Doughnuts & Dinosaurs

Last Saturday we went to the zoo with our friends Nate & Laura and their daughter Leyla. The zoo was hosting a special event for members to launch their new dinosaur exhibit. The weather was beautiful, it wasn't too crowded and they had Krispy Kreme doughnuts for everyone:-)

If you can't tell, Audrey is OBSESSED with Leyla and was pretty excited about spending the morning with her.

Breakfast of champions!

Riding the train- this was the only decent shot I got of them.

Check out the dino behind us.

Road Trip

Some people think I am crazy and I very well could be...why you ask? I decided to take a road trip to Houston with an almost 3 year old and a 4 week old. My Aunt and cousin were in town for the NCAA tournament and since they live in New Jersey I couldn't pass up a chance to see them. We all stayed at my parents house and it was awesome to have extra hands to help out with the girls. With the exception of Madeleine's first blow out, explosive diaper (yuck!) the girls were amazing on the ride down there and home. I am a lucky Mom. We had so much fun and there were visitors non-stop all 5 days but it was great to catch up with old friends and neighbors.

Audrey and Big Guy taking the 1st swim of the year. Audrey is one stylish swimmer. This child is a fish...it took everything to get her out of the water everyday.

My cousin Christina and Audrey. Christina was AMAZING with Audrey- she played with her, entertained her and even put up with Audrey bossing her around.

Audrey and Lexi enjoying one of my sweet friend Cristina's incredible cookies. Seriously, I dream about her baking. Cristina and I have been friends since 3rd grade and I love getting to see her and her beautiful little girl.

This is how Big Guy and Madeleine spent most of the evenings. I think they both look pretty content;-)

Movie Time

Christina, Madeleine and Flower ( the build a bear that she and Audrey made for Madeleine- so cute!)

My sweet girls!

First few days...

A glimpse at the first week or two of our life as a family of 4. I was very lucky to have lots of help. Cory stayed home several days the first week, my Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law came down the first weekend we were home and my Mom came the following week. Big Guy (my Dad) came up the following weekend and worked so hard entertaining the girls AND cleaning up for flower beds! THANK YOU to everyone for all of your help!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

New born pics

My wonderful friend Kirsi Ingram took Madeleine's new born pictures. Here are a few of my favorites. She is wonderful!!! Check out her website at www.kirsiingramphotog.com for more of her work.

She's Here!

Madeleine Elise turned 5 weeks old today so I thought it was time to post some of the pics from her unexpected yet very joyful arrival. My due date was March 24th but things happened much sooner then that. Saturday March 5th was a very quiet, low key day around the Shoemake house. My feet were incredibly swollen after a long week at work so we watched a few movies, napped, read and simply enjoyed some down time. Someone was preparing us...:-) At 11:30 that night my water broke- an all together weird experience. We woke up Audrey and finished packing our bags. We dropped Audrey off at her babysitter after explaining that she was going to a slumber party, which she seemed pretty excited about. Then we headed to the hospital. After we arrived and checked in we discovered that I was 4 cm dilated- not too much of a surprise. At my appointment earlier in the week I was 3cm but didn't think much of it. My labor progressed quickly and Miss Madeleine arrived at 5:30 am weighing in at 6lb 3oz and 20 inches. Just like with her big sister, labor and delivery were 6 hours start to finish and I did have an epidural with both. I have to say that both experiences were relatively painless and I am grateful that they were both quick.

Shortly after checking in...since it was the middle of the night we pretty much had the place to our selves.

Our sweet baby girl

Proof of her birth weight...by the next night she weighed 6 lbs 15 oz!!! The Pediatrician was convinced someone had measured wrong.

Audrey meeting her little sister for the first time.

First family picture

Test 2

Final weeks as a Family of 3

Okay, so I had every intention of posting these pics from Valentine's day and after BEFORE our sweet little Madeleine arrived...however she decided to make her appearance 2 1/2 weeks early and I am not great about updating the blog in the first place. So, before I post pictures of our newest family member I will share these last few days/ weeks as a family of 3.

Audrey and Daddy frosting our valentine cupcakes. Daddy is a pro froster and Audrey was in charge of sprinkles. Mom took care of the taste testing;-)

Happy girl now that she finally got to have a cupcake!

We had a picnic at the Ft. Worth Botanic gardens. It was a beautiful day for mid February.

Audrey was obsessed with the fountain and it took everything to keep her out of the water.

Making Valentine cards for Daddy. Audrey loves to "tolor" (color) and play with stickers these days.

2 months shy of her 3rd birthday and she FINALLY has enough hair for a haircut! We were so busy with the video recorder that we didn't take any pictures of it. But here is one right after. Not sure what that face is all about!

Check out those curls. Her hair has grown so much since then. I love her beautiful red curls!!!!

"Helping" Daddy rake leaves. This child LOVES the outdoors...leaves, dirt, flowers. She is in heaven when she's outside.

Where's Audrey????

Exactly one week before we became a family of 4.

I definetly don't miss being pregnant. But I was getting more sleep then...