Thanksgiving and other stuff

Here are a few (quite a few) pictures of our latest endeavors. After my mom left, Paul's parents were able to come out. The girls went shopping and to the park almost every day they were here. Wednesday before Thanksgiving, both sets of grandparents and a few of our siblings came out for Ewan's blessing on Thursday. Everyone stayed at a vacation rental home not too far from our apartment. It has a heated pool and a lot of space. We had a good time spending time with our families. We are so grateful for their love and support.

Ewan's Sunday outfit

Sunday afternoon naps



Ewan and Grandpa Jeff

Hugs and kisses from Aislee

Hugs and Kisses from Olivia






Swimming at the vacation house

Ewan and one of his many outfits.

Us

Uncle Matt, Grandpa Tim, Paul, Ewan, Grandpa Jeff, and Great Uncle Tony.

Our little family.

Aislee, Ewan and Olivia with Grandma Stacey and Grandpa Jeff.



Playing with the toys at the Air Museum.

We went to the Pima County Air Museum with my family.

I was folding laundry when Olivia found the dress she wore to church on Sunday. She had to have it on during FHE.

We are big fans of Mr. Potato Head. The girls walked around during Family Home Evening with glasses on.







Olivia likes to put his jacket on. It's a little snug, but it's cute.

Introducing Baby Boy Burkinshaw

We are pleased to announce the safe arrival of Ewan Jeffrey Burkinshaw! He entered this world at 3:14pm on Friday the 13th. He weighed in at 7 lbs and 2 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. Here are a few pictures.

Just leaving for the hospital

Moments after...




He's a blondie!




Getting ready to go home



Aislee giving him kissess


Olivia giving kisses

Here is the story...I went in for my appointment on Thursday and was dilated to a 4+ and 70% effaced. Dr. Decker decided to schedule an induction for the next morning. I went home and got ready. I was having contractions all night and all the next morning. We got to the hospital at 9:15am. I was all hooked up by 9:30. Dr. Decker checked me and broke my water at about 10. I was a 5+ and having contractions every 6 minutes. Around 45 minutes later I was a 6 with contractions every 5 mins. They put me on pitocin, and 45 minutes later I was 7 and getting ready for my epidural. It was wonderful! He did a really good job. At 1:30 the nurse checked me and I was ready. We had to wait until about 2:00 for the Dr. Decker to be done with a C-section. He had me push with the nurse while he was delivering another woman without an epidural. He was crowning soon after and they had me stop pushing to wait for Dr. Decker to come in. The nurse told me to breathe through contractions. He came in at 3:00 and had me push through three contractions. Ewan arrived at 3:14pm. Paul was a very good counter!

Happy Halloween!

This Halloween we dressed the girls up as Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat In The Hat. My oldest sister Megan did this costume a few years ago when her two oldest were little. I had seen it on-line a couple times and thought it might work for the girls. We ordered the red pajamas from amazon, pinned felt cut-outs with Thing 1 and Thing 2 written with a sharpy on them and used blue food coloring and hairspray for their hair (it came right out in the bathtub). Wednesday evening, we went to the ward party. We were hoping for best costumes, but a four year old who made his own costume won. Olivia was Thing 1 and Aislee was Thing 2. I have to admit, I was hoping I wouldn't have to go to the party, but Baby Boy Burkinshaw has yet to produce productive contractions. After the ward party, I was having contractions every 2 minutes for four hours. Since we only live five minutes from the hospital, Paul and I decided to go in and see what was going on. We had a friend come and sleep on the couch while we headed to Triage. They kept us there for an hour. The nurse said I was the only one there with consistent contractions and she expected me to be like at 4, but I was only at a two and not progressing fast enough for them to admit me. They gave me some Ambien and sent us home. They probably should have given Paul some too! I've just been having extremely uncomfortable ones that keep me up almost every night for the past two weeks. But, hey...I'm almost done with my book that I'd never get to read otherwise!

Aislee and Olivia (it's easier to get picture when they're contained!)

Olivia and Aislee

Paul trying to get them to look at me and smile

Olivia running for the camera

Hanging out in the van (we need to get some pictures of the new van, I know.)

Olivia

A very unhappy Thing 2

Another picture of the very unhappy Thing 2

Before the hair spray

Dolls, dogs, and visitors

My mom brought a doll down for the girls. Olivia has become very fond of it and carries it around every time she finds it. She pats and gives him kisses. She has also become quite attached to the dog Uncle Court gave the girls. She makes "whoof-whoof" noises and carries him around. She has to have both in the crib for naps. Aislee will hold whichever toy Olivia is not holding.

Yes, we are in the climbing stage. They can get from the chairs to the table pretty quickly. When we're not eating, the chairs are on top of the table.

They use their toy bins as steps to get to the TV stand. Aislee has learned how to turn the TV on and off. Luckily for Paul, she doesn't turn off ESPN.

Aislee is texting Daddy. This is an old phone that has made its way into the toy bin, along with many other random household items; tupperware, an empty sour cream container, an old mouse, a water bottle...

My parents and the four youngest boys spent a week in Mexico. They stopped by our house on their way down and back. The girls warmed up to the boys pretty quickly. Court is letting them crawl all over him.

Uncle Kett and the girls became instant buddies. He was a good helper while I was "taking it easy". He even changed a few diapers!

Leftover lunch (mac 'n cheese and green beans)

Olivia on the bouncer with her baby. The bouncer has become more popular lately because they can bounce themselves.

I usually tip the bins over so they can't crawl in them and tip them over onto themselves. Now they like to climb on the bins. Olivia is making elephant noises.