Happy Father's Day, daddy! Mark couldn't have had a better present than to bring his little girl home from the NICU on Father's Day. I have to toot Mark's horn a little bit and say what an amazing father he is. I knew I had a great man when I married Mark, but to be honest I didn't realize just how great. Mark changes diapers, makes meals, cleans the house, plays with the girls, holds, hugs, wipes away tears, reads books in character, tickles, is patient, fun, funny, and the list could go on. I would like to mention that on top of all of that Mark remains a romantic and loving spouse as well. This is my little shout-out to him praising his name. I consider myself to be one of the luckiest women in the world. I love you sweetie.
Daddy and his two girls who are meeting for the first time. Meira is a proud big sister. We wondered how she would adjust, but she has been soft and very loving to Reagan. If Reagan starts to cry Meira will sugest that she is hungry, wants her momma, or that she needs to burp. If Reagan spits up and I am not right there to clean her Meira will grab the burp cloth to wipe her up for me. She has been so helpful and concerned for her baby sister.
Reagan did give her a Mrs. Potato Head and drawing board when she arrived at the house to meet Meira. I wonder if that helped at all. :-)
Meira, mommy, and Reagan are Mark's three girls. The gender war is definitely dominating on the female side so far, but Mark loves it...so he says. :-) I love being a mother of 2 and I love having a baby in the house again. It has been truly wonderful. I never imagined what a challenge it would be to me at first though. It is a definite juggling act to help two little girls. I have fought feelings of guilt that I couldn't give either girl the full attention that they needed. Mark sat me down and gave me some really encouraging advice that a sibbling is one of the greatest blessings that either of our girls could have even if they have to share their mom's time. I would not change having my sibbling for anything and I am sure that is how it will be for our babies.
Our first whole day together as a family Mark took work off. We went on a picnic and to the park. Here is Meira eating one of her favorite foods, cheese.
Meira is not quite heavy or tall enough to use the drinking fountain at the park on her own although she tries.
Reagan is awake from 1-3 hours and then naps from 2-4. She has been a really good sleeper at night and is already sleeping for 5 and a half hour stretches. She is such a good baby. When she cries it is always for a reason. Sometimes she'll make one little cry and wait to see if anymore is needed. She is a sweetheart.
Karen (a friend of the family), Grandma Lily Rayback (holding Reagan), Aunt Molly, and Uncle Reuben came down to go to the splash pool with Meira.
Napping at the splash pool.
Meira is in love with the water and loves being splashed. We spend a lot of time at the splash pool.
Anyone notice something that looks a little off? Yep, daddy's shoes.
Bathtime in the kitchen sink...so relaxing.
Soooooo BIG!
Even BIGGER! Can't quit stretching now that she's out of mommy's tummy.
Pow!
Grandpa Cox and Aunt Jackie came to visit us for a couple of days. We had so much fun eating out, watching movies, and going to the zoo. For Meira's b-day gift grandpa gave Meira a giraffe family that she plays with constantly. She loves anything that is a family and she always labels mommy, daddy, and baby to her toys, rocks, books...basically everything. It's so cute.
Cousin Trenton is such a good cousin! He is so loving and kind and we have all the trust and confidence in him with our girls.
