Grandma's Visit

We are ever so thankful that Grandma Stata was able to come to help us for 2 1/2 weeks.  We didn't know when Baby Girl would arrive, but just like when Ezra was born, Grandma ended up flying in the day before Abby showed up.  Perfect timing!

Grandma washed countless loads of laundry, prepared dozens of meals, woke up with our early-bird boys every morning, provided hugs and snuggles, read Happy Birthday Thomas to Ezra until it was memorized,  and inspired Naomi to clean bathrooms like we lived in a hotel.  Thank you, Grandma!

Family Portraits

Time to get a portrait with our newest family member!

Abigail at 10 Days Old

Going Home

Wednesday morning we were ready to head home.

 Abby tried on her new outfit.

We got to cut off our array of hospital security bands 

She got strapped into her carseat.

 And she was met in the yard by her enthusiastic siblings!  They had decorated the dining room and made brownie cookie bars to celebrate her first day at home.

Now we're getting all settled in, soaking up the sweet newborn days, trying to contain the energy of a 2, 5, and 7 year old, and catching a little sleep when we can.  After a few days of figuring out night and day, Abby has been a pretty mellow little girl.  And if nothing else, she's learning quickly how to sleep through absolutely anything, thanks to her siblings!

At the Hospital

Mommy and Daddy had two nights getting to know Abigail at the Med.

Grandma Stata, newly arrived from Colorado, held down the fort at home with Naomi, Johnathan and Ezra.  They came on Tuesday to meet Abigail.

Proud Grandma

Ezra is a big brother now!

Naomi is thrilled to have a sister

Johnathan beamed as he held Abby for the first time

The three of us enjoyed the quiet moments at the Med (that is, when a medical professional wasn't visiting every hour or so!).  We had a "candlelight" dinner provided by the hospital, which was nice, because who knows when we'll have a quiet date together in the near future!

She's Here!

The Boaz family is proud to introduce...

Abigail Hope Boaz

Born on Monday, May 21 at 7:40 p.m.

7 pounds 10 ounces

20 1/4 inches long

At our doctor's appointment on Monday, we were excited to find out that we were ready to be sent right over to the hospital.  Labor started out slow and ended really quickly, and everything went very well.  By 7:40, Abigail made her appearance, healthy and ready to go!

In this picture you see an exceptionally happy Mommy - and exceptionally relieved to have the baby in her arms after some difficult final weeks of pregnancy.

And here is her proud Daddy.  What a little blessing she is!

May Days

It's been a crazy month, and I haven't been able to post much, so here's a quick update on the latest news...

Our month has been full with soccer practice and games, finishing up Naomi's school year and music classes, taking Johnathan to his last few weeks of preK, and trying to keep Ezra from leaping off furniture, spilling everything in his path, and dumping out every book or toy he can find! 

And then there was a round of drawn-out colds for most of the family, buying dozens of boxes of kleenex, and dispensing multiple doses of cough medicine.

Besides that, we have been doing our best to prepare for Baby Boaz, setting up her crib in "the girl's room" and moving the bunk bed to create "the boy's room" Ezra and Johnathan.  They love being roommates!

  Our doctor told us to prepare for the possiblity of the baby been born sooner than our due date, so we're getting everything as ready to go as we can.  Kevin's taken on the role of "Super Dad" in the last few weeks, covering lots of Mom's usual responsibilities because she's been pretty well out of commission with inflammation problems in her leg, lots of doctor's appointments, and a couple ER visits. 

With our camera packed in the hospital bag, hopefully soon we will have good news to share!