Father's Day

My Daddy is a very special daddy. He does many things that I have to be thankful for. He is my protector...my playmate... gives me guidance... makes me laugh... my instructor. Thank you daddy!

Sorry...no Hannah shots in this posting (but she is very grateful for daddy too).

Our week at Noni and Papa's

Noni and Papa invited us to come and stay with them for a few days while mommy and daddy settle in with baby Elijah at home.

We miss them, but Noni has done a fantastic job of keeping mommy posted with pictures.
So, I thought I'd share them with all of you too.

There is never a shortage of food at Noni/Papa's house, but this trip we got to make our very first visit to the strawberry farm! Much to Papa's surprise, we actually put the strawberries in our basket (vs. our mouths)...

Well...ok, so we had to taste at least one!

Treats are something we've learned come readily when we visit, so it didn't take much charming to get these delicious cool treats.

Who could resist these happy, smiling faces?

If we're not IN the kitchen...we're playing kitchen.

Culver's is a definite guarantee when with Papa and Noni...

Hannah has a death-grip on this spoon...she's on a mission to get that italian ice.

We also got to visit Moniqua, the horsey in Noni/Papa's neighborhood...which is always a highlight of our trips.

What's a week without at least one trip to a park? (even though we now have the bestest park in our very own back yard, it's still fun to go to new parks and try out the equipment). and a real special trip is over to GG's and Great Grandpas.
He even let me ride his tractor! Thanks Great Grandpa!

Overall, it's been a pretty special week, bonding with my sister and going on lots of adventures with Noni and Papa. We are real anxious to get home though and see baby Elijah, Mommy and Daddy. From the sounds of their voices, they are pretty excited to see us to!

our venture home

First, b4 we ventured home Hannah and I got to go up to the hospital
one more time and see little Elijah...
Still trying to take it all in, all his tiny little features
and funny/squirmy little faces that he makes at us.
Of course, I had to sit on the "doctor stool"...
and Hannah was curious as to what all those buttons were on mommy's bed.

Then it was time to get Elijah bundled and ready for the 3 mile trek home!

Daddy's such a pro at this car-seat thing they didn't even bother a car seat technician.

Here are a few shots of our first interactions at home...

Hannah showing off her dolly in her new stroller from Noni...

And lots and lots of lovin' for Elijah

Hannah has developed a very unique approach and tone whenever around Elijah...
one we had never heard before, but so tender and loving!

first introductions...

Mommy's send off yesterday.... (see you on the other side baby!)

Here are a few pictures of our first introductions with little Elijah Paul Baldry, born at 1:22pm today (June 11th). We just "knew" it was going to be a boy this morning when discovering he shares a birthday with both Joe Montana and Vince Lombardi!

Papa Tom was the first visitor to arrive
(anyone that knows Papa Tom...does that surprise you :-)
He's getting braver....holding little Elijah within the first few hours of life!


Of course he also enjoyed introducing his little princess to her new baby brother...


Noah played coy at first...

But warmed up quickly to his little brother...

He even took the role of family photographer (trained under his Uncle John John)

And then there's little Hannah... "baby...baby...baby".
She can be a little spit-fire, but put her baby brother on her lap
and she is very gentle and loving... (for now)

Thanks Auntie Sharon, Noni and Papa for visiting us today!
Looking forward to making more introductions over the next couple of days!

Nite nite baby Elijah....sleep tight!

Elijah Paul
7lbs, 7oz
20 inches

All in a days work...

Yesterday we were blessed with an 80 degree day and lots of very very helpful

friends and family to help daddy "begin" to assemble

our new play set for the backyard.

We started out by the garage,
where daddy had carefully laid out and accounted for all the materials.

We started out by the garage,
where daddy had carefully laid out and accounted for all the materials.

Things started to get a little "big" and the boys decided to move the project to the backyard (after hours of the ladies suggesting it be a good idea to move it back b4 it got too big)I invited my friends over too and we all "pitched in" to help things move along!

It wasn't long (well, that's really an understatement, b/c it seemed like we had to be patient a very very long time....) and they boys were connecting the pieces...Ok...so I have to pause here and give a disclaimer. These pictures just don't do justice for how hard and determined our daddy's, friends, and papa (and his friends) worked. Just about 12 HOURS of work went into this....all in one day.

So, needless to say, we all had to find something else to distract ourselves with while anxiously waiting the final okay to jump on board and play...

So, while the men worked (and worked hard....) we found lots of things to do....

including soaking up a little sunshine

Making sweet with our new little
friends...

and filling the back yard with lots of bubble action.

The endless fun of water! Everyone was soaked by the time the night was over!
(Hannah has no problem getting in there with all the boys!)

Of course, the lawn needed a little attention too....
if it was going to be displaying this big new playset.

and all hard workers need to be fed....

so we picnic'd in style on our picnic table...

and then, FINALLY, we got the ok....
it was in working order (just missing a few last minute parts)...
and we jumped on and test-drove it...

playing a little imaginary "ice cream shop"...

Eventually night time came (much later than our usual bed-time)
and we had to say good bye to our friends
and go to sleep.....

BUT.... this morning we got to wake up to a backyard full of fun!

Our excitement is pretty much summed up in these smiles!

(and it probably doesn't surprise you that today we are currently taking a three hour nap! while mommy works for three hours getting all these pictures edited and posted)