Corinne at 3 weeks

Corinne was born 3 weeks ago today.  So far she has been a pretty easy going baby.  She can tend to be somewhat of a night owl, which her father and I are working desperately to correct, but otherwise, she is doing really well!  She likes tummy time and is learning to turn her head from side to side.  

4 years TODAY!

Four years ago today, Ryan and I were married!  Time has flown by so quickly.  Though both of us were intent on having children when we got married, I don't know if either of us would have expected that our family size would have doubled within four years.  We are so thankful and consider our blessings as gifts of God.  It is interesting to think back over our dating/engagement years and first year of marriage in comparison to where we are at in life now.  Our first year of marriage, we traveled to Russia, Brazil and Australia together...since then we haven't traveled abroad (together) once!  Owning a home and having children certainly changes things!  Back then we were so adventuresome.  Parenthood definitely adds a level of responsibility to life.  I know that we will still get to have adventures, with Jude and Corinne tagging along with us.  I love you, Ryan!  You are a wonderful husband and exceptional father.

Story time

Our new normal at bedtime.

Netta & Pops

 It was so great to have Netta with us for almost the first two weeks of Corinne's life.  She was a huge help around the house, doing our laundry, making us meals and most importantly spending time with her grandchildren.  There were also a few storms we weathered last week (ie: two flat tires, a broken cell phone and a threat of a broken heater) that I know I would have not been able to handle on my own with a one week old had Netta not been around to keep me sane!  Pops joined us on Friday of last week.  

 As you can see, Jude has a lot more fun when grandparents are around who are willing to treat him to fun things like making his first gingerbread house.

 Jude's decorations may look a little sparse because more of the candy went directly in his mouth.

We sent Pops & Netta home on an airplane yesterday while Jude was at Parent's Morning Out.  When we got home, Jude wandered the house saying, "Netta, where are you?"  "Pop, where are you?"  While we miss you, Netta & Pops, you will be happy to know that I am surviving without you here!  I was pretty emotional sending you off, but so far my children (and I) have eaten every single one of our meals, and no one has broken anything.  I even managed to get both of my children to nap at the same time yesterday, which meant nap for mommy too!  We will be ok...we will be better than ok.  And, I will not complain one bit if Grandma Joan wants to come over every single afternoon (just in case!). 

Proud Papa

This is my very favorite photo taken at the hospital and may be my very favorite photo we have of Corinne so far.  I love it!  Ryan always teases his dad for doting on his sister, but I have a feeling that he will be doing some doting of his own in the years to come on his baby girl too!

My Two Boys!

I love them!  

Rainy Day Fun

 It's a rainy day here in Falls Church, so Jude and I decided to make chocolate chip cookies.  It was his first time to help, and he did great!  By that I mean that more flour wound up in the bowl than on the floor, although the floor got its fair share too!

While we were busy bakers, Corinne was doing what she does best--nap!  Netta spent her morning doing about 8 loads of laundry and starting a pot roast.  Thank you for taking such good care of us, Netta!

Corinne

Corinne was born on November 29, 2011 at 12:45 p.m.  She weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20 inches long. We had our 2 day appointment with our pediatrician yesterday, and she has already gained an ounce!  Yay!  Good girl!  We love our baby girl!

Our First Family Photo

About 4 hours after Corinne was born, big brother Jude stopped by the hospital with his grandpa to meet his sister.  A word to the wise to second-time mothers--do not hold the baby when your older child comes to see you!  Jude was clearly genuinely sad when he entered into the room and cried real tears.  We quickly handed off Corinne so that Jude could sit in mama's lap, and he stayed there during the rest of the visit, pretty much ignoring the fact that Corinne was even in the room.  Thankfully, the welcoming presents from baby sister were well received.  You see Jude clutching his new book about trucks (his current favorite thing on the planet) in his hands in this picture.  We just stuck to reading our books the entire time and made it through visit #1.

Day 2 at the hospital was much more successful.  Jude started to show an interest in his sister.  He even offered her a goldfish from his snack cup!  It was still hard for all of us when it was time for him to leave.  We were so ready to be home and all together as a family.

And things are getting progressively better!  Jude requested to hold the "bebe" about an hour after we got home.  He told her "hi you" and wanted to point to her nose, hair, feet, hands, etc.

Yesterday we put Corinne down for some tummy time.  Jude got down on his tummy too and was talking with her.  It was the most precious thing!  So the adjustment period is going well so far!

Jude & his Tricycle

Fun at Cox Farms

 Going down the slide with Daddy

 Family photo

 Jude & Mary Harper in their Pumpkin Carriage

 "Look at my squash!"

Laurel, Ryan, Jude, Mary Harper, Whit, Meredith, baby Clay, Amy Marie, baby Bowman & Mark

Getting ready for baby Corinne!

In March, we learned that we are pregnant with our second baby who we found out in August is a little girl!  After months and months of deliberating on a name, we finally settled on Corinne Ellyce.  Ellyce is my middle name, so we're keeping the tradition of giving our kids their parent's middle names.  We are expecting Corinne on or before November 29th--hopefully on and if before not too much before!  :)  We are excited to meet baby Corinne, but we can use all the time we can get to continue to prepare for her arrival.  Below are a few photos of her nursery.  It's not yet decorated, but at least everything is in it's place!  Decorations can come after birth if need be!

It's fun to see Jude's little brain process the changes he's going through.  He is most definitely aware that a "baby" belongs in the new nursery, but I'm sure he has no idea that this baby will make a permanent change on his little life.  I know he will be a great big brother, but I'm expecting a big adjustment period.  Most of my friends with two kids have told me to set the bar low in terms of my expectations of myself and parenting in the initial months of having two children, so I'm going to go ahead and give myself that grace so that I won't be sorely disappointed in what I'm unable to accomplish later!  Days where I'm able to wake up, shower and establish some sort of semblance of a routine for my kids (and hold it together emotionally!) will be considered "good" days--at least for a few months!

Keep a lookout for posts in the coming days!  We'll let you know when baby Corinne makes her debut!  Prayers for a safe and quick delivery are appreciated!