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

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. 

At the Hospital

I'm writing this entry after putting Abby to bed and as Ella is napping on her Daddy's chest next to me. Two little girls. It's still hard to believe, but I've never been more fully aware of the overwhelming blessings I've been entrusted with in my little family. I'm so thankful!

 Ella made a pretty speedy entry into the world! I woke up at 5:30 Tuesday  morning having contractions. We were at the hospital by 9 a.m. and I was holding Ella in my arms by 1:04 p.m. It was quite the whirlwind day, but it was perfect. We were only in the hospital for a quick 24 hours before we headed home to recover and adjust to our new life.

These are some of our first pictures of Ella and our time at the hospital. 

frustrated?

ohhhh how I love love love baby feet

hair

meeting G-Diddy

meeting Grammy

Heather and Nichole came for a visit.

The moment had arrived. It was finally time for Abby to meet her baby sister. She was so excited! It was all Abby could talk about when she called me at the hospital the night before to say goodnight. She called me that morning to make sure Ella was ready and waiting for her. 

When Abby walked into the hospital room, I was standing up waiting to hug her and make a big deal about her being there, but she looked right past me and said, "Hi Mommy! Where's my baby sister?" It was precious to see the way Abby loved on Ella. She was so tender and nurturing. No one told her what to do and she just gently started kissing Ella and talking in a soft voice. Abby didn't like it when Ella cried, but once Abby got over the initial shock of a wailing baby, she starting singing to her to calm her down. Abby kept asking me to unwrap Ella. She loved Ella's feet and was the first to do "This Little Piggy" on her little toes.

At one point a nurse came to take Ella into the nursery for a quick check, but as the nurse took Ella out of the room, Abby got really upset. "I want my baby sister. I don't want them to take my baby sister." When Ella was brought back into the room, the nurse commented that she was returning with a hungry baby. To which Abby responded, "Mommy, Ella wants your boobies!"  :) She gets it!

Abby and Daddy brought us flowers and Abby brought Ella her first baby doll.

best friends for life

our first family (of four) photo

giving Ella her flower. Abby and Mommy each got one too.

Abby introducing Ella to Grandma

meeting Casey

getting ready to bring Ella home

here we go...

so excited to bring baby sister home.