New Normal

There's a really cute baby sound asleep on my chest as I type this. It still hasn't sunk it that she's mine. 

Yesteday we (finally!) brought Aviannah "home" from the hospital! We spent the morning and most of the afternoon going over discharge papers and getting her unhooked and ready to go. The nurses hugged me. I cried. They cried. We gave them a card and a promise to send pictures. They have truly been her first family and I am so thankful for the way they went above and beyond the call of duty as they loved her as one of their own. It was so funny to watch Avi's face as we walked down the halls of the hospital. She looked around with her huge, wide eyes, seeing for the first time a whole other world apart from the one she'd known. As soon as we started driving she fell asleep and didn't make a peep until we turned into the RMH. I hope this means she'll be a good traveler for us on the way back to Canada!

It feels so great to settle in with her here, although now I am feeling super homesick! Our room just isn't big enough for 2 adults, a toddler and a baby. It is crammed full and I'm going a bit stir crazy. Thankfully we have other places in the house to hang out, but the kitchen is under construction right now so it's a bit of a challenge getting her formula from the fridge when we need it, especially in the middle of the night. I just want to get back to my own space in my own house. In an hour and a half we have a follow up appointment with a pediatrician here, and then all we need are the travel papers and we are good to go!!! Our agency said those should come sometime next week. Can. Not. Wait.

In the meantime, we're enjoying getting to know Avi on a deeper level and I think she's enjoying getting to know us too :) Cass is doing great as a big sister so far. I'm trying to give her lots of opportunities to help and make sure I pay extra attention to her needs. I was holding the baby today and she asked me to pick her up, so I handed Avi off to her Dad and scooped Cassidy up for a snuggle. She feels SO big compared to Avi! But it's not often that she asks me to carry her, so I think she's feeling a little jealous of having to share my affection. But I'm so proud of how well she's doing so far! I think the real test will come when we get home, though!

All the staff here at the house have been oohing and aahing over Aviannah. The one comment we've heard from all of them is how much Cassidy looks like me and how much Avi looks like John. I see it too and it just confirms to me how these two girls are a gift from God and obviously meant to be!