Baby Boy

Has it really been over a year since my last post?? Does anyone still follow personal blogs anymore?

I have been posting regularly to Instagram, and occasionally on Facebook also, so you can find me there if you haven't already.

A lot has happened in the past year! Most notably is the birth of our third child and first son, Liam Sterling, born in the middle of June.

He is 5 months old now, and he has been the happiest, smiliest baby around! We all love him so much and are so happy to have him in our family!

half a year

Little Ava is halfway through her first year. How did 6 months go by already? They grow so fast. Everyone says it, but it's true. 

Her latest accomplishments include: sitting unsupported...

...and rocking tummy time.

And for some fun comparisons, here is another tummy-time shot from today:

...compared to a tummy-time photo from when she was 1-month old.

This one shows you how much bigger she has grown. The blanket she is laying on is folded in fourths, and at 1-month she is fully contained on it, but at 6-months, both her head and feet hang off the ends. :) 

Happy six months little cutie!

comparison

I don't normally think Sara and Ava look all that much alike, but this photo of Ava from today's 6-month photo shoot reminded me so much of one of Sara's photos, I had to compare them side by side. What do you think?

{ Sara, 7 months -- Ava, 6 months }

tummy time

I wish these photos were better quality. That's what I get for taking them on my phone in a poorly lit room. Oh well. Maybe next time I can get some better ones. They're still cute, just a little grainy.

She was a little too relaxed for her first official tummy-time session. She just laid there and eventually fell asleep. She did a little head-lifting action when she woke up though, so mission accomplished.

p.s. she's 3 weeks + 1 day today. :)

Baby Sister

She's here! After waiting and waiting for her to arrive, "baby sister" finally came into this world (with a little nudging from some pitocin to induce labor!) on Wednesday August 29th.

Ava Angeline Hinckley

(Angeline pronounced "line" like a straight line, not "lean".)

At a week past her due date, she was big! 

8 lbs 11 oz, 21 inches.

For those who are interested in labor details, I was able to have a successful VBAC with pretty quick progression. My Dr. broke my water at 12:45 and she was born at 5:26 after 1 hour 20 minutes of pushing.

I did have an epidural, but the contractions were coming on faster than the meds could keep up with! So for about 45 minutes, I was really feeling it before the drugs kicked back in. Sara was there during that part of my labor, and here she is snuggling in bed with me to make me feel better. :) She was a big helper and would push on my lower back with each contraction.

Sara was so excited to come back later to meet her baby sister. 

The grandparents were pretty excited too. :)

My parents. My dad flew in the day Ava was induced. My mom had already been in town since the 20th, waiting and waiting for this girl to make her appearance!

Rob's parents who live in town.

Our first photo as a family of four. These never do turn out that great, do they. :)

And some more of the new babe, since we all know that's what you're really here to see.  

 

Rob took a photo of me taking a photo. I joke that we should send it in to Apple. It would make a great iPhone advertisement, don't you think?!

Sara and Ava at home:

Sara is singing songs to baby sister in this photo. She has been so sweet with her so far.

Helping with the pacifier.

Making silly faces.

I was able to capture her first little smile on camera.

And here she is yesterday when she was four days old.

We sure are happy to have you in our family, little Ava!

also known as

Sara is going by a new name, or will be around August 22nd.

Look how cute my nephew is!

{photos by Aynn Thurman Photography. See more here.}

new nephew

My sister had her baby one week ago, and I'm just now posting about it! I've been busy. You see, I flew down eight days ago thinking I would be coming to meet my new nephew, but he ended up being a week overdue, so my sister still hadn't had him by the time I got here. When I bought plane tickets I got them for 6 days after Laura's due date thinking she would have already had him by the time I arrived, but instead I was there for his birth, and was able to be one of Laura's "coaches" to help her through her natural no-drug delivery. She did amazing! 41 weeks of pregnancy + 47 hours of contractions + 1 hour of pushing = one beautiful baby boy!

Ok, enough talk. Look how cute he is!!

Bryan Ezekiel Varga. They call him Zeke. 

She looks pretty good for being in labor all day and all night long, don't you think?!

YAWN!

 dressed and ready to go home!

Sara with her newest cousin.

Little Zeke with some gassy smiles. :)

Snoozing.

I'm catching my return flight back to Utah today. I'd be content to stay here a little longer though! I haven't had enough of that cute little newborn boy yet. Plus it's warm and green here, and the beach is only 15 minutes away. *sigh* Back to snow and cold for me. No fair.