Thankful for my family

We have had a great time introducing Sarah to all her new relatives. Andy's family came down to visit her the weekend after she was born. Chandler (2 yrs old) wanted to hold her the whole time and wouldn't let her go. I am sure Sarah enjoyed all the attention.

We went down to my dad's for Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday. However I am kicking myself because I didn't get a picture of Sarah with my dad. Ugh! However I did get a birthday shot with Layni (my little sister). She turned 6 a few days before I turned... never mind you don't need to know that. I decided to stop counting this year.

Then we went to my mom's house for a few days for Thanksgiving. My oldest sister Christine was there with her family and then my younger sister Ashley came with her girls on Saturday (her studious husband had to get back to school). We had a great visit. Us girls saw Twilight one night and the guys saw the James Bond movie another night. We also did some Black Friday shopping. Andy was out with the early birds at 5:00 (he absolutely loves Black Friday) and the girls went later. Of course, the cousins had a great time playing together and with Nana and Sarah was spoiled again.

I loved being with my sisters. They totally spoileded me and my baby. They changed her, dressed her and carried her around while shopping (and I am sure they would nurse her if they could -- just kidding, we don't go that far!)

Our Thanksgiving dinner was very nice and yummy. Isn't it funny how it takes all day to prepare the meal, and yet the meal doesn't last long at all??! I think this post sums up what I am thankful for ... a healthy new baby and a wonderful family to share her with!

The Girls

Here are a few cute things Emily has been saying lately:

• The other night at bedtime I told her she had 5 mintues before it was bedtime. Her reply was "10 minutes!!!" Andy busted out laughed and then Emily started acting silly and was laughing at herself. Now she likes to say "10 minutes"and start laughing.
  
• We have been around family a lot this week and Emily must have picked up on everyone calling us by our names. So she has started calling us Suzie and Andy. (It really bugs Andy)

Her new favorite phrase is "Oh Gosh!" I don't know where she picked this one up from but she walks around the house saying it.

Sarah is the best little baby (so far). She hardly ever cries, except during a bath or diaper changes. She HATES both of those.

She is a good little eater and has taken to nursing without any problems. She is really starting to put on some weight. She was 7 lbs 6oz at her 2 week checkup.

She still sleeps ALL THE TIME, but has begun having more awake periods during the day. Nighttime is getting better. The first week she was awake during 2 am - 4 am, but now she just wakes up to nurse every 3 hours and then goes right back to sleep.

The best thing is these little girls is that they LOVE each other. Emily loves to get as close as possible to Sarah's face and stare at her. Hopefully there is some bonding going on here.


And on a side note... we got a new camera for our anniversary/Christmas present. Our old camera has a serious delay and we always miss the cute shots. So we went all out and got a fancy one that we have no idea how to use. Actually Andy has been reading a lot on the web and might take a class to figure it all out. But already we has taken some really cute shots.

Baby Shower... finally!

My friend Lindsay threw me a "diaper and wipes" shower this week. We had to change the date of the shower a few times due to Sarah's threat to come early and then her actual arrival. I have decided that my girls like to attend their baby showers, since Emily was there for hers too.

Anyways, I was very excited about the shower because I needed to finally get out of the house and have some "girl" time. We had such a fun time and Lindsay did an excellent job decorating. She even pulled out the china and crystal -- it was like a tea party!

Thank you girls for all the yummy food and such cute gifts. And thanks to my awesome Mom who drove up here for the shower and then had to turn around and drive right back home.

Sisters and a haircut

So far, Emily doesn't seem to really mind Sarah being around. She just walks past her in the swing and taps her feet and says "Hey Baby!" and then goes about her business. When Sarah is awake she loves to watch Emily dancing around and acting like a nut. I am so glad I have 2 little sisters. I look forward to watch them grow up together and develop a sisterly bond. I don't have any brothers so I don't know for sure, but I am pretty sure nothing is stronger than the bond between 2 sisters. Maybe I just think that because I have 2 of the best sisters ever. Can't you tell that I am so excited to see my sisters next week??!

Emily got her 1st haircut this week. Usually Daddy or Nana has cut her hair, but we decided to get a real haircut this time. They just trimmed it up, but Emily did a great job sitting in the chair (they gave her candy!)

Home!

We are home from the hospital!!! Andy and I were ready to leave... we were missing Emily and our bed. My mom left yesterday, so were are learning to adjust to a family of 4. So far, so good.... well except for my lack of sleep and Emily's meltdowns, but we will figure it all out.

Here are some pics of our hospital stay

Aunt Sharon and Nana

Sarah gave Emily "George" and a Curious George book. Emily LOVES and takes him everywhere!

Andy taking care of the first diaper change and stealing my bed when I took a shower.

A few close ups.

Ready to go home!!!

Sarah's Birth Story

Here is the story of Sarah's arrival:

At 8:15 am we went in for my doctor's appointment. He said I was 4 cm dilated and then he striped my membranes. I started having contractions as soon as we got in the car. I called the doctor back and they just wanted me to lie down and drink water. I did that for awhile, but the contractions we still coming every 10 minutes. So they had me go back to the office at 1:30 pm and I was now 5 cm so they sent me on to the hospital. A big THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Natalie for watching Emily until my mom got into town.

At the hospital they checked me and asked if I wanted an epidural --- for some reason I decided to be brave and said NO (since I didn't have one with Emily). Seriously??! Looking back, I realize there is no need to be brave because it is really, really going to hurt!! (I must have forgotten how much it hurt with Emily). So they broke my water at 3:20 pm and 4 contractions later I was begging for an epidural. Too late! It was soon time to start pushing. They hurried and set the room up and called the doctor and after 2 pushes she was here! So in the whole scheme of things, the pain didn't last too long. And once the pain was over, I had a sweet little girl to hold.

Picture on left - 3:25 pm (right after they broke my water)

Picture on right - 4:05 pm ( moments after she was born)

As you can tell, she came out crying!! Thankfully, she hasn't been crying much since then.

Picture on left - Sarah and I with Dr. McKenzie. He also delivered Emily and is my dad's fraternity brother.

Picture on right - The proud papa (and great labor coach!) Did I mention he held the bed pan and held my hair back as I threw up during labor??! Thanks honey!

We are so happy Sarah is here and is healthy!

She is here!

Sarah Elizabeth Morris

November 11, 2008

4:03 pm

6 lbs 11 oz and 20 1/4 inches

Princess Party

Today we went over to a friend's house for a PRINCESS PARTY. Emily is just starting to get into "princesses" and even though we have some princess dresses, she never wants to wear them. Of course, she quickly got into her dress once she saw the other 4 princesses. We had such a fun time! Granted we had some meltdowns, but what princess doesn't cry when she doesn't get her way??!

And I think Emily is ready for baby Sarah to get here. She talks about her all the time. But for today she got to play with some other sweet babies. Speaking of Sarah, we don't know when she is coming. I had progressed up to 3 cm dilated at my visit yesterday. but haven't really been having a lot of contractions lately. So I am going to try not to be so anxious about it and enjoy my days with only one child.

*Be sure to vote on when you think Baby Sarah will arrive!*

A little random...

We went to a bonfire Sunday night with some folks from church. Christy had a brillant idea to bring the gate below to help corral the young kids. Luckily Emily was excited to play in there... for about 10 minutes. Then she wanted to get out and follow the big kids around. I was having a inner struggle about whether I should let her run around and have fun. It is not often that she wants to leave my side, so I thought I should let her. However there were two bonfires going that I obviously didn't want her near. I just had to give up relaxing seat and take guard at one bonfire while Andy stood by the other one. Overall it was a lot of fun... and what pregnant women doesn't love smores... 2 of them!

Here is Emily doing what she does best - talking on the phone, watching TV and caring for her babies. I thought it was cute that she lined them all up. And notice the bottle, she loves to feed them. I am sure this bottle will get shoved in Sarah's face more than once.

My sister Ashley stopped by the other day. They were on their way home from Chicago and flew into Raleigh. So she brought me over a box of baby clothes. I think this was the third box she has given me. I have Emily and the baby clothes all hanging up in the same closet and it is packed, with the majority being for the baby. Since Baby Sarah is the 6th girl in the family, she has a nice wardrobe to start her off. It has been fun looking at all the clothes Emily wore as a tiny baby. I can't even imagine what it is going to be like with a tiny baby again. Ashley brought Lucy over to play with Emily for awhile. Emily gets so excited when she sees a picture of sweet Lucy and they had fun playing together. I hope they grow up as close buddies.

What a cute girl!!

Halloween

After being stuck in house for nearly 2 weeks, I finally ventured out on Halloween. We took Emily over to go trick or treating with Simon. Jennifer made some yummy tortilla soup and the kids watched the trick or treaters come by. I think after watching them they got the hang of what they were supposed to do. They took Emily and Simon out while I stayed back to give out candy. And can I just say they had a ridiculous amount of trick or treaters come by. They were coming in by the car loads. The street was filled with people. Unfortunately we didn't get too many cute pictures. But isn't Simon the cutest astronaut??!

Emily practiced her trick or treating with me before she was ready to go out!

Obviously Emily was done with the wagon and wanted to get out. But I think the picture is funny because she has both her's and Simon's buckets (I forgot her bag so we just used an Easter basket). She carried both of them. Luckily Simon is pretty laid back and didn't mind.

We finished the night with putting the kids to bed and watching a movie. It was nice to finally be out of the house!!! And the baby didn't come on Halloween, which has been Andy's worst fear.