The Best Week Ever

Having Mae officially a part of our family has been nothing short of amazing. I knew that having a baby and big kids would be great, but it has exceeded every expectation and I am over the moon about what our family is experiencing. There was something magical about that first week having her here that I have never experienced and am not sure that I ever will again. It was a holiday week, Brian is not stressed about work or school, the older three kids are so independent and excited about having her here and it was just a perfect setting to bring her home to. We all had excitement and love oozing out of our hearts and it was very palpable in our home and I am just so grateful we have all been able to experience the joy a newborn can bring from heaven.

July 4th was such a fun way to celebrate her first full day at home! We had a very relaxing morning and dressed in our most patriotic outfits to honor our favorite country.

 

 I bought this darling outfit for Mae months ago telling myself she would for sure be here before July 4th...sure enough, it worked!

And man, seeing four kids like this together was definitely surreal. I love them all so much!

We went to Jeni's for some ice cream as per our tradition we created last summer and it did not disappoint! It was so fun to get out of the house and to have our favorite treat in the area on that hot summer day.

Brian dropped Mae and I off at home after our ice cream outing and he and the kids went to the Whitney's for a BBQ and fun with their family and the Takamasas. Of course they had fun and Mae and I just hung out and stared at each other in the quiet of the house.

 Can you believe those yummy cheeks? She is just perfection.

I thought they were going to head to fireworks straight from dinner, but they came home and loved on that baby girl before heading over to the church for a night of fun with ward members and an awesome firework show.

I'm so glad the kids were able to go celebrate and have fun with Brian on the 4th and I'm glad Mae and I got to spend time alone together. It was perfect for everyone.

And when they came home, daddy and I got to stare at that girl some more and soak her in before putting her down for the night-

 She looks so much like baby Thad in this picture...I love our clone babies!

 

Each day with this little baby was (and is) just a dream. It has been so wonderful to have Brian around and not immediately needed at school and work and be able to both get up with her in the night for feedings. Him not being stressed about school or work made me not feel bad about having him get up with her and I think it has just added to the ease and uniqueness of the situation. I am so grateful for a husband that is not only willing, but happy to be getting up with our baby girl!

Lots of staring and smiling and cuddling happened everyday-

 Can you believe these cutest brothers? This was not staged, just two boys in awe at the miracle their baby sister is. It has been so fun to see them understand how amazing it is to have a baby!

We snapped as many pictures as we could of her perfect face because we all know it's going to change so quickly-

 

We even like to catch her with her "sleeping mask" on-

Having this girl here really slowed down our summer days and it has been perfect. The kids were so excited that we didn't have anywhere to go on a Saturday and got an afternoon of playing video games with dad!

We spent her first Sunday evening in the beauty of our back yard and it was all just perfect to be there together. The three older kids had their three separate kingdoms and were defending them and I just watched and cuddled Mae and soaked in what is now my reality as a mother and couldn't have felt any more satisfied or happy that night. I'm so glad Brian captured some shots of that perfect summer evening with our sweet kids-

 Mae has been everything I needed and more. Heavenly Father knew exactly when she needed to be sent to us. She is perfect, the timing was perfect, and her first week with us was the best week ever. I cried when it ended and Brian went back to work, but luckily she is still a dream baby and things have still been pretty amazing around these parts!

We sure love you baby Mae and can't wait to spend many more wonderful weeks with you!