Visitors galore

This post is to give a giant shout-out to friends and family who have come by to visit and support us with caring for Brianna! Since Jason and I have lived all over the country (Maryland, Indiana, California, and now Connecticut) getting the times and flights to line up in order for us to have visitors can be pretty challenging, but nonetheless, those of you who were unable to visit sent us many warm wishes and wonderful gifts for Brianna to cherish...thank you! Both sets of grandparents were able to come up to meet Brianna in the hospital which was a wonderful gift! Brianna's Gigi and Pappy Scholz made the drive from Maryland as soon as they heard that we would be delivering Bree within the day. We had been updating them on her progress all day and when we called around 9pm to let them know that we would be having a little baby within the next 24 hours, they said they were already packed and would be jumping in the car to make the 6 hour drive. Both of them got to see and hold Brianna when she was just a few hours old, getting into Connecticut around 3 am. They must have been so tired, driving through the night, but there they were, ready and anxious to meet their very first grandchild! Gigi and Pappy stayed in Connecticut with us for the next few days, visiting at the hospital and then visiting us for the first two days that we were able to bring Bree home. Pappy went out and bought us a giant platter of spaghetti at a local restaurant for our first meal home. It was amazing and lasted us for the next week! Having them here allowed Jason and I to take our first naps at home. Poor Jason must have been tired, because he slept through dinner and didn't wake up until 9-10 pm. We thought he was going to rival Brianna on who could sleep the longest in one stretch of time! Mom and dad fought over who got to hold Brianna which was cute to see! I know she loved being held by both of them. We're trying to plan a second trip in October which will be nice as Bree will be a bit older and Gigi can help me plan for Bree's very first Halloween costume!

Also visiting us in the hospital were Grandmom and Grandpop Billings! After work, Grandmom and Grandpop Billings left Maryland and made the same 6 hour car trip as Gigi and Pappy. They brought with them flowers for me, a raggedy Ann doll for Bree, and a beautiful family sculpture for Jason and I. Grandmom immediately went to hold and kiss Bree. She is one loved little girl! Grandmom Billings had a lot of fun taking dozens of pictures and videos of Brianna, capturing all of Brianna's first few hours of life! Thanks to them we will always have a bunch of photos to remember the event! Unfortunately, Grandmom and Grandpop Billings had to return home the next day, but Grandmom was able to come back up to visit for a week from August 16-21st. The trip was originally planned so that both Grandmom and Grandpop Billings would be able to visit, but unfortunately, Grandpop had some work commitments that kept him away. We're hoping that he'll be able to visit again real soon. Brianna and Grandmom had many grandmother, granddaughter bonding moments during this trip. Everything from feedings, to explosive spit-ups (see previous blog), to holdings, and diaper changes. Having Grandmom here definitely helped the transition as Jason had to return to work this week. It was nice to not be alone just yet, especially since Bree and I are still learning about each other. Having her here also allowed me to run some much needed errands while Jason was working!

In between my parents and Jason's parent's visits was a visit from my childhood best friend, Brianna's auntie Kirsten! I was nervous that Bree would come late which would delay this visit as Kirsten is a school teacher and needed to be mindful of the start of the school year, but Bree took all that into consideration when she planned her birth date! Thank you, baby Bree! Kirsten and I have been best friends since the 1st grade and have shared in all of each other's major milestones, so it was amazing to have her up to visit! Kirsten brought with her a pink puppy and an adorable "I <3 my auntie" onesie for Bree, along with a package of clothes from her parents. Kirsten and Bree also experienced a number of bonding opportunities from explosive diapers to explosive spit-ups and pees (see previous modeling blog), to learning the lumpin' dance. With Kirsten's help, I was able to make a memory board for Brianna's room, captured Brianna's first hand and footprints (minus the footprints they took at the hospital), and read some of Brianna's first books to her! It was a great visit and great fun! Brianna can't wait to visit her auntie Kirsten again real soon!

We also had some extended family come to visit Brianna both in the hospital and when we got home. My Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kris visited us in the hospital and my grandmother Sweeney (Grammy) and cousins, Desiree, Stella, and Ellie came to visit us at home. At each of these visits, Bree received more and more adorable clothes! It was fun introducing Bree to Stella as they are only separated by 10 months. DezDez. Oh the hours of fun they will have creating dances and plays for us to watch! We are hoping to introduce Brianna to more of her family and friends in the upcoming months!