Hazel Ane

She's here! She's finally here! Yesterday, our Hazel Ane turned officially one week old and we're bursting at the seams with gratitude to have her with us.

She came to us weighing in at a healthy 9lbs 7oz! Our biggest baby thus far. However, any sort of complications that can come with bigger babies was quickly threw to the wayside. In short, she came out like a champ (with very little damage to her mommy) and has been eating great. 

Sigh, relief...

Joy, bliss...

Cutting the cord...

Here's our girl! She had the cutest dimple in the middle of her nose when she first came out.

Here we are getting acquainted...

The next morning, Ryder and Penny came to visit and they got Hazel a Hungry Caterpillar rattle. (She loved it:)

Here Hazel is meeting some more very important people, her brother and sister.

Ryder and Penny have been so sweet about their new little sister...

Something I've been very grateful for...

 I always seem to forget that complicated overwhelming/joyful feeling that comes with bringing home a new baby.  Not to mention our family now is SO HUGE. There's a whole five of us now! (Of course, I remember thinking the same thing after Pen was born too :) I'm still trying to wrap my head around being a mother of three...if any of you out there have any advice, let me know! Luckily, I have a few more days of Phil's blessed paternity leave before I have to start figuring it out:)

And as you can see we did end up naming her Hazel. Her middle name is also special. We decided on Ane (pronounced Anne) after her very faithful and brave ancestor, Ane Larsen Andersen. We thought it was quite fitting for having a due date on Pioneer Day.

Sweet Hazey, we are so glad you're here. You have already been such a blessing to this home. We love you a million times over!

Summer Time=Fun Time

I must say I have been enjoying this summer quite a bit. I've just loved the long days, cold treats, our pool pass and really, not doing a whole lot (oh, there we go--that's why it's been so fun :)

I'll have to write about the more layed back times in another post, but after we got back from Utah we did have a few outings that are totally worth mentioning.

In June, Phil's best friend, Derek's older brother, Adam got married (did ya follow that?). And guess where? NJ! His new bride is from here and they had their wedding a mere 20 minutes from where we live. It was so very nice to see a bunch of sweet, familiar faces over on this side of country....a very happy and convenient coincidence, indeed.

 Chillin' at Liberty Park while waiting for the ceremony to start

Here I am at...almost 35 weeks, I think 

 I love those rare moments when they can enterain themselves:)

All of us with Monica and Derek (Thanks Sylte's for this great shot!)

A couple of weekends later, Phil "asked" if he could take the kids to the Bronx Zoo for Amex's Corporate Day. (Probably, knowing I would be more of wet towel on an outing that required any sort of stamina, he happily volunteered to take them by himself.)  Ummm....yes...are you sure?: was my answer.  Seriously, though, that is no small task. I'm talkin' one hour train ride, plus a 20 minute subway ride each way. And that's if you don't run into closed subways that cause you to add on another crammed bus ride and a subway detour, which he did, of course (#iheartnyc). I love that man. And so do his kiddos. Luckily, I think they did have quite a bit o' fun.

Ryder and Pen in their 3D glasses for the Dora movie 

Ryder checkin' out an exhibit 

Pen on the carousel at the zoo

And last but not least, a hip and happenin' Fourth of July! It was a weird, but relaxing week since it fell on a Wednesday. We spent the morning at the pool and then went to a Soldiers Memorial Park for music and fireworks in the evening. We went with our friends, the Robinson's and later met up with a bunch of people in our ward. I was also delightfully surprised with the quality of the fireworks. It was a good show and fun was had by all.

 They were handing these glasses out at the pool

 Me at 38 weeks. And just in case you're wondering the next pregnant photo of myself (if there is any) better be of me in a hospital bed.

Kiana and Penelope

Elena, Mariah & Ryder  (Thanks Becky for the photo)

Utah Trip: Part II

So if I blog about "Part I" of a vacation, one would think in the very least there was a "Part II", right? And you would be right.

After spending about a week with my parents, Phil's family came up to meet us in Utah. We stayed in a condo up Ogden Canyon. The first day, we went to Lagoon. 

 These two are ready to ride some rides!

 As you can see, it wasn't only the kids who were excited to be there.

 As it turns out, getting a good photo of my kids on the merry-go-round is really tricky. This is the best one I could come up with.

 Grandma with her grandgirls

 Even though being pregnant and having a strong aversion to rides in general might prevent one from enjoying themselves at Lagoon, I wouldn't have traded watching these two riding rides for the world. So much funner than riding rides myself. I got ridiculously emotional each time my little babies got strapped into the seat of a mini-transportation vehicle that went around in circles. Phil is still in the dog house for taking Penny on Puff the Magic Dragon without telling me. 

 Aunt Carly also had a birthday while we were there.

 And we got to celebrate it at Great-grandma & Great-grandpa Shorten's house

 Some more family photos!

And of course, a cousin shot before church!

A rather successful vacation, I'd say. For me, it doesn't get more ideal then seeing all of our favorite people and having fun while doing so! It was a perfect start to our summer.