It's been a month now

and it feels like our little E has been with us for even longer. The transition to five kids hasn't been exactly easy, but she is a sweet baby, and the newborn stage has its' own magic to balance the difficulties. The twins have been quite helpful when it comes to anything to do with their younger siblings. Darren has made more meals and done more dishes than he probably imagined would be a part of his idyllic future. The two younger boys are up and down--obsessing over a sleeping sister by kissing, wriggling, nudging, yelling until she startles awake (which is the desired outcome), but showing signs of helpfulness and maturity occasionally too. I am recovering, though it has taken me longer than I remember it taking at other times. But I didn't hemmorrage, or pass out several times, and I was younger during my other deliveries too. I can't get enough of this tiny baby stage because I know it will once again go too quickly. Eliza has already changed more than I realized as I was looking at pictures. We hope she grows to like us as much as we like her--at this point she focuses only on the basics--mostly food, sleep, and a dry bum, with that occasional awake time where she is taking it all in! :)


A few pics:
Note that the baby pics were taken on a quiet Sunday afternoon when the chaos was still at church! She'll soon be as loud and wild as the rest, I presume, but I took advantage of the calm as only a mommy of five is inclined to do.