Life at Home

Today marks one week since Avery was born. It has been a wonderful and busy week. Here are a few pictures from the last little bit.

Well, this one was obviously from BEFORE Avery was born, but I thought I'd throw it in. This is my last preggo picture, taken a few days before Avery arrived.
I love this picture of Avery when she was tanning under the heat lamps in our delivery room. This shows a lot of her pleasant, calm, peaceful personality. She is the best baby. When she sleeps, she sleeps wonderfully. When she's awake, she is so content, aware, and peaceful. She never cries, and I mean literally never cries, except for the 10 seconds here and there when she is getting mauled or really wants to eat and I'm not ready yet. She is a dream!

With Taryn, I got to labor at Aunt Katherine's house and then we called her right after Taryn was born to let her know it was all over. She and my uncle John arrived within minutes, since they live around the corner. This time, she was again our first visitor. The benefit of living so close to the hospital!

Our last visitor before going home was my doctor, Dr. Beck. I love this picture. His conversation at appointments leaves much to be desired, but when he gets into that delivery room, he is the most calming influence to have around. It's like having my own dad with me. He came to see us before discharging us and I asked to take this picture. He picked her up, posed with her (you can tell he's done this a thousand times before), and then wouldn't give her back. He just held her and looked at her for the next 5-10 minutes before giving her back and going on with his day. I love knowing that my doctor does his job because he loves it and finds it to be miraculous every time.

Yesterday, we gave Avery her first "bath". I hate umbilical cords and can't wait for it to fall off (it's hanging by less than a thread right now), so I usually wait for the bath. But I thought Keara would enjoy it, so we did it. Avery wasn't so sure about being cold, but loved having her hair washed.

And then she liked being wrapped up in her towel afterwards. I love those beautiful eyes!

Last night, I needed to take up the laundry, but didn't have enough arms to carry Avery and the basket, so she got a special ride. Cutest laundry I've ever seen...

Keara and Taryn have really loved having Avery. Any time she wakes up, they are running to see her. If she makes a sound, they run to see her. If she's awake, they are there in her face. Keara asks to hold her all the time and has just recently begun to shorten her holding times. The first few days, I was getting jealous because I never got to hold Avery! But now, Keara is good with 5 minutes and then passes her back. She'll be back in a little bit to ask to hold her again, but at least I get a little more time. Taryn also asks to hold her, but her holding sessions last about 5 seconds, where she gives Avery a kiss and a hug and then passes her back.

Bradens mom has been with us since Sunday and has kept the girls entertained. I'm so glad, especially because I see how much Taryn needs focused time and energy. I can tell she needs her mom, but grandma is subsituting well enough for now. I can foresee challenges in the future with balancing the needs of all 3 girls, and I know Taryn's needs will often have to trump the needs of the others. I hope I can give her what she needs!

Speaking of, Taryn decided to take feeding time into her own hands. "Fine, if no one else is going to get me my milk, I'll do it!"

We were at Walmart picking up a few things the other day and grandma took the girls to sit on this little riding thing. They still don't know the thing could move if they put money in it, thank goodness! I think these pictures are hilarious, showing the love/hate relationship between these girls, especially at this hard time for them.

HATE

LOVE

I love these girls. They are such a blessing. They keep us busy, but they keep us happy too. I'm grateful for Avery's personality that allows her sisters to love on her, hold her, play with her, and maul her, and also allows me to take care of their needs as well as hers.