Sweet Siblings

All in all our first week home as a family of four has gone pretty smoothly. Here are a few sibling shots I couldn't resist sharing. Bubba crawled up on our bed to "cuddyo" "our baby sister" which is what he calls her. Mommy is learning to put her down only in safe spots. Later that same morning things were too quiet and I found Hank on the floor next to her bassinet. He was just waiting for her to wake up. Bubba loves to have her "watch shows" with him in the morning.

Our Little Angel

Bubba's stage debut was Wednesday night as an angel. He wasn't too wild about the costume. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYNWVMI1rMU

The 2 year old group was supposed to sing 3 songs. He made it through "Ring the Bells" and then decided he'd rather sit on his Mom's lap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6ZCgNu1540

Mommy's 33rd Birthday

Thursday was my 33rd birthday. My family came over with a yummy ice cream cake to celebrate with us. I received sweet cards which would have made me teary even without all of my hormones and really thoughtful gifts - including a gift certificate to the GAP :) and a big check from my inlaws that I need to find a fun way to spend. Here's the crew minus Nanny who was taking the picture. The ice cream cake from Coldstone Creamery was fantastic and Aunt Klions ate a piece even though a little spit flew through the air as Bubba worked so hard to get those darn candles out.

A few more pics I couldn't resist posting

Our two huge blessings! Haddie's first bear from her Aunts - K2 & K3! Cuddling with Dad is becoming an obsession for both of them :)

Wednesday Picture of Our Sweet Girl

Per your request KT - here is her sweet face cuddling with Daddy. Sleeping in her bassinet which she did from 11pm-almost 4am. I'm sure it's a total fluke but did her Mommy & Daddy ever love the sleep. Our "James" - William was Haddie's NICU nurse following our Csection and then has been assigned to us for the last 2 days. He's off for the rest of the week so he came in to say goodbye.

More Day 1 Baby Pics

Our DAUGHTER!

We have a daughter! Esther Louise Merritt arrived via C-section at 8:03AM this morning. She weighed 7 lbs. 5.4 ounces and was 20 inches long. I'll load up as many pictures as it will let me and the details will have to come later :)

39 Weeks and Done Tomorrow

At the request of my sister K3 - here is what is probably my last belly picture taken yesterday morning as we headed out the door to church. We are off to the hospital at 5AM tomorrow and if everything is running according to schedule Bubba's baby sister should arrive between 7:30 and 8. Thanks again for all of your prayers for us! We'll post some pictures as soon as we can!

Trimming the Tree

Well the tree has been up and lit since before Thanksgiving so 3 days pre-Csection I decided the ornaments need to be done. I coerced my hubby with cinnamon rolls and cocoa. Bubba needed no coercion but definitely enjoyed a cinnamon roll on his new John Deere tractor plate.So now in the spirit, my husband found some great traditional Christmas music on Yahoo which we played from his laptop while we worked. Bubba was most excited to put up his Present Garland from Nanny and his new Lightening McQueen and TowMater ornaments (from the CARS movie). Then I mentioned that Daddy could lift him up and he could put ornaments on the top branches. He thought that was a great idea although Daddy got a workout lifting his 35 lbs up and down, up and down.

Oh the things we do for our kids...

Last night we bundled up Bubba in a million layers (us too) and met our friends downtown to catch some Christmas spirit. The temp was a little below 20 degrees with a little windchill making it even chillier. We had a front row spot for the Holiday Lights Parade on the edge of Green Square Park (currently being held hostage by gazillions of crows and their droppings which made for many jokes by the Dads).

Now back to the parade - it was complete with Santas, Nativity scenes, a band, firetrucks and some candy. Then we warmed up in a coffee shop while we waited for the fireworks to start (all 4 minutes of them).

I kept teasing a certain spouse of mine calling him Scrooge when he complained about the cold because somehow it never seems to bother him on the days he's hunting pheasants.

The boys loved it all and especially loved my husband encouraging them to yell "BOOM - AH!" for the fireworks.

A new family tradition? Probably yes :)
Here's Bubba all bundled in his stroller and doing his best CHEESE. Maybe our last pose as a family of 3? Kelley, Pete, Ernie, and Baby Girl-to-be :)