the one where we're finally home

Here are a few pictures from our first days at home with both of our little girls:

This last one is just one of the many ways Zoey likes to "help" Baby Kaia.

the one with big sister

Zoey is already a great big sister. She was so excited to come see mommy and Kaia at the hospital. She has shown a remarkable level of maturity for a 2 1/2 year old. In her own little way, she seems to be re-assuring mommy and daddy that she is okay with this big change in her life and to not worry about her.

the one with the new baby

Kaia Elizabeth Olson born 03/22/2011 @ 8:25 AM, weighing 8 lbs 9 oz and measuring 21 inches. Mommy and baby are doing great!

the one with toe fuzzies and breaking points

I was pretty patient this morning when Zoey refused to wear the first three outfits I picked out for her.

I was still pretty patient when she insisted on sharing my bowl of cereal instead of eating her own bowl of the exact same cereal.

When Zoey asked to wear her rain boots, which are too big, in the absence of rain today, I patiently complied.

I thought I was patient at the store when I waited for her to line up 13 toy cars on the counter, and then put them all back in the bin one by one, even when another customer cut in front of us in line.

Patience was still present when Zoey peed all over her pants and underwear in a public restroom because she would not allow me to help her on the potty.

And when she wouldn't listen when I asked her to put away the toys at the library? I patiently helped her to do so.

And the crazy lady other mother at the library who insisted we wait until the end of her children's hour time slot on the computers in case they wanted to "jump back on," even though they were now reading books and not sitting at the computers? I loudly told Zoey we needed to patiently wait our turn.

But when we got home and Zoey insisted I clean out the black sock fuzzies from between her toes? That was my breaking point today. I may have refused. Maybe in a raised voice. I may have even threatened a time out. Toe fuzzies were my breaking point today. Ugh.

the one with a bit of bragging

Today I was able to throw a baby shower for my dear friend, Jamie. It was a lot of fun to plan and even more fun once everyone arrived. Plus, I received a lot of compliments which is great for someone like me who needs a little admiration every now and then. My favorite compliment (besides "This is by far the best shower I have ever attended."): "I can tell you really love Jamie to do all of this for her." Because, after all, it really is not all about me but definitely all about Jamie and her soon-to-arrive baby girl - both of whom we do love so much!

Baby pictures, courtesy of Jamie's mom in Idaho.

Gift table with thank you cards my awesome husband made (to match her invitations); PLUS we had everyone address their own envelope.

The oh-so-yummy food, minus a huge vegetable tray that arrived later, and beautiful flower arrangement by Shannon.



Downstairs in the basement we had onesies and burp cloths to paint.



And we also had the baby's name with paint to match the nursery.



Finished product turned out SO cute.



My favorite: the pink candy bar where guests could create their own departing favor.

We have a relatively small living space, but I think I used all the space wisely and people were pretty comfortable. The best part of the shower, though, was sharing letters from Jamie's mom and sisters who live across the country. Sweet, indeed!