settling in...

How in the world do I post on top of Jen's-beautiful-I-broke-into-my-sister's-house-post? I could leave it up there for weeks or months, but then my tens of readers might start to worry. Things are going great here with our little family of 4. We're all adjusting and getting to know this special little slice of heaven who was so beautifully placed into our arms and hearts on 10-10-10!

Side Note: Can I tell you how excited I am about his birthday? I get a flutter every time I have to fill out paperwork or a someone will ask me when he was born. It never gets old. What a fun thing for him too. And Lily got the cool date of 4-4-08 so I guess it's a gift to both of them. See? Now no one feels second fiddle. :)

I had some serious-need-some-xanax-full-blown-anxiety about delivering Grady after what happened with Lily. I think it was post traumatic stress coming back, but once I entered the hospital and met our friendly nurse Julie directed us to room 11, (hello doubles?) suddenly I had an inner peace come over me that everything was going to be okay. Until then it was fear vs faith and fear was winning by a landslide. But, once I got into my special gown Andrea gave me, faith was kicking some serious booty. Maybe David slipped the nurse $50 beans to put some xanax in my IV because all was good in the world and even better when he was placed in my arms with a wonderful apgar score! Victory all around. It was such a healing process filled with joy, relief and incredible gobs and gobs of gratitude.

and there were cheers for miles...


and Grady even got to meet his new friend Ella who Andrea gave birth to and was just a few doors down from us; we both had our struggles to have our babies and prayed like crazy for each other so to have our babies at the same time, just doors from each other was divine intervention at its finest. It felt like we were at summer camp, staying in the dorms, sneaking out to see each other. Grady weighed 7.11 and Ella was a wee 6.1 so it looks like he could eat her for dessert. What a cute pair.



and Lily meeting Grady for the first time? It was beautiful. I had butterflies all morning knowing she was on her way and missed her terribly. I felt like we just went through this huge life experience without her and wanted her to be a part of it.

I knew she was WELL taken care of though. I left 8 pages of typed notes about 'Lily Care 101' for very capable people to love on her while we were away. I knew it was over the top, but once I started writing about her, I just couldn't stop. It soothed my intense nesting I was going through too. But man o man, when we need help, the troops come pouring in in a big way. IN happy and sad times; they are there. In minutes. This was our driveway for most of the weekend while we were in the hospital. We had like 10 people watching one 2 year old filling up her love cup at every turn. It was such a calming feeling to know how loved she was while we were away.



I couldn't wait to see Lily for the first time. It was like we saw the Niagara Falls without her and now she was coming up to see the Falls too and hoped she fell in love just like we had. I felt like I was going to throw up from nerves, but as soon as she walked in, we hugged and kissed and my heart was throbbing as I hugged her trying to hide the tears and show her how excited I was to see her. I purposely didnt have Grady in my arms because I wanted our reunion to be all about us and after a little while I asked if she wanted to meet her brother as my voice was cracking so much I'm not even sure she knew what I said. Then she patted my tummy and said "mommy's tummy empty. where is he?" and I pointed to him in his hospital crib. I held my breath not knowing what she'd do next and after a little staring, she said "lily hold him" and all the butterflies flew out of my tummy and I knew everything was falling into place just like it should from those few little words. I was so proud of her and fell in love with her even more which I didn't think was possible. I seriously would jump in front of a truck for these 2 souls.



and somehow we were lucky enough to bring this little guy home in his new sailor outfit from Leah which was too big on him, but oh so cute! The love is so new and vulnerable; like someone stripped down my insides and they're all exposed. But in a pretty way; not a gory movie kind of way. :)


How did we win the lottery 2x?



Could we have the next Heisman Trophy winner?

I dont care what he does in life, I just want him to be happy and fulfilled. And know he is loved by so many.




and we were given this awesome responsibilty to show him that everyday. Someone upstairs is looking down on us helping us along the way.





and I can't get enough of seeing them together. Lily is learning all about him and figuring out how he fits into this world with her. She talks to him in this little voice where she's muttering and no one can understand her, but the 2 of them. My 2 little blondies - can't stand the cuteness.



She likes to sit under his play mat with him and calls it a tent. She takes our family love cup and fills up his heart multiple times per day. I can't handle it. No one warned me about this. Or maybe they did, but I couldn't grasp the concept.

I know she's looking forward to the day that Grady can sit at the art table with her and create masterpieces while fighting over the yellow crayon. I know I can't wait. Until then, baby will have to do.

I know he's only 5 days old (wow, that sounds young), but I feel like I already know him so well; mainly his sweet little heart that is so vulnerable in this world and I just want him to always filled up with love. And milk. :)

Oodles of thanks for all of the love surrounding our bundle of joy with calls, visits, texts, emails, presents, cards and excitement for us. It's amazing to feel so uplifted by so many.

life is good.