Dang it!

Seriously.  They're trying to kill me.

Another thumb sucker...

You see, I prefer a pacifier because I have control over it. There's just so, so very little that we moms get to control, it's nice to have something!  I get to decide when to put it in, and mostly when to take it away. But, these girls...they just keep finding their thumbs!  

I'm in no way trying to slam anyone who prefers their kids not to use them, or has opinions about pacifiers.  This is just my story.

At this point she's still taking her pacifier because she's swaddled when she sleeps, so I've still got a little time to show her the , but quickly, she's finding opportunities to sneak that thumb in.

I will say it's nice that she can give it to herself, and by golly...she sure does look cute doing it!

Her First Bottle

Nana could only stand it a week before she came back to spoil us some more, and David & I took full advantage of her encouragement to get out and enjoy our time with a babysitter in the house.  

One night we even got out for dinner AND a movie!  Nana got the big girls to bed & then got to give Natalie her first bottle!  I was nervous - as I am with most "firsts" - but she was great!  Nana is a master & let's be honest, girl likes to eat!

My mom sent these pictures to show me how great everything was going.

I really am blessed to have a mom who encourages me to have time away with my husband & then thanks ME for letting me get to have the kids.  Seriously.

Spoiled Rotten

My dad had to go back to work after working from our house for Natalie's first week, but we got to keep Nana for another week!  As usual, she spoiled us rotten.  

The big girls loved having her around like they always do.  Since Mommy was busy with the new baby, Nana took Kate to swim...

 ...which apparently you can only do with a slush in hand!

 They went to library time...

She also logged MANY hours of watching the girls while I escaped - to the grocery store, out to lunch with a friend, dating my husband, and of course napping.

She is a picture of sacrifice.  Thanks for spoiling us Nana!!!

Daddy's Girl

Everytime we find out we're having "another" girl, people's first response has something to do with feeling sorry for David or a comment about how outnumbered he is.  

 But there's no reason to feel sorry for this guy.  

 He's really good at being a Daddy to his girls.  Really good.

 His touch calms them instantly.

 His gaze communicates a love like no one else will have for them.

 And this one already has heart.

We Mitchell women are some blessed women.  Takes a special man, and we've got it.

First Bath

not lovin' it

big sisters checking things out

Time To Go Home

Sunday morning our process of being sent home started!

Got baby girl dressed in the same outfit that big sisters cam home in...

Not such a big fan of the car seat at first...

It was so different this time getting home.  Usually we stop and take some pictures in the baby's nursery (she doesn't have one yet...), and we sit and focus on the baby.  This time though, we had 2 big girls who were very excited their parents were home.

The girls loved getting to wrestle with Daddy - it'd been too long!

Nana & Kate had decorated the front of the house to welcome us home!

Sweet girl all settled in to her new home

Visitors

We enjoyed having visitors while we were in the hospital & since being home!  

David & his dad - Grandad

Janette Magan

Sharie Johnson - Jackson & Jordan got to come too!

Cody Terry - we missed pictures of Abigail & Jessica

My parents - Poppa & Nana

Patti & Carson Coleman

Kristin Wilson

Connie Puryear

Aunt Emily, Aunt Bethany & Mimi (David's sisters & mom)

Aunt Angela - David's sister

Aunt Kristin & Uncle Cole - they drove 10 hours round trip in 1 day to come meet our sweet girl!

I know we missed pictures of lots of people - Colemans, Carrolls, and lots of sweet friends who have brought dinner!  We so appreciate the visits!

Sister Love

 One of the most asked questions is how the big girls are responding to Natalie.  We haven't done it solo so far, since Nana has been here to help give a little extra attention, but at this point, it just seems like she's always been here!

my mom sent me this picture of the girls when they were waiting to come meet Natalie!

 Kate jumped right into being big sister again.  She was super excited to meet Natalie & loved getting to hold her!

I was in pretty severe pain the first day after delivery.  Lots of post partum contractions!  So, the girls' visit was pretty short.  Hannah mostly just wanted to see me & didn't notice Natalie very much.

Later on that evening, Kate & Nana made cupcakes to celebrate Natalie's birthday!

Hannah enjoying the cupcakes!

 On Saturday, David made his traditional trip to Pizza King with Cody & my parents brought the girls up to have lunch with me & Natalie.

Hannah was definitely more interested!  She talked lots about the "baby" & gave lots of kisses.

Nana got the girls each a new doll to celebrate Natalie's birth.

My mom has picked a character for each of the grandkids - they collect books, movies, etc.  "Fancy Nancy" is Natalie's character.

Natalie's "Fancy Nancy" doll

Big Sisters enjoying a video while visiting Little Sister

I am so, so thankful that our transition has been smooth so far!  I am certainly blessed by little girls who love each other!