Ryker Look Alikes?!

aka Siblings :)
Ryker on the left two. . .Ainsley on the right two. . . Ryker on the left two. . .Porter on the right two. . .

Trey on the left. . .Ryker on the right. . .

There is no doubt that Ryker belongs to our family :)

Your Birth Story

Your big sister and brothers love to hear the stories about when they were born! And now, you have your very own birth story. I was scheduled to have a csection on Friday morning, Oct 15, at 7 am, and needed to check in at 5 am. I woke up around 2ish with crampy contractions that ended up being 3-5 min apart, so Grammy came over and we headed to the hospital a little early so you could be monitored. As we anxiously WAITED for 7am to roll around, they did some prepping. . .gave me an IV, etc. . .we did some praying. . . and I remember thinking, only 2 hrs. . .only 1 hr. . .only 30 min. . .til this baby is going to be brought into this world. . .he/she has no idea! Your daddy got to wear a fancy "space suit" as he called it, and as he changed into it, I was wheeled into the operating room to get my spinal etc. When I got into the operating room, there was EXCITEMENT in the air! This was it. I was about to meet my baby. The radio was on, and they turned it to 96.5 at my request, which the others in the room liked also. A nice nurse let me hold (squeeze) her hands while I got my spinal. . .then I layed down and waited to feel numb. Before too long, they brought GooF in, gave me some oxygen, I felt calm :) and I could feel them working on my tummy. The doctor commented on my beautiful stomach (good to know :) )numerous times and gave me a play by play. Then I felt them pushing you down and out and waited for the sound of your cry. That has got to be one of the absolute BEST sounds in the world. . your childs first cry. And there it was. I remember getting teary at the sound of it. They said, "It's a boy!" which we were pretty sure about, and daddy said you looked like Porter. The anesthesiologist said you were a big one, someone asked what time it was, and soon they asked if we had a name for you. We named you Ryker Matthew. We found the name Ryker online with baby names, and Matthew is your daddy's middle name. Plus, Matthew means, "gift of God," which I love, because God gave us you as a gift! I was smiling and teary, as they began to stitch me up and I could see them working on you via a monitor placed by me. Then I began to get the shakes and lightheaded so had to close my eyes and rest a bit. Before too long, they moved us to another room, where I got to breastfeed you for the first time, and watch as the nurse gave you your first bath. You peed all over yourself so she had to clean you again, and she couldn't figure out how to comb your very curly hair. She was trying to get you to cry, to get the gunk out, but you just didn't really want to. Getting the gunk out of you was the story of your hospital stay, but we'll save that for another day. My friend, Kristi, was thankfully allowed to be in the operating room taking pictures of your birth, and captured your small hand holding onto daddy's finger for the first time and such. . .some of which is not blog material :) Ryker Matthew, We are so thankful for your life, and that God chose you to be our son! You are snug in your moby wrap as I'm typing this, already almost a month old! We love you,
mommy

"7 years old and practically an adult"

Well, that's what daddy says atleast :)We thank God that 7 years ago today, He gave us YOU as our daughter, making us your mommy and daddy! You had requested breakfast in bed for your birthday, so this morning Porter put on an apron, had me make you a menu, and delivered you a number 7 pancake in bed :) You are caring, giving, joyful, and all around a beautiful child of God! Happy 7th Birthday Ainsley Brielle. . .we love you!

Introducing. . .

Ryker MatthewSo many stories and pictures to share, but am currently soaking up 8 lb 2 oz and 20.5 in of newborn smell, newborn skin, newborn sleepiness and newborn sweetness! We love you Ryker Matthew and thank God for you!

What can I say?

I like myself a cowboy!

Preparing as only little boys can do

I asked the boys what they were doing with the little wagon and leaves and they said, "Preparing a bed for the new baby." :)
Maybe if it was a baby kitty like Trey thought not long ago. Kinda reminds me of making a bed for baby Jesus :)

Accomplishments!

Bending over with a "two wks to go" tummy,

to tie your shoes (not to mention loosening the laces because your feet have um, grown), is quite an ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Learning to sew a changing pad
while your expert seamstress of a mom sews you a super cute diaper bag
is quite an ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Reading all 40+ "Henry and Mudge" books from the library and reading books as fast as daddy can bring them home. . .
is quite the ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Posting all of the cute photos I've taken recently of our kidlets, is too big an accomplishment, so it's football watching and baby name book browsing for me. . .