Random October

I never like to take pregnancy pics, but would take some when I wore a shirt my sister gave me so I thought I'd include them occasionally for posterity purposes. 

I made frozen dinners a couple times with my sister Kristal. We wanted some more, but I was worried about Audrey coming early. Mike went and our friend Shane Hudson went with him. They were very popular. 

I bought this just in case Audrey came early. She didn't, but I'm still counting her as his gift for the next few years. ;)

Another "I don't fit into anything anymore" picture. :)

We took the kids to Classic Skating during a break. Amelia came with us. They had fun while Mike and I sat around and read books. 

I always get a kick out of watching Mike watch sports. He is able to yell so loud they hear his support. (or wrath)

It was decade day at the boy's school and my mind of course always goes to neon 80's. Steven mentioned grunge and I remembered my Jr High days of 90's grunge. (I was actually more gangsta, but still...)

Happy Halloween!

We had no idea when Audrey would make her grand entrance, so we visited Erik a week before Halloween. The kids each decorated a little pumpkin for him and we decorated a small one for Lilly as well.
 

The boys had a lot of fun gathering acorns from the grass and placing them on the road for cars to drive over. They would always slow down when they heard the sound of dozens of things cracking under their wheels. One couple walking past got after them and the grounds keepers asked them not to walk through the fence, even though a post has been loose for about a year.

This year Halloween kind of crept up on us. I've had most of our costumes for a while, but couldn't find a good cyborg costume for Mike and didn't end up making the extras for mine. Since Mike and the kids love Teen Titans Go I thought that would make a great theme. I bought the costumes only to find out later that none of the kids were very excited about it. I think the costumes might have been a little "young" for them. (I think they're growing up) :( Audrey was going to wear a cute Halloween onesie with tutu, but Sarah INSISTED she be a pumpkin. I gave in, and she was an adorable pumpkin.

Mike and I lined up on the side of the street to see the boys pass by in their elementary parade. It was pretty chilly.

Adam is a super sweet big brother and used his own money to buy Audrey this Minnie doll. 

Bienvenida Audrey!

Audrey Rose Starley made her grand entrance on October 26th at 12:43 AM. She weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs 7 oz and was 20.5 inches long. (I'll need to check head circumference) She was our biggest baby so far. Steven and Sarah were 7 lbs 8 oz and Adam was 8 lbs 1 oz.

I really love her chubby cheeks!

We didn't think I'd make it to my due date, but at my 35 week appt. Dr Colby offered to schedule an induction for me, so we chose October 25th. I'd be 39 weeks and a couple days. I kept waiting to go early, but it didn't happen. On the morning of the 25th I called the hospital at 6 AM as instructed. They said they were busy and to call back at 10 AM. I called at 10 was told to call back at noon. I called back at noon and was told they were still busy and I could call back at 4 if I wanted, but there were three women in front of me and none had been admitted. They let me know they'd call my Dr and see what he wanted to do. We decided to go to lunch and my good friend Jesica Miller, who was in town for a wedding, came to say hi. 

Steven had a dermatology appt at the hospital at 2:30, so before leaving I called them at 3 and asked if there was an update. They said they were still busy, but my Dr said he'd come in whenever they had room and they would call me. They called around 6 and asked if I could come in at 7:30. Since I've never been induced, we had no idea what to expect. I thought I'd go in at 7:30, be induced and have a baby in a few short hours. Apparently things are much more laid back during an induction than in a spontaneous birth. We arrived and sat in our room for around half an hour before the nurse came in. I was started on a fluid IV and my Dr came around 9 PM to say hi and then he broke my water and they started the Pitocin. About an hour later the anesthesiologist came in to give me my beloved epidural. My labor proceeded quickly and Audrey was born at 12:43 AM on Friday morning. We were immediately smitten. We left the kids at home, so Mike stayed with me for a little while and then went home to sleep. 

In the morning Mike brought the kids in to see her. They were all instantly in love, of course. She had been the answer to many, many prayers said by them. (and us) We had the nurse wait until the kids were there to give her a sponge bath so they could help. 

I love seeing Mike with our kids. He and Audrey took some nice naps together while the big kids were in school. He is a master baby snuggler. 

I hung out with Audrey while Mike transported kids and then his parents came to visit in the afternoon. They gave a heartfelt approval as well. 

The kids came back after school and hung out for the day. They were sad when it was time to go home.

On Saturday we wanted to go home bright and early, but we had to wait for Audrey's pediatrician's office and a wandering OB to give us the okay. The kids waited impatiently at home texting every few minutes. Mike and I relaxed and enjoyed baby snuggles.

The day after she was born I decided to do her first photo shoot. Yeah, I'm not a pro. Good thing she's a cute model.

Welcome to the world little princess!