Our first 2 weeks as a family of 4

 Well - I have to say - I am just in Mommy heaven these last couple weeks.  I have just really tried to sit back and count my blessings and realize how lucky I am to have such a beautiful, healthy,  happy family.  We have gotten so lucky to have some gorgeous weather - and we started enjoying it all together pretty much from the start!

Saturday - our first day home all together!! We were giddy driving home - with our sweet family ,and it was a gorgeous day outside, we felt on top of the world! We picked up some Jimmy John's on the way home, and once both kids were down for naps - I got in my 'nesting' mode - I was putting away/cleaning/organizing the house like crazy.  I had so much energy and I guess sitting in a hospital bed for 2 1/2 days straight will make you want to get up and move around!  After naps - we actually walked up to the park and got some good play time - this first picture is Ellie all snug in her stroller (don't worry, I rested on the bench and let P chase Will around) 

Sunday - We were a tad tired on Sunday (we mostly were taking turns holding Ellie in the big chair in our room and dozing with her, as she doesn't really like to be put down :))  But, we had another great day - but we had some visitors coming - Lindsay and Chad Kobus came down from Lincoln to visit!! We were SO excited to see them and get to spend some time with them - and agian, enjoy a beautiful day and playing on the swingset in the backyard.  Uncle Cody also came by to meet Ellie - and both were so generous to bring dinner for us. 

Monday - Monday morning was Ellie's first doctor's appointment - and I took her to that, while Patrick took Will up to the park.  She had a great report - weighing in at 7 lbs 15 oz, stable from when we left hospital and that is great!) Then, we picked up a prescription for Will at CVS (and I got asked for the 2nd time already when I was due with my baby....ugh, excuse me people, do you not see me carrying/holding the baby i JUST had?!  I mean, I realize i still look pregnant people, but really, it's probably best to just not say anything!) 

First doctor's appointment



Silly brother riding his bike



Tuesday -  we enjoyed a nice trip up to the firestation to visit Uncle brett and see some firetrucks.  Will was a little apprehensive at first, and then started to warm up to it all, but still didn't want to sit in the firetruck :)  He was holding on to Patrick for dear life!  But, it was fun and appreciate Brett taking the time to show us around and put on all his gear for us!



Looking so pretty to go see the firetrucks




Playing at the park with Daddy

 Wednesday - Will went to St. Luke's and had a great time playing with his friends - and Mommy and Daddy got to love all over Ellie all day!  We were both able to 'get some things done' and be productive - at least mommy felt like it!  Just doing the laundry, and emptying dishwasher can be huge accomplishments these days!

Thursday - we enjoyed an awesome day at Deanna Rose farm!  This is an awesome place for kids to visit!  They have animals, you can feed the goats, see cows, ride bikes, play in the playground - just all sorts of fun things for kids.  Another gorgeous day - and I had my first real hormonal/emotional moment - where I felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness and love for my sweet family.  There are lots of stay at home Mom's there also, and I was so wishing that I could do this with all my family, all the time.  I know we still have time to do that on the weekends, and I could tell I was being very emotional, it was just a great moment and I felt just incredibly happy and had such a full heart.  (big fat tears were streaming down my face there - whoops)

Friday - we went up to see Mimi and Grandpa - and play with Emma.  We had a nice lunch and then took Will to get his haircut. 

Sweet Emma and Will enjoying some play time together

Saturday - we started off by doing our usual Eggtc for breakfast!  It was so fun to see our normal waiters and people at Eggtc - (we definitely started going every Saturday morning!)  So, Will got his French Toast - I got a hug from our normal waitress, and we had several compliments on our sweet girl (who slept through it all - you really forget how much they sleep so early on.....and how much they poop!!)

Then, Amy, Daniel and Gwyn came over to play!  We had a great time playing at the park, getting a Starbucks drink and playing in the backyard.  Amy and I even got a little time in the sun while all the kids were sleeping..... or supposed to be.  * Funny story - Daniel was in the pack and play upstairs in our room, well, we have Will's monitor on up by our bed, and instead of sleeping, Will was singing some songs in his crib - Patrick, who was inside, hears Daniel yell down " STOP SINGING BUBS" :)  HAHA!! So funny!  Those kids are so funny together - glad they get along so well, but neither of them slept, so they didn't stay too long, as that's never a good combo.

Caught her with her eyes open! So pretty!

It's SO tough being a sweet baby!

Love these silly, fun, sweet, onery boys!! BFF's

Sunday - we got to enjoy celebrating Elaina's 5th birthday!  It seems so crazy that she is already 5!  Will loved spending the time playing with his cousins and singing to Elaina - and of course, enjoying some birthday cake :) 

Monday - I was somewhat anxious for this day to come - with Patrick going back to work (we had such a FUN stay-cation as we called it - doing something fun everyday - as you can read)  So, knowing also that it was supposed to SNOW on Monday, and it would likely be too cold to go out and play - I was a little nervous as to how the day would go.  Well, we had our ups and downs - Will slept in pretty late, which was nice and woke up in a great mood.  (see pics below) and he spent some time loving on Ellie (he is ALL about her - and will always ask to see her.  If she is sitting in her bouncy chair - he will crouch down and say ' Hi Ellie in this funny little voice - almost kind of nasally and whining, something that Patrick and I laugh about and imitate how he says it!)  But, he is definitely smitten with her and just loves being around her. Couldn't have asked for better reaction from him!

Anyway, I should have just recognized that Will didn't nap at all on Saturday or Sunday = not a happy, rested todder = him pushing my buttons all day and trying to see what he could get away with = a very bossy, demanding, temper-tantrums type of day = made for a long day = we do better when we get outside = me having my 2nd hormonal night, when after Patrick got home - he is playing with Will and they are having fun and I felt like all I really did all day was nag at him or make him try to listen.  I was all sad that I was going to be the not fun parent, all the while realizing I was having a hormonal moment and that was silly.  Let's just say - with her needing to be held almost all the time, unless in a really good sleep - and him being super needy - it was a little challenging, but we made it!

Be still my heart - my sweet babies

Love

Only way I could get Will to get his diaper changed - if he could lay next to Ellie

Watching a movie on this cold day - stuck inside

Tuesday - today we had Ellie's newborn pictures.  Again, I was a little nervous with getting both kids out, ready, clean and out to pictures (it's a 45 min. drive) all by myself.  But, it's AMAZING what a good night's sleep does for Will - and he woke up today and was just the normal sweet boy that I know.  He listened well all day - we had fun playing in the morning and we giggled together a lot.  He is so funny right now, and I was so glad to remember that he's usually like that (not the bi-polar boy he was the day before)  Anyway, he did great on the drive out - and thankfully, she slept the whole time too - and was a GREAT model for the photo shoot.  I'm so excited to see how they turn out!

Well - that's about it for now..... I just wanted to make sure I documented how much fun we have been having - we have been out and about and living like we usually would.  It's crazy how much more you do when you have another kid to entertain/look after.  I know we would have never gotten out so much when Will was that newborn, but with her, we are just kind of staying active and busy - which is how we like to be!  We had a wonderful time together - the week that Patrick took off - and made some very sweet and special memories that I never want to forget. 

Will is going to St. Luke's still on Wednesday's, so I'm excited tomorrow to just snuggle up with my sweet girl and focus 100% just on her :)

We are very blessed.  Thank you God for all that you have given us.