Reese Bentley Stiff

We were all ready for our scheduled induction on Sunday (21st) so imagine our surprise Friday evening when the contractions started coming and didn't stop. In a whirlwind 5 hours, we went from hanging out on the couch at home to holding our beautiful daughter Reese in our arms. Reese Bentley Stiff was born at 11:45PM Friday, March 19th - she was 8lbs, 11oz and almost 22 inches long. She looks exactly like Ryan did at birth. Everyone is doing well, even Ryan is SLOWLY getting adjusted to her new sister. We're heading home from the hospital today so more pics to come as we get settled into our life as a family of four! Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes!

Love of a slide, no love for other children who try to play on said slide...

Sweet little Ryan - okay, maybe not so sweet, it starts off innocent enough - a 70 degree day, sunny skies, outdoor play at daycare. Then comes the time to take turns.....still a work in progress.

March updates and general cuteness...

We are 13 short days away from Ryan's sister's due date (if we make it that long) --- my doctor thinks we'll go early but time will tell. Meanwhile, we are physically ready for baby #2, perhaps not mentally just yet. We're anxiously awaiting to see Ryan's reaction to her new sister - I think it'll be a nice form of comic relief to see Ryan adjust.

Saturday morning doughnuts (mom's favorite diet of late):

We took Ryan to a 'new sibling' class at the hospital last weekend --- of all the toddlers there, our little diva was the only one who had ZERO interest in reading a story about babies and playing with the newborn baby dolls (in fact she cried and pushed the doll away), all Ryan wanted to do was head back to the big table and color. At the end of class we finally persuaded her to hug one of the fake babies. So while the class was a bust, we're slightly hopefully that any jealousy issues with the new addition can easily be cured with crayons.

So maybe mom has a problem.....Dunkin' Donuts twice in one day - Ryan got a munchkin donut.

It only took 20.5 months but we finally got a ponytail holder in Ryan's precious mullet. The girl HATES anything in her hair - getting this puppy in could be considered child abuse in some states but once in and she's distracted, she sported the ponytail for a whopping 5 hours!!!! Success.

The playground at daycare --- Ryan is always excited to see us when we pick her up in the afternoon but heaven forbid you get there moments after the kids have come outside to play. Whoa. No likey leaving the slide early.

This is for Babs!

Hell has no fury as an Aunt scorned. My sister came to visit two weekends ago and she is appalled (I mean APPALLED) that I have yet to post about it. Sorry Barb, a few other things going on at the Stiff household. This will be a little hard as we really don't really have any pictures of the weekend but picture if you will Ryan having a ball with her energetic, fun loving Aunt. Barb's visit came on the heels of Ryan getting in trouble at school for biting her dear friend Charlotte - Ryan was sent home with a book "Teeth Are Not For Biting" so Aunt Barbara made it her goal to preach "NO BITE" throughout the weekend. Every time she would say it, Ryan would stop dead in her tracks (kind of like she has heard that phrase a time or two before). Now, every time Ryan reads a book, there is some inaudible blabber and then sprinkled throughout her narrative you will hear "NO BITE" --- well done Babs, well done....

Jack and Aunt Barbara hiding from the 'biter' in their favorite spot. Notice the blue painters tape on top --- this small investment will keep children occupied for hours. Next Christmas Ryan would like a roll or two of tape and some cardboard. That's it.

Ryan, Jack and Nolan - who knew how popular a box could be?

Checking out god knows what.....