Thanksgiving

For the first time, Philip and I stayed home for Thanksgiving instead of traveling because Ella is still too little to fly. We had such a great holiday with our two amazing girls! On Thursday, we enjoyed a great Thanksgiving meal with ham, turkey, dressing, rice, rolls and pie! Then on Friday, we loaded up the kiddos and went to Old Time Christmas Tree farm for another first - picking out a real Christmas tree! We had so much fun choosing just the right one and enjoying the festivities. Over the weekend, we just relaxed at home and spent lots of quality time as a family. Lia had so much fun helping us "decoration" the tree with "ormanaments." : ) Although we missed seeing our families, it was really nice to spend the holiday in our own house and to have 4 whole days to spend with Daddy at home. It's so cool to realize we are a family of 4 now, and we felt so blessed as we enjoyed the holiday with our two beautiful daughters. It was the best Thanksgiving ever!!!

Check out that bird!


Heading to pick out our tree


Helping Daddy choose just the right one


Riding the train with Mama


Going down the bouncy slide all by herself!


The perfect tree!!


Helping Mama decorate


A little help from Daddy


Enjoying the weekend with her sister

A few more...

Preview of our family photos - thank you Becky!

Weekend fun

Dancing queen!!

Mimi and Ella dancing with Lia
Mimi loving on baby Ella

Nap time with Daddy

Snuggling with Daddy - doesn't she look just like him!

30th birthday weekend

On Sunday, I turned 30! I had such a wonderful weekend with my loving little family. On Friday night, Mimi babysat the girls while Philip took me out to dinner. Then, on Saturday, Philip kept the girls at home while Mimi and I went to the movies to see Breaking Dawn : ) On Sunday morning, Philip and Lia and I went out for a birthday breakfast. Then we spent the day relaxing at home, and Philip grilled steaks for my birthday dinner that night. It was a great way to celebrate, and I am so thankful to my family for making my birthday special!


Birthday flowers

Headed to birthday breakfast

Decorating Mama's cake
Eating birthday cake with Mama

Ella's first week at home

Here are a few photos from Ella's first week at home with the family. Things are going great so far! Don't want to jinx myself, but she's doing really well at night and I have been able to get plenty of sleep : ) Lia is a wonderful big sister and loves to "pet Baby Ella's head."

First bath







I want to be in the picture too!


Ella at 1 week old


A bottle from her Daddy


Reading baby sister a book


Ella's first trip to the doctor

After being discharged last Friday, we had to take her back to the hospital to recheck her jaundice on Saturday because the doctor was a little concerned. It hadn't spiked, so they didn't make us admit her, but said we needed to go to the pediatrician on Monday to check it again. So, we went for our first visit to the pediatrician Monday morning. Thankfully, the levels had dropped and she looked healthy all the way around. She was already back up past her birth weight at only 6 days old! She was 7 lbs 10.6 oz. They said she was only 19.75 inches, shorter than they measured at birth - guess someone got the length wrong...It was a great first visit, and we are so thrilled with how well Ella is doing!

Ella

Virginia Elaine "Ella" Cato was born at 1:53 p.m. on November 1st, 2011. She was 7 lbs 10 oz and 20.5 inches long. We were released from the hospital yesterday and have been getting settled in here at home. We are so proud of Lia and the wonderful big sister she has been so far. We feel very blessed to have two healthy little girls!! Here are some photos from the last few days:

The morning of the c-section, saying bye to Lia before heading to the hospital

Meeting our little girl!


Spending time with Ella in the hospital


Lia meeting her baby sister for the first time


It was love at first sight : )


Getting ready to head home


A bottle from big sister


Here is a preview of the photos that Cliff took for us at the hospital. They are so beautiful!!