
Theo and Beau Welcome Evangeline
I’ve been wanting to share with you the day that we brought Evvie home, but it’s been a little raw for me up until recently. That day was so hectic, hardly the kind of serene and sweet “coming home” celebration we had hoped for, but it was lovely all the same.
I didn’t get discharged out of the hospital until close to noon, which happens to be when Beau gets out of preschool. As it turned out, that Friday was the first day that Beau was at his school alone, so we had to hustle to leave the hospital and get there to pick him up on time. My hospital bags were packed down to a science the previous three times we’ve welcomed babies, but this time that bag was a confused, mismatched mess. This made packing to leave the hospital easy, albeit disheveled. I had chosen the sweetest clothes for each of my baby’s coming home day, including Evvie, but somehow I had forgotten to pack half of hers in my diaper bag. I hardly even remember what she wore to be welcomed into our home and our hearts and lives.
I suppose that’s a minor detail in the long run.
We rushed out of the hospital and I stayed in the car with Evvie while Justin picked up Beau from his school. I was a heap of emotions, crying and sniffling all the way from the hospital to the preschool and finally home with everyone to greet Theo. The big kids (fortunately) were still in school at that time, which gave me enough time to prepare and compose myself for the next round of emotional beginnings.
Beau was eager to introduce Theo to his new baby sister. It was adorable and hilarious and completely sweet watching Beau burst with pride and Theo cock his head to the side in curiosity over the baby. Justin and I couldn’t help but laugh, a delightful reprieve from the heaviness of these new stages we’re all entering. Theo brings that sort of calm and peace to our lives consistently, he always has. It’s remarkable to me how human-like he actually is, as though he completely understands what’s going on and unfailingly remains steady, calm and supportive of all of us.
In fact, that day they napped together per their usual routine, and I completely broke down again to the point that I almost forgot to take the daily photo. I texted my mom once I finally snapped their picture and we both just cried in relief at their bond and steadiness. The calm and feeling of normalcy that this ritual has on all of us surprises me frequently, but probably none more than that first day home with Evvie.
The days since Evangeline was born have been full, and while Theo has been our one constant and steady presence, he has also been adjusting in his own way. He’s a little desperate for attention (there’s a full club already here for that), so we’re working through that as best as we can, just like we are with the other kids.
Fortunately, especially for the youngest in our crew, they have each other to rely on for that simple calming comfort of knowing their best friend is always at their sides.
The outfit may not have been perfectly arranged, but my how you prepared the perfect family for Evvie to come home to. Wishing you patience with yourself and so much love as you go through the waves of emotions of this newness.
Thank you so much for sharing – love the updates and special pictures you share! You are doing a fabulous job!
You write so honestly and from the heart. Thank you for opening your beautiful family to us. You are an amazing mom and may God always bless yor family with peace and love and happiness.
You write so beautifully, and with so much raw truth. Reading this made me teary-eyed to remember the first few days of adding a new person to the family mix. So many emotions, it’s really shocking the human body can experience all those emotions at once, it’s exhausting in itself! Love, love, love your blog.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing beautiful family with us!!! I look forward to the pictures and stories everyday!!! I like that Amanda wished you patience with yourself. You are an amazing momma making memories that will be cherished forever.
So Beautiful story. I can feel the happiness from all the pictures. (I’ve staring at them so long.)Thank you for sharing. This is one of my favorite blogs ever. π
Your generosity of spirit at welcoming us into your lives everyday brings me so much joy. Watching your family grow and change takes me back instantly to all the changes my family has gone through. I’m sure, like myself, you marvel at how Theo has so completely captured the hearts of so many of us, and through him, brought your entire family into our homes.
What a beautiful family. I’ve completely fallen in love with your Theo…and Beau…and their brother and sister…and the beautiful Evvie. Your cup surely runneth over!!!
This fills my heart with love. It’s beautiful to watch them grow yet stay the course. Thank you for sharing their sweet love!
xoxo- Tanya
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Beautiful. I simply love the love that each and every one of you have for each other. The look on Theo’s face when he is meeting Evangeline and the sparkle in Beau’s eyes as he holds her and smiles are just precious.
I never get tired of seeing Theo’s and Beau’s expressions! Theo is just too sweet and his love and curiosity of Evvie is adorable.
Thank you so much for sharing your family. Each time I read a post about Theo and Beau I find myself close to tears. In a world filled with bad news and negative images it so comforting to read about the immeasurable bond between the two of them – it warms my heart and continues to reaffirm my belief that anything is possible. Congrats on our new baby, I am sure she will continue to bring you all lots of love and joy
Congratulations Evvie is so beautiful. Theo and Beau are just so precious…they will make excellent big brothers. π
Wonderful pictures, and story. I so appreciate your inclusion of Theo, continual love for him through life changes, and recognition of his contributions to your family. He’s one of your tribe, and Not to be discarded when things gets hectic. Thank you.
I loved your comment about Beau and Theo being best friends. Did you know that service dogs are being trained to work with autistic children for that reason along with a few important other things like staying with the child if they wander away, breaking the cycle of temper tantrums, and a few other behaviors. My grandson is about to get his service dog and we are so excited about the love and connection he will be receiving from his golden retriever who will even be able to go to school with him if that helps. Hooray for such wonderful dogs!!!
Heartwarming. It brings me back to my first few days home from the hospital, and the emotional swings that the departing hormones left me with! Just thinking about having a second kid, and the beauty of introducing him/her to our first kid and dog makes me teary. Thank you for sharing.
Totally teary eyed after reading this and seeing the pictures. <3
Oh how I remember the first day home from the hospital. Always a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, isn’t it? With my son, I was so nervous that I wouldn’t know what I was doing. With my daughter (our second child), I was still so nervous that I wouldn’t know what I was doing, ha! Your family is beautiful. Congratulations!
Love your pics and your blog and how much you love Theo. If you have time to read, which i doubt you do, but someday please pick up the book “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” It is a beautiful story told from the point of view of a dog and I think you’ll find it poignant and satisfying. As a lover of animals and kids, and an editor, it is without a doubt my most favorite piece of fiction. Good luck with the madness!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and your family with the readers. I look forward to your blog every day. I have to say that Theo really does seem to have a calming effect for everyone! It’s amazing how our fur babies can provide so much comfort for everyone in the family!
Sweet! Now I wish we didn’t stop at two. Mine are teenagers now. I remember those days… the smell of a new baby. I wish they could bottle it.
I woke this morning feeling a little blue, so I went through my usual routine of looking at your posts (i usually do this while still in bed :)), and as always they made me smile. I was happy for the extra post on your site too. I then took a trip down memory lane – and I looked at photos of when Theo and Beau in the beginning and when Theo fit in under Beaus chin (hard to believe now I know). These early photos reminded me again of how special their bond is. It has been there from the start and continues to grow by the moment. How can you not feel happier when you see that sort of love? Thank you yet again for sharing your beautiful family with so many.
Hi there. Just wanted to say congratulations and to thank you for your beautiful photos of Theo and Beau. My sister passed away recently from breast cancer and while she was sick one of her favourite things she looked forward too were your photos each day. I think you even inspired her to get her own dog (her first) who gave her so much joy and company in the last six months of her life. Blessings and thanks to you and your gorgeous family. Jane (from Melbourne, Australia)
Hi Jane, I’m going to email you but wanted to thank you for this gift of a sentiment… I woke up early to nurse Evvie and read through tears. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I’m so happy to hear she had a loving fur baby with her and that she was able to know that kind of love in her lifetime. All of my love to you and yours. Thank you so much for sharing with me.
I can’t get over the sweet looks on Theo’s face. And little Beau looks like he is in love with his new baby.
First I got acquainted with your family by finding out Teo and Beau pictures. By coincidence, my dog’s name is also Teo. And then I found your blog. I am so delighted to see how beautiful and smart you are and what incredible children you have, all of them) I hope one day I’ll have the family like yours. Just want to say that you and your family became my ideal and my inspiration for future. Thank you.