First Week Home

Tomorrow marks one week since we came home from the hospital.  It has been a whirlwind week of settling in and figuring things out.  There have been many naps, long hot showers and many fantastic meals.  Every day brought new milestones, visits with friends and neighbors, and a seemingly endless parade of boxes from FedEx and USPS.

Eliana and Pema became fast friends.  Pema is our dog, a Lhasa Apso.  We cautiously introduced Eliana to Pema.  Pema sniffed her, licked her and bumped her with her nose.  Pema seemed a little spooked at first but she quickly grew accustomed to Eli.  Pema gives her wet kisses when Eli is relaxing in the vibrating swing.  We've found Pema on a few occasions guarding Eli as she naps in the co-sleeper.  Pema lays on the ground right next to the co-sleeper facing the door, ready to pounce on any intruders.  We're not sure Pema has completely figured out Eliana is a baby human.  One time as Pema sniffed her closely Eli farted and straight-up freaked out Pema. Pema leapt backwards and slinked away looking confused and a little dissed.

Eliana and Pema relax and nap together.

Pema gets familiar with Eliana.

AVALANCHE!  Once everyone knew Baby Stiles was a girl the girlie clothes haven't stopped coming.  It has been an avalanche of pink, flowers, butterflies and paisleys.  Eliana has blue eyes so she looks super cute in blue and turquoise outfits.

Here Eliana models a stunning outfit from Grammy Pam.  She looks great doesn't she?  Thank you Grammy Pam for all your help and support over the last week and half!

Look at this pile of clothes!  Our friend Cait from Seattle mailed nearly all of it to us.  Her sister has three girls a few years older than Eliana so we have the steady hook up for years and years.  Thank you Cait and Bridget!

Sara is healing rapidly.  Her body is returning to normal and she is losing weight rapidly.  On Tuesday night we went on a walk to the corner.  Yes, it wasn't far but it was the farthest Sara had walked in nearly a week.  The activities continued throughout the week.

On Wednesday night Sara went to a friend's house for her monthly book club get together with a bunch of girls.  Sara enjoyed having her Thursday Night Girls over on Thursday for home cooked food and conversation.  On Friday we got Thai take-out and ate on the deck at Kendall and Mark's house.  Kendall and Mark had a baby girl, Parker, three days after Eliana was born.  Stay tuned for photos of the two girls together- maybe they'll be BFFs.  On Saturday we walked up to St. Johns to get a coffee and poke around in the stores.  Today we checked out the Portland Farmers Market at King Elementary School to visit with Noah and Aaron from SolPops (on Twitter).  Cucumber lime jalapeño is still one of my favs!  Sara is trying to get out and about every day to build up her strength.

Oh yeah, by the way, Sara and Eliana are champion breastfeeding partners and are considering going for the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

Here we are enjoying our first walk on Tuesday night.  Team Stiles on the move!

Nana Stiles from Maine couldn't resist sending me the below hat and tool belt to cope with fatherhood.  Funny stuff.  The tool belt has baby wipes, diapers, a clothes pin for my nose and even goggles.  Ha!  What got the real laughs was the book for Sara, Porn for New Moms.  It had everyone in tears last night.  Thank you Mom for thinking of us.

Eliana has a special thank you for the Grandparents in Maine.  Enjoy!