Happy 5th Birthday Andray Paul!!!!!

 

Hard to believe Jake and I became parents for the first time 5 years ago today. Life truly changed for the better when Andray joined our family - Happy 5th Birthday Little Man - we love you!

 

I enjoyed Andray's 5-year photo shoot with him a few weeks ago - couldn't believe it when I had to tell the JCPenny photographer that Andray really wanted to take a photo with a #5! Life is going by way too quickly! I took full advantage of the fact that Andray still wanted to take a couple photos with me though!

 

Let's Go Duke!  March Madness is just around the corner!

 

 

 

Jake thinks Andray looks like a TV anchor in this photo - hilarious.

 

 

Yesterday we celebrated Andray's bday at the farm with his grandparents and great grandparents. Very thankful to Papa Steve and Grandma Sandy for hosting the party - was a very relaxing and special day at the farm!

 

 

Andray wanted brownies for his cake - so we made them into a #5. We also brought the photo of Great Gpa Stang and Andray sitting together from his 4th bday last year to sit by the cake - was nice to have Gpa Andy sitting with all of us at the dinner table - he truly will never be forgotten!

 

 

 

Andray making his bday wishes while we all sang Happy Birthday to him.

 

May all your wishes come true this year Andray Paul - we love you so much!

 

Hard To Believe This Baby Girl is 1 Week Old!

 

Can't believe Carrine has been a part of our family for a week already - so blessed to have her in our lives! Trying to soak up every second with her!

 

 

Plan to snuggle with this bundle of joy all weekend long!

 

The Journey Home...

 

Ah, we are home and just LOVING IT! Can't express how thankful and relieved we are that Carrine is healthy, the delivery went good and I'm healthy as well. Prayers truly have been answered!

 

My mom bought Carrine her outfit to come home in...Carrine truly is pretty in purple!

 

 

 

It's so fun to dress a newborn again!

 

 

After what seemed like eternity on Sunday and Monday, we were finally discharged from the hospital! The doctors and nursing staff were top-notch at the hospital and we did enjoy our stay.

 

 

FINALLY HOME! The kids and Gma Carol helped make a sign for us, very thoughtful.

 

 

Roslyn was so excited to see Carrine and give her a kiss in her car seat.

 

Words can't express how excited Jake and I were to get home and see Andray and Roslyn - it was a long two days without them!

 

We are home...Praise the Lord!

 

Andray loves his baby sister so much already - he's such a sweet boy! Everyone told us once the baby comes Andray and Roslyn will look so big and grown up - man were they right!

I truly could not make it without my Mom...THANK YOU for watching Andray and Roslyn while Jake and I were in the hospital and for all you did at our home to make this adjustment seemingly stress free - I love you Mom - for all you are and all you do!

 

My newest baby girl - so in love!

 

Jake went shopping for Carrine to buy her some preemy/newborn sleepers - they are so stinkin' cute!

 

The Billy Bed - Carrine has been a champ sleeping on it! We are thankful her billy levels are going down and hope to have her off the bed by Friday.

 

Carrine was a champ at her first doctor's appointment yesterday - despite having her blood taken again.

 

Yesterday Jake and I watched a movie in the afternoon - life doesn't get much better than a newborn sleeping on your chest while reclined in a comfy chair!

 

So looking forward to my leave with Carrine - going to treasure these next weeks!

Home Sweet Home!!!!!

 

We are so thankful, happy and relieved to be home as a family of 5! Thank you everyone for your extra prayers, kind words and support! Couldn't make it without amazing family and friends!

 

Carrine is already blowing kisses to her family and friends!

Carrine's Future is so Bright...She's Gotta Wear Shades!

We are hoping to head home today if Carrine's billy levels go down and her weight stays where it is. She's so sweet wrapped up in her billy light blanket with her sun glasses on!

THANKS TO ALL OUR VISITORS!

Andray and Roslyn got Snuggleuppets from Carrine for being her big brother and sister - they were pumped.

My parents meeting Carrine for the first time...Mom was very honored that Carrine is named after her...lots of tears!

Carrine meeting Papa and Grandma Stang for the first time. 

The 9 Stang Grandkids! What a wonderful crew!

Carrine with her 3 Stang Aunties!

Meeting Uncle Jacob...

Meeting Uncle Aaron and Auntie Megan for the first time, along with big cousins Isabel and Amelia.

Isa was very excited it was a little girl!

One of my best friends from home, Jolene, and her family surprised me at the hospital on Saturday! I'm very thankful for Jolene and all her advice/support!

Jolene and my kids together on the couch - I just love how proud Andray looks here holding Carrine.

Carrine's great great aunt Mary Ann was so excited to come meet her!

The Saloneks with Carrine

Ah, I can't WAIT to get home with all three of my kiddos! I'm such a blessed mom, love these 3 kids so much!

Jake is truly in LOVE...Carrine has him wrapped right around her little fingers.

The view from our hospital room.

So precious

My best friend Heather and her son Mason.

Ah, these are the most precious moments with a newborn. So overwhelmed with happiness, relief and thankfulness. Thank you everyone for your extra prayers, we are excited to bring Carrine home.

Welcome to the World Carrine Faith Stang

At 8:17 pm on March 1, 2013 we welcomed Carrine Faith Stang into our family...Jake and I could not be more thankful and relieved to have delivered a healthy baby girl! We are so grateful for everyone's prayers...Andray and Roslyn were so excited to meet their baby sister this morning. It was very special to witness Roz and Dray meeting her and holding her for the first time.

 

As most of you know, we've done "combined names" for our children and below is the explaination for our newest baby girl.

 

CARRINE (pronounced Cah-rin) is the first 3 letters of CARol (my mom) and last 4 letters of CatheRINE (my Gram).

 

The Pope declared this year in the Catholic Church the "Year of the Faith" and I've always loved the name FAITH, so very fitting for this lil' peanut.

 

My great aunt MaryAnn said it perfectly today at the hopital...

"God has truly created another miracle."

 

I officially began bed rest yesterday and after my doctor's appointment at noon my water broke on its own. So we stopped by dayare to say good bye to the kids and off to the hospital we went!  After delivery Jake said..."Well, you officially completed the shortest bed rest ever!"

 

Joining the world over 3 weeks early, Carrine Faith weighed in a 5 lb. 13 oz and 18.5 inches long.

 

She has a beautiful head of hair!

 

Just minutes after delivery - we are in LOVE!

 

Carrine got all dressed up in her DUKE best for her visitors today at the hospital!

 

Travel Size DUKE Blue Devils Fan...whether she wants to be or not! :)

My baby girls...I am over joyed with relief, thankfulness and happiness...GOD IS GOOD!