At home.

On occasion I can coax Chloe out of her pink kitty nightgown.  I swiftly launder it to be worn immediately after leaving the dryer.  Though she's not attached to a favorite blanket or plush toy, this might be the closest thing to it.  The best $12 I've spent.  Thank you, Target.  

My heart is swelling daily, watching my girls develop the bond of sisterhood.  It's something I know to be invaluable in my life.

Me and the girls.

My first day at home with two.  Kevin is now self employed so, he returned to work the following Monday after Remy was born.  To be honest, I had no time for the apprehension to build.  We just dove into daily postpartum life of rest, recovery and how do I juggle two babies at once.  In these early days I'm most thankful for growing patience, prayer, plentiful food and let's be really honest moments when no one is crying.  Because oh those hormones, and adjustments can be a beast some days. Breath in, breath out.    

 

Early days.

He's truly an extraordinary dad, willing to help with anything.

The first morning home together.

If we are learning anything with two littles in the house it's breath, laugh and improvise.  And to let lots of things go.  It's truly a lesson that my type A Virgo self could benefit from. And truly some days being in pajamas all day is quite lovely (and necessary).  

My 32nd.

 

16 days after little Remy was born, I celebrated my 32nd birthday.  It was low key, just as it should be with a newborn at home.  A pediatric appointment and a quick stop for breakfast at a favorite local cafe.  Several family members visited later that day.  They were really there to see the baby, but being with family made my birthday Happy!

First Bath.

Because these moments are too sweet to not document.  Here is me and Chloe giving Remy her first bath.  It's been nearly 4 months now, so this was way back in September.  I tell you, we are still adjusting to a new home, new baby, new career.  I'm playing catch up so these moments don't slip by too fast.  I'm certainly taking photos daily so stay with me.  (wink) And, yes I really am as tired as I look, and it's all worth it.

Chloe was so proud to be my helper.  

Our Girls.

Chloe a few weeks shy of 3 years and one week old Remy.

 

Coming home.

After one night hospital stay we drove home and snuck in the front door and I could hear the last words of my dad reading Chloe a bedtime story.  I walked upstairs and peeked my head in to see Chloe sleeping soundly.  I'm pretty certain our heads hit the pillow within minutes of arriving home.  A few hours later Remy woke in a loud cry and I heard Chloe's feet hit the floor running.  Upon entering our room she squealed, "Mommy, there is a baby in here!"  Kevin and I couldn't stop giggling about her reaction.  I think we were pretty delirious too.  We spent the next 3 hours huddled together. Chloe checking out her tiny fingers, her teeny toes and talking a mile a minute about her baby sister.

In the days that followed she would proudly announce to each visitor who came, "Here is our baby!".  And inside my heart swelled to ridiculous proportions.

And they became sisters.

Everything people say is true, seeing my girls meet for the first time was a new kind of joy.  Chloe's quiet, calm entrance to our birth room made me realize she knew what a big moment this was.  And then she climbed into my lap and I felt at home again.  Us four all together.

Welcome, Remy Mae.

On Monday, August 12 at 4:04am our littlest daughter was born.  With a squeal she was placed on my chest and took her first breaths while I held her in my arms.  It was just as I had dreamed it would happen.  Weighing 7lb. 6oz. and stretching out at 19 1/12 inches, her tiny body was pink, healthy and strong.

After a couple days of prodromal labor and 22 hours of "real" labor, her arrival, as I announced was "sweet relief" and so much more, that I don't even have words for.  She was born with a full head of dark hair, just as I did had when I was born.

We named her Remy Mae.  Remy- French (like Chloe) and Mae, with the relation to spring and all things growing.  And now, we have two little french flowers.  TWO as in-we. have. kids.  Every time I say, "the girls", it blows my mind.

Three months (gulp) have now passed.  I better get back to blogging so we can document such sweet time.  We've been savoring it and surviving it, day-by-day, often hour-by-hour. Postpartum recovery, around the clock nursing and a very active toddler.  Oh boy, sometimes I (we) really feel in over our heads.  But really, no one prepares you for the amount of love you feel for your babies.  It's extraordinary.  I can't keep myself from snuggling her, closing my eyes tight and wishing I could make time stand still.

So with a long overdue post, welcome to the beautiful world my dear Remy.  You've already have captured our hearts.

(For those who were following my birthing journey, yes, I was able to VBAC.  With the help of supportive doctors, the encouragement of my sweet doula and the dearest husband who coached me through labor.  I was so encouraged and best of all, I got to hold her within seconds of being born.  The best reward ever.)

She's here. (and nearly a month old)

Well, I'll spare you the whiney details of late pregnancy aches, pains, sleepless nights and the anticipation of labor...lucky for you, we can skip all that, because our sweet baby girl is here!
Now, let me find the proper photos and words to appropriately welcome our tiniest love.  I will tell you this much, love is in the air.  

Baking away.

It's been a busy 7 weeks since we moved to California.  We've been catching up with family and friends, on our in between time unpacking and nesting our hearts out.  With a new (first) home and Kevin's handsome office to settle into we've been busy.  And I've been really putting Kevin to work with all the things I can't lift, hang or move.  He is such a sport and things are coming together pretty fast.  Which is great since I'm at week 38 of pregnancy.  And naturally I want everything in place "yesterday" in case baby sister decides to make her appearance early.  Let's hope it's a little sooner than her big sister who arrived at 41weeks and 5days.  Especially since I already feel like a mad woman, between hormones and uncomfortable.  But I remind myself daily that this baby girl is the VERY best reason to feel uncomfortable, moody and just plain antsy.

This pregnancy has flown by and I feel like I'm pinching myself daily that we will have a baby in the house again in a matter of days/weeks.  And I'll be the mama of two girls.  I keep hearing myself say,"the girls" and it is so surreal.  It's gonna be a whole lot of excitement around the Locklin house very soon.  I can't wait to see how the weeks unfold and watch our family grow into four.  

I have a feeling it's gonna be all kinds of magic seeing my girls together for the first time.

P.S. I have a plan to give this here blog lots more love in the future.  Stay tuned and thanks for reading.

Last week.  37 weeks along.  Yep, full term, baby.

   

"Chloe, me!"

And in what seems like minutes our baby has become a little girl.  It is so much fun to be her mama.  Just a little video before her nap the other day.

Sprinkle.

It was a truly beautiful, heart-filling kind of morning.  Chatting, laughing, delicious food, ogling over the sweetness of baby items and some really great friends.  My sweet friend Lisa, hosted a special party for me and baby girl on the way.  Everything was so beautiful, special and yummy.  Let me just say, homemade quiche.  (How she pulled it off while tending to a toddler, newborn and photography business is beyond me.) And the cake was over-the-top darling, Lana.

I felt so blessed to have this special morning with my Arizona friends and Kevin's Aunt Sheryl before our little lady is born.  I'm already missing these ladies and this room of laughter.  Dear Friends, Thank you for sprinkling me with your love.  Honestly, I felt so honored to be celebrated in such a loving way.

Our littlest lady will be so lucky to be born already surrounded by so much love.  August is just around the corner.