Family Christmas Pictures 2013

Photo Credit: Hilairy Jayne Photography 

January

Here we are, the 30th of January. I'll give a rundown of the months happenings...

Scott and I didn't have to go back to work till the 6th of January and I won't lie, I think it was honestly harder for us to leave him this time than the 3 months I had of maternity leave. He's growing and changing every day. Just how he interacts and the things he's doing. It completely blows my mind. He's not that newborn baby anymore; he's my ever growing, ever changing infant son. It's a tough pill to swallow.

You always hope that with each new year good things come to those you are closest too. And unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work out that way. My best friend, Hilairy, (I talk about her often on here) unexpectedly lost her father on the 14th. He had been sick with flu-like symptoms, went to sleep that afternoon and never woke. I still can't imagine the pain, suffering, and shock she and her 2 brothers and 2 half sisters are going through. It's one thing to know you're going to lose someone close to you, but to have spoken to your dad (or whom ever) that afternoon and have him be gone by that afternoon... I can't even fathom it. Her father was only 58. She and I have spoken about how you just expect your parents to live forever... and then in an instant something like this happens. She and I also spoke about how as we get older, so do our parents. And the unfortunate thing is, you never know what tomorrow might bring.

That week was already an especially difficult time for us because it marked one year that Boede has been gone. I have wrote numerous times about how this has affected our life and how still to this day, it doesn't seem real. His son turned 2 on the 2nd and we went to his birthday party. It's so hard to look at his sweet face and see both his parents. He is a handful to say the least, but growing up so quick. He has an amazingly difficult journey ahead of him and my heart still aches for him everyday. We miss Boede so much, and I know Scott struggles daily.

And if all that wasn't bad enough, my sweet  little boy turned 5 months on the 17th. I am getting more and more emotional as the months pass...

Ryker Kay, at 5 months you:

• love the bath - finally! Splashing with your legs is the best, you even have tub toys now
• improve on your motor skills every day - grabbing things with both hands
• are most definitely going to be right handed
• are slowly working your way into 9mo clothes - not because you're a 'fat' baby, but because you are so long
• are still EBF
• are so curious about the world around you - making nursing difficult, you don't want to miss anything
• like to suck on your index finger
• still have not rolled
• have yet to cut teeth - but we think you're working on your bottom right one
• have to wear a bib because your drool is unreal 
• are a jabber jaw - you love telling mom and dad stories - but it's got to be on your time
• laugh! Like a full on giggle
• are funny - rather it's noises you make, faces you pull... you already have a sense of humor - from mom of course :)
• officially have your own seat at the dinner table
• think peak-a-boo is the funnest game
• are getting more and more hair - we think it's going to be blonde
• still have those amazing blue eyes
• pull yourself into a sitting position and sit, unsupported
• sleep from 8-9pm till 4am most days. If not, you wake up around 12:30am, eat and go right back to sleep
• grow and change so much every day, it completely blows mom and dads mind! 

Ryker is still babysat by my mom and Scott's mom. Well this past Friday, I got a text from my mom saying he had rolled over. I was so crushed. My biggest fear being a working mother was missing things. And this was a big 'thing'. Scott and I tried and tried to get him to roll this past weekend and nothing... He would act like he was going to, and then change his mind. So Monday, my MIL and SIL were watching him and later in the afternoon I got a text from Sadie saying he had just rolled over.. again. I was in a staff meeting and it was all I could do to keep myself together. I was completely devastated. I'm pretty sure I cried the entire way to my mom and then all the way home. I practically begged Scott that evening to just let me quit - to no avail. 

I've been in the worst mood all week about it, until last night. We had our neighbor over (I was helping her pick fabric out for her couch pillows) and Scott just happened to lay Ryk on his belly on the floor. Next thing I know I hear Scott say, Mommy! I looked to my left just in time to watch my sweet baby roll to his right side onto his back! I think I was in shock! Scott grabbed him again, laid him on his belly and let him do his own thing. Wouldn't you know it.. A few minutes later that little stink was rolling to his back again! This time I managed to clapped and cheer, as well as Scott and our neighbor. He just kinda looked at us like, okay?? So needless to say, I am a little happier about life today! 

I'm still really having a difficult time at work and I would like to be done as soon as possible. But, until the time is right, I'll stay. My most difficult thing is knowing how much he's changing on a daily basis. I will never get this time back. Ever. I know Scott knows and can sense how much I'm dying to be home with Ryker and I know he is doing what he can to try and make that happen as quick as we can. I do like the adult interaction and receiving a pay check, but I would much rather live in a cardboard box than miss this time with Ryker. 

I never knew how much my mom missed out on being a working mother. I don't know how she did it for as long as she did and stayed sane. I miss Ryk so much during the day it hurts. I had no idea being a stay at home mom is what I wanted to do. I was always a career woman.. and then I had a baby and my mindset completely changed. 

We are only 30 days into the New Year and already so much has happened. I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying 2014! I will upload some Christmas pictures, hopefully tomorrow, if I can remember my camera and cord!

A New Year

I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I've blogged! I swore after Ryker was born I was going to be better about sitting down and making sure I blogged more about what was happening in our lives. Not only for you few to keep up to date with us, but so I would remember these sweet moments I have with my son.

Well, that's reverse a little, shall we...?

November

We had to take Ryker to the doctor the Wednesday before Thanksgiving because he was having constant screaming fits. He was having weird poops, getting up every 1-2 hours during the night, and just overall fussy. I was so worried because 1- that is not my baby. He is not an unhappy baby, and more certainly not a screamer. 2 - With everything that's been going around, I was worried he was getting sick. Long story short, they couldn't find anything wrong with him! His Ped thought maybe a stomach bug, but he couldn't be entirely sure. Me being the basket case I am, worried about him being away from his mom. I had been to work 2 weeks and all hell just sort of broke loose. I stressed over whether or not he liked being bottle fed, were he had been EBF for 12 weeks straight, I worried that the freezer stash I had built up prior to going back to work wasn't good.. A multitude of issues really. We never really did get an answer to what was going on, but after a lot of research and talking to other moms, I think he was going through the 4 month sleep regression at 3.5 months. All the signs were there, I just didn't know about it while we were going through it.  Needless to say, everything went back to normal and he's his perfect, happy self once again! and I hosted Thanksgiving this year in our home. With a new baby and 2 dogs, it's just easier to have everyone come to us instead of dragging everything around. We had a fantastic meal and day together. My dad and his wife, my mom, and Scott's parents were there for dinner. Naturally we ate until we were ready to explode, but it was so good we just couldn't stop! Ha. 

I knew things were going to be busy with Thanksgiving, working full-time and a baby, so I got up early one morning (a week or so before Thanksgiving) and put up the Christmas trees and decorations. I really haven't been that excited for Christmas in a long long time. I was excited for how Ryker would react to the lights and sounds. But even more so, I was excited to be able to start our own traditions as a family of three now. 

Scott and I have wanted a matching bed-set forever. Probably since we moved into our home, but last year at this time we found out we were having a baby and he got the furniture. So we've been on the hunt for something we both liked. We figured since the day after Thanksgiving was coming around, we'd try and find a good buy. Well, as luck would have it we found a set we LOVED at Ashley's and they even extended their sale, which wan't for a couple more days , to us. We got 50% off our entire purchase. So Scott and I got to graduate to an "adult" bedroom set and a king bed! 

Scott surprised me with a first wedding anniversary band for my wedding ring. I dropped my ring off to be cleaned and inspected, went to pick it up and there was another band with it. I was so surprised. I wasn't expecting it at all. Scott said it was an obviously late anniversary gift, graduation, mother's day and birthday gift. It may be a little late, but I still love it! Makes my ring complete. And it's super sparkly now too :)

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. It was just easier having everyone come to us instead of packing Ryker and the dogs around. My dad, his wife, my mom, and Scott's folks came to dinner. It was an outstanding meal. We, of course, at until we wanted to throw up. But the food was just so good, we seriously couldn't stop! Sadie and her boyfriend came up later in the evening for dessert and hung out a little while with us. Ryker was so exhausted from being mauled all day, he went to bed super early that night and only got up once to eat during the night. He went right back down too. Grandparent snuggles are a little overwhelming I guess :) 

Scott and I wanted to hit Black Friday shopping and get some things for Ryker while they were on sale. So his parents offered to stay the night so we wouldn't have to drag him out with all the crazies that early in the morning. I think he and I left the house around 4:30 and hit Fred's first. I must say it was the most mellow, laid back, easy Black Friday I have ever been to. We strolled in, got a cart full of toys and some clothes for Ryk, sheets and walked out. We went to Herberger's, JC Penny, and Home Depot - which was the only place we really had to stand in line at, for 2 people. It really was amazing. We got everything we went for and more. We were even home, in Blackfoot, by 9:30am. That's ever after stopping at Cal Ranch. 


December

Ryker Kay, at 4 months....

• you weigh 15.8lbs and are 25in long - we think the nurse may have mis-measured however
• you are sitting up by yourself for a quick second
• you still show no interest in rolling over
• you are still in 2 diapers
• you drool. and drool. and drool
• you fill out your 6mo clothes
• you cry when people you don't recognize hold you - like your grandpa's
• you still love tummy time, but only for about 5 minutes
• you love looking at yourself in the mirror and always smile at yourself
• you are still a cat-napper - 30 minutes to an hour is all a few times a day
• you still grab anything and everything to give it a taste test
• you get up 1-2 times a night, typically around 12am-1am and then 4am
• we're still going strong with EBF
• it's hard for mom and dad to believe you've been with us for 4 months. They have been the best 4 months of our entire lives

The beginning of the month we wanted to do some photos for our family Christmas cards to send out to friends and family so we had my friend Hilairy come out and take some cute Christmas photos of us and Ryker. Since it was going to be in the evening we had her bring her husband Tyler and we cooked dinner. The pictures turned out so good! I love them. (I'll attach some separate, I can already tell this is going to be the longest post ever.)

Scott and I are complete slackers when it comes to Christmas shopping. We picked up a TON of things for Ryker, but nothing for anyone else. So December 21st we decided to brave the shopping world with the rest of the crazies and try to tackle what we had left.. aka... everything. We kept telling ourselves we weren't going to get anything else for Ryker. Haha, what a joke. We kept finding things he 'needed'. Needless to say, we shopped on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Not to mention I baked things for our neighbors in between all that, wrapped presents like an animal and took care of a newborn! It was a crazy couple of days for sure! But everyone was accounted for!

Once again, we had the entire family over for Christmas Eve dinner. This meal was a little on the tricky side because it was just me doing it all. Scott was recently put in place over snow removal at the Railroad. Well, Pocatello had gotten enough snow that morning that Scott was called out. I was a little stressed out about cooking everything and baking and cleaning and taking care of Ryk - that morning he was super fussy and did not want to be put down. But wouldn't you know it, I got everything taken care of. Got our dessert made, our twice baked potatoes cooked, and got the prime rib in the over before anyone got there. I even managed to squeeze in vacuuming one more time and a shower! I'm getting this whole motherhood thing down pretty dang good if I don't say myself. Ha! And to make it that much sweeter, Scott was even able to make it to dinner.

My mom and Scott's family spent the night with us. It was easier for everyone to just stay the night instead of driving back up in the morning. And we have the space, so it wasn't a big deal at all. It actually worked out perfect. We got up that morning, had cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate and busted into our presents. I think I've mentioned before we have a formal living room and our family room. I put trees in both, because I am my mother's child and I LOVE decorating trees. It's a good thing we had two trees and two rooms... All our gifts, plus us, would not have fit! I could go on and on about our gifts, but I'll stick to the basics. Ryker had to take a nap in between opening presents! It was insanity. He got a ton of interactive toys, clothes, hats, shoes, blankets, more clothes... He was such a trooper the whole time. He would actually grab hold of the wrapping paper and pull a little bit. Not because he wanted to know what was in it, but because he wanted to eat it! He was so dang funny. Sadie's boyfriend bought him a mustache binkie called 'the cowboy' and it couldn't have come at a better time because we bought Ryk his first cowboy hat. It was fantastic and so hilarious! 

We really got spoiled this year. My in laws bought me a 3 in 1 Ninja. It is so flippin' sweet! I was leary at first, especially about the price, but man, it is worth every dime. Scott is always saying, lets cook dinner in the Ninja, okay?? My folks got me a banquet table and chairs. Sounds odd, but I/we do so much entertaining and with a growing family, we won't all be able to sit at our dinner table before long. Plus it seems like we are always doing a shower of sort. I couldn't be happier. I love it! The joys of getting older, right?? I once looked forward to toys on Christmas, now I'm 'jolly' over a folding table and chair set. Haha! 

Since Scott and I had the two weeks off, we vowed that we were going to do as little as humanly possibly while we were off. I think it was Thursday or Friday we were flipping through channels and ran across Breaking Bad. We'd heard lots of people talking about how fantastic it was and bla bla. Well AMC was doing the complete series marathon. I am ashamed to say, but Scott and I watched 4 seasons (we missed season 1) in 6 days.. HAHA!! We hit record all and we basically watched it from sun up to sun down. The show is like a train wreck - you just cannot look away! If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend it! It is fantastic!

I guess we didn't spend all 14 days sitting in front of the television.. Scott started a couple of laundry room projects; a doggie eating station and a shoe cubby/bench/coat hanger thing. We had to go to town a couple times to pick up wood and stain. He whipped out both of those projects like it was nothing. They turned out beautifully! He really is so good at stuff like that. He just gets random ideas in his head and works on them that way. No blueprints, no instructions.. Just designs as he goes. 

We didn't do anything on New Years Eve, just sat at home. We were originally going to have some friends out but Ryk had been overly sleepy and a little snot nosed, so we weren't sure if he was coming down with something or possibly going through a growth spurt.  

We had a lot to reflect on as we entered 2014. So much had happened in the 365 days known as the year 2013. We started the year out knowing we were going to be welcoming a baby, then we lost Boede in what is still so fresh and still so painful, my childhood dog had to be put down, we found out the child I was carrying was a baby boy, my mothers accident, a graduation, a baby shower, and the most perfect, handsome baby boy was born in August. And after that, time stood still as we sat and oogled over this baby. But how is it that 4 months had passed us by?? It's still hard to believe.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday and New Year - even though it is a month behind us now.