3 Months

Ryker Kay, at 3 months you:

• are finally starting to get your hair back. Sometimes its blonde looking, sometimes dark
• are in size 2 diapers
• are too long for most 3mo outfits. We've moved to 6mo
• have found your tongue 
• pull everything to your mouth and suck or lick
• still drool like a champ
• have a little scream you do when you're not happy. Like not getting fed quick enough
• can almost laugh
• have yet to roll over
• try and sit yourself up when we have you propped up on a pillow. You face plant :)
• recognize people - mom, dad, grandma's, grandpa's, aunt sadie - and smile so big 
• love being naked
• talk and make noises all the time
• sleep 6-8 hours straight
• still EBF
• are the best thing to ever happen to mom and dad

We love you son.

A Working Mother

This marks my second week back to work. It's easier than I anticipated, but harder at the same time.

The adult conversation is nice. I would go hours without speaking to anyone besides Ryk or the dogs. I'd end up calling my mom a few times a day just to see what she was doing. Being out of the house is a double edge sword. I like being able to get out and get some fresh air, but the art of being 'a housewife' is lost art. That was something I enjoyed terribly being at home. Taking care of my own son, cleaning my own house, having a meal ready for my husband when he got home from work... It was great. I use to think I would be bored if I was a SAHM, because there would be 'nothing to do all day.' HA! I was in denial. There is always something to do in your home. Always. I miss that. I also like knowing I'll receive a paycheck. There is something comforting in knowing your hard work pays off, literally, in the end. 

However, I miss Ryker during my 9ish hours away so much - it's painful. I keep thinking, what can I do at home and still bring in something to help Scott? No amount of money, no job trumps me being a mother. He is my first priority. My mom was a working mother, a hard working mother. She worked 12 hour days (3 on/4 off or 4 on/3 off) up until 2011, over half her life actually. I have always had that work ethic in my head - I need to work and provide for my family. My folks also didn't pay thousands and thousands of dollars for my education for me not to use it. But now that Ryker is here, I realize I need to provide for him. He needs him mom. 

Another terribly difficult aspect of being gone all day is the evenings. I cannot wait to get out of the office at 5. I basically run to my car so I can go pick him up. Then we have a 30 minute drive home which puts us home about 6. I have 2 hours with my son before he goes to sleep. It's completely unfair. And I have to share him with Scott (ha). Not to mention we have to fix dinner, shower, get ready for the next day, get Ryk ready... And before you know it it's past 8 and he's asleep. All to go to bed and do it again the next day. It's painful and depressing. I was so excited for this last Friday. But once I got to thinking about it, I was so sad it was Friday. I kept thinking, I only get 2 days with my baby. 48 hours. How depressing and sad. And painful. I didn't want to do a thing this weekend but hold my baby. Naturally because Scott and I both worked all week, we tried to squeeze household chores in at nap time. Not much got done, I didn't even want to put him down when he napped. But to be honest, I don't care. The dust can build up, the dishes can stay in the dishwasher... We only have 48 hours to spend with our newborn. 

I can only hope working gets easier on me for the time being. I don't plan on working forever. Home is where I need to be. I know that in my heart. I just need to wait till the timing is right. I know He hears my prayers and I'm waiting till I receive an answer. So until it works out for our situation, I will cherish every waking second I have with Ryker. Scott and I will also know we are doing the best we can for him. He will have anything and everything he could ever want, whether I'm at home or not. He deserves the best life, and that's what he's going to get. Whether he has a stay at home mommy or a working mommy. My priority is him. 

Ryker's Newborns

Ryker was 8 days new when Jessamyn from Uptown Photography came to our home and took some family photos for us. I love the way they turned out and that we were able to capture Ryk as a brand new baby. Not only that, but I really think you can see how much Scott and I are in love with our son.

The first few weeks

Sleeping on the way to one of our many doctors appointments that first week.

Awww, baby yawns. Swoon!

Already protecting their baby brother

Ryker's Birth Day

Fresh outta the oven :)

I love Scott. I have for many, many years.
But this moment made me fall so much deeper in love with this man. 

Daddy got to give him his first bath.
And he wasn't happy during it.

His poor face was so swollen and bruised from being
in the birth canal so long, and getting yanked out :(

This is a moment I will always treasure... 

Love

Sunday, August 18, 2013 12:30pm
Going home! 

11 Weeks

I can't believe how quickly time goes. Wasn't it just yesterday I was in a sleepless, confused faze of new motherhood?! Now here we are, Monday, November 4. Exactly one week before I have to leave my sweet baby boy and return to work. To say it's the hardest thing for me to even think of right now, I have to. Just thinking about it now makes me tear up! Leaving him with my mom and mother in law takes a huge weight off my shouders, but knowing I'm not going to be there when he wakes up from naps or is really upset... kills me. Luckily if either mom needs me, I'm not too far and can easily run to my moms and be there for him.

Lets move on to a happier subject, shall we?! On October 18, I took Ryker in for his 2 month shots. His stats:


Weight 13lbs 2oz (80%)
Length 23.75in (80%)
Head 16in (80%)

I knew he was getting big, but I had no idea just how big! Haha! Lucky for him, the length really evens him out. If he was shorter, the poor kid would look like a doughboy. He took his shots relatively well. Of course the initial poke(s) really upset him and he cried, hard, for a few minutes. But once I was able to comfort him he crashed. I think he slept for a few hours before he woke up and needed fed and then went right back to sleep. We didn't have to deal with any fevers and he seemed great the next day. Thank goodness. That was my first experience with shots and it was so sad to see him that upset! I don't blame him however, I still cry at 26 years old when I have to get shots. I hate needles!

Ryker is doing so great. He's talking a ton and smiling all the time. I know parents always say what a good baby they have, but really, he is such a good baby. Night time he's a bit of a bear, but wrap him up and snuggle him and he's out like a light. He's starting to get fun, his personalitity is really showing through. He's a character. He's starting to get this little attitude scream if you aren't paying attention to him. It makes me laugh.

At 2 months, Ryker:

blows bubbles like a champ
drools constantly
is starting to outgrow 0-3 months, even some 3 month clothes (depends on the brand)
loves his daddy
is facinated with lights and ceiling fans
has started to eat his hands, arm, shirt.. whatever he can get to his mouth
is still EBF
sleeps 5-6 hours a night
eats every 2-3 hours during the day
is not much of a napper, 30-40 minutes a couple times a day is all
loves his mommy
laughs and smiles

This baby boy has brought so much joy into our lives it's hard to remember what life was like without him. Every day hasn't been easy, but the worst day with him is still better than any previous day without him. Ryker Kay, we love you so much. We are so thankful Christ trusted us with you; to love you, to teach you, and for you to teach us what real love truly is. Thank you for being mom and dads light in a year full of darkness, sadness, and hurt. God really does work in powerful ways and He knew we needed you this year.
Here are some recent pictures of this little man. Enjoy!

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