Babies and Big Girls

One of our friends once asked "When are they just little girls? How come they always go from babies to big girls?" I'd like to know too....
After a much harder delivery, Isabel joined us at 2:27 on January 8th (Monday). The whole experience was pretty neat since we decided to have her at an alternative birthing center. No monitors, no IV's, got to order lunch (which when you're in labor, forget about!), no hospital gowns, a jacuzzi suite, and a queen size bed to share with the hubby......not to mention the amazing nurses who were more like doulas and coaches than medical staff.
Anyways, this little peanut sleeps a lot more than Emma ever did. She also cries less and feeds just as much! What a beautiful and perfect addition to our family!
For months Emma has been able to point out the nesting spot of little Bela, so it was interesting to see her first reactions to the baby outside of mommy's tummy. At first, Emma was very nervous, not even looking at me while I held the baby. That first visit to the birthing center was more of playtime with the fun toys (like the giant birth ball and jacuzzi tub) than a bonding session with Bela. And when we got the girls home on Tuesday, Emma was downright terrified that mommy was nursing the baby. Braden and I just looked at each other like "WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!" But Emma surprised us both with how quickly she has adjusted. We catch her peeking in the bassinet constantly and she even helps burp the baby and enjoys rubbing her back and head. Funny thing, she always asks "What dis?" about Bela's hair. Kinda funny that Bela almost has more hair than her sister!
Although exhausted, we are all doing so well over here. Just adjusting to our newfound chaos. Two kids are WAAAAAYYYYY harder than one! Hahaha! But we know just how blessed we are!
By the way Nikki, that down throw you got me one year for my birthday has become a little pouch that contains a warm, happy Bela when she snuggles with us. She's a cold one like me, not a hot box like Emma, so she NEEDS it to sleep, so THANK YOU!!!