Andrew's Arrival

 Andrew Graham King has arrived! Our c-section was scheduled for Thursday morning, Dec 19 at 7:30 AM. Needless to say, I wasn't sleeping much the night before so I woke up easily at 2 am when I realized my water broke. We were very thankful that Grandmother and Granddaddy were already at our house and ready to take on the girls, so that we could head straight to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital around 2:30 AM and they rolled me right into Labor and Delivery.

 I was in active labor for about two hours and thankfully, Dr. Kennedy (a partner in the same group as my doctor, Dr. Laura Bishop) was willing to wake up and come on down for the c-section! I was very thankful to not have to wait too long.

 A few minutes before Andrew arrived...

 He officially came at 4:42 am.

 Here is one of my nurses holding up the big boy...nine pounds, fourteen ounces and 21" long. Everyone was surprised to see how big he was.

 Big man on campus

 The board in surgery noting Dr. Kennedy and friends.

 footprints

 I was able to hold him on our way back to the room. We were in and out of the OR in about 45 minutes.

 This was my main nurse, Cammie, in Labor and Delivery - very sweet!

 I was moved to Recovery right before 7 AM and Grandmother, Granddaddy and the girls came to visit later in the morning. Here, I am face timing with my mom so she could also see their reactions. They were very curious! Audrey was especially curious about the buttons my bed and why I had so many "band aids".

 Grandmother and Andrew

 Happy big sisters

 Granddaddy and Andrew

 Kathryn holding onto her bunny and was even willing to share it with her little brother!

 My friend Kate from MOPS came to visit on Friday.

 Proud Daddy

 update board in my recovery room

 It's officially our boy!

 Stephen and Jonathan Cook (our pastor and friend)

Benjamin Cook holding Andrew

We have had a good stay at the hospital. The nurses and staff have been really kind, and there is a nursery here that we can send the baby to at night. At our hospital in GA, there was only a nursery for the NICU babies, so we have been thankful to have some respite to sleep during those times when he is with the nurses. We are thankful to God for a healthy and beautiful baby - we have been blessed beyond our prayers.

December Events 2013

Kathryn at church with the poinsettia tree - this is a classic Kathryn face

Audrey at church

Ready to see Santa at GUMP

hugging at church

Making a gingerbread house with Daddy

Kathryn with Nativity at church

Our mantle with FIVE stockings this year!

a little crafting on Santa

Audrey loved Santa this year...no fear!

Listening to the Nativity story

December Christmas Play

Kathryn is the second of the right

 The girls have enjoyed coming to Bible study with me each week and participating in the kids' program. The teachers are incredible, and they get to do crafts, have a snack and hear a Bible story each week. Apparently, in September, when we started, the teachers started talking about having a Christmas play and Audrey immediately volunteered to be Mary. It has been one of the highlights of her year!

At one point, the teachers were concerned because she looked sad that her costume wasn't as flashy as the angels. They really talked up the importance of Mary's role. A few days later, when we were talking to Mimi and Pops on the phone, they asked about her role. She lifted her hands upward and said, "I am the Mother of God." Clearly, their point was heard!

Audrey as Mary behind the manger

Kathryn as the angel

Mother Mary

Thanksgiving 2013

 We have had a quiet Thanksgiving this year, given that baby boy is only a few short weeks away. He has been a bit of challenge towards the end, so we weren't too comfortable traveling far away. Thankfully, things have gotten a bit easier over the past week or so, making us able to make a few last minute preparations before he arrives! Many thanks for Grandmother and Granddaddy who took the girls to AL for several days while I was mostly on bedrest and to Mimi and Pops for coming to help out the next weekend while David traveled.

 One constant chore is leaf raking, of course, which the girls love "helping" with.

 Pops spent several hours in the yard, raking up the end of our front yard tree leaves.

We had a Thanksgiving banquet, as Audrey describes it, and the girls mostly ate cranberry sauce and peas.

Kathryn was thrilled with her fancy plate and the cloth napkins.

On Thanksgiving evening, we put up the Christmas tree which the girls thoroughly enjoyed. Audrey and Kathryn loved hanging up the ornaments.

Kathryn getting a lift from Daddy.

And, just to prove to baby boy, that we did take some pictures of him in the womb, here we are at 37 weeks. Almost there!! The girls are so excited.

Girl Time!

 My sweet friend, Amy, came to visit last weekend with her little girl, Claire, while David was out of town. Claire is turning four soon, so she, Audrey, and Kathryn had a great time running around together. Amy and I stood outside the bedroom listening to their conversations, and cracked up laughing. These girls are pretty humorous!

 Lots of fun running around outside

 Tag!

It was a purple day tea party! We had a great time. Thanks for coming to see us, Amy and Claire!

Fall Festival

 The girls were very excited about the Halloween festival at church this year. Audrey talked about the pink fire truck, snow cones and hot dogs that would be there for many days prior. Luckily, Mimi was in town for the weekend as well, so she joined in on the fun. Audrey wanted to be the tooth fairy.

 Kathryn wanted to be a princess, so she was Cinderella. And, she insisted that she was a "big Cinderella" not a "little Cinderella", like Audrey kept calling her.

 Audrey was having a very serious conversation with Pastor Stephen (his boys Jonathan and Benjamin are in the background). They tend to have profound things to say to each other on Sunday mornings. :)

 Kathryn checked out her loot several times throughout the event.

 See?

 They quickly got the hang of getting candy from each car.

 The motorcycle was fascinating.

 Kathryn loved this little tongue with candy under it.

 Very happy with their stash

Happy Halloween!