Just Hanging Out

Painting her masterpiece!

Sleeping beauty!

We are finally in a groove around here. Getting used to entertaining, changing, comforting and loving two little girls is becoming more normal all the time. Some days I feel like I can't possibly split my energy and love in two that day, but somehow it all works out and at the end of the day both girls seem happy, feed and loved. Thank you God for the strength!

Here are some random pictures of the girls the last week or so. Lily has become a little painter, not like on her wall in her room, more of the controlled Mommy approved painter. She sat at the table the other night (rainy night) and painted for 45 minutes. She had a blast. She really enjoyed getting the paint on her arms and face as well!

I just loved the position Ella (who is 7 weeks old yesterday) was in and her sweet lips. She is cooing and smiling all the time now! It's so amazing to see her grow so quickly and starting to have a little personality. She is a much happier baby all the time. She is sleeping great as well. Just getting up 2 times a night to eat a little then pretty much back to sleep. This past week both girls went to Tina's house (sitter) and everything went great while I worked at the nursing home.

Like I said, we are getting into some kind of a groove around here!

Parade and a Party

Had to give Daddy some love while he was walking in the parade. Maybe next year he will have her walk with him!!

Wasn't to sure about the clowns.

Waiting!!!

We had another busy day yesterday. It's Oktoberfest in St. Charles and Bryan's real estate office is a participant in the parade. Grandma Reyn went with us and we enjoyed the beautiful day (after some rain drops) down on Main Street. Lily kept saying, "Look, they're coming!!" She really enjoyed the bands and the gymnasts.

After a nap and lunch we headed down to Carolina's 1st birthday party. She dove into her cake as every one year old should and had a blast. Greg and Kim had to take it away from her or she may have eaten the entire thing. Even though that girl isn't mine, I love her just the same. "Where there is great love there are always miracles" This girl is LOVED! We waited for her for sooooo long that it was a great celebration to her first wonderful year. Happy Birthday Carolina!!

Zoo Day

Peg, Lily and Allie on the carousel

Molly and Kevin taking care of Lily

Petting the Stingrays-such a cool exhibit

Ella a little tired after a long day at the Zoo.

Her first train ride!

St. Ambrose Kids, Ella, Lily, Molly, Kevin, Allie and Bill

The lion was up in the tree, never seen it do this before!! Used my great new zoom lens and got this shot.

We had an amazing day at the Zoo today. Gotta love St. Louis in the Fall. It was pouring down rain and yucky yesterday and fore casted to be the same today. The weather could not have been more beautiful. The company was great as well. Anne and Bill and the Quicks joined us. I just love seeing the St. Ambrose kids playing together. The relationships I built there were some of the best one's I have and to see our kids now doing things together and making memories always makes me smile. Thanks to Peg, Molly and Anne for their help tag teaming my kids. Lily will do anything for Molly ands she's a great help!

It was Ella's first trip. She slept through most of it, only to wake to have her meals. She did enjoy the train ride though and was wide eyed for most of it.

Ella update: The Dr. put her on Pepcid. YAY!! It seems to be working slowly but surely. She is less cranky and overall a happier baby. She weighs 10 pounds 4 ounces now!! I can't believe it! I think we have another chunky monkey on our hands.

One Month Old

Happy 1 Month Birthday Ella!

It took a few takes to get this picture. We are afraid Miss Ella is suffering from reflux or just an upset tummy most of the time. She cries ALOT when she's awake and a few times a day spits up most of what she's eaten. I feel soooo bad for her and lots of times have a difficult time comforting her. We have her 1 month Dr. appt tomorrow so I will hopefully get some answers then. I just want her to be a happy girl when she's awake and not be in pain. Right now sleeping is still difficult. Some nights she might sleep for 3-4 hours straight and others she is up every hour or so. She sleeps great during the day though!! She has been a trouper going to Little Gym and Story Time at the Library with her big sister and just sleeps in her sling! It's wonderful. She is not a fan of the car rides-or at least stopping but overall she is a sweet baby and her big sister is so in love with her and so are we. Can't wait to see what this next month holds!

Quack Quack, Waddle Waddle

Last week Lily, Ella and I went to my Mom's house for dinner and a visit. We took a walk down to the pond to feed the ducks. Lily had a blast throwing bread at them and chasing them around the grass. She was so close to catching them so many times, but they were just too fast for her!

Sleepy head

Happy 3 weeks Ella!

We are all exhausted around here, not a lot of sleeping going on last night. Bryan said we played musical beds all night. But I had to post some of these sweet sleeping pictures of Ella (during the day of course). She must have been having a sweet dream. Also one of Lily and Ella snuggling with their dolls. Enjoy.

Before and After

Before baby Ella!

Snuggles!

With baby Ella enjoying the book. Look how attentive she is! Lily keeping her boo boo leg up in the air.

Pretty much every night Lily and Daddy have a routine of bath and books. Well know one more little girl has joined them. Even though Ella can't officially have her first bath yet (her cord hasn't fallen off) we get them all ready for bed and they snuggle up in Lily's bed for a good book or 2. Right now Lily's favorites are "Baby Bear" and "Don't wake up Momma."

Ella went in for her Dr.'s appt/check-up today. At 12 Days old she is 8 pounds and 5 ounces!!!! She only weighed 7.6 when we left the hospital that Saturday. This girl likes to eat. Especially at night :)!!!! She is doing great according to Dr. Shuie. She has a slight heart murmur that they heard last week during her visit and it is still present. Dr. S explained that she should grow out of it and that if it was truly a problem then she wouldn't be gaining weight and would look and act sick. Which she doesn't! I am only a little worried as she said many children have these. I am trying not to freak out about it. They will keep an eye on it till it hopefully goes away.

Lastly-this video is of Lily and Ella on the drive home from the hospital. Lily took Ella's hand and never let go of it all the way home. She pointed out everything she could find and showed her the world as she knows it. It makes me tear up and cry every time I watch it. It must just be instinct when you are a big brother/sister to take on the role and teach your younger sibling everything you know. I will bring this video out when they are 16 and 18 fighting over clothes or boys and show them that one day long ago, they loved each other very much!!