Matt's First Day

The girls were ecstatic to welcome their daddy home after his first day of work at American University. He doesn't start teaching chemistry for a few weeks yet, but he's busy setting up his lab and meeting with colleagues and students.

Having Fun at Home

Grandma Hartings arrived on Sunday, and it's been super-happy fun time ever since. The girls have been running wild, still enthralled with all the space a house provides, but they've been good about being calm around their baby brother. Jack is still content to snooze the day away!

Big Helpers

Kaitlyn and Claire have been our big helpers this week, planting flowers and herbs with Daddy and taking good care of their new little brother. Of course, there's also been plenty of time for playing!

A Few Favorites

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the past three days at home.

"Aunt" Jen Comes to Visit

Early this summer, Jen offered to fly out for a few days to help us clean and prepare for the arrival of little "Rocky." Little did she know then that along with scrubbing and painting, she'd be holding her new godson, Jack!

Kaitlyn was delighted that Jen helped her paint her new room PINK. The pictures tell it best. And I was beyond excited to share these first few special days at home with one of my very best friends there to share in the joy (and exhaustion!)

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jen! You took such great care of all of us, and we are so very grateful!

The New Baby!

Little "Rocky" could not wait to join us in our new home, so he decided to arrive three weeks early!
Jack Alexander Hartings was born at 10:10 p.m. on Sunday, July 25th, weighing 6 lbs, 13 ozs and measuring 19 inches.

It was a stormy day here in the DC area, with trees and power lines coming down all over the place. After 14 hours of induced labor in a hospital with no a/c and limited lighting, Jack finally arrived on the scene (and power was miraculously restored!)

He is a sweet-natured little guy, and we are delighted to be bringing him home with us tomorrow to play with his big sisters and Grandma and Papa Kneen!

The New House

After two and a half weeks in the new house, most of the boxes are unpacked, and we are beginning to settle in to every room (except the basement, which is Matt's pet project). As requested, here are a few shots of the house as it comes together.

Many thanks to all of our family and friends who helped us get here and get organized. It took a LOT of work to get the place cleaned and fixed for habitation!