Boys vs. Girls

On Saturday morning, Abby and Izzy came to play while their parents and Ted went to build portable homes for the people of Haiti.  It made me realize that shifting from a boy world- full of balls, cars, trucks, and in our case...flags, to a girl world will be an adjustment. The toddlers had a great time playing outside together but once we got back inside it was quite evident how much I have yet to learn.  Abby and Izzy wanted their toes painted, Nate wanted food!  Abby and Izzy wanted to be touching the baby at all times, Nate wanted to let her sleep.  Abby and Izzy colored, Nate drove a truck over the crayons.  It was a lot of fun!

And here is our favorite little doll (now 4 weeks old)!

Week 3

On Saturday, Marissa turned 3 weeks old.  Nate celebrated with three circle pancakes - oh wait, that is Mickey Mouse (thanks to creative Daddy) - which Nate then refused to eat!  He loved his Mickey Mouse pancakes and wanted to carry it with him all day.

Later that day her Great-Grandfather came to visit.

Here are some three week pics....and the cutest little belly button you have ever seen!

2 Weeks Old

Oh to be at peace like this!

Daddy's Girl.

On Saturday, Marissa turned 2 weeks old. It has gone by so quickly. She is a pretty peacful little girl. She sleeps and eats well and has adjusted to this crazy family quickly. We are all pretty much in love with her.

The Alexanders and Grandma and Grandpa Yancy came down on Saturday and spent some time with us.

And....big congrats to Uncle Lee who was recently awarded Male Vocalist of the Year!

The Protector

Don't you mess with my Sister, or you'll have me to deal with!

Ba ha ha ha ha~  I am joking (kind of)!

Nate has really adjusted to sharing Mommy and Daddy with Baby Rissa, quite well.  He is such a good big brother.  He does not mess with her when she is sleeping and is concerned when she is crying.  He does want to know where she is first thing in the morning and keeps an eye on her.  Luckily he has not been aggressive at all and seems to like her quite a bit. 

Jesus Loves Me and 2 week check up

I was recently informed that Nate is the class clown at daycare. Often when it gets quiet (like nap time) he apparently will belt out singing songs and it cracks everyone up. Secretly, I am a little proud but do not want him to have disruptive behavior that will get him in trouble down the road. Oh well, we will enjoy it while we can. I sure do love this kid!

We took Marissa in for her 2 week check up. She is doing great. She is now 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 inches long. She has gained a pound and an inch since birth!

Although it is probably gas, we will say that she too, is laughing at her goofy brother!

Granny

Granny fell and broke her hip earlier last week so on Friday we made a visit to see her at the hospital.

It was all to familiar a scene of when Nathaniel was born and Granny was in the hospital with Guillan-Barre, luckily she remembers this visit.

Get Well Soon, Granny!

Park

Just another day at the park...with the most precious people in the world!

It was Marissa's first time at the park. She seemed to enjoy her outside time.

Nate was excited to see all the ducks out but did not love getting attacked by the geese.

He had a great time feeding them

Bombarded with Love

Can one be bombarded with love? If so, that is us. Marissa has been with us for 2 weeks now and we have been overwhelmed with love from family and friends.

Mommy has not done a good job taking pictures of everyone who has come by the house to visit, but it has been so much fun to see everyone.

And the food that has been brought has been amazing (lasagna, pizza, roast, stir fry, chicken Florentine, enchiladas and chocolate desserts to die for). We are so thankful for everyone in our lives and Mommy has spent so much time lately just thanking God for all the blessings in our life!

So thanks to Maya and the girls, Brittney, the Rowells, Rachel, the Oberts, Lori, Lauren, Sarah, Sheila, Gabbby, Cathy, Amanda, Uncle Mose, April, Rebekah, the Yancys, the Alexanders, Debra, Lindsay, Jenn, the Saldivars, Cindy, and anyone else I forgot....you have truly blessed us!

Silly Naterbug

Buzz Lightyear was what Baby Rissa gave her big brother when he first came to visit her in the hospital....he is almost as big as she is!

Naked Nate....yes, it is a tradition at the Yancy household for Nate to scream downstairs after bathtime "Come see Naked Nate", then he runs around in his hooded towel until Daddy gets upstairs. He loves it!

Nate playing at the Little Gym at his friend, Christian's, 2nd birthday party.

And Gigi left...

We were so blessed to have my mom come down for three weeks (the doc told me Marissa would probably come early since Nate did - boy was she wrong!). I hope and pray that Marissa and I will have as good a relationship as my mom and I have. No matter how many times I told myself I was not going to cry when mom left...I cried. I cried when I was getting in the car to drive her to the airport! I cried at the airport! I cried on the way home from the airport....

We miss Gigi already...

And now it's just us women folk holding down the fort!

Come back soon Gigi...and thanks so much for all your help!

Nate's Singing Debut

Nate's daycare had an end of the year program where his class sang If You are Happy and You Know It and This Little Light of Mine. For some reason I cannot download the Flip Video file (anyone have pointers, send them my way) so you will have to settle for still photography....

He may need a little work on his body language during If You are Happy And You Know It

But he sure did let his little light shine!

5 Days Old and Happy!

Mommy's new favorite picture of Marissa, I think it speaks for itself.

1st Bath

Marissa's first bath....as you can see, it was not her favorite activity thus far in life.

1st Doctor's Appointment

I love the hilarious things in life. When the mundane turns comical.....Marissa's first doctors appointment was one of those times.

It began in the usual way with the proud parents taking their little treasure on her first outing.

Her weight dropped a little, but was doing great - nothing abnormal here. She is now 19 and 1/4 inches long.

And we waited for the doctor to show up. Our regular pediatrician is out of town so we saw a business partner (who by the way is a very attractive man....I may have to change pediatricians soon!!!).

As we waited, Daddy changed her diaper not one, not two, but three times. Every time he wiped it was like he activated the system. By diaper #1 the dreamy doctor arrived and witnessed the internal pluming working well. He checked her out and said she was fine, then swaddled her up and handed her back to Daddy since Mommy was doing paperwork and stated she was full again. Daddy then changed diaper #4, which was a little fuller...and she spilled over on her outfit (yes, by this time I am cracking up and Ted is frusturated). So I begin changing her outfit only to have her then spill over onto the paper covering the table. We get her changed in to her second outfit and 5th diaper, leaving a trail of dark green down the table (actually we were kind enough to rip off the paper and throw it away) ....and we head for the hills....I am still laughing, Ted is still not!

And thus her new nickname, Princess Poops-a-lot. She will hate us for that when she is older!

Waking up with baby sister in the house

Nate was very excited to have us all home. The next morning I brought "Baby Rissa" upstairs when I woke him up. He was so sweet and just cuddled up right next to her. Then he decided to read to her....he is already the most awesome big brother ever!

I know the video is sideways, but it will still melt your heart (at least it does mine!).

((Translation: Love you Marissa))

Seriously, could it get any sweeter than this?

He is holding her hand and introducing her to his all time favorite movie, Nemo.

Already loved by so many!

Gigi and Big Daddy were the first to see Baby Marissa

The most important visitor was Nate!

Gram Aunt and Uncle Mose kept Nate until Marissa arrived, then brought him up to meet her. We are so thankful for them.

Daddy picked up Granny so she could be there too

Even Uncle Jon showed up!

One of Mommy's co-workers, Lauren, who has babysat Nater came to visit. She is expecting a little girl in Sept. It will be fun for Marissa to have friends her age!

Grandma and Grandpa Yancy came 2 days in a row!

Aunt Oh-la-la and Uncle Lee

Ry-Ry and Emma came too!

My cousins love me already!

Saldivars came to visit.

And so did Nicci!

Many other people wanted to visit but we left after spending just one night so we could get home to Nate