Our Family of Four

We are getting used to being a family of four around here.  So far it hasn't been that big of an adjustment thanks to my mom being here all week!  Also, Asher is a pretty easy baby right now.  He actually slept through the night the past two nights but I think I will set an alarm tonight because it just doesn't seem normal for a newborn to go almost 7 hours without eating.  Avery is adjusting well and LOVES to kiss him all the time.  He is really sweet and gentle but has started showing a little jealousy.  I'm not sure if she is jealous or is just being a wild almost two year old.  :)
 
 Here are a few pictures from our first week as a family of four.

At the hospital, waiting for discharge papers

Sweet little boy 

Getting ready to go home! 

Avery's first time holding him

She is so sweet, it melts my heart

Spending a little time sunbathing to try and help his jaundice

First trip out! Dinner with my parents. 

First sponge bath

The boys :) 

Our family of four! So, so blessed. 

Asher James

Asher James was born last Wednesday, April 4th at 9:14 pm. When I woke up Wednesday morning having a baby was the last thing on my mind. Avery was sick, I had steady contractions Monday night but they subsided and nothing since then. I should have known that my children like to make a grand entrance and catch me off guard.  I went in for my weekly OB checkup at 2:00 (with Avery in-tow) and thought we would be in and out in time to stop by Sonic for a cherry limeade during happy hour!

Instead, Mr. Asher had other plans.  My doctor checked me and completely surprised me by saying I was dilated to a 4!  She put me on the fetal monitor to watch his heart rate and count contractions for the next hour and a half.  For 90 minutes Avery and I sat in a small checkup room while I was strapped into the monitor unable to move.  It was a very long 90 minutes and when Matt finally arrived it looked like a tornado had come through.  Not long after the doctor came back in to check me again and I was already at a 6! She told us to go immediately to the hospital.  No going home, no dropping Avery off... straight to the hospital.  Thankfully Avery's favorite babysitter was able to pick her up and we were admitted to L&D by 4:30.  I had my epidural by 6:00 and was feeling great!

Matt and I laughed that we were almost bored sitting there waiting for me to be fully dilated.  I can't remember the last time we just sat around with nothing to do for a couple hours. I stayed at a 9 for awhile and the nurse decided I should go ahead and start pushing anyway. I pushed for about 15 minutes and our little guy was born just after 9:00 weighing 8lbs 5oz, and 20.5 inches long.  Everyone seemed a little shocked (myself included) that he was so big at only 37 weeks.  Thankfully I didn't go the full 40, I probably would have had a c-section!

First picture :)

After getting weighed and cleaned up a bit.

Such a precious miracle.  This little guy stole my heart within seconds.

Proud daddy!

Hi, I'm Asher!

We are so thankful to have two healthy, wonderful children.  I cannot believe how much God has blessed our little family.  We were able to go home Friday morning and other than jaundice issues, Asher is doing great! He is a good eater and sleeps well.  Avery is so excited to have a little brother, she calls him Ashers and asks about him constantly.  It is so fun to watch how excited she gets when she holds him or gets to help put his blanket on.  I love my little family so much there are times I think my heart may burst.

Springtime

WARNING: Picture overload!!

Now that the weather is so nice Avery wants to be outside all the time.  In the afternoons she runs up to the front windows and watches for Daddy.  

She loves it when he gets home because he's always up for playing outside.

She still loves her little car... especially when daddy is pushing her

 We went to our first DBU baseball game of the season, she had fun playing with friends and getting into everything!

 
Saturday morning we went to the Grimes' house for an Easter egg hunt! This is the second year they've hosted and it is so much fun!

Avery, Kennedy and Tatum having fun playing together.

Some of the kiddos enjoying a picnic lunch before the hunt :)

All the kids with their baskets

Failed attempt at a mother daughter picture.  She was too worried about her eggs to sit with me.

Sweet friends
Hanging at home... such a daddy's girl

36 Weeks

 How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of baby:   from babycenter: almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. My doctor thinks our little guy is bigger than this though :)

Gender: IT'S A BOY!! We finally agreed on a name... and that we want to keep it a secret! Okay, we've told a few people but are trying to keep it a surprise for the most part!

Maternity Clothes: I cannot wait to get rid of my maternity clothes. I never want to see them again. The weather has been so nice this week and I want to wear cute dresses and feel good about myself but I'm stuck with elastic waistbands and shirts that barely fit.  Oh well, just a few more weeks ;)

Movement: He gets the hiccups at least once a day and is definitely getting stronger and running out of room to move.  I forgot how uncomfortable a foot jammed in your ribcage is!

Sleep: I'm getting up 2-3 times a night to go to the bathroom, other than that I'm sleeping pretty well.

Weight Gain: 27 pounds
Symptoms: Nothing new, still swollen, still huge :) 

Cravings: Not much, I haven't been too hungry, I think I'm just out of room and nothing really sounds that good.  Except maybe a cherry limeade from Sonic!!

Best moment this week: No more meds!!! As much as I've loved my weekly shots in the bum (sense the sarcasm) I am so glad to be done and know that my doctor is comfortable with Baby A being born at anytime now! She said the medicine should be completely out of my system by Thursday or Friday and expects I'll start having serious contractions not long after that.  Matt and I both guessed when he'll be born... I'm thinking April 5th and Matt said April 3rd.   We skipped church this morning and spent a few hours getting the final odds and ends ready.  Avery loves putting her baby in the swing and letting him sleep in the pack-and-play.  I feel much better now that we've checked these last items off my to-do list.

Fun Times!

 I've learned a few tricks to make working from home and entertaining Avery a little easier.  Bath time is a great way to keep her busy while I work.  I can bring my laptop into the bathroom while she plays.

Life is good!

We spent Saturday afternoon at Festival on the Green in Arlington with the Brimberrys.

Avery and Harper... messy but having a blast!

Diva in her sunglasses

 Practicing her big sister skills.

Date night in Fort Worth with my guy :)  Yucatan Taco Stand for dinner, people watching and gelato in downtown. 

Nine months preggo + gelato = happiness 

Such a great weekend! I feel like I'm ready for Baby A to be born at anytime now! We have the house ready, my bag is (almost) packed, we had a wonderful and busy weekend outside and even squeezed in one last date night for awhile.

What we've been up to...

I've realized that as I approach my due date I will probably be blogging less and less... it just isn't a high priority right now.  I started working part-time a few weeks ago so you'd think I would have more time but it's amazing how fast the days are flying by.  We are STILL trying to get the nursery finished, Matt has been working overtime every week and I definitely need more rest than I did a month ago.   So, here is my lazy attempt to catch up with a few pictures. 

We've had beautiful weather the past few weeks... Avery loves being outside and she loves it even more when daddy is home and has time to sit down and play with her. 

We went to the hospital last week to meet little Miss Gentry and Avery loved getting to play with Kennedy and seeing a real baby!

Playing Ring Around the Rosie...

The big girls got to hold Gentry for a few seconds.  They were both so interested in her and so sweet!

Love this girl and her sweet baby :)

My cousin Rachel got married in Austin last week! I am so happy for her and glad we were able to drive down and help them celebrate, they are such a cute couple!

They got married on the river in Austin, it was so pretty!

My parents came down too!!  I love having them here, it was so fun watching them play with Avery!

Grandma and Avery reading. 

Avery helping Grandpa work on finishing up the grill.

We had such a great time, I'm so glad they will be back in less than a month!

Avery got a new doll from her Great-Grandma Nelson!

Life is good and we are so blessed to have wonderful family and friends.  These pictures make me smile every time I look at them, I don't know how I got so lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.