Well all. A month has passed for us and we are adjusting to the change pretty well. There are daily incidents that keep me humble as I try to navigate life with two kids, but all in all we're holding up with help from friends and family.

As its turned out we're not the only Kerry's expanding the family by count! Last weekend Max's brother Billy married his love Emily. Though a formality in our eyes since she had already taken her place in our family as Aunt Emily, Max was able to head home to Ithaca to stand up for Bill. It sounded like a perfect day and we're so very happy for them!

So the pictures below are out of control and weighted towards Elise as the subject. It's not for lack of focus on Ryan. I've just tried saving us money on newborn photos by shooting them myself so I am anxious to show her off!

Ryan continues to rock at the big brother thing. We got news this week that he'll be leaving preschool in two weeks and headed to pre-k! He's ready both physically (he's a full head taller than all his clasmates...he has to stoop down to say goodbye to them face-to-face), scholastically and our pediatrician is encouraging it. He'll then spend two years at this "grade-level" but in different classrooms each year. He is cracking us up with his language choices. This week's sound bytes:
-  "Mom, I very think it's a good idea." (he's misusing very and really and it's so stinking cute)
- "I realize what the issue is." (explaining a drama between his cars and trucks)
- "It's very awesome." ( talking about trucks)
- "It was like an earthquake." (explaining to Max what happened when he accidentally tore down the entire drapery rod treatment, wall anchors and all)

Elise is growing and starting to show us her personality between sleeping and nursing. She's holding her head completely up and tries to crawl up our chests. She a trooper that has already had many adventures. This week's will have included the zoo, a bonfire tonight at the stadium, and Max's first game Friday. Tonight they had practice under the lights until 11pm! Max also had his first day of his masters class today. He's swamped and it's not even the start of the school year yet.

I'll let the pictures do the rest since there are so many (sorry, it's obnoxious but she's only a newborn once :)

Love to you all,
Court, Max, Ryan + Elise

2 weeks

Today marks two weeks since Elise  joined our little family. We're settling into life together and things are going well. Last week was blissful: Max had a dead week from football so we were home together everyday. Plus there was a never-ending supply of friends coming by to meet our newbie, bring gifts, and spoil us with meals. This past weekend Ryan was the focus with "Train Weekend" where he rode his very first train and attended the national model train show here in GR. (My dad's train club participated too.) Today was Elise's two week appointment and other than a concern about a little bit of a blocked tear duct (like Ryan had) and some bleeding at her navel, all is well. These concerns are minor and Dr. Bush said not to worry at all. I am on the road to recovery. I had started with mastitis (infection from nursing) last week, but with drugs and rest I'm feeling much better. We feel abundantly blessed. 

Yesterday started our fall routine with Max at two-a-days during what would be a normal school day and Ryan returning to Milestones. He is really needing peer-to-peer interaction given the changes around here. I had to give up my preconceived dream of acting like a stay-at-home mom for the next three months in order to give Ryan what he needs, but Max made me realize this is best for everyone. He's developing so quickly. Last night at dinner he started doing subtraction on his own. He's counting to 30 (minus 13..he just does not love that number.) His language skills floor us...he told Max the other night that his mega blok structure need "stabilizers" so it wouldn't fall. His imagination is taking off and he loves playing trucks in these elaborate dramas. And Baby Polar Bear is his constant companion and has her very own voice. He's growing like a weed too. We just had to by size 5 pjs for him and they fit like a glove. In comparioson to holding Elise, he suddenly feels enormous to me. All in all, these big boy milestones have been marked with a bit more need for cuddling and attention, but it's going well and he loves his sweet baby sister.

So in reflection on the last few earth-shattering days, we've compiled our favorite soundbites to share. We think they pretty much tell the story of our journey:

- Me at hour 18 of labor, no drugs: "Why did Eve take the apple?"

- Me at hour 18.5 of labor, no drugs: "Sweet Jesus help me." 

- Max retelling friends about this comment: "I wasn't aware I was married to a woman from the South. She had an accent as she screamed it."

- Me at hour 19 of labor, no drugs: "Someone help me...NOW." {enter anesthesiologist} "Are you going to help me? You better be good at your job."

- Ryan while watching me nurse for the first time: "Do you make juice for the baby too?"

- Ryan to a child who tried to touch Elise a hse ran to her side: "That's MY baby."

- Ryan: "I want Elise to come watch me ride my big boy bike."

Thanks to EVERYONE for the food, love and support. We're settling in and savoring every second as a family of four.

Love Court, Max, Ryan + Elise

Elise a day old.

If only Max's cot was as comfy as he looks in my hospital bed.

Leaving the hospital.

We have a picture of Max and I assembling our single stroller before Ryan came. Kinda surreal to see Ryan helping to assemble the double jogger!

Family fun on the train from Coopersville to Marne. 

Ryan's exclamation as we waited to leave: "This is the best day ever!"

Currently little girl has navy blue eyes and her hair is starting to lighten up. Wondering if we'll get the red haired, blue eyed little girl my grandma always dreamed of...Elise's middle name is Cecilia after her.