Steve and I reported to Akron General hospital at 7:30 in the morning to begin getting ready for my c-section. We were the first couple there that morning, so we had a lot of nurses and doctors coming in to check on us. They also had a lot of students that day. Even though I hate needles, I went ahead and let a student put in my iv. Actually, she tried to put it in but couldn't, so her professor had to do it for her. Even she struggled trying to find my little veins.
Steve and I enjoyed playing around with our little caps before the surgery. I am sporting the bonnet look. Steve's best look was when he puffed it up in the middle and made himself look like the pope. The nurses thought it was really funny and had never seen anyone play with their caps before, which I found surprising.
Pope Steve! I was taken into the operating room and was given my spinal before they brought in Steve. Steve held my hand during the whole operation. The medication makes it a little difficult to breathe, so I had a little bit of anxiety during the whole thing. I looked over at Steve and he was sweating really bad and had gotten really pale. I asked him what was wrong and he said he didn't feel well. I was worried that he was going to faint. I asked him what was going on with him and he said he didn't want to talk about it. Later, Steve told me that he was very nervous during the whole surgery and kept thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I think we both felt that way this time, because the last time we were just so tired and ready to get Addison born that we didn't even think about it. 
Kimber Dodson
7 lbs 9.9 oz
Getting cleaned up
The happy daddy!
I was a little tired after the surgery and was feeling pretty cold, so they gave Kimber and I lots of blankets to snuggle in.
Kimber didn't have any complications after birth. She just hung out in the incubator for a few minutes after birth. The rest of the hospital stay she roomed with us.
We were lucky to be the first people there that day. We were given the large suite at no extra charge. Addison spent that morning at a friend's house, so by the time she made it to the hospital she was completely asleep!
Grammy introducing Addison to baby Kimber
sleeping peacefully
We arrived at the hospital Tuesday morning and checked out Friday afternoon. Overall, everything went really smooth and it was a good experience. My mom stayed with us for almost two weeks and handled basically everything, so I really got to focus on breastfeeding and trying to heal from my c-section. 
Addison and I had a special mommy/daughter day a couple of weeks ago. We drove down to Hudson to a fun hairparlor just for kids. She got her hair cut and got it "princess" styled! Originally, she wanted to get her nails painted too but she got too nervous. Afterwards, we walked around and window shopped. We ate lunch together and picked out cupcakes to bring home to eat with daddy. It's fun having a girly day with my special girl!
My little cowgirl! We had a mini dance party for Addison and I. She put on her tutu and cowboy boots. We cranked the radio and danced! It was a lot of fun!
Addison and I took turns brushing each other's hair and styling it. I decided to try some braids. Addison seemed to like the results.
Addison hanging out with her dog, Gigi.
Addison has loved having her daddy around more now that we are living in the same state! Here they are enjoying some books together.
Steve has taken over a few chores to help me out now that I am a week and a half away from having Kimber. Tonight, he bathed Addison and got her completely ready for bed. He even used the hair dryer!
two peas in a pod
Cheers!
Sometimes Addison wears her daddy out :)
Steve and Addison playing hide and go seek. This is how I found daddy. . .we may need to work on his hiding skill! :)
I can't believe my little girl is growing up so fast! She is a beautiful little girl. We love having her in our lives!
Addison began going to preschool after we moved to Ohio. She goes 3 days a week for 3 hours at Absorbant Minds Montessori School. She has loved her two teachers and being able to play with other children. Here is Addison on her first day with her daddy!
Addison's look seems to be saying "Okay, mom can we go inside now?"
Here's Addison the night before school started. We talked to Addison (again) about what school would be like and gave her a Minnie Mouse backpack. She loved it so much that she wore it around the rest of the evening!
Addison LOVES her Poppa Larsen. Here's these two after Addison had her hair done by grammy and then grammy helped her to do Poppa's hair! Note: Poppa and Addison have matching bows!
Addison's first trip to the dentist was. . .okay. I told Addison what to expect before we went, but she still was really nervous when she saw that big chair. I had to sit in the chair and hold her on my lap. Addison did not appreciate the dentist brushing her teeth and messing with her mouth. When it was over, Addison was given a little bag of toys, a new toothbrush, and a coloring page. Addison then declared that going to the dentist was "fun." About ten minutes later in the car, Addison told me that she didn't like the dentist. Hopefully it will go better next time! :)
My family had already left town before Christmas, so Steve and I celebrated with just our little family. It was really fun and special to see Addison open up her presents, especially since this was her first year to really understand the Santa concept.
One of Addison's favorite activities this Christmas was decorating cookies. We decorated sugar cookies when all the Larsen clan was together and we decided to decorate Santa's batch with the Connelly family.
My little decorator!
The finished product. . .Addison had a little trouble not eating while working if you can tell!
Nate's awesome snowman creation!