Time Flies

I can't believe how quickly time is flying. Audrey will be 4 weeks old this week. Yesterday was a big day for us as Grandma Lala left after being here for a week. Her visit followed three weeks of Nana's helping hands. We even had help from Aunt Kristen for a few days in the last month and visits by Aunt Ashley, too.








So, for the first time in one whole month we were on our own yesterday as a family of four. We did fine the first day. We did quite well, actually. We even did laundry and managed to make a decent dinner. We sure enjoyed the extra help during this time of transition, but I think we can do this on our own now. Of course, we're not going to argue if the grandmas (or the aunts) want to come back for another extended stay!

Because I know it's been a while since I posted pictures, here are some of my favorites from the past few weeks...

Getting Acquainted

I think Natalie is very excited to be a big sister. She's curious about all aspects of baby care and enjoys watching Audrey wiggle, yawn, eat, sneeze and sleep. But even with this major change in our household, it's funny how Natalie-focused Natalie remains. I guess that's the beauty of being 3. At the end of her day, it's still very much all about Natalie!

I think she looks at Audrey as just another member of her doting audience as she performs her song and dance routines for us (multiple times a day). After each of her performances, she asks (tells) us to clap. I imagine she'll take it upon herself to teach Audrey how to clap very soon! Natalie prefers Audrey watch all her other daily doings as well...she'll say, "tell Audrey I'm playing with stickers," "tell Audrey I'm coloring with pens," "tell Audrey I'm a princess."

So, for now, everyone's happy. Natalie has a new, captive member of her audience and Audrey has all the entertainment a newborn could dream of.

Welcome Home

Every part of Audrey's arrival was calm...much different from the way we welcomed Natalie. A planned c-section may not be the most natural way to have a baby, but it couldn't have gone more smoothly.

One part I'll always remember is that while they finished my surgery (after baby Audrey left the operating room with the nurses and her proud papa) we started talking about LOST...my doctor, the OR nurses, the anesthesiologist and me. We talked about our theories regarding the ending, the whole series, our favorite characters, you name it. It's hilarious, now that I think about it, that I was an active part of this conversation about one of my favorite subjects while I was being operated on!! During my emergency c-section with Natalie I'm fairly certain I would have had trouble remembering my own middle name!

Our stay in the hospital was great, but we were anxious to get home. Nana had been at home with Natalie before and during our hospital stay. Grandma Lala, Papa Rod and Aunt Ashley all came to town over the weekend to meet Audrey and shower her new big sister with lots of attention! Our hospital didn't really welcome toddlers to the mother/baby floor so Natalie had to wait until we arrived home to meet her baby sister. When we got home, I was able to wake Natalie up from her nap (I cried when I saw her...she looked so big to me after days spent with such a little one) and spend a few minutes alone with her before we came out together to meet Audrey.

Nana had helped Natalie plan a birthday/homecoming party for Audrey, complete with a welcome home painting, cupcakes and candles. After spending a little time letting Natalie touch and kiss her new baby sister, we sat down at the table for a "Happy Birthday" serenade to Audrey and cupcakes decorated with HEAPS of frosting by her proud big sister! Something tells me, if Natalie gets her way, we might be celebrating every Audrey monthly milestone with cupcakes and singing!

Heading Home

Natalie's (with Nana's help, of course) welcome painting for baby Audrey.

They meet...

This is the first time the "moms" (now known as "the grandmas") have been together since our wedding. And actually, Audrey came home two days before our 8th wedding anniversary so the timing was actually reunion-like. They had a great time together.

Grandma Lala and Papa Rod are in love with this new little brunette of ours!

Aunt Ashley (who spent her entire visit BEHIND the camera instead of in front of it) made a beautiful photo album for Natalie filled with pictures of her when she was a tiny baby. It was the perfect gift!! Natalie slept with it the night before we came home from the hospital and asks often if we can read the "Natalie Story" to her.

What a sweet memory Audrey's homecoming will always be for us.

Audrey

I have a post I want to do about Audrey's homecoming...but I haven't had a chance to compose that yet. So, in the meantime, I thought I'd post a few pictures of this dreamy newborn of ours. When I say "dreamy"...I mean it in more ways than one. She is such a sleeper. I have no idea if this will be the case a week from now so we're all enjoying it while we can!

What a wonderful addition to our life.