First Couple of Weeks

Valentines Day

 Here is a bunch of pics from our first couple of weeks as a family of 5.  Thankfully everyone is still adjusting well to having Baby Hope around.  She is such a sweet baby.  We are getting to see her awake more and more lately, which is fun!  She wasn't sleepingl at night unless she was being held, but after finding out she wasn't gaining weight very well, we started supplementing her feedings and she has been sleeping SOOO much better now. So thankful!   Her little tummy just wasn't getting full enough I guess.  She still loves to be held though :) She usually goes about every 3 hours between eating, sometimes a little longer stretch at night.  She was in our room for the first 2 weeks, but as soon as she started sleeping better, into her room she went!  Thankfully we can watch her in the video monitor :) Hannah and Seth are doing great. They have enjoyed all the extra company we have had around.  We are so thankful for all the help from family and friends these first few weeks.  They love sharing a room together and are really good little buddies.  They play so nicely together most of the time, which helps when I am busy taking care of Hope!  Enjoy the pics:

Valentines Day -  11 days old

Hope all wrapped up in the new blanket we received from Uncle Tim and Aunt Susie

Bathtime!

Bedtime stories

Maggie, Aunt Tiff, and cousins Josh and Caleb came for a visit

Swaddled up at night

I love this face after her bath

Hannah is so good at holding Hope! She can actually be a little possessive when people come over and want to hold her!

First time giving her a bottle

Seth trying out the bottle, too

My sister Amy made this "HOPE" shirt for Hope! So adorable!

Bathtime

Kisses from Seth

Seth reading Curious George to Hope

Hope watching her brother and sister dance!

18 days old

Reading to Hope

Hannah and Seth "playing" with Hope

Maya and Hope

Papa Jack with the kids

Reading books with Daddy

Welcome Hope Ann

 We are so happy to announce our new little GIRL has arrived!!  The surprise was worth the wait!  Hope Ann arrived on February 3rd at 12:30 pm.  She is our little Super Bowl Sunday baby :)  She was 20 inches long,  7 lbs 5 oz,   and adorable as ever!  We are so in love.  There is not much sweeter than cuddling a newborn.  She has added so much joy to our home already!  I know personally, I couldn't be more thankful for such a supportive wonderful husband to parent our THREE children with, and Hannah and Seth are just the sweetest Big Brother and Sister.  Hannah is SOOO happy to have a baby sister.  She seriously wants to hold Hope all the time.  She has cried most nights at bedtime because she doesn't want to say goodnight to Hope.  She has really been a great helper.  Seth on the other hand is more interested in playing , but shows interest in Hope once in awhile.  He likes to bring her her paci and rock her in the baby bouncer seat.   When people ask her who she is, he usually says "I don't know" and then gives a little smile.   Oh...just such sweet blessings.  Below are a bunch of pics from our first couple of days as a family of 5 :)

 Both Grandmas were the first family to meet her! 

 Papa Jack, Maggie, Grandma, and Pawpaw

 Papa Jack, Nate, Pawpaw, and Hope

 Fun to have some visitors in the hospital...Hope with some of her aunties and Grandmas

 Because of the flu, the hospital had a no children policy while we were there.  So sadly, Hannah and Seth could not come to meet her until we went home.  We did skype with the kids so they could meet their new sister.  It was a pretty sweet moment. 

 Watching the Super Bowl while snuggling with Hope!  We later found out that one of the top commercials of the Super Bowl involved a Clydesdale pony (in Budweiser commercial) that was named "Hope" after online voting.  Funny super bowl connection :) 

 Getting ready to leave the hospital...

 Going home outfit...

 Hannah finally meeting Hope for the first time!  Could she be any prouder???? Pure joy!

 Seth was more excited to jump and play with his new balls ( thanks to some sweet friends)  when he got home!  He did want to hold Hope a couple days later, for about 30 seconds! I was glad I snapped this pic quickly, ha! 

 Our first family picture...