Birthday Month!

When two kids in the same family have birthdays the same month, and another kid is expected in that family in the same month, sometimes you have to share a birthday party, and sometimes you have to have it a few weeks in advance to ensure that it doesn't conflict with any other things going on, like the birth of a sibling. This year, we had a joint birthday party at a nearby bounce house. Both birthday kids had a lot of fun, although on the way home, I asked them if they wanted to share a birthday party again next year and Donovan said "YES!" and Avery said "Um.... maybe......" We'll see what happens.
The birthday kids:

Bouncing, climbing and sliding:

Even Scott got in on the bouncing fun. I, being 9 months pregnant, did not. I think I probably would have popped it.

All our birthday guests. I think there were 22 kids there in all.

Donovan blowing out his candle in the birthday throne:

Avery, blowing out her candles in the birthday throne:

Sharing birthday treats with friends:

See? Sharing a birthday party isn't so bad!

On Donovan's actual birthday the next week, we had a low-key birthday night with just the 4 of us.

He requested a Sponge Bob Squarepants cake.

And got a superhero cape, walkie talkie cell phones and a video game:

On Avery's actual birthday, Isla was still in the hospital, so we opened presents in her hospital room.

That night, we were lucky to be able to take Isla home. Avery and I made this Barbie cake together when we got home. Avery decorated the dress herself with sprinkles. I think she did a pretty good job!

Blowing out the candles:

Happy birthday, kiddos! Next year you can share with Isla too!

Our smiley baby

I've never seen a baby that smiles this much - this girl smiles all the time! I snapped this picture with my camera phone the other day. This is what she looks like a lot. I have even seen her giggling a couple of times.

At home with Isla

After 3 days under the bili lights, the doctor finally said we could take sweet Isla home with us. Actually, what he said was that her levels were borderline and it was up to us - we could leave her under the lights in the hospital for 24 more hours and then he was certain her levels would be fine, or we could check out and do checks throughout the week, but there was a pretty good chance we may have to go back to the hospital later on. Since it was Avery's birthday, I didn't think twice, we checked right out and went home for birthday dinner.
Scott and Isla snuggling while we waited for the nurse to get her discharge papers ready. I was lucky to have a room with a bed - when we went through this with Donovan, I had to sleep on a pullout chair, which 2-3 days postpartum was not all that comfortable.

We're finally headed home!

Avery and Donovan were thrilled to have their baby home with them.

They can't get enough of this girl.

My 4 year old and my 4 day old:

Isla getting her suntan on. Actually, she is just spending some time in a sunny window, trying to rid her body of the bilirubin. So far so good, her levels have been ok and we haven't had to go back to the hospital.

My 7 year old and my 7 day old. I can't believe Isla is a week old already!