HAPPY TWO WEEKS, NORY!!!

WOWEE KA-ZOWEE!!!  At this rate, Daddy is sure you'll be 18 by next week! 

Here's what's been going on week two.....

*  You're a night owl.  We think.  You LOVE sleeping all day and waking up around 1:30ish in the morning for some consecutive hours of "fun".  Thankfully you're not screaming at these hours (or any hours!), but we sure would like it if you enjoyed this "up time" in the daylight hours!

*  The other night was quite traumatizing for Daddy.  He woke up to find you with puke all over your sheets.  So, he stripped down the bed and put you on the change table.  Then you puked all over the change table.  So, he stripped down the change table and put you in a towel.  Then you puked all over the towel.  So, Daddy came into the bedroom and cried, "MOMMY!  WE NEED HELP!"  This resulted in a middle-of-the-night bath time for you!!!

*  You're a hand-talker!  Even when you are sleeping, you express yourself using your hands.  We wonder if you're destined to become a conductor.......

*  Add the sound of the spin cycle to your "favourites" list.  YOU LOVE IT!!!  I can always count on a few moments of calm when I hear the washing machine kick it up a notch ;)

*  Your finger nails have been trimmed!  They told us to wait a few more weeks to do this, but you HATED your mitties and we hated being a 24 hour scratch-surveillance team!  I think you're much happier with your hands free!

*  You had your second big photo shoot this afternoon.  Auntie Gem is starting up her own photography business and you happen to be her most favourite subject!  This turns out to be LUCKY for us because we can't get enough of sweet little you!

*  Turns out Mommy has an infection.  I felt like I had the flu the past few days, but it turns out it's something else!  Unfortunately, that SOMETHING ELSE affected the milk you drink and is the likely cause of your upset tummy the other night.  Hopefully my medicine makes me feel better SOON!

*  You met your cousin Joycie on FaceTime the other day.  She was thrilled to chat with you and even MORE thrilled that you waved at her.  (Told ya you were a hand talker!)

*  You have a particular sleeper that we call your "lucky sleeper".  It's a cozy yellow one with duckies all over it and we can always count on THIS ONE for extended wear.  You refuse to spit up all over it and your diapers trap ALL that's inside whenever you're wearing it.  You also sleep really well when it's on which is why it makes us so sad that you're starting to grow out of it.  Somebody please send us a new ducky sleeper STAT! 

Well my sweet girl, you've just awoken!  Time for more snuggles.  You won't be this little for much longer.

WE LOVE YOU!!!
XOXO

Her FIRST OFFICIAL Photo Shoot :)

Ten days old and already accustomed to the intense life of picture-taking that awaits her!  Thanks to EMILY ABBOTT PHOTOGRAPHY (yes, she has FINALLY decided to start her own company!), we have some newborn snaps to treasure forever. 

Thank you Auntie Emily for the WONDERFUL afternoon!  We appreciate all of your "working with a newborn" efforts - all of the getting up and getting down, the diaper changes and fussy periods, and waiting out a much-overdue nap so she could become more mold-able!  Your patience and creativity are what make YOU an extra special photographer.  The three of us see some SERIOUS SUCCESS in your future. 

Love,
Linds, Phil and NORY
XOXO

You're PREACHING to the CHOIR, SWEETIE!

And in this moment I wonder how mothers of multiples survive ;)

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR (DECAF) TEA.

Yes, I'm still drinking decaf!  But I don't mind if yours is caffeinated :)

*  The 5 day holiday is finally here!  I am thrilled that Phillip will be home with us for FIVE WHOLE DAYS IN A ROW!  We sure do miss him when he's at work all day.

*  SWEAT.  Let me tell you, I have never done this much sweating in my whole life!  What's up with that?!  I have to change my shirt a few times every day just to feel dry and comfortable.  Perhaps my pregnancy pounds are coming out via my pores?!  INSHALLAH! 

*  Things we do often as of last week:  dishes, laundry, sterilizing, repeat.  Things we no longer do often as of last week:  sleep, shower, blog, watch tv.......

*  It seems like a never-ending Valentine's Day at this house.  Our flat has been filled with pretty flowers and tasty chocolates since we arrived home from the hospital!  In fact, it's almost as though our gift-givers are in communication because when one bouquet of flowers begins to die, the next bouquet arrives!  

*  American Idol.  TWO THOUGHTS.  One - Nicki Minaj is ANNOYING.  Two - if Phil and I keep practicing our singing non-stop, we are bound to be top contenders on the next season!  You'll be happy to hear that we've expanded our repertoire of go-to songs to include the itsy-bitsy spider, head and shoulders, and our own rendition of "Glory, Glory Hallelujah".  The latter is a true GEM.   

*  My doctor's appointment on Thursday went well.  After they removed the BA-ZILLION bandages from my incision site (which felt AWESOME), we found out that all is healing as it should be!  I'm restricted to light walking for the time being (which turns out to be all I can handle as I discovered on our big walk from the parking lot to the hospital entrance).  HA!  If you know us at all, you know that Phil and I are SUPER-SPEEDY walkers.  We walk faster than many people jog.  You can imagine how awkward it looks now with me trying to keep up and Phil trying to slow down.

*   Today is Oscar's birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY OSCAR BOSCAR!!!!  Your present will arrive this summer - in the form of something really adorable and fantastic!

*  Emily is an INCREDIBLE PHOTOGRAPHER!  This afternoon we did a newborn photo shoot and I can't wait to post some of the photos on the blog.  She created some real keepsakes today.  WE LOVE YOU GEM!  THANK YOU FOR CAPTURING THE MANY FACES OF ELEANOR DOUGLAS! XOXO

HOORAY for blogging!  Right now Nory is cozy in Phil's/Grandma's arms (they are taking turns!) but you never know when the Nornado could appear!  (Just teasing my girl - you were such a team player during today's shoot.  WE LOVE YOU!) 

Sending lots of love your way, Canada!

XOXO

DAY-MAKERS!

Check out what some of my Grade 6 Sweeties sent me via "ALEX MAIL" this week!  I sure am lucky to teach such wonderful kids  :)

HAPPY ONE WEEK, ELEANOR!

Well Sweet Girl, we survived week one as a family of three.  PHEWFF.  It's been AMAZING and MEMORABLE but TOUGH and EMOTIONAL too.  Mommy is constantly worried about doing things the "right" way and the "best" way for you.  It's been stressing me out like you wouldn't believe.  Thankfully, a good chat with Grandpa, Phil, and Grandma has left me feeling much better.  Daddy says all we need is a house full of love.  THAT, my girl, I CAN GIVE YOU!  I love you SO MUCH!   

Here are some little tidbits about your first week:

*  You've developed quite the reputation around the house for two reasons.  Number one, you have the abilty to un-swaddle your body, de-mitten your hands, and make your footsies disappear in your sleeper!  Because of this, Daddy has been calling you "HOUDINI"!  Number two, your Daddy has come home from work a few times to report a "NORNADO" in the flat.  What he means is:  WHOA laundry, WHOA dirty diapers, WHOA CHAOS!  And come to think of it, we've also used the term "NORNADO" to describe your 'witching hour' which happened from noon to three today!  

*  I have lost count of how many times Mommy and Daddy have performed a duet of "twinkle, twinkle, little star".  We really need to learn some new tunes!!! I will ask Auntie Em to teach me some when she comes over to visit you tomorrow.  

*  You LOVE the sound of running water in the bathroom sink.  I'm not sure what the environmentalists have to say about this one, but my concern for the environment often disappears when you're crying inconsolably.  

*  One day you went through 7 outfits.  The next day you went through two.  I think you enjoy the occasional "fashion show" every now and again ;) 

*  Your first impression of having a bath was terrible.  The nursery staff didn't make taking a bath seem relaxing or fun for you.  When we tried it at home for the first time both you and Mommy cried.  But tonight we did it again with great success!  You loved your bath!  You also love when I brush your hair with your fancy purple brush!  

*  Thank goodness your umbilical cord stump came off today.  I was paranoid every time I changed your diaper - thinking I would nudge the clip and hurt your tummy!  

*  It must be true that you've been giggling in your dreams.  You get the hiccups quite often!   

*  You LOVE TO SNUGGLE!  Yesterday you slept for about 6 hours, just being held and loved by Grandma, Mommy and Daddy.  The comfort we can give you makes us feel SO GOOD! Tonight you've been sleeping in Daddy's arms for 3 hours (and counting)! 

*  Mommy is still trying to learn that YOUR CRYING is like OUR TALKING.  It's just hard when crying is so often related to having the blues.  Pretty soon I hope to be able to tell your cries apart so I can soothe you in the quickest way possible!

We are excited to see what week two brings!  So many hours are spent watching you with a smile, wondering what thoughts are going through your mind and thinking about the person you will grow up to be.

We love you our darling Eleanor!  You have made our family brighter than ever.

XOXO

SO MUCH EXCITEMENT ;)

While waking Phil up this morning.....

Lindsay:  (enters the bedroom super excitedly)  BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!

Phil:  (sleepily)  What's that?

Lindsay:  (bounces into bed) Three things!  First, today is Eleanor's one week birthday!  Second, her umbilical cord stump fell off!  And third, she is wearing a ballerina bib!!!!

Phil:  (laughs)  Oh how my morning news has changed!

How Does One "SLEEP WHILE THE BABY SLEEPS"???

This is the number one piece of advice I have been given yet I'm finding the task IMPOSSIBLE to do!  Especially when......

1)  I am a terrible napper to begin with.

2)  I constantly think I can hear Eleanor crying.

3)  I constantly think that Eleanor has stopped breathing.

4)  I constantly think that Eleanor has managed to un-swaddle herself and cover her face with the blanky.
 
5)  I can't stop thinking about everything else I need to do.

6)  I need to shower!

7)  I'm still feeling uncomfortable from my Caesarian delivery!

Please pass any and all words of wisdom my way :)

Thank goodness Mom P is here.  I'm not sure what I would do without her!!!

RULE #1:

When changing a baby, always have the clean diaper READY TO GO!!!!

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.  It was HILARIOUS!  Alas, the giggle-fest did not bode well for my recovery.  Laughing HURTS!  And I simply COULD NOT STOP!!!!!  In fact, I am trying to think of something un-funny as I write this to minimize any more pain.

Our little girl is on outfit six today.  Bath time is coming up soon so it's a firm seven (at least!) for the day.  Thank goodness her Daddy LOVES LAUNDRY!  Talk about a match made in heaven ;) 

The Cutest Reason for Exhaustion.

During an early morning feeding....

Phillip:  You know what you've taught me Nory?  That I've never been tired before.  All those other times I was lying!