2 weeks old!

Ryker is 2 weeks old! He is just so cute but I can't seem to get a good picture of him. He always looks so cute but then I take the picture and it turns out just showing his grumpy face. He makes these really cute smiles all the time but I can't seem to ever catch one on camera. You'll just have to pretend that he is smiling for now.

Well I have finally decided that I'm tired of sitting down on the couch all day so I've started to really get back to the house work. I have almost finished doing all the laundry and I have the bathrooms all clean! I think that will be all for today, I better save some work for the rest of the week. I should go out and work in the garden a little but it is still a little muddy from all the rain. Maybe by tomorrow it will be dry and I can take some pictures for you all. We have started to get some squash, pees and radishes. I have to admit, the garden doesn't look near as good as it did last year but it has been a rough year with a late start. Anyway, nothing too exciting going on around here, just boring house work.

Getting back to life

Okay, I have taken a million pictures that I just want to post but let's face it, I've a new little one in addition to Rayden and short on time. So for now I thought I would put a quick update in to let you all know how we are doing. The excitement of the new baby has definitely worn off for Rayden. He no longer calls the baby by his name but just points and says "put him down". He also asks if the baby will go back in my tummy. I know it will take time to get used to but Rayden sure is jealous right now. I try reading extra stories with him and try to make him feel important while the baby is sleeping but it just isn't working. I guess it has been helping that Randy has actually been sticking to his work schedule and coming home during the afternoon to spend time with Rayden. It also has been nice that some of my friends have taken him for the day to play with their kids. I have some really great ward members and friends that have really helped out a lot!

Yes!! I finally got off the couch yesterday and got dressed in real clothes! It felt so good even though my clothes were really tight! Now if I can just have the energy to do the laundry or at least straighten up the house a little. I don't remember being so useless after having Rayden but I guess it is different after a second baby. Give me a few more days, or maybe a week, and I'll be back in full commission.

What a Miracle!

Here is Randy's baby picture so you can see how much they look like each other!

He finally made it!! What can I say, I am so relieved! He was born on Monday the 16th. As I was predicting, I went into my appointment and the doctor sent me over to Labor and Delivery. Of course it helped that I started having contractions on my way to the doctor and when I told her that she stripped my membranes to help things along and sent me on my way. I was a little nervous because Randy hadn't landed yet and I couldn't leave him a voicemail because his phone was acting up. Luckily, Ryker waited for his daddy to get there! As soon as Randy got to the hospital the doctor broke my water and with much pain, a lot of drugs, a few hours and a couple pushes he was out! One good thing about my babies being so big and long and my body being very short is that they come out pretty quick with just a few pushes! Anyway, he ended up being 8 lbs. 10 oz. 22 in. long! He looks so much like his daddy but some people say they can see little bits of me in there! Of course Rayden is so excited to finally have baby brother here! He was so cute in the hospital and kept wanting to lay down next to mommy and baby. He is such a big helper and is handling it all really well. The funniest things was when Ryker was having gas and I said to Rayden, "oh Ryker is going potty". Rayden pointed to the bathroom and said hurry hurry. I had to explain to him that Ryker has diapers and the toilet is for big brothers like Rayden. It is definitely going to be a learning experience for all of us. We are so blessed to have him here in our family and to have him healthy! What a miracle.

Amy Tagged me!!

I have been tagged so here it goes: How to play this game of tag. Post these rules on your blog. List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 Joys.
My Family
Being finished with school
Being able to stay home with children

3 Fears
Animals
Being alone
Playing the organ in sacrament meeting!

3 Goals
I want to own my own business one day
I want to get back into shape after the baby
Spend more quality time with Rayden

3 Obsessions
Popsicles/Snow cones/ice cream (basically anything cold)
Taking naps
Shopping on ebay


3 Random facts
I hate living in Missouri
I love getting a pedicure - however it has been six years since I got a professional one
I love cooking but only if it is for other people

I am tagging: Nina, Sarah, and Erika (only if you want to)

Just Great....

Can life get any more hectic! Just as I was hoping that this baby would come as soon as possible, life throws a curve ball at me. Now I am doing everything I can to keep him in a little longer, despite the miserable condition. I don't know what it is about Thursday and Friday but for the last three weeks those are the two days that I get so many contractions and almost go into the hospital. Now I am seriously counting on those days next week for my next wave of contractions because Randy will not be around much until then. Not only is next week one of the most busiest weeks ever for him at work because of seminar & graduation, but he also has the 11 yr. old scout camp overnighter that he has to go to because none of fathers will support their children and help out with the camp. He did manage to talk, or rather beg, one father into going but he can't be there the whole time. Since the church requires two Priesthood holders be there it looks like Randy is not getting out of it unless someone else will step up to the plate. I'm actually kind of hoping I go into labor after my Dr. appointment on Monday afternoon so that he is just forced to go with me to the hospital. I am such a horrible person for thinking that, I know.

Then, as if things couldn't get more crazy, at the last minute Randy has to rush out to Utah for a 24 hr. period and I am just praying that I do not have to have this baby alone!! I can see it now, me in the Labor & Delivery room screaming at the nurses and not having anyone there to give me any sympathy or video record it so I can laugh years later at how pathetic I am when it comes to any amount of pain! I seriously am a wimp!

OH and to make things worse, Rayden gets this mysterious cold from out of the blue! He hasn't even been around any other kids in the last few days that I can think of and we've mostly just been at home so I'm not sure where it came from. His colds always start out with an awful cough that sounds like the croup and then it turns into a nasty cold. When he woke up from his nap yesterday with the dreaded cough I knew right then I didn't want the baby coming for a while until this cold passes. One thing I like about summer babies is that you don't have to be too scared about them catching a lot of sickness being so tiny and fragile. I am hoping that he gets well before the baby comes so he can enjoy his new baby brother and not spread the germs!

So, for now I guess I will just be a couch potato for the next three days and try not to do anything that will help the process along. Although, I would like to finish painting the dresser for the baby. I have one more coat of paint and then I just need to find some drawer handles. I guess an hour of sitting down painting isn't too much work. Wish me luck!!

How Depressing

NO such luck on talking the doctor into inducing me yesterday. I was soooo depressed. My regular doctor is out of town and I thought for sure I would be dilated enough that I could talk this strange doctor into inducing me. Well, despite ALL the contractions I have been having, I haven't dilated anymore since my last appointment. I guess Baby Ryker is insistent on making me miserable for just a little bit longer. One good thing about it is that I can still go to my girl's night out. My friend wanted to plan a baby shower for me but I really didn't need much after all the wonderful clothes my sister loaned to me (Since I borrowed most of the outfits I used with Rayden for the first six months I didn't have much). So, instead of having a baby shower we are just going to have a girl's night where we are going to eat, laugh and have pedicures! Food, glorious food!!! At least that is one thing that is good this pregnancy, food tastes so good! With Rayden I was so sick I never wanted to eat and when I did eat I just threw up. I guess that is why I have gained so much more weight with this one!

Day out with Thomas

We made it to Day out with Thomas. I was afraid that I would go into labor and we wouldn't be able to go. Luckily the baby decided to wait a little longer. Rayden had so much fun! We got to go on a train ride and play with all sorts of train sets. There were lots of activities to do and even a little petting zoo. Rayden fed the goats and lamas and was laughing the whole time! Also, the weather turned out just perfect. It was a little overcast and there was just enough of a breeze to keep you cool. It was a pretty fun day for the family. However, Rayden will not stop asking me if he can go ride Thomas and Percy. I just have to keep telling him that Thomas went home to Sodor.

Pregnancy Update

I almost went to the hospital last night to see if I could have this baby! I had contractions all day Thursday but they weren't very regular. Then, all night I kept having them and starting around 3:00 a.m. on Friday they were 5 min. apart for about an hour. So, I decided to get up and eat something and walk around a bit to see if they would stay regular. Unfortunately they slowed down a little but then picked up again around 5:00 a.m. By then they weren't as strong and I was so exhausted that I fell asleep. I went out to run errands with my friend today thinking that being up and moving would get things going but I have not had very many contractions today. I bought tickets to take Rayden to ride Thomas the train tomorrow so now I hope this baby waits until after tomorrow to come. We will be about two or three hours away from the hospital tomorrow and I hope something crazy doesn't happen! Wish me luck!

No baby yet!

Well, the baby hasn't come yet. I know it's officially not time yet since I still have two in a half weeks, but I was really hoping that he would come soon. Here are some updated photos of the belly! I definitely think he is big enough - what do you think? I thought I would post some of your guesses on how big he will be and when he will arrive. If anyone else wants to make a guess go right ahead. Just so you know the official due date from the doctor is June 21st. Also, Rayden was right on time (only 2 days early) and was 8 lb. 1 oz. 21 1/2 in. I feel so much bigger with this baby so it will be interesting to see how big he is!

Your guesses:
Hanna - June 14th 9 lb. 12 oz. 22 in.
Amy - June 18th 9 lb. 4 oz. 22 in.
Mom BTW - June 20th 8 lb. 8 oz. 22 in.
Me - June 9th 9 lb. 1 oz. 22 in.
Tristin - June 23rd (I hope not that late) 8 lb. 5 oz. 23 in.

Garden like your life depends on it!

Well, we finally got our garden planted. I almost thought we would never get it done this year because we kept running into problems. From the very beginning of the spring I knew we would have problems because the older man in our town who always tills our garden has been in the hospital for quite a few months. We didn't know if he was going to ever get better and if he would even be able to drive his tractor. Then, the winter lasted forever and the spring has been so incredibly wet that we haven't been able to do anything! To make matters worse, when the ground wasn't wet, Randy spent all his time at work planting the garden there! Finally, yesterday was the first day that the weather was nice and Randy didn't have to go to work. He talked me into buying a bigger tiller and we finally got the thing planted! Randy is such a trooper, he stayed out there all night with his head lamp and flashlight just to get it all done. Even Rayden helped him hold the flashlight! I am just glad I have a husband who knows how to garden and who loves it enough to get it done. It is really nice to have fresh veggies all summer long and also to be able to can and bottle some for the winter months. I wanted to post some pictures of the garden but Randy won't let me until some of the seeds start to come up. I guess you all will just have to wait a week or two to see how beautiful it looks!