Happy Halloween!

We have been busy this week with lots of halloween traditions - both old and new - so I thought I would share a couple of pictures. We are planning to trick-or-treat with all of our neighbors tonight and will post pictures soon!

Carving the Pumpkin!

Addison wasn't real interested in digging out all the "yucky"

The finished project!

Addison's Halloween party at school was today and normally we have to sign up for something quick and easy because I don't have extra time at home to be creative so this time since I am at home I told Lee to sign up for cookies because I thought this would be a fun project for Addison and I to do together. AND, it was! I spent yesterday rolling out, cutting, and cooking the cookies and had them ready for Addison to help ice and decorate when she got home.

Before...

Such a big helper!

I did have to watch her very closely because as soon as I could get one iced, she had picked it up to eat or at least swiped her finger through the icing! Such a little sweet tooth!!!

What...I'm not supposed to eat these?!!

The finished product! I thought they turned out sooo cute!

Pap and Justin finally get to hold Maggie!

Pap and Justin came to the hospital the morning that Maggie was born, but had to leave for their hunting trip in New Mexico before she was delivered to our room. So, this weekend they were in town for a gun show and got in plenty of good baby-snuggling! Pap and Suzy kept Addison and Maggie while we went out for a dinner by ourselves on Saturday night and we especially appreciated that! We had so much fun with Suzy, Pap, Justin, and Katie and look forward to when they can come back and not have to work.

Suzy brought us this gorgeous cradle for Maggie to rest in. She bought it recently and wants all of her grandchildren to use it and we are so excited to be the first of many!

Erin came to visit!

The weekend before last, my good friend Erin came to visit and meet Maggie! We were so excited that she came and she was definitely a big help. That Saturday would have been my first day at home all day by myself with both Addison and Maggie (since Lee was at work) so I was so glad to be able to postpone that experience until Maggie was a little older than a week and a half! I also took full advantage of having someone to drive me around and pick up Addison and all the strollers. I had been in my house since coming home from the hospital so, needless to say, I was ready to get out of the house for a little while and it didn't matter where we went. After getting myself and everyone else dressed and fed, we loaded up the car and headed to the Renaissance to stroll around and enjoy the beautiful weather! It was so nice to be outside. Of course, when Lee found out we were that close we had to make a trip by the store to show off his newest little girl then we headed home. I hope we didn't wear Erin out too bad, but we did have sooo much fun and can't wait for her to come back soon!Erin brought Addison and Maggie pumpkins and Addison has shown them to every visitor that we have had since then - She also tells them which one is hers and which one is Maggie's!

MS Museum of Natural Science

Lee and I aren't used to having two days in a row where we are all home together so this weekend was really nice being able to experience what most normal families call a "weekend"! We had fun getting used to our new family of four. But, by Monday, we were all ready to get out and enjoy the weather so we grabbed a bite to eat, bundled up Maggie and covered her from head to toe, and headed over to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. We have been trying to use as many of our Entertainment Book coupons before they expire on November 1st and we had a buy one get one free admission to the museum. It was sooo much fun and Lee kept saying over and over that he couldn't believe that he had never been there as a child! Addison had a blast and kept running ahead then turning around and saying "Look Daddy!" She liked the idea of the Dinosaur exhibit from afar and kept pointing to the entrance until we finally went in and then once the noises started she had no interest at all and kept saying "Dinosaurs scare me!" After exploring the museum, we walked on several of the nature trails then finished off at the awesome playground. Maggie, of course, slept the whole time and we all had a blast experiencing the museum through the eyes of a two and a half year old. I would highly recommend the museum to anyone looking for a fun day away from the house!

(click to enlarge)

This is what Maggie did the whole time! Isn't it great being a newborn?

Maggie's 2 week checkup!

We went to the pediatrician this morning for Maggie's 2 week checkup. Everything looked great and the doctor commented that he loved a boring baby! Although, she didn't like him looking and rubbing her from head to toe at all - I can't imagine what she is going to do next time when she has to get shots! Below are her stats:

Weight - 8 lbs. 4 oz. (60th percentile)

Height - 21.25 in. (80th percentile)

Head - 34 cm. (25th percentile)

All in all, she has bypassed her birth weight, which is the main goal and means that she is eating well and on her way to a healthy little girl!

A few pics from our first week at home!

First Bath at home - she didn't like it one bit!

Daddy and his two little girls!
Mama's little pumpkin!
Addison went back to school after a very exciting week and she couldn't wait to see all of her friends - we printed some pictures for her to take and show off and she thought she needed to take them every day that week! How sweet!

Totally in awe! She loves Maggie to death - it is so sweet, but we definitely have to keep an eye on her as she doesn't quite know her limits! Someone told me to do this with Addison and I never did so I hope that I can continue to remember to do it with Maggie. I was told to take a picture of her each month in the same location to see how much she grows/changes over a month's time so I figure there was no better place than Pa-daddy's big recliner. This is Maggie at one week - she looks so tiny, but you also have to know how huge this recliner is!
This is where she naps most of the time during the day - what would a girl do without all of her pink?!!!
Not sure if they were watching Barney or "trying" to go to sleep - this was Lee's picture!
Maggie (not quite 2 weeks old) - she is starting to wake up a little more during the day!

Coming Home from the Hospital!

We were so excited to bring Maggie home for the very first time on Saturday, October 11th. And, I was surprised to see how much the price of gas had gone down since I went into the hospital!!! Addison was super excited about coming to the hospital and actually getting to take her sister home. Nathan, Kate, Sloan & Molly made it into town on Friday night and joined us at the hospital to celebrate her homecoming. It was great having everyone there to celebrate. We got home around 1:15 and ate some lunch then I went down for a 2 hour nap while everyone enjoyed passing Maggie around. Thanks to Suzy for decorating our mailbox and getting our house ready for Halloween. We had a blast Saturday night visiting and watching football with all of our family. Thanks too for all the wonderful food that landed in my refrigerator and pantry - it has kept our family fed since we got home from the hospital along with the help from our wonderful neighbors who are taking turns feeding us during the next couple of weeks.
The gang's all here - we are just waiting on the doctor to make the rounds! Check out Addison's rain boots - she insisted on wearing them!!!
Molly, Maggie, Addison, and Sloan
Finally getting discharged and removing the ankle monitor
Maggie in her coming home outfit - the same one worn by Sloan, Molly, and Addison
The "new" Lindley family A full backseat!
Nana and all of her grandchildren
Sloan was a big help in bathing Addison
Our welcome home party (Da'be was the picture taker) - this is only about half of Lee's family!
Addison, Uncle Nate, Aunt Kate, and Maggie
On Sunday, Uncle G and M came to see Maggie - we can't wait to welcome their first grandchild - Anna in November! She will be born in Alaska and need lots of snuggling from that cold weather!

Day 3 at the Hospital!

Maggie was delivered from the nursery this morning as snug as a bug in her sleepy time cap - She was wrapped up like a burrito!
Meeting Aunt Lauren Colby!
Dr. Cole stopped by to check on Mama - we love Dr. Cole - she is the greatest! She delivered both Addison and Maggie and we can't say enough good things about her or thank her enough for all that she has done to take good care of our family.
Aunt Lauren Colby, Daddy, Addison, and Suzy - Addison and Suzy watched Austin (Lauren Colby's boyfriend) play baseball at Smith-Wills stadium all day and Addison had a big time!

Aunt Morgan and Uncle Haydn

Day 2 at the Hospital!

After a pretty calm day, I finally was able to remember if I said something out loud or just thought it in my head. I also was able to take a shower and that was definitely a mood-booster. And, I defintely can attest to the statement that you forget all the pain associated with childbirth after time because I just don't remember it hurting this bad the first time! But, it is all worth it, without a doubt!!! Addison and Suzy came and spent the afternoon with me and Addison would not take a nap - it was just too much excitement going on and she was scared that she might miss something. Lee took them out to supper and then they headed home.

Charlsey and Meagan came by during lunch for a visit!

A much better looking family photo!

Kristel and Clint Cade

Ashley and Susan Anderson - they were in town for the Canton Flea Market!

Chad and Leslie Johnston Maggie wrapped up and ready for night-night!

Night 2 brought lots of excitement! Wally and Jessica Cade welcomed their little girl Lilly Kathryn a full month early - she weighed 4 lbs. 9 oz. and was 17 in. long - she is healthy and doing great! It is hard to believe that we have little girls born only a day apart and that we were in the same hospital at the same time! For those that don't know, Jessica and I went to school together from Kindergarten to Graduation!

11 babies were delivered today so they had a nursery full that night! Maggie is on the far left in the middle and Lilly Kathryn is on the far right in the middle with the nurse standing over her. I thought it was neat to have a picture of the two of them in the same nursery!

Our friends, Mitch and Cindy Beckwith, were also in the same hospital at the same time trying to wait out their little girl, Emily Ann, who was not due for another two and half months. She was born on Sunday, October 12th, and is healthy and doing well in the NICU, but they could all use your thoughts and prayers in the next few months. We enjoyed visiting with them while we were in the hospital!