New Girl On The Block

Audrey Claire Gahan has made her debut!

She was born August 31st at 9:04.

7 pounds 8 ounces

20 3/4 inches long

My sister had a C-section and did great! It was so different experiencing a C-section birth. I was talking to Amanda at 8:50, she was wheeled back, and by 9:04 Audrey had been born. I am so thankful Amanda is feeling great and is able to really soak up her little bundle.

Luke came to the hospital a few hours after Audrey had been born. It was so precious to see him walk in and see her for the first time. He was super overwhelmed but handled the transition great. Luke was very gentle with "baby sister" and was very concerned where she was the whole visit.

He insisted she stay in her 'baby bed' the whole time so he could keep a close eye on her. Luke was very into documenting the day with his new 'camera' from me.

Benjamin was super excited to meet his first girl cousin.

He looked HUGE next to Audrey!

I love my new niece.

I can't wait to paint her nails! :)

Here are some more pics of our new little angel.

Anyone that is questioning the presence of a faithful God needs to experience a baby being brought into this world!

It is something I will never get sick of.

I...

love...

this...

child.

Audrey Claire, Aunt Ali is so happy you are here.

I can't wait to kiss those cheeks again really soon!!

7 Months!

7 months with this sweet, sassy, spit fire have flown by!

(Photo shoots are harder these days because Benjamin refuses to cease the fake screaming. Allll boy.)

Benjamin's day is filled with 3 naps - one morning, one afternoon and one super short late-afternoon one that I know he will drop any day now. He sleeps from 7ish - 7ish every night. Benjamin drinks 4 bottles a day and 2 meals of solids.

LOVES:

LUKE!!, Hank, tags on his toys, baths, eating, running errands, playing with Daddy, music, fake screaming, talking, watching Mommy do anything, playing Peek-a-Boo, and (of course) "Abby's Flying Fairy School"

NOT A FAN OF:

church nursery, being on his tummy, not being able to see Mommy, and not getting his way

I know Benjamin, I to am shocked you are 7 months old.

What have we been up to the last few weeks?

Well... 2 weeks ago Luke and Aunt Amanda came to Fort Worth for one last sleepover before Baby Girl gets here. My sister is so fun, easy-going, such an incredible mother. Time with her is so special to me!

Benjamin likes anything involving Luke so they had a grand time playing together.

Luke is such a great helper in the kitchen and helped me make some yummy cookies.

Why does life seem perfect when you have a spatula covered in cookie dough?

We also had a last minute play date with our childhood friend Jocelyn Knochel Boyer. She has two boys - one Luke's age, Levi and one Benjamin's age, Joel. We had a great time catching up and watching all the boys interact. I hope we get together again really soon!

What else have we been up to?

Well... lots of fun in the bath...

playing with tags...

almost mastering holding a sippy cup...

lots of eating...

(and looking precious)

surviving Benjamin's first bad diaper rash... (I was letting things air out) :)

and traveled to Mckinney for a few nights.

Pop put his baseball hat on Benjamin's head and he didn't know how to react. It was so funny because he literally sat statue still not knowing what to do. We were all laughing so hard!

Not to sure what to think of silly Pop.

Pop opened a new office in downtown Mckinney and we all went to see his new digs. It's in such a fun spot on the square. I see many lunch dates in our future. Luke and Benjamin loved playing in his new big office.

Future Actuaries in the making.

Benjamin can't get enough of Luke.

Who knew watching someone (Luke) jump could be so funny?!?

Wow, the last few weeks have been exhausting...

time to stretch out and relax.

Tough life. :)

Someone's Sittin'

Our sweet Benjamin is seeing the world in a totally new way...

SITTING!

He loves everything about sitting and doesn't want to play any other way. The past week I could tell he was getting close to perfecting his sit. Finally, after a few days of practice our little man is the sitting champ!

(note: He is also becoming trilingual. Very advanced.)

Here he is taking a break and catching up on some Abby's Flying Fairy School.

Such a good laundry helper.

Benjamin couldn't wait to sit in the bath like a big boy!

Here is more proof of our little sitter.

Love the sneaky look on his face.

Before we know it our little sitter will be moving so fast he won't have time to sit.

Guess I better go enjoy this precious sitting phase!

Birthdays Galore

This past Friday we celebrated the cutest 33 year-old I know!

How did I snag such a kind hearted, talented, amazing man?

We had the Schmid side of the family over for some birthday fun.

Will and Miss E share a birthday just days apart.

Benjamin made sure Miss E felt the bday love!

Miss E, Benjamin, and Geeb.

Benjamin loves his Geeb (and her shirt)!

Boots and Benjamin discussing cattle.

Benjamin can't wait to go help Boots with the cows.

Uncle Matt and Benjamin hanging out ready for some food.

A nice, relaxing food coma.

Hank had so much fun at the party!

Benjamin loves to hold Hank's hand/paw.

Best of friends.

The Red Balloon

I never knew a simple red balloon could be so hilarious!

It's All About the Part

Benjamin's hair is the part on his cute little body that I get the most comments about.

It's blond. It's thick. It's fluffy.

Oh yeah, it has a part.

Everyone always asks me if I comb it like this... my response, "have you met my husband?"

Two peas in a pod.

I walked in on this picture.

Daddy had a long day at work. Last week, we had a blast at Luke's 2nd birthday party!

Luke's Fan Club Someone missed the memo that birthday parties are FUN!

Benjamin's new trick: Turning his mobile on/off and changing the music with his feet through his sleep sack.

Reaching for his new favorite, peach puffs.

Precious picture of my little food lover. :)