Visit to Albemarle

Since we were at my parents house, the kids and I stayed for a few extra days to see more family & friends.

We went to my grandmother's house one day to visit. She was VERY excited to meet Lilly & to see Brayden again.

Ms Elaine really wanted to hear Lilly cry (she is just a tiny bit crazy :)

Brayden & Lilly's great-great Aunt Peggy came to visitShelly (Ms Elaine's daughter) was in town from California, so she also got to meet Lilly!
Brayden also got to spend a good bit to time with Paw playing when it wasn't raining.

They played baseball & soccer outside,

went for walks in the little red car,

rode Paw's 4 wheeler around the yard,

played with the cats (my parents have 5 cats & Brayden knows all of their names & where they sleep), and played at Brayden's new tool bench. My dad bought this tool bench for Taylor in 2006 & has hung on to it all this time waiting for Brayden to be big enough to enjoy it. He really enjoyed the drill!!

We had a great trip & enjoyed staying with Grammy & Paw for a few days. Unfortunately, my dad got sick the day we were supposed to leave & ended up in the hospital for 2 days. We are still not really sure what was/is wrong with him :( but thankfully, he is feeling better now.

Go Wolfpack!!

Since Lilly & I were still in the hospital for the Wolfpack's 1st football game of the season, I told Matt that he & Brayden should go to the game. Of course, we had to dress Lilly for the event as well even though she didn't get to go to the game.

Cheering on the Pack from the hospital (and only 24hrs old)!

These next photos were before the 2nd home game. I was trying to get Brayden to make a "normal" face!

Week 3 update

Brayden continues to do really well with his sister. He loves to hold her & kiss on her. In general, he is very gentle with Lilly. Sometimes though, he gets a bit excited & just doesn't know is own strength & tries to hug her a bit too tight!

Brayden also likes to share is cars, trucks, and trains with Lilly. He often puts one in her car seat or right next to her when we are holding her on the couch. It is so sweet that he wants to share his toys with her & play with her! I just hope it continues as she grows & really does want to play with his toys!
Also, Oma & Opa came up from the beach for a visit this weekend . It was great to see them & for them to meet Lilly! Brayden enjoyed playing with Opa's iPhone and looking t all of the photos on there!!

Lillian and Family

I was finally able to get some of the photos my mom & Matt's mom took at Lilly's birth.

Lilly with Nana

Lilly with BBLilly with Grammy

Lilly with PawLilly with Aunt Dana

Lilly with Uncle John

Brayden...the Big Brother

So far, Brayden has adjusted to Lilly's arrival in our lives pretty well. He loves to hold her & give her kisses. The first thing he asks everyday when he gets home from schools is "where is my baby?"

We have had a few challenging days in regards to acting out, but I am not certain if that is because of Lilly's arrival or just his age (almost 3 years old now)! Hopefully, the worst is behind us...HA! What am I thinking!

I will leave you with a few photos of Brayden holding Lilly. It is so sweet!!

First time holding her

and a few days later

LOVES to giver her kisses

Going home!!

After several nights in the hospital, Lilly & I were both discharged. Everyone was doing well & VERY ready to get home!!

Getting dressed to go home

Lilly had to get dressed up in her NCSU going home attire just like Brayden did when he came home from the hospital. My mom made the onsie...isn't it adorable!!! There is a bow on the left side, but Lilly's arm is covering it up. She also has a hair bow, but we couldn't get it to stay in place.

Dressed & ready to go!

It was really hot outside, so we didn't stop to take a picture in the carseat & then when we got home Lilly was ready to eat so again, we didn't get a picture! Lilly did excellent in the car & didn't make a peep! Hopefully, she will be a good rider like Brayden because we are on the go quite a bit!!

Nana, BB & Brayden were waiting for us when we got home! Uncle John & Aunt Dana also come over for a while. Nana cooked a yummy dinner everyone & everyone helped out with Brayden so that Mommy & Daddy could both get showers & relax a little bit.
Brayden also decided that he was ready to hold Lilly for the 1st time. The only problem is that he didn't want to wash his hands! Finally, after a little convincing, he washed his hands & held Lilly for about 1.2 seconds (and he refused to look at the camera!!) Maybe next time!
Overall, our first night home went really well! Brayden slept good, Lilly slept & ate well, and Mommy & Daddy both got some much needed sleep in our own bed! Hopefully, tonight will go just as well...

Lillian's Arrival - September 2, 2011

Lillian Grace arrived on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 10:34am. She is absolutely perfect & beautiful! She weighed in at a petite 5lbs 15oz and was 19" long.



After an uneventful, c-section Lilly, Daddy, and Mommy got to hang out in the recovery room for a few hours until they had a room available for us. We had some nice bonding time together and Lilly got to eat her first meal. She was a champ at eating from the start!

Snuggling with Mommy in the recovery room.

I love this one...she was SO alert the entire time. This sweetie didn't sleep for several hours after she was born & then it was only little cat naps!Lilly also got her 1st bath while we were in the recovery room. She was not a fan!

Big feet & long toes for such a tiny thing...

Lilly found her thumb pretty quickly & continues to suck her thumb/fingers sometimes now when she is hungry.

Once we got to the room, Lilly got to meet the rest of her family: Grammy, Paw, Nana, BB, Aunt Dana & Uncle John.

Big Brother Brayden come a bit later in the afternoon after a MUCH needed nap!! (Thanks again to Uncle Joe & Aunt Amy for keeping Brayden for us!!) It took Brayden a while to warm up to his new sister, and it probably didn't help that Mommy was stuck in a bed, attached to all sorts of things (IV, etc). However, Lilly was smart enough to bring Brayden a few gifts (Buzz Lightyear toy & Toy Story 3 movie), which made Brayden warm up a little bit more. Eventually, Brayden came up on the bed with me & met his new baby sister :)

Sleeping angel at the hospital