MTC

Well, my bro is officially a missionary.  I couldn't even begin to explain how happy we all are and how proud we are of Taylor.  He is an amazing example to me of overcoming hardships and believing that you are meant for better than what you might feel you deserve.  Taylor will be amazing.  When we dropped him off at the MTC, he was so content and chill.  Poor 19 year old boys were bawling and then there's Tay... "Peace out fam, see you in 2 years."  EXACTLY how he needed to feel and deserved to feel!  We will miss him so much but are so happy and excited for him!

Love you Tay Tay!!

{Matt couldn't leave work so we ran by really fast for them to say goodbye..

Please don't mind Matt's gayish pose.}

{Proud parents}

{McCall made sure to quote a scene from the movie, Hot Rod, very loudly

to ensure complete embarrassment for Tay as he walked off

with the other missionaries}

{I'm a jerk for taking this picture of my parents bawling in the car...

but it was so cute and funny.  They held it in as long as they could!}

2 weeks old!

{2 Weeks Old}

September 21, 2012

{Olivia's 2 week stats}

7 lbs 15 oz- 50%

21 inches long- 80%

Some things about our baby at 2 weeks old:

-Healthy as can be.. thanks for freaking me out the whole 9 months, Specialists.

I shouldn't be bitter, but seriously...

-Great nurser from the start.  Hallelujah!!

-Sleeps all the time

-Sleeps in her crib

-Very patient with her older sister kissing on her constantly

-Poops A LOT

-Very content

-Likes to be swaddled but without her arms tucked in

-Does great in her carseat

-Gets fussy around 5 p.m. for a couple of hours

-Wears size 1 diapers

This little girl has added so much happiness to our family.

We love you Olivia.. so, so much!

Thank you for being such a wonderful baby!!

Life with 2

Our first couple of weeks with Olivia went so well.. and have continued to be great.  Aubree has adjusted better than I could have imagined.  The first little while we were butting heads a little.  Like I've said before, she did amazing with Olivia and didn't act jealous when I was holding her or feeding her, but it came out in other ways.  I had to remind myself that I was the adult in the situation and to try to be more patient with her.  Now I feel like we are settled and stabilized and we are doing awesome... I am so blessed and so happy to have two darling and healthy girls and a husband who has been a total gem-  Matt has been so amazing I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am for his patience and how well he has handled juggling Aubree and Olivia.  Oh, and putting up with me too.  I will keep this one around :)
Having my mom around the first week was SO nice.  We only had one fight!  Which was totally and completely my fault.. I blame hormones.  I told her she was doing too much for me and it was overwhelming me, like her constantly cleaning my house and dishes and helping me in the middle of the nights with the girls.  I'm awesome, right?  Again, hormones.. right?

Some things we had been up to our first 2 weeks...

{Going to the park with Grammy

Once again, HUGE THANK YOU to my amazing mother!!}

{Lots of sister time}

{Lots of trying to keep Aubree entertained.. thanks to Mad for building forts

and my cute neighbor friend for the Rapunzel braid idea}

Jen and Juli came up for a weekend and we LOVED having them here.  Jenny made it very clear that I was only allowed to feed the baby and everything else was her job... I love her!!  We had a blast with them-- we got ice cream, went to the Riverwood's for their outdoor market, watched movies and hung out. 

They were so helpful and so fun to be around.  Thanks girls- we love you!





Some of Olivia's Visitors

{My mom's sister, Becky and my uncle Alan.

I adore my aunt Beck; I always used to ask my mom

if I was her daughter because we are so similar!}

{Aunt McCall}

{Aunt Madison}

{Grandma Great Winona}

{Meme and Aunt Jenny}



Other visitors included the cute Zanders and my best friend, Shelly and her

darling baby Julia.  I'm so mad I didn't get pictures! 

Everyone that came brought Olivia and Aubree presents-- we have the best

family and friends!  Thank you guys!!

First Bath

I was prepared for some serious screaming from Olivia for her first bath.. cute little baby didn't make a peep!  Aubree completely freaked during her first bath!  The only thing Olivia didn't like was having lotion rubbed on her, but other than that, she did great. 

{Clean and snuggly and warm and adorable}

First Day at Home

Our first full day as a family of 4 at home!  Aubree was so excited- she did so well with Olivia, which we were somewhat shocked and grateful for :) Pretty cute sisters if I do say so myself!

Grandparents

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for my mom and Matt's mom.  I'm so lucky to a mother who unconditionally loves her family and a mother-in-law who treats every one of her children's spouses as her own.  My girls are extremely blessed to have such great grandparents.  My dad came up the next weekend (and I forgot to take a picture like a loser) and seeing him with my kids is amazing.  He is such a fun grandpa and so good to them.  I'll have to take a pic of him and Olivia next time they come up here.  We have wonderful families!!

My mom stayed with us for a week and did everything I asked and more.  Mom, I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you and that you put up with a daughter like me sometimes :)  I love you Mama!!

Hospital Stay

We were anxious to leave the hospital- I had great nurses and felt taken care of, but nothing beats home.  I was SO thankful for Juli and my mom who stayed with Aubree and took great care of her.  Overall, everything went perfectly.  I felt great; my recovery with Aubree wasn't bad at all and same goes for Olivia.  I'm very happy about that- and I know I'm lucky!

{Visiting little sister a few hours before going home}

{Uncle Tay with the babies}

{I may be biased, but I can't imagine life getting any better

than watching my incredible husband with our girls because

he is honestly the greatest dad and husband... EVER}

{Finally getting ready to leave.. we were told 12:30.. we left at 4:00}

We were so happy to get back home to Aubree and welcome our new little baby.

Life is good :)

Our little one is here!

I'm a little private about my babies birth stories, but the overall experience of having Olivia was amazing.  She was born more healthy and perfect than we could have hoped for, especially after all the stress of not knowing if she would be completely ok.  My hospital stay was a little dramatic and annoying, but overall overyone was so nice and everything went well!  We are SO eternally grateful that we have 2 beautiful, healthy little girls!  Aubree has been the best big sister I could have hoped for (and I know we have had heavenly help because I have never prayed so much in my life that Aubree would transition well haha).  Olivia is an absolute dream baby and has added so much joy into our family!

{40 weeks exactly}

{Best Mom's Ever}

{The moment your baby is born is the best feeling!

I'll spare the actual "moment" pictures :)}

{Almost 2 pounds heavier than Aubree when she was born!}

{Look at that hair!}

{Aubree was so cute when she came in.  Didn't even hesitate to love on her new sister!

She said "Oh she is so darling!"}



{Our new little family}