Recent pics of Caroline...

Caroline loves this little toy that my cousin Samantha gave to her (she also gave her the cute outfit). :-)

Bob the jogging stroller! We are very excited about Bob because now we can walk/run with Caroline!
Caroline and Kelsey playing together!

PaulPaul and Janet with their hands full...loving on two grandbabies!

A sweet, sleeping baby!

Bath time!

Caroline loves bath time and her daddy!

Although she might just think he's crazy! :-)

House drama

I'm not sure if I posted about this but we had a minor problem with our washing machine exploding and leaking water. Since the washing machine is on the second floor, we are now replacing a ceiling in our living room and doing a few other repairs. We had a company that was going to do it but we decided we would rather pocket some extra money from the insurance company and do the work our ourselves! I cannot say enough good things about my handy husband. We now have recessed lighting in our living room that used to be dark (and it only took him a couple of hours to get it done)!

As you can see...there is a lot of work stil to do. Mark is at Home Depot right now trying to buy sheet rock for the ceiling! Yipee!

Time Management

Since we have made it through the past four weeks of family I am just now getting to think about what it's like having a newborn. In many ways I am glad the craziness of family is over but now that they are gone I have a whole new world with which to orient myself! Below are my two biggest struggles at the moment....

People tell you that you should sleep when the baby sleeps. I love this idea. However, housework does not get done when I put this idea into practice. Do I sleep or work or blog or play?

Also, breast feeding is a lot harder than people tell you. Breastfeeding itself is not actually hard but the amount of time that it takes is very hard. We had been doing 1-2 bottles a day which I loved but I think my supply was beginning to decrease so I have been breastfeeding exclusively for about 5 days now. Things seem to be much better now but it just takes so much time. It's hard to leave the house for any amount of time. I can't quite get excited about breast feeding in public yet...not sure that will ever be exciting...

Any words of wisdom for me?

Love List

I haven't had much time to post lately but I thought I would post about a few things that I have loved about the previous 4 weeks. They are in no particular order.

• I have a sweet husband who puts up with a lot! He has been extremely helpful...getting his work done, helping with Caroline, doing housework and much more. He has even had a smile 95% of the time...which says a lot considering what the last four weeks have looked like.
• I love when Caroline smiles...it melts my heart!
• I also have a very sweet baby who loves to sleep! She slept 8 hours last night! I LOVE IT!
• I love that we had so much family that visited us. Most of the family that visited, we rarely get to see. It was a blessing to have them here and share Caroline with them.
• I also love that we (Mark, Caroline, and me) are on our own schedule for the first time since her birth! I can't wait!
• I loved watching my grandparents interact while they were here. My grandfather constantly gushed over my grandmother. My grandmother cared for him every moment of the day. One night after they had gone to bed, I took a book in for Grandma to read and I talked with them for a few moments as Grandma stroked Grandpa's head. They are very loving towards each but this is the most physical affection I had ever seen between them. Very sweet!
• I really love when Caroline smiles.
• I love our friends who have cared for us so well! We have received many cards, baby presents, DINNERS, thoughtful phone calls and much more!
• I love our neighbors who have come to visit frequently and also brought us lots of goodies (including letting me borrow a dress for my high school reunion)!

I'm sure there is much more to love but it's too early in the morning to think of it all!

In case you missed it

and were dying to know minute by minute details of Caroline's birth (I'm sure you are all on the edge of your seats now, right?)...the post two below this one shares the events of the day/night. I thought the grandparents may be interested.