We have loved and lost...

We were on the end of our vacation yesterday when my dad got the call from Scott.  My brother and him were golfing...I thought...great...someone hit the van.  As my dad handed me the phone...I knew it was something bad.  Scott calmly told me that Drake Martin had passed away in a hiking accident.  I didn't process...I just stood there and then the tears came (Noah asked why my eyes were dripping...so precious...).  Drake is someone Scott and I (and my brother and sister-in-law...and many more) worked for as undergrads and then I went on to work with as my first job at UNI and then continued on into a professional (and personal...grown up friendship).  Drake and I would have lunch together regularly after I left the DOR to go to Admissions.  He was full of wisdom and stories.  He was hiking at Backbone park on Saturday and fell...and died.  He was 62 years old...he has two daughters...Riley and Dillon (Riley will be a junior at UNI and Dillon will be a freshmen at a school in MN).  We would talk about his daughters...the joys and tribulations of teenages.  We would talk about his love life...dating is a new ball game!  We would talk about work and things we wanted to improve.  You could talk to Drake about anything.  Drake had met Ryder...bringing with him a meal.  He pushed Noah in our backyard on our swingset.  He came to the hospital when Noah was born.  Drake was more than a mentor to me...I just don't even know where to begin to describe him.  As I looked through the many posts on Facebook...it is easy to see how much Drake impacted UNI...and easy to see how much he impacted the world of housing and higher education.  I know he did a lot for the Cedar Valley and his church.  I posted this message on Facebook yesterday via my brother's iPad...not much access on vacation:

"As I read so many status's about my friend drake...I don't have the words to describe what he meant to me. As he held each of my babies and told us to treasure each moment, I thought he is such a good man. As he told me time and again how much he cared about others, I thought he is such a true person. As he gave me a hug the last time...I thought we are so lucky have someone like him in our lives. As a student I may not have always appreciated everything he taught me, but as a professional...I respected everything...I will live my life each day like drake would want me to and work with students with passion like drake did every day."

 Drake was one of those once in a lifetime people.  He was one of those once in a lifetime people you work with.  As undergrads...we would joke about Drake's corny jokes and sometimes thought his res ed stuff was out of date...but in reality...we all loved Drake.  We didn't realize it at the time...but Drake truly cared about each and every person he encountered.  My husband put it best...Drake took everyone as they were and accepted them...no questions asked.  I can say the UNI is a better place because Drake Martin was there.  I am going through that time as a professional where a lot of the people who have impacted me are leaving...retiring, etc.  Something like this was not what I was prepared for.   I will hold my babies tighter and work harder at work in honor of Drake...b/c that is what he would have wanted. 
I will post on vacation later...

8 weeks old!!!!!!!1

We had Ryder's 8 week appointment yesterday!!! Can't believe it has been 8 weeks since he joined our world:)  He weighed in at 12 lbs and 15oz...23.5 inches long!!!  He is a growing baby!!  Like the 75th percentile for weight and 95th for weight...if he is like Noah...he will level out:)  Ryder...you are still eating every 3-4 hours.  Stretched out to 5 hours 2 nights in a row!  We will see if it becomes a pattern.  I am a pumping machine trying to stock pile for when we are all back at day care and work.  3 grocery sacks full of frozen milk!!!!!  Ryder discovered his tongue and his hands in his mouth.  He is also starting to coo...it is the BEST!  Noah loves to "talk" to Ryder and gets very excited when he talks back to him:) 

It is starting to sink in that my maternity leave is coming to an end...2 full weeks left.  Then I am back at it for 2 weeks of part time and then back at it!  Part of me is excited...part of me is nervous and the other part is sad.  I have really enjoyed this time...especially the second month.  More confident in myself and being a mom...that makes a HUGE difference.  I am very nervous about getting ready in the morning by myself with two kids...but we will take it day by day.  Scott and I are committed to keeping this place cleaned up...we will see.  Cleaning up every day a bit...hopefully will help!  A friend from work made the comment about having your house one step above a Taco Bell bathroom...no offense Taco Bell...but I thought that was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am above that!  Scott is great at organizing and shoveling things out...so we have made huge progress on that end! 

There was an interesting story this week about the new CEO of Yahoo being pregnant and due in October and how she will work through her leave.  Lots of sides on this topic...she has lots of resources for extra help...but working through her leave???  Interesting!  I have been very lucky and I check my email...but my away message directs them to talk to the office...and I am doing just that...letting people read that!!!!!!!!!!!  Here are some fun pics:

 Noah talking to Ryder!

 Fresh out of the bath!!  Noah looks like such a big boy!!  Ryder is heading to the next size in diapers!

 Happy baby smile:)

 First time with the play mat!  Not into it quite yet...

 We bit the bullet...used WalMart gift cards and bought a double jogger.  We can use the baby carrier with it!!  Tried it out...we LOVE IT!!!

 The Hupke's visited!  Noah and Kaleb (6 weeks apart) played all night long!!  So wished they lived closer...it was great!!!

Sleeping boys...so peaceful...love them!!!!

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!!