Before I miss it....

Time goes too quickly. I am trying to soak up every moment of sweet little Maxine before she isn't so little, and has moments that aren't so sweet (sass comes too fast too!).  

This newborn time is flying by already.  Soak this up!

tiny naked baby...peed right after I took this. 

tummy time...no interest in raising her head.

sweet awake and content time.

so small

big brother love

less than perfect moment...trying to love all of the moments.

mommy & max day out shopping

tense little toes

always letting us know that she's hungry

Hoppy Easter! *2011*

To celebrate Easter, Cole (and Maxine) and I dyed our eggs on Friday evening. Cole was a wonderful dye partner.  We loved our bright our eggs came out!

Sunday morning we woke to Easter treats from the bunny!  That darn bunny left too much candy!

While Daddy bathed Cole, the bunny snuck back in and hid eggs (darn yucky weather!).

After we all got cleaned up, we headed to Na's for brunch. 

We celebrated with Gigi, Josh & Courtney, and Na & G.  Na cooked a wonderful brunch and held Maxine while Derek and I both got a hot meal!  What a treat!

Cole got to hunt eggs outside a Na's.  He had a huge cheering/direction giving team with the rest of us.  He scored really well with golden dollars, paper dollars, quarters, and candy!  He even learned a bit about money along the way.  He has since put all of his money into his bank to save for a toy!  :-)

Maxine didn't care much for hunting eggs but seemed pretty content until it was time to go.  Poor baby's belly started to hurt.  :-( 

We headed home and all got a nice Easter afternoon nap.  Hope everyone had such a 'hoppy' Easter!

Two Weeks of Maxine

At two weeks, we spend our time trying to keep Maxine's tummy feeling well, nursing, patting her bottom (I need to invent some kind of baby butt patting device...), nursing, changing diapers in twos and threes (because she loves to poo in clean diapers!), nursing, and staring at her.   

Cole is an outstanding big brother.  He has moments when he wants time or attention that she requires.  He has not expressed any anger toward her though.  He is an awesome helper and keeps me laughing with his spunky personality!

Today was Maxine's two week check up (actually two week, two day).  She got a good report.  We have been dealing with the dreaded colic/acid reflux.  Poor little Maxine has rough evenings with what appears to be belly pains.  However, she is growing and doing great.  She was born 8lb 6oz, left the hospital 48 hours later at 7lb 10oz, was 7lb 13oz two days later at her first doctor visit, and weighed in today at 9lb 3oz!  All of the nursing is doing her well!

Keep growing girl!  But...let us enjoy every moment of your progress!

Fresh & Clean: First Bath

Maxine lost her cord one week after her birth...that meant it was time for a real bath! We made it a family affair and all hands helped to get our baby clean and smelling divine!

She did well in the bath, but wasn't to keen on the being naked part afterward. Can't say I blame her! It's no fun to get out of a nice warm bath.  Daddy helped her quickly into her diaper and snuggled her into a warm towel.

The finished product: a baby smelling like sweet baby lotion 

and with fluffy soft hair!

Meet Your Namesake

On Saturday, Maxine's one week 'birthday,' she got to meet one of her namesakes. 

Aunt Alberta, Gigi Maxine, and Maxine.

 Maxine, meet the Maxines. 

Maxine was named after several people.  

Here is Maxine Faye, my grandmother.  

I hope that 'my' Maxine will grow to be as strong and loving as Gigi Maxine.

Archer was Oma Suzi's middle name.  We wish she could have met her granddaughter.  We know how much she would have loved her.  I also hope that Maxine will have the fierce love for her family, as her Oma did. 

Leigh is my middle name, my mom's middle name, and my dad's middle name (Lee).  

I hope these family names give her a strong sense of who she is.  I also hope she knows how much she is loved by all those she shares a name with.

 Maxine seemed to enjoy her visitors as she was awake for much of the visit. 

Cole LOVED having visitors.  

He loves his Na so much!

Thanks for a lovely day, Ladies (and Cole!)!

Maxine @ Home

We got to come home on Monday morning. Getting home and settled in felt SO good to me. Having all of my loves in one place filled me with joy. Our first days home as a family of four were relaxing and peaceful (except for my hormone surges that made me feel like I was not being 'good enough' to Cole. Luckily his wonderful daddy was picking up all my 'slack' and then some.) Here are some shots of our first week....

Maxine's first car ride.  She hated the carseat until the car started moving.  Derek and I were amazed by how badly other people on the road drove....didn't' they know we had our brand new baby in the car!?!

Welcome home, Maxine! 

Phoebe checking her out.  I think Phoebe approved.  She has done well with transition.  She did hurt her leg - not sure if this is an effort in attention seeking or legit (JK ;-)). 

Lita gets introduced to her new competition.  She has been Daddy's girl.  She senses her drop in the food chain.  Derek is now smitten with another girl!

We have all taken turns holding, snuggling, and staring at Maxine.  I get feeding shifts obviously.  Derek vied for all other times when he was not busy with Cole.  Watch out Maxine....I have a feeling you will be *very* protected by these guys!

Cole snuggling his sister.  He loves to talk about her little parts.  We have talked with him a lot about when he was a little baby.  He reminds us often that he didn't cry when he was little (he points this out mostly when Maxine is fussy).  He also tells us that she is "beautiful" often.  He melts me with his sweetness toward her.

Julie, our doula, who helped make natural childbirth (hence, a much more peaceful and relaxing postpartum) experience possible.  Julie came to visit and check in with us on Tuesday morning.  She showed me how to use our wrap, answered questions for us, and encouraged our instincts in parenting.

Maxine in aforementioned wrap.  This is bliss for me.  I enjoyed pregnancy, but carrying her on my chest and looking into her sweet face is amazing.

Cole has spent time in this way many times over the week.  He helps entertain Maxine when she is getting her diaper changed or swinging.  He has been such a good big brother and helper.

We LOVE Maxine's awake time.

Cole has adjusted to being somewhat more independent.  Here is an example.  I could not help but laugh at him when he dressed himself in this getup, tie and all.  I love his little personality that is constantly blossoming!

Derek and Cole were inseparable this week.  I quickly remembered that having a baby with someone makes you see them differently and fall in love with them all over again.  Derek has not only been wonderful with Maxine, but been outstanding in going above and beyond to make Cole feel included, entertained, and loved.  We are all so lucky to have him as the daddy of our family.

<3

Other unphotographed highlights of our week:

-Derek and I took Maxine to her first visit with Dr. Sandy, her pediatrician, on Wednesday. She is growing nicely and jaundice is working it's way out of her body. We got a good report!

-We woke EARLY to have photos taken by Jill Heupel Photography  at 8 am in Edwardsville.  This felt like a huge accomplishment!

-Cole and I made up various songs about Maxine and her constant desire to eat.

-Derek finished many yard jobs while hanging out with Cole outside.  

-All of the trees in our yard were in bloom - our yard will always be pretty for Maxine's birthday!

-We four spent every single day together.  I am so grateful for Derek being home this week.  It was an awesome week for our family.

Maxine: Day Two

Sunday I woke early, anxious to shower and spend time with my newly expanded family.  

Derek joined us early.  He said he relived all of the events of the previous day in his dreams through the night - - not very restful. He was anxious to get his girl back in his arms.

She is so lucky to have a daddy like this - he loves her so much.
I am so lucky to have him as the father of my children and my partner.  So. Very. Lucky.

Big brother joined us again later in the day.  He pointed out all of her"little tiny" parts...one by one.

After we attempted a family nap (unsuccessfully) Grandpa & Grandma came to meet their new granddaughter.

Cole enjoyed the visit and extra attention.  The Easter Bunny delivered him some goodies to help out.

Derek and Cole headed home to run out some of Cole's energy and let Maxine and I get some rest between visitors.

Josh and Courtney came to visit later in the day.  Best Uncle & Aunt!

Maxine is a lucky little lady to have so much family to love her.

Maxine: Day One

We moved to the mother and baby wing about two hours after Maxine's birth.  We were so anxious to see Cole again and get his reaction to his new baby sister.  We were also on a total high - Cloud Nine - hormone and endorphin induced bliss....

Cole was adorable and a bit freaked out all at the same time.  I think we sent him into sensory overload by giving him some gifts, showing him his sister, and having visitors all simultaneously.  His first remarks about his new sister was that she is "beautiful."  My heart soared to have my two babies with me!

Na, G, and Josh brought Cole to the hospital to meet Maxine.  Unfortunately, they went unpictured because of the focus on Cole and his getting acquainted with his sister.

Opa came to visit later in the day.  He was over the moon with his girl. 

After all of our visitors left, Derek headed home to catch up on some sleep. We were all exhausted but so happy and completely in love.  I stared at this precious baby for a few hours before we passed out for the night a few hours until our next feeding session.