FOOD!

This week I have rediscovered my love of food. For many pregnant women this happens after their first trimester, but having been sick most of my pregnancy and especially sick my first and third trimesters I am just now discovering how much I love food. This afternoon when I should have been taking a nap, my kids were gone to the Circus in SLC with Josh and Andy was napping, I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I have been reading that many people loose their appetite after giving birth, but yesterday I ate an entire 12 inch Subway Sandwich. I don't think I have ever done that in my life. I would like to think that Andy is sucking all of these calories off of me, but that would really be wishful thinking. Although he too must be a Kirk because he seems to be obsessed with food himself. Let's have three cheers for having an appetite. It feels so good to return to my good old friend, food.

Baby Andy is here!

Beautiful baby Andrew Owen Kirk (Andy) arrived to our family today (September 23, 2008) at 2:56 PM. He weighed 8 lbs 2 oz. He has a little blonde hair (unlike Caleb and Cara who had tons of long black hair.) I was started at 8:30 this morning, at 37 and 1/2 weeks because of high blood pressure. I had to be treated with at least five hours of antibiotics so the nurses tried to keep things slow. When the five hours of antibiotics had passes we discovered that he was posterior so I was stuck at a six for over an hour. He flipped by himself and within a few minutes he was ready to be born. Delivery went smoothly and quickly. Unfortunately they had a few concerns, mostly his low glucose, so after we held him for an hour he was taken to nic-u for a couple of hours for observation. It almost drove me crazy waiting in my room not knowing what was going on. He is doing great now! It is fun to have a newborn.



The kids came and saw him as soon as he got to the room.



He does lots of grunting and talking. Caleb especially loved holding him.



I am sure that Cara will be a great little helper. She likes to be the mommy and will certainly make a good second mommy to Andy.



I will be out of the hospital on Thursday morning hopefully ready to be the mother of three. Thanks to my mom for taking the kids while I am recovering.

Montana Road Trips

This summer we have had the opportunity to go to weddings in Montana for cousins on both sides of Josh's family. Josh has just six cousins on the Kirk side and five cousins on the Lee side of his family so big events like weddings don't come around often. Even though I am extremely pregnant and uncomfortable we decided to make the long trip to Helena Montana in July and to Billings Montana in August. Annie and Jessica both had beautiful weddings, and it was wonderful to see family. The best part was for Great Grandma Alice and Great Grandpa Arnold and Grandma Betty to see the kids. They and Ethan, Josh's sister April's boy, are their only Great Grand Children on either side of the family.

This is Betty and Arnold (Josh's Mom's Parents) with the Great Grands. Sadly this is the first time they have met Cara. I think it was about time!



Here is a picture of the kids with Grandma Alice (Josh's Dad's Mom). It was her first time to see Cara too, and I don't think she had seen Caleb sense he was a new born. I guess there are no longer any questions why we couldn't miss the weddings this summer.



There was a beautiful pond at Jessica's wedding. Cara and Ethen, had a great time playing at the side of the pond. Caleb disappeared for the evening as he found some cute flower girl to play with.



The Kirks even got a family picture. We are pictured from left to right Carrie, Josh, Gabe, Christina, Sara, April and on the front, Caleb, Lonn, Sharon, Ethen, and Cara.



We made the trip to Billings a four day weekend over Labor Day. One highlight for Caleb was riding the horses at Doug and Kathy's (Josh's uncle). They have a therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities in Billings. My kids have never been so safe riding horses. They loved all of the attention.



On the way home we detoured through Bear Tooth Pass one of the top 10 most scenic drives in America and ended up on top of the world.



We spent a night in Yellowstone. The kids loved seeing the the wildlife.



Caleb was terrified of the geysers and bubbling pools and kept his distance from the water falls as well. Of course he talks like he was brave, but he sure gets scared.



The weather was chili, but we had a good time.



Of course we cut through Jackson on our senic drive home and had to stop for the classic picture at the elk horn arches.



It was nice to get my swolen ankles home, but it was also great to spend some quality time as a family. The kids were so cute and fun. Cara would cover her head with her blanket and sing herself to sleep when she was ready for a car nap. If she didn't have a big brother who tackles her I don't think she would ever cry. She is such a happy person and brings me more joy than I could imagine. Caleb almost talked our ears off for all of those hours in the car. He has so many questions and observations. He loves to talk to strangers and wont stop until I make him. It is wonderful to have Josh's help and suport. I am so grateful for my family!