Born on the 16th of May

Sydney Diane is here!  I am so pleased that she stayed put until her scheduled c-section on Thursday, May 16th.  Everything went smoothly and just as planned...Millie now has a very sweet and extremely laid back little sister.  Our Sydney could not be more perfect!

My mom came in Wednesday to help out with Millie Bear.  Millie has found a new bestie, for sure!

Thursday morning, JKK & I headed to the hospital at 5am...last bump pic!

I always feel so much calmer when JKK is with me

And here's our girl...extra cheesy with more cheese on top.  That vernix substance must be some sticky stuff because the nurses kept wiping but not much was coming off.  Video: Sydney birth video (graphic...sorry)

Sydney was born at 7:32am, weighed 6lbs, 14oz, and was 19.5 inches long.  First sister pic...I love this one.

All of a sudden, our little family of three is now a family of four...

Millie has been very curious.  She gets a little rough sometimes taking Syd's hat off or paci out, but each day has gotten better.  I think she is starting to understand that she has to be gentle or mommy and daddy freak out. ;)  Not really, but it is one of the challenges of having another baby with a 22 month old toddler that doesn't really understand how to be easy.

Headed home on Saturday (Syd's waiving sayonara!)

This gal is a sucker.  She had zero problems with breastfeeding from the very first minute.  Every 3 hours...no problemo.  After the first 24 hours, we noticed that she was starting to use me as a pacifier and needed that sucking to calm herself.  We tentatively introduced a paci, even though the experts recommend waiting 2 weeks so that it doesn't mess with the breastfeeding.  Nope, no problems after introducing it...the paci has stayed and she loves it!

It has now been five days, and we keep waiting for the real Sydney to appear.  She is sooooo good that it seems too good to be true.  I can count on one hand the number of times she's cried.  No problems eating, no problems sleeping...calm and relaxed 24/7.  How is this possible?!  I know it is still early days yet, but our little Syd Vicious doesn't really seem all that vicious at the moment.

 pat pat pat

Mills now gives baby Syd sweet kisses and is eager to help us put a blanket on her or give her a paci.  Nana has been a lifesaver!  I don't know how we could've done it without her.  At this age, Millie is still a full-time job and I can't do that much with her yet...no lifting or holding her or getting down on the floor to play.  It has made all the difference having her here to help out and entertain Mills.  It has taken away a lot of the stress and anxiety I was worried about.

Aunt Colleen, aka Aunt Coco, was also here for almost two days to help out.  We are so lucky to have such amazing family to help take such great care of our kiddos.  Millie might be a tad bit spoiled after getting all of this attention. ;)

Papa (my dad) and Grandma Tricia came to visit in the hospital <3

I know it has been such a huge adjustment for Mills (and there have been several meltdowns to prove it), but I'm so proud of how she's handling it all.  There was a whole lot of momma and millie time before, and I might be the only one that is really sad about losing that so suddenly...Mills has loved having daddy and Nana around so much to play with.  Millie is going to be just fine and will be a great big sister!

Sydney had her first checkup with the pediatrician today, and she's healthy and gaining weight!

Born at 6lbs,14oz; Discharged from hospital at 6lbs,7oz; Today at dr appt 6lbs,10.5oz

Welcome to our world, Sydney...we could not feel more like we've won the lottery.  It's hard to believe we get to be parents to these two beautiful girls!  Blessed beyond anything we could've imagined...