Date Night

Tonight my mom watched the kids so that Andy and I could go out for our anniversary. It was equally fun to be away and stressful to leave them. But, my date was super attractive, so that helped.

We went out for sushi. There was a black hair on one of the rolls. We didn't send it back though because we were staring at the greasy guy behind the bar. He would have been the same one to remake it, so it didn't seem worth it. Besides the damper, dinner was delicious and the company was great.

Then we went and saw World War Z. Zombies and Brad Pitt? What could be better? It was a fun movie and we had a great time.

We hurried home to this sweetie:

Andy "watched" the kids for a little bit so that I could get something done. Don't you love how men babysit?

Playing Outside

We took Nick outside today for the first time. He loved it.

And that's my girl. She climbed the mountain to get a better angle for shooting her bow and arrow. She manages to look tough AND adorable.

Door Signs and Superman

One thing I love about Calvin is that he's always drawing pictures, making maps, hanging door signs, and otherwise decorating the house with his writing and artwork. Here is a sign he put on his bedroom door.

I do not understand video games, so this one is unclear to me. An "x" through Luigi, a Raving Rabbid below. He said something about his room being Luigi's mansion. It's cute though, and he is very proud of it.

This one though? This is genius:

It's a keypad. You have to "type in the code" by writing the numbers in the rectangle with the crayon that he has conveniently taped beside the code box.

His bedroom door:

 

Genius.

And more baby cuteness:

Nick loves to stretch. He regularly looks like he's doing the Superman:

Listening to Bedtime Stories

Enjoying the New One

Another Day in Paradise

Today is our Anniversary. Andy and I have been married for seven years. Of course we weren't in a position to do anything glamorous--or even alone for that matter--but the day was pretty great anyway.

We spent time cuddling:

Playing games:

 Eating rootbeer floats:

 (and ice cream cones)

 And enjoying my pretty flowers:

Andy gave me flowers. I didn't get him anything. We didn't go anywhere or celebrate really at all. I'm not sure if I even showered. But I do think this has been one of my favorite anniversaries. I feel so blessed that he's in my life, and as a result of him being in my life, I have so many other things and people (three small ones to be precise) to be grateful for.

Meeting the Kids

My kids came home! They were full of stories and excitement about a week with their cousins, and they were thrilled to meet the new little guy. We had a few fights about the name--Autumn calls him Nicholas and Calvin insists on Nicky--but they're both in agreement that he's the cutest baby and we're glad that he's ours.

Meeting for the first time:

We took a million shots of the kids today. Here are some of my favorites:

Going Home

It's crazy how when you have a baby, there are always nurses hovering. It's hard to get a moment's peace. But the morning I want to go home, there's not a person in sight. My nurses were fantastic and I loved them, just saying it's hard to get out of there.

Andy and I waiting. We sat on the bed and watched some show about police in Alaska while the baby slept. Bored/Anxious/Annoyed:

 
Ready to go:

 

(Yes, these are the pjs I came in. I never finished packing my hospital bag, so I asked Andy to grab me some clothes. He brought a pair of skinny pants that didn't fit and a maternity shirt that has two buttons in the center that I only wear over a tank top because it was not meant to be worn alone. Unless you like everything hanging out. Bless his heart for trying.)

 

 Oh, look at the cuteness:

Finally at about 11am my doctor signed off on me leaving and the pediatrician signed off on Nick leaving. His bilirubin count was high--more jaundice tests required in 48 hours--he's been losing weight so we have to force feed him, but overall, his lungs look good and he's doing fine. Andy grabbed my prescriptions and we made it home around noon.

 

Autumn had already claimed the bassinet for baby Ariel:

Some less than flattering shots that Andy caught. They're terrible, but I love that they show how super tiny the baby is.

We left the kids at the reunion, and though I've talked to them once or twice and it's been nice to get some rest, I'm really missing them. I can't wait for them to come home tomorrow. A friend of mine brought us dinner--grilled chicken, salad, and fruit that was delicious--and Andy and I watched a funny movie. It was a relaxing day, it's good to be home, and I'm so glad to have my little guy in my arms--even if he did come weeks earlier than we'd expected.