life lately with two little ladies

nora & evy,

well, it's been 3 weeks since you two met and we became a family of 4!  you two are learning to adjust to life with each other (ok, well mainly nora you're learning to adjust to life as a big sister and not being the only child!) 

sometimes things can be quite crazy...especially when you two conspire against mommy and decide to cry and want something at the exact. same. time.  thanks, ladies...

but most of the time, things are wonderful and i feel like my life is so complete with you two girls.  nora, you are an amazing helper and a caring, loving big sister.  

evy, you are just the sweetest baby and already have learned to go with the flow (second child issues).  

evy, you turn 3 weeks old today!  we had a rough week health-wise, but still managed to fit in quite a few fun activities!  tuesday we were at the pumpkin patch and you were spitting up neon yellow. now, you've been quite the spitter since birth, but the neon yellow?! yikes, girlfriend.  you scare me!  so a trip to the ped was in order.  an ER visit followed after that for quite a few tests that thankfully, all came back normal.  they told us you have reflux and started you on some meds.  we learned that the meds won't necessarily keep you from spitting up, but they'll reduce the acid and it won't hurt you to spit up.  but really, the spit up can stop... i'm already sick of doing laundry and changing our clothes 8 times a day :) fortunately though, after we went back for yet another weight check (what is it with you girls not gaining weight at a young age?! you trying to give your mama gray hair already?!) you gained a few ounces and are now up to a whole 8lbs.  you go, girl! 

sleep-wise you're doing "okay"...some good nights and some not-so-good nights.  you're up a few times a night but have some trouble falling asleep thanks to all the spit up.  you rarely cry though, so i'll take it... but please, keep the coffee coming! 

so in your 3 weeks of life, you got to watch big sis at gymnastics class, go to the pumpkin patch, a few target runs (because really, that's what keeps mama sane!), lots of walks and park visits.  you are so content hanging out in the solly baby wrap during our walks.  thank goodness because this gives mama two hands to tackle the toddler in our lives :) 

here are some pictures from the week... because really, it's all about the pictures!! 

telling silly stories with grandma :) 

i caught this unprompted moment... "hi baby evy!" 

big yawns! so over our attempted "big-little sister photo shoot"

just leave the photo shoots to the professionals... neither one of you wanted this... 

baby pumpkins & coffee make grocery shopping with two just that much easier

'mingos! 

attempted family photo...fail. 

full hands.  full heart.  xoxo 

early morning walks

sweet sweet evy girl... 

our first week as a family of 4...

dear nora and evy,

well, we have officially been a family of 4 for just over a week now!  we got home from the hospital and have been enjoying our time together ever since.  

nora, you are learning to adjust to not being the center of attention and you are doing so well!  you really seem to love your baby sister and always ask to "see baby, mommy!"  every time you wake up that's the first thing you say! 

nora, you are such a good helper, too! you constantly want to help change diapers, get blankets or burp cloths and turn on the swing.  you're learning what you can help with and what is better for mommy and daddy to do :) we took a ride in the car to starbucks the other day and you kept tabs on evy the whole time... telling mommy "evy happy!" or "evy eyes closed! sleeping, mommy!" or my favorite, "evy spit again, mommy!"

i look forward to watching your relationship continue to grow and the day you two become best friends (hopefully!).  

funny story for the week... grandma said "bye evelyn & nora!" and nora you responded with "no evelyn, evy grandma!" i guess we've been using evy's nickname too much and you're not used to her full name! :) 

evy, you are such a sweet baby!  you fit into our lives so perfectly, you light up our world, and really complete our family.  i never knew my heart could be so full and having you, nora and daddy in my life is just perfect.  

we love our little girls! 

xoxo,

mommy & daddy

here are some pictures from our first week together...

we're home! the "balloon ladies" decorated our house with welcome home & happy birthday balloons! 

so alert and happy! 

my two favorite girls :)

first outing as a family of 4! 

happy one week and due date! 

first bath

"i hold baby, mommy!" 

"big sister nora!" 

Welcome, Evelyn Jane!

Welcome, Evelyn Jane!

September 20, 2015.  5:06am

7pounds 14ounces 19inches

You couldn't wait to join our family!

All our love,

big sister Nora, mommy & daddy! 

happy 2nd birthday!

happy official second birthday, nora!

i say "official" because we've been celebrating all month long!  with free treats here and a party there, it seems like every day in august has been your birthday! 

it amazes me how much you have grown up in the past few months, let alone year.  you are talking in almost full sentences and can communicate anything you need/want to us.  your words are pretty clear and almost everyone can understand what you're saying.  

your favorites:

food...

peanuts, noodles, dip (PB, hummus, salsa...), grapes, blueberries, crackers, cheerios (go-go's), milk, and cheese. that's honestly about all you'll eat these days! 

toys...

little people, blocks, anything that makes an obnoxious noise, puzzles, any outside toy, and your baby dolls.  you have one doll molly (or as you call her, "oggie") that comes everywhere with you!

books...

goodnight moon, the napping house, are you my mother?, pout-pout fish, flora the flamingo.  these are on a constant rotation in our house!

things to do...

go to the pool, beach, or park, go to the zoo and see the flamingos, and play outside with your friends.  oh yeah, and watch daniel tiger or curious george :) you LOVE going to gymnastics class!  every tuesday daddy takes you to "mastics" and you tell him you are so "sited!" (excited)

you're getting so much taller and bigger, too! you weigh 27 pounds and are 34 inches tall.  your hair has grown so much and has the sweetest little blonde ringlets in the back! we can officially put it into pigtails or a ponytail!

being 2 comes with it's challenges, too.  you LOVE to do anything and everything on your own.  your favorite phrase is "i do it, mommy" and you really do try to do everything on your own.  when you can't do it, you get pretty frustrated.  we're working on you asking for help.  it's pretty cute when you say "need help".  :) 

you love to help around the house and are getting ready to be a big sister!  you are going to be such a sweet big sister, i just know it!  

happy second birthday, my love!! mommy & daddy love you so very much!

xoxo

mommy & daddy

opening presents 

playing with your kitchen & making mommy & daddy noodles :)

nora & grandma :)

happy 2nd birthday!!!

opening MORE presents! a very special book :)

august 27, 2013

august 27, 2014 (1 year old)

august 27, 2015 (2 years old!)

2nd birthday party

happy birthday party day, nora! 

today we had your 2nd birthday party and you just could not wait!! we decided to celebrate with an ice cream theme... your favorite!  for weeks leading up to your party it was all you could talk about!  every time "birthday" was mentioned you would say "ice cream party!" you loved having all your friends and family at your house for the party.  we lucked out with weather... it was hot & there was a threat of storms, but we made it through almost the whole party without rain!  

my favorite part of the day was singing happy birthday to you!  you loved singing along and attempting to blow out the candles.  we had such a great day and were so thankful that all those in your life could be there.  you are one lucky lady :)

don't mind the messy garage... it was too hot to put the toppings & ice cream in the sun! 

caught you licking the frosting off the cake :) 

"happy birthday to you!" 

thanks for the smile for our only family picture of the day, nora :)

enjoying ice cream with some of your friends :)