The Ducote Family: First Two Weeks

I am totally overwhelmed with the amount of pictures that I have taken so far which is one of the reasons why I am far behind with updating the blog (plus have had some technical difficulties every time I try to...ugh) With that being said, here are a bunch of random pictures from Julia's first two weeks of life. Since Nani was here for almost the first full week of her life, the second week was the real test as to how things would be and so far so good. She really is a chill baby and has fit right in to our little family. She is eating every 2.5 to 3 hours during the day and going about 3 hours or a little bit longer at night. She likes the pacifier and loves the swing. The transition to three kids has really been quite smooth. Joseph and Ella are doing great with her-Joseph says things like, "She is so adorable. I just love her. I love having Julia in our family-can she stay with us forever? I think baby Julia likes me-I love her." Ella will walk by her and say "ooohhh" and loves touching her head (thankfully she really is gentle) and helping change her poop and burp her. She is really good about pointing out to me when she poops :) It has also helped with the transition to three kids having Daddy work from home-that has been so nice as he has been able to help out here and there during the day and has also been taking Joseph to and from school every day (well except for the first Monday after my mom had left as he had a meeting which he found out last minute so at 8:15 he told me he couldn't take him so we scrambled but happy to say that we made it school by 9:00 with all three kids in tow and we all survived!) So, the first two weeks have really gone well and it feels as if she has been here forever! We are so grateful to all of our friends close by who have helped out with bringing meals and stopping by to play to keep Joseph and Ella entertained ad to all of our friends and family far away who have sent their love and well wishes the past two weeks.

September 11th

Her buddy, Kannon, came over to visit. He is exactly 2 months older than Julia.

September 12th

Ella wearing Joseph's Jake costume while he is at school!

Love these kids!!!

Snug as a bug in a rug! Our sweet little baby burrito.

September 12th

September 13th

After our family photos Rich took Joseph to not one, but two, birthday parties. One of my girlfriends sent me these pictures of him corralling the kids so they could get a group picture-he is the ringleader when having to get pictures of the kids and normally does a pretty awesome job!

After the birthday party Joseph wanted to share his stickers with Julia that he received in his favor bag.

September 14th

Love Ella's face

Ella definitely loves her little sister. I caught her sitting like this just watching her-she moved her chair right up and everything. Too sweet.

Daddy was working on the yard and Joseph told me he had to put out fires to save baby Julia.

September 15th

First Bath

Julia didn't lose her umbilical cord until September 25th but the kids were asking to put her in the bath and it was almost easier to put her in there with just a little bit of water to make sure we got all of her crevices instead of just the sponge bath. She LOVED the bath and continues to do so!

Ella trying on one of Julia's headbands while helping to get Julia dressed after the bath

Sleepy girl after the bath!

Joseph and Ella really have been playing very nicely together and one day I caught them on an "adventure" searching for something under the entertainment center.

Just can't resist the sleeping baby pictures!

September 16th

I think this headband is a little too big for her head!

They were pretending that Ella was Josephs' baby and he was burping her.

Attempt at a picture of the three of them!

Jamie and Kannon stopped by again today and we had them in their coordinating outfits, thanks to the Kramer family.

I love how they basically have the same pose in this one!

And love Julia's smile here!

Sweet Ella wanted her picture taken, too!

September 17th

Snuggling with Daddy

September 18th

Eve, Olivia and Jack have stopped by a few times since Julia's birth which has been so nice! We all look forward to their visits!

Love how the paci takes up the entire second half of her face.

We have recently started letting the kids watch one episode of Bubble Guppies at night before bedtime-they both love the show and is a good way for them to wind down. Joseph normally has a smile on his face for the entire show and Ella goes from the couch to dancing on the floor to playing with something to back to the couch to watch. She asks for "Bu bu" after bath and then runs out to the family room to wait for it to come on.

Doesn't get much sweeter than this!

This afternoon they decided that they both needed to wear their helmets while making soup (notice the pots and pans!)

September 20th

Julia had her first social outing on September 20th to my dear friend, Emily's baby shower. Her baby boy is due at the end of October so Julia is looking forward to meeting her new buddy!

September 21st

Just hanging out with mom

September 22nd

Lisa and her two boys, Liam and Xander, stopped by on Monday afternoon to play and to bring dinner. Xander is just about 6 weeks older than Julia. Julia is surrounded by all of these sweet little boys!