Hanging In There!

Everybody knows that when you have a new baby in the family, there is a little big of adjustment that everybody makes.

I called to check on the family of four the day after they brought Linley Rae home from the hospital and Daddy said she thought she needed to have a party to celebrate coming home that first night.  Mom was up with her till midnight and then Dad was up with her till about two o'clock, I think.

The next night was a bit better in some ways.  Then, the next night big brother, Harris, came home from staying at Granny and PawPaw's house and the night was a bit long and the sleep was a bit short.

So, yesterday afternoon we got a message from Daddy that included this photo...

It was captioned by this...

"It's tough being a big brother!"

and followed by this...

Big Brother

We added a baby to our family this week and that means we also added a big brother.

Even though it wasn't his first choice, Harris wore a shirt designed just for the occasion.

Becoming a big brother is big stuff!

He was pretty proud to be sporting the button the hospital provided with her footprint, though.

Big brother had to hold her and give her a good looking over.

That was definitely serious business.

He had to make certain that his cousins saw that he was holding baby sister.

He made sure to give her a little reassuring talk when she did some wiggling and squeaking.

He needed a little bit of reassuring and support, too.

All-in-all, though.  We think he loves her and believes she's a keeper!  After all, that's what big brothers do.

Preview

We got a little preview of things to come.  Well.  Sort of.

As soon as my niece, Becca, and her husband, Nathan, and their little one arrived at the baby shower the other night, Harris honed in on their baby and had to check her out.

He was fascinated by her feet and she seemed to be a bit fascinated by him and his busyness.

He was gentle and careful.

Well, as gentle and careful as a rambunctious little boy can be.

 I think he will love his baby sissy and hope she will be smiling most of the time when he is giving her attention like Emmalynn did.  Time will tell.

Celebrating the Anticipated New Baby

Gathering with friends and family is always fun but when you get to celebrate the anticipation of a new baby, that makes it all the more exciting!

Everybody they know seems to want to be certain that Bryan, Jessica, and Harris have plenty of frilly, ruffly, pink-ness to welcome the new baby home.

Bridgette and her helpers did a remarkable job making the place look festive and sweet for a celebration.

This helper looks pretty satisfied with her finished tissue paper bumble bee decoration.

There were oversized tissue paper flowers and bees to add some punch to the decor.  Below, a couple of bees anchor the mantel decor holding a clothesline of baby gowns and hats.  On top of the mantel is a repurposed window with a large B that will have the new baby's complete monogram added and be used to decorate her nursery.  Some of the clothing items will have her name or monogram added as well.  No self-respecting southern belle wouldn't have personalized and monogrammed items in her wardrobe!

More decorations were added to the archway between the den and kitchen.

This area is just perfect for oversized and bright punches of color.

A closer look at the corner pieces with the flowers larger in size than the average person's head.  Just so cute!

A combination of rustic and sweetness graced the entry door.  The wreath combines burlap and ribbons the colors of the nursery as well as the initial for her last name.

There were gifts and cards galore to outfit the new baby and prepare her family for all those baby needs.  We supped at the nacho bar and munched on brownies, blondies, and honey bear mix for dessert.

Guests completed a sweet treasure for the future by entering wishes for baby.

There were hopes that required thinking and others which popped right into our minds as wishes for her.

Mom, Dad, and big brother all investigated the sweet treasures folks had brought to shower them with love and supplies and ruffles and frills for the new little girl.

Dad took time to thank folks for their generosity and express their gratitude for the blessings of family and friends - current blessings and gifts throughout the years.

Good times and exciting anticipation!

Expecting a Baby!

We got word a while back that we would soon have another baby join our family!  Of course we immediately got excited.

Harris announcing that he would soon have a baby sister.

Then, we found out whether we will be getting a granddaughter or grandson.

Last weekend we joined together with Jessica's family to add a little bit of pink and girlishness to their household.

We all signed in by guessing the new addition's birth date.

We feasted with delicious food and fellowship provided by Jessica's brother and sister-in-law, Jacob and Whitney, and many of their neighbors.

The dessert table looked more than tasty, it was a picture of girly pink, ruffles, and sweetness.

There was a beautiful and delicious strawberry cake...

There were also cupcakes with ruffly rose icing set up in the shape of a pink baby onesie, too!

The children had a place to decorate their own bit of sugary deliciousness as well.

We showered them with gifts of a practical nature...

...as well as a few of those frilly extras that a girl might need in her repertoire.

The growing family posed for a few photos.

Then, Dad-Bryan gave a speech thanking everybody for their generosity and expressing their excited anticipation.

Now, we wait...and hope this boy is just as excited about having a baby sister as he is about getting ready for her!