Love

We are in love over here on Rockingham. Aren't newborns the sweetest, bestest things ever? We think so. Over and over the girls proclaim "she's so cute."

I underestimated how interested they would be in her. I thought after a few glances, they would "forget" her. After all, she pretty much eats, poops and sleeps (repeat, repeat, repeat).

Then again - look at that irresistible face. Seriously....you would be addicted to her too.

*images from Danielle Hutlas (our fabulous nanny.) Check her out here: http://hutlasproject365.blogspot.com/

Settling In

We are home and we are settling in quite nicely. Have you ever noticed the calming effect a newborn has on a household? In the past, I noticed it when I was dropping off food or gifts for friends who had recently had babies. Now I am noticing it in my own house.

It is a simple sense of calm and it has been quite refreshing.

Latham has been a good baby so far (aren't they all the first few weeks.) She is eating and sleeping well and my only complain is that she has a tendency to be quite a grunter a night.

Who knew that the grunts of a one week old could be so disruptive to one's sleep?

The girls are smitten with Latham - much more interested in her than I thought they would be. They want to hold her, kiss her, love her CONSTANTLY! It turns out they are also quite good little helpers - fetching diapers and wipes, water, tissues, etc.

Tomorrow, Gagi leaves for Southampton (insert a cry here). I know we will be fine but it sure has been nice having her here to entertain the older girls and cook and take care of me. We will miss her....I am already counting down the days until she returns and she hasn't even left!

It's a GIRL!!!

Monday morning, we welcomed sweet Latham McKnight into our family. She is doing very well adjusting to this world. She looks just like her sisters.

We should be home Friday. I will post more pictures then.

House - before and after

OK - so a number of you asked for pictures of the newly painted house. I tried to find some before -- this was the best I could come up with!

And here are the after shots...

We decided to go with a similar color for the body of the house but used a darker trim - instead of white. We also took the shutters off - Alan never liked them because if closed - they didn't really cover the windows.



We added some planters and a bench to the front porch.



And a shot of the back...

We are getting ready for the baby tomorrow. I am hanging out with the girls - soaking them up...we have already made cookies and it is only 11AM....in fact, they are just coming out of the oven. Warm cookies are calling.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Anticipation

Tonight as I was tucking the girls into bed, a sense of sorrow rushed over me. In a few, short days everything will be different. My time with these precious girls over the upcoming weeks will be shortened. I will be tending to a newborn - and newborns are demanding.

Don't get me wrong, we are greatly anticipating the arrival of this baby. But I am simultaneously mourning the leisurely bedtime stories, cuddles on the couch and relaxation that we have been forced to enjoy over the last few days while these girls have gained their health and recovered from their fevers.

I remember feeling terribly guilty right before Vaughan arrived here on this earth. I was worried about Ellery - would she feel neglected? Her world was about to be turned upside down and she had no clue. Looking back, that guilt that worry seems so unnecessary. Ellery and Vaughan love each other so well (most of the time.) I do think one of the greatest gifts in life Ellery has received has been Vaughan.

And so this time it is easier to push back the anxious, guilty feelings that I have. I am worried (mostly about how Vaughan will react to all of this) but at the same time I know that in time these girls will have another best friend -- for life, because isn't that what a sibling is? And now, the worry instead should probably be focused on the fact that Alan and I are about to be outnumbered. I can only imagine what these little angels have in store for us in the future.

P.S. You all asked for pics of the big belly and I tried my best...sorry about the quality but that was the best I could do with my phone!

The 4th of July and a Flurry of Activity

The countdown has begun.....this baby will be here before we know it (actually in about 4 days). In the meantime, we have been busy, busy, busy. Some things keeping us busy:

• Wrap up work (isn't that futile anyway?)
• Have house repainted - because why not add to the list of things to do the week before you have a baby?
• Find and wash baby clothes - almost complete
• Find and clean infant car seat - found - need to wash
• Tend to two sick children
• Celebrate the 4th of July

Yep - Ellery and Vaughan both got fevers on Monday. Better this week than next week, right? Ellery seems better but sweet Vaughan can't seem to kick this bug. Sick kids = clingy kids = not getting a lot accomplished.

OK, let's go back to the last thing on that list up there -- celebrate the 4th of July! We did find some time to celebrate America's Birthday. Gagi and PopPop joined in on the fun.

We all piled in the car and drove out to Sandy Springs to celebrate. I was completely blown away by the celebration waiting for us. There were hundreds of tables littering the golf course, rows of buffets, lines of grills delivering burgers, hot dogs, etc. It was immense.

There were clowns everywhere - painting faces, blowing up balloon animals. There was a "street" lined with jumpy things for the kids, games to play and pony rides. The girls were wide-eyed - especially when they saw the cotton candy and ice cream and it just went on and on and on.

Of course, the end was the best part -- the FIREWORKS! Ellery thought it was the best party ever. Vaughan huddled on my lap while I covered her ears. The weather was pleasant (for a change) and the night was one I hope not to forget for a long time!

A letter to Gagi

Ellery says - I love you Gagi and you are the best Gagi I ever had. I like when we play, cause it makes me feel better.

Vaughan says - Ellery always goes first. I want to swim in your pool. You can't do that again. Next time you can't do that. I want to go in your pool. I miss you and love you.

I say - Hurry home. These two girls have been good - sleeping late, making their beds and playing nicely -- but things could come unglued at any second.