We're a family of 5!

Little miss Esmé Evangeline has been with us for 11 days now. She's amazing! Not only is she the definition of cuteness, she wins the award for being my easiest newborn. There is so much that has happened since she was born, that I'm at a loss as to where to even start.  I've decided to update through pictures...lots of them 

I started having contraction at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning, labored at home most of the day, got to the hospital at 5:00 p.m., and she was born 6 hrs later.  Easiest delivery! 

Just moments after she was born.
May 10th at 11:17 p.m., 5 lbs 14 oz, 18.25 inches

All clean and sweet. 

First picture of her being "alert"

We had issues with Gemma's bili levels when she was a newborn, so it was not fun to hear Esmé needed therapy at 1:30 in the morning.  Thankfully, there was a "miss-communication" between the pediatrician and nurses and her levels ended up being okay.  That little eye mask is pretty dang cute though. 

Being swallowed up by her car seat :)

I hate that Makael is blurry, but Gemma's face is precious. 

Gemma honestly hasn't seemed too interested in Esmé besides just saying she's cute and occasionally wanting to hold her. Surprisingly, she's been more "motherly" towards Makael which has been so sweet to watch.  

Remember how I wanted Esmé to be born in time for Gemma's dance recital?  Well, she came early enough that I was able to go to the dress rehearsal too.  My mom was over helping me with the other two so I could do Gemma's hair and make-up.  When Gemma was ready, we got our phones out and took lots of pictures. Gemma started posing with each click of the camera.  It was hilarious.  Here are just a few...but believe me there are LOTS more.  

Little E in the background hahaha. 

Night 3 at home...wide awake at 2:00 a.m.

One of my favorite pictures of her.  Is she not the most precious thing?!

Another favorite.

This little guy was pretty worn out when I got home.  He took lots of naps. 

My friend T.K. who made the pillows for E's crib, made this beautiful quilt from the scraps of fabric.  I LOVE it!

Still napping ;)  He goes nowhere without a bat.

Looking out the window. 

Gemma trying to give E her paci...Makael starting to show some interest.

No lack of attention from Ariya...she loves holding her. 

I just love her.

Sister love. 

Who doesn't love a baby yawning?

Recital day!!! I was so nervous for her, and scared we would have a repeat of her Christmas recital.  She actually reminded me to give her motrin before we left "just in case" she got sick. Hahaha.  She did great!

Best friends.

Ariya danced the same day too.  It was so fun to watch them.  Gemma was especially proud of her flowers.

She's been dying to play with her recital outfit on, but we had to keep it looking nice until after the actual recital.  She was so excited to be able to keep it on and go for a bike ride (those cute little boys live next door).

Gemma wanted to take a picture "just us girl".  This was recital day for G, and E's 1 week birthday. 

Look at that sweet face! I could sit and stare at her for hours. 

She doesn't really care to be swaddled, can you tell?

Looks so tiny in her crib. 

Yay for first bath!! She LOVED it.  It literally looked like she smiled through the whole thing.  She didn't even cry when I was drying her off...actually she rarely cries at all.  It's quite amazing. 

All clean and smelling heavenly. 

Makael was showing interest, so I went ahead and let him invade her personal space. Ha! 

Growling at her...his way of letting her know he loves her. hahaha

He ran into the door frame running away from Ariya. I was afraid we were going to need a trip to the emergency room, but all is well.  

So that is basically the last 11 days in pictures.  Esmé is just perfect and I'm so thankful she's finally here.

All about baby #3

We are at 37 1/2 weeks and this baby could essentially come any time.  Some days I think it will be soon, other days I think she'll decide not to show her face until after her due date, but one way or another she'll be here soon. I'm more than ready.  David and I are about 90% sure we only want three kids, so I've been trying to enjoy these last few weeks of being pregnant, which I have, but I'm ready to move on.  I really thought I would be more emotional about being "done", but surprisingly I'm completely okay with idea.  Three is a good number :)

It's impossible not to compare this pregnancy with my other two.  As soon as I found out I was pregnant I started trying to find similarities to figure out if we were having a girl or a boy.  I was pretty sick the first trimester, much more so than with Gemma, so I assumed it was a boy.  But then the morning sickness lasted longer than with Makael, so I started thinking girl. For a couple of weeks I couldn't hold water down, which was not something I experienced with either Gemma or Makael, so of course I assumed I was carrying an alien. The only thing I've found similar between my two pregnancies with girls, is my mood swings.  I was so even tempered with Gemma.  Not much bothered me during those nine months. It was great! I was a complete emotional basket case with Makael from start to finish (and then some). This time I was pretty emotional for the first trimester, but evened out after that, which is what tipped me off that it was a girl.  Other than that though,  everything has been so completely different, yet thankfully it has been the easiest.

Gosh I'm just so excited to meet this little lady!  It's such a surreal thing, this whole baby thing. There's no way to know what she will look like, what her personality will be, yet I know the second she's born it will all make sense and somehow I will love her as much as I love Gemma and Makael. It's quite amazing.  Her room is officially done, her clothes are clean, and hospital bags are packed. Now it's just a waiting game. A waiting game that causes  anxiety, anxiousness, and giddy excitement.

May is quite a month to have a baby.  There is just so much going on! We have end of school events, recitals, birthdays (we have 6 in our immediate family alone), deadlines to sign up for summer events...add having a baby to all of it, and it's enough to make your head spin.  It actually makes guessing her birthday all the more exciting though.  Whenever she decides to finally come, we are ready and so excited!

I don't like posting belly pictures, but I thought it was fun to compare bellies. These were all taken around 37 weeks. Gemma is top left, Makael is bottom left, and right is baby E.

A lot of love went into this nursery.  My mom did the art work and my friend T.K. made the pillows, crib skirt, and rocking chair cushions (not pictured).   

My crafty friends might get a good laugh at the projects I did for the nursery, but unfortunately I think I reached the extent of my abilities. There are several other things I made that are not pictured, but I'll spare you :)

You might have caught on by now that her name starts with an E ;)  

I had fun painting this little rocking chair. Pink is fun! The little tag blanket was a gift from my friend Hannah (one of those crafty friends I was telling you about). So cute! 

Easter 2014

The weather could not have been any more perfect this past weekend, which made for a few fun days outside.

Photo bomb by Buzz Lightyear.

Her favorite part about ice cream...the last drinkable little bit.

Bubbles outside :)

Our (almost) family of 5

Brotherly hug

"He's being nice?!"

"No wait! Let me give you a hug too!"

Game face on.