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!!

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!!