The Big Trip!

Some called us brave, most called us crazy to attempt a trip when Ashton was less than a month old...but we defied the odds and did it! And we're happy to report the trip was a success, hectic and stressful at times but well worth it.

Patrick's grandparents own a century farm in Boone, IA where corn and soybeans have been grown for over 100 years! Sadly, there is no one in the family to take over the Buechler farm and with Grandpa and Grandma in their 80's the time has come to sell the farm. Part of our trip was to attend the corporation meeting where a lot of decisions were made on how to dissolve the corporation. In addition, it was a great excuse for the family to all come together for a mini-reunion. Patrick's sister, Jenni came with her two boys. She hadn't met Parker or Ashton yet so everyone had fun getting caught up!

After a couple days in Boone, we loaded the boys and what felt like to Patrick 30 suitcases into the rental car for our 4 hour journey up to visit the other side of the family in MN. We always have such a great time going "home." I love it because I come from such a small family so its fun to have so many people around. Everyone loved meeting Ashton and seeing how much Parker has grown. We even snuck in a couple trips to the Mall of America where Parker loved the toddler rides and mommy loved the shopping. Every time we visit MN it makes me kind of sad that we live so far away! Patrick has such great family and friends and we always have a blast when we get together!

Looking out at the farm fields

The farm house

Riding Grandpa's John Deere- Parker was in heaven!



Meeting Grandma Betty for the first time!

Brother love

Parker & Cousin Maisey

Parker loved the rides at the Mall of America- especially because he got to ride all alone!


All the Halpin/Tormoen girls

Up to no good!

Pat and some college buds

3 generations

Grandpa with all his kiddos

Grandma Sue was such a HUGE help!!

Pat & Kristin

Pat, Uncle Jon & Ashton

Adventures at Home!

We survived the first few weeks home with our latest addition. Admittingly- this task was made MUCH easier thanks to the extra help and extra set of Nana hands. Nana came and stayed with us for the first week- keeping me company and giving me much needed breaks here and there. I think every house-hold needs 2 mommies! We even managed to have a couple funny moments.
Call it sleep deprivation, call us just being plain silly but one night as I completed Ashton's feeding my mom was trying to help me change his diaper. At this stage he is still not loving his diaper to be changed so having help is great. As I was putting the diaper on I commented that the "tabs" were both different. I noticed this and thought it strange enough to comment about but proceeded to put the diaper on anyways. Then my mom starts looking for the old diaper so she can throw it away...we can't find it anywhere. It wasn't until the next diaper change that we realized that the old diaper was still inside the new diaper we put on and since they were two different brands of diapers they both had different tabs. We laughed until we literally had tears streaming down our face!


Parker is obsessed with me breastfeeding...he was so curious about my pump so I told him to put it "on" and then I turned it on. So funny!

Some of our first visitors- Scot & Travis

Proud big brother cuddling in the crib


Papa meets Ashton for the first time

Proud Nana and Papa- I know they will shower this little guy with tons of love!

Big Brother Parker

We were really worried about how Parker would takke to his new role as big brother but we are happy to report he has been an absolute angel. He loves his brother so much and often kisses his little fingers and toes and says, "hi sweet baby!" I love watching him interact with him and it makes me so proud as a mom to see what a great transition he has made!!! He is also a huge helper and his favorite thing to do is stick his "binky" back in when Ashton starts crying! Here are some photos of the proud big brother!

Nana taught him two thumbs up- he's so excited about his new skill!

Watching over- such a big helper!

Big brother gets a treat!

Welcome Ashton Lee Halpin!

After 9 weeks of bed rest, five "false alarm" trips to the hospital and a lot of worry we finally welcomed our second little angel into this world. Ashton Lee Halpin made his grand appearance on February 20 at 1:59 PM. 4 weeks early he was a peanut weighing 5# 10 oz and was 18 1/2" long. I had a pretty easy delivery- only laboring for 2 hours. In fact, the nurse told me if we hadn't have come in when we did I might have had the baby at home! It is amazing to be a mommy again and when we met Ashton for the first time it was instant love all over again. Such a sweet little thing! I always wondered if there was enough love to go around but now that he is here I realize that you can love all of your children equally and they each bring their own unique joy into your life!

Watching Parker meet his little brother was a memory I will cherish forever- he was so sweet and when he ran into the room he melted my heart. He looked so grown up as he jumped up into bed with me and kissed Ashton's little hands and feet. He was so proud and kept saying "Hi sweet baby" and "he's so tiny!" We can't wait to see the two boys grown up together and create many beautiful memories!

Ice chips are the best- Where's my epidural?

What a miracle he is!

5#, 10 oz and sweet as can be!

In love with this sweet face already!

Our new addition!

Snuggles!

Proud Daddy!

Meeting Uncle Drew

Nana & Uncle Drew

"Auntie" Ali

Meeting Big Brother

I will cherish this memory forever!

So precious to see them together!

Proud Big Brother

After first bath- all clean but not very happy!

Dr. Hood was a GREAT coach- we were in the best of hands the whole way through!

Family Photos

One thing I really wanted to get done this time around was a maternity photo shoot so I could capture some touching shots of Parker and Patrick with my blooming belly! With everything that has been going with my pregnancy and bed rest I wasn't holding out much hope that we would get these shots...however, "Dozer" was able to hang on long enough so we could capture my pregnancy at 35 weeks. I am so happy about the way these shots turned out!