First weeks as a family of four

The first weeks home after a baby is born is like being a bubble. It is like nothing else is going on and everything is laser-focused, zeroed in on the immediate family and home.

Jaime was so excited about bringing Ellie up to our apartment and watching her. He picked up her name pretty quickly. When he would wake up in the morning and after naps he would run to her little bassinet and jump up to peek in at her. Periodically while going about his day he would wave to her while saying "Ellie!!"or run over to the rock and play and lean over smiling at her.  He was pretty interested in hats at this point so would grab at her little hat exclaiming "HAT!" or point to it and talk about it. He would point to her nose, eyes, ear while talking about her.  And oh-my-gosh did he want to hold her all of the time and kiss her.

I hope to never forget the pure adoration and excitement that all over Jaime's face the first time he got to hold Ellie. It was beautiful. Simply one of the highlights in my life. 

Ellie was a good little sleeper and that made it easier on the transition. She didn't cry much or loudly, when she did wake up and cry Jaime would look at me, point at her and say "Ellie".

Ellie was also a good little snuggler. I loved holding her while she was napping.  Such a tiny little baby bear! 

Ellie was a tiny peanut. She was wearing newborn size clothes for a month and the only hats that really fit her were the ones from the hospital. I probably kept using hats longer than I needed but the whole winter baby thing had me worried about keeping her warm enough. Her fingers and toes were so incredibly tiny.

It was cold and snowy during Ellie's first weeks. And by cold I mean majorly, abnormally cold. So the four of us spent a lot of time inside. We made pancakes, we did all kinds of indoor-toddler-activities to keep Jaime active so he wouldn't climb the walls.

But we did get outside. While Dan was home we tried to do little outings with Jaime when the weather was warm enough. Both so he could get out to run but also so he could have some one on one time with one of us and also Ellie would then get a little quiet time with the other parent. He also had music class once a week to give him some toddler time.

I had planned to get a double stroller after a while and to use the carrier initially. Well with how miserably cold it was out, I wasn't comfortable without being able to have her more bundled/protected. And with two little ones, I needed things to be a little easier for us to get out and about. So we ordered the stroller and moved right into being a double stroller family. It was so cute how Jaime would need to stop every few minutes to check in on Ellie. Ellie just napped in her cozy little cocoon.

When Ellie was about ten days old Dan flew out of town for two nights... talk about jumping in the deep end. I took this opportunity to do some of the toddler activities that Dan wouldn't be able to handle due to potential mess, such as water and ice transfering. Bedtime was a challenge by myself. I would try to get Ellie down and then Jaime... one night Ellie started to fuss but when I started to sing Jaime the bedtime songs she calmed down and dozed off again. We did okay, me and my babies.

It was a whole new ballgame to have two little ones. It made me look back at those early days with Jaime and think "man, that was so easy!" But the mix of chaotic, sweetness, and love in those first weeks are so unique and special.