Welcome Home Crosby

Last night around 8pm we packed everything up at the hospital and headed home.  The first night at home was a success, mom and Crosby are sleeping right now so I have a little time to post new pictures.  Today we have an appt for Crosby to check his "area" since we left the hospital within 24 hours of his mini surgery.  So far so good,  he is eating well and giving us a little bit of time for sleep.  Parker slept through the night even with all the crying, very nice.  Time for waffles with Parker, thanks for all the support and love from everyone.  We are one lucky family.


Parker visited Mom and Crosby before school on 8/18

So sweet and tiny

Crosby and dad sleeping while mom gets ready to go home

Parker and Crosby are ready for their first ride together

Finally Home, Parker led the way

The boys relaxing at home on our first night together

Crosby Graham Mellenthin

What an amazing day, details to come later.  A healthy baby boy was born 3 hours after we arrived at the hospital.  Crosby Graham Mellenthin weighs 7 lbs, 10 ounces & is 21 inches long.  Everyone is doing very well.

Is today the day?

Had an appt for Pen today at 3 and the doc said it was time for the baby to arrive.  Now only if the baby & Pen agreed, right.  We are going for a walk right now in hopes to move this process along faster.  If anything else changes in the next 24 hours we will let you know.

I just heard, "I have more cramping than last week"....there is still hope for an 8/16 baby.  Doubles run in the family, Parker was stubborn and came 4 hours early for his birthday to match the  "double theme of the family" (4/8) but thats ok, we still love him.

Forecast: Hot & Humid with a chance of baby.

Its been about 2 weeks since our last post, sorry about that.  Penny is 2 weeks from our due date, we are so excited to meet the little one!  Saturday would be a great day to have a baby, right?  An 8/14 birthday would be double Parker's (4/7)!  Penny had  some contractions yesterday that were about 6 minutes apart, it lasted for about 2-3 hours and then became less consistent, we are so close.  More her than me but you get it.

The last 2 weeks have been super hot and humid, especially for our little home that doesn't have central air.  We did a family camp out in the living room one night, bought extra fans and spent some time at the Berggren's home to beat the heat.  They may wake up one day with the Mellenthin's sleeping in their living room if this heat keeps up.

Not much else is new here, looking forward to selling our home if we find the right person/couple...and now they'll have less leaves to rake up since a tree split in the backyard and fell over yesterday.  We'll post again soon, hopefully with pictures of the little one.

July 28th

Exactly 4 weeks remaining.  Can you believe it?  Us either.

What a day today.  After Parker was dropped off at day-care we received a call asking if we would give permission to let him travel on a bus (his first bus ride ever) to the Shawano Speedway with the older kids.  I wanted to watch him on his first bus ride, plus it was 35-45 minutes away so it wasn't just a quick stroll across town but I guess this means he is growing up.  We were excited for him but sad at the same time, all parents know the feeling.  If you know anything about Parker, he loves 3 things in his life; his Mom first and foremost, his dinosaurs and his race cars.  He came home with stickers, race car spec sheets, and he was full of stories about the cars and the race track.  And to top it off he went to McDonalds for lunch.  He ate the apples, drank his milk and still won't eat the burgers or the chicken nuggets...I love him!  It was great to see him sooo excited about his day with the big kids.  After dinner we ran over to the Neville Museum in GB for a quick tour.  He loved the little boxes they had set up for kids to "dig up" eggs like a paleontologist and the ice cave.  What a great day for the whole family.

Here is Parker with the "Big Brother" T rex

....and the Dad Trex

Enjoying time with Mom

Mom and baby posing for the Bald Eagle 

while Parker looks for snakes

Exploring different types of eggs

Parker checking out Oviraptor eggs that were found in China

Digging for eggs with Mom

Only as big as an adult therapod tibia, I think 

Walking with the Dinosaurs next week will be amazing for our junior paleontologist

Week 35

4 weeks and counting before the newest family member arrives.  Since our last post we have taken the kids out on the boat, attended the Mellenthin family Christmas in July and had a few pretty funny comments from Parker.  Tomorrow we have an appointment for Pen and the baby,  after that, we continue waiting.  Next week will be busy with an appointment Tuesday and then Walking with the Dinosaurs on Wednesday.  Parker is so excited, we can't wait to take him.

The Berggren's were out on the boat with us, Madisyn was brave and went tubing with daddy!  Sweet, we have a waterbug on our hands.  And Parker practice swimming at Grandma & Grandpa's pool the following weekend and loved Brody's slip n' slide.


Before the pictures I have to share one story:
Sunday I was on my my to play basketball in Appleton and I received a phone call from Penny.  Not the call, the baby isn't ready yet.  Parker was at home and apparently needed to do the good ol' # 2 half way through his bath.  While in the process of doing his business, Pen heard him say " come on sunshine" in reference to his #2 that wasn't coming out as fast as he wanted.  Pretty hilarious stuff!  Can't wait for the next one to join our journey.

Boat Works Again

Great weekend for waterskiing.  Friday night we spent time with Keith, Laura, Bella and Olivia at Fratellos by the water.  It was a great summer evening for a relaxing dinner and walk along the Ashwaubenon "boardwalk".  Saturday morning I went for the first of many long runs in preparation for the Chicago marathon in October.  After the run, Mark and Brian met me at the boat landing to test the Mastercraft out and it worked great.  No wind, 7am and only 2 boats on the river makes for great skiing conditions.  This week we have our 34 week appointment for Penny...time is flying and soon we'll be post newborn pictures....riding along with the rest of the family on the boat.  I want the newest family member to be one with the water & the boat.  I guy can dream, right.