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!!!!!!!

Before the craziness begins...

Well...we are going to have this baby someday soon!!  I am up and at 'em pretty early today...just can't sleep...so I am going to to a quick update.  Noah is very excited for the baby to be here.  He keeps asking if the "baby has poked out yet?" and I think it's because my belly button has poked out.  He is determined that the baby will be a girl (since all of the babies at day care currently are girls...what else could it be???).  Besides sharing mommy and daddy...I think he is going to be a great big brother.  He is a potty trained champ...and we tried going in underwear overnight the past few things...so far so good!!  Noah is LOVING being outside and we are as well.  Yesterday was a great family day of playing in our baby pool and then it was an all out water war.  I am the super pregnant lady...how come I am the one who was soaked first!?!?  We did buy squirt guns and Noah (and Scott!!!) have had a RIOT with them.  I am not sure how I feel about the whole gun thing...but we keep talking to Noah about what is okay to do with them and what is not okay. 

Scott is done with junior high track!  They blew away the competition at conference last week (they won by over 50 points!!) and he was so proud of them.  He is going to be the 8th grade promotion speaker tomorrow night...I am so proud of him.  He is a great teacher and coach.  It is that time of year of graduation parties and we have gone to a few.  I feel so old...I know some of the kids and I can't believe they are graduating!!!

I am super excited this time around for the baby process...last time (and it was the first) it was so scary...and I feel like I somewhat know what to do this time.  I have gained less weight this time and don't have the fluid...so I feel better.  The sleeping piece hasn't been fun...but that is just to prep you, right?  Here are a few pics of our last few weeks:

 Helping daddy with our tools...

 37 weeks...I will post a pic right before the hospital...whenever that is!!

 Our muscle pose!!  And in our big boy (briefs??) underwear...

 Gorgeous roses from Daddy and Noah...

 Finger painting for mothers day for the grandmas!

 Very proud of himself!!!

 Noah's mother's day present from day care...so cute!!

 kinda blurry...but mommy and Noah pic!

  just chillin...

Quick Update

Well...had my 37 week appointment and no progress:)   But I'm okay...just wishing I could get some more sleep.  Not dilated at all...but about 75% effaced...same as last week.  The baby did drop...so I can breath a bit better...just have to use the restroom around the clock!  I also lost a pound...but they said it is normal at this stage and I am continuing to measure a week ahead. 

Some funny things with Noah...he is saying, "Yepindeedo" no idea where that came from!  "Ahhh...shucks" and today he pottied in the potty...STANDING up!  I was laying out his clothes for tomorrow and I came back in the bathroom and saw him pottying with the seat up.  Holy cow!  He is growing up more and more every day.  Noah shared with his friend Harrison on Sunday and picked up his toys!  We are trying to stick with a pick up plan every day and keep up with the messes at our house!

Track is keeping Scott busy:)  He got asked to speak at the 8th grade promotion on May 20th...so as long as we are not in labor...that should be fun!  I am so proud of him...he is such a great teacher and good with the kids...it's fun to watch him be honored!! 

April is almost over??

What a month!  Noah had his tubes put back in and his adenoids out after Easter.  This was not a fun experience to say the least, but we have a great doctor and Noah is finally back to himself!  This mommy and daddy were super nervous and did not sleep much...I think Scott was up at 3:30 and I was up at 4:30am!!!!  We went in and Noah was a champ all through it...Scott said he took the breathing stuff just fine and was out.  We were lucky to have a few nurses that we knew...which made both of us feel better!  My dad was able to wait it out with us...nice to have another person:)  I was going to go back to work that day (even though my supervisor was like...are you sure???...well she was right!!) and then after holding my crying baby...I called and my rockstar co-workers bailed me out!  I was home with Noah on Thursday as well.  They told us he would be grumpy...we underestimated how much!!  It made for a long few days with Scott having track and such...but we survived!

We are having Jordan move back in with us for the summer and need to get stuff out of our other spare room...Scott officially has clothes in the same room as his wife!  Not sure we have ever done that since we have been married:)  Everything was built when people had less stuff...which has been a lesson for us.  We have been sorting and are officially getting rid of stuff.  It is a GREAT feeling!  I am not a hoarder...but I have a hard time parting with stuff...so Scott being the trooper he is has been a rockstar at pushing me along. 

We had a great Easter as well!  Church Easter egg hunt...dyed eggs with the in-laws and another egg hunt at my grandparents!!

Track and school are plugging away for Scott...I think all teachers are ready to be done.  With the nice weather...kids are acting like its May...and have been since March!  We are ready for summer!!!  Noah is LOVING being outside...he loves to swing, play ball, dig in his sandbox and has recently discovered dirt:)  His favorite thing lately to say is, "I have to tell you something...."  "What's that Noah?" "I love you...(I wuvvvv you)"  Best thing ever!  He is asking more and more about the baby in mommy's belly...he is convinced it is a girl...every baby at day care is a girl...so why would it be anything else?  Mommy and daddy are getting there with the baby stuff...we have our 36 week appt this week...maybe should pack a bag and get some stuff organized in the baby room...:)   Work for me has been good!  I have a CLEAN office...for anyone who knows me...I am a piler...so piles of papers don't bother me b/c I know exactly where everything is...well...no more!   I did a HUGE clean up with my intern...she is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!  My supervisor joked that I was in the nesting mode...I think she is right!!  Here are some fun pics:

 Baking with mom...the flour exploded all over Noah!!!:)

 Eric Carle show at the GBPAC...Noah loved it (despite his lack of smile in this pic)!

 Pretty flowers for Mommy that Noah picked out...thanks Daddy:)

 Coloring in our new Spiderman coloring book!!

 Ready to roll!!

 Lots of concentration!!

 Happy Easter!!

 Helping at Great Grandpa and Grandma Conklin with some branches...

 Good at kickball!!

 My new shovel...can dig dirt...

Oh yeah...we got a van!!!

New stuff:)

Noah has been a RIOT lately!!  From the new words to the tantrums...we are laughing a lot in this household:)  Noah likes to "yesinditto" and instead of dandelions...he calls them kindergartenlions.  Not sure where he has learned these...but they make us laugh!  He is also NOT happy about coming in at night from being outside.  This nice weather is great...but has also thrown us off a bit!  He would stay out until dark if we would let him.  Little does he remember that he needs to eat!  I am sure our neighbors think we are the world's worst parents b/c we have haul him in crying!  Last week...epic fit!  He is obsessed with Scooby Doo at the moment (Scott is so proud...and I secretly think Scott loves watching them as much as Noah does!!).  Noah wanted to watch Scooby and we said after supper.  He proceeded to cry and scream and Scott and I decided to eat.  Noah then scooted over the living room floor (on his buns...using his hands) to his high chair.  Then sat there and just whined for us to pick him up instead of standing up!  It was a long night:)  Tonight's funny event...he pooped in the toilet and then looked at it and said, "AMAZING!  I am amazing!"  Ha!  He is a RIOT:)  Noah is loving being outside, playing kickball, basketball, you name it!  Lots of reading...he is just a ball of fun!

Scott is in 8th grade track full run now and they just won their first meet!  So...cross your fingers the rest of the season goes okay.  This nice weather is also so that means the kids are pretty rowdy!

My mom is counting down the days...she is excited to retire and for the next adventure.

Speaking of next adventure...we are 33 weeks!  We have our 34 week appt next week...hard to believe this baby is on the way so soon:)  Feeling super heavy and tired...but still pretty good.  More next week!