Cora's first 9 days of life...

 My brain isn't functioning well enough to put these pictures in order or think of anything clever to say, but I've been feeling guilty that I haven't posted any pictures from our first week home when we have so many family members who haven't met Cora yet. So forgive me for all the photos and my random comments. Oh, I also documented the birth story, so keep reading past this post if you're interested...

I think Nick is having the easiest time with this adjustment, as he is always wanting to hold Cora and always comments on "how beautiful" she is. It's so cute to me when he holds her that I take lots of pictures of it, as you'll see. He often asks "When you're done milking her can I hold her?" which always makes me laugh, and is very concerned whenever she cries and told me today when she was fussy that we had a "milk emergency!!" meaning that he thought she needed to be fed. The day after we came home he was holding her and said "I'm going to marry Cora when I grow up." He's so sweet with her and I love it!

 He insisted on giving the family night lesson this past Monday as it was Cora's first FHE. He planned and wrote the lesson himself and just needed Brad to help translate what he had told him to write down. It was darling.

 Here's Cora! As Brad commented the other day "she's looking a lot less 'birthed' lately," which is true. I can see both of the boys in her, especially Nick.

 I love this picture. Brad's been pulling double parent duty on top of seminary and school and I'm so grateful for all he does.

 Cora's first bath. She's pretty happy until you mess with her, i.e change her diaper, clothes, or bathe her. She has her days and nights completely reversed, which has been hard, but I feel like I've been able to keep it in perspective this time around, knowing that she'll grow out of it, and one day I will sleep again. :)

 She looks so tiny in her crib. I can't get over it.

 Dressing and accessorizing this girl is way too fun!

 My dearest Chasey is having the hardest time with all of this. It breaks my heart to see him struggling so. He's been naughty beyond belief, especially when I'm feeding Cora. We've been trying to give him extra love and attention and I try to remind myself that adults don't usually need therapy from the trauma they experienced when they got a new brother or sister as a child. :)

 He's going through a HUGE puzzle phase. Brad spent one morning doing all of his puzzles with him...

 More of Nick and Cora

 Chase occasionally asks to hold her as well

 Here's my cute dad meeting his first granddaughter today.

 He only got to hold her for a moment before the boys attacked him...

 His boots have also been a big hit -- this is the face I got when I told Nick to give me a cowboy face --

And lastly, here's my mama, "Granny Shanny" who has helped out so much in the last 9 days. I don't know what I would do if she weren't here to let me sleep, clean my house, pick the boys up from school, spoil my boys, hold and care for Cora, take shifts in the middle of the night, and take care of us. I've been thinking a lot this week how she never got this kind of help or support when she had her babies, and I'm so thankful she's been here for me. It's so wonderful to have a mother who doubles as a best friend.

I love having a newborn, despite the exhaustion and trying to find our new "normal". I don't want this phase to go by too quickly and I feel like I can't snuggle and love this baby girl enough!