Time with Dad while Mum at Hosptial

Jamie kept me updated daily with pictures of Annmarie and their adventures while I was at the hospital. She was all about spending the week with Dad. Of course with Dad she gets away with a lot more. Jamie learned quickly that Annmarie is a pretty firm negotiator and she duped him a few times. They had a lot of fun and Jamie played the roll of Mr. Mom perfectly. Huge kudos to Dad - you rock!
1. Babyccino time!
2. Going for a bike ride
3. Ballet
4. Getting the car seat ready
5. Going out for pizza
6. Obsessed with the car seat - it was one of her favorite places
7. Dinner at home
8. Going to preschool in a Giants shirt and pink tights - I could really care less what Annmarie wears to preschool, it all gets destroyed anyway. And the fact that Jamie got her dressed and out the door without too much of a fight can be huge some mornings.

But probably the best part of Annmarie's week was when she had her first sleep over. Annmarie stayed with some friends of ours when I went into labor and then the next day went to a birthday party where she rode her first pony. I told our friend that Annmarie would probably not want to ride the pony, but I was wrong. Apparently when AM was asked what she wanted to do, she firmly grabbed the helmet, put it on and said yes. The two days she spent with our friends who have three children and a dog have gone down as two of the best days of her life. You should hear her talk about it.
Unfortunately, my parents had to cancel/postpone their trip here. We're hoping one way or another we will see them soon. In the meantime, Jamie will take a little extra time off of work, but everything has worked out well so far.

Annmarie and Jamie together made a few visits and there were two days when Annmarie was in preschool that Jamie got to spend some time at the hospital with me and Ben.

(meeting baby brother for the first time)

(singing twinkle twinkle.....up above the world so high)

I've also got to spend a lot of alone time with Ben and that has meant the world to me. I didn't get this sort of time with Annmarie, due to her unfortunate delivery and events. So in some ways some of this is new to me. I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude to my doctor and the midwives who helped me get him here safely. I couldn't feel more thankful and honored to be this little guys' mum (I know Jamie feels the same way).