Hush, Little Baby

Love the little feet! One even popped out of the blanket in the side profile photo below. :)

Travis made the comment yesterday that he can tell Zoe is getting bigger. I think we are more coherent the second time around and are actually noticing the little things...like the day to day changes. She's started gazing back at us, almost examining our faces so I can tell that she's starting to see better.  I even got a couple smiles and grins this past week...it's amazing.

During Zoe's first doctor appointment at the end of July, she weighed in at almost 8 lbs (she's gained 1/2 a pound which is great news).  On the other hand, Mia had her 3 year appointment today and got her shots which was NOT great news.  Oh my goodness...no wonder why Travis sent me off with her and offered to take care of the baby!  He had to do the 2 year old appointment all by himself and I think he was going to avoid this one at all costs!  It's horrible and of course, Mom didn't hold her hands down tight enough (I NEVER can do the straight jacket hold...I'm the worst at it!!) and so Mia got scratched by the needle as the nurse was pulling it out and as Mia went to grab it.  *Sigh*  Bad, bad mommy.  :(  I realize there's a place for doctor's appointments and check ups, but with modern medicine, there's got to be a better way!!

Big Sisters Rule!

This girl turns 3 in a couple weeks!  She's been getting ready for the big day and unlike previous years, we've decided to throw a real birthday party with invitations and a couple neighborhood kids.  We're doing a butterfly theme with butterfly catchers and a butterfly scavenger hunt.  I know, shocker that we're not doing ladybugs!  But I promise there will be ladybugs if Grandma Cheryl is able to live up to her promise with the ladybug "Pillow Pet".  Shhhh...!  (Mia has been singing the commercial for weeks now.  "It's a Pillow...it's a Pet.  It's a Pillow Pet!")

I think Mia has been just as spoiled as Zoe with gifts and treats.  Her Grandma Mam-Mam & Grandpa Earl back in South Carolina spoiled her with a ladybug kickball - it was such a fun treat to get in the mail.  Maybe Mam-Mam will notice the beauuuutiful blanket she knitted in the photo above. :)  All blankets that we've received have been loved by both girls.

Overall, I look at the calendar and can't believe we're already one month down on the maternity leave.  :(  Yes, we all  knew it would go by fast.  The good news is that I'm feeling really well and Mia has started turning the corner and is getting used to Mom and our new addition being home.  We had about 3 weeks of torture, but hopefully we're on the uphill.  She even asked me today, "Mom, are you fragile?"  Hmmmmm.  I sighed and took a moment to assess my mental state before responding. The answer was YES.  Even if it's really no, I always want her to treat me like a delicate flower - or at least consider it before she jumps up into my lap and wants to climb up my legs (which are not good activities post c-section).  :)

Definitely Not Firing on All Cylinders

So, the picture says it all.  Poor, poor Piper is now sporting "The Cone" which is a small glimpse into how everyone in our household is just not quite operating at 100%.  If anyone has their act together, it's Travis.  He's definitely holding down the fort for our family and thank goodness he's there for us!  If you haven't heard, 2 weeks after Zoe arrived, Lucy and Piper had doctors appointments of their own.  Both were having issues and come to find out, Lucy has a slipped disk in her vertebrae and Piper has an infection on her foot that is really inflamed and nasty.  So, the slipped disk is pretty major, but something not recommended for surgery.  She now takes steroids and might have pain medication for the rest of her life.  Sheesh.

I feel like I spend every waking moment feeding the babe...holy cow (literally)!  I forgot about the time investment on just feeding alone.  It's been 3 weeks now and although we're able to get out and I'm feeling pretty good these days, I still feel like I'm in the newborn baby funk.  The one where you don't know what day it is, there are days when you don't go outside to even get the mail and the time is just ticking by and you have NO CLUE where it's gone.  I can't remember what I did yesterday or even two hours ago, so I wouldn't ask.  :) 

The good times are the moments threaded through the hysteria.  For example, when Piper got "The Cone" today, Mia asked why and then asked if we could say a prayer for her since she was hurt.  Melt my heart so of course, we drop everything, shut the TV off and there she goes...saying the prayer for her family and "all our blessings."  It's all worth it!

Zoe is such a beautiful girl and at the end of every day, we feel like our family is complete with her here. 

We love you, Zoe! 

Itty Bitty

We're still amazed at how small Zoe is.  I guess you really do forget how itty bitty newborns are, but you never forget how yummy they are to cuddle with and how they snuggle right up to your chest.  We are lucky to have another sweet baby.  One that is happy and healthy and rarely cries (only when she's hungry).  We've had a couple nights of 4 hour sleep, but mostly we're still up every 2 to 3 hours.  I'm looking forward to the days of a schedule and nap routine.  Even though I've been anxious to get there, it might be a little early to have such high expectations!

We haven't had the chance to email everyone or get our thank you cards out just yet so we wanted to say thanks to everyone who has helped us welcome this new baby into our family!  It's been such an exciting time, but exhausting.  We have really enjoyed the visits, gifts, dinners and well wishes. :)

Happy 4th of July!

For our holiday, we walked out front and were able to view the fireworks from the parking lot overlooking the valley. We also had a visit from a professional photographer provided by the hospital. I thought this was a great idea! She snapped these photos right in our room and although I would have preferred to get ready before snapping photos, I thought she did a great job capturing the moment. I just adore this blanket knitted by a girlfriend from work, it made the photos that much more special since this is Zoe's blankey. :)

Welcome, Baby Sister!

Baby Zoe has arrived! 

She is 7 lbs. 5 oz. 19 1/2 in.  What a cutie!  :)  The surgery went very well and we are amazed at how mellow she is.  She's cried a few times, but is easy to appease.  She has lots of dark brown hair that is all the rage in the nursery.  But if you remember, Mia had dark hair, too, but only when she was born.  Have you seen our blondie lately?  I would have never imagined having blonde kids - we'll see if we end up with two blondies!

Life is good, we are proud parents and are loving to cuddle with our newest addition.  She is healthy and beautiful. 

Almost Here!

Just a few days left and we'll get to meet our sweet, little pea!

When I talked to Mia on the phone on Friday, her first question was, "Is Zoe coming out of your belly yet?"

I had to explain that I was just at work, but yes, she will be arriving within a couple weeks!

We're really getting close now...

Oh, the anticipation!

Thanks, Nikol!  For letting us use your downright amazing loft to take some snapshots!