It is always fun when UPS brings boxes. Ryland has always been a great helper when the boxes arrive. He loves to empty the big box and climb inside. 
Where did my helper go? Has anyone seen Ryland? 
There he is! 
Ryland and Lizzie model their hats. Ryland selected a fireman theme for his birthday, and he loves the hat. He usually puts the hat on backwards like a baseball cap. Too cute!
John Chris and Reed are completely worn out! I can't imagine that this position is comfortable for either of them, but it doesn't seem to bother them one bit. 
The hard life of a newborn. Eat. Potty. Sleep. If we only had it this good.
Our first week home with Reed has flown by. I am sad that John Chris is returning to work tomorrow, but I am looking forward to getting on a schedule with the boys. 
Since we have been working so hard this week, we sat down to catch up on American Idol. Our shaggy haired little man was in full force tonight and was hamming it up. He was dancing and singing along with the Idol contestants.
John Chris and I had a glass of champagne, and Ryland wanted a fancy glass as well. We filled a matching glass with some apple juice and we were all set to toast. Ryland is so sophisticated. He loved to tap glasses and say cheers!
Ryland is the best big brother ever! We are impressed with his calm nature around Reed. He loves to help with the baby chores and give kisses. We couldn't have asked for a better relationship for these two.
The one thing that Ryland doesn't like is when Reed cries. He immediately lets me know that Reed isn't happy.
I love holding and loving on Reed. I had forgotten how little and tiny babies truly are. I realize now how quickly this stage passes, and I am loving every moment. Reed is happiest when he is cuddled and held close. He is a snuggle bug.
The grout is going in with help from Ryland. He is right in the middle of things and this messy task is no exception. He is covered in grout from head to toe, and he couldn't be happier.
The guys stopped to pose for a quick photo. I look forward to these guys having so much fun together over the next years. John Chris is very proud of his boys, and he will teach them many "guy" things. I am constantly impressed by him, and I love watching him be a daddy.
The tile project has reached the breakfast room and hallway. The transformation is amazing, and I can't wait to see the completed project. John Chris is working his fingers to the bones. It is extremely hard work that is very physically exhausting. Needless to say the pain pills are coming in handy for me and John Chris.
The kitchen appliances have been pulled, and the kitchen is the last area to be tiled. This room will finally come together with the granite and back splash that were all part of the tile selection. The kitchen will take some special cuts and the most time, but it will look awesome.
Ryland is being a helper again. He has the tile mortar file, and he is working hard. It is hilarious to watch him copy everything we do.
Reed is enjoying the project so far. He has been hanging out in his swing and relaxing.
Reed is such a laid back baby. He only gets a little fussy when it is time to eat. He is starting to look like Ryland when he was an infant. When I saw him sleeping in the swing, it took me back two years.
Ryland is enjoying some Cheetos and watching his favorite show, Dora the Explorer. He watches the complete episode and has started interacting with the programming.
We decided to jump right in and start the tile project this week. I know we are insane by starting this project the week we come home with a new baby, but John Chris is off all week. We thought this would be a chance to knock this project off the list. John Chris had a helper that loved to copy everything daddy did to the floor. John Chris and Ryland chipped the old tile like pros.
A snap shot of the new floor in the family room. I love the lighter color and it finishes the color palette I picked out months ago. I am so excited!
We have been released from the hospital, and we were anxious to get home. We loaded up all our stuff in a hurry, and the boys piled in the truck. I snapped a quick picture of the boys in the backseat. It will never be the same again.
When we arrived home, Cooper was quick to check out the new addition. He was very interested and wanted to sniff Reed. Cooper was wonderful, as expected.
Nana had balloons on the mailbox and inside tied to a blue bear. It was a great welcome home for our family. She had cleaned the house, and it felt wonderful to come home. It was one of the first times we had been away since we moved in the house, and it truly felt like coming home.
My dad sent roses and a stuffed animal. Ryland thought the animal was for him, and he enjoyed playing with the balloons. 
One of many of the thousands of diapers I can look forward to changing over the next few years. 
After being in the hospital a couple days, we were all itching to go home. The doctors came in for our last checks and gave us the good news that we could be discharged.
We dressed Reed in one of his Daddy's old day gowns. 
The Allison family is about to go home! 
Nanna takes another look at Reed before saying good bye for a week. She helped out with Ryland while we were staying at the hospital, and she will be coming back to visit soon. 
Reed gets buckled in his car seat with the help of his big brother. 
Reed looks like a little pilgrim in his keepsake bonnet. The tradition is the bonnet will be given to his bride on their wedding day. The bonnet is made of a handkerchief with a blue tie. It can serve as something old and something blue. 
John Chris snapped this picture of me as I was being loaded in the the wheelchair. I was very ready to go home.
Ryland and Reed met today at the hospital. We have been talking about "the baby" for a long time and finally today we had one to show Ryland. He was pretty curious, and he had a little gift for Reed. He gave him a little stuffed monkey with a green bow around his neck. Ryland gently placed it on Reed's head. 
The first picture of our larger family. 
Ryland started helping out immediately. He helped Nanna give Reed a bottle. Ryland is a great big brother!
Reed Carder Allison arrived on March 5, 2011 at 5:50PM. He weighs 8lbs 13 oz and is 20.5 inches long. 
Reed is a big boy, and he has the fattest cheeks. He came out with the umbilical cord around his neck twice but perfectly healthy. 
Reed has beautiful brown hair with a little bit of blonde highlights. 
John Chris holds Reed for the first time. 
I am getting more cuddle time with little Reed. 
I wanted today to be a special mommy and Ryland day. Tomorrow things will change around our house, and I want to spend as much time as possible with my sweet Bubby. I thought about what he loves to do, and I immediately knew it was going to jump jump. It was a little difficult to get up and get going this morning, but as soon as we pulled in the parking lot it was game on.
Ryland has no fear. He climbs the big boy slides all by himself and doesn't hesitate to slide down. It breaks my heart to tell him no when he asks me to come, but I know it will only be a few more weeks until I can play with him again.
The tile for the family room, kitchen, breakfast area, hall, and laundry room has arrived. I am one happy lady. We had a scare when I arrived to order the tile. The store was completely out, and they didn't know when they would get more in. After a call to the distributor, it only got worse. The distributor was out as well with no idea when more would arrive. I started to panic a bit, but after a little searching we found it at another store.
A close up shot of the actual tile. It looks so light, fresh, and clean compared to the dingy old slate that is there now. John Chris and I are really excited to see the finished product. We had put all house projects on hold until the baby arrives, but at this pace it may be June. All kidding aside, we decided that if we go ahead and start the project the baby will decide to come. That is just our luck. Do we dare start this massive project? Now? I think we will wait on the baby to arrive.