Saturday, July 28, 2012

Week 2








I posed Ella on the bed for a few pictures and Abby immediately climbed right up and imitated her poses! I love my girls.




my sweet little helper








Some favorite Abby phrases right now:
"My baby sister loves me."
Leaning over her baby sister, "Hi Sweetheart! Good to meetcha. I'm glad you're here!"
When Ella is crying, "It's ok baby. Don't worry you're Mommy is coming to take care of you."
"Mommy, Ella says she _____________." (is cold, wants to watch a show with me, loves me...)

It's really precious watching Abby nurture and enjoy her sister and to see Ella respond to her voice in a very real way.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Meeting Papa and Uncle Cory

We ended the week with a visit with Papa and Uncle Cory!


My Dad and his two little granddaughters. I can't get enough of Abby's sweet face. 

Meeting Ella

Being goofy with Papa

loving on Uncle Cory

rocking the red hat

Meeting little Ella

4th of July fun

Just a few days before my due date, we enjoyed a July 4th celebration with friends. Four couples and six kiddos enjoying the festively warm July weather with a backyard BBQ (complete with watermelon and corn on the cob), water fun for the kids and good friends!  Lots of fun!



Bathtime in the Backyard


Grammy stayed with us for the first week after Ella was born and on her last day Uncle Tommy came for a visit. Here are just a few of the fun moments:

Bathtime in the Backyard
making a hot summer night special with a bath in the kiddie pool

Arts & Crafts
painting with Grammy

I LOVE TO PAINT!

so focused. She can literally sit and paint for an hour.
Quality Time
Spending some time with her sissy


Ella

Ice Cream with Grammy and Uncle Tommy
first trip to the Shake Shack

Big sisters get ice cream!


enjoying some ice cream with Grammy

having lots of fun with Uncle Tommy



Jumping up the steps...AGAIN AGAIN!

I'll just sit right here.
story time with Uncle T

Monday, July 16, 2012

Our First Days Home

Our first days home were filled with many visitors, quality time with Grammy, sleep at random hours of the day and lots of cuddling with two super sweet little girls. There has definitely been transition, but so far it's been easier than I ever expected.

Abby adores Ella and can't get enough of her. She doesn't really like how much Ella sleeps, Abby would hold/play/sing to/hug her baby sister all day if she could.  Of course, Abby has had her "baby" moments crying for me to hold her like a baby and even burp her, but most moments are easily resolved. She has wanted me to sit a little longer with her at bedtime while she falls asleep and sing a few more songs, so we've been enjoying that extra time alone singing songs and snuggling as she falls asleep. 

Ella has been an extremely easy going baby. She really only cries when she's gassy or hungry. She sleeps a lot (like most little one week olds) and is a snuggler just like her big sister. Ella eats like a champ and has been waking me up with such sweet little coos just once in the middle of the night. Totally aware that it could all change at any moment, so I'm thankful for the moments of ease we have been given in these first days and I'm rejoicing in those hours of much needed sleep.





my little beautiful girls



out for a walk with her baby sister in their double stroller



always enough room on this momma's lap for her two babies

early mornings in bed with mommy (left arm)....

...and right arm




breakfast with Daddy





date with Daddy to get some icecream
We had visits from lots of friends. We managed to capture some pictures, forgot with others , but are so  thankful for each of you! Thanks for taking the time to come visit AND bring us some yummy dinners! :) 





 We're really enjoying our days together as a family as we continue to adjust to our new normal.