We're Home!

First off, thanks to Jason for picking up the blog torch (with his own personal flare) while I was in the hospital. He did a great job, and in agreement with several of your comments, I agree, he'd be a great full-time blogger...but it will probably take a LOT more convincing.

We made it home from the hospital in time to enjoy a quiet Christmas evening with our newly expanded family of four. Jason, Eli and I arrived home around 3pm and we were joined by Norah (who had been staying with Grammy) a little after 5pm (she was mid-nap when we called, so Grammy waited until N woke up to bring her back).

Things are going great so far. I think we were all pretty interested to see how Norah would react to having her new baby brother in the house, and I'm pleased to report, she's been wonderful (she was a little unsure about him at first-glance yesterday at the hospital, but she's really warmed up to him now!)

She began by checking him out pretty thoroughly. Actual exclamations from her mouth during this period of decided approval:
"Awww, he'ssocute!"
"It'sso widdel!"
"Baby E.Y!" (her version of his name, which by the way, she will now tell you if you ask her)
"Baby E.Y.'s hat, on!" (This was a command which resulted in his donning the red hat she recognized from the last time she'd visited him in the hospital.)
She also LOVES kissing him. I bet she gave him 10-15 in a 5 minute (or less) time span. The kisses were usually staggered between exclamations of "He'sso sweet" or "Ohhhh, it'sso cute!".

Eli, by the way, is a great baby so far. He hardly ever cries, is a great eater, loves to sleep, and he LOVES to cuddle--all of which are traits I literally prayed for and was blessed with (at least so far) with both our children.




One of the sweetest gestures of sisterly love so far was when Norah (completely unprompted) ran and got one of her most treasured, new Christmas gifts--Rocket from Little Einsteins--and stretched it out to Eli, saying, "Share, toy", offering it to him . She seemed a little surprised that he didn't take her up on it, but shrugged it off and went back to kissing him.




As I "swuggled" with her in bed after her story and prayers tonight, she rolled over several times to hug me and say, "I missed you, Mommy"--I didn't even know she knew that phrase, let alone the appropriate context in which to use it. I cried and hugged her, explaining that Mommy and Daddy had missed her too--it was our first overnight separation since her birth. I also told her how proud we were of her for being such a good big sister. Of course, I know she's only 23 months, and we're bound to experience a little sibling rivalry sometime soon, but for now, I'm happy that we have such a special memory of Christmas 2007.