This is my silly face.

Baby Elizabeth needs a kiss

Isn't it time I got my own cell phone? I'm tired of sharing Daddy's.

Aren't my feet cute?

I own this little kids' slide.

She's so cute when she sleeps

Why are you way over there?

Mommy and Elizabeth

Some days at the park, I just want to sit by myself.

Sleep is precious in this household

The park just never gets old.

We love each other already

Katie brought over several stacks of books, crawled under the rug and then spent over half an hour quietly reading

Our girls

Balloons are the most awesome thing ever.

Elizabeth

I'm a princess with wild hair.

Preparing to Go Back to Reality

It's Monday afternoon, and all three of my girls are asleep.  As I watch them all sleep, I can't help but reflect over the past two weeks, and think about how we are about to re-enter the real world tomorrow morning.

Two weeks ago tonight, Wife announced, "This is really it.  I'm starting active labor."  By the next morning, Wife wasn't so sure that she was in active labor, so I went to work as usual until, halfway through the day, Wife called me and told me to join her at the hospital immediately.  Later that night, at 11:08 on January 19th, Elizabeth joined us.  January 10th seems like a lifetime ago, but yet at the same time just a moment ago.

Elizabeth is quite a child.  Wife and I were worried when Elizabeth and Wife were in the Hospital because, for those first 36 hours of Elizabeth's life, she was a very fussy baby.  Wife and I discussed how fortunate we were to have such a wonderful first child, and surmised that our second child would end up being much more difficult.  Thus far, I'm thrilled to say that we were wrong.  I can't imagine a better baby that Elizabeth.  And I can't imagine Katie adjusting to her new sister any better than she has.  Katie is demonstrating a love for her little sister that I didn't know was possible.

What a two weeks this has been.  It has been such a change of pace to wake up with the family, eat breakfast with the family and spend the day with the girls.  I know Katie has enjoyed her daily outings with Daddy.  Even though the weather has been freezing, every day we have gone to the park, a toy store, shopping or taken a long walk.  Mommy has enjoyed having an extra set of hands around to cook, clean and take care of two little girls who both demand a lot of attention.  Elizabeth has enjoyed our cuddling time, though I'm not sure she really cares whom she cuddles with.  Fortunately, I've taken countless pictures to commemorate the past two weeks that have been, and will continue to be, shared on this blog.

Tomorrow morning, I will be back at the office.  I'm not sure which one of the four of us that will impact the most. 

We have adjusted to being a family of four.  Now, we get to adjust to re-entering the "real world."  I'm sure the challenges will be tough.  I'm not sure how Mommy will keep Katie out of trouble while spending 18 hours a day nursing Elizabeth.  I'm not sure how Katie will act up with the imminent decline in the amount of attention she gets.  Without a doubt, the coming days, weeks, months and years will provide some great challenges.

Bundled up and ready to go on my first trip out of the house - to go to the doctor's office. Fun.

Why Katie Can't Sleep

This evening, Katie was playing on her toy computer when I told her it was time to go to bed.  Katie, without even looking up at me responded, "No, Daddy.  I'm working." 

"What work are you doing?" I responded.

"Daddy, I'm emailing."

My curiosity was piqued, so I continued my questioning, "Who are you emailing?"

"I'm emailing Shelly.  Can't go to bed.  Need to work and email Shelly."

There it is - I found the book I was looking for! (alternative title: when Mommy and Daddy don't watch me for 2 minutes, I climb up and empty the 3rd shelf of all its books)

Hi Baby Elizabeth. We're going to be good friends!

First Snow of 2012 - This stuff is really cold

First Snow of 2012 - Somebody needs to clean off this railing.

First Snow of 2012 - Half of a Snow Angel

Elizabeth's First Bath

First Snow of 2012 - Come on, Let's Play!!!!

Elizabeth has been getting all of the gifts lately, but somebody sent me a present!!!

Sleeping 36 hour-old baby

If you ask Katie what this shirt says, she will tell you "Awesome like my Aunt Shelly."

Mommy and Elizabeth

Daddy and Elizabeth a few minutes before leaving the hospital

Mommy and ELIZABETH preparing to leave the hospital

Getting ready to come home from the hospital

Elizabeth sleeping when she came home for the first time

I'm Superwoman flying down the slide!

Daddy snapping a picture of Elizabeth while Mommy eats French toast and sausage about an hour after giving birth

I'm ready....let's go to the park!

Mommy and Elizabeth bonding a few minutes after birth

That's right....I use the big kids' swing now!

Elizabeth's official "weigh-in."

This is Wife 5 minutes after giving birth - she took NOTHING for "pain management."

Elizabeth's post-birth footprinting

Elizabeth's first picture, taken a few moments after her birth (get used to the camera, kid!)

Mommy between Contractions (obviously, before Elizabeth's birth)

Katie Holds Elizabeth for the First Time

Daddy with His Two Daughters

Proud Daddy

Welcome Elizabeth Hope!

Elizabeth Hope made her arrival to this world on January 10th at 11:08 p.m.  Elizabeth weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces. 

Both Mommy and Elizabeth are doing great. 

For the most part, labor was extremely smooth (though Mommy painfully labored for many, many hours).  Mommy was her usual stoic self.  She took nothing for "pain management." 

It's going on 3:30 in the morning, so I'm going to bed.  But I will leave you with a picture.  Undoubtedly, there will be many pictures in the near future going up on the blog. 

Preparing for New Arrival

Wife has been admitted to the hospital and is in the process of delivering Baby #2.  Details and pictures to follow.

This game looks fun!