New Pictures...

One of my biggest regrets when Addie was a newborn is that we never had newborn pictures taken. I have always said on my next child I will definitely have newborn pictures taken, and I am so glad that I did. I have had an appointment scheduled for about two months prior to having Elle, they were worth the wait. I absolutely love candid pictures, it is fun to see the child's personality. Addie was very cooperative and was putting on a show for the photographer...she thrives on attention. She is usually very difficult to get pictures of, so I am so happy with all of the pictures. The newborn pictures were a little more difficult than I had imagined... with the naked pictures your clothing becomes there diaper, need I say more! We were very happy with all of the pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.

Update

I am happy to say that in general everything is going really well. It has definetly been an adjustment going from one child to two. I am not used functioning on such little sleep, I will admit it has been a little challening trying to keep up with a two year old and giving Elle the attention she requires. But other than that everything is great. Here are a few pictures of Addie and Elle. Addie has adjusted really well... I have actually been really surprised. She was a little difficult right before Elise came, and for some reason she has been happy, listens as well as a two year old listens and loves to be with her little sister. We are very grateful.

Daddy giving Elle her first bath. Addie is a really good helper with baby sister.

This past weekend we loaded up the family and headed to St. George for Jeremy's first tri of the season. It was great to get out of the house and have a little break not only from the house but also the cold and miserable weather (is winter ever going to end?). The girls did awesome! I was a little nervous for the drive down and how I would be able manage two girls during the triathlon; but all in all it went great. Elle slept through almost the entire triathlon in a sling and Addie played in the sand volleyball court it was great. A little shout out to Jeremy... he took first place in his age division. Great job Jeremy! Good job to everyone that did the triathlon (DeAnna, Chase, Jeremy O., Brett and Brad). It seemed like it was a good experience for everyone, hopefully we will see you at more tri's to come.
It was a really good time... the weather, the company, and a little break to relax by the pool. We had a lot of fun.

Elise Gracelynn Smith

We are all home from the hospital now Addie and I went and picked Cort and Elise from the hospital around 10 am. Driving home was a different experience to have another child in the back. Thanks to everyone for the support, comments, visits and so on they are very much appreciated, it is so comforting to have such an awesome support group of friends and family that are always willing to lend a helping hand. Cort is doing awesome the nurses could not believe how good she was feeling in such a short period of time. We would have come home yesterday but we needed to milk AFLAC (no pun intended) for all we could and besides it was good for Cort to have a little more time to herself. I am sure that the next week or so will continue to be an adjustment for small family so wish us luck. Here are the pictures I promised would be posted it is a short cliff notes version of the over 150 pics that have been taken in the past few days.

Addie and Elise

Addie was very excited that baby sister finally came out!

The new family of four

Doesn't Cort look amazing! (she would rather I not post this picture, but o'well I thought it was a total "Kodak moment" that needed to be shared) Elise has already found her thumb.Daddy daughter time. Aren't we cute together she definetly has the "Smith Stamp"
Addie is so proud to be a big sister

Girls 3 Boys 1

Baby Elise arrived safe and sound on Wednesday, April 2nd at 1:48 pm. And for all the girls out there here are the stats (lets be honest the guys don't generally care and forget them before they tell their wife) 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long, Addie was 6 lbs 14 oz and 18 inches long so Elise is definitely bigger. Mom and Baby are doing awesome and will be coming home tomorrow at which time a barrage of photos will be posted. I am not going to lie there was a part of me that thought (well hoped) it was going to be a boy and sure enough the 2 different sets of ultrasounds were right on the money, crazy how that works. Hey a dad can dream can't he? She is beautiful and we are happy that she is here safe and sound. I feel truly blessed to have such an amazing wife, Cortney is such an awesome mom and wife. There are few people as genuine and kind as Cortney she is always so upbeat and patient that it becomes contagious. I love you babe. The miracle of child birth is such a beautiful thing to be apart of it and watch a new baby enter this world is nothing short of miraculous especially when it is your own. There are few times in my life that I have felt the spirit stronger than the moments after our daughters were born.