Welcome Home!

Welcome home, Riley! Life with two under the roof is both wonderful and umm...interesting! There were definitely times we never thought we'd see the day when our family was actually expanding….and it is easy to cry with joy that that day is actually here (especially with a little help from the hormones!) We were released from the hospital on Saturday, and are slowly adjusting to life at home together. We couldn't ask for a sweeter big brother than Jacob. Every morning, one of the first things he asks is, "Where’s baby Riley?" and runs to our room to check on her, where he then says, "Awwwww...look at her." It cracks me up. He's also quite enamored with her "squiggly" hair (which is a pretty accurate description when you pull off her hat!) As adoring as he is, he's also very easily bored with her! After oohing over her for 10 seconds or so, he's very ready to run off and play. We'll take it!!

On the "not-so-perfect" side, Jacob decided to "give up" his nap the day before we came home from the hospital. It has been brewing for some time, but this week seems to have made it official. We're trying to institute an "hour-long quiet time" in its place, but it's definitely not the same. There goes all hope for sleep for Mommy! Fortunately, we are blessed with lots of helpful grandparents willing to give mom a nap. Jacob started a SportTykes program (beginning basketball, t-ball and soccer) last Friday while I was still in the hospital. I can’t wait to get out and check out the action in person.

Riley is an easy baby, other than being hungry all night long, of course! She pretty much eats and sleeps all day long, and we've barely heard her cry (knock on wood, as we know that could change at a moment's notice!) Every now and then, she gives us a wide-eyed stretch, but they're still pretty few and far between. She had her first doctor's appointment today and is doing great. She's up to 5 lbs 9 oz (got down to 5 lbs, 5 oz at the hospital) so she should pass the two-week "meet your birth weight" requirement with flying colors at this rate. She also has a sense of humor, it seems. Within our first six hours home, she had an "explosive" poop all over Daddy’s pants while he was changing her (so much for not having to worry about girls and changing diapers!). This totally cracked Jacob and Mommy up, of course. It was particularly funny to me as it seems to be a trait of the Thomson girls (minus myself!) One of my earliest memories of Hayley was her doing the exact same thing to Alan in the middle of the night. Nevertheless, he's smitten!

So, other than mental and physical exhaustion from lack of sleep, life is good! We are so blessed and thankful! Our pictures from our first few days home are somewhat pitiful, but here are a few more from the hospital and homecoming. Our favorite photographer (agrgallery.com) came out this week so I hope to have some special shots to share soon!
Thanks for checking on us!
Dayna, Alan, Jacob & Riley

PS – Several of you have asked if we are participating in Lauren’s Run again this year, and yes we are! (team name: Hayley’s Heroes). Mark your calendars for May 3 and check out the basic information at www.firstgiving.org/hayleysheroes. We’ll post more details this weekend, but hope you can join us for this incredibly fun event that raises money for one of our favorite charities – CURE Childhood Cancer.



Me and my girl


Lunch and a snuggle with Jacob and Riley


Ready to go home!


Proud Daddy!


First bath!


Papa with his crew