Sisters!

First Bottle

A Belated Hometown Christmas

Auntie Jill made Tessa & Tatum lots of Tutus!!!

Snowy Christmas in O-town!

We were lucky to have Jason's mom, Grandma Biermann with us over Christmas. We made it to mass on Christmas Eve through oodles of snow, and stopped at McDonalds on the way home- what a great night! Tatum has been really excited about Santa coming this year and even grew suspicious anytime she heard a sound, wondering if there were reindeer on the roof or Santa was in the sky by the moon. Tatum is a pro at gift opening, after Christmas and opening the many gifts that have arrived for little sis Tessa!



Elmo Potty Seat- A favorite gift!!!

Christmas Eve after Mass

First Bath

The recent stats...

Starting weight: 8lbs, .8 oz
Starting length: 20.5 inches

Discharge weight 7lbs, 12 oz

Tessa's stats after 2 weeks home from the hospital...

8 lbs, 9 oz & 21 inches!!!

Tessa is already barely fitting into her newborn outfits, and some of her 0-3 size outfits from Old Navy are also too short & tight! She is a growing girl and we just love the way she cuddles up with us! We couldn't be a happier group of Silly Stilles!

So angelic

These photos were taken in our home, with Tessa only 9 days old courtesy of Mike Beck. We thank him for his patience, especially when Tatum was not-so-cooperative!

My favorite!!!

Tessa's first days...

Our little Tessa Carolena!

Lisa & Tessa: "The Flyers"

Tessa's speedy arrival!

Sorry for the 2 week delay! Things have been busy in a very good way, and most of you have seen photos via email or facebook, somehow the blog was the last of the media that I have managed to update.

We are doing great and are happy to introduce our little angel- Tessa Carolena Stille! First, here is the brief description of her speedy arrival!

I was scheduled for an induction on December 21st.

Sunday morning, December 20th

4:30 AM- contractions every 9 minutes (this did not concern me since I had been having small regular contractions off and on for weeks)

5:30 AM- woke up again, contractions are 7 minutes apart

5:40 AM- showered

5:52-6:11 some stronger contractions, 6-7 minutes apart

6:19 AM stronger contractions about 5 minutes apart / Tatum wakes up = no more counting, let's get everything loaded!

6:45 AM Tatum is picked up by our good friends Mike & Katie Arbataitis. She gets to pick out doughnuts and is completely spoiled all day!

7 AM Jason helps Lisa get her shoes on, she is suddenly really hot, sweaty and having contractions really close together. They depart for the hospital, calling the doctor and Lisa's doula on the way.

7:20 AM We pull up in front of the hospital. After a contraction, Jason helps Lisa in to the lobby, she has another contraction and drops to the floor, grabbing onto Jason's leg. A nurse spots us and grabs a wheelchair and takes us up to L&D. There has been much construction since Tatum's birth and Jason doesn't know the fastest way to the unit. Lisa has her eyes shut and can't really help him find the way, so thanks to this nurse for helping us out!

After a nurse helps Lisa into a gown, and onto the hospital bed it is discovered that she is dilated 10 cm! Nurses scramble to get things ready, & Lisa remembers saying "HURRY!". An OB resident arrives. Within minutes Lisa's water breaks, and Tessa is born at 7:36 AM after just 5 pushes or less! Tessa Carolena Stille weighs in at 8lbs and .8 ounces. She measures 20 1/2 inches long.

Tessa is healthy, but doesn't cry right away as fluid is being suctioned from her lungs. She is happy until she is bathed and other than that really doesn't cry much during her first 24 hours. We are informed that those who come in with such advanced labor and give birth almost right away are labeled "flyers". Even the nurses in the postpartu area later mention "so I heard you were a flyer!". We aren't sure if this term is meant to describe Lisa or Tessa, but it makes for a good story to be told for many years to come. Lisa feels great, eats breakfast and even asks to walk down the long hallway to the postpartum room but is convinced to take it easy and take a ride in the wheelchair.

Tessa is lucky to share a birthday with her soon-to-be uncle Jesus (Jill's fiance).

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes, and support- we love you and are so blessed to have our two girls!!!