Photo shoot

I decided to have a photo shoot with the girls. Here are the ones that turned out the best. Our camera does not take very good photos. I made Claire and Ella coordinating dresses. There were a couple of super cute pics of them together, but they turned out blurry. I will have to try again another day.

Learning Curve

It has been 3 1/2 weeks since Ella joined our family. I feel like there should be some sort of motherhood manual out there for adapting to 2 children. Having Claire and going from none to one was a little overwhelming, because I was a new mom and nervous about breaking her. I innocently thought going from one to two wouldn't be that hard, because I wasn't going to be as nervous. Lets just say, I am not adapting so quickly. For 8 hours a day I am outnumbered. I find that my girls like to do things at the same time for example : poop, cry, want to be held. The only thing I can't seem to get them to do at the same time is nap. For some mom's it seems they are naturals at balancing their children. I on the other hand have a lot of learning to do.

Its silly but of all the things I miss most is being able to sit at the table and eat a meal. I dream of the day when I will be able to sit down and eat a whole meal, with both hands. Right now I do most of my eating with either one hand while holding Ella and spilling some on her (sorry girl but you insist on being held) or I don't actually eat a meal, just grab a bite here and another one there.

On another note, we have been trying to teach Claire to say gesundheit when someone sneezes. The other day in the car Mark sneezed. I told Claire to say "gesundheit daddy". She looked at me for a moment, then said "Hold on tight Daddy" Oh I love that girl. I guess that as close as she could figure I was saying. Now when Daddy sneezes he is told to "HOLD ON TIGHT".

Ella Jane

Its been a week since Ella joined our family. It is amazing how this little stranger belongs so completely in our family. I can't imagine not having her here with us. Although at the same time we are just getting to know each other. Some of the things I have learned are: she is the slowest drinker. On the few occasions we have given her a bottle it will take her 45 minutes to drink 1/2 an ounce. This explains why nursing takes so long. She hates having her diaper changed. She loves having her hair(fuzz) washed especially when I use a toothbrush. I look forward to learning more about my little one.

Ella has arrived

She was born Saturday May 22nd at 6:40 pm . Weighing in at 7 lbs 12 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. Her eyes are dark grey. I think she will get hazel eyes like Mark's but we will have to wait and see. She has light brown fuzz on her head. It will probably fall out and she will end up being a baldy until she is 2 like Claire was. She is a snuggler. The internet here at the hospital isn't the greatest so I will have to add some pictures after we are home.

At my doctor appointment this week we set up an induction date. I was hopeful that I would be making progress and Ella would be coming soon. But it looks like she is very content to stay in my tummy. We will be induced on May 22nd. I am so excited for her to get here. Only 9 days left, or less maybe she'll decide to make her appearance before then.

Painting

Mark started priming his "man cave" today. I went down to see how things were going. Claire followed me down. I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been. Next thing I know she is helping daddy paint. If you notice the floor she dripped walking back to the wall after dip dipping her brush and her little feet painted the floor very nicely for us. I took some video because she was jamming to the music we had playing. You can't hear the music very well, but it is still entertaining.

Why are the last weeks the longest ones?

I've made it 37 weeks being pregnant. The "I'm so done being pregnant" feeling hit me this week. I know 3 more weeks isn't really that long, but it feels longer than the whole rest of this pregnancy. I have to keep reminding myself that this is so going to be worth it when our little Ella arrives.