Four weeks!

Frances has been here for a whole four weeks. I'm still getting used to it; she made her entry so quickly. I labored at home for about 2 hours, thinking there was plenty of time. Just as I was about to call my doctor and tell him we were on our way to the hospital, the contractions suddenly got very, very painful. We rushed out the door as quickly as we could, which was not as fast as I'd have liked, and got to the hospital just in time. Fortunately, the ER staff that morning was the most competent one I know and he got us up to labor and delivery quickly on a gurney. (I once delivered a baby in the L&D triage area as the woman was transferring from wheelchair to bed -- not ideal. Considering my water broke and the baby started to crown on the way from the elevator to L&D, I'm glad I was lying down.) An OB resident and friend of mine delivered Frances. My doctor didn't even know I'd delivered until that afternoon!

Anyway, Franny's very cute and sweet. And tiny! She only weighed 6lb 6oz at birth. I was not expecting such a small baby after having an 8lb Edith. Franny's been trying to catch up, though, and is quite the little piglet. She already looks so much bigger and fatter than when she was born. She enjoys being worn around the house and around town in my baby wrap -- wish I had had it when Edie was tiny. She sleeps or just looks around with her giant dark blue eyes.

Edie's still getting used to having a baby around. She mostly ignored Franny for the first few weeks when she realized that the baby wasn't a new toy for her to play with. She isn't overtly jealous, but she does get pretty frustrated when I can't pick her up or get on the floor with her because I'm nursing. Now that Franny's not eating constantly, I'm able to play with her a bit more and she's happier. She's also more interested in Frances, mostly patting her sweetly and blowing kisses, only occasionally trying to poke her in the eye.

In other super-important news, Edie is finally walking! She'd been cruising well and taking two or three steps here and there, but one day around the seventh of this month, she just started walking all over the place. She began by crawling on her feet and hands with her bum in the air, which was pretty funny. Then she just stood up and took off! Carl bought a little monkey backpack/leash for her, but we haven't really tried it out. I doubt it will be a big hit, but it's bound to be easier than holding onto her squirming hand when she's trying to fling herself into traffic or down the outside stairs.

My little walker just woke up from her nap and is going to the playground with Daddy. Her sister is sleeping sweetly in her wrap. I'm going to miss maternity leave.