We’re so thrilled to kick off our New Additions series on Glens Falls Living, featuring - you guessed it - the newest little additions to our little city! And what better way to kick it off than with our sweet niece, Emma Claire, who was born in July! Read on to find out the funny way Bill and Erin found out they were expecting, what parenthood (of two!) has taught them, and a few of their must haves for the first few months.
Tell us about your family!
We are the Vooris family and we recently became a family of four! My name is Erin and my husband's name is Bill. Our son Sam just turned 2 in November and we welcomed our daughter Emma in July. We have lived in Glens Falls for the past five years and couldn't imagine living anywhere else! We fell in love with the area right away and knew this is where we wanted to start our family. We love the small town neighborhood feel with easy access to all the shopping, restaurants, and family friendly events downtown. One of our favorite things to do as a family is put the kids in the stroller and walk downtown for coffee on Sunday mornings with our dog, Oliver.
SHARING THE NEWS
How did you share your pregnancy news with your husband / family / friends?
My husband actually found out that we were expecting before I did! Long and funny story short - I had taken a pregnancy test and forgot about it in the midst of getting our then 11 month old ready for the day. Bill found the positive pregnancy test and shared the exciting news with me!
Did you find out the gender prior to giving birth? Any inklings as to whether it was a boy or a girl, and were you right?
We found out the gender of our son ahead of time and we knew we wanted to do the same this time around too! Both Bill and I felt very strongly throughout my pregnancy that we were having a girl. I was much more sick this time around and my pregnancy overall was very different than it had been with our son.
Did you have a gender reveal? If not, did you do anything special to share the news?
We threw a large gender reveal party when we were pregnant with our son. It was so much fun, but this time around we decided to keep things a bit more low key. We had a cake made from our favorite bakery, Lake George Baking Company, with pink frosting inside to share the news with our family that we were expecting a girl!
Photo by Bella Baby Photography
ALL ABOUT EMMA
Emma Claire was born on July 5, 2019 at 7:56 am at the Joyce Stock Snuggery at Glens Falls Hospital! She measured 20 inches long and weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces.
We love her name - how did you decide on it?
Both Bill and I like more classic, traditional names. Emma is a name that we have always really liked, but there were a few others in the running - we had to meet her first before deciding! When we saw her for the first time we both just knew that we wanted her name to be Emma.
What are a few things you love about Emma so far?
Emma is a very easygoing and happy baby - she is always smiling! We love a lot of things about her, but our favorite thing right now is that she is a wonderful sleeper!
What are some favorite things to do together?
Emma loves to be outside so we have enjoyed many family walks with her, either downtown or through Crandall Park.
Any similarities - physical or personality - to the two of you?
Emma has Bill's dark hair, his nose, and his smile. Everyone says she looks just like him! According to my parents I was an easygoing baby and a great sleeper, so she may take after me in that regard.
Photo by Bella Baby Photography
ON PARENTHOOD
What’s your favorite part about parenthood thus far?
Our favorite thing about parenthood since welcoming Emma into our family is seeing her with her big brother. She loves to watch him play and smiles at him all day long. He gives her high fives, helps entertain her during tummy time, and kisses her goodnight. We are looking forward to watching them grow up together and (hopefully!) become great friends.
How about the biggest challenge or most surprising thing?
The biggest challenge we've faced since having Emma is simply having two very young kids who both need a lot of attention - and usually at the same time! We try very hard to make sure that we are spending quality time with each of them and also together as a family. Things were hectic at first, but we've gotten into a good groove with both of them now and feel like we know what we're doing...most of the time.
What has being a parent taught you? How have you changed since becoming parents?
Becoming parents has given us a deeper understanding of the value of family. We love passing down and starting new traditions with Sam, and now Emma. We've become more selfless and much more patient since they came along. We also drink significantly more coffee now than we used to!
What’s the best advice someone has given you?
The best advice we received before having Emma was, "Every baby is different." It is so true! We thought we knew pretty much everything after having our son, but Emma is a completely different baby and it has been a very different experience.
Do you have any advice you’d like to pass along for new parents?
Our advice for new parents would be to ask for and accept help! Let someone cook you dinner, or hold your baby so you can take a shower, or pick up milk at the grocery store for you. It really does take a village and we are so lucky to have a great one.
JUST FOR FUN
The top products that got you through the first few months?
Lillie Baby Carrier - super helpful for when Emma wanted to be held but I needed my hands free to do something with Sam.
Fisher Price Swing - Emma loved napping in it as a newborn.
Thule Double stroller - I think we used this every day throughout the summer and fall. It was so nice to be able to get all of us outside for some fresh air!
Pottery Barn Play mat - Emma loves to play on this and it gives me time to get a few things done or do something with Sam.
If you could have one night out with a trusted babysitter, what would you do?
We would definitely go out for a (most likely early!) dinner and drinks at one of our favorite downtown restaurants. We love Morgan and Co., Raul's, and farmacy!
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Thanks Vooris Family, and welcome, sweet Emma!
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The New Additions Series is made possible by Glens Falls Hospital.
At Glens Falls Hospital, we know how special that first touch with your newborn is. That’s why we’ve taken strides to provide the most intimate, state-of-the-art accommodations for delivering your little bundle of joy at the Joyce Stock Snuggery.
Thank you for supporting the businesses and organizations that support Glens Falls Living!