Luke and Evelyn found out I was pregnant way before most of the rest of our family and friends did. There was no hiding the fact that mommy was extremely sick and forever laying on the couch. We told them about a baby in my "belly" and that they had to keep it a secret for a little while. And surprisingly they did!
Once we heard the heartbeat and knew things were going well we let them tell people that we were expecting again. They LOVED it! They were so proud and excited about a new baby joining our family. I must admit that I thought they newness and excitement would wear off by the time the baby came, but thankfully I was wrong. They just couldn't wait. They both insisted that the baby was a girl and they were right :) They loved feeling her move in my belly and told us every day that they wanted the baby to come out. Evelyn wanted to hold the baby's hand and Luke wanted to kiss and hug it.
Well, when I finally decided to go to the hospital because I thought it was time Luke and Evelyn were already asleep for the night. I went in to each of their rooms to give them kisses and hugs while they slept. I knew their world was about to drastically change. They would wake up to the news that the new baby was here and they could meet it. I knew they would be excited, but I was still unsure about how they would be after the excitement wore off.
Fast forward through labor and all that to the next morning. JD went home to relieve our gracious cousin who slept at our house and watched the kids and he brought the kids to the hospital to meet their new little sister. I really wish I could've seen their faces when they were told the baby was born.
They walked in the door with HUGE smiles on their faces and eagerly climbed up on my bed so that they could see her. They were thrilled to finally see her little face and touch her little hands. They of course wanted to hold her and kiss her. They were so sweet and gentle! I loved that moment! Our family was complete! They enjoyed showing her off to the nurses and to my mom and sister who arrived that evening right before visiting hours ended. They were so proud to be her big brother and sister.
Now fast forward to today. People ask me all the time how they're doing with Eliza. I must say that I have been so pleasantly surprised with how they've reacted to a new sibling. They love her! They want to help with her as much as they can and they love giving her kisses and hugs. They run to our room as soon as they wake up to give her kisses and say good morning. They immediately tell me if she's starting to fuss and give suggestions on how to help her. It's cute! Of course there have been moments of acting out and needing extra snuggles, but really they have been amazing.
I am so thankful for my three little ones. I still think I'm living in a dream when I think about me being a mom to three amazing children. I am so blessed!
Evelyn reading a story to Eliza.
Luke and Evelyn admiring the Lion. This one just looked at us. The male lion outside let us hear him roar the whole time we ate lunch. I'm not sure what that was about. Maybe he missed his girl ;)
Eliza and I looked on as Luke and Evelyn took their first camel ride. We had to talk them into it because they were a little nervous about how big the camel was. When we told them that daddy could go with them they decided they wanted to try it. They liked it too! Totally worth the outrageous price for 2 short minutes.
And sadly the only picture we got of Eliza the whole day. To be fair though she was in the sling for most of the day and hidden from the sun. Yeah, poor 3rd child!
