In the Beginning - Amelia Claire

She's here! Amelia Claire was born on 12/12 (which I particularly love since I am an 11/11 birthday baby and those kinds of things matter to me), at 10:15pm, weighing 7lbs 13oz and 20 inches long. After a sweet visit from her brothers at the hospital we brought her home and so far things have been going pretty well. Here are some pictures from her first week.

How lucky to have these two boys as your big brothers!

They were both so excited to meet their little sister. 

Aunt Nancy came to visit...

 and Aunt Stacey...

Heading home from the hospital, below in the sweater that has been passed down through the Sherman side of the family.

 Nana spent months knitting Amelia's very own baby blanket.

The Schwartzes sponsored a stork.

She's no dummy:  Just like Owen 4 1/2 years ago, she arrived with a message, "Dear Jacob and Owen, I come in peace...and with gifts."

She got to meet LOTS of family and friends in her first week:

Sam and Anderson,

Aunt Rochelle and Lou were visiting from NY,

Robin, my friend since elementary school was in town too,

Jen and Emily stopped by for a visit,

Memaw and Nana, 

And Pepaw and Beverly.

The first week can be summed up in these two pictures:

Life carried on, though, and since it's "the most wonderful time of the year" we had many celebrations. Owen had his school Christmas concert.

Hanukkah with Nana and Papa.

Celebrating Nana's birthday (which is 12/21, another cool 12/12 connection...if you ask me)

Owen is very sweet with his sister, singing to her, shushing when she cries and keeping her company when he has the time.

Welcome Miss Amelia Claire Sherman. 

She's a keeper.

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

We're trying to fit in some fun times in preparation for Hanukkah, Christmas and big ch-ch-ch-ch-changes soon to come!

First, Heath came to visit!...

then a visit to the Theater to see 101 Dalmations...

and to see Christmas lights at a nearby botanical garden with the Schwartzes and Grandma Jackie.

Not normal (they're smiling)

Normal

 

 S'mores with Jackie.

 Family of Four photo 

(me at almost 39 weeks!)

As many of the crew as we could get without tears. 

Small victories. 

(Joshy poo and Cooper Lou were there, just behind the scenes)