December 2013 pt 1

I was able to set up a little photo shoot for Melody's birth announcements akin to one I found on pinterest.  

I think they turned out fantastic!

Here was the pic for our Christmas card

I just love how huge the binky looks compared to a newborns face.

After giving her a bath I had to document just how tiny she is.  Even though she was my 2nd biggest baby, she still seemed so itty bitty.

Jaina was always into something while I nursed.  I usually tried to put on a movie or something to keep her entertained, but nothing is as fun as making a mess.

Miss Mara was always itching to hold Mel. 

It made my heart happy.

And Mr Xander too. He sure loves his baby sister.

Keeping an eye on the little one.

Well before I got pregnant with Melody, I found this shirt and just had to buy it. At least I had a bow to match to make her look like the girl that she is.

Oh, those little hands!

This is Melody at almost a month old, wearing the outfit that she wore home from the hospital. It was so huge before, and now was starting to get a little snug.

For Christmas we got Jaina a Build A Bear, but we got it early so she could pick it out and stuff it.

Her name is Anna.

1 MONTH OLD

These are my most favorite jammies that all of my girls have been able to wear. I was so excited to be able to use them again.

And the classic picture of Daddy and Baby napping.

I have one of these with all of my children.

Before Christmas we had our progressive dinner with the Tolman side. It was so great to be together and be able to be in Morri and Liza's new home.

So many people, and yet there are 8 missing.

November 2013 part 4

Oh how this big sister loves to hold Melody.

And this big brother is completely smitten with her! 

Her cord fell off when she was a week old, so we were able to give her a real bath!

And I love the post-bath hair.

A co-worker of Pat's made her this Star Wars blanket, she loved it!

JD and Karri came down to watch the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special with us and Jaina fell asleep next to her. So we put the sleeping baby on her and Mara pretended to be asleep too.

4 sleeping angels.

I was able to catch a sleeping smile! 

These girls will sit and baby watch all day if they could. 

Jaina has the best fashion sense and I love it! 

Gotta have some baby snuggle time. 

THANKSGIVING 2013

We had dinner at Grandma & Grandpa Tolman's house

Melody was getting snuggles from everyone!

Olivia was so happy to kiss her. 

Thanksgiving was also Grandpa's birthday! 

Jaina has caught on to me nursing Melody. 

She decided that she needed to feed her baby too. 

This awesome onesie was made by the same co-worker that made her blanket. 

It just amazes me how little she is, and the way she sleeps. 

November 2013 part 3 - Going Home

We were only at the hospital for a little over a day.  But we were able to get these few pictures.  Melody was very fussy because of mucus in her tummy, so she wouldn't stay calm when I put her down.

This is one of my most favorite pictures. 

It's crazy that babies are so small.

Our first day home was 

Wednesday, November 13th

She got some snuggle time with daddy.

Pat had a conference to go to on that Thursday, so my mom came to stay with me overnight.  She was great and kept Melody for me so I could get some sleep, since Mel didn't like her bed yet.  But she discovered if Melody was wearing a hat and swaddled in her blanket, she would sleep better. So we started to keep her in a hat when she slept.

Sunday visit from Grandma & Grandpa Tolman

The whole Ramey side came down for dinner and to meet Melody.

Sawyer was so excited to hold her, and didn't care that she was crying.

Finley is a little mommy and would make a circle with her arms to show that she was ready to hold the baby.

It was SO cute!  

Conli was so happy to have another cousin to love on!

My mom was able to pick up Grandma Joan from the care center and bring her to dinner and to meet Melody.  It was so great having her in our home and with the whole family.  She sure loves being with everyone.

4 Generations

Had to get a family picture with her before she left.

We just love our Grandma Joan!