First 3.5 weeks

My oh my, have we been enjoying this sweet baby of ours.  After nearly 4 years without a baby, it was definitely time again!  Our only problem is there isn't enough of this gorgeous girl to go around.  Someone is always in line to hold her and more than one of the kids have said on different occasions, "I wish we had 2 babies again!" 

Before Olivia was born, Ben and I wondered what it would be like this go around, with baby #5.  We were mostly wondering because of the big gap between her and the twins.  4 years is a lot and it would kind of like be starting over.  The twins are potty trained (have been for over a year), can buckle and unbuckle themselves in the car, can get themselves dressed, clean up after themselves and even get themselves some food/snacks.  We had kind of started into a different phase of life with our family- no babies or toddlers in the house.  We didn't know if starting over would be super hard to get used to again.

In some ways its been an adjustment (we've all been sleeping through the night now for 3.5 years!), but it's mostly just been a sweet, wonderful experience.  Having a baby fresh from heaven is such a blessing.  And getting to share her with 4 other beautiful children is so much fun.  We are loving every second with Olivia.

Our first full day home from the hospital was a busy one- Olivia had her newborn pediatric check, and I had a doctor's appointment as well.

The doctor told us what we already knew- that she was perfect!

The kids very were anxious to all help Grandma change her diaper one morning before school.  Upon finding out it was a poopy diaper, the enthusiasm diminished a bit.  But overall, everyone has been so, so helpful with her.  It's so nice having such big kids that can all help me with her.

Ben's parents came up to meet Olivia the weekend after she was born.

The came bearing gifts for the 3 October birthdays in the family.

Bey blades for Mitch- he was in heaven!

Princess dress up outfits for the girls!

The girls looked so sweet in their dressup gear.  Poor Lexi had to hobble around on her bum ankle in high heels.  

This little man wanted a brother, but doesn't he look so sweet holding a baby sister?

Everyone enjoyed Mitch's Bey Blades gift.  They enlisted Nana to play a few times that weekend.

Grandma Cynde had to come over and meet the newest Andros!

Like I said, there is always someone in line to hold Olivia, especially the first few weeks.  Twins really would have come in handy.

Olivia with the gorgeous quilt Ben's grandma made for her.  I helped her pick out the material this summer.  I love, love, love it.

Nana loves babies!  She is the best baby holder and baby soother.  She can get almost any fussy baby to stop crying and go to sleep.

Papa and Olivia

The first Sunday home, Olivia and I stayed home from church.  My mom texted me this picture of what Mitchell was doing during Sacrament meeting.  He has recently been really into sounding out words.  As you can see on the second line, he wanted to sound out the word "Gorilla."  The scribbled out part at the first of the line was his attempt to sound it out- "GWL" was the start of it.  He says his R's like W's, so GWL was exactly what he heard in his head as he sounded it out.  (It would have ended up GWLA, I'm guessing).  Too funny.  Grandma helped him spell it right.  Also funny that his next top words for the day were Hawaii and Vampire. What goes on in that boys head?

Livy loves her vibrating bouncy chair.  She takes many a naps in there.

How she sleeps at night- tightly swaddled in her Aden and Anais swaddling blanket.  I got one from my sister and my sis-in-law.  We use them every night and LOVE them.

It was so great having Ben home for 2 weeks with us.  He had to do a little work one day and connect with the office, but it didn't stop him from snuggling his girl.

This baby LOVES to eat.  This bib from my parents was very fitting for this little milk lover.  She chugs and chugs.

We had some helpers for Miss O's first bath at home.

Doesn't she look so tiny in that big ol' tub??

She was quite startled by the water but didn't totally hate it.

Until we got her out and she was cold... But it is good to be fresh!

The twins' first day of show and tell was on Liv's one week birthday.  Leah took a picture of Olivia (yes, it's life size pretty much!) to share with her class, and Lex took her hospital bear Spike.  She is very, very attached to that bear and carries it around with her almost all day and won't go to bed at night without it. 

Grandma had some small sewing projects to do while she was here.  Her two little side kicks were right by her side.

This girl is amazing.  I can't say enough good about our BIG helper Chloe.  She was a life saver when the twins were born and she has not disappointed this time either (and bonus- she's 4 years older this time!)  Chloe can change any kind of diaper by herself (maybe not a full blow out) and even asks to change diapers, can get little Livy dressed and is great at calming her by holding or rocking her and successfully gets her to go to sleep often.  She's gone most of the day at school, but is great to help whenever she is home.  She's not even 9 and is phenomenal.  We will keep her!

Grandma was a busy women while she was here- cooking, cleaning, entertaining kids, walking the kids to the bus stop and on and on, but always loved any time she could to cuddle with Olivia.

We know our babies are good and asleep when they do the "touchdown" signal.

I know they say babies can't "smile" before 5 or 6 weeks, but I don't believe it.

3 cute girls!

Ben caught Olivia and I taking a nap together one day.  She is a great snuggle buddy and we had a great nap.

She loves to have her hands up by her face while she sleeps- just like her mama!

Mitch was honored at an awards assembly at school while Ben was still home from work.  It was fun to go and support him for his hard work at school.  (He is the only kid standing up at the front with his paper held up to his eyes).  

Ben got our new stroller set up one evening.  Leah fit perfectly in it and Chloe loved pushing her around the hardwood.  Leah is also 20 pounds under the weight limit, too.

The beautiful rag quilt my mom made for Miss O.  She makes a quilt for every grandbaby.  This is one of my favorites!  (It has the cutest little owls on it!)

It's a great quilt to do tummy time on.

Even 3 year olds need tummy time!

She got so comfortable that she fell asleep and took a nice little nap on the floor.  It was so sweet.

Thank goodness for my wonderful husband!  We are in the thick of soccer season and our first year with 2 in soccer.  The weather at the end of Septemeber was so crummy- most of the days were rainy and many of them were down pours.  Ben has taken the kids to 98% of their soccer practices (3  nights a week) and 95% of their games by himself.  I had no desire to take a tiny newborn to a down pour game where it would be impossible to keep her dry or warm.  Hooray for Soccer Dads!

One of Mitch's wettest games.  He's the one in the yellow socks.

Ben took the twins with him this time.

A soaked little soccer player

And 2 soaked fans!  All of them were completely drenched when they got home.  Everyone had to completely change outfits and we had to run a load of wash.

Olivia's first day of church, posing with Grandma!

Ben set up her swing around 2.5 weeks old.  She loves the swing and takes lots of great naps in it.

My mom is truly Chloe's best friend.  She loves when Grandma comes to town and my mom is so good to entertain and play with Chloe (all the kids, really) all day long.  Chloe especially loves one-on-one time with her.  They have such a great bond and I was so glad they had so much time together.

Grandma with all the kids on her last day here.  She flew out to go home on October 2nd, after 2.5 weeks of being here.

One last one with Olivia!

I can't say enough good about my mom and how much she did for us (and has done for us with every baby).  She cooked every meal, did 99% of the dishes, emptied the dishwasher almost every day (which is the kids' job every day- they were spoiled!) and took care of the kids.  She got up with them every morning and cooked them breakfast EVERY SINGLE DAY.  My kids love home cooked breakfasts (we do cold cereal 98% of the time) and always love when Grandma comes because they know they will get great breakfasts.  She helped them pack their lunches and get everything ready for school.  This allowed me (and Ben) to sleep in every morning.  Everyone was well entertained and taken care of, thanks to my Mom.  She has the patience of a saint and is so wonderful to truly play with her grandkids.  She plays endless board games, does crafts, takes the kids on walks and pretty much does anything they request (within reason).  She is the best grandma and a wonderful mother.  I feel bad that not everyone has the wonderful help after having babies that I do.  Is she the best?  Yes, she really is. 

Another smile from Olivia. 

Olivia with the two fabulous blankets from Great Grandma Dewsnup.  I LOVE her blankets.  They are so big and great for keeping warm during the day.

I love snuggling with my baby any time I can, but it's the best once the kids are in bed and all of my attention and time can go to her.

On General Conference weekend, Ben got up on Saturday morning and took all 5 kids with him to the store to grab some donuts for breakfast.  Chloe pushed the stroller and Mitch pushed the cart.  The twins held Ben's hands.  I got to stay home and sleep for a few more minutes and get showered with no interruptions.  Super Dad lives with me!

And the donuts were delicious!  (And Conference was wonderful!)

The twins sure wish they could really share a bed with Olivia...

Little do they know how often babies wake up in the night!

Time is going way too fast, but I can't wait to see this little Miss grow.  We are head over heals in love with her and look forward to loving on her for years to come.