2 weeks old!

Ruby Kate is 2 weeks old! She is a great baby. So far she is eating and sleeping like a pro. I weighed her the other night and I think she is pretty close to 9 pounds already! Her newborn clothes and diapers still fit but I don't think they will for long! Ruby loves to cuddle up and be held but is pretty content in her bassinet as well. She is so-so on being swaddled. The last couple of nights we have been leaving her arms out and she seems to like that. So far the paci is only okay...she often gags on it but sometimes seems to really enjoy it. She will suck on her hands as well if they happen to get near her mouth!

We often have to wake her up to eat- she is still in that sleepy newborn stage, but she is starting to be awake more often and is a lot more alert then her first few days. I love to think about what is going on in her mind. She looks around and seems to study everything.


We are still waiting on her umbilical cord to fall off so she can have a real bath! I'm sure it will be any day now. We are enjoying every minute...now we know how fast they grow!

Care Package from Cousin Vera

This week Ellie received a beautiful care package from her cousin Vera!

Vera has a baby sister so knows the ups and downs of the whole situation. She was super sweet and put together a big box full of things that Ellie loves!

Ellie loved opening the box and pulled out item after item exclaiming "Thank you Vera!!" She has kept some of the things in the box and when she needs a little pick me up we take out some of the things that Vera sent.
Can you believe this wasn't even all of it? Ellie opened this box on Thursday and on Friday our doorbell rang. It was a truck! Very exciting for a 2 year old! The truck brought another box from Vera! Inside was a very cool turtle that projects stars on the ceiling. Ellie loves her twinkle turtle! Thanks so much Vera! (and Jesse, Mike and Baby June!)

Ruby's First Bath

Ruby had her first bath tonight. She didn't love it, but I can't blame her...she was pretty warm and snuggled up before we sponged her off. She wasn't completely miserable just would have rather been swaddled up and cuddling on someone!


Her hair was so cute and fuzzy afterwards!

Big Sister Love

Ellie is already one pretty awesome big sister. She came to the hospital Friday morning to meet Ruby. She was so excited to see her and from the first encounter was just as sweet as can be. She brought her favorite breakfast---donut holes of course, to the hospital and so before she really got into introductions with the new baby she sat with me and ate them up! We made sure Ruby was in the crib when Ellie came in, thinking that was neutral...and meant that none of her favorite people was holding the new baby. At the hospital she held out her hands and said "hold you Ruby!" Anytime the baby cries Ellie wants us to "pick up" or "hold you." Here are a couple of pictures from the hospital---



We missed Ellie while we were at the hospital but my mom and Aunt Zoe took amazing care of her as always. I was so glad that we didn't have to worry about her while we were in the hospital with Ruby! Thanks guys! We did get to talk to her on the phone often and she even did Facetime with baby Ruby!

She of course is intrigued with Ruby nursing and spends a lot of time studying that whole situation. We had some people over the other night and so she had to peek under the cover-up to check things out! We finally found the perfect spot for Ellie to sit while Ruby is nursing. She has her own "seat" on the foot rest of the recliner. It is really nice because she can sit there and feel like I'm holding her but she can't interfere with Ruby eating. So happy we figured out this arrangement!
She is very helpful with making sure we are adequately stocked with blankets, pacis, and diapers and loves to see if Baby Ruby is awake or sleeping. Of course the most exciting thing for her is when Ruby poops! When she came to visit in the hospital I was changing Ruby's diaper and Ellie was watching and at that moment Ruby started pooping...oh my goodness!!! the poop was meconium, a little different than what Ellie is used to and for some reason she thought it was a bug. So now every time Ruby poops, or she is talking about Ruby's poop she says..."Yuck, Buggie, Wipe!!!" Pretty hilarious!

Double Doctor Visit

We survived our first double doctor visit and Ruby's first trip out of the house! When we left the hospital they asked us to make a pediatrician appointment on Monday to check Ruby's weight. The funny thing was that I had made Ellie's two year old check up appointment for Monday at 8:30. So I called and they added Ruby to the appointment. Poor doctor!

Jason went with me of course...no way I'll be taking both to the doctor by myself for awhile! The doctor asked Ellie who he should check first and she was very clear that Ruby would be first!

He thought both the girls looked great. Ruby was 8 lbs. 1.5 oz. which is up already from her low point at the hospital. He gave us the thumbs up to wait for the 1 month check-up for our next visit. Quite different from all those preemie weight checks we had with Ellie!

Ellie was 27.5 lbs (right above 50th percentile) and 34 3/4 inches (75th percentile)! She is growing so fast. She did a great job despite being pretty freaked out by the doctor invading her personal space! She was very excited to get a glitter Elmo sticker at the end.

We're happy they are both so healthy and hope not to have to go back to that germy place until Ruby is one month old!

Ellie's 2nd Birthday Party!

We had a small family birthday party on tonight for Ellie. It was perfect for a 2 year old! Ellie adores Barney so we decked the house out Barney style and she was pretty impressed. The highlight of the evening was the giant Ellie-sized Barney balloon.

She was pretty excited that our plates, napkins, and cups had Barney on them as well. Oh the simple things... My mom and I made a cake which I think turned out pretty cute. Thanks to Alex for providing the Barney cut-outs.

Happy New Year! We are home!

Happy New Year! We are starting this one perfectly...bringing home a new baby!!! Here is Ruby Kate in her going home outfit. What a cutie!

We checked out of the hospital this morning and got home around lunchtime. Ellie was waiting at the door waving both hands in excitement! She was pretty excited to have our little baby Ruby home. We missed her as well and are super happy to all be under one roof.


Ellie is so far doing really well. She of course had to try out the baby's carseat and make sure it was comfortable!