Thanks for the invite and very happy to become your new ES friend!! cuddles to Bella

Elizabeth I hope by now your new baby is here and life is settling down somewhat for you with Bella.  I was gone for a couple of weeks visiting my grandsons.......and yes their Mom was raised with Irish every step of the way  and as a teenager I can honestly say my Irish were better behaved !:)  I know with my girls it was one day at a time...and so often the Irish Setter was easier to deal with when  one of your children is a "live wire".....after all you could crate an IS and go take a walk alone but no option like that with a back talking smarty pants!  :) Funny to watch that same daughter now dealing with three little boys....so enjoy these special moments as you all grow together into a family....time flies all too fast. Take lots of pictures but also keep up the training with Bella until she knows her normal daily routine with the baby.......mine always were at the next step here before I could get to it.......if nap time was over the IS was at the bedroom door waiting to greet the baby......only thing I could not get them to help with was changing diapers! Reward the good behaviors and for me distractions helped immensely when my girls were little...and never forget that Bella craves and needs regular playing and cuddling from you all everyday. I do believe that is part of the secret to having a happy Irish Setter. Will be looking to see how things are going for you all.

Congratulations on Matthew's arrival....he was a nice size so hopefully he is a pretty content baby and is allowing you to get some much needed sleep.  Ahh those stroller walks......they do get used to them and love them but be aware that for mine it got to where that stroller goes I go also!!  Ours always were close by the girls when they were babies...and first at the door when nap time was over.  Fascination with the baby swing was another funny thing to watch....our Irish's head going back and forth as he kept watch over his baby when we first used it.So good to hear you sounding so relaxed and able to just take each day and enjoy your new baby along with Bella.