Our girls

snapshots from the last three days

Clairey-- as content as can be
We couldn't find Hallie until Chris found her in the closet sucking this pacifier. "It's baby sister's" she immediately confessed sheepishly. It melted Daddy's heart, so he let it be Hallie's special pacifier. It was a cool novelty for about 10 minutes.
flowers Chris got for me-- I think they look like Claire
sisters-- one blonde, one light brown
Hallie told me "Mommy, Daddy and me are going on a 'day'!" (she meant "date")
they got blue slurpees
Hallie gets this giddy everytime she sees Claire awake

mommy's overzealous kiss
clairey-bug

spare moment

Well, I am just posting in my one spare moment today. I know I need to add lots more pictures but I want to go bed and get as much sleep as possible. We just love Claire. She is so cute and sweet. Today we were busy because we went back to the hospital to check her bilirubin levels and then had her first pediatric appointment. Despite the crazy schedule, it was a nice, peaceful day. Hallie is doing wonderfully with the changes around her. She is still running her own show and seems totally unfazed by Claire-- except that when she walks into a room and sees her, she gets a high-pitched voice and says "Hi, baby Claire!" Claire is adjusting to life on earth and is more relaxed about her surroundings. We are hoping she sleeps as much tonight as she did during the day. I love Chris so much more than before. It is crazy, I knew my heart would open up to welcome a spot for my other child but I didn't realize it would double again for my husband. Birth is such an emotional, spiritual time. We have been blessed with so many mini-miracles these past several days and we are so grateful for them. There is no denying that we have a supreme maker who loves us. I am so grateful to Him for his amazing love. It is overwhelming. We have a much more relaxed day tomorrow-- no more appointments. Chris and I hope to get organized with more posts and pictures then. Thank you sweet family and friends!

Love,
Chris, Michelle, Hallie, and Claire (I love writing that last one!)

Sisters meet

It's so amazing to me that Claire and Hallie are going to be sisters forever and that we got to witness the first time they met here on earth. What an amazing moment! Here is video Chris took of the first time our two beautiful daughters met.

Please excuse my haggard new mommy appearance. Although the delivery was perfect, the no- sleep first night with a crying Claire was not what the beauty doctor ordered.

Introducing . . .

Our new baby girl . . .


Claire Caron Hinkson


Claire arrived this morning and we are soooooo in love with her already. She looks like a little Hallie but with darker hair. And I do notice she has my nose.


So, here are the stats: 4-18-09, 9:11 am, 7 lbs. 5 oz., 19 1/4 inches


I had the most wonderful labor. It was so fast and smooth. My energy is great. I used hypnobirthing and an epidural and it was, I have to say, the perfect combination!

Not yet

No baby (or even consistent enough contractions)yet. But Chris has the day off for a snow day. Hooray! He already let me sleep in until nine, made me tea and breakfast and has exclusively taken care of Hallie. And I have a great book to read as well. Life is good.

Are we there yet?

Just to let all our family and friends know-- we are still here waiting for baby. The only change to report is that I feel really tired (even though I slept perfectly last night) and my body is so achey it feels like the flu is coming on. Who knows? Maybe it means something. Could baby finally make its debut?

Our last holiday before we become four!

Today is my "due date" for baby #2! However, there are no contractions to accompany this special date. So, looks like we have more time to blog and do any other little things around the house that we need to. And I have more time to hug Hallie while she is still my only baby!

Here is a re-cap of our lovely Easter yesterday.

Crazy CO weather-- sunny and 60 the day before, snowy on Easter, sunny and 60 the day after.

Thrilled about candy!

Checking out the flannel board book I made for her (she wasn't really that interested).

The family Easter basket. Her favorite part is the hidden Princess dress-up doll magnets behind Pinocchio.

Our breakfast brunch: orange-glazed bunny rolls, canadian bacon quiche, orange/banana/pineapple julius
Close-up of the orange-glazed bunny rolls

family photo



I feel like this picture makes me look five years older. But, it gives you a picture of my very-pregnant tummy.

Although I went for it with the Easter Brunch, I have to say that Easter was so fantastic because Mom made us the most delicious dinner and I didn't have to make any of it! She made an amazing ham, fingerling potatoes with butter dill sauce, asparagus, spinach salad with oranges/strawberries and honey lime dressing, and rolls. And then we had lemon pocket cake for dessert. It was food heaven. Hallie got her first Mrs. Potato Head and a cute outfit from Mom.

We hope you all had a lovely Easter as well! Church was fantastic. Even though I was very pregnant, I didn't want to miss the chance to sing "He is Risen" and to hear talks about Jesus Christ. One of the speakers in sacrament meeting mentioned something that stuck with me. Most of us go out of our way to read Christ's birth in the scriptures at Christmas time. But do we give the story of His crucifixion and Resurrection the same attention at Easter? I haven't yet. And I totally want to from now on. After all, His death is the reason we celebrate His birth. And I want my children to know that I love the Savior and am grateful for his ultimate sacrifice for us. Happy Easter!

My Easter Girl