Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents, OH MY!!

Joshua and Natalie have had a VERY busy past week! We've had almost all of their grandparents to visit, two aunts and one uncle! (Papa John will be coming in August!)

Joshua also received a few new toys from these special visitors...

Here he is with his new ladybug BALL, Grandpa, Granny J, Aunt Miriam and Uncle Sam: "There is entirely toooo much pink around here, people. Can someone help me out?!" Everybody hearts Natalie!
Grandpa takes this crying thing very seriously...
Next up was MiMi and Aunt Katherine!

Does Joshua look like he had fun, or what?!
MiMi meets Natalie...love at first sight:

Wow...I haven't even been able to do this yet...
(She did have four though. And claims you can do that with all of them at the same time. I'll have to see about that...hmmm.)

Airplane!

More new toys...

Everyone took turns napping with Natalie...

And this was a great moment: Aunt Kat's first time holding a baby!

(And she survived, though she was very scared she wouldn't!)

And then we had a YaYa visit!

(Is she tickled or what?)

Loving on Natalie :)

Ooooh, eyes open and no crying! Bingo!

What great visits!

A few other highlights from the week...

Our friends from church have brought us many, many delicious meals for which we are SO GRATEFUL!! A special treat came with our first meal from the Carroll family - a birthday cake for Natalie! What a sweet surprise!

Steve's work sent some lovely flowers:

But best of all has been watching Joshua become the BEST BIG BROTHER who loves to give sweet kisses to his little sister!!!

Thank you all for checking in! We so appreciate your love and support as three become four!!

And finally, our first moments home...

Two little ones in carseats!

Apparently, it was a rough ride...we lost a headband along the way:
Ah, all better:

Joshua wasn't sure what to make of the fact that we actually brought this baby home with us...

Checking her out, up close and personal:

More practice at being gentle:

Admiring his new little sis:

And, of course, lining up her paci collection:

"Don't you want it?!"

We are so grateful to you all for your calls, cards, emails, virtual visits, thoughts and prayers!

It has been a wonderfully BUSY first week and we are so thankful to the Lord for blessing us with the wonderful gift of these two children!

Hopefully, we'll be able to post some more pictures of our first week when we're able!

Hospital to home...

Getting dressed to head home:

Joshua signing "BABY"!
Joshua gives Natalie her pacifier:

All ready!

Everyone was ready to go HOME!!!

Joshua meets Natalie ~ sweetness!

(Bear with us as we try to catch up!!)

Joshua's first peek at his new little sister!!

Practicing "being gentle":
Up close....

Daddy with both our babies!!

Trying to pose two children...

Kind of funny.

Our best first shot for the new family of four!

Introducing...

Natalie Claire McMurray!!!

June 17, 2009

4:02 p.m.

7lbs., 11 oz. ~ 21 inches

...and CUTE as a button!!

First moments with our girlie!!

Proud Papa:

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes!

We're so happy to welcome sweet Natalie into the world!!

Today IS the day!!

Stay tuned...!

One fun family outing, lots of wierd food, and no baby later...we're still here!!!

Monday night consisted of heading out to find a large air conditioned space to walk laps in

(hmmm...somehow we ended up at the grocery store...and came home with large amounts of unplanned for food...???)

And while all the walking brought on contractions, they fizzled out after we got home ;(

So, we decided to try some of the recommended "how to jumpstart labor" recipes. My personal favorite that I decided to pass on was Mac 'n Cheese with A-1 sauce. Yuk!

I'll stick with the seasoned french fries and raspberry tea, thanks!

Do I look guilty or what?! I won't even tell you what was in those containers.
We had a great time, stayed up waaaay too late (waiting for the contractions to start again!), ate waaaay to much food, laughed waaay too hard - and the results? Funny memories, heartburn, and, oh yes, no baby!!!
Maybe TODAY IS THE DAY??!! ;)
We'll keep ya posted!

It's Monday ~ we're still here ~ no action...yet!

Maybe today will be the day?!

Until then...we only have more Joshua cuteness to share...

Joshua LOVES wearing mommy's shoes.
Sshhhh...just don't tell him they don't fit...

He thinks he's the coolest when he wears them!
Sooooo...stay tuned for baby watch!! We're sure hoping to have something to report SOON!!