No Pint-Sized Playground for this Little Boy!

Remember the little playground we bought for James' 2nd birthday? Well, guess what is in the back yard here at the new house?

I'll be Craigslisting that playground later today, I guess!!!

Slowly Making My Way Back to Blog-land

Dear Readers,

I don't think I have ever let a week elapse between postings in the more than a year that I have been keeping this blog. It just goes to show you that having a baby, caring for a toddler, packing, moving, recovering from a c-section and flying across the country can keep you from completing the most basic functions (like blogging!)

We are all now in the rental house in Connecticut. We flew here on Monday (with many thanks to Gini for unloading our three thousand bags at the airport and to Tara for basically being a packhorse "Here, carry this baby, push this stroller, take this bag, grab that toddler, pass me that sippy cup . . . .").

We arrived in Hartford on Monday night and James was so happy to see his Daddy. I was totally speechless with love watching my son gently touch his father's face while he was saying "Oh Daddy, I miss you Daddy." I know that when Chris looked at Ella he didn't recognize her--being away from a newborn for 10 days can be an eternity. They have been enjoying each other's company and getting reaquainted. There are few things more beautiful than looking at your husband holding your newborn daughter.

The rental house is on a huge, wooded lot with towering trees that must be 80 to 100 feet high (seriously). I have been here now three days and haven't set foot out back as I am swamped with unpacking boxes and taking care of kids. I will get out there today I think, as I want James to see what it is like to run around in a yard that is bigger than 17' by 45'.

We already have a lot of catching up to do with family and friends. We have a birthday party to go to on Saturday, a baby shower on Sunday, we will be attending the Eastern States Exposition (a big fair) with Auntie Kimmy and Uncle Dennis and Matthew, and will be headed to Maine in a couple of weeks to introduce Ella to her grandparents. I look forward to seeing old friends (who now have kids of their own).

Many thanks to Chris, Dennis, Kimmy, Travis, Chris B. and Jenna for moving all of our stuff into the house before James, Ella and I got here. It was very nice to walk into our new home with all of the furniture in place. You all rock.

That's it for now--longer than I expected but alot has happened. I will do my best to post again soon and with pics.

Love to all,

Allison

Busting the Cute-O-Meter

Here are some pics for all of you . . . I know I have been slow to post but let's just say that I am either feeding Ella or chasing James and there isn't time for much else!

We are doing great. Ella has her eyes open more and is checking out the world, James is playing like crazy, I am feeling TONS better and Chris has arrived at the new house in Connecticut.

... That's What Little Boys are Made of!

Garrin and James had a blast today! This time that we have been staying with Bill and Gini and the kids has been fun for him. Tons of toys and lots of room to make a huge mess race around in makes for a pretty fun Saturday!

Here is a rare moment of the two of them SITTING STILL.

Here they are enjoying Oreos.

Garrin taught James the fine art of licking the icing from each one . . .

And NOT eating any of the outsides. I told my Mom about this today and she said "They would make GREAT pie crusts!" I said "Ahhhhh, no, they have toddler slobber/slime/goo all over them. NO THANKS." (So, if you get a pie from my Mom with vanilla Oreo cookie crust, you had better ask her if there was a toddler involved in the baking process!!!)

And of course, after about 40 cookies, you need a nice, big, cold glass of milk!

Every time the boys eat a meal at the kitchen island, I look and see this image and think it is SO CUTE.

After playing and cookies, it is time to take a break and rest and watch a movie.


They are so STINKING ADORABLE!

Happy Birthday Ella!

Today Ella Josephine is a week old and I can hardly believe it! Seems like those last few weeks of your pregnancy drag by, slow as molasses while you wait to meet your baby. Then, all of a sudden, it is a week later!


Ella had a follow-up appointment with her pediatrician yesterday and she is doing quite well. She is gaining weight, her jaundice is going away, and her overall health is perfect.


A few fun observations:

• She goes from peaceful, sleeping angel to screaming banshee in about two seconds flat when she is hungry. Chris and I found this somewhat unnerving, as James never EVER cried for more than oh, maybe five minutes. I mean, she gets PISSED OFF. But hey, I like a woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind!

• I was going to post today about how much James is in love with her. Up until today, if you asked him who she was he would say "Oooohh, little baby sister Ella!" and "Ooohhh so cute!" and "Ooohhh, so nice!" BUT--I asked him today who she was when he was on the phone with his Grandma and he said "A monster." I was like, uhhhhh, duhhhhhh, what? So I asked him again and he said "A snake!" I am NOT making it up--I know you all know I have a great tendency to dramatize everything (that theatre degree had to be good for something) but Gini was standing right there when he said it (and her jaw hit the floor). So, I guess the jury is out right now.

• James has been playing very hard while we have been staying with Gini and Bill. He hasn't been sleeping that great, but he has been taking two naps a day. Yesterday I had him take one nap, and he slept through the night with no problem. So, I decided that since the two, two hour a day nap schedule was really more for my convenience while I was working, we would go ahead and try one a day. Needless to say, at 1pm today I brought him into our guest room for a nap while I was blogging. I had just put him in bed and was editing this post when I turned around and saw this:

• My nephew Connor who is in that "I am so cool stage with my Ed Hardy shoes and my spikey moussed hair" ADORES Ella. It is just so sweet. He asks to hold her several times a day. The proof is in the pudding. Take a look:
  

I have been very busy doing NOTHING but resting here at Hotel Herbst. Gini and Bill flatly refuse to let me pick up anything or do any housework. I took out some garbage yesterday and got the look of DEATH from Gini. Hey, what can I say? It is great to have people around who love you!

Oh, and BTW, Happy Anniversary Gini and Bill!

Introducing . . .

Ella!


Arrived at 12:45 pm 08-20-08 weighing 6 lbs, 10 ounces, and measuring 19 1/2 inches long.


Look at how proud Chris is of his new little girl!



Auntie Gini is in love with her new niece. She has been wanting another girl in the family for say, oh, the last 11 years, since Hannah arrived!


Grandma and Grandpa sent James books to keep him occupied int he hospital.


Thanks! It worked!


Uncle Gene and Auntie Mel stopped by to say hello.


On Day 2, James and Garrin brought these two little pink loveys as presents for Ella.


My all time favorite new picture of Ella and James!


Eyes open for her official hospital photo!


First night out of the hospital. James had this sweet double chin when he was born, too.


Everyone was tired when we got to Gini's after four days in the hospital!


I think they are going to get along just fine.


Everyone is doing well--Ella is eating every couple of hours, James is adjusting well, I am resting and Chris is adoring his family. We are settled in at Gini's for the next couple of weeks to rest before we head to Connecticut. It will be a great time to have Gini, Bill and the kids around.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Checking In . . .

Thanks for all of the sweet well wishes you have all been sending the last few days!

We are through the packing; moved out of the house; I am done with my last day of work and the project from Hell; the animals are boarded; the hospital bag is packed and I am now relaxing at Gini's and able to spend some time thinking about the new addition to the family arriving tomorrow.

James is doing great--we were able to spend a great couple of nights snuggling at the hotel. I am not sure if he knows what is going to happen tomorrow, but I am sure he will handle it in his typical Jamesy style!

Chris has been great handling all of the moving details, (like ordering an extra Pod because our stuff didn't fit), getting one of the cars shipped, getting everything ready for the rental, and making sure that all of the schedules mesh. He has been awesome. As much as I have had on my mind with Ella's arrival, it has been wonderful having a husband that just "takes care" of all of that other stuff.

Love to all of you, please check Gini's blog for Ella updates!

Allison

Pedicure Bliss

Seeing as how I am this:


I really needed one of these:


But I really wanted one of these:



So I went here:


Expecting one of these:


So imagine my surprise when an Asian version of this:


Came walking out, sporting these:


Which made me feel like I was in:


And put this on my face:
IT WAS AWESOME!!! He gave me a basic pedicure AND a long calf and foot massage--all the while bringing me water, making sure I was comfortable and adjusting the massage settings on the chair. At this point, when I can't even reach my toes, my feet are swollen and I just generally feel like CRAP, it was a much needed hour.

Thanks Chris--even though you may not have been the one rubbing my feet, you shelled out the cash and for that I LOVE YOU!!!

Time Flies

Chris and I have been getting together all of the baby items that we saved from when we had James in preparation for Ella's arrival. We pulled out and assembled the little bassinet that we have and Chris thought it would be funny to see if James would fit in it.



He does . . . JUST BARELY!!!!

What you can't tell from the picture is that Chris was getting him to go "Waaaahhhhhh, WAAAHHHHH!!!!" like a baby. Too funny. My guys crack me up!

Almost Time!

Here I am at just shy of 38 weeks!


Ella's arrival is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20th at noon. I can't believe that there are only ten days left. We are so excited to meet her!