Water Play

We took a trip to J-ville this weekend to visit with family. The temps were in the high 90's so we hit the beach extra early to get in some fun before it got to hot to enjoy. Olivia loves swimming in the water with Dad and jumping in the waves. Then yesterday we went to the local pool with our new friends here in Halifax. I left Olivia alone briefly to take care of Alaina and she jumped right into the deep end of the pool. I had to jump in and get her because she immediately went under. Guess she is getting brave around water! Other than that she had a really good time just floating around in her little inflatable ring and playing with her friend Marya.

Happy Birthday Olivia!

I can't believe our Olivia is already 3 years old. It has been an amazing three years and I am so happy to be mom to this unique little girl. We have been blessed to have her in our lives. Olivia got sick with a high fever and sore throat the night before her birthday so we stayed in for presents and cake. She still had a great birthday despite her illness and she is feeling much better now. Thanks to everyone that sent presents, it made her day extra special!

Rainy Days

This is how we are spending our rainy days here in Virginia. Lots of indoor activities like painting and Sesame Street watching. Alaina got a new swing and she has been enjoying her favorite pastime of sleeping in it.

This is what happens when Olivia tries to hold Alaina. The crying doesn't really seem to bother Olivia too much.

Olivia and Brian drew in the driveway before all the rain washed Max and Ruby away.

Also Alaina has been diagnosed with a milk protein allergy. The pediatrician put her on a different formula for fortifying my milk and she has been doing much better since. The only downside is that I have to also go on a dairy free diet now and I am already missing all the wonderful goodness that is milk, cheese, and most importantly chocolate!

Hello

It has been awhile since I last posted because it has been very busy around here. Alaina is a pretty easy going baby who spends most of her time eating or sleeping. She loves being held so she is usually sleeping on me. The first picture is of her practicing her tummy time. She actually likes it much more than Olivia ever did. Next is her sleeping in the laundry basket. I carry her in it with the clothes while I'm doing the laundry.

Olivia having a tea party with her bear. The bear is Brian's from when he was little. She spends a lot of time entertaining herself with tea parties and books when I'm busy with Alaina.

Sisters:

Olivia gave Alaina the clover flowers.

Alaina is home!

This is Alaina right before we left the hospital yesterday. It was an awesome Mother's Day present to get to take her home. She ended up with a feeding tube so we could be sure she is getting the nutrition she needs at home. It is really not so bad and she ended up sleeping all through the night while she was hooked up to it which was nice for all of us.

Here she is in the bouncer she inherited from Olivia. She really likes it, especially when we turn the vibrations on.

Here are our little girls sleeping in this morning. Olivia is absolutely loving being a big sister and she has been really helpful in caring for Alaina. We are so happy to be home as a family again!

Still here

So we are still in Chapel Hill indefinitely until Alaina gets her feedings going well.  I will be staying with her all tomorrow in a room in the NICU to see if she can do well just breastfeeding.  Everyone be hoping and praying that it goes well so that we can go home soon!  The picture below is Olivia in her dance outfit for the recital she was supposed to be in.  Olivia decided dance class wasn't for her last month so we will just have to have our own recital here.
I got requests for pictures of Alaina with her eyes open.  Notice she has brown eyes like her Mommy!  The sticker is a gift from Olivia who was going around the NICU putting stickers on everyone.  She is quite popular there and gets lots of attention from all the nurses and doctors.

Happy Easter!