SHE'S (been) HERE (for a bit now!)

First apologies for taking so long to post about our baby girl's arrival. We have been just relishing in having her here with us (and trying to get sleep whenever possible!) I have loaded lots of photos so all those who have been bugging me can stop it now, you know who you are. We were planning on getting induced but due to some emergencies at the Family Birth Center, we were sent home and rescheduled, bummer. Thankfully the second attempt proceeded as planned, excluding an overzealous anesthesiologist who numbed me to my collarbone! I don't recommend that experience, it's a bit frightning and disorienting. But thanks to some alert and attentive nurses and three shots of epinephrine, all was well again.For anyone going through labor I would say two words, labor down. It's fabulous. Thanks to that process she came out in only three pushes; so quick I thought they were teasing me that she was out! But no our beautiful baby girl was finally here.

Baby E was 7lbs 4oz and 20 inches. Just a tad smaller than her brother was and resembling him very much. Many have commented on how similiar they look, it's very obvious they are siblings.

She was born in the later evening so we were only able to call V to tell him; his response "OH MAN, I have a baby sister!" followed by dropping the phone to run around yelling "whoohoo!" The next day he came to see her and has adored her ever since. J took him to the store first because he insisted on bringing her a teddybear.

We also got V some presents from us and from baby sister. As you can tell he was very excited, he has been asking for a piggy bank for awhile now. Who knew a piggy bank was so awesome.

Just a fun little fact, baby E is the 10th grandchild on both sides of the family and the 5th girl!

Unfortunately baby girl, has reflux as her brother did but seems to be a much less severe case. And lucky for us, she is a better sleeper. Not that I couldn't use some more sleep but still I am a bit less zombie-like this go-round which is nice.

We were a bit worried about how V would adjust, but he has done wonderfully. He wants to help whenever possible and is always concerned about her. He does have to be reminded at times to be a bit more gentle but he loves to give her kisses on the head.

One day I turned to see V showing E each of his Hot Wheels. He is so excited for her to grow up and share his toys with her.

It's unbelievable at times that we have two kids! Plural! And it just boggles the mind that V is so big now, it's hard not to think of him as my baby and think that not only is he not a baby anymore, now we have another baby! Time really does fly.

As per tradition, if you can call twice a tradition, I let my hair grow out until the baby was born. So this is my before picture, I will post the after haircut picture later.

She has been with us for a month now and she is already growing and changing so much it's astounding. We are so happy to have her here with us now and can't wait for all fun and memories we will make as our little family of four.