Memorial Day Weekend

Grandma was here with us for 10 days, taking care of Addison while we were in the hospital, and then taking care of all of us once we got home. That she got up every morning at 6am when Addison yelled "Gamma! GAMMA!" from her crib so DJ and I could get a few more precious moments of sleep was priceless! THANK YOU for everything! Grandma flew home today, so we're wondering who will go fetch Addison tomorrow morning as she's calling for Grandma from her room. :)

The weather here has been incredible, and Memorial Day was no exception. We spent the morning at the park where Addison ran around pulling every flag she could find out of planters and pots. She's actually covered with bug bites from being outside so much over the past couple of weeks!

Isla continues to be a sweet little doll, so cuddly and cute. She's sleeping on me as I write this. Addison enjoys giving her kisses and love, but we can definitely see some different emotions coming out of big sister - more sensitive lately, a bit more dramatic and needy...her world has changed so much, but overall she's handling it like a champ.

Peonies!

Tummy time!

One last cuddle with Dad before work

She loves to tuck into a little ball on my chest

Kisses for Isla

She's saying "love you baby Isla!"


Isla loves the sling

Home Sweet Home

The first few days home from the hospital have gone pretty well, especially last night when Isla slept for 6 hours straigt! DJ and I finally feel like humans again today. Let's hope she has a repeat performance tonight - I know, I know, I'm not counting on it.

Addison has responded REALLY positively to her baby sister, going between being totally uninterested and unphased to wanting to touch, kiss and talk to her. I'll take that over jealousy and freak-outs any day. Addison has had lots of playtime outside for the past week with the weather being in the 80s and sunny. Our neighbors with three girls, along with Grandma, have been really helpful in keeping her occupied and happy. We're so lucky. It's funny how giant and grown up Addison seems compared to Isla.

In Isla's world, it's all about eating, sleeping and pooping - LOTS of sleeping. She's such a little snuggle bug, especially after she eats. She scoots her head down onto my chest and curls up into a tight little ball...I am in love! She's nursing easily and well, which is quite a difference from how Addison was - it took weeks for her and I to get the hang of it.

DJ goes back to work on Tuesday, but Granda is here until Thursday. Then DJ will take Thursday and Friday off to get me through the weekend and then I'll be on my own. Addison will go back to Brenda's during the week, but what's nice is that they're right across the street so I anticipate we'll be walking over to hang out, have lunch and play whenever Isla and I are able to. Time goes by too fast and before I know it I'll be back to work. I feel MUCH more relaxed about things this time, so hopefully my maternity leave will be less stressful than last time around. :)

Right before we left the hospital

In the carseat for the first time


First minutes at home!

Snuggle bug

Naping outside (in the shade of course)

Peony photos for Dan :)

Dan, we get coutless compliments on this!

Sleeping in our bed in the morning - reminds me of Addison here!

Daddy's snuggle bug

First bath at home - she loved it!

Trying on everyone's shoes

Addison's latest trick - playing hide and seek in her cupboard in the kitchen

Isla's Hospital Days

I remember writing about this on the blog when Addison was born, but the days in the hospital after a baby is born are some of the most special. It sounds weird to say that being in the hospital is special, but you are truly in a little bubble with your new baby and the love of your life/husband, with nothing to worry about or focus on besides each other and the miracle you have both just brought into the world. Everything else around you is taken care of in terms of food, your health, healing, and if you're lucky like us, family is taking care of things at home. The peace and comfort we have experienced during the first few days of bonding have been so appreciated, despite the exhaustion that comes along with it.

Similar to what we experienced when Addison was born, we have had nothing short of outstanding care and compassion here at Fairview Southdale. The nurses are all awesome and the accomodations are clean, quiet and comfortable. We're finishing up with all the check-out details and lunch here, and will be heading home soon. We're so excited to bring Isla home and to see Addison. We realize that here is where the REAL work begins, outside of our bubble environment of the hospital room. :)

We're so in love with little Isla - she is a precious little sweetheart who makes us want more, more and MORE babies! I think we're a little delirious right now. :) She's doing amazingly well, healthy as can be and nursing like a pro - that makes my job a little easier. She's actually GAINED 2 ounces since birth, which is pretty rare for 4 days old. I'm feeling pretty great myself - seems easier the second c-section around. We're about to get her dressed and pack up our things to go HOME!!!

DJ takes a turn in the comfortable (relative to the lovely pull-out chair he's been sleeping on) hospital bed

Baby Isla is here - Happy Birthday!

Even though it's been almost 2 years since we were in this position for the first time, the overwhelming feelings of joy and amazement truly come rushing back. I was JUST as nervous to go through the c-section, and JUST as happy and in awe of Isla as I was with Addison. It's so incredible to bring a tiny new baby into the world...and I do mean tiny by Barat baby standards. Isla joined us this morning at 8:52am, weighing 7 lbs. 7 oz. (as compared to Addison at 8lbs. 10 oz!) and measuring 20" long. She has a FULL head of dark hair, even more than Addison had at birth, and has been doing really well from the start. She latched on in about 3 seconds with no issues figuring that piece out, had a bath which she thoroughly enjoyed, and is now sleeping soundly in her little crib in our room.

Addison came by for a visit and didn't know quite what to make of it all. She was hesitant at first, but ended up giving Isla kisses and attempting to feed her Cheerios. When Addison shares a snack, you know she's feeling the love. :)

We're now sitting here quietly enjoying this special time with our new baby. I'm feeling pretty great for having been sliced open earlier (sorry, gross I know), and looking forward to a speedy recovery. Thanks for all the well-sishes and support, and please check back often for updates. Although.....with 2 little ones I'm not making any promises on the frequency of posts just yet. ;)

Prepping for delivery

Dr. McDreamy...HA!

First moment entering the world

Happy Birthday Isla! DJ says 9:52 in this clip, but it was actually 8:52am :)