Newborn Days and weeks

The differences between having a baby for the first time and the fifth time are many, the learning curve is completely different. With the first, you feel exhausted and the baby care seems so difficult... The first few days and weeks feel sooooo slow.  With the fifth, you still feel exhausted but the baby care side of things seem simple and the time flies!  The hard parts are the family schedules, keeping baby away from kids that want to clobber him with love and boogers, figuring out who is going to go where with whom, keeping up with the regular mountain of laundry in addition to all the soiled clothes, blankets and sheets of a newborn & putting out the sibling fires while nursing a fussy baby.  A huge whirlwind has swept through our home and taken the time away in a flash!  With that said, I am posting some of the pictures when Austin was a few days old up to a month for your looking enjoyment! 

A few days old:

So sweet and already appears so alert and focused.

 I think his eyes will stay blue.

 This big boy is strong :).

 ... and round!  He had some bruising in his eyes from labor, giving him a red line in each eye (temporary).

 His little feet with the pricks from the array of tests that they do.

 His little long body :).

Love!

 

 A few visitors that first week.

 his 'grumpy' look!

 more love!

One Week Old!

The sleeping week :).

 So peaceful.

 The cycle of emotions.

 Snug as a bug...

 "Ahhh, finally got that leg out!".

 I see you!

 Oh, the little baby grunts- I can hear them now!

 Big yawn...

I wish I knew what he was thinking.

2 Weeks Old--

Sleepy head.

 Gotta love those pudgy lips!

 Mr. Alert. sometimes.

3 Weeks Old--

I love how he holds his hand here.

 Stretch!

4 Weeks Old--

A smile captured!  

 The more common serious face.

 He holds himself up wonderfully!

 The clobbering of love!

 
The sweet tender moments, I am glad I captured them in pictures!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from the Barker Bunch!  Being that it was the first time back to church since we had Austin, I can officially say that our family now takes up a whole church pew :).  It was a lovely day to celebrate the resurrection and afterwards we spent the afternoon at G&G Reinert's home for an egg hunt, egg decorating and a fantastic ham dinner.   

All five of them... Take your pick as to your favorite (picture that is!).

My fav...

Eager boys ready to find the eggs left by the Easter Bunny...

Ready, Set, Go!

Carter thought that you find an egg, stop, open it up and eat everything inside...

Help from big brother...

Pick your color for egg decorating!

Hi Boys!

The colored eggs :).

gymtastic birthday party

We officially have 4 birthday boys during the month of feb/march now... The party never ends! 

This time we had a gymnastics party for Josh and Kyle since they enjoyed their month of enrollment in January.  They had a blast as they had the whole gym to themselves and a really cool coach to direct them. 

Happy 5th Birthday to our super curious, sweet, smart building machine, KYLE!

Happy 7th birthday to our go getting, bright, and super helpful big man, Joshua!  

Let the games begin!

 First- rules, warm up and directions from Coach Danny. 

 Fun and games with the foam blocks...

 Even the littlest ones played ;).

 Open gym to try stuff out... J loved the rings.

 The two year old best friends took over the trampoline. 

 Kyle set goals to accomplish each station.  "Watch mom!!!".

 Fort building with the foam....

 Tons of fun in the foam pit!

 Time for cupcakes and root beer floats!

 Group picture after the fun day.

Happy birthday to the leaders of our pack, we can't believe how fast you guys are growing--- slow down!!!  We love you both so much!

Welcome, Baby Austin!

It is hard to believe that a month has already passed since the birth of the littlest Barker boy, a warm welcome to the little guy that makes us a family of seven!!! We never in our wildest dreams thought we would be blessed with 5 kiddos, let alone 5 little boys :) --Oh the joys!  Even though he was a week late (which seemed like a lot longer!), we couldn't have timed it all better ourselves.  I ended up being induced with Pitocin, so I walked into the hospital with no painful contractions :).  They let me get an epidural as soon as I wanted, so I actually never felt any strong contractions or  more importantly the birth :).  Once I was checked in to the hospital and IV connected he made his appearance in about 6 1/2 hours, I would say it was the easiest birth yet :).   Come meet our sweet Austin Matthew...

Our biggest yet at 8lbs 7oz... He had an extra week to put on the pounds!

Proud daddy, not quite as timid to hold a newborn... He is an old pro ;). 

I couldn't wait to plant a kiss on him!

What a long, exciting day!

He certainly looks like a barker boy.

One proud mama even though he took his time getting here!  

Meeting the grandparents

And after a day of being born, poked at, pricked at and prodded at he got to go home!

The biggest brother was still awake and admired his littlest brother.  It seems like just yesterday that we were taking Josh home from the hospital!

Every time we bring a newborn home, Joshua has a proud sparkle to him :)... Austin, you are one lucky kiddo to have a so many proud older brothers!  

The morning after brought so much excitement as the other boys met their new brother :).  

Carter was convinced that Austin was 'HIS' baby!!!

I had to literally pry our little baby from our big baby... And I was concerned he would have jealousy issues!  

Precious little pudgy face!

One of the MANY homemade pictures/gifts from his brothers.  

Jacob's favorite part of having a new brother... The super soft baby hair!

Kyle telling us that Austin is HIS new brother!

There is no lack of love for you baby Austin!  Welcome to our family, we could not be happier!!!