Baby, It is cold outside...

More like "Freezing" outside...But that would not stop my boys for wanting to check out what little snow we got that is actually like sheets of ice. After layering up, they went to have a little fun while us ladies stayed cozy inside.

She's a "Keeper"

It is unbelievable! Just so hard to grasp that it has been a month. A month of having this darling Ladybug in our family. She has been such a good baby, continuing to do only what she knows so far ~ eat, sleep and produce a number of diaper changes. She LOVES to eat and forbid you take that bottle away for a split second. On average, she will go about 3 hours before eating. Not sure what she currently weighs but I know she is filling out those adorable cheeks and legs. Ladybug is definitely becoming more alert and vocal especially during the night between the hours of 2am to 5am. During those hours, it has been a little more challenging getting her back to sleep. She is learning fast that cuddling and being held is more enjoyable than lying by herself.

The other night, as daddy and Ladybug enjoyed some cuddling time, he said "She's a keeper, isn't she Mommy?" YES, She is!!! It is so wonderful to have been given the gift of instant love from God for this little person and knowing that this feeling will never go away...

Happy One Month Ladybug! You are absolutely a joy and there is no doubt that we are blessed to have you in our lives. We love YOU!!!

Checking out the "Squeakquel" with my Boy!

After seeing the previews for weeks now on the cute, little chipmunks, Cohen kept saying "Me watch" or "Me go see". I decided that we would make it a date and attempt this theater experience. This actually wouldn't be his first time. Brave Grandma, along with a friend of hers, attempted a movie a while back. It was a good thing that they were the only ones in the theater because this occurred before he would sit still and watch the whole movie. I was a little bit scared on how this "date" would turn out, so I had Grandma come along for some assistance. We would find that the theater belonged to just us during the hour and 28 minutes, and I was very happy about that. We found our seats and settled in to enjoy some buttery popcorn. But it wouldn't start off too pleasant for me and I officially feared the remainder of our time there. I was preparing Cohen's drink and before the movie even started, I filled my lap with the apple juice I had brought in. That is right, I had to sit through out the whole movie with wet pants. Was absolutely miserable...But thank goodness it didn't go downhill from there. Cohen remained good through out, with an exception towards the end when he was getting antsy, and even enjoyed a little dancing in the aisle. I do look forward to many of these dates with my little man but next time will be extra careful with the drinks!

"Our Sleeping Beauty"

"Position One"

"Position Two"

"Position Three"

"Position Four"

"Position Five"

"Time to start buckling"

Brotherly Love

Something that I was unsure of was Cohen's reaction to our new addition. The closer we got to her arrival, he seemed to be o.k. with it. He would talk about her, kiss my stomach and knew which room would be hers. But I couldn't help to wonder if he would be nice to her? Would he act out badly and what schedule we do have with him be messed up? So far, it has been great. I think from the moment he saw her, he liked her. I mean, it is big change for him and I think there are times when he acts out a little. He has enjoyed being able to hold her, help mommy get things for her and feed her. He even pulls a stool to the changing table to talk to her during diaper changing. When she cries, he will run to her to see if she is o.k. I see him being such a protector over her but also see him get really upset if she takes a toy of his. So I am looking forward to watching the bond between them grow and pray that they will always be close.

First Trip to the Doc...

On Monday, we headed to the doctor for a little visit and it will probably be the quickest visit we will ever have. Everything looked good! She weighed 6 lbs 7 oz when she was born, lost 2 oz when we left the hospital and at the doctor visit , weighed 6 lbs, 12 oz. Like I said before, she loves to eat. After few more checks with the eyes, ears, etc., we were good to go until her 2 month check up (which I am already dreading, cause that is when the shots begin).

Bringing Cayden home

So it has only been a little over a week since Ladybug entered the world and I cant imagine life without her. To be honest, it doesn't even seem that there is a baby in the house. She has been such a superb baby and only eats, sleeps and well, you know the other.

She is her brother made all over. From the first moment we saw her, we all could see who she looked like but with a much smaller head. She might look just like Cohen, however, she is 100% totally different than when he was a baby.

She is such a hungry ladybug. If she isn't sleeping, she is ready to eat. She doesn't like the diaper changes and having her legs covered up. She is so tiny that none of her clothes are fitting quit yet but if she keeps eating the way she does, I am sure that will change.

It is amazing how much time I can spend just sitting and stare at her! I am curious to see how things change in the next few months as she becomes more alert and starting to show her personality.

The day we became a Family of Four!

Hard Work that definitely Pays Off!

Looking back to that Sunday night as we entered into the hospital to settle in, I still cant believe I was going in to have a baby. I was prepared to keep my mind busy for both myself and Daddy. I had packed our laptop, Nintendo DS, a sudoku book and my recent addiction ~ the fourth book to the Twilight Saga. But all I was able to do is a post on the blog and flip constantly through the TV channels. Nothing could take my mind away from what was to come in the next 24 hours (less I had hoped), not even a terrific vampire love story...That night, of course, would be a restless one. Knowing I needed some sleep, I should have accepted the nurse's offer for a sleeping aid.

The next morning arrived very quickly and just as planned, the "drip" was started around 6 am. At this time, there wasn't any changes. I was still dilated between a 2 and 3 and not having any contractions. It would continue that way for a while and to me, seemed like an eternity. Finally the Doctor arrived around 9:30 to break my water. Of course, we all know what would start after that took place and sure enough, the contractions kicked in. I was able to make it till 11:30 but it was time to receive the epidural. I am a total wimp when it comes to pain! In about an hour or so, I made it to a 4 and a little before 3pm, I had reached between a 5 and 6. It was moving but moving slowly. I felt like this little girl wasn't going to arrive until late evening but she was doing just fine and very comfortable. All I wanted was to have this baby and EAT! I was starving and was getting tired of the ice chips.

"waiting for the drugs to kick in"

"keeping my wonderful friends up to date"

The nurse came back in about 15 minutes or so from that last time and decided to see if there was any more progress. When she looked up at me and smiled big, I was excited to find out that I was an official TEN! Due to some twins arriving down the hall, I had to wait for the Doctor. Luckily the wait time for that was about an hour and then it was time. Time to push, push, and push!

I will tell you that I couldn't feel a thing thanks to the extra dose I needed with the epidural, no pressure whatsoever. All in all, my labor and delivery was pretty easy compared to other stories I have heard....But, it is definitely HARD WORK delivering a baby. I cant imagine women that can go through this with no drugs and ones that are in labor over 24 hours.

It was WORTH it and...

there will NEVER be anything like it!!!

I might be bias...

but our ladybug is the cutest little model EVER!!! Yesterday, we were blessed to have a terrific photographer, who happens to be our sweet cousin-in-love, come and capture Cayden and all her tiny newborn features. I wasn't surprised to find that I would absolutely love Lindsay's work because she has a wonderful talent. If you would like to check out this wonderful talent, check out Ladybug on her blog.

INCONCEIVABLE!!!

Not sure of when it will finally sink in that I have TWO KIDS!!!

All three of us are absolutely IN LOVE with our Ladybug. And with it only being about a week, cant IMAGINE life without her!!! I haven't had a chance to update on how the everything has been since we walked into the hospital last Sunday night. I hope to share soon on how the labor and delivery went, meeting her for the first time and how the first week has been since we brought this little addition to our family home. There is just nothing more AMAZING than this GIFT from God!!!