Annika Reid LiaBraaten

Holidays 2008

2009-01-29T22:34:00.000-08:00

Annika's first Thanksgiving and Christmas! Christmas was at Britt, Miguel, and Lucia's, and Mom, Paul, and Grandma Lucille joined us!

Thanksgiving was in Walla Wall at Mom and Paul's, and featured an appearance by Hudson Hall, Annika's newest cousin!

Confusious Says My Mom's The Bomb

2008-12-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

Andrea and Robert Visit Seattle

2008-11-09T22:46:00.000-08:00

Julie's mom and step-dad flew in from Florida to meet their new granddaughter in early November. Highlights include a trip to the Pike Place Market, a walk around Kirkland, and an Abba greatest (and least great...) hits dance party! Photos from the visit!

Annika & Friends

2008-11-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

There was something in the water last winter... including us, six couples- all friends from college or shortly thereafter- had kids between August and October this year! First was Bailey, born to Bryan and Amy, then Lucy, to parents Klaus and Jenn. We were next, followed less than a week later by Logan to Virgil and Alecia. And finally a few weeks later Bret and Brie had Colton and Duke and Trish had Brandt. Annika hasn't had a chance to meet them all yet, but she has spent time with Logan and Lucy. Here are some photos!
Virgil & Lucy
Klaus, Jenn, & Lucy

Alecia & Logan, Julie & Annika, Jenn & Lucy

3/5ths of the 2028 starting Western Washington University girls hoops team! Annika the love bug, Logan the pumpkin, and Lucy the pirate.

Nothing Compares To You

2008-10-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

On Annika's six week birthday Daddy got to babysit for the day and when Mommy came home Annika had a Sinead O'Connor haircut! Feedback has been mixed so far, but her hair was thinning anyway and I thought it was about time to clean it up. :)

Photos From Week Six

2008-10-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Weeks Three and Four

2008-10-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

What a crazy couple of weeks it has been! We found out WaMu was seized by the FDIC over concerns that a run on deposits would leave the government on the hook to cover insured amounts, and promptly sold to JP Morgan Chase. It's been anxious times for mommy and daddy, trying to figure out how long we'll have jobs and what happens next for the new family. Fortunately Annika helps us keep things in perspective, and we know we've got plenty of time to recover from the lost investment in company stock before she needs a car or college tuition. (Doh!)

Annika's umbilical stump fell off, and we were able to treat her to her first bath, which she seemed to enjoy. I'm sure she'll make a great scuba diver! No stump also means she can wear pants now, which doubled her wardrobe options.

After dad went back to work after two and a half weeks, mom started going a little stir-crazy at home alone all day, and had a meltdown or two. A cocktail of postpartum hormones, a painful crash course on breastfeeding, and healing from a c-section, plus a shot of job implosion and no control over it adds up to a pretty stressful time. So we were all happy to get out and take a walk at Carkeek Park last weekend. And now here comes winter. I think we're just skipping fall this year- it was 80 degrees in mid-September, and it's already snowing on the passes here in the first couple of weeks in October. Oh well, bring on the ski season! I think Annika is ready for the luge!

Annika Meets Tristan's Family

2008-09-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

It's been a whirlwind of new faces for Annika in the first couple of weeks. Grandma Becky came to stay with us and give us a hand for the first week and a half. We had meals prepared, coffee served in the morning, and perhaps most importantly, a nap break from time to time. Thanks Mom!

Grandpa Larry came up this last weekend to meet his new granddaughter.

Aunties Britt and Annalise, uncle Miguel, and Annika's cousin Lucia.

Annika's aunts Mindy and Jaime, and cousin River

Annika's First Week Home

2008-09-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

Annika's first week at home consisted of eating, sleeping, and pooping. It's amazing how these three most basic bodily needs can become so all-consuming, concerning, and entertaining. Neither Julie nor I had ever changed a diaper prior to this, so we've just had the ultimate crash course. I'm surprised we haven't put one on backwards or on her head yet in the middle of the night. I do have to say though (knock on wood) that the sleep has not been quite as bad as I thought it would be. Having my mom around to pull early morning shifts and prepare coffee for us first thing has been very helpful. Not to mention all the wonderful food that she's had ready for us- thanks Mom!

Annika got to try out her new car seat, and after an initial display of displeasure, she seems to taken to it quite well.

She dropped a little weight in the days after delivery, and has been slow to put the pounds back on. She seems to have a slight binge and purge issue, as evidenced by the milk-covered rags and onesies. Hopefully it's just a phase!

Annika Turns Zero!

2008-09-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Annika Reid LiaBraaten was born at 10:03 a.m. on Monday, September 15th, 2008. She weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz and measured 19 1/4 inches long.

After several months of seemingly endless flips and turns in utero, Annika settled on a breech position (head up), which meant delivery via c-section. The procedure went well, and after re-attaching Julie's top half to her bottom half, mommy, daddy, and baby were all doing well in recovery at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.