January 29: My Family Meets Stella!!

Saturday morning we started out the day by showing our house to prospective tenants.  Starla and Lindsey took Gavin out so Jason and I could show the house while Stella slept.  The couple seemed to really like the place, but we haven't heard anything back from them.  After the showing, we met up with Starla, Lindsey, and Gavin at Cracker Barrell for breakfast.  It was really nice getting out of the house and having a great meal!  I was hoping they still had their sweet potato pancakes, but I guess thats a seasonal item so I ended up with the french toast.  We headed back home afterwards knowing that my family was on the way and would be there soon!  

Gavin was so excited when they arrived!  He was ready to show off his baby sister and to have Reagan and Ella to play with over the weekend.  As always, my mom showed up with a box of goodies for the kids - a personalized blanket for each (Gavin's is baseball and Stella's has birds on it), coordinating Valentines day outfits that are TOO cute (Gavin's has a black lab), lots of baseball stuff for Gavin, and some outfits and an ADORABLE hat for Stella.  The hat prompted a photo shoot of Stella!  Kaylee and I tackled that project together and it was a lot of fun.  (I'll get those pictures uploaded in a post of their own later!)

While we worked on the photos, everyone else worked on making a gingerbread/candy train.  I think all the kids did more eating then playing!  They all ended up going for a walk to the neighborhood park to burn off some of the sugar while I stayed back and fed Stella.  

When they got back we loaded up and drove to Houlihans for dinner and then went next door to swim at their hotel pool.  Gavin had a blast in the water and quickly fell asleep on our drive back home!

Here are the photos of day #1 with my family:

Figuring out how to get the train together

Aunt Kaylee meets Stella

Pretty Ella

Reagan was pretty excited about the train making process.

While Gavin was just interested in the icing/candy consumption!

How many people does it take to make a gingerbread train?

Stella in her new stylish hat!

Reagan and Ella love on Stella.

It's apparently a tiresome job being a Papaw!

Pool time!

When Michael was given the choice of a shower or the pool, he quickly chose pool time!  Though I'm not sure he ever left those steps or the wall!

Jason throwing Reagan in the air!

No fear!

Neena, Stella, and I watched from the sidelines :)

On the ride home, both kids were knocked out!

Jan 28th: Just Hangin' Out

Daddy and Buddy LOVE Stella

So fresh and clean!

Sleepy time!

Starla made a yummy dinner - bacon wrapped chicken, roasted red potatoes, and broccoli!

Love floor time with my two kids

He loves his farm animals puzzle

She looks so tiny in Gavin's old bouncy seat

January 27th

Yesterday morning started out early with a visit from Jason's great aunt Jackie.  She was so excited to meet her great great niece!  Excuse our appearance in the pictures, we clearly aren't morning people!!  Jackie brought over the sweetest gifts for the kids.  Gavin got a set of CARS pajamas (he love them) and a project to paint.  He had to get started on it as soon as Jackie left!  Lindsey helped him paint and they had a great time being creative!  I think Lindsey may have even painted a picture or two ;)  

Stella meeting her great great aunt Jackie

"I love daddy" and "I love mommy" gifts for Stella from Jackie - so cute!

This blanket was my favorite - soooo soft!

Jason loves his baby girl

Getting started on his project

Getting really creative now!

Loving my kiddos

Mommy and Stella

He loves to have her lay next to him!

Later in the day Jason took Gavin to go to the gym for a couple hours so he could work out, Gavin could play with his friends, and then they could play basketball together.   Gavin LOVES gym time with daddy!  Us gals took advantage of the boys being gone - I fed Stella then we went across the street for pedicures and eye brow waxes!  I've been super sore all over, especially in my back, so sitting in the massage chairs was a nice treat as I got my legs and feet rubbed!  Stella slept through the adventure.  She was so cute in her little zip up hoodie!  I was glad to have TWO helpers, since I can't drive OR lift Stella while in her carseat.  I'll be so glad when my restrictions are up!

Ready for her first adventure

Love her jacket ;)

First spa experience with mommy, gammy, and aunt lindsey

Gavin enjoyed helping me get Stella ready for bed later in the evening.  We got her jammies on and swaddled her up, then he read her some of his favorite stories.  Stella and I walked Gavin to bed - he was such a big boy getting in bed all by himself, understanding that mommy has a "boo-boo" and can't bend over to help much.  He kissed his mommy and little sister and told us goodnight!  It wasn't much longer before Stella and I were off to bed ourselves!

Almost bedtime

Reading her his boat book

Reading "Going on a Bear Hunt"

After the c-section, Starla went out and found us this awesome pack 'n play to set up in our room.  We knew I'd be unable to do any bending so this changing table/sleeper combo set is just what the doctor ordered!  

Night night, Stella!

Playing with Little Buddy

Today we got out and went to Fresh Market to pick out a few good dinners for the week.  We got brisket, steaks, sweet potatoes, bread, some granola, and a few other good things.  We also went and had lunch at Olive Garden.  It was really good!  When we got back home we spent the rest of the day relaxing.  Gavin had a good time playing with LT and then we spent a good amount of time playing in Gavin's room.  He likes his train table much better when someone is in there being creative with him!  We know he's not going to be the "only" for much longer, so I really soaked up the time playing one on one with him in his room!

Contractions continued today, but no more progress...

While I was at the hospital last night, Starla and Gavin went to Kroger.  They walked in and Gavin said "I need to get my mommy flowers."  HOW SWEET!  So, he picked out these pretty pink ones!

Flowers from my baby boy

Looking at a picture of Jason when he was a little boy.

Putting his slippers on by himself.

Using his drawer as a chair!