I joined a new PEPS group that meets during the day. There are 11 moms all from nearby neighborhoods who had babies around the same time.  We have 3 boys and 8 girls in the group.

I was hoping to capture a smile for Sarah’s one month photos, but no luck!  She mostly looks like she’s plotting something sinister.  Thanks to Great Aunt Jane for the adorable girly outfit!  We’re getting a lot of wear out of this one since most of her other options are Blaine’s hand-me-downs.

Gram and Grand-dad arrived from Japan via Hawaii on 11/2, just as the Mahoneys were leaving.  They kept us going for another week of family support with lunches, dinners, and showering love and attention on Blaine and Sarah.  My only regret is not getting more pictures!  Sorry!

Sarah’s been showing off her smile.

Here’s a shot of Blaine showing Sarah how tummy time is really done.

On 11/8 Sarah impressed us all by grabbing the ring on this toy… possibly accidental, but she seemed pretty proud of herself.

The Westbrook house was full of superheros for Halloween this year, with Blaine as Superman:

And Aunt Molly and Sarah as Wonder Women!

Blaine was a natural at trick-or-treating.  We hit five houses this year (up from two last year) and Blaine was all business, grabbing candy and saying “bye-bye” to cut off conversation with chatty neighbors so we could move on to the next house.  Can’t wait to see him in action next year!

We had 459 trick or treaters this year, up from ~420 last year.  It could have been more but for the rain and the running out of candy at about 8:30.

Mom-Mom met up with Doc and Aunt Molly in San Diego on 10/23 for cousin Katie Forsyth’s wedding on 10/24.  On 10/26 they flew from San Diego to Seattle to meet Sarah, hang out with Blaine, and help out around the house.  Molly helped Sarah with tummy time, and kept Blaine entertained as no one but Molly can.

Doc patiently assembled this incredibly complicated kitchen we got Blaine for his birthday — which is now his favorite toy!

Doc also took care of a few minor crises around the house, as well as cooking a few meals.

On 10/28 Uncle Jim and Aunt Denise were in town and came by for dinner (well, two dinners if you count the one made by Blaine).

I love how this pic reminds me of the one taken of Aunt Denise and Blaine around the same age – here they are, for comparison:

Lastly, Doc helped us get ready for Halloween by decorating the front porch and carving the pumpkins!

Thanks so much for all the help during our first few weeks of adjusting to having a newborn!

Mom-Mom arrived on 10/14 to help with Sarah.  This quickly became a familiar scene — Sarah just loved sleeping on Mom-Mom.

I also took quite a few other sleeping baby photos in the early days:

We also introduced Mom-Mom to sushi!  The very best in Seattle, from Nishino.

Sarah seems to love Daddy’s shoulder as much as Blaine did:

She’s also showing remarkable skill in the tummy time department — here’s her first attempt.

And one more sleeping baby pic… why not?

48 hours later we were released from the hospital and headed home.

We were greeted by big brother Blaine, and some beautiful flowers from Doc and Mom-Mom.

We were so lucky to have Gram and Grand-dad in town during Mommy’s hospital stay.  Blaine got to make cookies for Mommy (and enjoy a few himself) and go on an outing to the playground.  Thanks to Gram for sending these pics — it was such a relief to know that Blaine was in good hands and having fun while Mommy was recovering.

Later that day, Gram brought Blaine to visit Mommy and Sarah in the hospital.  Here’s the first meeting:

I think this one about sums it up… 🙂

Blaine wasn’t that interested in the present that Sarah got for him (an elmo doll), but he sure was interested in Mommy’s graham crackers!

He was also very interested in using the camera to help take pictures of the momentous occasion:

In all seriousness, Blaine has been wonderful with his new little sister and loves to give her kisses and help bring blankets and diapers.  He’s been doing really well with this major life adjustment.  🙂

1. Sarah J McCaffrey (born 11 Aug 1860, Philadelphia, PA)
2. Sarah Adelaide Haines (born 26 Feb 1884, Philadelphia, PA)
3. Sara Marie Faris (born 24 Mar 1916, Philadelphia, PA)
4. Sally (Sarah) Marie Forsyth (born 20 Jul 1946, Darby, PA)
5. Sally Ann Mahoney (born 10 Jul 1980, Bryn Mawr, PA)
6. Sarah Janet Westbrook (born 10 Oct 2014, Seattle, WA)

Gram stopped by to meet her first grand-daughter, one hour old:

Here we are with our birth doula, Deborah Rifkin, who was there for the birth of both Blaine and Sarah.  We couldn’t have done it without her!