My dating days have begun...

Evelyn had her first date with Adan (her Polo twin) and then two days later, had another date with Corbin. It was a busy couple of days...

I'm 5 months old and having fun with hats!

Graduation

Daddy had his commencement last weekend- way to go! Here are a few photos...

Here I am at 1, 2 and 3 months!

See how much I've grown compared to my teddy?

Look at me! I'm 10 weeks old!

Some of the people who love to snuggle Evelyn!

Evelyn is 2 weeks old!

So the new mommy is slacking on updates and pictures! It's just hard not to snuggle Evelyn when I have a free moment rather than check email, etc. Here's the latest...

At our 4 day appointment with the pediatrician, Evelyn had already regained all her birth weight. Seven days days later (11 days old) she had gained an additional 3/4 of a pound and grown to 20 inches (an extra 1 and 3/4 inches). Needless to say, her daddy and I are really pleased with her growth!

After Mimi Carol and Papa left, Mimi Laura and Grampy arrived for a few days. This past weekend we had more visitors- Uncle Matt, Auntie Jen and Auntie Sarah. This upcoming weekend, we are expecting Auntie Emmi, Auntie Elena, Uncle Austin, Angelina, Mimi Laura, and Grampy.

In between, lots of friends have been coming by. The Olsens brought homemade Mac and Cheese dinner one night, Grandma Lisa (from lab) has come by during lunch, and Ellie and Paul (the honorary aunt and uncle) love to come over to ride and visit. Ellie and Evelyn seem to have clicked really well (allowing Mommy to keep working at all the stuff that needs to be done around here) and Paul has been making some great salads and sweeping up the floor like a champ!

Anyway, that is the latest. Enjoy the pictures and come and visit when you get a chance!

Love, Katy

I can't help but show her off!

My first few days with Papa and Mimi Carol

Some quick pictures!

Evelyn Marie Schepis

She's here! On Monday, February 22 at 11:30 PM, Evelyn Marie Schepis arrived- 6 llbs, 8 ounces, and 18 and ¾ inches. She’s happy, healthy, and quite a beauty, if I do say so myself!

Of course, being her mother’s daughter, Evelyn made quite an entrance, taking us by storm- Syracuse style. She came so quickly and unexpectedly that Evelyn was delivered within an hour and forty minutes of arriving at the hospital. I guess she decided it was time to join the party!

It has been quite a week for us between Eric’s spectacular defense (he passed with flying colors and huge kudos from his committee) and Evelyn’s birth. We are looking forward to each of you meeting her. Come one, come all- and bring your snuggly hugs and kisses because Evelyn is ready to cuddle everyone!

With all our love,

Mom, Dad, and Evelyn

I think we are ready...

Week 35

We’ve been busy lately- sorry for the gap in updates! Today we had our last ultrasound and although we weren’t able to get any pictures, we did get great news. The baby weighs about 4 lbs., 11 oz. and has a head diameter of about 8 cm. The amount of amniotic fluid around the baby and all the other measurements (whatever they are!) are normal. Between the ultrasound report and the doctor exam, we are healthy and don’t need to start the weekly appointments just yet.

Work is going well. We finished the interview process and found a great substitute while I’m on maternity leave! While this makes me feel a little better about leaving my students in a few weeks, it doesn’t get rid of all my angst. I know, life goes on without me and Mark (my sub) is more than competent.

Eric is doing well too, especially considering his office/bike room is slowly being taken over by baby “stuff.” Yes, our shower has filled up the apartment and the bikes are feeling the squeeze!

We hope all is well with you! Until next week, take care! Love Katy

Week 30

This week the baby’s size is comparable to a butternut squash- my favorite! Big on the growth charts is our baby’s brain. Grooves and wrinkles begin to take form, allowing the baby to do things like regulate body temperature- something my body doesn’t seem to do so well anymore! Muscles and lungs are also getting bigger and stronger. It’s hard to believe that there is still 2.5 months left.

On Wednesday, I have the joy of trying the glucose test again- 3 hours of blood work and 15 hours of not eating. Needless to say, I am NOT looking forward to this. Lucky for me, Eric promises to take me out to eat after that!

Christmas came early for us. On Friday, we got our video camera! Look out Steven Spielberg, here comes Eric Schepis. I’m sure Christmas will be interesting as Eric tries to capture all the fun moments. He is already reading the manual cover to cover.

Alright everyone- we’ll let you know how Wednesday goes! Until then, 12 days until Christmas!

Love, Katy

Week 29

Week 29 is here! Baby Schepis is about 17 inches long, possibly 3 inches from the final length. The weight is also increasing to 3 pounds. It’s hard to believe such a package is curled up inside. Because of the additional fat that is filling out the baby (plumping up for the big day) it is common for the baby to increase elbow jabs with a the tighter space. Hmmmm…

Eric and I have had an exciting week. Last night, we attended the annual Upstate Gala, a black tie affair that raised money this year for the new cancer facility that will be added on to the hospital. As guests of the Neurosurgery department, we dressed to impress, threw up our heels and had a good time. Unfortunately, the fun ended for Cinderella and Prince Charming at midnight- but the dress and shoes are here to stay! Maybe we can find another venue to wear such pretty attire!

Monday is our next big appointment- the glucose test! We’ll let you know how it goes along with any exciting news we hear!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season- good luck braving the Christmas shopping craziness!

Love, Katy

Week 28

Third trimester, here we come! Baby Schepis reaches almost 16 inches in length this week and weighs about 2.5 pounds! Not surprising, the kicks are getting MUCH stronger and more frequent. Blinking is more regular and dreaming may also be happening as the baby gets into a more set sleep pattern…of course, I don’t think there is much sleeping going on as I have been getting kicked nonstop this Thanksgiving break. Along with feeling hiccups (too cool!), it has been a fun week!

During this holiday break, Eric and I have been busy- me making a turkey with all the fixings, Eric working on his paper. We did have our neighbor Mary over to help us put a small dent in our 12.5-pound bird, but there is still so much left over! Today I’ll be busy cooking some turkey noodle soup and a turkey pot pie. Then, I think it's time we freeze the rest because we have definitely had our fill...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We miss you all and can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!

Love, Katy

Week 27

Eric wants to know why I can’t liken the baby’s development to bike parts. So, at his request, I’ll do my best. Let’s see if this baby is bike worthy…As we “roll” into week 27, Baby Schepis is the length of the handlebars on Eric’s bike and the weight of his race wheels (15 inches, 2 pounds!). As the baby pedals circles around my tummy, tastes buds are at their life peak, tasting more now than they ever will. Also on the rise is the baby’s drinking and breathing movements, which help it get ready for that first big gulp of air (and later, many big breaths as it motors up the hill on a bike).

Happy biking everyone! Love Katy

It's a beaut, Clark!

Yes, it's a little early, but with Mom and Dad Kramers up for an early Thanksgiving celebration, we decided to just buy our Christmas tree! Let me tell you, the extra hands came in handy. Between Eric and Dad, the tree was cut and on the car before I could say "Timber!"

We wasted little time in putting the tree up and decorating it, all while listening to Christmas music. After our official Thanksgiving dinner, we topped off our evening with a little Griswald "Christmas Vacation." It doesn't get much better than that. So...Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Week 26

Welcome to the week of the rutabaga, a hefty veggie that weighs about 1.5 pounds. Also impressive is the length of the baby- 13.5 inches from head to foot! This week, the baby is working on adding some fat underneath those layers of skin. I should mention, too, that hair with pigment is growing. Such big milestones...

Things are still going well with us. I have been taking down the halloween decorations while Eric works on the last paper! We are also getting ready to pull out the Christmas stuff and clean up the office space for the nursery! Man, Eric is going to be busy- have you seen our filled closets??

Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone! Talk to you soon!

Love Katy

So what week are we in anyway?

Eric and I went to our 24 week appointment today to find out that in fact, we are a few days further along than they originally thought. My chart had 3 different dates between the various sonograms. After a few minutes of discussion and due date pregnancy wheels, we were given a new official date of February 27th. Keep in mind, that still leaves a window of about 2 weeks on either end in which the baby could be born. This all being said, I am going to change the update days to Saturdays!

As far as today's appointment goes, we learned that all our numbers are great! The baby is doing well and excatly where they would like it to be. I can't complain with that!

Eric and I are up to the same old stuff. We had a great weekend weather-wise and actually got a chance to enjoy what may be the last of the warm weather around here. Of course, I was flipping through the radio on Sunday night and found a station already in full swing with the Christmas music. Apparetnly they make the switch on Novemeber 1st. Man, I have to get Christmas shopping!

And on a last note, happy birthday to all the November babies! Elena, Tim, and Emily- enjoy your day!!!! Talk to you all soon! Love Katy

Whoa Momma! Look at the belly now! I don't understand those stories of women not knowing they are pregnant until birth. I don't know how you could miss something like this?!