Our Newest Addition

Well I am finally back with pictures. You would think I would have found time to post some by now, but needless to say we have actually been quite busy:) Not that we didn't think we would be or anything!! The Monday after we arrived home from the hospital, we found out that Elinn was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. So, we have been quite busy with doctor visits since then and finding out what Elinn may need initially. Our first week home included 3 Dr. visits alone. We also have had many visitors and some extra hands around here to help out with meals, laundry, and playing with big sister. Big sis is beginning to adjust, but you know it is hard when your 4 and a new little one comes into your world :) She loves her little sister dearly and can typically calm her down by holding her or giving her a pacifier, so cute to see. I have attached a few pics of our new precious little one, so far she is nothing less than SWEET!! She has been a little blessing already and a great addition to our family. Enjoy the pics, I will try and come back soon to provide some additional updates, we do have a cardiologist appt. later today and are hoping for good news and a healthy report :)

Holiday Fun

Well as I promised from my last post, I'm back to share some of our favorite pics from holidays, still working on loading some of our newest arrival.

Holiday Adventures: including Monkey's 1st big date with her most special friend from daycare, this year's gingerbread house, pics from our trip to the tea room, sledding with daddy and trip to see Santa. Be back soon, with more photos!!

She's Here

I know, I know. I have been horrible at posting the last couple of months, basically due to work, holidays, dr. visits, etc. But I promise, now that I have extended time off from work, I will do a much better job of updating you on the happenings of the Monkey household. Pictures and all from the holidays and delivery will be coming soon, but just wanted to officially announce our newest addition to the family. We welcomed Elinn Hope Hooker into the world yesterday 12/30/2009 at 11: 19 a.m. She was 7lb. 4 oz. and 20 in. We are all doing well, Elinn has had many tests performed and spent sometime in the NICU, but so far we are getting very positive news. She was just about 3 wks. early, so feedings have been a bit challenging, but she is getting the hang of things as of late today. We even had big sis here again tonight, she finally is beginning to warm up to her new role and was quite cute cuddling and asking tons of questions about her new sis!! So to close out 2009, the monkey household feels very blessed and looks forward to a happy, healthy 2010. Wishing you and your families the same!! Will be back to post more updates, of course next year!!

Goodbye 3, Hello 4!!!

Well a lot has happened since our last post. Ry was in a car accident right after Labor Day, which consumed most of September, helping to get him back on his feet and healed up. He is doing much better now and has been back to work for the past several weeks. The newest monkey's development is now at about 28 weeks and things are still going well. Monkey #1, just celebrated her 4th birthday and she was so excited!! Here are some of the monkey's to do's now that she is 4:

1. Go on another merry go-round

2. Go on a roller coaster

3. Be brave when she goes on Snow White's Scary Adventure if she goes back to Disney World.

4. Play some more games

and a few of her favorites at this stage:

1. Favorite Movie: Snow White

2. Favorite Food: Chicken Nuggets

3. Favorite Drink: Apple Juice

4. Favorite Toy: Polly Pockets

5. Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Go to the store

6. Favorite thing to do with Daddy: Go on a date to DQ

And now for a few 4th Birthday pics, we spent her actual birthday just the three of us. We had lunch w/ cake and presents and then we went to dinner at the Olive Garden. Last weekend we had an indoor pool party with our friends and family at our local recreation center, needless to say a goodtime was had by all!!

Looks like PINK may be here to stay...

Well we are now more than half way thru the pregnancy. 21 wks. on Labor Day to be exact. We went to the Doctor yesterday and everything looks good and healthy. The Dr. got one good glimpse at the beginning of the ultrasound to say he thinks we may be getting another girl. He went on to check all the organs and take measurements, etc. He then tried to check one more time to ensure it was definitely a girl and by that point the baby had flipped, but he did say he is fairly confident a girl is in our future. Luckily, he advised he will do one more ultrasound at around 32 wks. as long as everything keeps progressing as normal. So we are all excited that things looks so good, and that we may be blessed with another daughter. The monkey is excited as well and is definitely getting used to the idea of becoming a big sister. She has been quite cute lately checking on me and the baby and trying to get the baby to kick her. We think she may be quite the helper come January, and is looking forward to having fun in the pool with a sister!!

Summer Fun

I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of our summer fun. It has been a busy summer, but full of lots of adventure and excitement. Everyone here is doing well. I am now 19 weeks along and things seem to moving along just fine for now. The monkey goes back and forth on whether she thinks she will have a baby sister or baby brother and still ignores many when questioned about becoming a big sister. Here are a few photos of some of our summer fun. These were taken off of my parents camera for now and I still have to download our others from our trip to Wisconsin. Enjoy, we will be back soon to let you know whether it is a boy or girl as long as the baby cooperates when we go for our next check-up!! :)

Man-Holes

Just had to take a few minutes to post another fun 3 1/2 yr. old memory, before my pregnant brain forgets. Since I am on rolling layoff for 2 weeks, the monkey and I decided to spend the first few days visiting friends and family in Indianapolis. Yesterday, while driving home from the grocery store with Mimi, the monkey stated she heard a noise and asked what the noise was? Mimi quickly responded and said "it's okay we just drove over a manhole". Continuing on our path, a few moments pass and then the monkey shouts from the back seat, "why did we ran over that man"? Mimi and I broke out in hysterics, and since we didn't quickly respond the monkey continued to ask what the man's name was that we drove over and why did we run over him... Ha, you can't make this stuff up, it is truly out of the mouths of babes!!