Life with Two

...is interesting! I knew it would be, and that it would be a challenge, and life this last week and a half has not disappointed! My mom has been staying with us and has been a HUGE help. She has helped cook, clean, do laundry, and oh yeah, take care of the 20 month old! I have pretty much been able to focus on Gabriel...feed him, change poopy diaper, change again because I started before he was finished, sleep for a while, and start the process all over again. Gabriel is a very easy baby so far, which is a huge blessing. He has been sleeping for 3-4 hours at a time at night and eats very well.

Joshua must have picked up a stomach bug last week, because starting on Wednesday he threw up a few times and then followed that up with loose diapers for three more days. I was so nervous that Gabriel was going to get it, but God protected his little body. Here are a few pictures of our time since Gabriel was born. I am starting to get major cabin fever, so once the weather is nice, we will be out and about with more pictures to follow!

Our first family of 4 picture...Joshua loved my water cup and refused to put it down!

Gabriel in his "going home" outfit. I want to have words with infant clothes makers. Gabriel was an average-sized newborn (7 lb. 9 oz.) and the newborn size from Target absolutely swallowed him up. We ended up getting some preemie outfits that are only supposed to fit babies up to 5 1/2 pounds, but fit him perfectly. He is growing a lot and will be in his newborn clothes soon!

On Wednesday we took Gabriel to his first pediatrician visit with Dr. Dickey. She was so sweet and helpful to us. We go back again this Thursday for his two week visit.

After the doctor visit, we gave Gabriel his first bath...as you can tell from the picture, he was not very happy with us!

...my sweet sleeper

Joshua playing in his tent...he has had lots of fun playing at home this week!

Peter spending some quality time with Joshua...

My mom with her grandsons...

Gabriel James is Here!!!

Gabriel arrived Friday, January 18th at 8:33 a.m. He weighs 7 lbs. 9 oz. and is 20 inches long. He is beautiful and healthy! We are so thankful for the prayers of our family and friends. God completely took care of us and we are now enjoying a new sweet boy in our family. Here are a few pics from yesterday. Sorry this is a short post, but Gabriel should be coming in from the nursery any minute now!

Mom's first look at Gabriel in the delivery room...


Gabriel in the nursery after he was bathed...


Joshua checking out his baby brother in the nursery...


Gabriel's pediatrician after he got his first evaluation...she said that he looked great! His initial assessment in the delivery room was really good too. The nurse gave him a 9.9 out of 10 for the Apgar test...that just rates his circulation, breathing, color, etc.




Beautiful boy posing for pics last night...


Joshua's special time with his baby brother...




I'm sure there will be more updates to come over the next few days as we have time! Again, thank you for your prayers for our family, as yesterday was truly a wonderful day!

Christmas with the Ashdowns

I have finally gotten around to posting pictures from Christmas! Sorry that there are so many all at once!

My parents and Alicia, along with my aunt, uncle and cousins from California came to visit us the weekend after Christmas.

Cousins Janet & Steven with Joshua...he loved playing with Steven's big football all weekend!

Auntie Alicia and Joshua reading a new book...

Almost the entire group playing instruments from Joshua's new percussion set...

Grandpa & Joshua testing out Thomas...

Cousin Elizabeth, B & Numa gave Joshua Vans that happened to match a pair that Janet was wearing...

We went to see the toy train exhibit at North Park Mall...it was really well done and Joshua was in awe of all of the trains and scenery.

Christmas Day

This year's Christmas was different than any other Peter and I have had since we have been married. We stayed in Dallas due to the possibility of the baby coming at any time (we see that didn't happen, now three weeks later). It was fun having Christmas morning in our own home with Joshua.

My mom made Joshua a plate to use to put Santa's cookies on...Alicia and I had a similar plate when we were growing up and I wanted to continue that tradition with Joshua. Although he didn't really understand, he definitely enjoyed taste-testing the cookies for Santa before he went to bed on Christmas Eve night!

When Joshua woke up Christmas morning, he saw the half-eaten cookies...

...and was glad that Santa left a sip of milk for him!

Santa was good to Joshua this year...he got a fun pop-up tent and a wagon with blocks!

Christmas Eve with the Murrells

Christmas Eve with the Murrells was a lot of fun! It was the first of several Christmas celebrations we had.

Me & Josh with his "Santa's Lil' Helper" shirt!


Peter & Joshua with their A&M hats from cousin Elizabeth...


Our family about to open stockings from Pop & Granny...


Joshua kissing a Joshua-size stuffed reindeer that is one of our Christmas decorations...

Oksana helped Joshua open his presents...

We took a break from opening presents so Joshua could eat...turned out he also needed a nap!

Joshua had a Curious George-themed Christmas from Pop & Granny...a book, stuffed animal, and shoes.

Granny & Josh putting a new ornament on the tree...

Pop & Joshua with his new Curious George book...

Joshua with a few of his new toys...

January 18th...D-day

D-day...as in delivery day. Well, it looks like baby Gabriel is holding out for the long haul. We had our doctor appointment this afternoon and Dr. Clark said that the fluid level looks good and he didn't mention my blood pressure, so I guess that was a good thing also! I am so glad that Gabriel is doing well, and obviously comfortable. We won't go back to the doctor until next Tuesday. This last week I kept having thoughts that maybe, just maybe I'll go into labor before the scheduled c-section. But after today's appointment I am fine if I don't have him until next Friday...the realization hit me about how soon that actually is...10 days away!

During the sonogram, Gabriel had his arm in front of his face most of the time. Dr. Clark was able to do a 3-D sono for us, but we didn't get to see his face clearly. We did get to see his cute little hands, with what looked like fat rolls on the back of his wrists! I think it would be so cute if he is a chubby baby!

Happy Birthday Peter!

My amazing husband turns 29 years old today! Peter is not the subject of very many blog posts, thanks to our precious little boy, but he deserves a shout out today :) We are having a low-key celebration with Peter's family today...pictures will come soon.

Peter may be the hardest working man that I know. He does it with a willingness I don't understand and without complaining. In preparation for our new addition, he has been working major overtime at a second job to pay for the hospital and doctor expenses, and for my maternity leave. I am so thankful for him as my husband, and an amazing "dada" to Joshua (and soon, Gabriel). Here's a Christmas picture of Peter and Joshua with new hats from Cousin Elizabeth.

Baby Murrell...now has a name!

For those of you who were around when I was pregnant with Joshua, you know that his name was not announced until the night before his birth to our families. This time, we have finally made a decision and are excited to announce that Baby Murrell can now be called Gabriel James! Peter and I both loved the name Gabriel when we talked about it and have decided that we will probably call him Gabe most of the time. James is Peter's first name and has been in his family for many generations. Gabriel means "God is my strength", and that is our prayer for him...that he will grow into a godly man that relies on God to be his strength.

Here's a pregnancy update: Over the last several weeks we have been anticipating Gabriel's arrival at any moment. Not because of anything the doctor has said or any contractions, just because Joshua was four weeks early. I seem to always have "borderline" things happen to me late in pregnancy. The amniotic fluid level is borderline, my blood pressure is borderline, and my patience has definitely been borderline :) Dr. Clark threatened me with bed rest at my last appointment, so I have been trying to take it easy this week. We go back for another appointment and check on the amniotic fluid level on Tuesday morning. I have passed the 37 week mark which is technically full term and Gabriel's lungs should be fully developed at this point. We have scheduled the c-section for Friday, January 18th, and I can't believe that is only two weeks away! Whenever he makes his arrival, we will be excited and are anxiously awaiting that day!