School Field Trip and Pumpkin Rolling

Friday afternoon MiniM.E. and her preschool class went on a field trip to Ellms.  It was less a field trip and more a "why don't all our preschool families drive separately even though we have to have a bus and we'll all meet at a designated location where we will attempt some group activities". 

The bus was late, the weather was less than favorable and we only had time for a couple activities before the bus had to leave to go back to school.  MiniM.E. also didn't like that anyone from school was involved in a trip to one of her favorite places, so it was not quite the afternoon we were expecting.  BUT we had a good time on a hayride, picking a green pumpkin, going on the roller coasters and of course, eating cider donuts!  We're going to Ellms again today to get one last moo-choo-bounce-pillow-zip-line-fix since we didn't get to do them Friday.

Saturday we went to the much anticipated Fall Festival downtown.  MiniM.E. had her first pumpkin racing experience last year and has been talking about it ever since.  Anytime we pass the street where pumpkin racing was held she asks, "is this the hill we rolled pumpkins down?" and "can we do that again this year?"  So it was an event we couldn't miss.  And it didn't disappoint!

There was also a petting zoo, trick or treating in many of the stores, pony rides and musicians and magicians, but MiniM.E. was really only interested in pumpkin rolling and the carousel.

And I must also include adorable photos of my girls!

drinking shower water

loving the swing

watching a bath

sleepy cuddles

more cuddles

testing out the new tub

and more cuddles!

Out and About

My mom stayed with us after Baby#2 was born to help out.  Which we desperately needed since MiniM.E. is a full time job for at least one person and I needed to recover a bit and we all had to get used to having all the extra responsibilities of a baby.  MiniM.E. and Gram and Daddy had been keeping busy while Baby#2 and I spent a lot of time learning to eat and changing diapers.  

Finally over the weekend we were all ready for an outing so we went to the mall.  With three adults and one sleeping baby we had a great trip and MiniM.E. had all of our attention.

My mom left Sunday and we've been getting used to it being just the four of us.  Fortunately Bob has this week off so there is an extra pair of hands at home during the day.

Sunday we took a family outing downtown.  MiniM.E. wanted to show Baby#2 all her favorite downtown attractions:

ice cream @ Plum Dandy

the carousel

and the ducks 

MiniM.E. had a great time.  (Baby#2 had a great nap!)

Monday I took both girls out by myself for the first time.  We went to our usual library playgroup.  MiniM.E. was glad to get back to our normal activities and it really wasn't as hard as I thought since Baby#2 still sleeps pretty much all the time.

Yesterday we went to a friend's house for a playdate.  It was so cute to see the girls with the baby since they were all just babies when we started having weekly playdates.

Add in some snacks and some kitty cuddles and it was a fantastic day!

Sisters

Cuddling a new baby is fantastic.  They're so cute with their little fingers and toes.  I love the funny faces Baby#2 makes and the adorable noises...

But seeing MiniM.E. with the baby almost brings tears to my eyes.  They are so sweet together.

Our First Week at Home...

With a new baby...

There has definitely been a lot less sleeping than usual.  A lot more crying than usual.  And a lot of change.

But there have also been a lot more cuddles and kisses and smiles.  All of us are so happy to have a baby in the house.

MiniM.E. is a great helper and is so excited to have Baby#2 be a part of everything she does.  There are times when there are a few more tears from MiniM.E. than as she adjusts to having to share our attention, but she certainly hasn't been taking it out on the baby-- HER baby.

It's been just over a week, and Baby#2 has stolen all of our hearts.

Coming Home

After two nights in the hospital, I was definitely ready to go home.  Even though I started the process at 7am, we were still waiting at the hospital at 1... 

MiniM.E., Daddy and Gram came to pick us up.  While we were waiting there were lots of cuddles... 

And of course we had to put Baby#2 in her coming home outfit...

Now that we are home we are adjusting to our new addition.  MiniM.E. is so in love with Baby#2 and wants to hold her and help with everything all the time.  It is adorable to see my girls together.  MiniM.E. can't wait until Baby#2 starts sleeping a little less though- she is always eager to wake her up to change a diaper or pick out a new outfit or show her something she's doing.

 She is a great helper- always bringing diapers and wipes and holding Baby#2's hands when she doesn't like diaper changes.  She was beyond excited to wash her this morning and did a great job cleaning her gently.  If this keeps up Baby#2 will be the easiest baby ever because MiniM.E. will take care of her for me!

Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?

MiniM.E., Proud Big Sister

Compared to MiniM.E., having Baby#2 was easy... Bob and my sister did a great job helping me through it though there are probably some residual bruised hands, and it was so nice to be in postpartum recovery with Baby#2 instead of in the ICU.  

so in love

Hi Daddy!

Hi Auntie Jen!

Almost as exciting as having a baby was getting to see MiniM.E. when she came to visit Tuesday.  It was the first time I'd been away from her overnight.  I guess she didn't suffer much since she slept through the whole thing and was so excited to meet her baby sister when she woke up in the morning.

Hi Mom, enough with the hugs- where's the baby?!

so proud to be a big sister

hi Gram!

hi Grumpy!

kisses

It was sad when MiniM.E. had to go home, and Bob left to be with her for the night.  It was a little lonely (though its hard to be lonely with all the nurses and doctors that have to check in on you and the baby every 5 minutes) but it was nice to spend some quality Mommy-Baby time.

So happy to be a family of four!