and more Christmas fun...

Having 2 sets of grandparents close by makes for lots of Christmas-es!

Going to Nana and Papa's:

Michael with his FAVORITE uncle

 We loved having Ben, Jenny, and Tyler around - come back soon!

Check out the boys' new pillowcases Nana made for them.

Going to Grandma and Grandpa's house

Here's Skyler holding his gift.... lol. 

Danny with his box of shapes.

I love this shirt - he is the bomb.

We love having family close to us!

You know you have a newborn when...

... sweats are your daily attire.
... cookies are a great meal, anytime.
... if you get 3 hours of consecutive sleep, you feel like a new woman.
... around 4pm you decide a shower just ain't happening.
... your dreams have the same music as the mobile over the crib.
... a household chore becomes a daily feat
... even cover-up can't cover-up those huge bags under your eyes
... you choose a cat-nap instead of many other wise-choices (ie cleaning your house or even a shower for your self!)
... you realize around 10 or 11 am that you still haven't peed or brushed your teeth that day.
... you look at your baby and wonder how 4+ weeks has already passed and you feel tears welling up in those tired eyes.

Christmas morning

These cookies were my gift from Shayne - I have fallen in love with "The Sweet Tooth Fairy's" sugar cookies (a local bakery).  Just looking at this picture makes my mouth water.  yummmmmmm.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Christmas is just around the corner...

We had the most WONDERFUL surprise... SANTA!  He was just there on our doorstep (unannounced, of course) and he bestowed gifts on the family.  The big boys got chocolate kisses and Skyler and Mommy got a little extra pampering with baby shampoos and lotions.  What an AWESOME surprise!

Skyler - 2 weeks old

Cole - 6 years old

 Danny - 3  years old

Hunter - 9 years old

The boys together...  I think I need to hire a photographer next time.  It's IMPOSSIBLE to get 3 kids to look at the camera at the same time!   

Aunt Cherae with Skyler

The donkey (Cole), Joseph (Connor), and Mary (Julia)

I wish I had more pictures of the nativity...  I was enjoying it rather than taking pics!

Those first few weeks...

The first few weeks were filled with sleepless nights and lots of visitors.  This little guy has been showered with love and more love.

Julia and Skyler (cousins)

 Julie, Chanin, and James - we're so glad you went out of your way in busy December to come hold Skyler.

Danny isn't a visitor - but he LOVES to hold Skyler every day.  Hunter is also a huge helper - I just don't have a picture of him holding Skyler.

 Aunt La-La came to visit.  And while she was here, we PARTIED!  We threw a baby shower for La-La (she's expecting a girl in March) and I officially confused all the neighbors with pink balloons outside my house.  LOL!  It was so fun to have La-La here... come back soon!

My aunt Martie and my cousins Heidi and Cindi

 Great Grandma with Skyler.

Skyler Kirt

the story

I had a terrible night of sleep on Sunday night and still got up to go the gym as usual.  I just walk on Mondays - so I walked for about 30 minutes and felt completely miserable.  In fact, when asked if I was ok, I burst into tears... "I guess not."  So, I went home and laid down again.  My back hurt more than anything and there were contractions - but not consistent or close together.  BUT MY BACK HURT SOOO MUCH!  It hurt all morning and when I called my mom around lunch time, she said, I'm on my way and I'm taking you to see your Dr. - I insist!  The Dr. wasn't available, so off we were to the hospital.  At the hospital they observed me for an hour...  very small progress (1 to a 2), so they decided to wait another hour so I could walk the halls.  Still small progress, and the Dr. on call said wait another hour...  I thought for sure I'd be sent home (even though I didn't want to go home!).  So after 3 hours of observation, I progressed enough that the Dr. admitted me!! WOO-HOO!!  The progress was VERY SLOW...  but at 1:50 am they called the Dr. in to my room and at 1:53 Skyler was born!

Skyler Kirt 

(middle name is after my hero, my dad!)

7lbs 12 oz   19 1/2 inches

This is at 2am - I loved having my mom and Shayne's mom there with me - such a blessing in my life to have them so close!

It took us 48 hours + to decide on his name!  Here you see the nurses were trying to help us - definitely the most decorated bin in the nursery!

He was posterior through the labor (hence the back pain I was experiencing).  See that little bruised chin, mouth, and nose?  I guess that's from being pushed out so fast.  Sorry!

Grandma and Grandpa with Skyler the next morning.

Meeting his big brothers for the first time.

Hunter is soooo sweet with this little baby.  He just wants to hold him and hold him.  Cole and Danny's attention is short and fleeting - but Hunter is going to be a very sweet big brother.

Papa (my dad) meets Skyler

We're so excited you are here Skyler!!  I have literally been waiting for you since I delivered your big brother Danny - I knew right then and there that you were missing.  We love you!