Homeward Bound

Hi. I'm home. In fact, I've been home for a week now. Today was supposed to be the day I was born, but I came 10 days early. But oh well, everything worked out. So far, I'm a pretty quiet little girl. I sleep well and eat pretty well too. The only problem is the all the noise around my pack-n-play all day long. I'll figure out what's going on out there pretty soon.

A: My final moment of peace and quiet in the hospital.

A: Here's Mama and me, posing for our departure photo.

A: Daddy was anxious to get home too.

On the move!

A: All snugged up for my first car ride.

A: And, I have a spacious peaceful place to sleep and lounge all day long.

A: Disregard everything I just said.

R: I sense a great disturbance in the force.

E: I can take her, no competition.

R: Right buckle. Check. Left buckle. Check. Now let's see how far we can fling this thing.

A: We've been spending a lot of time altogether as a family lately since Daddy is taking some time off. Here's our first family walk.

R: Faster, faster you lazy horse. Faster.

R: While Daddy works in the yard, we perform the exhausting task of management. Hey, you missed a weed over here. Don't give me that look.

A: Even though they're loud and crazy, the more I think about it, I think Roman and Eden are starting to like me.

A: Roman is gradually turning back into his happy, studious yet mischievious self.

A: Eden has been happy about my arrival all along.

A: And it makes for lots of extra people always checking on me.

A: Yup, I've got it pretty good.

A: Now I just need to master this thing.

To make a short story long....

So, you know I'm here now. But you don't know the whole story. I'll let the previous family stars tell the story.....

There we were just minding our own business.

Then all of sudden, Mama's belly started to hurt, every 8 to 10 minutes or so.

Roman tried to block the realization of the inevitable....

Here was Mama's belly, less than 48 hours from go time.

Friday night Mama went in with lots of pain, but Drs said it wasn't time. After a night of monitoring, back home she came, with no baby. Early Sunday, she went in for round two. This time things were progressing, we were in the home stretch.

Mama was more than ready to go

Daddy got dressed up in his surgery gear. He's not a real Dr, but he plays one on TV.

And then came Addison Lane......

Mama and her new baby girl.

We visted Mama in the hospital and were very happy to see her. She said we got a lot bigger since Sunday.

And here we all are... in the first of many glorious family photos. Easy, just get all of us kids to look in the same direction at once. This 2 against 3 business is going to be easy.....

Breaking News - New Baby Girl

She has arrived..... Addison Lane Smith. 7 lbs, 8 ozs. 19 inches long. Born 2:52 am on Sunday March 18th. She's a few days early, but Mama was in labor and it was time. More story details to follow. Mama and baby are both doing very well.

The proud parents and their newest baby girl. Still in the operating room.

Mama and Addison.

Proud, relieved Daddy holding his baby girl.

Walking and Talking

I can talk! During breakfast, lunch and dinner, I talk. When Mama plays the piano, I sing. When Daddy is chasing me, I yell. When I'm supposed to take a nap, I scream. I love my vocal cords and use them often. My first official word was Nuh-night, which I recite at bedtime, but I'm starting to repeat lots of things. We're 15 months old and changing faster than ever.

I can walk! All the way across the room. I can stand up in the middle of the floor! I do lots of knee walking and am getting really good at real walking too. Roman is talking and yelling and singing all the time. We're both really growing up. Good thing because once baby sister comes (just a few weeks to go!), Daddy says we have to get jobs.

It's been long overdue.... so we finally had our first haircuts last month.

Roman ponders parting with his Einstein locks.

Eden defies all previous thinking and becomes cuter.

The upside to fancy overpriced kids haircut places is the prizes at the end.

Voila! Once handsome little dude.

R: "That haircut looks finger lickin' good."

This bow does well to hide the havoc I undertake daily.

A glimpse of things to come..... Cousin Carter tests his mettle eating with the big kids.

A rare calm moment as we are relaxed by our favorite show... Jeopardy.

Happy Birthday Daddy! You're old!

E: Hop to it Daddy, let's open this already.

R: I got into a fight with Chef Boyardee!

E: Life is good when the milk hits the tray. I can drink about 8 gallons in one sitting.

R: What are all these towels doing in here? We took all these out this morning.

R: I didn't do it.

R: None shall pass. This is the perforated battle shield of my forefathers, passed down 12 generations. It is impenetrable. Your efforts are futile.

E: Naughty? Who? Me???

How many babies are inside Mama's belly? That's right Roman.

E: You gonna finish that?

E: Hey, how do you look in the morning? Cut me some slack.

R: Turn around and make me some french toast. I'm starving over here. Chop chop.

Happy Birthday Mama! To celebrate we're going to perform our syncronized finger in mouth routine.

E: Where's my other arm?

Daddy finally broke down and got high speed internet and set up a wireless network at home. So the blogs should come more often now. Yay!