On newborns: You forget....

Since the birth of Grace....I find myself saying in my head a lot of the time "You forget...." followed by something that I 'forgot' about since having Parker as a newborn.

• You forget about the sleepless nights...
• You forget about just how many diapers you go through in a day (seriously....you really do forget this!! ;) ....
• You forget about how your laundry seems to double....
• You forget about how long it takes for the surgical tape residue to come off of your skin (12 days and counting...)....
• You forget how easy it is to fall asleep sitting up (I've even found myself dosing while just blinking my eyes!!)....
• You forget that, although these days are rough, they are numbered....so you remind yourself of this so that you can enjoy this short time with them so little....
• You forget how helpless they are and how they depend on you for every little thing....
• You forget how irregular their breathing pattern is....
• You forget the funny noises they make while they are sleeping....
• You forget how wobbly they are....
• You forget how soft their skin is....
• You forget how good they smell...
• You forget how little they are....
• You forget just how sweet they really are....
• You forget what life was like before them....
  

And oddly enough....you are reminded, yet again, how amazing the miracle of life is.

her first sponge bath...

I gave Grace her first sponge bath this past Thursday. I'm not sure if it was overdue or not....I think I waited longer with her than I did with Parker. But anyway....

For some reason I was afraid that she would not like the water/warm rag touching her. Parker has always loved the water/baths...and so I guess I thought Grace would be the opposite??

Nevertheless....she seemed to enjoy...or rather, it didn't seem to bother her at all!

I went from head to toe....taking off and adding new clothing as I went in an effort to keep her warm!

One more newborn photo....

We did finally get around to taking some pictures on Wednesday, but the lighting in the house was horrible due to the overcast skies. That...coupled with the fact that we really don't know what we are doing. But here is one that I have somewhat finished up and wanted to share. Hopefully I will get around to more of them later today or tonight!

The Fisher Price Play Gym

We got this Fisher Price Rainforest Play Gym as a gift when we were pregnant with Parker. I don't think it got much use because she wasn't too much of a fan.

Well...now....

Grace is able to use the play gym....and Parker has her own play gym for Lovey (also made by Fisher Price and is also the "rainforest" theme) that Aunt Sister gave her for her birthday.

So yesterday...we got them both out for the first time. Grace didn't seem to mind it....and neither did Lovey! Haha! :)

Parker wanted to "turn on" the mobile on her play gym....but we told her it was broken (it doesn't have one) so she had to sing. And sing she did! For about 5 minutes! And bless her little heart....she can carry a tune about as good as her Momma. :)

one week old...

It was one week ago today that our little Grace joined our family. Things are going pretty well around here. Then again...it's been so nice having Geoff home with us 24/7. I'll be missing him and his help next week when he returns to work.

We went to the pediatrician's yesterday so I could visit with the lactation consultant....and Grace weighed in at 8 lbs, 4 and a half ounces.....only 2 and a half ounces from her birth weight! We go back next week for her 2 week check-up where we'll be able to get her weight and length...and they'll take blood for her newborn screen.

So...to catalogue the things she's doing at 1 week....it will come as no surprise to all of you that she eats, sleeps, and you know....

During the day she is pretty good about taking her naps laying in her crib or the pack-and-play....but then...starting around 8pm or so....she suddenly 'needs' us to hold her to sleep. I'm not complaining though.....seriously....I was just telling Geoff today "we have a kid that is sleeping in the night....so who cares if we have to hold her....she could be up all night crying." (I'll let you know if tonight is different. Things tend to change after I write them down or tell someone, you know?)

We are trying to savor these moments as much as we can because we know all too well how fast the hand of time moves.

So here is our Grace at 1 week old.... (Geoff took these pictures today while she had her eyes open for a bit. Unfortunately, we didn't get around to attempt newborn pictures today....but I am really hoping we will be able to tomorrow....seeing as she will be 8 days old and she is already getting so big!!)

An attempt at newborn pictures....

And a measly attempt it was. We're hoping tomorrow we will be able to spend a little more time and try to get some good ones!

Home sweet home.

We made it home early this afternoon! Grace rode in the car like a pro! She was so cute just sitting there...sometimes sleeping....sometimes just looking around.

Parker is adjusting fairly well....other than the 15 minutes long tantrum that started as we began turning onto streets near our home. She kept screaming..."I NEED MY GRAMMA!!!" over and over again....and with big alligator tears, too. It was kind of sad. But we got home...I held her for a bit....then like a flip of a switch...she began talking in a normal voice and eating her lunch...asking to watch Word World. She seems excited when she sees Grace.....I just don't think she knows exactly what to make of it, yet.

We've already had some visitors today....my dear friends Jodie and Jenny dropped meals off.....in addition to their very sweet, thoughtful, kind (too many words to come up with) gesture....and had our house cleaned for us so that when we came home from the hospital it would be spotless....and it was!!! And we are so grateful!!!

So for now...I'll leave you with a few pictures of our family at home....

See....I think she's adjusting just fine! :)

Our Girls...

Marla and Grace are napping so I wanted to help out in doing a post. Parker came to visit early this afternoon and she did wonderful. I was at the house getting the car seat ready for tomorrow so I wasn't here to see how well she did but Marla told me she was very eager to see and hold her baby sister. There were several pics taken and I picked out my favorite three. I'm still amazed at how lucky and blessed we really are...

Corrected Newborn Stat

Geoff's dad came to visit us for a little bit this afternoon/evening. He was holding Grace while I was resting. Geoff was sitting in a chair by the baby carrier that Grace was shuttled around in. On the outside of the carrier was Grace's information (height, weight, DOB and time of DOB) from when she was born written on a white piece of paper. On the inside was a pink card that read in big letters GIRL.

For no real reason, Geoff decided to pick up that pink card and read it. He looked over at me and said, "this card says she's 21 inches." The pink card had the same information as the white one except for that little 2 inch mistake.

Our newborn nurse came in shortly after and we asked her if she could confirm the length. She said she would go pull Grace's chart and she would be right back. After about two minutes she returned and stated, "53 centimeters." "21 inches it is."

So after all of that rambling Grace is 21 inches long and currently she is weighing 8lbs 3oz

A few more photos...

One of my favorite photos.....our first picture of our family of 4. Parker isn't smiling, as you can see.....but this is par for a 2 year old! Haha!

I made these cookies the night before to hand out to our visitors....


Parker and her scrubs! I think they are so cute!! I got them at this online boutique called Avannabel Baby Boutique. I found this shop right before Parker's 1st birthday and ordered her cupcake dress from there. They also have some other really cute stuff....like tutus, holiday dresses and shirts, birthday shirts, personalized switchplates, etc. And one of the perks is the great customer service I receive from the owner every time I place an order...she is always quick to answer my questions and happy to help in any way she can....including..... getting my orders to me on time when I order at the last minute!! :)

And here is our newest addition...loving on her wrinkles and 'fat' rolls!

Happy Birth-day, Grace Jean!

She's here! Born at 1:19pm, January 19, 2010. A happy and a healthy 8 pounds, 7 ounces!! She's beautiful, and amazing, and I'm absolutely in love...again! She's in the nursery right now getting her first bath and being measured. We're both doing well. I'm posting a few pictures now...and will do more later along with her 'birth story'....but this is all the energy I have for now!

Thank you to everyone for all of your well wishes and prayers....they were felt and so much appreciated. Words are cheap today....but truly...we are so blessed.

Our last picture together as a family of 3....





That bottom pouty lip sticking out.....looks exactly like her big sister! :)




Parker acted so proud. Anyone who walked into the room after her...she would tell them...."That's my baby sister, Grace!" Another answer to prayer!