Our first week home with newborn Elle was a whirlwind of feeding, late nights, early mornings, and driving the other girls around to all their activities! Thank goodness Grammy and Aunt Sarah were there to help out. The twins were still in preschool three days a week through the end of June, so there was drop-off, pick-up, lunch packing and Helper of the Day to take care of, plus swimming lessons for all three. We divided and conquered, with me handling mostly just the baby, and Grammy and Aunt Sarah taking charge of the twins, Meredith and pretty much everything else.

Our first night home with Eleanor was rough! She was awake all hours of the night and Jake and I had a few moments of “What have we done??!!!” as the sleep deprivation began to take its toll. Exhaustion and feeling like a cow are all I remember about the first few weeks! Eleanor liked to sleep a lot during the day, which we hoped would reverse into more night sleeping soon as she got used to her new environment. To add to the mayhem, due to her elevated jaundice levels, Jake and I took turns carting her to the pediatrician for her check-up and then to the hospital lab for blood work every day that week. It was exhausting and one more thing to worry about! Fortunately, her levels went down on their own by Saturday and we didn’t need to take home a special lamp for phototherapy or admit her to the hospital.

Before Eleanor was born, we worried about how Meredith would take a new little sister in our crew, but she did the best out of everyone! She was eager to help grab diapers, toys, cuddle and help feed a bottle to Eleanor. The twins were also enamored of their baby sister and showed their preschool classes pictures and made cards for her. The girls were especially excited when Eleanor brought them some “nice to meet you” presents and toys, and were also happy when anyone came to visit since that usually meant they received some “big sister” gifts as well.

Showering the new babe with love! Photos by Sarah Arnoff

Kisses for Queen Eleanor.

Meredith’s antics always make for good photo opportunities.

Who needs camping when we can have s’mores in our backyard.

More photos from Week 1 (my cell phone pics because I was too out of it to take any good ones!)

Those newborn alien eyes!

Where am I??!!

The girls loved checking the mail every day for cute baby gifts from friends and family.

Aunt Sarah and the baby queen.

Dreamy smile.

Meredith always has way too much fun with Snapchat filters.

Since Eleanor was born on the day their preschool had their Daddy Daughter day, Jake took them out for pancakes another day to make up for not being there. The girls agreed it was an acceptable trade.

Samantha and Amelia are great climbers– their favorite is practicing in a tree at the end of our cul-de-sac.

The twins were always picking bouquets for me on their walks.

Saturday morning paddle boarding adventure in Newport while I stayed home with the baby.

Our twins club had a playdate/party at the park, complete with a little petting zoo, and a traveling reptile zoo.

Meredith meets a tortoise.

Eek snake.

Snuggle time! Mmmmm that newborn smell (and the smell of Dreft) is so delicious!

Grammy and Eleanor.

Meeting Great Grandpa.

Meeting Great Auntie Lynn and Great Uncle Steve.

It’s officially summer! Let the daily watermelon extravaganza begin.

Juicy!

Lots of love,