Halloween II

By the way, Ben was a lion and Juliet a pea pod :)

Halloween I

This sequence of photos isn't nearly as entertaining without the corresponding screaming and whining that we heard live, but it definitely gives a sense of how rocky our Halloween started this afternoon. Everyone in the house was a big crabby pants today so getting out the door for trick or treating proved to be more difficult than anyone would have guessed.

Thankfully things got A LOT better once we were pounding pavement for candy. I'm posting a few different updates b/c there are several pictures and a video. Enjoy.

Ba Ba

As promised, she jumped on a plane the minute we called and was walking into my hospital room just hours after Juliet was born.

My mom, who had been circling Cleveland Hopkins for the past 10 days, waiting for her call, arrived on the scene ready to help in any way needed.

And did she ever.

She relieved Paula Friday afternoon and powered through the entire weekend basically on her own with Ben while I was at the hospital and hubby bounced between home and visiting Juliet and me.

She spoiled him rotten (could he look any happier in this pic?), and was rewarded with the one thing she's wanted most since he arrived on earth, a name. "Ba Ba" (Polish for grandma, thanks Paula!) is what he's landed on for grandma Es and boy does he love her. 'Ba Ba' this and 'Ba Ba' that, he even has a 'Ba Ba' song.

He shouts her name when she walks in the room and won't go to bed without climbing upstairs to kiss Ba Ba nite nites.

It is absolutely adorable to see how much he loves her. And we are endebted to her for all the time spent with us this last week. We never could have held down the fort without her help.

And in her spare time (??) she did a thousand loads of laundry, cooked meals for the next week and broke down my entire garden and all my planters in the backyard (can't even go into how or where she gets all this energy, aren't you feeling like a slacker just reading this?).

A big thanks to you mom, for dropping everything and coming to our rescue this week. I know there is little you'd rather do than spend time with Ben and Juliet, but never the less we appreciate it tremendously and quite literally could not have done it without you.

We've got Ben coaching Juliet now so hopefully you won't have to wait another 19 months for her 'Ba Ba.'

Love you bunches.

Shades of Pink

With the arrival of our first tutu (thanks aunt Brenda!), I realized I'm overdue on a blog post.

How different the response is with a girl. It's amazing. Of course everyone is genuinely excited for the arrival of a boy, but a girl brings out something more giddy in nearly all. An extra gush, a warmer coo, and of course, clothes.

Where blankets were delivered by the bolt for Ben, instead we've received shoes, and tights, skirts, and yes even tutus. Each item cuter then the next, literally.

I knew from shopping for Ben that there were more options for girls, but I had no idea just how insane.

And the shades of pink!

Even if you tried to resist (though why would you?), it would be impossible.

It will take all of my strength not to photograph and post every outfit, but here's just one since I haven't posted any since we've been home from the hospital. Not the most flattering of dear Juliet but you had to see the outfit and bow.

Falling in Love All Over Again

Hubby snapped this yesterday and I think it's beautiful.

Two days ago she was just an idea, waiting to make her way into the world. Today she holds my whole heart.

It's amazing how quickly one can fall completely in love...

I had forgotten just how small they are, and warm, and miraculous.

Ben came to meet his little sister last night, all went very well. He had many kisses for her and didn't seem to mind her feeding from mom, as long as he still had his place on my lap, and my attention for a story. All of us piled into my hospital bed.

Life is good my friends, very good indeed.

Juliet Francis

At last she is here and absolutely worth the wait.

Please join us in welcoming Juliet Francis. She arrived at 4:30AM after a very quick delivery, at 7lbs 5 oz.

She shares her middle name and initials with our very-much missed brother in law John.

She is amazing, and looking forward to meeting her big brother Ben this evening.

Can't wait to introduce her to the world!