Another Year & One More Pumpkin Added To The Patch - Halloween 2014

How is it already November!?! I cannot believe October has come and gone and it's about to be Thanksgiving and then Christmas! I'm a little late with my Halloween post, but it's because all of my spare time is spent holding my precious baby girl...and I wouldn't change a thing about it. I'd actually be telling a story if I said I wasn't holding her as I type this with one hand.

This year Tia and I took the kids on Halloween to the pumpkin patch. It seemed like just yesterday we were taking the kids with the newest addition Violet Tate and now with Delaney, we have one more little pumpkin added to the patch. Every year it gets a little harder to take pictures, but the memories and fun that the kids have makes it all worth while.

Sisters - 2014

 Ashton & Kaylyn - 2013

2014

Sam & Ashton - 2013

2014

All of the kids - 2013

2014

With Delaney...our newest little pumpkin.

Violet Tate

  

Me & My Girls

Tia, Sam and Violet Tate

I love the silly look on Sam's face and the way Ashton is looking at him. These two are the cutest!

Aunt Tia and Delaney

After the pumpkin patch, we headed home, let the girls change clothes and then left for the Vernon's annual Halloween party.

Kaylyn was a nerd, Ashton was Sleeping Beauty, Trey was a monkey (he did not lose a bet...he's had this costume since July) and Delaney was a banana.

Daddy & Delaney

Sweet Scarlett Kate

The older girls went on their own again this year, so this is the last picture that I have of Kaylyn.

The Older Girls

Savannah remembered exactly what to do from last year...

Evan was the cutest little shark.

Just like last year, it took Ashton a little while to get into it, but once she did, she loved it.

  

Beautiful Girl

Once we got home, I needed a picture of Delaney, but she wasn't having it...

Ashton needed some candy to end the night and decided on a WarHead. She realized pretty quickly that she didn't like it.

Sometimes you have to let your kids learn on their own...

Until next year...Happy Halloween!

Delaney Lou Dirks - October 17, 2014

Yesterday was two weeks since we went from a family of four to a family of five with the arrival of our precious little angel Delaney Lou Dirks.

On that Friday at 38 weeks pregnant (I had Kaylyn and Ashton at 38 weeks 4 days) I was more than ready to meet our baby girl and the fact that my doctor, Dr. Dixon would be the one to deliver her was the icing on the cake! He has been through everything with me this past year and so good to both Trey and I and the girls. He truly is heaven sent.

The last belly picture. This was taken the day before at 37 weeks and 6 days.

Jaclyn, me, baby Elli and Amanda

Delaney's Birth Day - October 17, 2014

When Dr. Dixon decided to keep me, we called to let our parents know and began to settle into our room where we would soon meet our baby girl. 

Even though we were ready, I don't think either of us could believe it was actually happening...

Having contractions, but not feeling them is the best thing ever! I was so excited that I got my epidural this time.

My dad was going to be with the girls and was on pins and needles waiting for the call. He and the girls couldn't wait to get to the hospital.

Our last picture as a family of four...

My nurse Kendra was great at making sure that I was comfortable and everyone else was too.

Kaylyn was so excited!

Just a few hours later at 7:52 pm, Delaney made her arrival weighing 6lbs 14oz and was 19 1/4 inches long.

Daddy got to cut the umbilical cord twice.

I felt like I had waited forever for this moment and I couldn't have been happier!

Mommy & Delaney

Daddy & Delaney

 For months leading up to her arrival, we told the girls that they could be the first ones to meet and see Delaney. When Trey brought them in the room, they were so excited and in love right away. We had all waited so long for this moment and these pictures are some of my favorite! The looks on the faces of Kaylyn and Ashton are ones that will forever be etched in my mind.

Be still my heart!

Sisters!

Kaylyn & Delaney - 10/17/14

Kaylyn & Ashton - 08/30/10

After some time with just Trey and I and the girls, we let our parents come in to meet their new granddaughter.

  

Then it was time to see how big (or not so big) our sweet girl was...

Daddy & his girls!

  Footprints

Kaylyn got to put on Delaney's first diaper.

After everyone left for the night and I had some more snuggle time with her, it was time for Delaney's first bath.

She was not thrilled about it...

But then her daddy was there to hold her hand...

Day 2

I made Trey wake up in the middle of the night to take this picture because of how much she looked like Ashton to me.

Delaney and I with Dr. Dixon

Me & My Girls

PawPaw with all of his girls.

  

PawPaw and Kaylyn picked out this bunny for Delaney.

Every pretty girl needs a cute headband!

Boppa and Delaney

Delaney's Going Home Day - October 19, 2014

On this same day 17 years ago in 1997, my Granny, Mary Lou Richter who Delaney is named after went home to be with the Lord in Heaven. Delaney is such a sweet reminder of the gift of life that we've been given. 

PawPaw got Delaney her precious going home outfit. It was a preemie and still too big.

  

After less than 48 hours, we were headed home with our sweet girl...

And ready to start our journey as a family of 5!

Kaylyn gave Delaney a tour of the house and her bedroom.

Big Sister

Biggest Sister

Finally resting at home.

Delaney Lou Dirks, you were prayed for and loved by so many people before you ever made your arrival and now that you are here, you have captured so many hearts...none more than mine though! You have only been on this earth for two weeks, but it feels like you have been a part of our family forever and I could not imagine it without you in it. You will never fully understand how much you were wanted, but I will always try my best to make sure that you know. Your mommy and daddy and two big sisters are so smitten with you and you will forever be OUR Delaney Lou.