Late September 2007 - Outdoor Photo Shoot

The weather was unusually warm and the girls and mama enjoyed many a day outside playing on the deck. Deirdre would play with her "water tubs" and Lorien would sleep peacefully in her swing. Lunch was eaten at the little play table that Nana purchased as a Christmas present for Deirdre.

Yummy Ham and Cheese

Bathing suit and tennis shoes, the latest style...

Lorien enjoying a catnap on a beautiful September morning. She is barely 3 weeks here.

Deirdre 19 months

Lunch is finished, and mama is apparently very funny.

Dessert is a game of hide and seek. Silly girl.

Lorien 1 Week Old - Deirdre 19 Months

Sometimes I felt like I had my hands full with around the clock nursing AND entertaining a VERY active 2 year old, however it went much more smoothly during those first weeks then I could have ever imagined. Sure I was sleep deprived, but Lorien started sleeping through the night in record speed!!!

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We are HUGE fans of swaddling! Both Deirdre and Lorien loved to sleep this way. Thank you miracleblankets.com



Here is a close up of Lorien in captivity. This baby isn't going anywhere, her papa is the master swaddler...

Here's what Deirdre was up to while her sister was being put down for a nap. She loved sitting in this chair because this is where she saw mama feed sister during those early weeks.

She is very proud of herself here. She played so well while I was taking care of her sister and she knew she did a good job.

Lorien Has Arrived! - September 4, 2007

The doctor promised it would be even easier then it was with Deirdre (I didn't believe him though, how could he know such a thing, and besides, Deirdre was SUPER EASY). He was right. With Auntie Rachael and Papa Nathan present, Lorien was born in under 4 pushes (would have been 2, but I was told to slowwwww down) and only about 5 hours of labor!

Mama and baby Lorien, minutes after birth

Baby Lorien weighing in at 7 pounds. 15 ounces





She didnt' like this part too much. This is when we heard her "squwak" for the first time




Doctor Yacoub and the nurse who delivered Lorien. A favorite quote of mine from the nurse when she couldn't possibly understand why I had her check my progress again after doing so only 20 minutes before (and I was barely a 4cm then) was "She is right freaking there". Got to love Baltimore!





The quiet awareness that happens right after birth begins here. She was such a sweetpea from the start. She just kept looking around and around like she was amazed at her surroundings. I know its not really possible but it did really seem like she was aware of things.




Sweet baby after nursing in the maternity wing.





Mama holding Lorien who really looked like Deirdre Part 2 here.




Sweet Lorien the snuggle bug

Twas the Night Before Lorien - September 2007

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring except a very excitable little FAIRY! Mama was induced the next morning and had to be at the hospital at 5am. Deirdre was either incredibly happy about getting a new baby sister, or else she was really happy about the fairy costume we just purchased for her (more likely).




Fairy Deirdre (19 months) one day away from being a big sister.





She was running all around the house this night, totally wore us out!




A fairy on a sippy break




Look what Papa caught! A very squirmy fairy. He tried to hold her tight and make her give him a wish, but she wouldn't sit still and got away. I could be cheesy and say the fairy granted him his wish and he had another beautiful daughter the next day...but I won't. I won't.