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Week 1!!!

Week 1....

Hmmmm.....Week 1!  I have VERY few pictures to choose from...I saw this one and laughed - yep this one will definitely do the trick!
Lyla watching TV, eating goldfish crackers for dinner, diaper less...okay completely nude but still sporting bracelets,  hair a stinky dirty matted mess, last bath questionable, hoping she doesn't poop on the couch and thinking if she does that I'll pay whatever amount to have it cleaned...BUT best of all she is OVERJOYED that she is getting away with all the above and more!!!!

Summary of week 1:
Our family is gone!  We find ourselves in our home...just the 4 of us!!!  Thankfully Michael had the entire week off.  We kept Lyla in daycare so every morning Michael would take her into daycare and then right back to bed with Jack and I.   We spent the entire week in bed!!!!  We slept, cuddled and loved on Jack, watched TV, ordered in food, slept some more, stared at Jack some more, spoke about the fact that "We have 2 kids" and enjoyed bonding and getting to know Jack. 

After our days spent in bed with Jack we switched gears by picking up Lyla. We tried to keep her evening routine as normal as possible but we quickly realized A LOT had changed.  So we began to break all of our rules...evident by the above photo...and thinking to ourselves "We'll get things back on track in a few weeks." Sure we didn't divert from Lyla's daytime routine and kept things "normal" by keeping her in daycare BUT you best bet Lyla realized that there was someone else getting ALOT of attention.  It's laughable to think that "If we keep Lyla on her routine that she will adjust easier." We quickly realized that Lyla was in the beginning stages of her adjustment period.  Week 1 ended up being about hugs and cuddling big and small or shall I say young and grown.  Lots of hugs and cuddles got us ALL through this week! 

Week 2 coming right up!  Let's just say hugs and cuddles only get you so far...

A special gift for Lyla!

Lots of catching up to do...so here we go!
 
Before Jack's arrival we wanted to get Lyla a special gift to make her feel extra loved...okay really it was hopefully going to be a distraction.  Grandma & DD sure did hit the jackpot...here is DD presenting Lyla with her "special" gift!  Yep we were trying to butter her up just a tad before bringing Jack home! 


We'll call this look "Is that for me?"

And this look "Oh I think it is"

Lyla gave us the best reaction "Ewwwww, Wow"

DD of course taking the opportunity to assist and take her on her first spin... 

 And they're off...

 Weeeee.......

I think our plan worked! 

Just because this is too sweet....

Our first family of 4 walk: 

Thank you Grandma & DD for my super duper cool tricycle! I LOVE it!

XOXO,

Lyla

Welcome Jack Michael Austin!

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

6:05pm
9lbs 12oz
20inches

And we're back!  Welcome to FOUR Austins - officially. 

  

It's been a month since Jack's arrival - WOW 1 month.  We are "starting" to get the hang of life as "The Austin Party of 4!  Looking back at the past month...it is very foggy.  I wish I could have found the time, brain-power and energy to document the good AND bad days but unfortunately that did not happen.  And I am going to do myself a favor and not even attempt to explain the emotions behind this past month - I would fail miserably so thank goodness for pictures....pictures that captured those moments that I don't recall.  A HUGE HUGE thank you to my sister for capturing the birth of Jack.  This entire post is courtesy of my sister's camera and her ability to capture those perfect moments! 

Before getting to the good stuff I must first explain the reason behind the name - Jack!   

Jack is my pal-paw's name.  Pal-paw is my dad's dad.  Pal-paw left this world too early and therefore I was left with only 1 photo of him holding me at the age of 2 and lots of fabulous stories.  If I could "wish upon a star" it would be to meet my pal-paw.  I have always had this feeling that we would have had a very special relationship.   That coupled with Michael's unique & loving relationship with Nana (pal-paw's wife & bestfriend, my grandma) we both knew for a very long time that if we were blessed with a son that we would carry on both their memories by naming our lil' man - Jack!  So with that please welcome:

Jack Michael Austin

I've got ahead of myself so allow me to rewind and provide some of the details leading up to this day.

I'll spare everyone the pity party and long-winded (no time for that at the moment) and summarize by saying I spent almost 2 weeks trapped in the house and bedridden.  Several times a day I thought "This is it"!  Oh yeah 2 weeks of pre-labor - I never want to relive that again!

So I made it to my induction day...finally.  I was admitted around 7:30am, pitocin drip by 8:30am, water broke at 11:30am, epidural by 1:00pm...and extra epidural cocktail around 3:00pm (oh yea feeling good now).  I was progressing nicely.  A few hours later everyone (Michael, sister, grandma & DD) decided to go for dinner/bathroom break.  Around 6:00pm the doctor came into check me and said "You better call anyone you want here, this baby is coming quick."  Ever so calmly I started calling everyone and thinking I'd be pushing for at least an hour or 2 (as with Lyla...I pushed for almost 3).  A little stroke of panic struck when no one answered their phones - haha - of course!  But wouldn't you know after calling everyone guess who answered their phone....DD!!!  The last person I called thinking he would be the last person to answer - haha!  After a slight panic call to Michael...he made it back to the room in time for the 1st push and the doctor saying "Don't push, don't sneeze, don't cough - the babies head is out".  At this moment everyone else walked in to much amazement.  I recall saying "Am I pushing, I don't feel anything" and hearing everyone respond "Oh yeah keep going he is almost out".  4 pushes later Jack arrived!!

WHAT....did I really just push a baby out in 5 pushes...is that possible!!!!  I then quickly reminded myself that I deserved a quick painless labor given the 2 weeks of pure HELL leading up to this moment. 

Then the feeling of relief rushed over me as everyone appeared to be in good health and being so relieved that Jack would soon be in my arms. I was actually in a bit of shock...Jack was really here...it all happened a little too quick!!!!

 

Thank YOU Sissy for capturing these special moments!!! LOVE YOU DEARLY!!!

This one still brings tears to my eyes!!!

 

Wait...have I really made it this far without any emphasis on Jack weighing in at 9 POUNDS 12 OUNCES!!!  I think I have the right to round up...so I will say I pushed out a 10 POUND baby in 5 pushes - what WHAT!!  Or more like HOLY SH*T - excuse my language but seriously that is CRAZY!!!! 

An inside joke below  - okay I'll expand.  Yes I am "that person" that watches everything they eat while pregnant.  That means no lunch meat for 9 months which is by far the hardest thing (even over a glass of Merlot) for me to give up.  After Lyla was born they brought me the best turkey sandwich I have ever eaten...so you better bet one of the 1st questions asked when admitted was "Will you please have a turkey sandwich on call once my baby arrives."  Nurse Maggie delivered!!  Don't fret I did hold Jack 1st...the turkey sandwich did come 2nd to him!   

So there you have it...our birth story.  It goes to show that EVERY pregnancy and EVERY delivery is SO different.  No double blood transfusion this time, no hemorrhaging, my uterus hardened beautifully.  What a relief!!  Everyone is healthy - we are so fortunate!!! 

Next up - The VERY important introduction!  Lyla meets Jack for the 1st time.....

No I am not texting during this very special moment - I am trying to take a picture of Lyla's reaction on my phone :)

Here's the live footage I was taking in the above photos:

I will expand in later posts about Lyla's transition to a Big Sister.  She has had a rough time adjusting to so much change..more to come on that soon!!!

Josie on the other hand was thrilled to meet her new cousin. 

Check out:

http://threeschneiders.blogspot.com/2010/09/three-schneider-four-austins.html

for The Three Schneiders (and counting) perspective!!!!

Lyla and Josie had a very VERY special weekend.  One I was so sad to miss but one that brought so much happiness.  You must check out the link provided above...it is sure to please!!!!

Another HUGE thank YOU to Uncle Lou Lou!  He pulled out all stops to make sure Lyla was happy.  He provided Lyla the perfect amount of activities, food, reassurance, love and comfort to very confusing weekend.  Starting with neither mommy or daddy picking her up from daycare.  The poor thing was happy but confused when she saw Uncle Lou Lou and Josie at Kindercare.  With Uncle Lou Lou's love and Josie's sweet self - crisis diverted.  Thank YOU!!! 

And it goes without saying that Jack's arrival would not have been complete without Grandma & DD's presence.  Check out the proud grand-parents in awe over their GrandSON!!!!

Welcome home baby Jack!

And the real journey begins here....I'll put it like this. 

Jack & Lyla were not the only ones crapping their pants!!!! 

Just the 3 of us....but not for long!!!

Double click to view larger...

Tea time - like you've never seen before!

Casual Backyard BBQ Shower!

We have the best friends that we think of as family. 
This past weekend "The Crew" out did themselves.  They truly know me...they threw Baby Boy the perfect "Casual" Backyard BBQ shower...right up my alley!!!! 

So the story goes...we pulled up to The Garland house to find a STATE flag blowing in the wind.  Michael commenting of course and me thinking "Wow Ty, you're overly excited about football season".

I walked in and had an "ah-ha" moment.  Check out his amazing cake. 

And the delicious spread....um yummy!  I was in pregnancy food heaven.  All my favorites.  Michelle's corn, KC's mac&cheese, dip, burgers and desserts galore!!!!

We had to do it - we cut the amazing cake - DELICIOUS!  Red velvet, raspberry cream filled - need I say more!!!!

The day was spent being entertained by the kids and laughing with friends!!!

The big kids teaching Lyla - Ring around the Rosie. 

Why is Lyla the only one standing?  Hilarious!!!!

Okay let's try this again....

Ashes, Ashes we all fall down....

That a girl Lyla :)

And the live footage. 

How sweet is Reese helping Lyla up at the end!!!!  The entire day Lyla was off with the big kids.  The times I saw her she was either holding someones hand or holding her own - oh yeah Lyla can definitely keep up with the Big Kids - there is no doubting that!!!!

A little mid-day Yo Gabba Gabba session....

Some boy talk....

Reese lost her 1st tooth - check out that glorious smile!!!

James walked into the bathroom to find all the kids in there - he walked right out and went on a hunt to find TY - 6 kids in a bathroom - red flag red flag!   Hilarious story that should have been captured on video too! 

The lil' ones that will soon be running around!!! Girls, girls, girls....let's just say Kaden and Tyson are happy to have another Boy coming into the world!   

Hello Alle!

Hello Jaida!

Hello Sofia!

I did not leave this chair ALL DAY! 

 The girls not only spoiled me rotten by bringing me drinks, food, cake but the ever-so-cute gifts concluded the perfect day!!!

If only she knew she was opening gifts for her brother - of course she thought everything was for her! 

As grandma said, "She's got her daddy's grin."  Haha!!!

Saying Thank You doesn't seem like enough!  "The Crew"  you are family to us and we hope you know how much we appreciate each one of you!!!!  MUAW!!!!!