My Girl's Growing Up

I see it in her everyday, she is growing up. On Friday, she took time before she left with her dad to ask what her baby sister and I were going to do that day. I said we were going to the hospital b/c lil' puffers was going to have another swallow study performed. I said let's pray puff has improved and we can thin her liquids a little more. Not thinking anything about it, I took her to the door and waved goodbye. We went about our day, and I sent daddy to pick her up after our hospital visit so I could run by the store. When I got home, Ryan advised that the monkey's teacher said our monkey did the sweetest thing at lunch time. Our grown-up girl asked her friends to say a prayer for her little sister b/c she was having a test done today, so that she could eat better. My heart melted when I heard it, and just one more reason I know our girl is growing up. Oh, and that prayer must have worked b/c we now get to thin the liquids a bit more for our lil' puffers, which has made each feeding this weekend like starting all over, but will take it :)

March Madness Literally, and of course 3 Months

March seems like it was a whirlwind (See 1st picture, for proof). The girls and I made our first long car trip together. Well it wasn't that long, but it seemed like it :) 5 hours later we made it to my parents, but it is really only a 3 hour car ride. We stayed a week, and things actually went fairly smoothly. I got to catch up with friends, celebrate birthdays, and do a little shopping of course!! We also had a leprachaun visit us upon our return. The Monkey loves St. Patty's day, and this year when she returned home from school the leprachaun left her a scavenger hunt, oh what fun we had. I have shared some pics of the adventure. Elinn has continued to change weekly, she is eating more ounces now and cooing and talking quite regularly. Whenever in her swing she goes crazy talking. We haven't quite figured out what she is talking too, but something on that swing sparks her to strike up a big ole' conversation :) We enjoyed the first couple weeks of March Madness ending with a trip or date night for Ryan and I to the Championship game. We closed out the month with a visit from CeCe during her spring break. I was able to busy myself with searching and interviewing nannies for our little E-bear. And finally, I have to officially announce that Elinn has her nickname, little puffers or little puffball as the Monkey likes to call her. So, from this point forward we have a lil' monkey (aka Addie Bobo's) and lil' puffers or puffball (aka Elinn or E-bear or Ely Bear) We like nicknames in this household. So enjoy this months pics, will be back soon!! Unfortunately, I will be returning to work in the not so distant future and I am not looking forward to it :(

Two Months

Well, this post is a bit late as usual, but we thought we would share some more recent pics. Elinn is now 2 months old. She is changing weekly and her accomplishments include cooing and smiling quite regularly, beginning to track objects with her eyes, and her newest infatuation is definitely her hands. She has found them and she loves them, except when we use them to scratch our face :) Big sis is also one of her biggest fans, she loves to cheer Elinn on during tummy time!! Were also excited as big sis now stays home with us a few days a week so we can enjoy some fun outings all 3 of us. Were loving the warm weather the last two weeks and have big plans to hit some of the outdoor playgrounds soon. Daddy is promising a swing set this year, and we can't wait! Enjoy this months pics.

SO, Stinking Cute!!

I love the title of this post, b/c that is what the monkey continues to say to her baby sister. She creeps up beside her and always, I mean always says, E an (as she pronounces it) "You are just so stinkin cute!!" We obviously totally agree with her. And before I forget, I want to capture some of our other favorite monkey happenings, so here is a list in no particular order b/c she too is So, Stinking Cute:

1. When asking for milk in her cereal, she tells Ryan and I every morning... "I want a lot of milk, but not much lot." Ok, we got it we respond.

2. She continues to tell us, when she can not taste something, that "Mom, I don't feel it"

3. She also tells us when our fur or her fur is bothering her, which in 4 year lingo means the hair on her arms or legs.

4. She also absolutely adores Taylor Swift right now and knows every word and I mean every word to most of her songs on the Fearless album. She can belt it out with the best of them.

5. She loves to have dance concerts with her dad, and sometimes mom can sneak in for a dance, but daddy is a little stronger and can do fun lifts, etc. with her.

I just want to pause time right now, b/c time seems to be flying bye right now and I really don't want to forget these moments of the monkey. Elinn also has been changing as well, she has started to hopefully take off in the weight area, and cooing is becoming a little more regular, which is such a sweet sound. She also is doing well with tummy time, we just need to keep working on that head control. Elinn weighed in at 8lb. 12 oz. this week as we are nearing the 2 month check-up.

One Month

Well the last month has been a bit of a whirlwind between little sleep, tons of dr. visits, and a 4 yr. old adjusting to her new sibling. But all is well in the Monkey household thanks to wonderful family and friends who have helped with the little ones, kept up with household duties, cooked meals, and just visited with us. Our new little one is doing well, she is a little slow to gain weight and is now on a food thickner due to a swallowing issue. Additionally, she does have a very mild defect to the aorta in her heart that is being monitored regularly. Other than that she is a changing weekly and becoming quite the strong one. She is lifting her head regularly now, gaining a stronger grasp, and is much more alert beginning to follow her big sis with her eyes. I have posted a few pics below so you can see how she has changed, she now weighs in at 7 lbs. 13.5 oz. Hope everyone is doing well, thanks for all the love you have shown us!!

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!!