Thursday, December 15, 2011

Tis The Season

I love my little boy.  Oh so much!  He's started cereal per the doctors instructions and is doing rather well with it.  For over a month, maybe even longer, he has been sleeping for 7-9 hour stretches at night then wakes for a feeding then goes back down for 2-3 hours.  I can lay him in his crib just slightly drowsy and he falls asleep on his own.  We have always gone to him when he cries and I recently saw a saying that hit home..........
"Teach your child trust.  Go to them when they cry."  I do think this is what we did from the get go.  I guess there is also a method/book out there that teaches that too?  I can't remember what it's called.  Either way, bedtime is always a breeze unless he is overly exhausted.  Even getting up with him for his 4:30 or 5:30 am feeding is a breeze.  Even if he's awake I can lay him back in his crib and he will put himself to sleep when he is ready.  He very seldom cries and if he does it's because he is hungry, needs to burp or needs to be changed.  He is such a great baby.  I am also in love with my Angel monitor system.  It has a sensor pad that even senses the slightest movement such as him breathing.  I recently read a post on babycenter about a baby Ryne's age that passed away from SIDS so I decided it was time to get that puppy out and hooked up!!  After ten seconds of no movement an alarm goes off.  We have tested it several times.  So far I've been lucky in always remembering to switch the alarm off before taking him out.  Daddy, not so much.  LOL  I think it's just because Momma does it more.  I don't think I ever posted any of our pictures we had made so I'll try to do that.  He was 3 months old in them.  His Santa pictures he is 4 months old in.  I'm gonna let this do for now.  I need to tend to laundry, supper dishes, finish wrapping a few presents and then try and shower and relax!  Not to mention bath for baby boy, feeding and then putting him to bed.  Did I mention............breastfeeding is one of the best decisions I could have ever made!!!!!!
If I don't make it back before the 25th..........Merry Christmas!!
 







Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Four Months

My little guy is 4 months old today.  Of course I have a photo bomb blog but I'm just not ready to do it right yet.  Along with all the e-mails I need to catch up on.  Sigh, tis the season!  Sickness on my part hasn't helped either.  Thankfully we think it's just a virus but I sure wish it would move on from my body!  5 days is long enough!  Just trying to keep from getting dehydrated at this point.  My boy needs his food!
Ryne had his four month check-up yesterday and the doctor said he's "perfect".  I'm sure that's far from the truth but in his books he's doing great!  Of course, I think he's just perfect.  Any mom would of their own child.  He did great with his shots, only cried for about 3 seconds then was done.  He was such a good boy.  He's been fussy here lately and getting super, duper drooly so I know what that means.  He's so much fun right now though.  He does not want to be horizontal anymore.  He wants to stand all the time and let's you know it!  I love having conversations with him, having smiling matches and making him giggle.  Such a wonderful time in our lives right now!  So, until I get a moment to upload photos and such, this will have to do.  Here's to a busy few weekends ahead.  Let the rat race begin!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Monday, November 7, 2011

3 Months

My baby boy turned three months old today.  We celebrated with lunch with Gramma.  I *think* he has a tooth coming in on top.  I feel a little sharp point and he's been kinda fussy and drooling but I could completely be wrong too.  :o)  I am NEW at this after all.  I think we are past our growth spurt as he slept through the night again last night.  I was shocked when I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and finding out it was already 6:30!!  Way to go Ryne!

Here's a few pics and then I'm off to bed!

My brother saw this picture and said "Holy Crap!!  He looks two years old!"  He does and it scares me!  Cliche but...............he's growing up too fast!!!



We had pictures made for his 3 months and here is one of them.  He was not very cooperative and was hot and hungry.  I'm hoping at least ONE of the three of us turned out!  I LOVE this one below and there's a few more that are amazing but they'll just have to wait.  Gotta keep y'all coming back ya know??


Saturday, November 5, 2011

Too In Love To Post :o)

Yes, I apparently am too in love with my baby boy to find time to post.  If he's awake and active all I want to do is look at him or hold him and play.  I am due for a post though so as he rocks away in his little swing and sleeps so soundly I will post!
He must have recently gone through a growth spurt because he was sleeping through the night and this past week has been getting me up twice.  Last night was just once so he might be getting back on track.  He's also eating for less time but every hour or so during the day, cluster feeding I suppose.  Either way, it's not as bad now that I have had a while to get used to less sleep.  In the beginning it was so tough.  I will NEVER forget how exhausted I was that first night and week!!
So, I have some pictures to upload.  Halloween of course.  I made Ryne's costume for his first Halloween.  It turned out pretty cute!  He went to see his Uncle Tommy and Aunt Tammy then to his Pawpaw's and Grammie's then to his Nana's house.  With four sets of grandparents it's tough!  We have 2 Nana's; a Grammie; a Gramma; a Pepaw; a Gramps; and a Pawpaw.  Phew!
He got the cutest little Halloween "gift" from his Uncle Tommy and Aunt Tammy.  A little start for his savings account.


Here is my little football.  This was at Nana and Pepaw's in Eureka Springs, Arkansas the weekend before Halloween.  They got him that cute little Snoopy, two bibs, and a couple of Halloween outfits.  I'm gonna say that the Twix and Snickers in his bucket were for us! 


For many years I have had two scarecrows I put out along with other decorations.  This year I got to add a "little" scarecrow to our display!


Visiting Pawpaw and Grammie.


Ryne's little pumpkin.  My marker wasn't working real good! 


Here's a cute little picture I did up and sent with Halloween cards to a couple of friends and family.  It was too fun!


Now to come up with something creative for Thanksgiving! 


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Life Happens

 So, life most certainly happens and time gets away from us!  I FINALLY e-mailed a dear friend back after I think two weeks!  HORRIBLE but hey, I did it and it will be fine.  She understands!  I absolutely LOVE this outfit from Gymboree.  That's why this pic is at the top of my blog.  He is so adorable!


 When we went to the State Fair I got this to eat.  It's actually a cupcake!  It looked so real!  The bun is cupcake, the hot dog is chocolate icing and the mustard is vanilla icing dyed yellow.  



October 13, 2011 was my four year anniversary for quitting smoking.  I won't lie, I've had the urge and several times.  I don't think that will ever go away.  My hubby surprised me with my "Four Roses for Four Years Smoke Free".  As much money as I save not smoking, I think the roses were worth it!  :o)





On another note, I took this picture of Marley the day after we took Dagwood to his new home.  It makes me sad because she looks like she is sad looking out the window wondering where he is.  He drove her nuts but they did play together.  Her and Keiko used to play all the time until he came and took over that so I hope they remember that and start playing again soon.  Dagwood went to a family that I know personally and they said he is SO spoiled.  I am so happy about that.  He was so deprived of the attention he needed and deserved here at our house.  I'm so happy he is where they will play, play, play with him!


Recently while at the Sooner Fashion Mall I was needing to nurse Ryne so I figured I would have to go into the family bathroom to do it until I saw this room!  I was SO excited!  They had a glider rocker, ottoman and changing table in this room and you could lock it and take care of your business.  It was SO nice.  I didn't feel vulnerable or rushed or dirty by being in a BATHROOM.  Thank you Sooner Fashion Mall!



We met our great friends Staci, Curtis and their son Kaden in Wichita this last weekend for a trip to the zoo.  It was so good to see them!!  Below, our first zoo trip as a family.  Well, we went when Ryne was in the oven, so technically second family trip!  


My AWESOME friend Staci.  She is expecting in February and looks so adorable.


My little man just about to sneeze............




Daddy and Ryne........he's such a proud daddy!



Staci, Ryne, Kaden and I.  My darn dimples.  And, YES, Ryne has them too!



Ryne is growing by leaps and bounds.  He actually rolled over from front to back the other day.  He was 11 weeks old this last Sunday.  He opens and closes his fists like crazy but he LOVES to clench them.  He's usually either "riding a motorcycle" or waiting to "box" someone.  I don't think I want him doing either when he grows up.  :o)

He says "Put 'em up!"





Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lemons


I sure wish someone would have taught me how to make lemonade better.  All these lemons I *feel like* life is throwing at me lately are building up!  LOL

This cute little guy keeps me going though.  At 8 1/2 weeks I'd say he's doing pretty darn good at holding his head up.  He can definitely arch that back!

And a special thanks to some great friends for the encouraging words/posts following my "Final Destination Mind" blog.

Friday, October 7, 2011

2 Months

My little guy is two months old today.  We've had a good day and he has given me beautiful smiles and wonderful conversation today.  We are celebrating by taking him to his first drive-in movie.  He is going to see "The Help" and "Moneyball".  Here's to hoping it's a good evening.  As long as we can maneuver feeding and diapering in the mostly "dark" car we should be good!

Happy 2 Month Birthday My Sweet Boy!  I love you more than life itself!


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Final Destination Mind

So, I mentioned in a previous blog that I have a "final destination" sort of mind.  Let me explain.  Nearly every thought I have regarding the good in my life turns into a negative, life ending thought.  This has been the case in the past but it seems to be much more so now that I have my long awaited Ryne here.  I imagine it's the fear of not being here, to see him grow up, or the fear that Rusty won't be here, or the fear that (GOD FORBID) Ryne won't be here.

So, here is an example of my "Final Destination Mind".

A few weekends ago I was going to be having company and Rusty asked what all needed to be done and two of the things mentioned was sweeping and mopping the wood floor in the living room.  I was showering first so when I heard the sweeper going I was happy that he was doing it for me.  Then, I wondered, will he mop too?  That's when the thought turned bad.  (See, something good becomes bad.)  Ryne was in his room  and we have walk through child gates on both entries into his room.  These gates have a bottom on them so you have to step over them.  During the day, mostly, we prop the gate doors open and we just have to step over the bottom.  So, here's where this got bad.  I imagined getting out of the shower and going through Ryne's room and then into the living room where I would step onto the wood floor, slip (because it's damp from Rusty so graciously mopping it), and as I go down my head hits either the corner of the top of the gate or hits the bottom of the gate.  And, you guessed it, I die.  That's it.  I only get 6 weeks with my baby boy.  No more.  **I was very thankful when I opened the bathroom door and asked Rusty if he had mopped too.  He hadn't.  One time I was glad he didn't do something to help out.**

Well, this caused me to bawl like a baby in the shower.  And I mean gasping because I was bawling so hard.  Those thoughts are HORRIBLE.  I can't begin to understand what I would go through if I actually lost my child.  Following that was a migraine like headache that lasted for 3 days.  I don't know if the crying had anything to do with it but I think it might have.

Second example??

Driving home from town with Ryne I had this thought of what if something bad happened to Rusty.  I don't remember what he was doing and why I had the thought??  Probably driving on the two-lane highway every day.  My thoughts were I'd move, probably closer to my mom.  Then I thought, no, he'd need to stay here because that's what Rusty would want.  Then I thought, well, I'd build a small home for us.  Then I thought, no, he needs to live in the one that Rusty actually built three of the walls with his own hands.  Ugh............

And of course, I do it with Ryne too.  I wish my mind didn't take this route.  It's like a downward spiral of thoughts.  One thought leads to another, then to a worse one, then to the ultimate fear.  I bring myself to tears all the time because of it.

I've been like this for a long time so I imagine it won't be changing.  I can only hope that the "final destination" won't be happening any time soon for any 3 of us.

I would say I can't imagine my life without my husband or Ryne, but I can and I do.  I wish I didn't because it is a terrible way to use my imagination.


Monday, October 3, 2011

8 Weeks

Today we had our two month well baby check.  He was technically 8 weeks yesterday.  Anyone who knows about well baby checks knows that today was......SHOTS.  I was NOT looking forward to this but we did surprisingly well.  I did not cry, to my surprise, however my little brave guy did.  We have had an okay evening and he was extremely fussy earlier but that was because he was exhausted.  He has most recently CRASHED.
He weighs 11 pounds and 1 ounce and is 22 3/4 inches long now.  I can not believe how big he has gotten and how much he has changed.  I love our "conversations" and his smiles are oh so beautiful.  I can't imagine not having him in my life.  But then again I can imagine it.  I seem to have a "final destination" kind of mind.  That blog is for later.  This is just a short teaser because I am going to take advantage of him being out right now!  Here's some pics!

This first one, he was exactly one month old and the baby acne was in full force!  This picture turned out so dang cute though!


















He loves to lay on his changing table.  Obviously these are out of order.  He's older in the one directly above!
























He attended his first State Fair of Oklahoma.  We only went for the food but the weather was gorgeous and we all had a much needed great family outing!














One of the many beautiful smiles we get.  You can't see it here but our little guy has dimples.  Imagine that!  Again, this picture is an early one.



He's getting his scared face down for Halloween apparently!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Time Flies....

Our baby boy turned 7 weeks old today.  He also took his first bottle of breast milk from daddy.  I was even in the same room and even spoke a couple of times.  He has changed so much from even two weeks ago.  He has started rewarding me with beautiful *real* smiles and cooing that sends me to cloud 9 instantly.  He is more alert more often during the day and sleeping longer and more soundly at night.  He has also started sleeping in his crib and we have stopped swaddling him.  I know here before too long he'll be six months old.  I can't believe in one week he'll be two months old.  Oh how time flies!

When we were still in the hospital they came around to do newborn pictures.  We thought they'd just take one little picture so we left him in his hospital onesie.  It was pretty neat how they took a white sheet and hospital onesie and created such beautiful pictures.  They also set them to music and created a little video that makes me cry every time I watch it.  The song is just beautiful.  And that little boy in those pictures?? Well, in my opinion, he's just beautiful too.










Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Happy Fall!

We're a few days early but it's almost officially fall!


Of course there's more to blog about but I stay busy with this little Q-T!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Photo Card

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Country Life

I enjoy living in the country with the wildlife, beautiful sunsets and so forth.  Today, however, I saw something disturbing.  I was going to take a picture but I couldn't even bring myself to do that.  And, honestly, it probably isn't that big of a deal but it is still bothering me.

I was outside with the dogs.  I turned around and there was a grasshopper crawling on a tree I was standing by.  Being the "sciency" person I am, I always examine bugs and so forth a little more than the normal person. This grasshopper wasn't okay.  The grasshopper looked "different" but upon closer examination this grasshopper was missing all legs but the front two on the left and the very front one on the right.  The only portion of the grasshopper left below the thorax was the abdomen.  No wings, no back legs.........it was just not right.

What I saw when I looked at this grasshopper was torture.  What I saw was mutilation.  Now I imagine there wasn't something out there that set out to "torture" or "mutilate" this creature but for some reason that's where my mind led me to.  I sit here now and ponder why.  Subconsciously, why?

I have told myself that a bird had tried to feast on this unlucky grasshopper and he somehow escaped his final demise but that has not erased the image from my mind nor this uneasy, disturbing feeling I continue to have nearly 9 hours later.

Why?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

September 7th

Today is a most important day.  It's our anniversary (9 years!!) and our little Ryne is one month old!  Two great reasons to be so very thankful.  Here's a picture of our little family.  Of course Ryne isn't one to hold completely still for a picture!  I am really happy to report that I've now lost a total of 36 pounds.....which is about 5 or so less than I started out at.  I am looking forward to being released so I can start a little bit of exercising too.  Of course I have tons more pictures but not for tonight.  I'm gonna catch some z's while my beautiful baby boy does too!