Project 365-Day 7 and Day 8

January 7, 2012

So for day 7, I took a picture of Ryder's new, 3-in-1 car seat. We had 2 infant travel systems, one Chicco and one Baby Trend. Well, we never used the Chicco one. We tried to return it to get a giftcard, but the color is "discontinued", so they wouldn't take it back. We "sold" it to some friends in Virginia who are expecting a baby girl this year...SOOO EXCITED FOR THEM... I went to Babies R Us with Ryder tonight and got him one I can use from now until he is 100 lbs in a booster...I'll keep this one in my car (YES- I FINALLY have my car and I am able to drive it!! woot woot) and Pat will keep the BabyTrend in his truck for the days when he picks Ryder up from daycare.

Well, while mommy and baby went shopping, daddy went shopping, too!!! Look what I came home to!!

January 8, 2012

Today, Ryder and I went and tried a new church. It is called Coastline Church and is in Carlsbad, CA. It is a little bit of a drive but so worth it! It is connected with ARC, a program for establishing churches that Church of the Highlands started. It is the only church that, when I walked into it, I didn't compare it to COTH. It was a lot smaller, but everyone knew everyone. Ryder did GREAT in the childcare. There were only 4 babies there and he was the only one who didn't cry. I was so proud.
These are pictures of daddy getting Ryder ready for church.

6 Months Gone By....

I cannot believe that at this time, 6 months ago, I was about to leave for my last OB appointment before my scheduled C-section on May 6. Little did I know, I would be admitted to the hospital for a week and would be leaving as a mommy. My DR appointment did not last very long. I stepped up on the scale, found out I was 32lbs heavier than only a week earlier (YES- 32lbs in ONE WEEK). I was then hooked up to the NST machine and the nurse took my BP. She then quickly left the room.... UH-OH... My Dr. came back in and asked how quickly my husband could make it in to town. She then gave me the option of a C-section at 4:30pm that day or early the next morning. I prayed hard that Pat could make it in and we could do it the next morning...but plans changed and the risk wasn't worth the wait so my sweet baby boy was delivered at 4:28 pm a healthy 8lbs 6oz and 20in long. His lungs were POWERFUL (they still are).
Pat, sadly, was unable to make it and neither did my mom. I will forever be grateful for my sister, who was there for me through it ALL. One of the first people to know, the first to come over and tell me it would be ok-that this was a miracle and we should all be excited, the first to go to a dr apt with me, and the first to be by my side the three times I was admitted into the hospital. She was the very first, besides the Drs to see Ryder. Thank you, Katie, for being an amazing supporter and for being there for me when I needed you most.
Here we are, 6 months later, and I have the sweetest baby in the world. I cannot believe that my newborn isn't here anymore, but when I look at this sweet baby sitting up, holding his bottle, rolling over, eating, and trying to pull up, I can't help but be amazed and in awe at how God has blessed me. If you know our story, you know it could have gone a completely different direction and we could be in a very different place today. But God knew the future. He had plans for Pat and me. I held on to Him-though it was hard at times-and I will forever be thankful for my family--my extended and my immediate.

Waiting for surgery with my sister, Katie.

Holding my sweet Ryder for the first time before he was taken to the NICU

Only mommy and daddy could touch him for a week

Daddy was the very first person to get to hold Ryder for any real length of time

6 months later....

Happy and smiling

sleeping blonde baby

Eating prunes....yummy

Called Out of Class

NEVER have I ever been pulled out of class before. Of course, I've never, really actually left Ryder anywhere. He has always been with me. Well, Pat and I joined the YMCA and I have been doing some classes there and leaving Ryder in the child care center-he needs some socialization with people other than me. He was doing great when I went with Pat in the evenings. When I have tried to go in the afternoon, he fights sleep and fusses and they have to come and get me. As soon as I put him in the car, he passes out haha.
I guess I'll have to work out in the morning or when Pat gets off work:)

PS-Ryder has started pulling up by himself...such a big boy

Little Napping Baby

I am sitting here watching my sweet baby take a nap in his swing. I absolutely love these sweet moments when he looks so peaceful and is dreaming. He loves being cuddled up in his brown, "fluffy" blanket. He loves having his lullabies playing in the background. I love my baby sooo much.
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O-Town Bound

Ryder and mommy are going to visit Grammy and Grandpa in 1 WEEK!!! We are so excited. It was originally supposed to be a surprise, but Grammy was so sad about leaving us in Birmingham, that we had to tell her we were coming to visit. Then, Grammy surprised us and bought different flight dates so we could come earlier and extended our trip so we could have a chance to visit everyone and spend time with everyone without being stressed.
My friend from high school, that I use to dance with, also had a baby girl yesterday. I am so excited for her and her husband. Little Kailey Rose was 8lbs 1 oz (I believe) and is healthy and beautiful! Here is a picture of her:

Look how beautiful she is!!!!

I am so excited to get to O-Town and see her and get my hands on her. The last time I saw Cristina, she was still very much pregnant and Ryder was 3 weeks. Things have changed so much in the past 4 months. I can't wait for her to see how Ryder has grown and what she has to look forward to!

Ryder got in the bed with me, yesterday. I was sitting and talking to him and trying to take pictures. He looked at me and brought his finger in front of his mouth as if he was telling me to hush--TOO FUNNY