Tiny Fingers

I love this photo and had to share! Alina grasped on to daddy's finger and just didn't want to let go. Her hand is so tiny next to his. One day, we will look back on this in awe of how little she once was. These are the moments that are keeping us busy as of late, and they are oh so enjoyable.

Adorable Alina at Two-Weeks-Old

She's already grown an inch!

Posing for photos

We love those chubby cheeks!

Alina and momma

Alina is such a great baby! I think she's cried all of about five minutes since the two weeks she's been home. She is content, easy to please, and sleeps most of the time - this probably describes the majority of newborns, but I'd like to think we just got super lucky.

Her cry sounds like a little kitten. It is a pretty mellow cry in comparison with Elise, whose cry was more like a high-pitched squeal or yell. To my surprise, she has already slept five hours a few nights this week! Right now (..and I do stress those words - because I know what to expect in the upcoming weeks) she is just so easy, and I love it!

Cute pie girl, wide awake

I've already been back to work for a week and half, and must say that so far it has been fairly easy to get back into the swing of my routine. Elise is in daycare, newborn Alina sleeps most of the day, and the fact that I work from home makes things very accomodating work-wise. The older Alina gets, the more difficult it will be, but I am determined to keep her home until she is at least six-months-old.

We've all enjoyed our time bonding as a new family of four. Elise has continued to explore the novel experience of having a baby sister. She is constantly patting her head, fetching her pacifier, laughing and giggling at Alina's funny faces and noises, notifing mommy of when nature calls with phrases like, "uh-oh, she spit", "I smell a dirty diaper", "baby sissy is crying", etc. I can always count on her to bring me a burp cloth, blanket, change of outfit, or toy. She is such a great little helper!

Alina had her first newborn checkup this week and she's doing great. She has already regained a few ounces over her birth weight and grown an entire inch! Her pediatrician commented that she looks, "healthy as can be".

Weight: 8 lbs 6 1/2 oz

Length: 21 inches

How adorable are these three?!?

Big sister Elise is so happy

Holding little Alina; I love these moments

Newborn Alina's First Week

Alina at one-week-old - she's our little baby doll!

Sleepy baby, tiny footsies

Bonding with mommy, plus her very first birthday cake

The past week has been an indescribably wonderful experience. We feel the most immense joy and happiness that our beautiful and healthy newborn daughter, Alina, is now here with us. Alina is such a little doll! She rarely cries, sleeps most of the day, and makes the sweetest little baby faces that draw plenty of smiles from us. She's awake maybe 2-3 hours during the course of a day and when she is I make sure to have the camera ready. Of course, I've taken tons of photos. Alina is a super photogenic little one. I have so many favorites from her first week, that it was hard to choose which to post. We are just so in love with her!

Cutie pie Alina - already posing for photos

Showered with love and enjoying her first week

Even though it was just two short years ago that we brought home our first newborn, it's amazing how much we've forgotten what it was like and also how easy it is the second time around. With Elise, I remember feeling overwhelmed by my emotions and on top of that constantly critiquing everything I did. It was all new to me, and while it was exciting it was also a bit much to process. Having a newborn again, I find myself calm and at ease in everything I do. I'm more relaxed and taking time to just enjoy her and shower her with love. Right now, I feed her every two-three hours, change a few non-messy and non-stinky diapers, clean up after spit-up, take tons of photos/videos, cuddle with her, and that's about all I have to do to make her happy. I also find myself in awe of just how tiny she is! I've been carrying Elise around for the past couple years and she is now over 30lbs. Holding our fragile little 8 pound Alina has really put things in perspective. It's like holding a little baby doll and I absolutely do not want to put her down.

Proud big sister Elise! She loves her so much

Alina's first bath - big sister helped out

Elise has been an absolute ANGEL around her new baby sister! She has been so interested and helpful in taking care of Alina. She even helped give Alina her first bath. I can tell that they are going to be the best of friends. Elise has already taken on such a nurturing role. The cutest thing is when Elise tries to calm Alina from crying by patting her head and saying, "It's ok baby sissy, don't cry". The first time she said that, my eyes welled up with tears of happiness. It was just the sweetest thing ever to see how much empathy and love Elise has for her baby sister. I know that Elise will take the best care of her and set a great example for her to follow!

Newborn Alina doing what she does best; sleeping :)

Happy Birthday...

Alina Madeline

Born: August 12, 2011

At: 10:46am

Weight: 8lbs 4oz

Length: 20 in

Status: A perfect little brunette doll with the cutest chubby cheeks and rosy lips!

Mommy, daddy and big sister are so in love with our sweet bundle of joy :)

Warm Summer Days

Our little swimmer

Cheese face + bubbles

Enjoying the pool

We've spent the past few warm summer weeks outdoors and swimming with Elise. Elise loves the sunshine and has become quite the little swimmer! It's been a nice way for all of us to relax and unwind on the weekends, and of course pass the time while we wait for baby sisters's arrival!

Watch out

Water balloon fun!

Little lounger