1 Month Old!!

Yesterday was Violet's one month (4 week) birthday!! I can't believe she has been with us for 4 weeks already! It has really flown by!! I also feel like we've adjusted really well and settled into our new life as a family of 4:).

Normally I take her picture by the frog, like I always did with McCoy. BUT, while I was trying (and failing) to get her propped up just right, make sure her bow stayed in the right place, and snap a picture of her at the same time, I decided it was too much work! Also, Violet had a little spit-up mishap on her outfit so I feel like that was her way of telling me she wanted to shake things up;). So, I've decided to move the weekly picture taking into her chair by her adorable name pillow. Much better scenery for a sweet little girl:). But old habits die hard, so I've still got a pic with the frog to compare with McCoy's...couldn't help myself!!

4 weeks old!!

Eyes wide open!!

...and that's enought mom!!!

Violet is still a really good baby. We haven't had any long stretches of sleeping in the night, but I really can't complain since she's been so content. She still sleeps A LOT, though!! I'm enjoying being able to get things done, but would also love to have some more play time with her. And I think her big brother would too;)!! Oh and her favorite place to sleep is her swing. She loves it!! And at night, she sleeps in the bed with me:). She's still not a fan of the paci, even though I've tried. I just keep telling myself, if she never gets attached it's just one less thing we'll have to take away at some point. She still wears one preemie outfit and mostly newborn clothes. There are a couple 0-3 mth things that she can wear, but not much!! She's also still in the NB diapers. Such a little girl! It's still strange for me to look at her and think that McCoy was bigger than her when he was born!!! She makes lots of noises in her sleep and tends to grunt at night when she's trying to fall back to sleep. It's pretty cute to listen to. She loves to be held. Oh, and I have also gotten a couple of smiles out of her:)! Her first one was last Thursday and her second was yesterday. I think she might've just done it so I would get out of her face with my goofy grin;). No pictures yet, but I'm hoping she starts smiling more often soon. I love to watch her smiles in her sleep!

Both of my babies at 1 month!

McCoy is still doing really great with her. I get a little nervous because he wants to kiss or hug her all the time, but I love how much he loves her!! Since she's been born, I just feel like he's turning into such a big boy:). It has also really made me cherish my alone time with him so much more!! On Tuesday, McCoy started the summer MDO program. He was so excited to get back and see all his friends!!

Had to bring his baseball cap!!

Can you tell he's excited???

Loving the Pool!

Yesterday morning, we took McCoy to the pool to hopefully make a few more baby steps to him loving the water.
I knew it was a good sign when we walked in and McCoy's bestie, Zach, was already there swimming! They both started screaming when they saw each other and McCoy sat down on the ground by the pool to get his shoes off. Kirk had gone back to the car to get something, so I figured McCoy would wait for him before he got in. I also thought it would take a little bit of coaxing...but I was wrong!!! McCoy went right into the 2 1/2 foot pool all by himself! We were so excited!!
Once Kirk got in, McCoy was jumping off the side and going underwater!! This is HUGE for him!! We're still working on him getting in the big big pool and we're hoping in a month or so, we'll have him going down the slide!
I definitely think Zach being there was a big help! Zach and McCoy play together at church and at the gym and have just clicked!! I love watching those 2 play together!

Best Buddies

1,2,3...JUMP!

Crazy boys!

Daddy's Birthday!!

Yesterday was Kirk's 29th birthday! Kirk got to pick what he had for dinner and no surprise here, he wanted steaks on the grill. He didn't seem to mind that he had to cook his own birthday dinner and the steaks were delish!! We also had asparagus and baked potatoes. YUMMY!
After dinner, we had Shake's cake for dessert. It was the first time we had ever gotten a cake from there, and it was so good! McCoy really wanted it to be his birthday, so he helped Kirk open his presents and blow out his candles;).
We had such a fun night! Happy Birthday, Kirk! We love you so much and are so thankful that you are in our lives!!!

First Birthday as a daddy of two!!

Happy Birthday to you!!

Daddy needed a little help;)

And this is just a sweet pic I got of Violet yesterday. She was all decked out for daddy's birthday!!

She also had a "birthday" this week. She hit her 3 week mark on Tuesday!! So, we got her picture by Mr. Frog. I LOVE the outfit she had on, but when Kirk got home he kept calling her Olivia for Olivia Newton-John. He obviously is not as big of a fan of the leg warmers as I am;)!!

3 weeks

Father's Day

We had a fun and relaxing Father's Day weekend at our house. I really feel like we're getting used to having two kiddos at home and really enjoying it!
On Saturday morning, Kirk played golf with his dad and brothers and I took the kids to the pool all by myself!!! I have to say it went pretty well, but you will notice there are no pictures of that pool visit:). That afternoon, MeMe and Dig came over to watch McCoy play on the new slip-n-slide they got him. He had a big time showing them his mini waterpark in his backyard!!

Dig, McCoy, and Kirk

Kirk decided it had been way too long since Sophie had had a bath, so she got one...in McCoy's pool! No worries though. Kirk cleaned it out and put fresh water in as soon as she was done!

On Sunday, Kirk and McCoy went to church. We're not quite ready to brave taking Violet yet...hopefully next week! When they got home, we packed up lunches and headed for another day at the pool. McCoy has always been very cautious and he has to get used to the water every year. On Saturday, he got in the baby pool after about 10 min of being there and on Sunday, he was ready for the 2 1/2 ft pool, where he can still touch. I was so glad Kirk was there to get in with him and help him out.

Love my boys!

So proud of himself!

Violet slept through all the pool fun;)!

And of course, had to get a picture of daddy with his babies on Father's Day! We're all so thankful and blessed to have him in our lives. He is a wonderful father, husband, and friend. He is such a patient, hard-working man and I am so glad that McCoy and Violet have him as a role model! We love him so much!!!

Today Violet had a check-up at the pediatrician. She will be 3 weeks tomorrow. Everything went great at the appt. She weighs 7 lbs 2 oz and is 19.25 inches long. The dr was so happy with her weight gain!! She is in the 10th percentile for height and weight. Such a little princess!!!

2 Weeks Old

Yesterday marked Violet's 2 week birthday!! I started a tradition with McCoy of taking his picture in front of his frog the first few weeks and then I moved it to monthly. I want to do the same thing with Violet so I'll be able to compare. However, McCoy was in the mood to hold Violet for longer than 5 seconds and have his picture taken so I had to take advantage of that:).
Here are her 2 week pictures...

McCoy 3 1/2 and Violet 2 weeks

He LOVES his baby sister! MUAH!

McCoy at 2 weeks-Definitely going to need a pic of Miss Violet by herself so I can compare!

At 2 weeks, Violet has been an amazing baby! She is so content, nurses well, and has even started taking a bottle before bed. I introduced McCoy to a bottle early too, mainly because I wanted to make sure he would take one. I was a little nervous about Violet taking a bottle because she's not a huge fan of the paci, but she did great! It also helped her sleep a little better that night, which is always a plus for Mommy;)!! She's still a little bitty thing and wears preemie clothes. She has some newborn things that are a little big but they work! Violet is sleeping in the bed with me just like McCoy did. I know, I know but it's just easier and I love having her close! We've borrowed a sleep positioner from a friend so she has her own space and we're not nervous about her moving too much in the night. She has been a little bit more alert during the day but is still in the sleepy phase. She has her next dr's appt next week and I can't wait to see what she weighs!

Violet's first bottle!

And for a McCoy update... He is having a great summer and just loving playing outside all the time! His favorite things to do are play basketball, golf, and baseball. He also loves riding his bike and swinging in the backyard. He's really gotten into taking Kirk's IPod outside and listening to music while he eats his lunch or dinner or blows bubbles. His favorite song on the IPod is Chicken Fried by the Zac Brown Band. He knows every word and sings it LOUDLY!! I love listening to him:)!!

And what does the Little Princess do while we're outside...

She naps!!

Sweet girl! Love that face:)

Violet's favorite place to nap is in her stroller in the shade or in front of a fan we keep on our deck. She LOVES to be outside just as much as her big brother does;)

McCoy's Court

McCoy LOVES to play basketball and even though I know nothing about it, I think he's pretty good! He has had a Fisher Price goal for a while now. Several of our neighbors have real goals and he (and his daddy;)) have been checking them out. So, Pop told us to retire the Fisher Price and get him a big goal!!! He has been so excited! He went with us to get it on Sunday night and all he has talked about is daddy fixing his basketball goal!! It was a big job so Uncle Kyle came over to help and maybe shoot a few baskets too!
Kirk even drew out the lines of a basketball court on our driveway in sidewalk chalk and named it "McCoy's Court". I can't decide who is going to like it better, McCoy or Kirk!!

Retired! Poor goal...all taped up:(

Uncle Kyle and daddy working hard

All done! Ready to play!

Sweet boy :) Love his farmer's tan!

McCoy's Court

Since the basketball goal has been up, McCoy wakes up in the morning wanting to play basketball and goes to bed at night talking about playing in the morning! So glad he loves it!!!

Thanks for the goal Pop and Gigi!! And thank you for helping us put it together Uncle Kyle

Big Brother

I think my biggest worry right before Violet's arrival was that McCoy would have a hard time adjusting. But I am so thankful that he seems to be doing great! He has been an amazing big brother!!! The main thing I have to worry about is him giving all his kisses and hugs to Violet and not saving any for me;)!

He always wants to help out with diaper changes, feeding her, and giving her a paci (which she won't take but McCoy thinks all babies need one:)). He makes sure to give her a kiss when he wakes up and before he goes to bed at night. I LOVE watching him interact with her and love on her. Can't wait to see how their relationship grows!!

Here are some pics of McCoy and Violet and some with just McCoy enjoying his summer!

Kisses for Violet

Taking a break from baseball to love on his baby sister:)

So blessed! Love these 3!!!

Playing hard makes a little boy thirsty!

So happy!!

Muffins on the deck for breakfast

Helping dry Violet off after her sponge bath

First Dr's Visit

All dressed up and ready for her first outing

Friday morning Violet had her first well-child check-up at the pediatric clinic. It was her first big outing so she wanted to look her best;)! McCoy and Violet wanted to have a quick photo shoot before we left!

Sweet babies:)

Kisses!

Violet's check-up went great! She is down to 5 lbs 9 oz. So tiny!! I completely forgot to ask for percentages on weight and height but I will make sure to next time. I know at this point with McCoy he was in the 100th percentile for everything but I'm thinking that's not going to be the case for his little sister;)!

Here's just a pic of McCoy being silly with Gigi's glasses on...

Handsome boy!

Welcome to the World, Violet Kate!!

Violet Kate joined our family on Tuesday, May 31 at 12:20 pm. She weighed 6 lbs 1 oz and is 19 inches long.

I had a scheduled induction on Tuesday morning and apparently Violet was as ready to meet us as we were to meet her! She came so quickly that my epidural wasn't able to keep up, so it was a little crazy! But, so worth it!!

Last pic of Violet in my belly!

McCoy and mommy anxiously awaiting Baby Violet's arrival.

Love that little man:)

She's here! Love Dr. P! She delivered both McCoy and Violet!

My nurses, Mindy and Maria.

Maria was my nurse when I had McCoy! Kirk and I were thrilled to have her again!

McCoy meets Violet! He was so excited!

He loves her so much! Melts a mommy's heart!

New family of 4!!

(Hoping someone else has a better one on their camera....)

Kisses for Baby Violet! This was the first of many! Sweet boy!

Pop and Gigi

Dig and MeMe

Pop has been patiently waiting for 29 yrs for another little girl!!

After her bath. Apparently, she slept the whole time!!

My bestie, Leanne, came to visit and brought some great news! She is going to have her second baby boy in October!!! Can't wait to meet him!

Such a proud big brother!

Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jessica

A rare pic of Daddy and his baby girl! He was behind the camera most of the day

It's Wednesday and we're ready to head home!!

And here's where I admit I am a bad mommy:(. Violet had on the most gorgeous take home outfit and I did not get a good picture of her in it!!! She also had the sweetest bow to wear and it didn't fit her little head! I plan to put it on her again and do a reenactment;)!!

All dressed up and ready to go!

Not sure about her first carseat ride, but now she loves it!!

First night at home! All ready for bed!

Kirk and I are so thankful that Violet is here healthy and happy! We are beyond blessed that the Lord has chosen us to be parents to McCoy and Violet! Life is good!!!