Easter

On Easter Sunday, Matt, Brooke and I were able to go to church together thanks to Matt's mom watching Miles for us. Afterward, we went back to Matt's parents' house for brunch...and took a whole bunch of pictures.


Brooke with the aunts.

Grandma Audie with the great-grandkids. (When Brooke saw Grandma Audie, the first thing she said to her was, "I want to go to your house." - so sweet.)


Brooke helped Grammie Deb cook...


...and hunted for Easter eggs...

...and opened her Easter basket...

Miles and Grandma Audie got to know each other better.



It was such a beautiful day that after brunch we sat on the deck. Brooke got to check out her new bubble toys.


I've become quite the bubble expert and this princess carriage is pretty amazing for bubble blowing, fyi.


We also took turns playing in the backyard with Brooke.


She's trying to get as close as she can to the sprinklers here.


On the way home, Brooke held our gift to her. A baby doll that she named "Baby Lexi."


*Uncle Mike and Grandpa were also present for this brunch. The only explanation I can think of for their not being in the pictures is an especially exciting Masters Sunday.*

Pre-Easter

While my family was in town the week before Easter, we decided to have some Easter-related festivities that the kids could enjoy together.




Here was Easter-egg dying. I'm really glad Brooke got to experience this (and that it was captured on camera - thanks, Krissi), but I really can't comment on how this went as I wasn't around. I'm actually not even sure when it happened. I'm sure I was sleeping or nursing. Those first few days are a little blurry.





I did initiate the Easter-egg hunt, although Lexi decided that I was the third-best "hider" after Tim and Matt (who hid the eggs places the girls couldn't reach, btw - so much for being nice).



Lexi was very sweet in helping Brooke find the eggs.


The boys.


We also had the kids pose in their Easter outfits from Aunt Nancy. Brooke's working on sitting like a lady.


Take #342


We also took the opportunity to get Grandma and Papa T with all the kids.


I love these guys so much!

Brooke vs. Miles

They aren't the best comparison photos, but here are some shots of Brooke at the hospital and Miles at the hospital. I'm excited to see their differences and similarities as they both grow up.

Brooke

Miles

Brooke

Miles

Miles

Brooke

Visitors

Although he pretty much slept through all of it, here is a small selection of the first of many photos that Miles will be in with family who came to visit.



A special thanks to my family who made the sacrifice to drive all the way up to meet Miles while he was brand new. I love you guys so much and miss you already.




How special is it that he got to meet TWO great-grandmas and a great-grandpa?



Lexi and Luke were very excited to see him when we got to the house.

Miles Timothy Alley

Miles Timothy Alley was born at 9:59 am on Friday, March 30, 2012. He weighed in at a hefty (Brooke was only 6 lb, 4 oz) 7 lb, 15 oz and was 21 in long. I was due last Sunday (March 25) and at my appointment on Wednesday we scheduled an induction for Friday. After a day of intermittent but continuous contractions, I woke up at 4:30 am on Friday with contractions 7 min. apart. When I got to the hospital I was far enough along to not need pitocin. All along, I had really hoped to go into labor on my own and was happy to avoid the induction. I'll recount all the sordid details in his birth story next year, but suffice it to say that I came MUCH closer (like, 2 cm and 30 minutes) than I'd planned to having a natural birth. It was nice to get to the hospital at 7 am and have a baby by 10. And pushing for 15 minutes did wonders for his head shape.


***For future reference, two things that Miles' birth might indicate about him: 1) He does things on his own terms and 2) Once he makes up his mind, he's in a hurry.***

We (I) waited until he was born to decide on his official name. Not really sure what I was looking for, but I just have issues with committing to a name before I see the baby. Miles was on the short list and Matt's loved it for a few months now. We should probably look up what it means at some point...Brooke's too, for that matter.


As of now, Brooke is doing a really great job with him. She likes to bring him toys and his pacifier and is very protective of him. She was worried when a nurse at the hospital was taking him to the nursery for a test ("Oh no! He taking Baby Miles!"). She was also ready to throw down with her cousin when he crawled over to look at Miles ("Oh no! He going to get my brother!").


So, we are officially a family of four. (*Plus a dog. I feel bad leaving Oz out - he's already fallen so low on the totem pole around here.) I'll keep you posted on the adjustment, but so far, so good. I also have a ton of other posts to write about my family being up here and all of our hospital visitors. But right now, I'm going to take advantage of two sleeping kids and nap myself.