A few catch up items

Hi!

I had a few things I forgot to post previously, then hopefully I'll get some new pics posted later today.

At the request of a few family members, I am posting a pic of Rory and a pic of Taya at the same age, so you can compare. I was going to post birth pictures, but don't have any good "face" pictures of either kids, so you're getting them at 2 weeks.



Rory Patrick............

Taya Jo.......................

I also got some beautiful flowers while I was in the hospital.

These are from my maternal family:

Aunt Jen and Uncle Carson, Aunt Becky and Todd, Aunt Sara and Uncle Bern, Grandma Cena, and Grandpa Bud. They lasted just short of 3 weeks; we finally had to let them go yesterday. Thank you all so much!!!!

I also got these from Taya and Ethan.

I also forgot to post Rory's 1 week stats (he was actually 9 days old)

Wt-8 lbs 12 oz (he gained almost one pound in a week)

Length-21.5 in (he grew 1.5 inches in one week)

He received a good bill of health at that appointment, with Doc saying he was perfect. We will go back for a weight check on January 4th.

If any of you are wondering how I spend my days, it primarily consists of breastfeeding my little Mann...he has a voracious appetite and is growing by leaps and bounds. He can't wear newborn clothes any more (and hasn't for over a week).

Grammy left us today, so say prayers for her safe travels and also for me. I am sure I will get very lonely without her and she also helped us TREMENDOUSLY with laundry, cooking, and taking are of the kids. WE LOVE YOU GRAMMY!

Rory's first week home

Cuddles with Grammy are abundant.
Decorating the Christmas tree.

Daddy's helper.

Putting the angel atop our 9 foot tree :). Between all of the ornaments our moms have cleared out from our childhoods, we have more than enough to fill a tree this big!!

Big sister loves getting to hold little brother.

My favorite...little baby feet!!

An alert Rory ready for his first Target trip.

He is already focusing on things and will turn his head toward voices (especially mommy's, likely because I'm the one with the food!).

Taya is also mommy's little helper.

Typing with one hand...ready for a nap...enjoy the pictures!

More pictures of our family of 4

Watching the Huskers (Nima is more interested in Rory).

I believe the look on Grammy's face is exhaustion, but I think she was really enjoying her cuddles.

Rory

Having some silly time

Rory's first bath at home.

Mom and Dad took care of Rory's bath while Grammy took care of Taya's.

I love this picture. Ethan looks a bit cheesy but I think it just shows what a proud dad-0 he is.

My little Mann...isn't he sweet??

I want to write a little more about how our days are going but currently I am posting while Taya takes a bath. She has already taken a break to go to the bathroom (which I need to clean up) and she is now ready to get out and do jam-jams). So hopefully I can write more soon but in the meantime, enjoy the pictures!!!

Baby Rory comes home to stay!

In the afternoon (after the Patriots game) we prepared for the trip home! Rory changed into his new outfit with bear feet. He wasn't as excited as Mom and Dad were.

In fact the whole process was sort of exhausting.

Rory wore his festive Thanksgiving bib home (originally it was Big Sister's, only the start of the hand-me-downs)

We crammed Rory into the proper cram-carrier, he tolerated it.

Mom and Dad are very proud of their new son! (The nurse took a pretty poor picture, but come on, he's a second child, so one was enough I guess.)

We weren't home long before we needed to get Baby Rory out and hold him.

This is a great picture of our new family, except Nima who wouldn't stay put.

Taya wanted to help Daddy bring Rory in.

This is the first step in the door, everyone was very excited!

While Tracy and I were trying to get out of the hospital on Thanksgiving (which took all day, literally until 4 pm), Grammy was at home with Taya making an impressive meal! Shown below was the kitchen feast that we walked into. Notice she is unloading the dishwasher, that thing usually has a day or two to rest in between cycles, hopefully it doesn't get worn out!

Taya gives Rory very soft and gentle kisses and cuddles.

Taya really likes to look at and hold Rory's little hands.

Big Sister wanted to watch (and poke) new Baby Brother.

Mom had plenty of help, good thing Moms don't have personal bubbles that could potentially be invaded. Rory is a great eater already. He had a great latch from the very beginning.

Nima wanted to be a part of everything, just a little closer...

After we arrived home Rory slept for about 3-4 hours in his co-sleeper that we had moved into the living room. He was more than happy to not have nurses poking him every 1-2 hours.

Of course, Nima was VERY interested in kissing the new baby! Grammy allowed her just a few kisses while they cuddled. All night Nima had to be next to Mom in bed to nurse as well. She gave some pretty forceful growls when we tired to adjust her.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!