Praise the Lord... Gramma's Here!

With a new baby around, Gramma couldn't stay too far away of course! My mom came out for a visit as soon as she could catch a plane!! She arrived on the 15th, and was able to stay for about a week... which was great! I can't say I was the easiest of people to live with during that first week of Larren's life, but her help was GREATLY appreciated! Oh gracious, without her here we would have barely kept a float! Again, two kids is WAY more of an adjustment than I imagined it would be!

Alia and Gramma enjoying some Baby Einstein and cuddle time


Larren and Gramma just having a little chit chat




There can never be too many hugs when Gramma's here!





Bedtime stories


Alia LOVED having her very own play partner at her beck and call!






This is what I refer to as Larren's "old man grumpy face"... but Gramma doesn't mind!



Building a snowman was one of Alia and Gramma's highlights of the week.... they built it on the verandah by the back door so Alia could gaze at it and exclaim excitedly "NO-MAN" no matter how many times she'd seen him that day!


Again... I am so thankful that my mom took the time off work, spent the money to fly up, put up with a super stressed out daughter, loved on her two grand babies like crazy, cooked and cleaned on a daily basis, and left with a smile to boot! How blessed I am to have the parents I do! Thanks again Mom!

Waiting for Daddy

Where ever Daddy is, Alia won't be too far away! Times that statement by 10 with all the change that has occurred over the past few weeks!

Here Alia is so desperate for a glimpse of Daddy that she's laying on the floor looking under the basement door... oh the love she has for that man, I tell ya!!!

Big Sister A

... has had quite the amount of adjusting to do over the last week! Overall she's done OK. I can't say whether it's gone better or worse than I expected. I don't think I had too terribly many expectations for Alia.
I hoped that she would welcome the baby with open arms, and she's totally exceeded that hope! She's been amazing with Larren... sharing toys, "sharing" her snacks, helping me change diapers, giving hugs and kisses like crazy, always including "baby" in her frequent family roll calls. She's been fabulous!

BUT - she's been testing in every other way possible! Our once well behaved girl has had a bit of a relapse and at the moment has forgotten some of the "rules of the land!" People keep saying, "Don't worry - the "old" Alia will come back, eventually"... but still, I'm nervous she won't!

Cool as a Cucumber

Larren is such an easy going babe! For the most part we don't hear a peep out of her... during the day, that is! Whether she's napping, watching the family from her bouncy chair, or snuggling close - she's happy! Nights are less than desired... but she's getting better! We hope!

We proudly welcome...

Larren Faith to our family! She was born on February 13th at 6:58 am. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 14 oz. and was 21 1/2" in length!

What an absolute blessing she has been! Yes, things are WAY crazier than I ever thought them to be with two kids... but oh so good! (The pure chaos has been the reason pictures, and even basic information, has been lacking on this beautiful girl!)

The last picture taken 2 nights before labor... I walked by the mirror and thought, "Really? I'm that huge? I gotta get a picture!"


We had another water birth, and again... I would never do otherwise!




We were so thankful to have the same midwife we had with Alia! Marla is just such a wonderful lady to work with!



The official weigh in


Getting all checked over


One very tired Momma... between labor, the busyness of a newborn, and visitors all day we managed to get about 1 1/2 hours of sleep in a 24 hour day.


Daddy and his precious baby girl


Our little Larren Faith





One of our first family pictures


Jonathan is, once again, such a great father. My oh my, I'm beyond blessed to be married to this man!


Alia seeing Larren for the first time


The girls exchanging the gifts they "got" for eachother


The only decent family pic we got... just overlook Alia picking her nose perhaps!!!


Alia was SUPER hyper when she came to the hospital. Between all the spoiling she got over the weekend, the many many people in the hospital room, seeing Mommy and Daddy after not seeing them for a bit, and a new babe - it was just her way of coping I guess!


We had lots of visitors to give her a loving welcome







Larren never made a peep when we put her in her carseat... hopefully she's that content in the days to come!


Alia and Larren seeing eachother at home for the first time



Visiting together the next morning


Sisterly love




Our first post natal visit with Marla



Marla is so good with Alia... giving her little jobs to do, and making her feel like she's one of the patients!


Jon walked in carrying both girls and I couldn't help but get a few pictures. Notice Alia's face? This is HER daddy and she's having a little bit of a hard time sharing!


My three loves

Alia's New Hiding Spot

Call Me Crazy...

... but I'm second guessing both our boy and girl names at this very minute. And Jon's sacked out on the couch, so he can't reassure me. Oh dear. We've had MORE than enough time... we can't start over now!
Maybe it's like "cold feet" before a wedding or something. I dunno... but I need to get over this, or fix it, REAL FAST.

Our Current Family Quote

"I was going to take a shower, but then I blew my nose and that's all the energy I had." - Jonathan, said this morning

That about sums up our last week and a half. And lo and behold... we're sick again. Well... just Alia and Jon are sick. Praise the Lord I'm feeling decent. I'm praying against whatever it is they have right now - that's about the last thing I need.

I've never been a good "puke person" and yesterday Alia tested my limits! Thankfully she's done with that phase (I think) and Jon is a big boy who doesn't need me to hold his hand!

Never in our "family history" have we all been sick like this. The worst case would be like a cold or something. This is over the top for a generally healthy crew.

I guess in some ways this babe is smart to stay put, and in other ways I just want to give him/her a good scolding! I'm massive, can hardly move, and even sweeping the floor seems like a bigger-than-capable task.

Anyhow... that's where our family is at right now. Today I'm just in a bad mood and wish my "mommy" lived closer!