Snowy days...

We got a LOT of snow the last few days...we even had church canceled on Sunday!

Lydia stayed inside snuggled up...

 ...while we took turns playing outside!

 We did some sledding, built a snow cave, and made a snow family.

 Our snowman family...in order Dad, Mom, Eliza, Talia, and Lydia.

 Eliza by Lydia's snowman.

Talia holding hands with snowman Dad and Mom.

Lydia's photo shoot...

In honor of today being Lydia's due date...some pretty cute pictures from her photo shoot!

Thanks Alanna!

Due date...

 Today is February 6, 2014...Lydia's due date.

She is 7 weeks old today.  I remember sitting in my hospital room thinking about how far away that day seemed.  And then I had a cruel reminder every time I watched TV and an Olympics commercial would come on.  It would advertise that it started on February 6.  At least I knew I would be sitting at home with my family watching the Olympics start...with Lydia already in my arms.  Not sitting in a hospital room having just given birth.  What a strange thing!

I spent 38 nights in the hospital.  Lydia spent 12 nights in the NICU.  Those 5 weeks I spent in the hospital were definitely worth it, not super easy, but worth it.  Lydia is a strong little girl but our experience would have been much different if she had been born at 28 weeks.  Looking back I think Heavenly Father put blinders over my eyes.  The thought of returning to the hospital makes me shudder, but in the moment it was alright.  Of course, many people eased my mind and heart.  Darran brought the girls to see me every day and kept our house running.  My mom and sisters stepped in to take care of the girls most of the time so they could be home and comfortable.  Friends arranged meals to be brought to our home and I had tons of visitors.  I also got to know my doctor on a more personal level and met some amazing nurses. 

Whatever the reason for things happening like they did, we couldn't be more in love with Lydia.  Her sisters adore her, her daddy can't get enough of her, and I would hold her all day - if I could!  She is healthy, eats well, sleeps great, and makes us all pretty happy!  I'm convinced the level of drama is going to increase exponentially each year with having three girls in our home now.  But we wouldn't trade her for anything!  

Growing like a weed...

Time is going by fast.

This was Lydia on the day she was born...

...and here she is 6 weeks later.

At her doctors appointment he showed me a chart and then explained to me that by age 2 premature babies have usually caught up to where they need to be physically.  Then he showed me where Lydia was on the chart...she has already caught up!  She weighed 7 pounds 1 oz!  That means from the time she came home to that appointment she gained about an ounce a day!  She's not wasting any time!  Needless to say she doesn't fit in her preemie clothes anymore!  She's our sweet growing baby!

January happenings...

 Here's a few things that we did during the month of January...

 Andy, Julie, and Brayden invited me and the girls to go roller skating.  It was their first time and they did pretty good.  I tried to get pictures of them in action but my phone doesn't quite take a picture quick enough.

 We danced to the Wii (good thinking Aunt Audrey).

 Too bad we don't have any pictures of Eliza...she rocked it.

 We dress up and put on wings...a lot.

 Watched Saturday morning cartoons.  (I love this picture...look at Eliza closely - she can't rip her eyes away from the TV even for a second!)

 This little one grew and grew all month!

 Talia has been trying to decide if naps are still her thing or not...

 ...this day it was - only in the hallway.

 There's been a lot of sister time!

 Singing time...

 ...and hugs and kisses!

 Darran came home for lunch one day and caught us reading books in Talia's bed before her nap.  Most of the time Lydia sleeps through the books but Talia loves it!

 And dd some crafting...

 ...these are the moments when Darran remembers he is greatly out numbered.

And of course we just can't get enough of this girl...we love her to pieces!

Rewind...

Just rewinding a little bit...Mitch and Elayna took a few pictures when they were here over Christmas.  I wanted to add them to our blog too so here are a few more pictures of when Lydia was still in the NICU.

 Lydia and Aunt Elayna.

 Lydia and Uncle Mitch.

 Cute (and long) feet!

 Tummy time in the isolette.

 Mitch and Elayna went with Julie and Brayden to the indoor trampoline park.  I'd say it looks like they had a good time (and they keep talking about it)!  Thanks Mitch and Elayna!

 Just like a good uncle should do...

 ...especially when you have an awesome camera!

 Home sweet home.

Uncle Andy and Aunt Julie when they came to see Lydia in the NICU!