My grandma is my daughter...

Halle's been talking lately about her "grandma." She calls my mom, Nana, and Brian's mom, Mimaw. So I asked her who her grandma was and she said, "my grandma is my daughter. She's at school." So I'm not sure who this mysterious "grandma" is, but I thought it was funny. She's got it on the brain because she's had so much grandma time lately! Brian's parents came last week to help out with the girls and us. It was great to have them here. I think Halle's been awful spoiled and misses the extra playmates. This week, reality set in, as I'm getting into the swing of things with the kiddos all by myself. This week has been crazy for Brian with various meetings, and funerals, and such, so I've been pretty much on my own. I love seeing Halle as a big sister, being such a big helper, and I love every moment with Lily.






Lily was 3 weeks old yesterday. She still mostly sleeps, but when she's awake- oh those blue eyes are too precious!

Thanks Mom!

Saturday my Mom left to head back to Chicago after being here through Christmas and for Lily's surprise arrival. I'm so thankful that things worked out the way they did with Lily's timing. My mom was able to be here for us to go to the hospital unexpectedly to have little Lily. She was such a huge help the whole first week we were home with the 2 girls. On her last day here, we wanted to do something special for "big sister," so we took Halle to a place called the Wiggle Room. It is a fun play area for kids around Halle's age. My mom was such a good sport climbing through all of the tunnels and things for the kids with Halle. It was so much fun to watch Halle having such a good time and us doing something for her with all that's gone on with Lily. Thanks Mom for being here- we love you so much!








And Lily continues to be a great baby. She's looking more and more like Halle did. I've resolved the fact that both of our children look nothing like me! She actually was scheduled to arrive today! It's so weird to think about if today was her birthday. I'm soooooo glad she came when she did. And I'm so thankful that you would never know she was 3 weeks early- she was a big girl and perfectly healthy! Her big sister loves her very much and always wants to put a pacifier in her mouth!

Baby girl

This is really what Lily is like most of the time. We have been home for 2 full days now and are adjusting to life with 2 kiddos. Thankfully my mom is here around the clock helping with whatever needs to be done- mostly entertaining Halle. Lily has just been the best baby- rarely crying, perfectly content most of the time. She seems most upset when she's being changed, or if she's really hungry. I'm so thankful for her cooperative demeanor, especially as I recover from surgery and try to stay attentive to Halle. It still almost doesn't seem real that she's really here and that one week ago, she was still in my belly! We love our little Lily girl!

Surprise!

Here we are on Christmas and right afterwards, after having a wonderful holiday with my whole family here. My mom decided to stay 2 extra days because I was having such a hard time- so uncomfortable and just to help out more with Halle. And it was a good thing, because after a whole night of contractions...




We went to the hospital and 2 hours later, Lily arrived! We had a c-section 3 weeks prior to my due date. It was wonderful and perfect and couldn't have gone any better! Lily Faye was born at 9:58 am, weighing in at 7 lbs, 5 oz. 20 inches long, 13 3/4 inch head.







She's wonderful and perfect and eating so well!






She's loved sooo much! Halle just adores her and loves holding her, and kissing her and snuggling with her. She's not been to sure about mom in the hospital hooked up to all sorts of things, but she's enjoyed extra attention from grandparents and visitors. I am recovering pretty well and will go home tomorrow! We're so thankful that Lily arrived safe and healthy and that the timing worked out perfect with my Mom visiting. I am so relieved to not be pregnant anymore and am figuring out life with 2 girls. So Happy New Year and we are excited for life to begin with our family of 4!












Here's Halle's first glimpse of her sister, Lily...

Success!!

After our church Christmas program yesterday, Santa showed up! We have a wonderful man from our church who dresses up as Santa during the holidays and he made his appearance. I was so hoping that Halle would maybe recognize him and feel comfortable sitting on his lap, since every time she sees Santa, she talks about NOT wanting to go by him. The more Santa lingered around, the more comfortable Halle got. So we decided to take a family pic with him and she quietly but seriously sat on his lap without saying a word. Unfortunately, we don't have that picture yet. But a few minutes after that, all she said was that she wanted to see Santa again and that she wanted to "hold him." So here we go- she let him pick her up and she talked to him and told him, "I want to buy candy for Christmas." He told her all about Jesus birthday and how he comes to remind the kids that that is the reason we celebrate Christmas. It was so precious for me to watch, and she even gave him a kiss! So here's Halle with Santa, at 2 1/2- she wouldn't stop talking about him on the way home from church.
"Santa come to my house when I wake up and bring me presents. Santa have white gloves, I love white gloves...he's a nice man!"

Getting ready for baby

This past weekend some friends threw us a couples shower for baby girl. It was a lot of fun having husbands and wives there. The ladies of course dominated in the game, Battle of the Sexes and then men had to serve us hot chocolate. It was a nice touch! It was such a blessing for us to get some things that we really needed for the new baby, plus a lot of fun for us to hang out with church people outside of church. I walked away feeling very loved and so much more ready for our little one. Diapers and wipes are ready, plus a few cute outfits, in case she happens to arrive early- don't worry mom, I'll try my hardest for her not to. It really made me kick things into gear by sorting through all of Halle's baby things and see what I need and don't need, or rather what's usable and what's not. Here we are enjoying the festivities!








Being pregnant at this time of year and watching all of the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations has made me constantly think about the world preparing for Jesus. I mean, if the world possibly knew that a Savior would be born, what type of preparations would be made, and how much commotion would be involved in getting everything "just right." It's amazing that Jesus was born into a world, so unaware of His coming. It makes me think of Christmas so differently, as I anticipate celebrating his birth as I'm working so hard to get ready for our baby's birth. It makes me so honored to be carrying one of God's creations, and helps me to imagine a glimpse into what Mary must have gone through. Here's to the season about so much more than we can imagine- a King arriving as a small, helpless, baby, to save us all!

Halle Cakes
On another note, Halle and I attended at PTA event last week at a local pizza buffet restaurant, called CiCi's. All of the kids got a tour of the kitchen- which was not that thrilling for her- got to make their own pizza, and a craft. Halle really took a lot of time making her pizza, and a mess I may add, plus making her stocking- or "craft," as she says. Here she is with some other friends getting the job done!