Time Warp

On Monday, Paloma turned 8 weeks old. Needless to say, we are in a time warp over here, with many days seeming like Groundhog Day, the same sequences happening over and over. It's absolutely wonderful.

We have continued to spend time with family and friends, as we have integrated Paloma into our family and life. She is adorable, and sweet, and fits in perfectly. She smiles with her whole face, not just her mouth, with her eyes sparkling and her dimples puckered - it is contagious! Her grunts continue, and she is starting to "talk" and make her presence known. Paloma is strong, and a good eater, and last night slept 6 hours straight for the first time! I can't begin to tell you how refreshed I felt this morning.

Here are some highlights since our last post:

Celebrating Tyler's 2nd birthday!

Meeting her best friend Morgan for the first time!

I love this picture of Christina holding Paloma

Quincy loved Tyler's golf tee


Daddy & daughter time


Garrett wanted to practice holding a baby before his new baby brother's arrival


Joan came to meet Paloma

Kristine & Olivia came over to meet Paloma too



Our little beauty


Forrest napping with his sister


Solon participated in the IMS 1/2 Marathon - the weather was predicted to be in the 70s but it ended up raining on the participants pretty much the whole time. Here he is crossing the finish line!

His goal was to beat his Flagstaff 1/2 marathon time, and he did! By 20 minutes! We were so proud of him!


Quincy meeting Garrett's new brother Mason

Liz was there to meet Paloma too

Paloma on my right, Mason on my left! One month apart!!


Quincy loves his Retro Rocket



I had this fabulous idea to go to the Zoo on the last Sunday of February, and it started raining as soon as we got the kids in the stroller. We figured it wouldn't last more than 10 minutes, so we decided to tough it out. We started making our way towards the lions, and it started SNOWING on us!!! IN PHOENIX!!!! Of course it melted after 30 seconds, but I couldn't believe it!

A half our later, the rain/snow had stopped, the clouds had cleared, it turned into a wonderful day.
Kellan & Quincy chillin with the Komodo Dragon at the Phoenix Zoo


So life has kept moving right along the last 8 weeks. I am not going to lie, it is hard with 2 kids some days. Some days I am lucky to get a shower, but other days, it's seamless and fun. Those are the days that give me confidence that it will only get easier. I have made a commitment to myself to be a hot mom/wife (hair down, make-up done, cute shoes on) at least 2 days a week, so if you see me on one of those days - yay for you! =) I am looking forward to returning to the gym in the next week to start getting back to normal, and now that the weather is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS (80 degrees, anyone?), I plan on hitting the hiking trails at least once a week with Paloma in the Baby Bjorn. That is, before it gets hot again. Our 6th wedding anniversary is the 19th of this month, so Solon and I are looking forward to a date night! Other than that, we will continue to take life one day at a time, until we get into more of a routine, and are looking forward to some trips to visit Solon's family in Iowa and Seattle in the spring.

Time for bed. =)
xoxo

Our little "dove" is here!!!

First off, let me apologize for taking 3 weeks to post this. It's not that I've been busy or anything (although that's part of it). The morning that our c-section was scheduled, I went to turn on the computer to check Yahoo! and see what the days headlines were so I could enter them right away in to the baby book, something I didn't do the morning Quincy was born. My computer that was 1 year and 2 weeks old, decided to not work that day. 2 weeks after the warranty was up, of course. So eventually we sent it in to Gateway, and eventually they sent it back (with all my files still there, THANK GOODNESS), and now I am finally getting around to posting this for our far-away family and friends to see.

WARNING: There are a lot of pictures. However, they are all enjoyable! So here goes...

We would like to introduce you to our daughter, PALOMA AVERY BELL
Born Monday, January 10, 2011 @ 11:40am via repeat c-section - 7 lbs. 7 oz. and we think 19" long (although the hospital measured her at 17 1/2").


We chose the name Paloma (Spanish for "dove") because it represented my latin heritage, it was unique, and it was feminine. I also loved that a dove is a symbol for peace, and everyone wishes for peace in the new year, and she was born at the beginning of the new year, so there you go. She shares the same middle name as her Daddy. We love it so much, and no other name would have fit her as well.

Here are the last 3 weeks summed up for you:



Marsielle & Ami


Great Grandma Mama Mimi

(This is my Dad holding Paloma. Not pictured but also present were my Mom and Quincy who was with them while I was in surgery.)

Uncle Natan, Aunt Larel & Cousin Kellan

Great-Aunt Billie


Uncle Mauri

The most wonderful doctor in the whole world - Solon & I love Dr. Mayer so much!

Christina

Jaime



Great-Great-Grandma Alice "Gaga"

Great-Grandma Mimi & Papa Meredith

My cousins, LuzElena, Elizabeth & Diego

Christy




GOING HOME!!!


Five generations!

Great-Aunt Shelley

Cousin Alaina

With Grandma Lisa

Aunt Alynsia

Great-Aunt Georgina

Grandma Chacha


My godfather Chuck


The morning of my actual due date (January 16), the sunrise was pink - how fitting


Danielle & Eve

Charissa & Eric


The Perry Family

Kaream

After all the visitors had left, and Solon took his mom and sis to the airport, this was my favorite part of the weekend. Sitting on the couch with my 2 babies. Forrest was also there but on the other side of the couch. Solon came home just in time to snap a picture.

Quincy finally warming up to his baby sister

Great-Great Aunt Eleanor (with Mama Mimi)

Check out this awesome shirt we got made for my Dad's birthday

My Daddy & his dove

Darryl

Daddy & Quincy spending some computer time together


Big brothers protecting their new sister




Nova & Danny - all the way from NYC!

Somone


Marsielle's mom Sandy


Our friend MaryAnn took these awesome pictures when they came to visit



Here is a comparison that I put together of Paloma and Quincy


So many family & friends have to come to meet Paloma and celebrate her arrival with us. We tried to get pictures of everyone that met her (but missed a few), and I think by the end of her first week on earth she had met OVER 50 people!!! Some have even come back a couple times! We feel truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our life! Thank you for sharing this wonderful arrival with us.