Hannah, Mom and Emma

A few more photos

I'm having trouble getting shots of Emma that actually look like her. The flash always makes her look so serious and changes her happy-go-lucky expression. I've been experimenting with shooting without the flash, but without much success (too much noise). I have gotten so few family shots but the kids don't stop moving long enough to make that happen! Hopefully, once Christopher's eye is looking better, we will have a new family portrait taken.

Ouch!

This is Christopher after being hit with a lacrosse stick at school. The school called and I had to rush him to the doctor on Friday because the swelling was so intense (this photo is from two days later and it actually looks a lot better). Luckily, nothing was fractured. He's just swollen and sore. He was so afraid that he would come home and scare Hannah and Emma. Hannah took one look at him when he walked in and just giggled. I guess he didn't have to worry after all. I'm glad he is feeling better!

Christopher

This photo was taken before the lacrosse accident.

Sisters meet at the airport!

Finally posting some photos of the night Emma arrived home (March 30th). Emma, Hillary and Hannah meet for the first time.

Emma and Hillary

Sisters

Hannah at the Easter Egg Hunt

Easter

It has been so busy since Emma arrived that I haven't had a chance to do anything with the blog. I'm hoping to put a bunch of photos on the blog later today, but just wanted to add this one of the five kids together on Easter. The are all in love with Emma and everyone is adjusting very well. Emma is beginning to sleep better...only up once last night which is great. Life is good!

It's hard to believe that Emma has already been with us for a week. Pete, Matt and Emma arrived home last Friday night. The rest of us were caught in traffic on the way to Logan (a car fire and three other accidents along the way had slowed the traffic to a crawl) so they were already waiting for their luggage when we got there. We rushed in and when we turned the corner to the luggage area, there they were. I was immediately struck by how tiny and fragile Emma looked....so different than in her photos. She was still groggy from her nap and was a little bit shy, but she let me hold her for a moment. I had to sit down with her on the floor for fear I'd drop her (I was a little weak in the knees at that moment) and she really seemed so very small. It's true that she doesn't like the camera flash so we don't have many photos of those first moments together, but it was truly amazing to finally meet her. She was very interested in Hillary, Hannah and Christopher and it was fun just watching them get to know each other. We hung around the airport for a while just to spend time together and catch up a bit before hopping back into the car. It was so nice to have everyone back home together again!

The last week has been a bit of a whirlwind. The kids have had so many activities and Emma. has had a couple of appointments. She was 14lbs, 2oz on Saturday, but is gaining quickly...already 14lbs, 7oz by Monday. She is adjusting beautifully. She's already spent an afternoon at nursery school with Hannah and I, attended story time at the library, etc. She is an easy-going, happy baby. She loves all of the kids and even the dogs. She is cruising and crawling and curious about everything. She babbles and sings and loves to smile and laugh. I can't believe all of the activity and chaos haven't overwhelmed her, but she seems to be taking it all in stride and is definately enjoying all of the love and attention she is getting from her 4 older brothers and sisters. We just need her to get on to our time zone (She thinks that it's time to get up for the day at about 3am). So, we are tired, but thrilled to finally have Emma home with us. She's a sweet, beautiful little girl and we've all fallen head over heels!

She's home