Elle's 1st Big Field Trip

Elle got to go on her 1st major field trip this past Wednesday. The Kinders went to a local historic park that is also somewhat of a nature preserve. It's been around since the 1800's and we like to refer to it as our secret park. It's kind of off the beaten path and is absolutely beautiful. I know a few people that have gotten married there. It has a beautiful pecan orchard with huge trees in perfect rows and the greenest grass I've ever seen. Anyway, Shawn was fortunate enough to be able to go as an adult chaperon. I am so thankful he was able to go. Elle was super excited too. Here's a few pictures from the day. By the way, they picked that place to go because they've been learning about farming and wildlife and this was a great place to get some hands-on learning.

Matching shirts...so cute :)

Elle looking through a microscope at some kind of plant life/mud stuff.

Elle's class in the amphitheater

The whole gang. Her class has been wonderful and all the kids have such fun personalities.

Elle touching a dead snake...she is getting more fearless every day! So proud!!

Feeding a donkey a carrot...again fearless!

I just love this picture...Shawn caught her being his little girl :) He said that she wanted to hold his hand for most of the day and was so excited that he was there.

Levi meets Gramme

Gramme came down this past Saturday just missing my parents leaving by a few hours. Couldn't have planned the switch off better! She got to meet her newest grandbaby. She also played a lot with Ava and Elle. On Tuesday, the day she was going to leave, she got a call from her daughter, Shawn's sister saying that she was expecting again.....WITH TWINS! I'm thankful Gramme didn't find out before then, because we all spent the rest of the time in shock and unable to make our brains function properly. Gramme was SO excited as were the rest of us. What a wonderful double blessing! This will give Gramme 4 new grandchildren within an 18 month period!

Dirty Boy

Today was the day that we gave Levi his first official bath...and he needed it! His cord stump fell off this weekend so all signs pointed to go for bath time. He was a stinky boy and why not....he's been around for 18 days and never got one. The reason for this has nothing to do with him being the 3rd child....he just won't stay awake long enough after eating to actually get it done! But I was tired of kissing his cheeks and smelling traces of spit up, so it was time! Enjoy the pictures.

Feeling kind of bashful about the whole naked thing.

Daddy does a good job giving baths!

Somewhere behind those heads is a baby getting a bath....it was very hard to get any pictures without Ava's head right over the top of Levi.


Then the paparazzi showed up and this didn't make Levi too happy.

I kid you not, that paparazzi is ruthless. They don't care how close they get to your personal space...they want a certain shot and they will stop at nothing to get it!

Seriously, this is the worst part Levi? The water didn't even make you cry this hard. Maybe he was getting used to the feel of being naked?

One happy baby...and the paparazzi has been moved back a few feet. lol

Daddy showing off his good bathing skills.

Checking out his son and his son's funny hairstyle.

Proud mommy and so excited that he smells like baby lotion now :)

Don't be fooled!

Don't let this picture fool you...he may look all innocent and sweet and like he sleeps so well, but he has you tricked! This sweet angelic baby screams like the devil when I try to put him down for a nap! He better be thankful that he's cute.

Little Family Pic

Levi is 2 weeks old today. In fact 2 weeks ago at this time, I was getting prepped for an unscheduled C-section! These two weeks have been a blur of nursing, sleeping, and changing diapers and it has gone by in a flash! This week we took Levi back to his pedi for his heel prick on Tuesday. They weighed him also and I'm proud to say that at 12 days old, he was back to his birth weight. That is always such a relief to see that they are gaining weight! I went back to my dr. for my 2 week check up and am healing very well. I am cleared to drive again. I did realize though that I'm still taking a narcotic so I guess I shouldn't be driving. I am almost out of them though, so I guess I'm about to be done with them! I have already been out quite a few times this week to run small errands either with my mom or Shawn as my chauffeur. It has been nice to get back out into the busy moving world. My recovery this time has been SO.MUCH.BETTER. than the other two on so many levels. I'm not sure what to attribute it to, but it has been wonderful to feel quite normal. Here are a few pictures we took before heading to one of the dr. appointments this week.

I have about 1,000 pictures just like this. I get so excited at this point if he cracks a lid open. I rarely see his eyes and can't wait until he's a little more alert and responding to me in ways other than crying and trying to suck on anything that comes within 12 inches of his mouth! lol

9 months

I'm 9 months (non)pregnant today. Today is my official due date and had it been a "normal" pregnancy, today would mark 40 whole weeks of pregnancy. I took a 9 month picture and thought it was too cute not to share. This completes the monthly silhouette pictures, though maybe I should keep doing it to motivate myself not to eat junk food. I will say I'm shrinking back down, but not as fast as I want to....but I have unrealistic goals so I'll just go eat a cupcake now. In honor of the 9 month mark, I'll share some new symptoms:

I no longer have to endure heartburn, but my heart does melt every time I see Levi.
My cravings include kisses, baby breath smell, baby noises(esp. when he's sleeping), more than 2 hours of consecutive sleep, "regular" clothes and cupcakes.

I've lost a total of 11 pounds, and gained 1 precious little boy.

Life is so good.

Lactation Somnolence

also known as "milk coma."

Beauty Treatment

It's been about a week since Levi got his hair washed and styled. It's not that we are lazy. It's just that he pretty much eats and as soon as he's done, he is fast asleep until the next time it's time to eat. But I finally put my foot down today and said we HAD to wash his hair. It was getting too oily and I like fluffy baby hair. He didn't love the water on his head, but then really he doesn't like much of anything if it doesn't have to do with being held and kept warm, or milk. :) He sure did look cute after his hair appointment.

It's not as bad as he made it out to be!

So sweet

Precious Moments

Those precious moments figurines ain't got nothin on these moments that were captured in the hospital. I'm not sure that I've ever had pictures evoke such emotion in me...of course my hormones are wacky so that could be part of it, but I think the pictures capture things that words can't describe. Enjoy.

Probably my favorite picture of all...first glance.

In recovery and really getting to see him for the first time...I remember that I was mesmorized by him.

Nana bonding with Levi

Rare photo of Poppy holding a tiny baby :)

This photo wasn't doctored. The light just looked this way. I love love love this picture.

Notice the new addition to my necklace....the last addition!

Alittle high on drugs, alittle high on new baby love.

Daddy and son

Doing the mommy thing

Don't Worry...

BE HAPPY!

Papaw and Carolyn meet Levi

My father-in-law and his wife came in on Monday to meet Mr. Levi as well as celebrate Elle's bday with her. They made me tired just watching all the flurry of activity they squeezed into the day but they sure had fun! They started with some Levi-lovin. I loved the pictures of them holding him. Next, they headed up to Elle's school to surprise her by eating lunch with her. They were brave to attempt the cafeteria food! After that, they came back to the house and picked up Ava and took her to lunch. It was wonderful that they got to spend one on one time with each child, though I'm sure it was exhausting! After they brought Ava home, they got a little more Levi love and then surprised Elle again by picking her up a little early from school and taking her to Target to do the tradition of picking out her birthday presents. She picked out a Fancy Nancy dress up dress, a sleep mask, which cracks me up, and a water toy for the bath tub. She had a wonderful time. Then, it was time for them to head home. I have no idea how they had any energy left to drive back to Tyler, but somehow they did. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Meeting Levi Casey....They are having a very serious discussion

Ava choking Papaw...this photo cracks me up!

Papaw with Levi...I love this picture :)

Elle's Special 6th Birthday

There aren't many six year olds that get to have an amazing birthday party in a hospital! At least that was what I told Elle when we realized that that's where she'd be celebrated. We held our breath and hoped that she took the bait...and she did! When we realized Thursday afternoon that I was most likely in labor, one of the first things I thought of was her birthday. I am really big on that being a very special day for my kids. I knew that we needed to plan to make it special since we were going to have to postpone her party that she had been so excited about. So, we gently laid out the idea that she'd have an amazing party at the hospital and it helped that she understood that she'd still get to have her original party, just a few weeks later than scheduled. So on Friday, Shawn and I did some planning. I sent Shawn home with a list of things to get and prepare. He bought helium balloons, plates, napkins (that by the way said 50! on them...they were left over from my MIL's birthday a few years ago and Shawn didn't realize that they had 50 on them...he saw flowers on the other side--too funny!) cupcakes, and pizza. My mom's job was to get all of the presents we had bought for Elle and wrap them up really pretty. Then we'd all met at my room for a wonderful party. Saturday morning, Shawn decorated the room with balloons and a small banner. My parents brought up all the presents and cupcakes. Shawn ordered pizza. The party started. I think Elle felt really special. Levi took a back seat and we made at least the next hour all about her. My heart still breaks just a little that her 6th birthday party had to be postponed, but she was very gracious about "sharing" her day with her new brother. And if all else fails, she gets TWO birthday parties out of this unplanned event!

Those were some yummy cupcakes!

Time to start opening presents!

Thank you Gramme!!!

A wedding dress!!! My mom got her a "wedding" dress and all the fixins...bouquet, gloves, veil, shoes, etc....a big hit!

Ava also got a few things to be a bridesmaid. So cute!!!