New Family of Four

Today we decided to take a family picture of the four of us. We are all adjusting well to this new little blessing that God has given us. Yes, the infant stage is challenging but we are so happy to have little miss Layne in our lives.

Here's a picture of Jerm and his new little princess. Two weeks old today!

Hayden's Art Work

Hayden was drawing on her dry erase board yesterday while I was putting her clothes away. After she was done drawing I asked her about the pictures she had drawn.

As you can see the first one is a picture of Pappy.

This one is a picture of Daddy. What a little left handed artist. She definitely makes it a point to use her left hand when she is drawing with her markers.

We had our youth pastor's wife do the name canvases for Layne too. She finished about a week before little Layne came into the world. We are using the same nursery bedding, theme, colors, room, and furniture for Layne so we asked MaryAnna to come up with something a little different for Layne's canvases but we still wanted it to match everything. She did an amazing job! We love them.

New Friend

This morning Layne discovered a new friend-elephant. She even tried to reach out and grab him! It kept her awake and entertained, which was the goal. Layne doesn't have clothes on in some photos because it's a method to keep her awake during her "wake times".

She got tired of looking at elephant so she rolled over on her side (by herself) and looked at Grady's dog bed for a while. She sleeps on her side so it's a very comfortable position for her.

Well, last night we decided to venture out of the house for the first grocery trip as a family of four! I was a little nervous, but it had to be done! Layne cried pretty much the whole way to the store and Hayden just stared at her with a worried look on her face. Then we got to the store and had to decide who was going where. Layne and her car seat went in the front seat of the cart and Hayden just sat in the basket part with all of the groceries. Layne was fine for a little while. Then she started to scream. I ended up having to park the cart and take Layne's car seat out of the cart and rock her. I had to do that a number of times in order to get through the store. Hayden loved the basket seat with all of the groceries. She tried to open just about everything. I had to keep a close eye on her. I would just tell Jerm what to get and he would go and get it and then try to find us in the store. It was an experience!

I love you Layne!

Multitasking Story:

Tonight, right as we were about the start eating the dinner that Jerm made for us Layne woke up from her nap and was VERY hungry. There was no putting her off until dinner was over. So, I was feeding/holding her with one arm and eating dinner with my other arm. I also had to tend to Hayden occasionally as well. It was a crazy sight!

Kisses for my little sister.

Squeaky Clean

Here's Layne after her bath this morning. She really doesn't cry much at all during bath time. I remember Hayden screamed for the first few weeks during bath time. Notice that her umbilical cord hasn't fallen off yet, so she hasn't have a "real" bath yet.

Hey Girl!

Keeping Layne Awake!

Hayden, daddy, and I try very hard to keep Layne awake after I'm done feeding her. It's all part of the BabyWise schedule that we are following (we did the schedule with Hayden too and it works!). We have found that taking her clothes off works the best. Once we get her awake we play with her and talk with her to keep her up.

Reading to the Girls

As soon as I sit down to feed Layne Hayden decides that it's story time. She comes over with a book and asks me to read it. I can't always do that since I have to work very hard to keep Layne awake during feeding time. But after she's done eating Hayden sits on my lap and we read stories together. Layne didn't like this book too much!

"Peek-a-Boo Layne"
We got the AquaBouncer out today to see how Layne would like it. I think Hayden enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with Layne more than Layne enjoyed the chair!

One More Sister Picture

Hayden just loves to be close to Layne so we decided to get another sister picture this morning. Hayden made sure to support her head so it was straight!

Weigh In...

The three girls took a field trip back to the doctor's office to weigh Layne. She had to go back since she wasn't back up to her birth weight on Monday at her first appointment. I am happy to say that she weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces....2 ounces heavier than her birth weight! So, we don't have to go back until her 1 month appointment!!

It was an experience going to the doctor's office with the two girls though. They were both very well behaved, but when I went to get them out of the car I had to think about it. Which one should I get first? If I get Layne first where will I out her when I am getting Hayden out of her seat? If I get Hayden first what will she be doing while I am getting Layne out? Things I didn't have to think about when we only had one to keep up with!!

Cereal for lunch!? Yeah yeah, we are doing what we can around here. We are trying to get settled into a routine, but we aren't quite there yet!

Proud Big Sis

Hayden was so excited to be able to put her arm around her baby sister for this picture.

Today Hayden was a good helper to mommy. She just loves to help out....most of the time. I have a feeling that they are going to get along so well throughout the years.

A New Way

Now that the tiredness from entering the world has worn off Layne has decided that she like nights better than days. She likes to stay up at night and of course she wants mommy's company! Well, 2 nights of that and I have had it. Today is a new day and I am taking charge here! We read the BabyWise book with Hayden and once I read it we started her on the schedule-feedtime, waketime, naptime (in that order). Within days we noticed a huge difference in Hayden's moods. It was unreal. So, we are now going to get Layne BabyWise! I am starting a little earlier with Layne, but week 2 is the suggested start time so we will see how it goes.

Here she is during one of her "waketimes" this morning.

Grandma and Pop sent Hayden a card that had this mask in it. It doesn't stay on long, but I was able to snap a picture quickly before she took it off. What a cutie.

Daddy's Little Girl

Layne isn't awake much these days, but here she is getting to know daddy.

Grandma and her two granddaughters!

Doctor's Visit

We went to the pediatrician for Layne's first visit today. She isn't quite back up to her birth weight, but she's making progress so it's nothing to worry about. Other than that, everything is perfect! Hayden came with us and was the perfect big sister. Layne was even well behaved for a 5 day old!

Here she is doing what she does best....sleeping.

Here's a picture of Hayden and Grandma playing on the computer together. Hayden has fun doing anything with Grandma, she really is enjoying this visit.

Pappy was in town for 24 hours on business, so he stopped in for a quick visit! He brought me flowers, and Hayden and Layne little stuffed animals. Here he is giving Hayden a horsey ride.

As soon as he walked in the door she yelled "Pappy" and reached up to him for a big hug. She then grabbed him by the hand and tried to show him everything "in her world".

Quick picture with his new granddaughter before he had to make the long drive back to Florida.

Happy 5 Year Anniversary!!

Well, it was 6 years ago today that Jeremy and I met at the church during a Natalie Grant concert. Six months later we were engaged and six months after (July 19, 2003) that we were married! Now, five years later we are even more in love than the day we were married and we have two beautiful girls to share that love with.

Grandma!!!

Grandma has been in town since Wednesday morning. This time around she was able to be here for Layne's birth. She was also here to stay with Hayden while we were at the hospital. Now, she is here doing ALL of the cooking, cleaning, laundry, running errands that we need....and more! She has been and continues to be such an amazing blessing to us. She is helping to make this transition a little easier. And of course Hayden is in heaven!!!

Layne's First Bath

We gave Layne her first bath last night. She didn't like it too much at all, but she survived.

Sleeping Update

Layne didn't really like to sleep much at night in the hospital. The night that we were there Jeremy and I were up until 5am with her! She cried and cried and ate and ate but didn't sleep at all. The second night (our first night home) she stayed up until 3am doing the same thing. But last night my milk came in and it's like we have a different child! She went down at 10pm and we woke her up at 2am and 6am to feed her! So, mommy and daddy got some much needed sleep last night. Here is Hayden sleeping with the baby doll that Layne brought with her when she came out of mommy's tummy. Jeremy and I bought her a Graco baby doll play set. It has a stroller, pack 'n play, high chair, swing, and car seat....all for her baby doll!! We will have to get some pictures.
Mommy's First Outing

I ventured out this morning to get milk and donuts. Today is a special day so I had to take a trip out and get a special breakfast. When I got home Hayden ate a strawberry donut with rainbow sprinkles. She made sure to eat all of the icing and sprinkles off!

More Layne Pictures from the Hospital

Here she is in the nursery just about an hour after she was born.

Trying to find anything to put in her mouth!

Daddy and his two little princesses! What a proud papa.

All dressed and ready to go home on Thursday afternoon.

Layne Eden Ross

Here we are at the hospital on Wednesday morning before they began the petocin and broke my water. Things were just wonderful before those two events happened!

Layne Eden Ross was born at 2:35pm and weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce. She was 19 1/2 inches long. Only about 20 minutes of pushing to get her out!

Holding mommy's hand.

Hayden meeting her baby sister for the first time. I honestly think that it was love at first sight for Hayden.

Hayden is already so protective of Layne. The nurse came in and pricked Layne's foot and Hayden was very concerned about her baby sister.

"And where do you think you're going!?"

This picture was taken about a week ago when we put my hospital bag in the car in order to prepare for the baby's arrival (we thought it was going to be any day!). Hayden wanted to help out but it looks like she's not too happy about the idea of us going to the hospital and coming home with another baby!
Read below for the baby watch update..........

And We're Off....

It's now 6:30am on Wednesday morning (I MADE IT!) and we are about to leave in order to go to the hospital so that I can be induced. As some of you may remember, I was induced with Hayden but that's because my fluid was leaking. So, I have been through the whole petocin thing before. I was in labor for 9 hours with Hayden, we are hoping for a shorter labor with this one but we will see. My mom's flight gets in this morning at 8:30am. So, she will be able to be up at the hospital with us when the baby is born!! Praise the Lord!! Jeff and Jan are going to stay here at the house with Hayden until the baby is born. Once my mom gets here she will be able to care for Hayden while Jeremy, new baby, and I stay at the hospital for a couple days. Please keep us all in your prayers today. We will keep you posted.

Mommy Update...
We went to the doctor's today and I am 4 cm dilated. Mom is coming in on Wednesday, so we went ahead and scheduled an induction for Wednesday morning. So, if this baby does not come today or tomorrow there is a definite light at the end of this 9 month long tunnel!! We'll keep you posted.

I Love Daddy!

In the picture above she has pigtails, but one of the kids in Sunday school pulled her hair today so they're kind of coming out.

Here are some shots of her big girl bun.