& now we are five

On saturday the 14th we welcomed our little girl into this big world. It's always hard to believe you are 9 days overdue, then suddenly holding your one-week old. But that's where I'm at. It's been a wonderful week. Everyone's happy, content, healthy. The boys finally have their sister, the one we've been talking about for months. The one I think they may not have believed us about. She eats, sleeps & poops a lot. At her check-up today, she already bypassed her birth weight (by .2 ounces, but it all counts, right?). She smiles in her sleep. Tonight she was talking & smiling at Ry. They already have a special bond. Both the boys are in love- we all are. But Covey's feeling the middle child placement. He's so sweet to her. Kisses her. Asks to hold her. But he's also our mischievous one. He flushed three large objects down the toilet this week. Mike had to remove the toilet, completely, & use his plumbing skills to retrieve the objects (twice). It really has been a good week, with some added & unexpected entertainment. & now we are five. Here is our first week together.

Welcome to the world, EllaGrace.

Ry is very protective.

Covey's in love with "his baby."

Ry learned how to draw a star today.

looking forward to another week of sunshine & rainbows.

41 weeks

I'm a week behind in posting this picture, but still wanted to share it. 41 weeks. 2 days before our sweet baby girl made her entrance into this big world. I've been snapping up photos of her with my iPhone, but have big intentions of a newborn shoot. So far, I've found it easiest to get a few here & there, as time & energy allow. But soon her beautiful face will be introduced to the blog. Her brothers are so proud & excited about her. It's been a precious six days in our house.

40 weeks

My due date has come & gone. I'm not surprised. Ry was 11 days late & Covey 8 days late. I'm still comfortable (& I guess she is as well!); more than anything, I'm anxious to meet her. Before we know it, we'll be planning her first birthday, so I know I can wait. I decided to put together my maternity pictures from the past few months. I don't usually get in front of the camera, but I made a conscious effort to with this pregnancy. from top to bottom (left to right): 23 weeks family photo, 29 weeks self-portrait, 32 weeks self-portraits with my boys, 34 weeks family photo, 36 weeks photo taken by my son Ry, & 38 weeks self-portrait...now, perhaps since she's not here, I should go take a 40 week self-portrait!

Easter Egg Dye-ing...without the eggs

We haven't dyed eggs before because Ry is allergic to them. This year I came across ceramic eggs, but with shipping, they'd never make it in time. Then I stopped by our local craft store & found wooden eggs. Tonight we dyed them. Then we decorated them with glitter glue pens. The boys had lots of fun. I took lots of pictures.

the wooden eggs had to sit in the dye for a long time, but it did work.

some of the finished product.

we decorated some of the dyed eggs with glitter glue pens. Ry wanted to make one for his baby sister, hopefully she's here by Easter (the pink one).

Covey playing with Papa.

Our daffodils don't last long, but they smell like spring. I should probably throw them out.

more happy smiles, wouldn't know he woke up from a nap just a few minutes before, very unhappy.

for Easter brunch ideas that are egg-free, gluten-free, dairy-free & more, please visit my allergy blog- Allergic Adventures.