Big Sister Reese

I was a bit worried about how Reese would respond to becoming a big sister. The weeks leading up to Avery's arrival were interesting to say the least. Reese could definitely sense something big was happening. She acted more "baby like" to get attention, she wanted up in Avery's crib, she asked to be wrapped up like a baby and wanted to be rocked often. 

Well, Reese as a big sister is really, really sweet. She does have her tantrum moments, which I think happens more because she's 2, almost 3, than because of Avery's arrival, but overall she's adjusted so well. She really is the best big sister. She truly loves Avery and shows her love everyday.

Sisters snuggling--Reese requests this most mornings

This is the first photo of Reese seeing her little sister for the first time. I think she must of known something the rest of didn't because she continually told us the baby was a girl and she wanted a "sissy." We were relieved (in a way) to have another girl, so Reese would get her wish.

She was very gentle with Avery from day one and 3 months later she is still this way with her.

Reese liked playing with her baby dolls before Avery's arrival, but now she loves it. I would say more than half of her day is spent playing with her 3 baby dolls. Dressing them, undressing them, bathing them, nursing them, putting them to sleep, rocking them, diapering them...really everything I do for Avery, Reese does for her babies and it's so sweet to watch.

Reese wearing her baby

This is my favorite photo of the 2 of them together. This was taken the day Avery and I were released from the hospital. 

Big Sister kisses are the best.
Avery gets many of these kisses everyday.

Reese was very excited to have a backseat rider with her. On the way home from the hospital Joe and I asked Reese what was the first thing she wanted to show Avery when we got home. Reese didn't hesitate--"my books."

Reese wanted to hold Avery immediately and started reading away. Reese loves to read and to see her share her most favorite possessions with Avery almost did me in. I was a ball of hormones after all.

I am so glad I captured these first few minutes home with my girls on video. It is the sweetest minute and 56 seconds ever. You can just see the big sister pride Reese feels.

Our first outing as a family of four was to Barnes and Noble to play and get Reese some new books. We asked Reese if she wanted to go with just Mommy and Daddy or if we should bring Avery, too. (We were planning on asking Nana to babysit Avery if Reese wanted some one on one time with us). To our delight she said, "bring Avery. Avery go, too." While we were there she picked out a bunch of stuffed animals for Avery. Reese kept filling up Avery's carrier with stuffed animals--at one point we couldn't even see Avery anymore. 

Avery is a lucky girl for so many reasons, but having Reese as a big sister might just make her the luckiest little girl alive.

I'm so proud of my big girl.

Moments

6:36 am, September 17, 2013, the moment my life forever changed. 

Avery Ann born a healthy 8 lbs. 12.5 oz. and 20.5 in.

The first moment I laid eyes on you. 

It was breathtaking.

It was beautiful.

The many moments right after your birth were too.

Precious moments.

Big sister moments.

Moments with grandparents.

 

Sweet moments.

I have loved every moment with you.

Fourth of July Festivities

Since the 4th of July was on a Thursday this year Joe had a 4 day weekend! It is so nice when he has off that much time. Reese loves having him here and I do, too. Unfortunately, there wasn't much relaxing--we stayed pretty busy all 4 days.

Fortunately, we had a great, long weekend.

We spent Thursday in Chandler with my Dad and Charlotte. We cooked out and swam. Reese swam pretty much non stop from 1:30-5:30. No nap, hardly any resting, and she was exhausted by bedtime.

The life jacket she's wearing is called a Puddle Jumper. It's the best swimming invention out there. We don't have to mess with putting her in a full size life jacket (that all kids hate anyway) or floaties. She can move around the pool freely, but still stay safely above the water. She's worn it a few times before, but this was the first time she took off swimming all on her own.

Sisters reunited,

Cousins bonded,

and Shared Secrets,

and Reese spent a straight hour (at least) holding her Aunt Kate's new puppy, Lily.

It was a wonderful way to spend the 4th of July.

On Friday, we spent the morning hanging out with my friend Shannon and her son Austin. They play so well together despite their age difference. Austin is so kind to Reese. 

Splash Pad Fun,

Playground Fun,

Chocolate Chip Cookie Eating Fun,

 and Sunbathing Fun was had by both kiddos!

Saturday morning Joe, Reese, and I met Emma and her family for story time at Barnes and Noble. 

These girls are so sweet together.

We ate lunch with Emma's family, too, before I made my way down to Norman for the Tornado Relief Concert. It was hot. I am 7 months pregnant. It was worth it to see one man--Garth Brooks! 

Now, I am not a huge country music fan, but my sister, Kate, definitely is (or was?) so growing up I listened to a bunch of Garth Brooks' songs. She would make me sing duets with her over and over and over again until we got "our act" together. Listening to him brought back such good memories of us doing that (thinking we could actually sing-HA) plus he is such a great entertainer. 

Our Sunday was spent running errands for our "projects". We are currently remodeling our guest bathroom, picking out a bed frame, painting our bedroom, decorating the soon to be babies' room, de-cluttering, reorganizing, donating, trimming trees, waterproofing our front yard, and the list doesn't stop there. 

Can anyone say--nesting? Yeah, I'd say we're in full nesting mode at this point.

With this intensity of nesting going on does it surprise anyone to know that I started having contractions on Sunday night? They lasted on and off for over an hour +. Luckily, I drank a bunch of water, laid on my left side, rested, and they went away. Don't worry readers--I had a scheduled doctor's appointment early the next morning and everything is fine. She said I needed to rest as much as possible (easier said than done with a 2.5 year old) and that I needed to stay hydrated. Both of which I'm trying to do.

I wish we could have more 4 day weekends like this one. I hope yours was just as good!