Back to Our New Reality
After such a fun day on Saturday with family, Sunday morning was a lazy day for me, Chris, and Gracie Girl. Everyone was still at our house and would be coming back up to the hospital later in the day, so that morning we took advantage of the quiet for just the three of us to spend some time together.
After a while, Gracie started to get sleepy again, so we sent her up to the nursery and Chris took the opportunity to head home, shower, and spend some time with Bean. I used that time to take my first shower. I’ll post later on how the entire repeat c-section has been on me and my body, but I’ll just tell you right now that the shower was awesome! After being poked and prodded and goopy for days, being clean was just about the best feeling in the whole world. Of course, taking the shower itself was tricky, but not nearly as hard as I remembered it was with Bean. Generally, I’m finding that to be the case about a lot of things. The second time around isn’t easy, but it definitely isn’t as hard as the first time.
Once Gracie had napped and I had showered, I called for her back from the nursery and got her dressed for the day in one of Bean’s favorite outfits of hers. It has little ducks all over it and he has liked counting them since the outfit first appeared. Funny enough, this was one of Bean’s outfits from when he was in the hospital, too!
Now that we were ready for company, the family came back up to spend the afternoon with us again. This time, we let Bean Man hold Gracie for the first time. It was quite possibly the sweetest thing that has ever happened in the history of the world. Really.
Then the kisses started flowing and I thought I’d died and gone to Mommy Heaven.
When Bean started getting a little rough, as almost-2-year-old-boys are prone to do, Chris took him on a tour of the hospital for a while to get some energy out. While they were gone, I snuggled with Gracie and told her thanks for being patient with her big brother. She said no problem. And then she demanded food in exchange for her continued cooperation. And that’s when I knew she was my daughter.
Turns out, the hospital stay is just as much fun the second time as it was the first. Always someone to take care of you. Always someone to whisk away your baby when you need a little nap. Always food when you get hungry. And always family there to make you laugh until you think your staples are going to pop out.
Was that too graphic?
Sorry.
But the next morning when they discharged us was pretty awesome, too. Finally being home with just our little family of four has been better than I could have imagined. We’re all tired and a little out of sorts and still trying to figure out how to do this, but it’s the best kind of organized chaos because it’s full of laughter and love and all things good. I can’t ever remember being this happy.
58 Comments
Renee
She is just precious.
Lindsey
You have such a cute little family! I’m glad you’re happy – it’s getting me excited for our little #2 on the way. I needed this post!
carrielt
This is such a sweet post. Those pictures of Bean and Gracie are wonderful!!! You look beautiful btw!
rachael H.
all I can say is awwwwwwwwww I want one
Andrea in NC
I can’t get over how happy & excited I am for you!! Yeah….I definitely teared up, seeing the pics of Bean kissing Gracie — unbelievably precious! Savor these moments, Momma!
claire
Congratulations Brown family on your new gorgeous addition! Gracie is so beautiful, and Bean makes the most handsome and loving big brother. Much virtual love from a virtual stranger xx
Amber
Just a lurker here. I read your blog daily but rarely comment. I just wanted to say it’s so nice to “hear” you say how happy you are. I am the proud mom of an 11 year old and 7 month old that has also battled terrible depression, and I think I know how wonderful you feel! Congratulations to you and your family!
Nycldenise
She is just so darn cute! I absolutely LOVE that hat, and kind’ve want one for myself. Kind’ve
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Dear Katie,
Rich would like you to please stop posting pictures of your positively edible baby because you’re giving me urges that I am too old to have. At least that’s what he’s telling me.
Mindee
Lindsay (Young Married Mom)
1) My little one had that ducky outfit too, but it never occurred to me to count the ducks. Good call, Bean. 2) The photos of Bean holding Gracie are incredibly sweet. What a happy, happy time!
Angela
I still can’t get over the cuteness overload that I get whenever I see pictures of Gracie and Bean.
So,so,freaking cute!
Glad to hear that you’re happy 🙂
Soo
tessabella76
What great pictures-so sweet! So happy for your little family!
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
She is the cutest little nugget in the world! Ahhh! I can’t decide what I love more…the pictures of you and Chris with Gracie or the ones of Bean giving her kisses. My heart can’t take it!
Jen @ Caved In
Everytime I show mike these pics he yells at me “No! We’re not ready for another one!”. Katie, she is so stinking cute! The first shower after a c section can be hell. I’m happy to know it’s not as bad the second time around. Hope Gracie is letting you sleep a bit!
Waiting for Bulgaria
Those pictures of Bean and Gracie make me cry. The couldn’t be any sweeter. I remember my first shower after my c-section was wonderful. It’s especially good when you don’t know you are headed to the hospital that day and so you don’t shower directly before you go. (btw I’m not saying I didn’t shower, but you know what I mean)
Meredith
OH MY these pictures are precious!!! I LOVE the 2nd one of you Bean and Gracie before he starts giving kisses. The look on his face is adorable, already the protecting big-brother-Bean-I’m-so-in-love-with-my-baby-sister look. 😀
Holly
She is perfectly gorgeous! Congrats!
You have to frame that last pic 🙂
Sarah @ ExPat Bride
That yawn is precious! So glad to hear the whole family is well 🙂
Rachel
She is beautiful. Congratulations and best wishes on settling in and adjusting!
Jordan
The 3rd picture in this post, I think grace looks like newborn bean. Good to know they’re related 🙂
Lori @ I Can Grow People
I haven’t really been able to tell who Bean looks like, but Gracie definitely looks like you! And am I the only mom who was in a hospital without a nursery? Porter roomed with us when he was born–no break for mommy!
Crystal
She is so sweet! Now I want another baby!
Shelley
Bean’s expressions are priceless. And Gracie is just beautiful. The love and contentness really shine through your photos!
Natalie
Gracie is precious! I think she looks like you!
Melissa
I can’t wait to read your blog post about the second c-section. Mine is 8 weeks away and I do remember the showering part being the hardest so for you to mention that in your post was awesome. I am also impressed on how you look in these photos. I hope I can only look half as good. You need to give tips on that too!
Alaina
Oh my God, those pictures of Bean kissing her….SO cute. I love it!
Michelle @ Mambo Gook
She looks so similar to you, Katie! Bean is going to be the best, most lovingly protective brother ever! I just know it! And I, too, and so happy to hear you are so happy.
Jenna
Looks like you have many reasons to be happy! Including one tiny little precious reason 🙂
Jaclyn
Love, love, love these pictures! Very sweet 🙂 and I still can’t get over how awesome that little pink knit hat is!
laurenbtrain
love the bean and gracie pics and the last one of just her is perfect!…with such a cute little girl, she is most def gonna need her own page on MC!!!
Marie
Congratulations!! Now you have one of each!!
Nancy
She is gorgeous, Katie! Congratulations. We’re going back and forth on #3 and this blog post is VERY CONVINCING!
Kristin H
Wow! She is just so cute- and those pictures of Bean and Gracie are too adorable for words!
Emily
I think that I agree….. that’s the cutest thing in the history of the world.
I am ready for number 2.
Can’t wait to see my little man snuggle and kiss his brother or sister.
Lisa
Absolutely adorable!!! Love the little pink hat with the ears and all the photos of Bean and Gracie, just melts my heart!
Joke
Oh my those pictures of Bean with Gracie are killing!!!! So gorgeous 🙂
Enjoy being home with your new big family! 🙂
Christy Ley
Awwww. Can I haz one? She is precious! I don’t know if I can wait with all this cute babyness.
melissa
dear katie
having a baby and bringing them home sounds the furthest thing from happy to me – it sounds like a depression onset! i am so happy that you are having a wonderful experience. even though i cannot imagine it for myself i feel empathy for your happiness.
love, melissa
molly
Girl, you’re making me tear up! Such wonderful photos and words to describe your first few days as a family of four.
It makes me want to do it all again!
allison
she is PERFECT! congratulations 🙂
Chloe
Lovely pictures and beautiful post.
Bean is already such a good big brother!!
Melts my heart!
Niki
She is so sweet! Love the pictures of Bean kissing her.
Jess @Diary of a misplaced Kiwi
Well done, don’t you just love babies when they are all squishy with their eyes shut! Those pictures of Bean and Gracie bought tears to my (sleep-deprived) eyes as I was up at 3am feeding my Chicken.
Sam D.
I want to kiss her little neck. Baby necks are the best. The second c-section recovery isn’t as hard as the first! (and thank goodness… because now you have mobile little person running all over the place!! eek!) More photo’s please!!! 🙂
Tressa
LOVE these pictures. So very adorable and precious! Bean Man kissing his baby sister sent me to Momma Heaven too! Hope your getting some rest! I’m happy your happy again 😉
Amy
Lovely post. (And I totally spit out my coffee laughing when I read about the staple popping, haha..) The pictures of Bean & Gracie together warmed my heart– you are in for many beautiful moments in the years to come.
Anne
So very precious! Wonderful photos, enjoy!
Ginny
My ovaries just can’t take these post! Can you please do one on Bean terrorizing the house or something?? Thank you, your sister
momiss
You look so very happy now! Welcome to the rest of your life, girl, enjoy it.
Ann G-B
My ovaries are doing somersaults!
Rebecca
I completely agree with Ginny’s comment.
Erin
Again, can’t wait to have my little girl now!!! I might have missed this on one of the posts but where did you get her adorable hat??? She’s so cute! I also can’t wait to hear about your repeat c-section. I’m scheduled for one of those in June!
Lindsey
Hearing how Bean is interacting with Gracie is melting my heart! That is just too sweet! And I also want to say major kudos to you for still blogging with a newborn! Wow!
Kat @ Living Like the Kings
There are seriously no words for the cuteness. Of everything. From the outfits to the hats to the Bean man giving kisses to Gracie’s little yawn to your family loving on them. This is to die for.
Savvy in San Francisco
I love the pictures of the three of you at the hospital! So precious! Loving Gracie’s knit hat – adorable.
Megan @ Red Dirt and Crazy
She is so beautiful and the pics of Bean giving her kisses…TO DIE FOR!!
So happy for y’all!!
🙂
Megan
Cindy In Owensboro, KY
Those are some of the most precious pictures ever. You have an adorable little girl and she has a precious big brother!
Christina
I don’t think I need to tell you this, but she is beautiful! The pictures of her and Bean made me cry. So sweet. Congratulations and enjoy your time together especially these first days. 🙂