Visitors from Wisconsin

When Hadley was three weeks old (she is 3.5 months now!), my mom and sister flew up to visit, help us, and of course meet the newest member of the family.  I was still quite ill with a sinus infection and recovering from my c-section, but we still had a great time.  I really didn't realize how terrible I felt until I was back to my normal self (weeks after they left).  It was great for Annabel to have some attention that I was just not able to give her. 

Tech break

They were here during an extreme cold snap so we stayed indoors at our place most of their visit.  We did manage to go to Annie at the Movies for Mommies showing.  Chelsea took Annabel swimming while Mom and I watched, which I think was a highlight for Annabel.  They also shared some time together crafting and playing while mom and I got groceries and picked up Eric from work.  Annabel still talks about it, so I think it was really special for both Chelsea and Annabel to have some one-on-one time.  She also keeps talking about making rolled out cookies while wearing her apron Grandma made.    

All week Grandma tried to talk Annabel into watching Frozen, which Grandma had brought for a gift, but every time she suggested it, Annabel would look at her like it was a horrible idea and say "no, let's watch Cars."  On their last night, we just put Frozen in and we all watched it together.  We are late on the bandwagon, but the past two weeks, we've really gotten into the movie!  Although I haven't actually seen it in its entirety, but that's the story of my life these days.   

Grandma's baby rocking chair.

Pretending to be a baby in daddy's tummy.  Rosy cheeks from playing in frigid temps.

I particularly enjoyed their company and all the help with meals and housework, especially with Eric working a lot during his busy teaching semester.  It was tough having to do dishes after they left!!

We all look forward to seeing them and more family soon.  The next family we will see will be my parents when we meet them in Calgary and do some traveling in Banff, Alberta.

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Since their visit, we have been enjoying having Hadley a part of our family.  She continues to be a calm baby.  We were used to a baby whose screams could be heard by the man on the moon, so this is a nice change.  
Hadley is smiling and cooing and we are looking forward to her first giggle.  She's holding her head up pretty strong now and thinking about rolling.  She is so cuddly, forming her body right to ours.  

 We went ice skating downtown.  Annabel's first attempt.  Somewhere along the process of getting ready and going there, she must have thought we were going to the zoo because she kept looking for the animals at the ice rink.  It was a gorgeous day, so we decided to head to the zoo next.

Playing at this great play space at the police station.  We were there getting fingerprinted to send to the FBI, another part of our permanent residency process.  We joked that we may come back just to play!

Annabel seems to be enjoying being a big sister, playing with her and helping out if Hadley cries in the car "it's o-tay, Hattie Had, I know, I know." She has inevitably tried to pick her up a handful of times and needs reminders to be gentle and not to pester her cheeks, but overall it is going well.  She showed a little big sister protectiveness when Hadley had her first shots and Annabel looked sternly at the nurse and said "hey."  

Annabel's language has really exploded and she is full of very interesting questions like, "what are boogers for?" and "do you know how to toot?"  She often tells us her plan and then says "is that a good idea?"  She is doing excellent with potty training the past couple weeks, so I'm so glad we just let her fall into the habit rather than try any technique.  She also stopped sucking her thumb cold turkey (we told her how her teeth could stick out like Mater from Cars and apparently that was enough for her).  What a big girl!

Her sleeping has improved since my last post where she was staying up late and not napping.  Now, we seem to be in-between needing a nap or not.  She goes to bed fairly well at 8pm (with rocking and/or us laying with us and sleeps until 7:30 if she does not nap (but 1-8pm can show periods of tiredness/hyper/craziness). But, if she naps, then she is up until at least 9:30, usually 11.  The evenings are easier for Eric and I if we get a little break. 

Puppy at the children's museum.  She kept telling me she was a cow.

Annabel puts together some pretty awesome outfits.  Generally she is dressed way better than me.

I had dressed her in the boring gray shirt and striped pants, but Annabel thought the outfit needed a dress (made by my Aunt Pam) and dress shoes.

  

Reading her new favorite book The Book with No Pictures in her new big, big girl bed.  We are slowly transitioning our office/storage room into her new room and being creative as to wear to now put the storage stuff.  Eric put her bed up on the frame today, which he said makes it seems less like she is a roommate who was going to move out any day.

Easter Sunday

Annabel loves it when Eric holds "two babies."

Making her signature sound.

The Countdown

We can't believe it.  Monday is the day.  A family of four!!  The plan is for baby to arrive shortly after 1:30pm.  It's a bit weird to have it planned out this time, but nice too.

I've had this week off with hopes to do some freezer meals and get other baby things ready, but instead I've been quite sick with a cough and head cold.  I've had three doctor's appointments that took up entire mornings, so even though Annabel went to day care everyday, I haven't felt like I've had a ton of time.  But, still sooooo thankful to have had the week off to nap every day because I truly needed it.  And, I have been able to stay on top of laundry and dishes, which will be nice to not be behind on all of that like a typical week.  My cough is slowly getting better, which is great as I don't have a lot of interest in having a coughing attack while flat on my back on the table.....or coughing a lot with an incision. Although, I've had this cough for weeks so I doubt it will be completely gone by Monday.

It's been bitter cold and windy this week, but by the time we go to the hospital and bring baby home, it will be much more bearable.....-13 C (8 F) at the lowest.  

Eric started his busy semester this week with teaching three classes, one of which has around 250 students.  Tuesday he plans to leave the hospital for a bit, teach two classes, and then return.  Good thing the university is right next to the hospital.  Fortunately, we've had a lot of offers to help us with Annabel or with anything we need in the next weeks while I'll be on restrictions.  But, as all of you reading this know, it's tough to ask for help even when it's offered. We have a great day care option, who even offered to keep Annabel late on Monday if things get delayed and Eric cannot sneak away to go pick her up.  

It's been neat to watch Annabel "prepare" too.  I suppose we've been talking about baby more lately and she is taking note.  She has been playing with her doll a lot more this week and is enjoying putting the tiny diapers on her baby, even using the wet wipes first.  So cute.  She has also become quite the daddy's girl just the past couple weeks; I wonder if it's a natural part of the process.  The plan for Monday is for Annabel to go to day care while a big moment in her life takes place without her really knowing. Pretty crazy.   

This weekend we are focusing on family time and final preparations, the best we can.  And playing the name game.  

I am so excited to share these photos with you.  So glad we have these to remember the three of us and the belly!  We took these on a very dreary, windy day but Jocelyn Harvey, our friend and photographer, knew this area would have good lighting to capture some great moments.  Annabel thought the hallway was super fun to run down and it's neat that, even unplanned, her favorite toys made some of the photos.