Iowa: Back Porch Fun

In addition to the pear and apple harvest we enjoyed, Lucy loved checking out Papa's potted garden on the back porch. She loved helping pick tomatoes, and eating them too!

Tennis ball in her hand, not a huge unripe tomato.

Pretty!

Some other adventures Lucy enjoyed while on the back porch included "tennis", sidewalk chalk drawing, running around in a bathing suit while Papa sprayed her with the hose, and bubble blowing with Nana.

Girls Night: The Little Mermaid

Another activity we did while in Iowa was a fun girls night out while Zach had a guys night with his brother and friends.

Kodie and Ireland invited us to attend The Little Mermaid musical put on by the local kids in the area. We really enjoyed it. Lucy wanted to dance in front of her chair the whole time while the music was playing. I don't blame her! I love the soundtrack to that movie.

It was Lucy's first time attending a live performance. Looking back I should have prepped her more before we went, and have her watch the movie so that she understood the plot. ("Why is her dad breaking all her stuff?") She still enjoyed it though!

Clara did surprisingly well, even though I had to take her out once.

Nana with a few of her grand daughters.

Lovely ladies.

From the other end.

Haha! Twinners.

A Lucy original. 

Thanks for the fun night out Kodie, Ireland and Nana! We love girl time. 

Iowa: Nana & Papa Time

The best part of our trip to Iowa? Time with grandparents!

Nana first!

Reading all the books.

Lucy giving the ol' "one-eye-open".

Clara proving that nothing is more soothing than Nana's lap.

The famous "frozen in mid-air" nap.

Now, Papa time!

Chillin'.

Picking out her favorite show.

Smoochin'!

Love!

So happy to be with family.

If only it was as affordable to fly to Alaska to visit the rest of our family. Hopefully, soon!

Welcome Home...

I always love my stay at the hospital when I have a baby.  I love the yummy food- that I don't even have to prepare myself! I also love the nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals there that take such good care of me and my babies. It's like visiting all my friends!  This visit I packed a giant bag of assorted Ghirardelli chocolate squares to hand out to all the doctors, nurses, etc. who helped me and who visited me as a thank you. It was a great idea!  -Taking care of the people who are taking care of you. Plus, who wouldn't appreciate chocolate and a "thank you"?

*Note: After arriving home from the hospital and eating one of the chocolates myself, I discovered that they had been partly melted and resolidified before unknowingly handing them out to everybody.

If you pack your hospital bag beforehand, make sure to not leave the chocolates in the bag if you leave your bag in the car- in the hot Texas heat.



On Saturday we were discharged and headed home to enjoy the last few moments with Zach's family before they had to head back to Iowa. Lucy was very excited to welcome us and lost no time in requesting to hold her baby sister.

I even got around to updating our Welcome Home sign during a rare double-nap when Lucy and Clara were both asleep.

Welcome home, my darling!

Before

After

Ready to go home!

All buckles.

It's go time!

Lucy welcoming her little sister home.

That drive home- so exhausting!

Lucy loving being a helper and big sister!

Sharing all the secrets.

One last snuggle with Nana before she heads home.

Welcome home from Lucy and Nana. So sweet!

Nothing better than a present waiting for you when you get home!

So cute! Thank you, Alisa! :D 

Announcing our new arrival! Thanks, Nana!

Getting her daily Vitamin D fix.

Enjoying her cozy owl hat from Sasa! 

Smiling, milk-drunk, and loving it.

Snuggle time with Dad.

Dark silky hair in the back.