Just one more video (yeah right).

Is anything more fun that posting videos of baby? Well, maybe watching them. This one again is primarily for Seth, but it shows Annika as we usually get to see her (when she's not sleeping). I am almost certain that I have never encountered a baby this young being so alert and interactive. And lest you think this is just a new mother's prejudice, her grandma suggested the idea first, and she has her own children to take into account.

This past weekend has also seen several milestones: she lost her umbilical cord, she smiled her first possibly not gas smile, she dirtied four outfits in one day, and she met her paternal grandparents for the first time. They brought her swing and put it together. (She is happily swinging as I type.)

Here is Pake Jake, holding his granddaughter for the first time. It's kinda funny to see something so small in the hands of someone so big.

And here is Nana Judi putting sockies on Annika's hands. (Niki has a habit of scratching her face. She likes to have her hands in that area.) Below, Nana finally gets a glimpse of baby's blue eyes. Baby was inclined to keep them closed for most of the weekend. And one more picture of Annika, just because she's so cute!

This video is the first video we took of baby. She was almost three days old.

Just for Daddy.

This video is just for Seth, who sometimes checks this blog while he's out and away. I really don't expect anyone else to wait through it. We were hoping that she would be more active (when she gets active, she is really enchanting), but as soon as I brought out the camera, she decided she was tired of being entertaining and just wanted to watch us. Still, she is awfully cute, whatever she's doing.

Sorry it's sideways. I was trying to get my sister in the picture, and she's rather tall. This is by far the best video we've gotten of Annika thus far. (We're still new at this video thing.) But even sideways, she's adorable.

Here she is!

Just some pictures and some captions. I don't have enough energy for a full account. Annika Ruth Atsma was born Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 8:10 am. 8 lbs, 7.7 oz. 20.5 inches long.

Here is baby in mom's arms the evening after she was born.

close up: she has blue eyes, and she looks at everything very intently. mom says she's not seen that much alertness in a newborn.

Grandma B. holding baby.

Baby home on Thursday. Sleeping briefly.

What a face! She doesn't mind the camera, but she's not a ham, yet.

Above and below: Max's first encounter with baby. So far, he's been very well behaved, but he sure is fascinated by the noises that come from the bassinet.

In for it.

To those of you who haven't heard yet, I would appreciate prayer for these next few days. Baby is breech, and unless she decides to turn before tomorrow, I will be having a c-section tomorrow morning. I'm not afraid of the surgery anymore, but I'm not overly excited about the recovery process. I don't like being dependent. Please pray that I will have patience, as God has provided all the help I will need wonderfully.