Sweet Firsts

This weekend we went to Salado so Ryan could meet his Great-grandparents for the first time.  It was a whirlwind trip, but went surprisingly well.  I wasn't sure how Ryan would do, but as usual he surprised me!

Pop and his first great-grandSON! 

Karsyn also had a BIG first this week - she lost her FIRST tooth!  She worked for hours Monday night trying to get it out, but was too scared to pull it.  It was literally hanging by a thread, but she wouldn't let us pull it for her.  When I picked her up from school on Tuesday, she came running to the car to show me she pulled it herself!  She was so excited!

Notice her pink treasure box holding her tooth!

Christmas Day

The girls couldn't wait for Christmas morning!  Both were up several times during the night wanting to see what Santa had brought them.  After opening presents at home, we headed to Pops and Lolly's house for Christmas with them and Grandma.  After taking a nap, we headed to Meme and Papa's house for Christmas with all of the cousins.  It was a GREAT day!!!

Excited to see their presents!

Magic snow!! 

Ryan's presents from Santa - Diapers, PJs and Exersaucer
The girls got new robes, Paper Jamz guitars, movies and a new TV.

Mommy and Daddy gave the girls a new Barbie for each of them, clothes and a Justin Beiber toothbrush! Ha!  They were most excited about that.  :)

Ryan slept through presents.  Being 10 days old is hard work!

Sweet picture at Lolly's house

Christmas Part 4 - The Kirks

On December 23, we had our first official Christmas with Lamar's family.   They drove up on the 23rd and we had snacks, Mommy napped and then we had our traditional chili and tamales for dinner before presents.

Gigi and Ryan

Karsyn was the official Santa for the day.  She handed out everyone's presents and wanted to help everyone open too. 

Landrie was very involved with her iPod touch and not paying much attention to anything else going on.

They both got their "favorite gift" from Gigi and Grandpa.

Landrie got a singing Justin Beiber doll and Karsyn got a Doodle Bear.  Ryan spent most of the time asleep, but he did get a Cowboys football and a few other toys.

It was a great time, even though it was shorter than we liked. Normally, we get to see the rest of the Kirk family between Christmas and New Years, but with Ryan being so little we had to wait a little while longer. We are looking forward to introducing Ryan to the rest of the Kirk Krew soon!  

Christmas Part 3 - Hot Lava, Shannon's B-day and Easton's First Christmas

Justin, Shannon and Easton were headed to Shannon's parents' for Christmas, so we celebrated her birthday and Christmas with them on the 21st.   We ate dinner at the girls' favorite restaurant, Lava Grill AKA Hot Lava. 

We brought Karsyn's Flat Elf along.  She was supposed to take him along during the Christmas break and document her adventures.  He went to the hospital when Ryan was born, to visit Santa and to Lava Grill.

This was Easton's first Christmas too.  He loved the baseball toy we bought him, but I think he loved the paper most of all.  :)

The girls got coloring books, markers and fishing poles.  They can't wait to go to Meme's and start fishing this spring!

Aunt Janelle and Ryan

Sweet Cousins!

Christmas Part 2 - Visiting Santa

We went to visit a very special Santa when Ryan was 6 days old.  He is the grandfather of one of my parents' foster babies.  He has been the Santa at Willowbend Mall for several years, so we took the kids out there to meet him.  It was such a neat experience.  Mrs. Claus was waiting for us when we got there and kept checking on us in line.  The girls thought it was so neat that she knew them by name!  Both Santa and Mrs. Claus told us over and over how they had prayed for our family through the years and how special it was to meet us.  We can't wait to go back again next year!!


A few pictures at Lolly's before we went to the mall...the girls are such good BIG sisters!!

Talking with the Ice Princess before we met Santa

Mrs. Claus with the girls inside the Ice Castle.

My sweet babies with Santa

Christmas 2011 - Part 1

Christmas this year was unlike any other we've had.  We got the best present ever on December 15 when Ryan was born, so what could top that!!!

Sweet Ryan 3 days old - after his 1st bath

We still celebrated quite a bit though and had a great break.

Our first celebration was our 3rd Annual Tacky Christmas party with all of our aunts, uncles and cousins.  Every year it gets crazier and crazier!!  We all come up with the tackiest costumes, bring white elephant gifts and casseroles to share. 

The 3 newest babies asleep during our Tacky Christmas Party - Brooks, Ryan and Brody

The "Tacky" Kids

Top 3 Boys - Kyle, Justin & Sergio

Top 3 Girls - Kelly, Kyndra & Ellen

Coach with Ryan and Easton

Our Tacky Family Photo - Ryan is 3 days old

I'll have to post more later...I took over 300 pictures during our break!  Wow!

2 Week Check Up

Since my blog will end up being my "baby book" I wanted to update Ryan's stats from his appointment today.

Ryan had his 2 week check-up today at 19 days old.

He was 9 lbs. 11 oz (67%) and 22 inches (84%) - a BIG BOY!!  He gained over a pound since his last weight check at 4 days old. 

He's taking 3.5 oz of formula every 4 hours, except at bedtime when he wants an extra bottle after about 2 hours.  He wakes up once during the night around 2 or 3 and sleeps another 4 hours. 

Today was the first day that we were officially in a routine.  The girls went back to school today and we had a very smooth morning.  I just hope they all go that well! 

Here's a few pictures from this weekend through today.  I will eventually update with Christmas too!

My boys in their Polo for Uncle Kyle's wedding

Meme & Papa with Ryan, their 17th Great-grandchild

Family pic at the wedding

Relaxed little boy!

My sweet babies before school this morning

They each had to have a turn holding their brother