 inch head. We are so pumped that she has been entrusted to us and can't wait to see what God has in store for her life!! She arrived via VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and we are so thankful for the relatively uneventful birth. My water broke at a friends house when I was putting BJ down (I had had contractions most of the day and had a hunch we would be doing more exciting things that night). We headed to the hospital (after a quick snack), got checked in, and got an epidural- those things are amazing!! I was able to doze most the night and have the strength to push in the morning! We are all doing well with the adjustment. BJ is loving his role as a big brother, almost too much- at times almost smothering her with love. I'm trying currently to remind myself to speak the positive to him (not "Don't crush your sister" but "We are gentle with Anika") since he truly just wants to love on her. He does have a strong feeling of responsibility and recently has decided he is the only one allowed to burp her. If you try to pat her back he will run over and say "She's not your sister, she's my sister" and move your hand away so he can burp her. He has had a huge milestone amongst this whole addition, and has started wearing underwear to bed and naptimes- and staying dry- and has secured his position as a big boy. We close on both houses a week from today, and have 4 days to be out of the old house. We have been so blessed by friends and family feeding us the last few days, and with all the offers to help us move. It will be crazy, but I think we may just pull it off! In the meantime, we are trying to focus a lot of our energy on BJ, and napping whenever possible (even Brandon took a nap at work in his truck over lunch yesterday!) Now for some quick pics before feeding time again.

Last few belly shots- I think this was 35 or 36 weeks