The "trying 3's" and almost 8 weeks!

Having a toddler is an adventure almost every minute of the day.  Noah LOVES being home with us...in fact if we never left our property...I don't think he would care!  He loves to play cars and super heroes and the sandbox and the pool and anything with a ball and with tools...specifically with his Daddy.  Mommy is ok...but if daddy is around...I'm out:)  There is something so precious about hearing your husband's voice change into super hero mode and the giggles that come from the room!  I LOVE IT!  A friend from church (she is like another mom to me) talked to me today about the "testing 2's and the trying 3's" and it is perfect.  Noah is a very sweet...funny...loving little boy.  He has discovered that he can scream...which is NOT COOL.  Daddy has a ton of patience and takes him aside for talks.  I had my first public meltdown with him at the mall.  I just let him scream and then eventually we moved on.  He also talks back and says no...like when we tell what and when to eat.  We know it's normal and are thankful that he can communicate! 

I love being home...I start my last 3 weeks of maternity leave tomorrow.  Some days go so fast that I can't believe that is correct and other times...I am ready to go back just to have a routine.  I feel like I am getting the hang of things with Ryder...he eats every 3-4 hours (even at night) and I pump after a feeding every other time.  The sleeping thing is a constant battle...he does sleep well...much better than Noah...but getting him to sleep on his own is another story!  I am incredibly anxious about SIDS...we follow EVERYTHING they suggest...I am constantly pushing the pacifier...some days are better than others:)  I asked day care about sleep and I forgot that they don't leave the babies by themselves in a room...someone is always watching them...so at least that part of sleeping I can be relieved!  We are building a stockpile of milk for day care (in fact my parents will have to store some for us!!!).  Ryder started smiling on July 4th...it is the BEST!  We haven't caught a lot on camera...but a few on the video camera.  I hopped on the scale and then with him...and we are guessing around 13 pounds...we go this week to his 2 month check (2 months...that is crazy!!!!!!!).  We made the decision to spread out the vaccinations...he will get them all...just not all at once.  So...this week with be the full check and one round.  Keep you posted!

 The card...

 The roses that Noah picked out...thanks daddy;)

 The boys reading one of their FAVORITES!!!!!!!!! 

 1st Pintrist meal...pineapple-barbque-chicken...in the crock pot!  It was awesome...and easy!!

 Smile at church!!!!!!!!!

 Sad face....like 10 seconds later

 1st bottle!!!  On Sunday, July 8th!!!

 I needed something different for my jewelry and we searched on Pintrist and came up with this...it is filled now and looks great.  Scott is becoming quite the handy man!!!  I will post a pic of it filled next time!!

We have made a commitment to be more healthy and have started running.  Will keep you posted!  Scott decided to run something called the Warrior Dash.  He asked our friend TJ to do it with him and we spent Saturday cheering them on.  It is more mileage than a 5K and contains obstacles.  Scott has run one 5K with me and one with our friend Andy...that is it.  I am not fast...but I like to run and have run quite a few road races...2 marathons, 2 half marathons, the BIX, lots of 5Ks...but this was another beast.  He started training and I am SOOO proud of him!  He finished in about 48 minutes...they got stuck waiting a few times to get through some obstacles.  It was in Earlham (near Des Moines) in the middle of NOWHERE and the weather was in the 90's.  Brittany (TJ's wife) and my Uncle Steve and I were along for the ride.  We thought we might be able to watch a bit...but it turned out to mostly be in the woods...so we only saw the beginning and then end.  Here are some pics:

 Yes...that it barbwire with red flags on it...

 MUDDY water..gross...

 Almost out!!!!!

 DONE!!!!!!!

 The team:)

Donated shoes...:)

Noah's Birthday and 6 weeks old!

Well..we survived the 3 year old birthday party!  We were a bit nervous about the weather...but it was perfect.  We are so blessed to have such great family and friends in our lives who came to celebrate another year of Noah.  We had a long talk with Noah about presents as a friend of ours brought a Thomas the Train toy and Noah said..."I don't want this...I want tools..." luckily she is a grandma and laughed...but I was mortified!!!!  I stressed about what to do for the treat for Noah's party...we haven't done a theme yet...I figure when he can remember I will...but not yet.  So...he loves ice cream and I don't have a big enough freezer to store anything (stuffed with frozen breast milk and casseroles from people!!)...so we did ice cream treats and a cupcake for Noah to blow out.  The usual hot dogs and brats and my mom's famous potato salad.  Noah got all sorts of great things to play with.  Games and balls and a 3 wheeler and a fun sprinkler and Scooby Doo stuff.  All in all a great day!  We started the day out with the Sturgis Falls parade and both boys did great.

Ryder is six weeks old...we can't believe it!  He is starting to SMILE...yes...not just gas...but SMILE!  It is great!  He started cooing this week as well...precious.  Ryder is doing great with tummy time and is getting in a pretty good routine of being awake about an hour with each feeding (luckily at night he goes back to sleep most of the time).  I hopped on the scale at my parents house (getting there...more on that next) and with Ryder and it is 13 pounds!  We go for his 2 month appointment soon.  Starting to think about work and kind of ready for a routine...but not ready to leave my kids!!  We are working on Ryder and rolling over...keep you posted.

Scott and I are determined to get in shape and lose some weight.  We have a lot of junk in the house right now...so when it's gone...it's gone.  No more buying treats while shopping.  Scott is running the Warrior Dash (5ksh and obstacle course...) and I am running the Dirty Girl Run (similar but not as hard core as Scott's).  Keep you  posted as we embark on this weight loss/get healthy step!

A friend mentioned the idea of a cooking club...doing this like once a month and everyone bringing enough to take home meals...I think this is a great idea and I hope it happens!  We need a big enough place...have to brainstorm.  It is babies galore around here and I am pumped to watch everyone embark on this next step!!  Here are some fun pics:

 Pregnant friends!!!!

 Noah and his cupcake:)

 Noah and his buddies unwrapping!!!

 Serious business putting together the 3-wheeler!!!

 Playing with the new soccer ball!!

 Frosting the cupcakes for day care!!!

 Good snuggler!!!

 Building the race track that Noah got from Mommy and Daddy...it goes on the wall!!

 Open house at Hansen's Dairy..."milking the cow"

 Big smiles!!!

 "Reading" Ryder his favorite book..."Just me and my dad..."

 Kind of caught the smile!!!

 Great Nana and Papa Conklin!!

 Just talking with Great Papa!!

 4th of July bib!!

 Great tummy time and posing with the big brother!!!!!!!!

4 weeks old and almost 3!!

 Happy Daddy Day (and 6 years of marriage!!!!)

 Yeah for tummy time!!

 Play time for the brothers...

 Aww...Daddy:)

 Friends visiting and babies!!!!

The best...

Well...Ryder is 1 month old!!  Seems like he has been here all along!  And...my oldest will by 3 on Sunday...he is such a fun little man.  The toddler transition has been interesting.  When I get frustrated with him (he talks back...he throws fits...he can THROW things...), I think...I am lucky and blessed to have a child who can do these things...and it keeps me calm.  Noah...you are such a good big brother.  You rush to Ryder's side when he is fussy...saying, "I'm right here...I'm right here..." and it often calms him down.  You are a good helper most of the time...especially with the diapers!  You like to comment on how "big" the poops are!  You love to play anything with a ball and tools and especially LOVE to be outside.  You share really well at day care...and okay at home.  Still need to work on that:)   Mommy and Daddy (especially Daddy) have been working on getting you into your own bed.  And the last 2 nights you did!!!  All by yourself...with a bed full of stuffed animals!  You are not super fond of bugs...but love to squish them.  You still take an afternoon nap...and you still need one!  You are getting good your numbers (even counting with your fingers!!), you know your shapes and colors.  We are working on right and left and will start with more later in the summer.  You give the best "big squeezers" as we call them (hugs) and great kisses.  You go to the bathroom on your own and only need help to wipe with number 2:)  Mommy and Daddy love you sooooooooo much!!!

Ryder...last night he slept in the bassinet (thanks Uncle Jake and Aunt Megan) on his own for a few hours!!  We were co-sleepers with Noah (for many reasons...) and while Scott is cool with Ryder in the same room...he needs some sleep so we are trying to not do it so much with Ryder.  The last month has alternated Ryder in my arms and on my chest (which is painful while breastfeeding!!!).  He is getting to almost 3 hours (although still a few 2 hours) to eat...and still is very mellow.  He needs to be swaddled in order to really sleep unless he is on your chest. 

We have the big birthday this weekend...so more pics to come!!

3 week old!

We have been adjusting!  Ryder is still a super calm baby...and Noah is being a champ on an older brother:)  Ryder had his 2 week appt (well...almost 3 week) and weighed in at 10.8lbs!  He is a champion eater.  Still eating every 2-3 hours...I am ready for that to stretch to 4 hours!!!!  Noah also had his 3 year old appt...he is finally at 30lbs and is around 36 inches tall...30% for everything.  Both boys are developmentally on target.  We are keeping up with laundry and dishes...just enjoying being home.  Everyone has been great about bringing meals and stopping by for small periods of time.  I am too pooped to have people here for hours at a time!!!!  We are so blessed to have great people in our lives! 

Noah has been loving every minute that he can have outside.  Playing with his squirt guns and sand box have been his favorite.  I can't believe he will be 3 next week...they say it goes fast...but 3 years...wow...he is one fun little boy.  I will write him a note next week:)

Ryder is 3 weeks...and that has flown by as well!  He is a great eater and is following well with his eyes.  I have been pooped and peed on...I forgot how powerful they are!  Getting him to sleep on his back and by himself have been the hardest part.  It is getting better during the day...but during the night I am struggling.  We have periods of time where he just won't settle down which makes is hard to stay awake.  Ryder's chubby cheeks and little hands are just great.  He can grip your finger and when I nurse him he grabs a hold of me. 

Scott and I will have our 6th wedding anniversary this Sunday as well as Father's Day.  Hard to believe it has flown by so fast.  He is busy with a summer class and is staying busy with his "honey-do" list.  Re-doing the stone patio with a weed barrier is his latest project.  So lucky to have a great hubby with a great work ethic!  Pics next time!

Baby #2 is here!!

Well...we are a family of 4 now!  Scott and I are excited to welcome Ryder Scott Connolly into the world on May 23rd at 1:38pm.  He was 7.14.8 lbs and 21 inches long at birth.  Here is the story of his birth...it will be a long post.  My mom retired on the 22nd of May so Noah and I slept in, went to Panera and then headed out to New Hartford to spend some time with her on her last day of school.  Noah got to see his Daddy at school and his nana!  We hung out all morning and then I took Noah to day care.  I had decided to take the Monday and Tuesday off since I was caught up at work...I had the house picked up, laundry done and put away...so I just relaxed Tuesday afternoon.  We went out for supper and just hung out on Tuesday night.  I was getting induced the next day at 8am (my due date) and I wanted to just relax. 

I woke up around 2:30am and didn't feel so hot.  I had been having contractions the last 2 weeks (also went to the hospital twice...thinking I may have been in labor!!)...but these contractions were different.  The nurses has told me I would know...and it turns out they were right!  These were different.  I woke Scott and up and then hopped into the bathtub around 3:15am.  I started timing them and then called the hospital around 4am and then my dad (he was going to be with Noah while we headed in...) and then woke Scott up again. Our friend Brittany was staying with us and Scott had to grab her keys to move her car...she checked in on me and I started bawling!!  I was looking down at Noah sleeping away and kept thinking about how much his life was going to change.  I also didn't want to be away from him.  And...I am sure the hormones weren't helping.  She was a trooper and calmed me down...my dad arrived and off we went!  With Noah (we were also induced...) we practically MOVED into the hospital...this time we only had a few bags.  We got to the hospital and they had us walk around for a bit.  My contractions were for real (but no real progress in being dialated...).  I could hang out...walk more...but I was staying put!  I was so excited to actually be in labor...I went on my own which is what I wanted to do!!!!!!!  Dr. Lipinski said it was up to me...and now that I felt actual contractions...turns out I was cool with the epidural.  They really hurt...:(  I got the epidural and the pitocin and then she broke my water.  Dr. Mall came in around noon to see how I was doing.  I had made some progress (around a 2-3 at 9:30am and then a 4-5 around 11:30am).  I wanted to take a nap...and I woke up around 1:10pm with lots of pressure...I told Scott to get a nurse.  The nurses at Covenant are OUTSTANDING...I can not express how amazing the staff was with us.  The nurse that was with us at this time had delivered her 3rd baby in her care...FOR REAL!!!!!!  She was hysterical and checked me...and said, "would you freak out if you were ready to go??"  We had been joking about how long it took with Noah...so I was not banking on this going fast.  Well...I was ready!!!  Scott called me mom (I wanted someone to hold my other leg...) and she was in the car at 1:19pm.  They put my legs up and not kidding...2.5 contractions later...RYDER!!  I was sooo excited to find out what we were having...we were the only family in labor and the fact that we didn't know what we were having...we were quite the hit!!!!!  I was crying as I was pushing because I was so excited and it happened soooo fast!  Scott didn't even have time to hold my hand.  I changed my mind at the last minute and had them put Ryder on me...it was an incredible feeling.  My mom walked in...and was shocked to find out he was here!

I felt great.  With Noah...it was so long and scary...but with Ryder being number 2...it was so much less scary.  The next two days were filled with visitors and learning how to breastfeed again.  Ryder is a much calmer baby...Scott jokes that Ryder is like him and Noah is like me:)  Scott stayed both nights with me...which was great because the breastfeeding was hard.  I gave up and pumped with Noah...and was determined to learn with Ryder.  The nurses were great and we have the hang of it (for the most part!!).

Noah meeting Ryder was interesting.  He wasn't sure about him...once he got a "present from Ryder" then he was excited.  He was struggled with calling Ryder a him/he since he was so sure he was having a sister:)  But overall...all is well here.  Ryder is super calm...an okay sleeper and a GREAT eater.  We took him to the doctor on Tuesday and he had gained almost an entire pound!! 

I am struggling a bit with sleep and anxiety...but overall...doing great.  I can't wait to go on a run...but not quite healed enough for that, yet. 

Here are a few fun pics:

 40 weeks...ready to go!!

 Ryder!!

 Good size baby:)

 Yikes...I look gross!!!

 First family pic!!!

 Snuggling with Daddy before we went home!

 Nana Julie

 Nana Lisa

 Papa Tom

Papa Mike

More pics to follow of our many guests...we are so blessed...thank you!!  So many have brought yummy snacks and food!  THANK YOU!!!!!!!