The last few weeks

Can't believe it has almost been a month since Ally was born. Yes time is already flying by. I am finally starting to feel better, this c-section was a little tougher to recover from. I am still sore at times so trying to rest when I can. But spring is here and the weather has been great, we have been able to get outside a lot and take some walks. We even made it to the St Patrick's Day Parade last weekend. Ally is doing very well, sleeping lots, mostly during the day not as much at night. Matt is adjusting to being the big brother, he loves his little sister and tries to help. I couldn't decide which pictures to use so there are a lot of them. Enjoy.

Matt wanted Ally to have her bink if she needed it when she woke up

 Aunt Jill, Ally, Me, and Matt at the parade

 I just love the socks

 He is getting so big

 Matt has been picking out his own clothes in the morning... Mr. Independent

 Matt recently moved up at school to the big boy room. He is now potty trained. We are so proud of our little man. 

Introducing our newest addition

Brian was out of town in North Carolina from February 23rd to February 29th. I was off of work and trying my best to rest. My dad arrived on Tuesday February 28th and we were planning on hanging out for a few days before baby Ally was scheduled to come. However Ally had different plans (imagine that).

On Wednesday morning I woke up with slight spotting, I was scheduled to see the doctor for my 39 week check up so I packed my bags because I was nervous he was going to make me go to the hospital. Brian's flight got in at 8:30am and he headed to work to get some stuff done. My doctor's appointment went fine, spotting was normal and unless I had contractions I was okay. So my dad, Matt, and I headed to meet Brian for lunch. We enjoyed lunch and then came back home to put Matt down for a nap. Brian decided to take a shower and so I laid down to take a nap on the couch. I could finally breathe a sigh of relief that my hubby was home and Ally was still in my belly, well that sigh of relief happened at the same time that my water broke. I quickly got Brian and we headed to the hospital. I was starting to have contractions as well. When we got to the hospital and they realized that I had eaten lunch they told me we needed to wait a while until they would do a c-section. So they monitored me and got me all set-up. At 7:15pm I was prepped and ready to go. Our family was all here and waiting and baby Ally made her debut at 7:30pm. Everything went smoothly and mom and baby did great.

39 1/2 weeks pregnant, in the parking lot of the hospital

Big brother ready to go

Our last picture as a family of three

Allyson Marie Gardner

9 lbs 20.25 inches

7:30pm 2.29.12

My mom would have been so proud, Ally is named after my mom, Kim Marie.

Our first photo as a family of four

 Papa and YaYa Gardner  

My hubby and our kiddos

 Papa Soeder got to hold Ally right away. And has been such a big help with Matt these last few days. Thank Dad, I love you.

At the Hospital

We were in the hospital from Wednesday to Sunday to allow for me to recover a bit from the c-section. Matt was such a trouper since he spent most of his days playing in my hospital room with a crazy nap schedule and heading home at night without mommy and daddy. He did very well and loved showing off his baby sister when people came to visit.

Getting to hold Ally in our room

 Papa Soeder and Ally

 His baby sister is already wearing him out

 I just love his face in the photo... here are my three wonderful gifts from the Lord. I am truly blessed.

 Such a proud big brother

 Isn't it funny how most of these photos are taken in My hospital bed, but I am not in it. Every time I got up I think someone else jumped in. Apparently my boys needed a nap.

 Matt showing off Ally to Blake and Aiden

 Papa and YaYa Gardner

 My beautiful children

 So in love with them

 Our family of four

 Great Papa Brawley enjoying Ally

 Nana was in the same hospital as us and God allowed her to hang on so that she could hold her 12th great-grandchild. This was the last time Nana smiled and had her eyes open. She went to be with Jesus on Monday March 5th (on her 75th birthday). We love you Nana.

 Four generations... Nana, Nancy, Brian, Matt and Ally

 Our little angel