The long trek out East. . . .

We ended up deciding to drive out to New Jersey all together instead of the kiddos and I flying out later. We left on Tuesday and made it to Jersey on Friday and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Of course we made a lot of stops, at least every 4 hours to feed Jason and let Mckell run around and get some energy out. Kell kept mostly entertained watching movies and nick jr. shows, Jason was an angel and just got fussy when it was feeding time, and Courtland and I listened to a couple books on tape. So overall- not too bad!

Kell napping in her carseat

Jason's poor neck was probably so sore- I tried to keep his head up but it always ended up falling back down

Jake and Jill only lived about a hour round trip off our path so we were so lucky to be able to stop and stay the night there on our way. I hadn't seen them and their boys in so long, it was so good to spend a little time with them. Thanks so much for letting us crash the night when I know you guys were super busy packing and getting ready for graduation from medical school!

Stopping to get some lunch, feed Jason, and change diapers- so fun.

Jason's two week stats and first bath

Jason's belly button thing finally fell out so we were able to give him his first bath in the tub. He loved the warm water on him and I loved smelling him after- don't you just love newborn baby smell.

We also took him to his 2 week check up and everything looked good and his jaundice was pretty much gone. Here's his stats:

Weight: 8lbs 2oz, 40th percentile

Length: 21 1/4 inches, 70th percentile

Head circ: 37cm, 50th percentile

He almost gained a whole extra pound from when he was born and where he needed to be at- guess he's definitely getting enough milk! He's a growing boy- and in higher percentiles than Kell every was.

Notice his bulging belly in his bath pictures- he's got a nice pot belly going. Maybe he'll be a chubby baby after all... but not likely with those Rabe boy chicken legs he's got- ha!

Jason's 2 week old photo shoot

We had Jason's pictures taken at this place called photoworks in the University Mall in Orem. Why down there... I don't really know, probably because I'm a horrible planner and so finding someone I know to take them last minute seemed too hard so this is what we ended up doing and I think there ended up being a few good ones- at least of Jason which was the point of the pictures.

Pictures and the Astill family though do NOT go together at all. Mckell's newborns- she pooped 3 times and peed twice. Mckell's one year olds she was super ornery and got so upset we had to reschedule. And these pictures, Jason was great (I don't know how you can not be at 12 days old), Mckell on the other hand... not so good. She was crying and screaming basically the entire time we were there from lack of getting her nap. I thought for sure she'd just sleep the drive down but we were dumb and forgot her 'blankie' and 'binki' which meant no nap. Rookie parents! ha

Anyway, I wanted family pictures with the four of us and because Mckell wasn't having it- they didn't turn out and I wanted ones of just Kell and Jason but the best we could get was her to stand next to him. The cherry on the cake was that Kell refused to let me put her super cute outfit I had for her and instead she wore the outfit I had on her that day (I didn't put her 'picture' outfit on her because I was worried she'd get it dirty on the way there). So this was the result. Better luck next time?

So I keep meaning to get these announcements I made printed and sent out but I just haven't done it and I did actually go to print them at walmart but the ones out here in Jersey are ridiculous because they charge $2.75 for one 5x7- sorry friends and family, too expensive for our budget! So you'll have to enjoy the announcement on here unless I can find somewhere cheaper to get them printed (not that anyone's dying to get one- ha!).

We couldn't even get her to kiss his forhead- she was being super stubborn... must get that from her daddy (or me if you ask him, lol)!

But the ones of just Jason are pretty precious if you ask me. He's already changed so much... I can't believe how fast they grow. Time for another baby?! ha I know, I know, I'm CRAZY!

Short visit from Ben and Graham

Ben flew out with Graham for the weekend for a quick interview/visit. Mckell and Graham are about 6 weeks apart so I was very curious to see how they'd play together- this being the stage where everything is 'mine'! At first it was a little rocky, both of them trying to claim their territory but they ended up playing pretty well together.

I love this picture, one of my favorites! Mckell's cheesing it up and Graham's got the 'oh brother' look on his face- too cute!

Very surprisingly with all the fighting about 'mine' Graham was very nice and willing to share his popsicle with Kell. She ate her's in a matter of seconds and Graham just took his time taking little licks here and there. So Kell decided she'd help him out and would take bites of his popsicle and then laugh. It was pretty funny watching them and their reactions.

13 days old

11 days old, sleeping on daddy's chest. Nothing more precious.

Playing at the Astill's

A moment to brag...

I have the best in-laws a mother can ask for. Besides the fact I know they would do ANYTHING for us at anytime- I know Mckell loves playing at their house and they keep her entertained from start to end every visit. Kell has so much fun at the Astill's that she usually misses her nap and passes out the minute we put her in the car. She has their full attention while at their house and she definitely takes advantage and has them do whatever she wants from building towers for her out of blocks over and over so she can knock them down to running in circles for hours around the couches saying 'get you' and 'you got me'. I feel truly blessed to have them as in-laws and love the fact I know they just adore my kids and will play with them for hours on end.

One day Mckell had Allison help her make 'soup' outside- she was soaking wet after and had a blast doing it.

Allison was such a good sport and would try Kell's soup when asked.

Looks like her soup consisted of grass and dandelions- yum!

So full of curiosity..

Trying her soup for herself

Another day, Grandpa Astill had Mckell help him plant and do some gardening. He'll play with her for hours in the backyard- pointing to things and teaching her what stuff is and she just loves it. It's pretty dang cute to see how much she loves her grandpa and I'm pretty sure she has him wrapped around her little finger.

And this is what happens on the way home from playing at the Astill's.. She's so tired she can't even eat her corn (which is her current favorite food).

Getting bigger...

8 days old

Are you kidding me! Look at that cute little smirk- LOVE IT. Every once in a while he opens his eyes and gives us a smile or two.

He's for sure a sucker baby- loves his fingers, hands, and binki.

Such a wondering face

7 days old- 1 week, time goes by so fast

6 days old-

snuggling with mamma. Still insisting on holding and cuddling him all day long, just can't get enough of this newborn stage.

5 days old

I swear he changes more and more everyday. We can't quite decide who he looks like. At first we for sure said Courtland but now we're thinking he's more of a mix- what do you think??

4 days old

This is about all he does all day long- sleep, sleep, eat, poop, and more sleep. We're just loving being parents of two chitlins!

Proud big sister

2 days old

Home from the hospital and just 2 days old, so tiny. He already looks so different to me.

Proud daddy and his boy

Video of Mckell meeting Jason for the first time