My First Week Home

Whew! We've survived our first week with four kids! Actually since Matthew sleeps most of the day it has been a fairly smooth transition......so far. I even get to shower every few days which is always nice : ) The kids are loving their little brother (even Andrew!). In fact, Andrew loves him so much he wakes up 2 or 3 times a night to check on everything. Andrew waking+Matthew waking=no sleep for mommy and daddy. Thankfully we know that it's a phase and things will eventually get back to normal. I'd like to give a huge thanks to Dunkin Donuts for their coffee because without them Nathan and I would be in a coma. 

Here is one week old Matthew

Daddy's Boys

Andrew has always been pretty attached to Daddy but even more so since Matthew came home .  His first words in the morning are "Daddy work?"

Pistol Pete

See,  I told you he has no jealousy issues and is adjusting beautifully......

Welcome Matthew Ryan!!!

Matthew Ryan was born on Sunday February 5, 2012 at 1:18 PM.  He was 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 inches long.  Both mommy and baby are doing great and recovering nicely.  They are expected to come home at some point tomorrow.  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!  A special thanks to Grammy and Aunt Jen for helping out with the kids while Anna and I were away.  Thank you!

i have this same shot with all four of them - pretty awesome!

Tired little guy

 Awesome!!!

Kids were very excited to get to see him!  

 Andrew wasn't too sure how the Pats were going to do... 

or if he really liked his "big" present and having to share his birthday...

 this is Rachel and Jacob's first glimpse of Matthew - they were so excited!

 didn't know until afterwards that this was an illegal photo - 

hope that doesn't mean this kid will be breaking the law too...

 Momma and her four (count them!) kids!

 

Andrew thinks Matthew's, well, ok...

kids were just amazed by their baby brother

 The Queen and her court...

Rachel I can hold him too!

 Proud Grammy...

 and proud Mom and Dad!

Happy Birthday Andrew!!!

Well although Andrew's big 2nd birthday was filled with excitement, it wasn't exactly the excitement he was looking for - his baby brother stole the show and now he'll have to share the same birthday!  Thank goodness we celebrated his birthday a day early on Saturday with cake, ice cream and presents or else Anna and I would feel terrible!

We thought the kids should make the cake...

What a great job!!  though Andrew had his doubts...

Andrew, "Busssssss!"

You guys sing off key.

What?  your going to get me what?  Are you kidding?

Its wrapping paper!!  Just what I wanted!

hmmmmm.

Andrew, "Dan!".  

which to those of you not fluent in the language of Drew is "dinosaur"

we had a little trouble with the tricycle...

but Drew made out just fine!

Love my Boys!

Why do I love my boys so much? Because they do things like this......yes Jacob asks me almost everyday if he can vacuum. And do you know what my 8 month pregnant self says. ABSOLUTELY JACOB...and here is a list of other things you can do : ) Now if I can get him to clean toilets I'll be in Heaven. 

Please keep asking Jacob

Ok, so Andrew's isn't real but he's training

Go baby go!

My favorite part was when he finished this room he asked if he could do  upstairs. Ummmm.....of course!

Happy 7th Birthday Rachel!!!

Seven years, we can't believe how fast it came and went. It is amazing what we have learned, and continue to learn everyday from out little gal. She has a beautiful spirit, very sweet, extremely independent (Thank God, seeing as she'll have 3 younger siblings soon!), smart, and can be the most stubborn gal in the world. It has been so wonderful to see her excel in school and become a wonderful big sister to her two brothers. She has no idea how blessed Nathan and I feel to have her and how proud we are of who she is becoming. Keep up the good work Rachel! We love you, Happy Birthday!!!!

Strawberry Shortcake was the order for this birthday

Happy Birthday to You!

8 candles......7 +1 for Good Luck

What? It's just easier than cutting it. 

Our beautiful 7 year old!!

Party at Jumpzone!!

Happy Birthday from Jacob

Christmas

Christmas came and went so fast and was filled with loads of fun. All the kids were excited but Jacob took the cake in this department. Much like his father, he would sit in front of the tree, looking at the lights, making sure all the ornaments were hung just perfectly. Every day was a LONG day in December but it was so worth it when he saw that Santa had brought exactly what he wanted.....a wooden bat!  Rachel got in the Christmas spirit too and could hardly contain herself on Christmas morning. Andrew wasn't sure what to think!We were also so excited to have Grammy, Emmy, and Aunt Laurie with us for Christmas. It made it that much more special.

Christmas morning wa-hoo!!!!!

Hmmmmm Jake, what could it be? 

Santa has a deal with the Tooth Fairy every year to make sure the kiddies brush

Santa brought Rachel a Nintendo DS!! Exactly what she wanted!

Real catcher's gear.....even Andrew thinks this one is cool. I have to admit, this is a mother's nightmare as Jacob likes to "switch innings" a lot so we'll get it all on, he'll catch a few and then have to take it all off so he can bat....understand my pain? 

After Andrew opened these he had no interest in anything else!

Fits perfectly!

Thank you Aunt Jen for the GIANT BLUE CANDY CANE....it didn't get all over everything,  like our couch, and my two year old : )