Anora Lee Holub has arrived!!

Daddy and his newest girl

We are so excited to announce Anora Lee's arrival! She was born on September 24th at 7:41pm, weighing 7 pounds 3 oz and 19.5 inches in length, the smallest of all our babies! I had been having small intermittent contractions for about two days with two difficult nights and discomfort. We  arrived at the birthing center on Sunday and started to induce labor around 1pm. Contractions were labile and I was fearful we would be sent home if  labor did not progress. Finally around 6:15pm, active labor started and Anora quickly arrived a little over an hour later. Aunt Verna and Debbie were there to help and support us and we were fortunate enough to have the Midwife, Vicky, who also delivered Sam 6 years prior. Quinn and I were so glad to have Vicky as we knew her well and felt very comfortable with her. 

We had a quick recovery and were able to rest, and were on our way home by midnight and snuggled in our bed and sleeping with our new sweet girl by 12:30am. Auntie Jennifer and her family very graciously kept Sam and Isla for the day and over night. The rest of the week Quinn was off work and we were able to rest and get to know this sweet new girl. Aunt Anna came the following week and then Grandma, so we had ample support for the first 3 weeks after her birth. We were able to coordinate that everyone was here for Anora's Welcome to the World party, which was so wonderful to have my Mom, Papa, Anna and Verna all together to celebrate. 

Sam and Isla love their new little sister and have been very sweet and excited to be little helpers. They have to give her pats and kisses every day before leaving for school or daycare and are happy to help with bottles, grab burp rags, and try to get baby smiles. We were a happy family of four before her arrival, and now we are an even happier family of five. We are so glad baby Anora is here!. 

Squishy face babe, immediately after birth in Daddy's welcoming arms

Action shot on the scale

Nursing assessment and checking of reflexes. She was a good little trouper

Getting to meet Aunt Verna!

Next morning at home and first bath. 

Sweetest babe....

Sam and Isla meeting their new baby sister for the first time

Auntie Debbie helping siblings with holding and discussing how soon Anora will be smiling

Proudest big brother. He is such a baby lover!

And little sister now turning big sister!

First week of life, chilling on the floor with Sam

Big sisters turn and lots of kisses

Family pics. Sam 6 years, Isla 4 years and Anora 1 week old

I love this picture of our sweet kiddos

Sister love. 

Daddy-o

Snuggles with Mama

Welcome baby party

Quinn's cousin Heather, who is stationed in San Antonio was able to make the party

Aunt Anna and sweet Anora. Anna was able to come the 2nd week after Anora's birth and we were so glad to have her company, love and ample amount of help 

Presleigh, Hendrix, Sam and Isla helping to celebrate Anora's arrival and cake

Night time stories with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandpa snuggles

Mom was able to come the third week and stay. While she was here she did a ton of cooking and baby holding

Anora helping Grandma make bierocks

Hanging in the jungle. 

End of school and Summer fun!

Kdg. Graduation with Mrs. Greenman. Such a proud Sam!

Sam successfully completed Kindergarten this past school year! It was an eventful year for all of us,  either being in school or adjusting to being a parent of a kiddo in school. We loved his teacher, Mrs. Greenman, who helped to make it a really great and positive experience. She was a veteran teacher and knew how to handle 22, 5-6 year olds, it was pretty amazing to watch

. I was able to participate as the Room Parent, which I'm glad I did in that we were able to meet other parents, all of Sam's classmates, and learn how the school world works. It was a long year, but did go by quickly. We were all really glad when Summer was here and able to have a little more relaxed schedule. Sam's favorite thing about last year was Mustang Roundup. Which is an end of the year carnival and our class sponsored the Balloon-pin toss booth. Each class had to create a basket for auction and our class basket was BBQ Enthusiasts, it was a big hit since most everyone in Texas loves BBQ.

Family picture, Isla refusing to look at the camera.

Last day of school and also PJ day. Whew....we made it!.

First day of Summer Break! We started it off at Guerrero splash pad with friends.

Cutie pie taking a lunch break from splash-padding!

Sam started piano lessons in June. We thought Summer would be a good time with some extra brain space to spare. I can't say it's his favorite past time, but he is certainly making progress and it's wonderful to see  him making the connections between music on paper to the piano keys.

Isla comes along to piano and likes to show Ms. Becky her stuff. She isn't taking lessons, but loves to learn little bits and pieces. Ms. Becky is a pro who has been lessons for years and really knows how to get little kids to listen and connect. She's amazing and in our neighborhood!.

Night time reading. Sam's favorite place is to perch right on top of you.

Nothing like 60 pounds of solid kid laying on you to read.

Sunday evening symphony at the Long Center. We love this Summer time activity. Here's Aunt Verna and Sam measuring up to each other, he's almost as long as she is!.

Austin Nature and Science Center. I'm not sure how we have never been to this gem before. But it was super fun and free!! Can't beat that, and huge fossils and a dinosaur fossil park that you can dig your own fossils in.

Early morning play time. I love how they were playing quietly together. All Summer long they did great and mostly got along. There were plenty of sibling squabbles, but overall they really enjoyed spending time together. Sibling love :)

4th of July and smoke bombs!! Again, Sam was crazed by the fireworks and getting to set them off. Isla was behind the door with head phones on. She is not a fan of fireworks.

End of the season soccer. They were the Cowboys!

Sam and Reo. He has always loved this cat and I found him one morning sitting in his under ware on the porch, just petting the cat and enjoying the morning.

Helping day cut up branches. Never to early to give your 5 year old a saw.....or perhaps it is.

Hanging out in a bunny hutch, they were in heaven. Along with Violet Calderaro. This kept them busy for most of the afternoon and up inside the hutch.

Isla started Saturday morning gymnastics at the YMCA. She calls it "flip school."

She LOVES it and looks forward to it during the week.

Swinging like a monkey!

Chilling in butterfly chairs at the Austin Botanical Garden.

Mishap of the Summer: Isla accidentally stepped on a sewing needle, which required unexpected surgery to remove. Here we are at Dell Children's ER waiting to go to surgery. Luckily, it was a very fast and easy procedure and she was back to normal in a few days. Hughhhh... the stress of parenting.

Sam learned to read this past year and has really excelled. He does a great job and Isla loves to snuggle up and listen. Of coarse his favorite books are super hero books. But whatever he likes to read, as long as he's reading, is great by us.

Perdenales State Park. This was in June before things got really hot. We hiked and splashed in the falls at the park. Here's Isla taking a snack break while the boys explored a little more.

Dad, Sam and Odelia hopping rocks.

It's Elsa from Frozen, or some form of her. Isla showing off her girly side. The cute thing is, is that Quinn bought this all on his own for her 2nd birthday. It just took another 1.5 years to grow into.

Last day of Summer at the same lake house as last Summer. We had so much fun last year, that we had to go back. Nothing like spending the last day of Summer in the lake and picnicking on the dock.

Sam had a lot of swim time this summer as well as swimming lessons. So he has turned into a fish and has made leaps and bounds of progress over the year.

Daddy just chillin like a villain.

Nearly nap time and girly is pooped out

At Fleet Foxes concert at Moody ACL theater. Feeling large and in charge at 36 weeks pregnant

Taking a rain walk during the several days of down pour during hurricane Harvey.

We had to get out and stretch our legs and looks for worms.