Oktoberfest 2011 & Many Firsts

This past weekend we headed to the McKinney Square Oktoberfest with the kids (ha-kids as in plural, still can't believe we have multiple kids!). Pop came along with us, and we walked around, enjoyed the music, people watching, petting zoo, and more. Here is sweet Audrey in the car on the way to the festival. She was very excited as you can see. Luke and Pop. Luke was actually very happy here, he is just not into getting his picture taken at times.

Petting zoo fun.

Here is Audrey at the end of the festival. Ummm, I told you she was excited! =)

Just some Luke sweetness.

Ok and now for some random pictures from the week. Story time with Daddy before our bath.

First bath together. Luke loved having his sister there.

Once Audrey was out, Luke decided to try out the whale tub. Oh my!

First walk together.

Audrey's first bottle. What a good helper we have!

This is what life with 2 kids looks like. Haha. Yes, Brian is sleeping on the couch, and Luke put a cosmetic mirror on him. Brian had no idea! =)

Audrey's First 2 Weeks

Audrey is now 2 and a half weeks old and it seems like she has been around forever. We love her so much, and the one word I would use to describe her is "sweet". She is just the sweetest little thing. She loves to cuddle, is a very content baby and so far has transitioned into our family wonderfully. She is still waking up every 3 hours at night to eat, but I am happy to say, she has now mastered going right back to sleep, which has been a HUGE help to me! We love her so much and can't picture life without her! This week we went for her 2 week check-up and she looked great. Here are her stats and pictures from her first 2 weeks of life:

• weight- 8 pounds 4.5 ounces (60%)- gained back up to birth weight and then some!
• length- 21 inches (75%)
• head- 14 1/4 inches (75%)

Coming home from the hospital. First time in cradle.

Her favorite sleeping position. LOVE!

Getting kisses from her brother.

Getting some Uncle Rett loving.

Getting some Benjamin loving?! Poor Audrey is going to have to be one tough girl with all these boys around!

First time meeting Uncle Will.

Love her some Tula!

First sponge bath- not a happy girl!

4 days old, enjoying the beautiful weather.

Big brother showing her his muscles!

Sleeping Beauty.

Big brother enjoying some cupcakes that sweet friends brought by our house.

Four Generations.

"This is the life!"

Meeting Great Aunt Kath.

Hanging out with Dad.

First nap in her room.

First trip to the grocery store. Mommy survived by herself! Poor Audrey had to hold all the food. =)

2 week check-up. THANK YOU Aunt Ali for coming to help! With 2 kids getting stuck with needles, she was a huge help!

Luke enjoying his sucker after his flu shot.

Showing off his "boo boo".

Audrey's "boo boo".

So thankful and blessed beyond belief for life with these two!

Luke's First Day of School

Luke started preschool last week, and he LOVED it! We have been talking about starting school for months, so he was very pumped to get things started. We did have a meltdown though. Wait, a meltdown? Why would a kid who LOVED it have a meltdown? Well...this child threw a terrible fit as we were leaving for the day. He was screaming at the top of his lungs, "STAY!" Luckily my mom was with me, and was able to wrangle him to the car. I say wrangle, because he was full on arching his back and kicking a screaming. Not pretty, and very embarrassing. He was very upset with his Tula once we got in the car and said, "Tula, get out of the car now!". Yes, as sweet as this boy is, he does have his moments. Once we got home and he calmed down, he ran over to his Tula to give her a big ole hug! He can't stay mad long. We figured out that he was just upset that he was not going to get to go back. He went again on Monday, and things went very smoothly. His teachers say he has "a lot of personality", and he was going through the hall shaking teachers hands saying "nice to meet you". (Something his Noni taught him). They were all very impressed. =) Here are some pictures from the first day. hmmm...Mommy and Daddy look a little tired in the first picture, compliments of Audrey. =)

Putting away his nap mat, backpack, and lunchbox at his cubby.

Ernie has been enjoying the nap mat at home as well. Yes, he did this on his own.

I can't wait to see how the year goes.

Audrey's Birthday

Audrey's birthday was very different than Luke's. Due to some complications after having Luke, it was decided that it would be best to have a c-section this time around. My c-section was scheduled for August 31st, which made me 39 weeks and 2 days. I went into labor on my own with Luke at 38 weeks 6 days, so we all thought I wouldn't make it to the 31st. Even though I had been having contractions for over 2 weeks, this girl decided to stay put until her scheduled date. It was bizarre to just show up at the hospital and have a baby 2 hours later. Everything went so quickly and smoothly and it will be a day we will never forget. Here we are all ready to go. About 15 minutes after I was wheeled into the OR, she was here! Audrey had many visitors that were so excited to meet her. She is one loved girl! Big brother Luke came up later in the afternoon and was a little shy at first. Tula brought a "birthday cake" up to the hospital so we could sing Audrey Happy Birthday, and Luke was happy to eat it for her. =) After a few minutes, Luke warmed up, and was back to his old self. He loves his "baby sister", and just can't seem to get enough of her. He is very into documenting her life! Thanks Aunt Ali for the camera. =)

He loves to hold her and kiss her head.

Audrey's birth was a wonderful experience, and so far the recovery has been 100% better than last time. I have some pain, but am pretty much back to my old self. Thank you Jesus! Here are a few more shots of our girl at the hospital. We are so in love!

Tiny baby feet.

She sleeps like this all the time. It is so cute, she just pulls up her little hands under her chin. So precious.

She was a hit in the newborn nursery, as she has a lot of hair and the nurses were always bringing her in to us with a new hair-do.

She will be 2 weeks old this Wednesday, and has been a wonderful baby. She has a little trouble at night going back to sleep, which is frustrating for this tired momma, but I'm sure she will work it out eventually. Overall, life with two has been great. We are beyond blessed!