Family pictures

We recently had family pictures taken.

 It was quite the process! 

The kids weren't exactly behaving and I found myself getting grumpier and grumpier as the shoot went on.  We started with Kelsey in her blessing dress and got some real cute shots.  Luckily she was pretty happy...at that moment. 

After that we did Zoe and Phoebe by themselves.  They looked so cute!  I got their hair done and they had cute little french braids.  Phoebe was being really shy and didn't want to participate.  Zoe was being goofy and kept wanting to mess with Kelsey.  She also kept grabbing a duster that they use to get kids attention.  I was trying to keep my cool and not get mad at her. 

During the solo shoots Kelsey started to get really fussy and was super ready for her nap.  I gave her the binky and it calmed her down..a little too calm..she fell asleep!  So for the family pictures the baby was tanked!  Poor Cory had a sore knee and they had him kneeling on the hard cement floor so he wasn't enjoying himself at all.  They always seem to find the most terrible positions to put people in for pictures.  I guess discomfort turns out well in pictures.

Then they did pictures of Cory and I alone.  We really don't have any pictures of just him and I since our time in Hawaii.  It was fun and I was excited to see how they would turn out.  They only did one pose which made me sad.  I thought we should have done a cheesy smooching shot. 

During that time Kelsey woke up and decided that her 15 minute snooze was plenty and she could be happy again.  So they took some pictures of the girls together.

I was seriously shocked to see that any of the pictures turned out well.  I didn't think Phoebe would smile at all.  But they are super cute and in the end I am happy with them.  I just think I'll do individual and family shots at different times in the future.  That way it won't feel so rushed and crazy.  Lesson learned.

Welcome Kelsey Evelyn!

We are officially a family of five!  It seems so crazy that our little family has become so full and perfect.  We welcomed Kelsey Evelyn on Jan. 10, 2013 at 4:11am.  My Doctor induced my labor at 10:00 the night before and things got going rather quickly.  When I got to the hospital I was dilated to 2 1/2 and about 50%.  The Pitocin did its thing and got my contractions going good.  By 2 in the morning my contractions had gotten very hard and I was having a bit of a tough time enjoying myself anymore.  The nurse thought I wanted to go all the way without an epidural but I quickly let her know that I was all about the epidural.  She got the Anesthesiologist and he did his thing. 

Can I just tell you how much I liked the Anesthesiologist.  He had the best bed side manor of any Anesthetist I have ever met and it was really nice.  The epidural worked like a charm and I could hardly feel the contractions within 20 minutes.  A little before 4am they came in to check me and found that I was fully dilated and ready to push.  My Doctor came in and I took a peek at the clock.  I jokingly asked if they thought the baby would be here by 4:15 and the Doctor told me that you can never tell.  I started pushing at about 4:00.  I pushed through two contractions and the baby was born at 4:11am.  I made my goal of 4:15!  The Doctor told me that I am the pregnant lady that every woman wants to be.  The labor was perfect and I only pushed for ten minutes! 

Kelsey was born and she was so perfect!  She has found her place in our little family and we all love her like crazy.  Zoe is thrilled to be a big sister again and wants to hold the baby and give her kisses non-stop.  Phoebe also loves giving the baby kisses and is really enjoying playing with the infant car seat.  Lucius was super curious when we first got home.  He was all over the place sniffing her and being curious.  It's amazing how quickly you can just fall in love with a little one and how they can find their place in your heart and home.  Welcome to the family Kelsey!

 

Perfect and healthy.

I love this picture..a bit alieny.

Mommy and baby

Checking out the fruit of my labor..literally.

First shot with Mom and Dad.

7 Lbs 4 Oz

Zoe playing with the very thoughtful present that Kelsey got her.

Phoebe trying to figure things out and playing with the toy that Kelsey brought her.

I love how crazy and polka-dot-y the ambilical cord is.

Such a cute little biscuit!

Grandma meeting her new Grandbaby.

Auntie Ho-ho bonding with the cutie.

Family photo..Phoebe wasn't feeling it.

First kiss from big sissy.

First Bath.  She wasn't so sure about this part.

But she sure thought this part was nice.

At home getting used to things.  Sisters and cousins everywhere wanting to hold her.

We are officially a party of five..now we just need to get a set of wheels that is big enough to carry the whole team at the same time!

Easter is the coolest!

I absolutely love Easter.  It is a very special day and we love spending it with our family.  Each year we get together and have a special Easter Egg hunt with my sister's kids.  They all have so much fun hunting for Eggs.  This year Phoebe really got into the Egg hunt.  Then we enjoy a nice brunch with my parents.  This year was a little different.  My parents were out of town so we did brunch for dinner instead of in the morning.  We also went to a baby blessing instead of our regular church.  It was so nice seeing my cousin bless her sweet baby boy.  I love seeing so many babies being born into my family. 

Zoe with her Easter basket

Phoebe's Easter basket

The girls before their Easter Egg hunt.

The hunt begins!

Phoebe is loving this.

Found one!

Someone had to stop searching and sample the contents.

Yum.

The Eggs are all found now it's time to check out the loot.

so much loot!

Cash money!

This kid loves to color..sadly sometimes on the furniture.  She got a color wonder book so hopefully I won't have any more unfortunate coloring incidents.

This girl loves to color and got a whole new set of markers.  Let's hope she keeps them cleaned up.

Sun glasses.

Want to know what I am doing with all the neck ties?

Dying Easter Eggs with them!

They turned out so awesome!

Zoe decorating eggs.

It was a very special Easter and we had an amazing time with our family.

Christmas in April

Christmas was almost a million years ago..but I just took the pictures off my camera.  I guess it was about darn time!

Zoe was part of a singing and dancing group called Sunshine Generation and they performed several times in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  Zoe was absolutely awful!  But it was so cute watching her be silly.

Look at how happy Zoe is as she opens her Christmas Eve jammies.  This is pure joy.

Christmas morning checking out all the gifts from Santa.  First stop for Zoe was the dress ups.

Phoebe is more interested in the tube than the toys within.

Zoe checking out her stocking for all the fun little goodies.

Every girl needs a magic wand for Christmas.

Tired and happy on a wonderful Christmas morning.

Zoe trying on one of her gorgeous dress ups.

Phoebe got hungry and needed a bit of toast to much on.

Me and my tiniest.

Presents!

Daddy enjoying the day.

Aunt Sherrie and Grandma Evelyn opening their gifts.

I just love Christmas and all of the special moments I get to share with my family.  We spend Christmas Eve with my family.  We usually get a yummy dinner of Chinese food and go back to Mom and Dad's to watch a movie.  This year the Chinese restaurant was packed..and even though we had a reservation we had to wait a while to eat.  The dinner was very good and afterward we headed back to the house to open our Christmas Eve jammies.  The girls looks so cute in their jams. 

The next morning we all woke up way too early.  The kids were all so excited to see what Santa had brought them.  None of the kids were disappointed at all.  It was a very special day for so many reasons.  My brother Matt and his wife Melissa were in town this year.  We love spending the holidays with them.  My Grandparents were able to come and spend a bit of the day with us.  It was just so nice.  We all enjoyed a special Christmas breakfast feast of steak, eggs, and potatoes.  Love it.