getting out... with a little baggage

I made my first trip out by myself today with both my girls. It went great, although I did feel like I was rounding up and toting around A LOT of stuff. I guess I'll get used to carrying the heavy infant seat and wrangling the 3 year old that's trying to escape... all while keeping track of the ginormous purse that I'm calling a diaper bag.

We made it through Grace's gymnastics class without a peep from Marion, so I decided to risk it and go out to lunch. Success! She didn't peep through lunch either and we all made it home happy and safe! I'm making this look easy so far. :)

from the pantry door...

First, you have to see Grace's family portrait...

Mommy, Grace (she even gave herself a bow!), Daddy and Marion

The lesson at school for the past 2 weeks has been winter and mittens.

you be cinderella...

...because I'm Aurora, the pink one.

Yes, I know the box says 3 and up, but we supervise :) It's all part of being a princess in training!


Grace has started to learn the joys of having a sibling to play with...


Grace really loves being a big sister. She's gotten over the shock of a new baby being in the house and she's now asking to help with Marion all the time. She even insists on giving Marion her final wipe-down at diaper change time!

marion's first doctor appointment

Marion had her first doctor appointment today. She was just ever so slightly below her birth weight (she was 6 lbs., 12.5 oz today and 6 lbs., 12.8 oz at birth), which is great for being only 11 days old. The guideline is that they should be back up to birth weight by 2 weeks. I had been concerned that I thought she looked yellow, and Dr.Myers agreed that she was a little yellow, but not enough to warrant any action. She said it was normal for breastfed babies to be slightly yellow for up to 6 weeks.

Marion really changed today... she woke up! She stayed awake and alert for about 3 hours today. She really hadn't been staying up for more than 5 minutes before today! We had lots of fun playing with her... she really watched us and interacted for the first time!

a visit from the abercrombies

Saturday, the Abercrombies visited from Birmingham. We celebrated Christmas and Grace's birthday, so there were lots of gifts! Grace had a great time playing with everyone!

Grace and Aunt Lindsey

Grace and Aunt Caitlin

Marion and Grand-dad

Grace on her new scooter

Marion's first time playing outside

Grace on the playset

Me with my favorite gift, a drawing of Grace

Lori managed to avoid the cameras pretty well... I don't have a single picture! Thanks to her we have a freezer full of meals and won't be cooking for a while. THANKS!!! :)

sister time

I've been trying to make Grace feel more involved with Marion to ease transistion. The girls have been having "sister time" every day together, where Grace reads stories to Marion and plays with baby toys with her. At first Grace was hesitant, but she now requests "sister time!"

the second child's first bath

So, while pregnant with Grace I made sure I was TOTALLY prepared. I bet I had everything in place and ready to go by month 5 of my pregnancy. We're definitely "winging it" more with Marion.

One day last week we decided it was time for her to have her first bath... one problem... we couldn't find our baby bathtub. I could have sworn I had just seen it... but I guess it had been about 3 years!

We held her over the sink and went for it!

"do these people know what they're doing?"

"hold your breath!"

she's so tiny!

fresh and clean!

Of course, I made a trip to Target so we were better prepared for bath number 2...