Grace is 2 weeks old!

It's hard to believe that 2 weeks have already passed since Grace was born. Where has the time gone...especially considering we haven't slept much during these past 2 weeks! Like a typical newborn, she wakes several times during the night to eat. At her 2 week checkup, Grace was just about back to her birthweight. She is still a little jaundiced but her bilirubin level was low enough that we don't have to monitor that anymore. Yay!

Tomorrow will be the first full day with no family here and me with the girls by myself...yikes! Luckily Jeff works close to home and is going to come home for lunch to rescue me for a half an hour or so. At least Ella still takes a long afternoon nap so hopefully Grace and I can also catch a catnap during that time. We are so thankful that we have had people volunteer to come help us during the last 2 weeks, it has been SO HELPFUL!

Other than that, not a whole lot else going on here...just gearing up for the holidays that are quickly approaching! I'm thinking I'll be doing most of my shopping online this year...

Earmuffs!

For any of you that have seen the movie Wedding Crashers, Uncle Adam taught Ella the concept of "earmuffs"...its pretty hilarious!

Lookalike Sisters

We didn't realize how much Ella and Grace resemble each other at the same age...until we compared these 2 pictures. Its almost hard to tell them apart!

Ella (January 2007)

Grace (November 2008)

Proud Big Sister

Ella has been such a helpful big sister these days! While she wasn't too sure about "Baby Gace" the first day we got home, she has now gotten very involved in helping with baby tasks. She especially enjoys retrieving things for diaper changing time. I think she is starting to realize that Grace is here to stay...and so far, she seems to be okay with that!

Ella helping during Grace's diaper change- bringing Mommy the "paste"

Ella practicing diaper change on her baby

Bringing Grace her pacifiers

Leaning in for a sisterly kiss

Welcoming Gracie home

We were discharged from the hospital yesterday and brought our new baby girl home. Ella had made a welcome home sign for Grace and was very excited to have us all home. Grace's bilirubin levels are a little on the higher side (which makes a baby jaundiced) so she has to be on a phototherapy light when she sleeps, hopefully for just one day. Otherwise, mommy and baby are doing wonderful and happy to be home!

Grace ready to leave the hospital

Grace bundled up for the ride home. It was chilly 30 degrees outside!

Ella welcomes Baby Grace home

Our newest angel, Grace Anna

Grace Anna has arrived!

We went into the hospital Thursday morning for our c-section and at 11:07 am, Grace Anna entered the world. She weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz and measured 21 inches long. The c-section went well and I am thankfully recovering without any complications. The doctors and nurses have been taking excellent care of me and watching me very closely in lieu of the complications I had with the last pregnancy. Jeff and I are having a lot of fun bonding with Grace and she has been doing wonderful. Big sister Ella has already been to the hospital three times to visit her baby sister and calls her "Baby Gace". She has been staying at our home with Papa and Nana B and having a blast with them. We thank everyone for all the words of congratulations and for thinking of us during this exciting time in our life. We can't wait to introduce Grace to you all!

Happy Halloween!

We hope everyone had a fun Halloween...our little bumblebee was buzzing with excitement! We went to a trick-or-treating pre-party at the neighbor's house and then to the local mall for their trick-or-treating festivities. Ella also stopped by her friend Chayce's house (see Tigger below). It was quite the fun-filled day!!

Ella trick-or-treating at Eden Prairie Center

Ella on a mission to find candy

Ella visiting her friend Chayce