we've got another one year old: b-day celebrations for drew boy.

Can't really believe how quickly this first year of Drew's life has gone by.  He has grown up so fast, as everyone says kids tend to do.  :)

We had a very chill birthday celebration, we love being able to celebrate with family. My brother and sister-in-law and their kids came over during Drew's birthday weekend and we had pizza and cupcakes. It was really fun, our kids are getting so spoiled with their cousin time these past few months. We've got to try and get as much in as we can before they move again in a few more months.

Drew's reaction to being handed a whole cupcake was much less timid than Lee's. (who wouldn't even touch it, and finally, on the verge of tears finally took a piece from my mom...) Though he didn't seem to love the sprinkles.

 Lee and the cousins had the most fun opening Drew's gifts, though Drew loves his new things too. :)

Happy birthday to our sweet Drew boy!

the relatives came.

Can't believe it's already been a month since my family, or what's left of them at home, came to visit and meet baby Drew.
My Momma came for two weeks and it was ....heaven....

She even stashed some of my all-time favorite Dick's Bakery doughnuts in her carry-on for me.


As most children do, I can't help but see my Momma as one of the best I know.  She is SO good with kids, somehow manages to answer all my mom-hood questions, is such a good playmate for the boys and somehow manages to get an assortment of things done on the side.  And babies love her, she couldn't keep baby Drew from grinning at her. (yep, pretty jealous.)
 

Lee was so ridiculously happy having so much attention. (He'd just had two weeks with Kevin's mom too.)

Halfway through my mom's visit my Dad and two youngest brothers joined us too.  It was especially nice since David was just weeks away from leaving to serve an LDS mission in Oklahoma City. (he just flew into OKC today!) 

I love having my boys be able to spend time with such good uncles. They are both pretty big suckers for my babies too...which we are a-okay with around here. 

matty.

dave's favorite baby activity.

My Dad even got some baby Drew time in between my mom and brothers.

welcome to the world.

We welcomed baby ^Drew Michael^ to our world.

Born: June 29, 2013

Weight: 7 lbs. 4 ounces

Height: 20 inches

Baby Drew surprised us by coming a little over 2 weeks early and consequently, the morning after we moved into our house. 

Kevin was already on his way to go fishing early that Saturday morning before we attended the 9 am baptism of an incredible woman joining our church congregation.  I had to call him back when my water broke soon after he left.  After waiting to see if I was really in active labor for quite a while and finding someone to watch Lee boy, we got to the hospital a little before 9 am. Drew was born almost exactly 2 hours later. 

And as an added surprise, I got to have a natural birth. My epidural never caused any numbing or pain relief.  In fact they had removed the epidural and were about to do a spinal block instead when Drew decided he wasn’t going to wait for that. He didn’t even wait for the doctor to deliver him.  Without going into lots of detail, it was a horrible, horrible experience for me to have an unplanned natural birth.  Awful. 

But our miracle baby Drew is here and even now the exact feelings of my birthing experience are fading. (also a miracle)

Drew has been such a good baby, especially compared to how difficult Lee boy was. He eats well, sleeps well, and is generally happy.

Though, just this week he has officially cut back on his time in-between eating and seems to be experiencing pain after eating because he cries for usually about an hour, off and on, after eating.  Hopefully not a trend…

Also, Lee has been getting up ready for the day or just plain sobbing in the middle of the night too. Party at the McGuire house.  I tell you what.  But that’s all part of this stage of life I suppose and this post was not intended to be a rant session.  (another time…)

Mostly, we are thrilled to be a family of four and I am loving my house full of boys.