We have a daughter! After a pregnancy that both seemed to fly by and drag on forever, Shelby Rose was born on November 15th, 2016. I'm still sorting through some photos from her birth day and writing up the full story of her birth, but for now let's take a look at her first week at home with us.
We were discharged from the birth center just after midnight on the 15th, so Jasper had already gone to bed by the time we arrived back home. The next morning he got his first look at his new baby sister.
I forgot how teeny tiny newborns are - Jasper seems enormous to me now.
Being born is hard work... time to sleep it off.
Matt's parents were in town from California to be here for the birth and Shelby's first week. I felt a little like a watched pot since so many people in our families were waiting anxiously for me to go into labor. It was a huge relief, in more than one way, when Shelby finally arrived.
She's gorgeous, sweet, relatively mellow, and we're totally in love.
She was within a couple of ounces and half an inch of Jasper's size when he was born, but the big difference between them is that HAIR! Jasper had a pretty good head of hair on him as a newborn, but this little girl has one impressive mane on her. I adore the rich dark color and I hope it stays like this!
Shelby got her first sponge bath a couple of days after coming home. She's so mellow that she slept through the entire thing. Jasper, on the other hand, screamed his face off all the way through his first bath. It's funny how different siblings can be, and we're crossing our fingers that Shelby keeps this calmer temperament throughout her babyhood.
But if she's hungry, she'll let you know about it! Matt took the first week off from work so we could both get a handle on taking care of two kids while my body healed.
Matt's parents came over most days to take Jasper outside to play, which is his very favorite thing to do in the whole entire world. His parents also helped us out with a few house chores and yard work, and they brought dinner to us several nights - we're very grateful for the help.
Jasper is so sweet and gentle with his new sister. No signs of jealousy yet, though I think he is a little too young to truly understand that this little person is here to stay and will grow up into a fully-functioning human with the capability to steal his toys.
He loves to kiss her. He says, "kiss!" and leans down and gives her the sweetest little kiss with a little smacking noise. I bet he does it 100 times per day.
We think she's precious and have been taking millions of pictures. Can't stop won't stop.
Her feet look like perfect miniature versions of mine. Her second toe is longer than the first, fourth toe is slightly curved, and the toes are long and lanky. I'm both amused and apologetic that she inherited my monkey feet!
She also inherited my long dainty fingers - her little hands are so tiny and feminine!
Seriously with the hair. It's amazing.
Later in the week, after her umbilical stump fell off, she had her first "real" bath with big brother. He was so excited to take a bath with her. He kept patting her, smiling, and saying, "Baba!"
She was less than thrilled after that bath (I think she got a little cold). Her worried face is heartbreaking and adorable.
We've yet to get a photo of the 4 of us as a family, but you know how it goes with 2 year-olds. Short of nailing him to the floor, it's nearly impossible to get him to stand still for a picture.
Last Thursday at 9 days old, we traveled to my parents' house for Thanksgiving. My mom keeps a few toys at her house for Jasper and he quickly settled in with this car wash.
Second breastfed baby and though I'm discreet, I have no problem with wearing layers to keep my body covered and taking a pass on those over-sized and hot nursing covers. I've tried a couple of brands and just can't find one that is comfy. In a pinch I'll use a thin receiving blanket as a cover if needed, but otherwise layering works just fine.
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Shelby wore the same Thanksgiving outfit that Jasper did for his first Thanksgiving - he was just over a month old at the time.
The grandparents had a slightly successful attempt at getting Jasper in a "posed" photo.
Oh boy, did we ever feast. I had NO appetite when I was pregnant and my stomach was compressed to the point where tiny 100 calorie meals would make me feel sick and stuffed. But now with the baby out and with the breastfeeding appetite in full swing, I can (and do) eat like a horse! We had turkey, ham, homemade cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes with roasted banana and marshmallows, mashed potatoes, green beans, creamed corn, deviled eggs, my family's famous sausage, cornbread, and biscuit dressing (with gravy), buttered rolls, and I'm sure there's something else that I forgot.
Jasper had a big ole plate of food, too! He ate the sweet potatoes, a couple of bites of dressing and mashed potatoes, but once he saw that his very favorite food, mac 'n cheese, was on his plate, it was all over. He loves him some "mah-cheese!"
There were also desserts, three of them, and I'm not afraid to admit that I ate a huge plate of all three and still had room in my stomach. Seriously, making milk turns me into a bottomless pit. This is my family's famous chocolate pecan pie. The recipe is kept under lock and key. I don't even know how to make the thing, but it's amazing.
This is my sister's Mississippi Mud Cake. It's a moist, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake with a layer of gooey marshmallows and chocolate frosting.
Jasper devoured the cake. He had chocolate on his face from his mouth all the way up to his forehead. Kid LOVES chocolate.
Oh, and the third dessert wasn't photographed, but it was a strawberry pretzel salad made with candied pecans. Yummo.
Matt's parents soaking in as much baby snuggle time as possible before heading back home.
My grown-up niece, Allie, with her new baby cousin.
My mom, better known as Nana, with her 6th grandchild.
Matt was born to be a daddy. He'd have 5 more if he could, but I told him he better find out a way for his body to carry the child, because pregnancy wrecks me!
Grandpa with the teeny one.
I love being mommy.
Before we lost the sunlight, we went outside for some quick family photos.
It took some coercing and wrestling to get Jasper into the photo, but we did it!
Trying to convince him to be in the bigger group photo.
Success, but I wish my sister Amy was in the photo! We didn't have a tripod handy so she volunteered to take the pic.
Shelby got hungry and wasn't going to wait to eat, so I went inside to feed her while everyone else took a few more photos. THERE is Amy!
Love this one!
And this one!
This might be one to frame - such a great shot of Matt with his parents.
Jasper had a fantastic day (with no nap) and passed out hard on the drive home. This is the first year he's been old enough to fully participate and be aware of the holidays and we're having a blast with him. We're all warm and fuzzy with family feels now that Shelby is finally here and we're stoked to celebrate the entire Christmas season with our newly expanded little clan!
Mama B
Thank you for the gift of these beautiful photos and memories surrounding Shelby's arrival. We are so happy for you and Matt! Grandpa and I had a wonderful visit and we love you all.
Lauren Robinson
Congratulations for the new little one!!! She is precious! It looks like your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And what terrific family photos to share the memories years from now -- even if he's difficult to wrangle into them, Jasper is sure a cutie!
Erin
Thank you, Lauren! He's lucky he is cute! 😉
Kaye Mangin
Dear Erin Congratulations. The blessings have really been flowing at your house. Thanks for sharing all the pictures, especially of the baby, what a treat. Thanks for all the recipes and great tips. I look forward to next year and more yumminess. Merry Christmas to you all, and good luck. Sincerely Kaye Mangin
Erin
Thank you for your sweet comment, Kaye! Merry Christmas to you as well!