First Trip to the Lake

Sweet Audrey Grace Newman

Mrs. Kay Gex and Audrey Grace

Such a cute decoration.

Whoops! Same picture

Yummy food table!

Sara Kate giving Audrey Grace her bottle. She will be my "lake babysitter" forsure

AG snoozing on Uncle Mark

Kennedy and Mary Morgan after playing in the baby pool


The Guys

Hunt talking to AG

Lores played and played with the girls. They loved to swing in the hammock

Lores and Mary Morgan

Kennedy was trying to figure out what Miller was doing with the stick...it was too funny

As most of you know, Ryan's mom, Annie lives at Chillville! Chillville is north of Vicksburg on Lake Albamarle. We love going to Chillville. You do just that...Chill. There are no worries at Chillville. You are about 40 miles from town, well only 20 to Rolling Fork but it is definitley a get away from civilization. Ryan grew up going to Chillville to hunt, fish, boat ride and hang out for the weekend. When Ryan was in college, Chillville became the permanent address for Annie. Ryan's grandad built the "little cabin" back in the 60's and then the "big house" was added on a few years ago. I can still remember the first time Ryan took me home to meet the parents. I was blown away by how beautiful and peaceful it is at "the lake". It is still this way 7 years later!

On Saturday, some of Annie's friends hosted a Sip and See for Audrey Grace. She was a perfect angel for the celebration. She slept and let everyone pass her around without a care in the world. It rained, or should I say, poured, right as the party was supposed to start! It all worked out though. Ryan and a few of the hostesses' husbands were put to work by umbrelling the guests in. They were put to work after the party by shuttling the guests up the hill. The road lost all traction due to the rain! It was a muddy mess but definitley a memory made.

On Saturday afternoon our friends, Taylor and Krisa (and the twins), Hootie and Marcy and John Ryan came up to chill and cook out with us. Dru and her family, J.O., Pam and Sara Kate Smith and Patrick, Christy and Jack Smith were also there. The weather cleared up enough so we were able to enjoy it outside and it wasn't too hot since it had just rained. Sara Kate and my neice Lores were awesome babysitters for AG, Kennedy and Mary Morgan.

Lollie's First Birthday

Audrey Grace's cousin, our neice, Laura Lea had her first birthday on July 1st. During the baptism weekend we also celebrated Laura Lea's birthday. I have a few pictures but of course I didn't have my camera around for the entertaining part of LL getting down on her cake. She had so much fun opening her presents and loved eating her cake. Her sisters, Lores and Lucy were right by her side showing her exactly what to do! She loves her sisters; she wanted to feed them her cake. So sweet. Most 1 year old's would not want to share...

Birthday Girl and her Mama

Lores and LL

Gram and Audrey Grace

Aunt Joyce, Grandma, Grandpa and AG

Baptism

We had Audrey Grace baptized July 4th. The baptism was in Columbus at First United Methodist Church. We chose to have her baptized there because this is the church I grew up in and Ryan was baptized there before we got married. We are both members of FUMC and have not transferred our membership because we can't find a church that fits us like this one. I know we will but in the mean time we call FUMC our church (even though we are 2 1/2 hours away!).

Audrey Grace did really well for her special day. When he sprinkled her with water it scared her. It was so cute! She jumped and whined for a second but Sam rubbed on her head and she went straight back to sleep. We were able to stay for the whole service which was really great because it was all about paying tribute to our country. It was a very emotional service between all of the patriotic songs and watching your baby be welcomed into Christianity!

After church we went back to my sisters house, where we had a brunch with all of our family and friends that attended the baptism. I didn't do such a good job at getting pictures, but we were busy visiting and eating great food!

2 Week Check Up

Audrey Grace had her 2 week check up with the pediatrician yesterday. She is healthy and growing just as she should. She weighed 8lbs 5oz! She had actually lost down to 6lbs 5oz the Friday after she was born so she has been a piggy the last week and a half! She was such a sweet girl while the doctor checked her out. She didn't mind being poked on and things stuck in her ears and mouth.
She has changed so much since she was born! Of course I didn't take a picture or have the camera but I will post some updated pictures soon. She is more alert and makes her presence known a little more each day. She is really not fussy but she gets unsettled at times, I think due to gas. She eats great and is sleeping good too. She is waking up on her own more to eat but will still go 4-5 hours at night between feedings. I got the ok from the doctor yesterday to do this, so now she will probably stop! She grunts all the time. It is so funny to listen to! Ryan and I are enjoying every second of this precious baby girl.
My mom had to go back to Florida today, so we are sad about that. We are grateful for the all of the time she was able to spend with us. Thank you to Chuck for sharing her. Annie came in today to stay thru the weekend to continue the much needed assistance. I am really feeling better but still sore and per Dr's orders, I am to stay off my feet. His words literally were to hire someone to clean the house, no laundry, no dishes...thank goodness Ryan was there or he would never believe the doctor said that. This too shall pass and I am so grateful for a beautiful, healthy, happy baby girl.

Our first 2 weeks home

Wow! These first two weeks have been interesting to say the least. Audrey Grace is doing great and has brought so much joy to us already! I, on the other hand, have not done so great. I had to go back in for surgery to repair my episotomy on Thursday (6/3/10). YUCK!! I have been down and out since, but today I am really feeling better. Thank goodness for my wonderful husband, mom and mother in law. They were all troopers in helping me take care of myself and Audrey Grace. My mom has been here since the Saturday before she was born, and this has truly been a lifesaver. There is nobody like your mother at a time like this! It has been so great getting to spend so much time with her. Usually when we are together it is only for a short time and we are rushing to get in quality time with everyone. Ryan's and my family have been so supportive during these first few weeks and we really appreciate all of the calls, cards and texts. I am hopefully on the way to a full recovery so I can feel normal again and take complete care of my baby girl.

Our first visitors since we have been home have been my sister, Amy, and her precious family. My sister is truly an angel. She is so unselfish, especially when it comes to me. She took such good care of me while she was here and even after she went home, she was calling and sharing her wisdom and expertise with me. Her girls will be the best cousins to Audrey Grace. Lores and Lucy love to hold her. Lores can always get her to fall asleep. Lucy likes to pet her! Laura Lea is not so sure about her yet. She wanted to pull the blanket off of her and would just stare at her, like, "What is that?" Soon enough they will be the best of friends...they are only 10 months apart.

Taylor, Krisa, Kennedy, Mary Morgan, Kelley and Luke came over on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to meet Audrey Grace. We grilled hamburgers and the girls (including my neices) played on the slip-n-slide. I don't have many pictures from the weekend to share but we had lots of fun visiting with our friends.

Here are just a few pictures from our first two weeks home.

Hanging out outside in my swing

Sleeping with Daddy

MiMi and Chuck had balloons on the mailbox to celebrate my homecoming!

My first nap in my very own bed

Miller was quick to jump up (very gently) and check his baby sister out. He was excited to meet her

My cousin Lores holding me while Laura Lea checks me out

I LOVE this picture. Her sweet face...

Audrey Grace and her cousins

Kelley holding Audrey Grace while Mary Morgan is trying to decide what she thinks

He loves his baby girl!

More Hospital Photos with my family

Here are a few more photos of Audrey Grace with some of the family that came to celebrate her birth.

MiMi and AG

The wreath on our hospital door...Celebrate Audrey Grace!

AG and her Aunt Amy

Dr. Kumar and AG

Ryan showing me our beautiful baby girl for the first time. He is such a proud daddy!

AG with her Lowe/Elkin great grandparents

AG and her Aunt Allie

AG with Aunt Dru and Bop

Annie and AG

Daddy Bud with his fourth grand-daughter! We love our baby girls!

Audrey Grace Has Arrived!!!

May 24, 2010 at 1:44 pm, Audrey Grace made her entrance into the world. It only took 16 hours of hard labor! It was all truly worth it. Ryan and I are blessed to have a healthy, beautiful baby girl. We could not be more in love. She weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. The waiting room was packed with Lowe/Newman family awaiting her arrival. She is already loved more than she'll ever know. I knew it would be an overwhelming feeling but it is truly indescribable the emotions that come over you when you see the little life you created and God graciously blessed you with.

Here are a few pictures from her first day of life...