Michael's Homecoming and First Week

Michael FINALLY came home from the hospital on Tuesday April 20th. We were very happy to finally have the entire family at home. He was greeted in the front yard by the stork, Nana, and his big sister Mary Pat. Mary Pat was SO EXCITED to have Michael (aka "The Baby" as she calls him) home that she only wanted to stare at him and touch his feet in the car seat.

Michael's first week was pretty uneventful once he was home. He did great at his first doctor's appointment and has been sleeping and eating great! Mary Pat is adjusting well to being a big sister and loves to look and touch her baby brother. We were sad to see Nana go on Friday but look forward to seeing everyone in SC in a few short weeks!

Enjoy the pictures below and (a bunch) more at this link!

Getting dressed to go home.

Showing off his Irish temper in the car seat.

Daddy taking Michael to the car outside the hospital.

Michael is in the car and ready to go!

Once again we got the stork to announce the arrival of the newest Kolenik!

The Stork was ready in the front yard.

Waiting on the front steps for Michael to get home! Nana let Mary Pat get "dressed up" in her tut and pink sparkly shoes for the special event.

Mary Pat was VERY excited to see the car pull up!
Pulling into the driveway.

Our best attempt at a family picture with the stork.

We couldn't get Mary Pat to stop touching the car seat so we could go inside!

Mary Pat loved rocking Michael in his car seat.

Mommy was happy to have both of her babies at home!

Daddy and Michael in a favorite position on the sofa!

Mary Pat examining Michael.

Mary Pat was VERY excited to hold her baby brother!

Daddy helping Mary Pat hold Michael.

Nana and Michael taking a nap.

Daddy rocking both of his babies!

Michael Charles Kolenik Finally Arrives!!!!

It is with a deep sigh of relief that we are finally publishing this post after the whirlwind of the past few days culminated with us bringing our wonderful new son Michael Charles Kolenik home from NICU.

About two weeks before his birthday, Michael was measuring 9 lbs, and Shannon's fluid level was considered "high normal". Excessive amounts of walking and spicy Mexican food did not kick labor into gear, so on tax day (Thursday, April 15th) at 9am we went to the hospital to be induced. We waited...and waited...and waited for the medicine to kick in and finally, during the second episode of Card Sharks we had watched (check your local listings for hospital tv at 3:30am, that was by far the best thing on) it was time to push. We hope you bet the over as Michael weighed in at 9 lbs. 11 oz. and looked great at 4:29am on April 16th.

Michael's first day was filled with meeting new friends such as Kevin, Kelly, Rosette and family members like Nana, Poppy, Big Poppa, Nanny Pat, Aunt Eileen and of course his big sister Mary Pat. It was a wonderful and joy filled day. Unfortunately, at 3:30am on the 17th Shannon got the wakeup no new mother wants to get (and I got the phone call no new father wants to get), with the news that our son was being transferred to NICU.

It turns out that he had spit up some green substance so there was concern that he may have some internal issues. An x-ray was ordered as well as an upper gastro-intestinal exam to make sure that his insides had formed properly. He was also put on antibiotics to knock out any infection that may have taken hold, and was put onto an IV as well.

Mercifully, all of the tests came back negative and after some further observation our boy was given a clean bill of health. This condition is apparently rather common in large babies whose mothers have elevateved fluid levels.

We were able to take MCK home on Tuesday for many hugs and kisses from his big sister who is completely smitten with her little brother. Thanks to everyone for their prayers during this time, and a special, special thanks to the NICU staff at Winthrop Hospital for doing such an outstanding job.

Please enjoy the pictures below and follow the link for more photos of our little big man. We can't wait for you to meet him!

Here are many more pictures from Michael's first day!

Getting cleaned up. Mommy and Daddy with Michael.

Nana meeting her grandson.

Nana and Michael

Mommy, Daddy & Michael

Trying to taste his entire fist.

Trying out his thumb.

Daddy and his boy.

Mommy was very happy to see Mary Pat!

Holding baby brother

Mary Pat LOVED seeing her baby brother!

Mary Pat did not want to to let her little brother go.

The new and improved Kolenik Family

The two Kolenik siblings!

Kisses from Big Sister Mary Pat!

Three generations of Kolenik men.

Backyard Slide

Well, Mary Pat has had a wonderful time the last few days. On Saturday, Nana and Papi came up from South Carolina to help out as Mommy got closer to her due date. Mary Pat has thoroughly enjoyed having them here and Mommy and Daddy have loved having the extra help, especially in the mornings! Since these are the last few days Mary Pat gets to be "spoiled" as an only child she has been having lots of fun. There have been many walks, a trip to Build-A-Bear, cupcakes, pound cake and many other sweets. However, her favorite treat has been the installation of a slide in our backyard! Mary Pat LOVES the slide and wants to go outside as much as possible. Here are a few pictures of her enjoying her new backyard toy.

Mommy is supposed to be induced tomorrow (Thursday) morning, so check back for any updates on the arrival of Mary Pat's baby brother in the next day or two!

Waving from her slide.

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend filled with fun and beautiful weather! Mary Pat had fun at school Thursday and Friday with an Easter egg hunt on the playground and a special Easter basket from her teachers. On Saturday we had a great time at Aunt Delores and Uncle Pat's house coloring Easter eggs with Big Papa, Pat, Aunt Amy, Uncle Johnny and cousins Emily and Patrice. The cousins even had matching outfits on (that Mommy and Aunt Amy didn't plan)!

Sunday we woke up to find that the Easter Bunny had filled Mary Pat's basket with books, fruit snacks and goldfish, which all were a big hit. After church, Mommy, Daddy, and Mary Pat went into town to enjoy the Easter parade and even got to see the Easter Bunny! The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing and playing outside. Here are some pictures from the day.

In baby #2 news........there is no news. The baby boy is still waiting to make his appearance and will hopefully come sometime within the next week! We promise to keep the blog updated with any news. Being silly outside after church.
She loved the wind blowing her dress!

She thought it was hilarious.
Checking out the Easter Bunny at the parade in town (Mary Pat was not a fan).
Giving the Easter Bunny a high five.
Ready for school on Thursday.
Checking out her Easter basket from her teachers.

The sidewalk chalk was a bit hit.

Chillaxing after school on Good Friday.

Ready to color Easter Eggs at Aunt Delores & Uncle Pat's house!