Michaelsen Baby Love: 2015

Well, in true form I'm way late to the game (okay, I'm late to everything these days), but SHE'S HERE!!! Della Grace blessed us with her presence on September 9 at 3:19pm. Once she decided to make an appearance there was no stopping her - the delivery went very fast and very smooth. I was blessed in many ways that day!

Over the past month we've all 3 just fallen deeper and deeper in love with Della and our new normal. Jax is besotted with his little sister. He has adjusted so well. Della is eating well, sleeping well, and overall and happy healthy girl!

We'll start a few weeks before she was born:

Jax is playing his first soccer league this fall. He loves going and running around with the kids, but he's not all that interested in the ball unless each kid has their own ball.

game face

Jax's slide was one of the more comfortable places at the end of this pregnancy. Just the right incline.

Last bump pic the night before we went to the hospital. 40 weeks 2 days.

Jax was excited to get to meet his baby sister!

walking into the hospital

After waiting about 7 hours for labor to progress Della made a fast and furious entrance into the world. Moments after my doctor told me to start pushing he told me to stop and then he was holding her up for us to see. At 9 pounds even and 20 1/2" long she was ready to be born!

Introducing Della Grace Michaelsen!

Just in case you haven't seen it before: this is the image of true love.

Her first bedtime story: On The Night You Were Born. If you haven't read it - do so immediately.

Jax blew right past me when he got to the hospital. He only wanted his baby sister (who was in the nursery at the time). Just like that I'd been replaced as the "girl in his world" - and he wasn't afraid to tell me so.

two of the softest cheeks ever - still one of his favorite things to do.

FINALLY he acknowledges me!

Grandma & her grand-babies.

My friend Jen came to visit and brought her camera. She snapped some real treasures for us!

...speaking of being replaces as the only girl in his world! Wrapped around her little finger from the first look.

We were discharged on 9/11. We had such a wonderful experience at the hospital that we were equally sad to go and excited to get home. (Brian was not sad to go - he was ready to sleep in a real bed!)

Jax got home from school shortly after we got home from the hospital. He immediately ran to Della and started singing her his "baby song". melt my heart.

When Jax woke up the next morning he only wanted to go see Della. It's still the first thing he wants to do every morning.

He was making bunny ears... but it looks like peace!

Tara, Matt, Scott & Austin stopped by to meet Della on Saturday. The boys were excited to meet her, but quickly distracted by toys.


The first smile at 3 days old. How we managed to catch it on camera - I have no clue.

Just for comparison here is Jax smiling at 6 days old.

That first bath at home... she's not quite sure about all of this. In her defense, I'm pretty awkward at newborn baths...

First family walk. Jax isn't too excited or anything. And, this is all the further we made it - just to the next house. The neighbors were out and we started chatting and ended up burning all of our time between feedings. Oh well, it was great to introduce her to the neighborhood!


I decided to just do some newborn photo's on my own. My "assistant" insisted on being between Della & the camera at all times. That considered I'm pretty happy with what I got. Here are just a few.

When we were done Jax wanted a picture with his "Cinnamon Love". Priorities!

On September 20 we baptized Della. I just love her gown - I have an itch to put her back in it again. So simple and pretty and sweet!

These little slippers were from Aunt Tara, but they didn't stay on very well - so I'm glad I got a picture of them!

Aunt Tara also gave her this beautiful pearl decant bracelet. It's made to be worn at all her sacraments and when she grows up, at her wedding, she can wear it pinned to her bouquet as her old and blue. It slipped down her sleeve in pictures, so when it slipped off her hand we snapped a shot with it on her gown. Maybe when I dress her up in her gown again I can get a picture with the bracelet on, too.

The big splash.

Della, Brian and I with Godparents Laura, Nick and Tara and Deacon Jim at Holy Spirit.

This time Scott wanted a little smooch before leaving his new cousin

Austin couldn't resist, either.

But mostly, Austin wanted cake.

Austin's face sums it up - that cake was amazing!

Papa and his first grand-daughter. He waited patiently for this snuggle.

Aunt Tara is just glowing! We can't wait to find out if there is another girl or another boy in there!

Snuggling with Aunt Kylie (I'm calling it, Dust... deal with it;)

Cousins! Minion hat or not, we have 4 faces and 3 smiles. I'm thrilled with that!

Della & Jax's Aunt Laura snapped a couple of family pics for us while she was there. Thank you so much Laura!

I love these folks!

second bath was much more relaxing. Happy girl!

post-bath peace - 1 week old

bath: check, lunch: check, passed out

Meeting baby Cole Barbosa at the hospital. Fast friends!

more impromptu photo shoots... good thing I have willing subjects(sometimes)!

5 years ago I bought this onesie before finding out if Tara's oldest would be a boy or girl. We finally get to use it!!

some of my favorite moments: Della peacefully nursing & Jax reading a book in my lap.

my first 3 loves

just chillin' & watching 'toons

Jax's first Royals game!!!

He went for the food... he was ready to go home in the second inning

2 weeks

bedtime snuggles

she looks ornery already!

Blue Belle is mostly uninterested, but I see her sneaking a sniff and curling up by her while she's sleeping from time to time.

She loves outdoor naps

Jax and I try to sneak little dates here or there. As much as the homeowner in me hates the flying dandelion spawn I had to teach him how to wish on a "flower" he picked for me.

Look at that pretty belly button! Baths got even better as soon as that icky stump was gone!

Just hanging out in the basement

3 weeks This is one of the first outfits that FIT her - and I love it. And she has a blow out in it EVERY time she wears it!

Sweet little pumpkin spice!

Jax got to help Brian seed the lawn this year

She's got big ideas. BIG ideas.

the perfect nap

4 weeks

Katie would snuggle Della all day if she could. Jax would too, but kind of got tired of Katie paying attention to Della

I cannot believe it's been a month already! {tear} She's growing up so fast!

Andrew was excited to hold Della - but got over it quickly and passed her back to Katie

Scott was excited to see Della again. Austin was kind of over it, but willing to share french fries.

First cousins lunch date

making "grass angels" after Scott's soccer game

These two! <3

Now there is trouble if I ever did see it! Love love LOVE these two! (Scott did not want his picture taken)

A trip to Rolling Hills Zoo.

feeding the koi.

I was always intimidated by these wraps, but a friend gave me hers and Della and I (with some tears from both of us) figured it out. We've used it successfully a couple of times - I'm getting better at figuring it out. This was the first time - I didn't have it quite figured out yet.