1st Few Days at Home

We've been home now for 3 days and we're doing great.  Nora is adjusting to her new home and Ethan is adjusting to his new baby sister.  He is also really enjoying having Daddy home (we all are)! 
A few things about our 5 day old Nora...
She likes to eat!  She is eating every 2-3 hours during the day and does great at night eating every 3-4 hours. 
She is gradually staying awake during the day more often.  I love to see her eyes!
She is growing like crazy already.  We had her first doctor appt this morning (more on that later)
Her brother likes to 'Say Hi' to her and 'pet' her on the head.  She doesn't mind :).
She hates having her diaper and clothes changed (not that I blame her)
She is so sweet and makes us feel so blessed every time we look at her!

Since this blog is also my scrapbook, I've got a lot of pictures to share.  Enjoy!

Pop met Nora on Friday before leaving the hospital.  I'm pretty sure he's a fan :)

The 4 of us loading up the van to head home

We're home! Thanks Abby for the Welcome sign and balloons.

Our attempt at a family shot at the front door

Nora in her new home

Ethan being silly with Daddy's glasses

Uncle Dustin and Amanda came up on Saturday to meet Nora and play with Ethan.

Open eyes time

Enjoying puzzle time with Daddy

Grandpa was hunting all week and came up with Grandma Karen on Sunday to meet Nora.  Again...I think he's a fan!

Grandpa and Ethan

Our percussionist in action...

She should be a heavy sleeper with the wild brother she has!

Baby Nora

We are home with our wonderful family of 4 and enjoying every minute.  I have a few more pictures from the hospital and coming home to share. 

Ethan meeting Nora for the first time.  He wasn't sure what to think at first...

But he warmed up quickly. Holding her with Daddy's help.

Our Sleeping Beauty

Getting ready to go home!

Being such a great big brother

The Collier Family of 4!

I'll be working on more soon.  Just wanted to share these photos.

Birthday Celebrations

Nora Diane arrived this morning at 11:58. When the dr came in, she assured me that this was going to be an AM baby. And around 11:50, I told her that she had better hurry and we made it! Nora is perfect. She is so sweet and, call me biased, beautiful! I think she may already be wrapped around her Daddy's finger. Who now shares his birthday with her. Happy birthday to you both! She weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz and 20.5 in long. And has beautiful brown hair.
Grandma Terri, Grandma Karen and Abby all came to visit this afternoon along with Ethan. He wasn't too sure what to think at first but eventually warmed up to his baby sister. Enjoy a few pictures from Jared and Nora's birthday!

Boo Boo & Boo at the Zoo

Well...it's been almost two and a half years without 1 trip to the ER.  Tonight we broke that streak and took Ethan in.  I was in the kitchen, he was in the living room and all of a sudden I hear a thud and then screaming.  I came in and he was holding his chin.  I got him in the the kitchen and saw blood and upon further inspection found a cut on the inside of his lower lip as well as one on the outside.  I thought he had bit through his lip.  After I got him cleaned up and calmed down, I called the doc and was told to just take him straight into the ER.  Jared met us there and surprisingly we were seen by a doctor within 45 minutes or so of our arrival.  It was not a through and through cut, but did warrant some derma-bond (aka: glue) and steri-strips.  He did awesome.  He never whined, cried or even flinched the whole time.  I don't know if this makes me a good mom or not...but I had to snap a few pictures while at the hospital.

Waiting very patiently

Being quite the trooper!

All fixed up!

We had planned on going to the Tate and Lyle night of Boo at the Zoo tonight, but wasn't sure we were going to make it with the unexpected ER trip.  Since it didn't take as long as we thought, and Ethan was in such great spirits, we decided to head to the zoo.  We ate a delicious dinner (hot dogs, chili and mac & cheese) and then quickly made it through all the Trick or Treat stations, rode the train and the carousel.  It was a fun night...after all was said and done. 

Looking for the 1st Trick or Treating

Our little Pirate

Waiting on the train

Ethan and Daddy riding the carousel

Pumpkin Carving!

We carved our pumpkins tonight!  This was the first year for Ethan to have a carved pumpkin.  He enjoyed helping and picked out his own pattern.  It was a nice evening, so we moved everything out to the deck and started cleaning out the goop!  I even helped with this part.  Enjoy a few pictures from our evening.

Not too interested in touching that stuff...

Helping Daddy Carve

Cheese!

Apparently knives aren't enough these days...drills are much more effective!

Ethan and Mickey Mouse, his first carved pumpkin!

The Boys and Their Creations

Final Products!  Mickey and StL (Go Cards!)

Brief House Tour...

The house is still a work in progress...but I have a feeling it will be that for a while.  Anyway, we've gotten most things put away and started hanging things on the walls.  We are still waiting to buy some furniture until we've lived here a while to decide what we actually want/need.  So here are some pictures of our new home.

Living Room (upstairs)

Kitchen (Complete with fun magnets!)

Eating area

Downstairs Family Room/Play Room

Finished Table!  Thanks Dad!

I Love It!!

Backyard and the Treehouse

Master Bedroom

Ethan playing in his room

Baby Girl's Room

Completed bumper pads in place!  Thanks Mom!

Baby Girl and I at 39 Weeks (and 1 day)

Apple Orchard

I decided that Ethan and I would make a trip to the Okaw Valley Orchard this morning.  It was a little chilly, but the sun was shining and I have a feeling we won't be getting out to do a lot for a while. We have been to this orchard before and I knew they had a nice playground area, so I thought that would be a fun outing for Ethan.  First we picked out our apples (from the store...not the orchard), then had a nice apple snack (apple doughnut and pastry) and then headed outside to play for a while.  It was a fun morning and I'm glad we were able to spend some one on one time together before baby sister arrives.

Hanging with Johnny Appleseed

Playing on the playground

Climbing on the hay bales

Trying to reach an apple...

...Settled for a yucky one from the ground (Don't worry, he did not eat it)

Yummy apple treat we brought back for Daddy