Summer Celebrations!

Hi, everyone!

Since I have a little bit of down time from the kidS (still feels strange to say that...), thought I'd share the latest on the Evans' household. 

As you all know, almost three weeks ago we welcomed our newest addition, Samuel Lee, to the outside world. What you may not know is my labor and delivery story with the little guy. 

I had heard that the second kid and thereafter usually come pretty quickly. Some say about half the labor and delivery time as your first. With Kylie, I labored at home for quite some time until the hospital finally admitted me 13 hours prior to delivery. With Sammy, I labored for a couple of hours at home, and then from the hospital parking lot to delivery---52 minutes! Folks, we joke, but we could've had a car baby!! Lol! 

Everything happened SO FAST! I had every intention of going the epidural route, again, but because I was dilating so quickly, my worst nightmare happened. I missed the window of any pain meds and was calmly told as I screamed bloody murder that I would have to deliver completely natural. I freaked out!! (Shane later told me that I was screaming in the triage room, "I'm not doing anything until I get an epidural!!!). 

After "checking in," the nurses rushed me into a delivery room, scrambled to find a doctor, and actually prepped for a nurse delivery. No OBGYN doctor could be found at the moment, so the house doctor had to assist for the 2 minutes of pushing. Sammy pretty much flew out of me, causing a bit of bruising to his sweet little face. However, he is as healthy as they come, thank goodness! 

I'm still in disbelief about the experience, and tell everyone that the speediness of it all is what truly got me through it. Would I do it again, willingly? Nope! But I admit that I'm glad I saw a different "light" of pregnancy and birth. Even moreso, I'm glad that Sammy is finally here!!!!

Born 7/17/2013 at 11:57 p.m. 8 lbs, 3 oz, 18.7 inches

Enjoying the first hour out of the womb together. 

The nurses apologized because they said usually they have the board semi-prepped. However, since there was no time, they filled it in for a picture. 

So happy to have our fourth family member join us! (And so happy to be done with the labor and delivery :)

Sammy's sweet little feet.

Dad's sweet pose with said feet. 

Sleep, sleep, sleep. Grow, grow, grow. 

Our very sweet (and patient ;) friend, Chelsie, took Kylie for the night while we welcomed Sammy. We were excited to reunite with our wild child the next day at the hospital so she could meet her baby brother, who she now calls "BaBa."

Our friends, Will and Ditte, were also sweet enough to swing by to meet the little guy. 

Once we settled in back home, Sammy and Daddy shared some quality bonding time. Love my men!

I'm thinking he looks like his Daddy. What do you think?

Thought I'd throw this bump picture in the mix. The morning of Sammy's arrival, after my 39 weeks doctor's appointment, we switched up our daily, neighborhood walk by exploring the grounds of the California State Capitol. 

Funny to think, around the same time the next day, I was holding the handsome guy in my arms. :) 

Kylie seems to be adjusting pretty well, or at least, better than expected. She LOVES giving him kisses, trying to pick him up (not quite there yet), helping out with diaper duty, giving him his binky and bottle, and just looking at him. However, she's been having a few more melt downs and wants to be picked up allllllll the time. I'd say we've got a wee case of jealousy going on, but I definitely think it could be worse. 

Even though we're still adjusting to taking the "Evans' circus" out in public, our local adventures still continue. The other weekend we checked out Beals Point at Folsom Lake, which is as close as we can get to a local "beach."

We also spend a lot of time in the backyard. Shane has created a "waterpark" for Kylie, as well as built her a sandbox. She LOVES running around with her Daddy, all while Sam and I hang in the shade. 

How the little guy spends most of his days. Gotta enjoy the quiet time before he's grows up as wild as his sissy. 

Kylie marking her (infant) territory. However, when she shares it with Sammy, she enjoys pushing him.

To aid in our "adventures" and much needed extra space, we said goodbye to Shane's Chrysler 300, and welcomed this ride into the fam. I can't believe we are minivan owners, as I NEVER thought you could pay me to be associated with one, but we're all in LOVE!

Body painting in the backyard. She looks thrilled, huh? 

Meanwhile, someone was keeping an eye on Mommy. :) 

Finally, this wonderful piece of paper showed up last week in the mail. It's official! I'm a school counselor (who needs a job.... :). 

Thanks to so many of you for checking in and providing so much love and support to our family (even if it's from a distance). We're really blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! And we feel really blessed to be at this stage of our lives. 

Take care and enjoy the rest of your summer!

-The Expanded Evans