Meeting Friends & Family

During the last month, we loved having friends drop by our home to meet our little daughter. Many of these friends came with gifts and meals for our family. What a blessing! We didn't get photos of everyone who came over, but I particularly loved getting pics of some sweet little girls who just loved on Adley. 

Adalyn

one of Jason's co-workers, Amanda

Mila

Emily and Madeline

Adley also had the opportunity to meet some of our out-of-town friends and family members who traveled to Texas for Adley's baptism. We were so honored that all these people came out to celebrate this special occasion with our family. Auntie Tyler, Amy's close childhood friend, was the first to arrive for the weekend celebration. We had asked Tyler to be one of Adley's godparents.

Aunt Beth and Uncle Andy (Jason's older sister and brother in law) came over for lunch one afternoon to meet Adley. This brave couple drove down all the way from Minnesota just for the weekend. What an awesome sacrifice of time they made to be here for Adley's celebration! We have such a great family! :)

Adley enjoyed meeting her Uncle Andrew next. Andrew and Sarah (Amy's brother and sister in law) made the trip to Texas amidst the process of selling their home and packing up their house to move. What a crazy time for them! We felt so honored that they carved out time for our family this weekend. (Adley had met Sarah the day before at a special St. Patty's Day pancake brunch but of course I forgot to take a picture of that adventure. Sorry, Sarah!)

Adley was wide-eyed and excited to meet her Grandma and Grandpa from Minnesota later that day. Adley is the first granddaughter for Jason's parents, so it was extra special for them to hold a little one in pink. :)  

We asked Jonathan and Jennifer Boll, some of our dear friends from Billings, to serve as Adley's godparents along with Tyler. It was fun giving them an excuse to fly down to Texas for a visit. We loved seeing them!

Finally, Aunt Mary and Uncle Doug (Jason's aunt and uncle) drove down from Tyler, Texas, to attend the baptism service. Adley sure had a full weekend of meeting new people. She didn't seem to mind at all being passed from one set of loving arms to another.

During the weekend of Adley's baptism, Tyler and the Bolls stayed at our house. During most of their visit, we just hung out, talked, and watched some March Madness games. On the last day of their stay, however, we played some black light mini golf (Jaden and Cody's first mini golf experience).

The Guys: Jonathan, Cody, Jason, Jaden

The Ladies: Tyler, Amy, Adley, Aliya, Jenn

Adley sure is a blessed little lady to have so many friends and family members to love and support her right from the start. We are so thankful for all these wonderful people!

Newborn Photo Shoot

When Adley was just 9 days old, we had a friend from our church who owns a photography business do a photo shoot with Adley. Our friend Jenn had so many creative ideas and was very patient working with a newborn. She stayed at our home for over 2 hours and got some fabulous pictures. We were thrilled with her work and, of course, we think that her subject matter was pretty stinkin' cute!

Adley was awake for the second half of the photo shoot. We loved being able to get some shots of her little eyes!

Jenn loved taking what she called "baby parts" pictures.

At the very end, we captured a few family shots. I absolutely LOVE this photo of Adley with Jaden and Cody. Jaden was so proud to hold Adley in his lap, and Cody's kiss was completely unposed. These boys love their little sister!

And finally, some pics with Mommy and Daddy. :)

Proud Big Brothers

Adding a new member to our family has brought a monumental change into Jaden and Cody's lives. Overall, Jason and I have been so proud of the way our boys have handled this change. They have been so loving to Adley and very helpful around the house too. 

Grammy and Papa stayed at our home with Jaden and Cody while Jason, Adley and I were in the hospital. Both boys drew pictorial directions so that Grammy and Papa would know how to take care of them. Cody crossed off his pictures as they did each step together. He translated the pictures later for me as follows: eat breakfast, go to school, go to bed, playtime, go to bed, eat breakfast. 

Jaden's directions focused on the nighttime routine: give us a bath, brush our teeth, read us a story, put us to bed, and then you can go downstairs. 

The boys asked to hold Adley at least once a day after we brought her home from the hospital. They held her for very short periods of time (only a few minutes) but always very carefully. If Jaden and Cody ever left the house with Daddy, their first question when coming back home was, "Mommy, how's Adley doing?"

Big Brother Jaden

Big Brother Cody

One day recently I asked the boys what the hardest part about having a baby sister was. Without hesitation, they both responded, "When she cries!" Then I asked what the best part was. Jaden said, "Giving Adley hugs." Cody's response was, "Pushing her diapers down into the diaper genie." Ha! :)

Jaden and Cody love doing all they can to keep Adley happy. When Adley cries, the boys love bringing her stuffed animals or rattles to help calm her down. Their tactics often work!

One day, Cody and Jaden decided to entertain Adley by dancing along to the music on her bouncer.

Cody was convinced that little Adley starting dancing right along with them! :)

On Jaden and Cody's first day back to school after Adley's birth, we sent them with a photo book of pictures that they could show to their teachers and friends. Grammy took the boys to school this day, and she said that they were so excited and proud to share the photos! (This day also happened to be a PJ dress up day, in case you're wondering what the kids are all wearing.)

Ever since Adley's birth, the pictures that the boys have drawn at school and home have looked a little different. So precious to see the extra little family member that they are now including! :)

Cody's picture below sums it up pretty well. (Be sure to read his words in a snake-like pattern.)

Big Brothers Are Great!

We are so thankful that God has given our boys a smooth transition so far and pray that their love for and patience with Adley continues for a long, long time! :)

A Few Firsts

Since arriving at home, Adley has experienced a variety of firsts:

First Bath

When we first poured water over Adley, she seemed interested and didn't cry at all.

Of course, her pleasant temperament didn't last long at all.

Mommy and Daddy finished Adley's bath as quickly as possible....

...and got right to the best part-- snuggle time at the end!

Almost as nice as the snuggle time was the "getting all dolled up" time! After the bath, Miss Adley was a happy girl. 

First Bath from Brothers

After Adley's umbilical cord fell off, we felt better about having Cody and Jaden help with her bathtime, something the boys had been begging to do. Cody and Jaden helped get Adley wet and scrub her down. They were quite concerned about her loud cries.

  

All clean! Jaden and Cody were so proud. :)

First Snuggles

Newborns sleep a lot! (Funny, we don't remember quite this much rest-time when Jaden and Cody were newborns. This is likely because A. they didn't always sleep at the same time or B. Jason and were trying to rest along with them every spare second that we could!) Our little girl's favorite place to rest is up against one of her doting family members. We, of course, are happy to spoil our little girl.

 

First Week

By the time Adley was one week old, she had gained back some of the weight she lost in the hospital. When we brought Adley home, she weighed 9 lbs, 1 oz. At her 1 week doctor check-up, Adley was up to 9 lbs. 5 oz. The doctor declared Adley to be a healthy, "just perfect" baby girl. We couldn't be happier! :) Here is Adley at one week:

First Trip to Church

When Adley was just 10 days old, she attended her first church service. This trip was only possible because Grammy and Papa came to our house early that morning to help out. Daddy always leaves extra early on Sunday mornings, and Mommy isn't quite ready to manage three kiddos and their schedules in the morning on her own yet! I couldn't have done it without you, Grammy and Papa-- thanks so much! :)

Here is our sweet girl, all dressed up and ready to go! The cute dress and shoes are both from Grammy and Papa too. We think she's pretty adorable! :)

Jaden and Cody take so much pride in their little sister. They both insisted on helping Papa carry Adley's car seat in to and out of church. While carrying it, they periodically would look up and beam at anyone passing by as if to say, "She's mine!" :)