Life at the Stagers

Well, as many of you know, I am now on my own with the kids. We have had our ups and downs but I feel as though things improve with every passing day. Kayden is getting used to listening to Mommy all day long (poor kid), and Isabelle is becoming more alert and growing out of the newborn stage so quickly!

I will be withdrawing my application for mom of the year award as I have 1) tried to make eggs and thrown out the egg, not the shell 2) forgot about the houseplants, too low on the list of living things requiring my attention 3) decided it's okay to bribe my almost three year old with my ipod so I can take a shower in the mornings. All joking aside, with my pregnancy brain turning into baby brain, I think we have done well getting things figured out. Don't get me wrong, it's a HUGE production to try and get out of the door with full bellies, clean bums and clothes, not pajamas on. It happens every once in a while though and I can see it happening more often as time moves along.

Just a few shots to give you an update on Kayden and Isabelle...

Love my big brother

Yes, the hair deserves a side profile, our little punk rocker...

Had to take a picture with the blue eyes, don't know how much longer they will be around!

Time is flying by...

Isabelle is already two weeks old! She has a great appetite as she has already gained just under a pound! I can't believe it. We have been lucky enough to have memere's help over the last week and a half. This has given me time to heal, Isabelle time to figure out a vague sleep pattern that I can handle and Kayden lots of stories and laughter. Let's not forget, she has also supplied Chad with a lot of baking which I'm positive he will miss when it's all gone!!! All in all we are in a much better place now and I think we will survive this new adventure together.

Daddy with his kids

Memere and Kayden

Isabelle awake, reminds me of Kayden as a baby here...

Memere and her grandkids!

Isabelle Lynne Stager

Born December 30, 2010 at 11:18PM. She weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce and measured 19.3 inches long. She was born into the arms of her amazing Auntie Ali. I still can't believe it!

So excited to meet her...

Auntie Ali, the amazing midwife

Grandpa Stew meeting Isabelle when we got home

Showing off her head of hair

Hanging out with her proud brother Kayden

We are so happy to be home and be able to get to know Isabelle now. All is going well here, the dogs are a bit out of sorts, similar to when Kayden came home but they are adjusting. I am healing well and am feeling pretty good overall considering all this only happened a couple of days ago! Chad is being super Dad trying to make sure the dogs, Kayden and I are all happy and healthy. Kayden goes through waves of interest in his little sister and forgetting she is even here.

I won't go into huge detail about Isabelle's story but there are a few key points worth sharing. Both kids had to have eviction notices given, neither one decided it was time to join us on their own. Luckily with going the midwife route this time, the process was so much better and I still had the birth experience I was hoping for. Ali is incredible at her job. Chad and I both have an even bigger spot in our hearts for her now and her incredible skills. We truely would not have changed a thing. Ali now knows me a lot more intimately than I think she ever thought she would way back when we first met! I hope looking at Isabelle will make the experience all worth while.

We chose the name Isabelle for a few reasons. The main reason being I've always loved the name since I was young and found out my Memere's name was Isabelle. When my Memere passed away this time of year a few years ago, I always thought if I had a daughter, I would name her Isabelle. My hope is that our Isabelle grows up with the same energy, love and beautiful spirit I remember my Memere Isabelle having. Luckily Chad loved the name too! Her middle name Lynne is the same as mine and well, that's really all there is to that story!

I hope to have more photos and stories of Isabelle and Kayden soon.