The Bruce Family

Harloe Grayce Bruce blessed our lives on June 7th, 2011. 6 lbs and 14 oz and 19 inches long at 3:22 am

Rhowan was in love from the beginning...I stressed for so long about her reaction and couldn't be happier with her excitement for her baby sister!

Daddy's P2 (princess #2)

Daddy with P1 and P2...who would of ever thought that he would be so happy and content with two girls?! Every man wants a boy but not this daddy! :)

Rhowan meeting Harloe for the first time...Are we a complete family yet??? ;) (for now at least!)

Ok, so I took long enough to post pics and updates, but our lives have taken an even busier turn and for the better of course. People tell you how crazy it's going to be for the first year with two so close in age, but you can't really prepare yourself for what you are about to experience. It's been a blessing for sure and we couldn't be happier. It has just been a very BIG adjustment for all of us. Terrible 2's seemed to have ironically (or not) hit the day baby came home, which at 20 months is expected. Daddy has been busier than ever with work, traveling, recruiting, working loooong hours, etc. and Mommy is trying to adjust to no sleep and taking care of two babies under two. Thank goodness for our families being so close and involved in our lives and willing to help at every minute they can. I don't know what I'd do...bed time routines with the new baby haven't been exactly established being Rhowan still loves for us to lay with her to get her to sleep and that's always the time Harloe is ready to nurse! I am trying to tell myself, to adjust and be on survival mode and after 2 months or so start establishing routines. Enjoy your babies Heather because you will never have this time back as stressful as some moments get!!!!

My aunt and uncle/God parents came for a week to stay at my parents while they went on their yearly/tradition cruise to help me out with the kiddos and let me tell you, I was in Heaven. I love having them around, visiting, walking the beach, eating their delicious dinners they cook up every night, etc. I just love being with them and couldn't be happier that they came down to stay and keep me comapany and help me with the girls. Thank you Aunt Barbara and Uncle Fred. You guys mean more to me than you'll ever know! I had the best week ever and it was all just in fun and relaxation having you here! xoxoxox

So much to catch you all up on. Rhowan went camping with Grandma and Ampa for 3 nights and 4 days, longest she's been away from home...pictures to come. We spent lots of one on one time before baby came including a trip to Disneyland, trips to the park, etc. I have loved being a stay at home mommy again and pray every night for God to show me my direction next as for where I am meant to be and meant to do.

As for more babies, we are good for right now. This labor was much more intense than Rhowan's...both were induced but not at all what I expected the 2nd time around. I won't bore you with the details but my body doesn't take to an epidural and being induced it was much needed after about the 10th hour of labor. The pushing, well not pushing she pretty much fell out before the dr even got there, was much easier and so was the recovery, but I could've done with a much different labor process! TJ said in the middle of it, "we are done!" Um, are you in pain or labor right now?! LOL...it was a stressful week leading up to it because they were right in the middle of playoffs and we were anticipating him having to leave town on that Wed with our set date of induction being Monday. Anyway, with his career that is the way it is and I wouldn't have it any other way to have him doing what he loves! As tough and emotional as it was, I was so proud of him as a coach that I knew God would take care of it whatever the outcome was.

I am happy to say he is renewing his contract with UCLA for a 2nd year, so we are very happy and blessed for that! He sure as hell has worked for it! His parents understand that he can't be there and have done an amazing job making up for what he can't do right now not physically being available and God I am thankful for that. It has been really nice having so much help right now that if his mom ever goes back to work I am in for it, she has truly spoiled me with how much she does for us. We have been spending a lot of time at my parents too since my mom is off on summers and Rhowan, Lexi and Nate just love to play with each other non stop!

As you can see we have been non stop even with the arrival of Harloe, I think I was out and about just days after she was born...no time to sit around in my rob and relax all day in pjs like I did with Rhowan. It makes me sad, but I just take advantage of the moments nursing and when Rhowan is at daycare twice a week to get our bonding in.

I will post more pics and updates later...I am missing so much before the birth, between and since to catch you all up on. I have pictures, our computer is up and moving now in its new location and I am learning to function again so no excuses! I will do my best! :)

Miss and love you all and forgive me for that typical "2nd child procrastination" everyone speaks of. It is so sadly true but doesn't speak for the amount of love she has from us still! :)

xoxo,

Heather, TJ, Rhowan and Harloe

Rhowan and Lexi got asked again to do the Baby Lulu catalog. As you can see Rhowan was very excited to accept! LOL...that is actually the picture that made the back cover and then Rhowan and Lexi made the front cover, Rhowan is 2 for 2 with success on making the clothing lines catalog front and back cover, 2 years in a row. Ok, ok, I am tooting her horn for her, but I am just a proud mommy. I didn't get to take her to any of the photo shoots this time, grandma took over with Auntie and Lexi because I had to work, but I was so happy to see the results and get more cute outfits for Rhowan's hard work! :)

They are also online on the catalog at www.babylulu.com. Her clothes are mostly sold in boutique stores, but I've seen them on other websites too! So exciting!!!

I am sure it was a crack up to be there and watch Auntie and Grandma put on a circus show to get the girls to smile, but whatever they did worked! :)