Caitlin's First Bath

Caitlin loved her first bath. She was really alert and watched her big sister most of the time. It took me a few minutes to remember how to wash a newborn- Caitlin was so slippery!

Ava was really excited to take a bath with Caitlin. She helped wash her and kept pouring water on her to keep her warm. Then she decided that Caitlin's tub looked so nice and cozy that she just had to try it out for herself. A good time was had by all... until Caitlin peed on Jason. I guess no one warned him that it's not just little boys that react to the cold air :)

I was super excited to find these towels for Caitlin- two years after buying them for Ava! Seeing them hang next to each other made having two little girls seem a little bit more real. Jason and I are already talking about how we can renovate and make their bathroom bigger- the joys of having two girls... :)

My two bathing beauties

Kicking and splashing

What does this soap taste like?

This bathtub is just my size...

Feeling clean, refreshed and sleepy... after peeing on daddy, I'm ready for bed!

Happy 4th of July and Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!!

Our Little Firecracker :)

On July 4th, we celebrated Grandma's 90th birthday at our house! Yes, that's right- one week after having Caitlin, we decided it would be a great idea to have 18 people over for dinner. It has been such a long time since all of my mom's side of the family has gotten together to visit and it was such a fun reason that everyone came in town. Grandma turned 90!! She normally hates to have any attention on her, much less BE the center of attention, but I know she was happy to have all of her kids and grandkids and great grandkids around her. All of my family came over in the afternoon for an early dinner of Williamson Brothers BBQ (the best barbeque in the south in my opinion!), pasta salad, corn on the cobb, fresh veggies and fresh fruit. Yummy! And for dessert, strawberry pretzel salad- always my birthday cake of choice, too. A huge thank you to Alina for providing most of the food- it was delicious! Everyone stayed to try to watch fireworks, but we could only see a few over the tree tops around our house.
While it was pretty hard on Jason and I to get the house cleaned and some of the food prepared all while adjusting to Caitlin, entertaining and hosting everyone at our house is one of my favorite things to do. I love having a busy and bustling house full of friends and family. Hopefully we will get everyone together again soon and not have to wait for Grandma's 95th for another reunion!

The birthday girl blowing out her candles- she had some help from Gavin and Ava

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Alina and my cousin Tommy starting the food line

Ava got in the spirit of the holiday and wore her crown (her words) most of the day

Feeding time was a family affair

Yes, that's Luke again, really enjoying the boppy


This picture is what started my aunt Bonnie harassing Lori about grandkids... you're next! :)

My Little Swoozie's Girl

I just love this little sleeper! I wish I had it in bigger sizes :)

Our first week home

The first week went by in such a blur! I can honestly say that it definitely wasn't as bad as I remember with Ava. I was on such a mommy high (you moms out there know what I'm talking about!) that I hardly felt tired. The second time around has been much more calm and laid back- those feelings of anxiety over every little cry are gone and so are the feelings of helplessness when you can't make the crying stop! So far, the transitions for everyone in the house (Ava and puppies included) have had few bumps in the road and we all seem to be adjusting nicely. Jason has been at home all week- thank goodness!- so he's been able to spend a lot of time with Ava and get her out of the house to play and get rid of some of her energy. Ava is in love with her little sister and has really been helpful with Caitlin. I'd say all in all we couldn't ask for a better response from Ava and hope that this trend continues!

Caitlin continues to grow and is sleeping really well- sometimes 5 hours in a row! We took her for her follow up doctor appointment and she has already gained an ounce. It doesn't seem like much, but I'd say majority of all babies lose weight after they leave the hospital, so our pediatrician was really pleased that she hadn't. I can already tell she will be a great eater. We got out Ava's baby pictures and Caitlin looks almost identical to her sister- only her face is a tiny bit rounder. Her hair doesn't seem like it will fall out, but I guess only time will tell. It's already a little bit lighter. Maybe she'll be a little blondie too?

These are some of our pics from the first week- lots of friends and family were able to stop by and visit. It was great to see everyone- thanks again for all the meals and presents and support!

We love you!

All dressed up and ready to go to the pediatrician- this was her first time out!

Weighing in at the doctors office- you can already see her double chin! :)

Ava and our sweet neighbor Abby eating popsicles. Jason took Ava to the pool with our neighbors three mornings in a row- Ava loved it! She will be so sad when Daddy has to go back to work!

Sisterly Love- Ava always wants to hug and kiss on Caitlin. Here she asked Caitlin to give her a hug.

We spent a lot of time sitting exactly like this, this week. I don't know if you can tell, but Luke is actually sitting ON the boppy pillow. He doesn't seem to mind Caitlin at all!

Our sleeping beauty
Caitlin is chillng with her Daddy- you can tell she's really enjoying watching that golf tournament!

Caitlin's Birthday Party

In the hospital, when Caitlin arrived, we told Ava that it was her actual BIRTH-day. Ava LOVES to sing happy birthday and go to birthday parties and almost every other day it is Ava's birthday and we have to sing happy birthday to her (isn't it amazing what you will go along with as parents to keep your child happy??). So, Ava was very excited that it was Caitlin's birthday and asked if we could have a party for her. On the way home from the hospital, Alina (the best aunt ever!) picked up some cupcakes and we had an impromptu party for Caitlin.

Somehow, I don't think Ava cared who's birthday it was, just as long as she got to eat a cupcake! :)

More Hospital Pictures

Uncle Tony was our first visitor right after Caitlin was born
Papa and Linda got to the hospital just as Caitlin was arriving

Ava wanted to help feed Caitlin, but she was too distracted by the cartoons on TV

Ava loved pushing all the buttons on the bed- here she's eating pancakes from my oh so delicious hospital breakfast- apparently Ava likes the hospital food!

Uncle Jeremy came for a visit

Jen came too!

Aunt Alina

I love this picture!

Here's Ava trying to "help" with feeding again

Nonna and her 4th grandchild!

Bobbilin and Caitlin- we were glad she and Matt got a chance to stop by before they left for the summer!

Kim and Len came by to visit

Check out Caitlin's purple toes!

Pretty in Purple

This is Caitlin's Popeye look- she gives it to us all the time. I have a feeling that it will develop into the one eyebrow raise as soon as she can master the muscles :)

Catching one more nap before heading home from the hospital

Going home with my girls

OMG!! Two carseats!!

Caitlin Della Stein

Caitlin Della Stein ... our sweet angel

Caitlin is here!! Our sweet baby girl arrived on Friday night, June 26 at 10:29 pm. She was 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 18 inches long- a whole pound bigger than her sister!

Caitlin has a head full of dark hair (we already knew that, thanks to all the heartburn) and beautiful big eyes. For right now, they are dark, but they already look like they will turn blue soon. She has two scabs on the insides of both of her wrists from sucking on them in utero- she has definitely taken to her pacifier and we're trying to use that instead of her wrists or thumb!

Labor and delivery was a much better experience this time around and Caitlin came in just 6 and a half hours- half the time it took for Ava! Caitlin arrived in this world screaming- you should hear her screech! We have nicknamed her Caitlin-saurus because she sounds like a teradactyl whenever she's upset. Ava thinks that it's hilarious when Caitlin cries and giggles everytime Caitlin makes a peep. Jason and I are taking bets on how long it will take Ava to move from laughing when Caitlin cries to asking us to take her back to where she came from.

We were discharged on Sunday morning and it was a little surreal to put both girls in the backseat and drive home as a family of four.

We are all already in love with this sweet little wad of a person who has turned our world as we know it upside down- we can't wait to learn who Caitlin is and what her personality will be. She is changing daily and I wish we could freeze each precious moment- it already feels like time is moving too fast!

Thank you to all of our family and friends who helped watch Ava over the weekend, brought us delicious dinners and lots of flowers and presents- we are truly blessed and appreciate all the phone calls, texts, well wishes, and most of all love.

Our first meeting

Weighing in
Falling in love

Caitlin's First Bath- she did not like it!

This was the only pic we got where she wasn't screaming!
The new big sister was so excited to meet and hold Caitlin!

Snoozing on Daddy- the best place to be

4th of July Parade

This morning Ava had her 4th of July parade at school. She was so excited about her parade that she marched all around the house before we left for school. Jason and Tony met us there- Ava was so excited that her Uncle came to see her parade. I think that it really made her feel special that he was there.

As always, going to the parades and seeing all the creative art projects and fun that Ava has makes Jason and I very grateful that she goes to the school that she does.

Check out the cool shaker and hat she made!

Ava and all her friends marching

Too cool in my Ariel sunglasses...

Ava was so excited that Uncle Tony came

Mommy, Daddy and Ava- I promise we did not plan to match today :)