It's still in the mid 90s and Louisa is nearly 2 1/2weeks old and still hadn't been to the beach-one of her mommy's favorite places, so we decided to head up to Sand Harbor for the late afternoon / early evening. 
I've been feeling a little housebound, tired and cranky, so this is exactly what I needed---beautiful scenery and some sunshine and fresh air.
We took Louisa on her first trip to Spooner Lake-definitely one of my favorite places! She pretty much snoozed the afternoon away--the fresh air and sunshine must have put her to sleep.
While Louisa snoozed, Laney, Elliot, Dave and Grandma Mimi went on a little hike and played in the forest. A very, very nice afternoon.
Not every baby girl is so lucky as to have two loving and 'helpful' older siblings.
Laney and Elliot helped give Baby Louisa a bath on the kitchen table. Delaney listened very well and was super gentle. Elliot was very eager and happily splashed a lot of water on Louisa!
I could eat this baby girl right up! And so far (knock on wood-and I'm sure that I'm jinxing myself), she's been pretty easy (there I said it and have condemned myself to a fussy, cranky and no-sleep-needing-baby!).
Delaney and Elliot LOVE birthdays---especially birthday parties. Their definition of a 'birthday party' is cake, cake and cake. They are pretty easy to please-for right now. So-we decided to have a little party celebrating Louisa's birth. The kids made a 'birthday cake' and then we sang 'Happy Birthday to you'----Elliot sang 'Happy Birthday Cake to you'---but that's a different story!
After three days at the hospital, we headed home. I must say that I felt a little less than 'ready' to take care of Delaney and Elliot when we arrived home. I'm not supposed to lift or carry them for a couple of weeks----how will I do that? I bounced back after Delaney and Elliot were born---but this is going to be different. I have an infection below my incision and really feel beat up.
However-Delaney and Elliot were wonderful when we came home. Laney wanted to hold Louisa (last nite in the hospital she had said--'No thanks, maybe tomorrow'--when we asked her if she wanted to hold her little sister!) and Elliot was quick to follow---he scooped her right up and held her close to his chest. Laney and Elliot totally acted like mommy and daddy bring home a new baby every weekend! 
A few pictures from our stay in the hospital..... Laney came to visit on Friday nite--she ran down the hallway to meet me and it broke my heart. And in case anyone thought otherwise---c-sections are hard, really, really hard. Thank goodness that I had Dave staying with me at the hospital to help me and that my in-laws were with the kids---otherwise, I don't know what I would have done.
Our baby girl decided to turn breech at 39 weeks. After a few failed attempts to 'turn her' (she wouldn't budge an inch!), we were rushed to the operating room for a c-section. Louisa Mary Schwartz was born at 12:42 PM on September 9, 2009. She weighs 6 lbs 14 oz and is 20 inches long.
She has dark hair (thank goodness-Dave was starting to get suspicious!) and dark eyes and is the wiggliest baby ever---no wonder she decided to do a somersault so late in the pregnancy. 
And-we're absolutely and totally in love with her. 
Today was Delaney's first day of school. I must say that I have some serious reservations about sending her to preschool---she's a 'young 3' (her birthday is right before the cut-off date) and I'm just not sure if she's ready. I want her to be ready-but she just might not be. But we're going to give it a shot-we hope that it works out great-but if not, we'll try again next year. I have so much anxiety about sending her to school that I'm truly surprised that I haven't gone into labor yet!
Elliot was none too happy about his big sister going to school without him. It was kind of sad--okay, it was really sad. He got ready with her and even put on his own little backpack-before being told that Laney was going to 'big kid school'--without him. The poor little guy, but it'll be his turn soon enough.
We took my mom to Virginia City today. At lunch, my mom found a little lizard at our table and Lizzie (the lizard) quickly became our buddy for the day. She hitched a ride on Delaney's shirt and even rode the train with us. 
When we were ready to head home, Grandma B explained to Laney and Elliot that Lizzie had to go home now (so we wouldn't have to take Lizzie home with us!)---the kids both accepted her explanation and Laney told Lizzie to 'go find your mommy'. 
Grandma B has quickly become the other woman in Elliot's life. He follows her around and asks her to 'hold me, hold me, hold me', unabashedly gives her giant hugs and 'takes her' on moonlit walks. I suppose that Grandma B's lap is a tad bit roomier than my lap right now and she certainly is in a better mood than I am most of the time right now, so I guess that I can't blame him. And if he's going to have another woman in his life........let it be Grandma B!
I'm still pregnant. Very, very pregnant. More pregnant than I have ever been (as both Elliot and Delaney were born before 39 weeks--I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow). I'm uncomfortable and cranky. A few weeks ago I wouldn't have said this---but I am so ready to have this baby! Each day I think of new reasons why it may be 'the day'. Today was Saturday, September 5th: I had Delaney on a Saturday. Today was the halfway point between my birthday and Delaney's birthday. And today I even wore the same pants that I wore when I went into labor with Delaney. And still no baby. Just lots of back and sciatic pain. And a growing belly, but also a growing baby-which is a good thing. Maybe tomorrow?
My mom and I were talking about infants the other day and Elliot excitedly shouted---'Elephants?! Elephants?!'. Yes, I think that Elliot would be very happy if we brought an elephant home from the hospital instead of an infant.
