Sweet big sister, Ava.

My guys.

It's fun to see Shawn as a new Daddy all over again. He's so loving and sweet. Wanna kiss 'em both right now!

New baby Stryder.

Just a couple of days old here and still a puffy little pudgey guy.

Here's our boy!

Stryder T. Murphy was born on July 12th, 2008. Our little family is more complete and our hearts are fuller, a whopping 9 pounds and 14 ounces fuller! We labored with him for about a day and a half (half the labor of Ava's), and greeted him into our arms at 10:39 pm. He was born posterior (sunny-side up), in the water with no complications. We were able to see his sweet little face as he was coming out! We were only at the Birthing Center for 2 hours before he was born. He pretty much screamed like this the second he came out until we left for home 5 hours later. I was so pleased that Shawn was at my side for every minute and was pretty much my doula. He kept me very focused and relaxed resulting in a stress-free and virtually pain-free labor. My sister Kendra was there to act as my doula, but was left without someone to watch her little Sky-boy. She was still able to be a very loving and welcome support and also our photographer. All the thanks in the world to Gramma Jo for watching our little Ava during the labor and while we were away. An all around perfect and sweet experience.

Four weeks ago...

Shawn took this picture of me just an hour and a half before giving birth to our second child. We've been pretty busy with 2 little ones, so I finally have a good reason for my lack of posting.

Nursing a Badtz Maru pillow.

That's what she said she was doing. Then she said "just a minute", like that is what you say when you're busy nursing a Badtz Maru.

Shawn on Father's Day.

He's wearing a hat that says- I'm a Dad. Shawn points out that it doesn't say what kind of a Dad. But we all know that he's the best there is.

My girl is the bees knees.

One of the many fun things about having a child is seeing them put oversize stuff on their little round faces.

Funniest kid, ever!

She said "walk around with Mommy's shoes, backwards", while also making her funny face. She's a bruiser alright.

My girl loves blueberries.

Every night she wants to munch them frozen for desert. She calls it blueberry custard. Ever since The Pokey Little Puppy, everything is custard now.