A Slice of Happy

This little guy is almost six months old! I know, it's hard to tell with the lack of monthly update posts, but.... he is just a little ray of sunshine!

This video was captured while diving home from an impromptu trip to Braum's. It is a little bit of what every car ride is now. This song medley just makes me smile. R-E-D, animal impressions, Farmer in the Dell, ABC song, Jesus Loves Me, Wyatt Boy's song, recitation from Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Old McDonald Had a Farm, and a little love for Tobie.

(here is the youtube link in case it never shows up in blogger... http://youtu.be/3DapJynHUl8)

I feel truly blessed to be Mommy to these little cuties.

2 Years

My Sweet Little Snowflake,

Though you no longer go by that nickname, you will always be my little Snowflake. It is hard to believe you are turning two! In your two short years, you have stolen the hearts of many. You are a smart, funny, independent, beautiful little girl. 

We celebrated your birthday on July 5 by having family and friends over finger foods, cake and ice cream. You loved ripping in to the presents you received. You took a minute to 'read' the card and then a minute or two to check out the gift before moving on. The original plan was to enjoy a neighbor's firework show in the backyard but he did them on the 4th so we just had fun doing smaller, kid friendly ones, which was just as fun. We spent the next week slowly playing with a different present every day. Some of the fun stuff you got included: stickers, craft supplies, pink Converse shoes, play jewelry, a couple outfits, Baby Alive (that had some medical things that we used to help prep for shots), a doctor kit, blocks, Play Doh, a little cheerleader doll, bows and barrettes, and I am sure there was more! 

You are a growing little lady. You wear a lot of 2T clothes but can still fit into 18 month apparel. Your shoes range from 5 to 6. You were recently given a pair of Croc like shoes that are purple, blue, pink and white tie dye... of course you love them since they don't coordinate with many outfits. I think part of the reason you like them so much is that you can put them on yourself! Each time, you say, "I did it!"  and throw you hands up in the air to celebrate. You have been in size 4 diapers for quite a while but just moved up to 5's. There have been a coule successful trips to the potty! It is something you talk about but haven't gotten the hang of yet, but that's okay. You've got plenty of time. You try any food we put in front of you. Your favorite seems to be a ham melt from Arby's. You like to eat frozen 'gapes' with your Daddy and love to ask for 'teddy brrrs' for a snack. 

Your two year well child visit was on July 11. You tipped the scales at 27.8 pounds putting you in the 64th percentile for weight. You are 2 feet 9 inches (33 inches) tall putting you in the 25th percentile. The nurses and doctors still doted on how cute you are and how they remember you coming in when you were 4 days old. You got the Hep A booster shot (after Mom kind of insisted that it could be given based on timing of the previous shot [hey, we were there and had been prepping and talking about getting a shot all week long!]). You did really well with it! The initial poke made you pouty and gave you a little cry but you were just fine after. I think the purple sucker helped take your mind off of it!

You are a precious big sister! You love your Baby Boo in such a sweet way. If he's crying, you run to his side to see if you can help him. You will pat his back and say, "It's okay, Wyatt." or "What's wrong Buddy?", pop a pacifier back in his mouth or if his bottle is nearby, try giving him that too. He is one of the first people you ask about when you wake up each morning. Sometimes you call him Baby Boo, Wyatt Boy (sounds like you are saying white boy), Brudder, Buddy or just Baby. You like to buckle him into his car seat and put his bottles in the sink when he is finished with them. On occasion, you will ask to hold him but when you are finished you just start shoving him off of your lap. We are working on saying, "I'm finished Wyatt" and waiting on Mommy or Daddy to take him off of you lap. Most recently when you ask to hold him, you immediately start shifting him after he is sat down on your lap. You are trying to turn him around to hold him up on your shoulder. When we help you turn him, you start patting his back and 'shhhh. shhh. shhh'-ing in his ear. It is the sweetest thing to see you love on him. I hope you always love him and remember he is your best friend.

You love to be outside. You like swinging and sliding or digging in the dirt. You have a small collection of rocks that you have found in the backyard that you store in Tobie's extra water dish on the patio. It seems like each time we are out there, you hunt for another and add it to the collection. You are pretty fearless when it comes to exploring the backyard or anywhere really. 

You love your Daddy to pieces (and he feels the same about you)! He is another person you ask about every morning when you wake up, "Where's Daddy?! Where's Peston?" You get so excited when you hear the garage door open everyday, "DADDY!!" Most days during school time, you and Daddy have breakfast together before school. He loves having Daddy nights with you and your brother! He tells you often that you are smart, beautiful or funny and that he will do anything for you. You have his patience, which is pretty minimal. You will try to do something on your own but get frustrated if you can't immediately get it figured out. Then you start whining until we remind you to try again or try to talk you through how do it. 

You have Mom characteristics too, even though she will try to pass them off as coming from your Daddy. You can have a sassy little attitude. Stating, so matter of factly, "No." to taking another bite, coming when called, putting toys away or giving a goodnight kiss. There is a stubborn, hard headed bone in your body and it drives your Mommy bonkers. She just takes a deep breath and remembers where that 'tude came from! If you don't want to to something you will flop yourself into a little puddle on the ground and pout about it. You will also fold yourself over like a pocket knife when you don't want to do something. You are such a precious little gift that it is easy to look passed your sassy behavior and help you learn a better way to react.

You enjoy school with Mrs. Jade, Mrs. Sunny and Ms. Rachel. When I get you out of the car each morning, you just start walking right up to the door, like you don't even need me anymore. It is such a bittersweet feeling. I love that you are independent enough to want to do it on your own and not get super sad about dropping you off but I still want my baby girl to hold my hand. Each day I pick you up, you run over saying, "Hi Mommy!" and I get half a hug before you turn around to run back to the playground or toys you were playing with. Again, bittersweet but so precious.

This summer you took swim lessons with Mommy. The first 3 of the 8 days, you were not totally certain. The fourth day you came to life in the water! You absolutely wore yourself out splashing, kicking and swimming your arms. The fifth day, Daddy came to watch. "Watch this Daddy!!!" or "Daddy watch me!" came out of your mouth the entire time. You were so proud to show off for your Daddy. 

Some of our favorite things you say are:

~ Is that myyynt? -You love to ask if something is yours. Your version of mine, myyynt, rhymes with pint. (I only put that because I don't ever want to forget how you said it. I know I should correct you every time but it is so cute.)

~Rocka baby or Rocka Wyatt -this is what you say when you want us to sing Rock a Bye Baby. On occasion, you can be heard singing on your own. It goes a little like this, "Rocka Baby, tee top, wind blows, Rocka baby"

~I want ABCD. -this is when we sing the alphabet. Occasionally, you sing this on your own too. It starts off "A B C D" then you hit or miss some letters in the middle "T V" hit or miss a few more before finishing off the song "Now I my ABC, ness time with me"

~Hold me Mommy. or I hold you Daddy. -sweetest face is looking up at us as you say this in a little puppy dog voice.

~straw-beret -I think this is the French word for strawberry? No? Well, maybe it is just your own French interpretation then.

~straw-beer-er -just another Kinley version of strawberry

~I want a paancak. -some days you are quite vocal about wanting a pancake for breakfast, or lunch, or  dinner, or whenever you think about it.

~I want Jesus. -you started saying this after I taught you Jesus Loves Me on the way home from school. It works every time. I mean, how can I say no to Jesus? If you sing it on your own when you think no one is paying attention, it goes "Jesus smee. Bible. Jesus smee."

~Coooat-nee or Matsee -the names of my teacher friends that you ask for several times a week. You will even talk about their chairs, that they sat in one time when visiting us in April. You haven't forgotten where they sat.

~Reeeeeaach! -you will say this when you really are having to reach or even if you are just handing us something. Sometimes you even reeeeeeeeach from clear across the room.

~Take my temper-er! -you love to use the thermometer and take people's temperature. For the few times that we did use it, you surprisingly know it is supposed to be swiped across the forehead when it is used.

~'smee Tobie -Kinley talk for "excuse me Tobie" you at 'smee others too but Tobie is mainly the one you are trying to run over with your shopping cart or walk on top of.
~I want Mommy to pump it out. You will say this when Mommy is making milk for Wyatt. You love to try to help by handing me things too.
~Nnnnnno! Tobie! -you really wind up the N of no before making a swatting action at her. 
~I got me! -this is said when we are chasing around in the house, instead of 'you got me!'

~Hi Mom. -at times you will just call out to Mom or Dad from your seat at the table and you just sound so big, too big. Or you will follow us around, sounding like the seagulls from Finding Nemo, "Mom. Mom. Mom. Dad. Dad. Dad." Like a broken record but I'd listen to it all day. ~Animal impressions include: dog, cat, cow (probably your favorite impression to make, 'mmmmoooooo' really winding up the m), pig, horse, monkey, elephant (complete with hand raising trunk motion); lion, tiger, bear, and dinosaur all have the same 'RAR!' that also have a quick claw like motion with them; fish -we're working on getting the puckered lips but it is mostly just moving your little mouth like a fish; rabbit, frog, donkey, duck, goose and bird.

Kinley Binley,

You are loved to no end. I hope that you always remember how loved you are, no one can take that away from you! Always know that there isn't a mountain Mommy and Daddy won't help you move. You can do anything you set your mind to. Though your sassy attitude and hard head drive me bonkers now, I hope you carry them with you the rest of your life so people know that Kinley Snow means business. I am so blessed to be your Mommy!

You are all because two people fell in love.

I'm always here sweet girl,

Love,

Mommy

Title Less

I tried to give this post a title... But nothing jumped out or came to me.

On June 3, I feel like my Mom had her best birthday in 19 years... She was able to celebrate it with her Daddy. Being Father's Day, I imagine Pa had the best one in years. He was able to celebrate with his kids again. It is such a bittersweet feeling. (I imagine Pa loved his birthday back in April too!)

As my babies grow, I can't help but think how he would interact with them. Kinley loves to ride Molly, the rocking horse he made when I was in junior high, and the whole time I just think about how he would get a kick out of that. Or how he would just love to talk with her now that she is just a little older. I imagine she would have had a few cuss words under her belt too, as she can be a little parrot these days. We recently, finally, hung some pictures up. Kinley sees one of Pa and recognizes him and says, "Hi Pa!" I love it and am impressed that she recognizes him in pictures. 

Though he would be afraid of breaking him, Pa would love Brother Bear. It saddens me that he will never know him in person. I also think back to the day in the hospital that Pa felt him moving around. He just thought it was the most amazing thing ever. I mean, it is amazing, but seeing how excited and proud he was, was adorable. 

As I write this, I can't help but think about what kind of grandma my Mom would be. It stings to know that I have had more birthdays, Christmases and every other holiday, without her than I had with her. (this is turning into such a depressing post!) Being  a mom for a short two years, there have already been times that I think, "My mother just came out of my mouth!" When that happens I just smile and take comfort in knowing that even in our short time together, I was able to learn to be the kind of mother that she was. There are still some of her qualities that I strive to have but maybe someday they will just come to me.

In the mean time, I can feel comforted in knowing that those two, my Mom and Pa, are probably having such a great time together, laughing at me wanting to pull my hair out when Kinley pops her little stubborn attitude out at me.

On the Day You Were Born

39 weeks 2 days
and the last baby bump picture for Brother Bear

Thursday, March 6th, you decided to make your entrance into this world.

 The day started like any other, no wait, I woke up around 4:30,  that's not how we start our days. The coughing and cold that I was battling first woke me...

39 weeks pregnant is not the time to catch a cold, have allergies or whatever it was that I had. While coughing, I was concerned that I was going to a) pee my pants, b) cough this baby right out, or c) all of the above. One of those may or may not have happened on more than one occasion.

As I was coughing, I kept thinking, "is that a contraction or just my body reacting to the coughing fit?" Then I was up for the bathroom. I didn't get sick this time but I knew then, based on my previous experience, that my body was preparing to have a baby. Since I had been sick, I was sleeping upstairs because I didn't want Hubby to catch it or be kept up all night with my coughing, so I just kept track of my contractions. I mean, I still wasn't completely convinced I was actually in labor since it was before my due date.

Right after 6 a.m., I texted my wonderful sub. She had planned on coming in to observe how I run the class and what our routine is.... little did she know, she was in for the rest of the year after answering that text! I was totally not prepared for her. 

{The day before, I actually told my two teacher pals, "At this point, I should leave everyday as if I am not coming back.". Unfortunately, I didn't stay to make it presentable because I felt terrible from the cold. But Mrs. Chambers is a rock star and was able to work it out!} 

After confirming that she would be me, I went downstairs and told Hubby, who had started feeling sickly, to put on his "big boy panties because I think we are having a baby today. We need to put the car seat in my car, pack a bag, pack Kinley's things, drop her off and head in to be checked out."

This time around, I was afraid that I was going to arrive at the hospital and they tell me I am crazy and not having a baby today. For that very fear, I had asked Mrs. Chambers and my principal to just tell people I was home sick. However, by 11:15 a.m. I was dilated to a 6! Baby is on his way!

It took a bit to get into a room. We later found out that 12 other babies were born on March 6! Our labor and delivery nurse, Tiffany, had delivered 3 other babies before we had gotten there! The contractions were getting more painful, so I was offered some pain relief through my IV. She told me it would take 5-10 minutes to kick in and that I would feel a little loopy and sleepy. She was totally right! But it was lovely!

I would say that by 12:30 I had my epidural and was feeling just fine. Dr. Wiemar even made it for this delivery! We spent some time doing practice pushes with Tiffany before she called him back to deliver. I suppose this is when having your office right across the street from the hospital comes in handy. When he got back to our room, she said she had called him a little early because Brother did not like pushing and was having a hard time coming under my pelvis. So, Dr. Wiemar wanted to see for himself and it was true. He told us he'd like to try using forceps to grab his little head and help him out. He said it would probably take 2 or 3 contractions to get him out that way but he was right there. It only took us 2 or 3 pushes during one contraction before Wyatt Ryker made his debut at 2:30 p.m.!

All the while trying to have a baby, I was battling that cough. They would want me to push, push, push but I could only do so much pushing before I had to cough again. As I mentioned this was the worst time to be sick. Alas, Wyatt made it safely and that is what matters.

After delivering, we spent extra time in labor and delivery because I had a 102 degree fever. Dr. W. did not seem to think it was delivery related but they didn't want to send me off to the post partum wing with that high of a fever. After lots of reminders to my nurse, she was waiting on the pharmacy, I was able to get some cough medicine. Then finally after a good hour or more, my coughing was getting better. 

When you were actually born only a handful of people knew you were on your way. We spent those couple hours after delivery snuggling you, just Dad and I, talking about how cute you were and how blessed we are to have another sweet, healthy baby. You also went with Dad to have your first bath. I used that time to relax. At this point, my ribs and stomach hurt from coughing so much. Around 4:30, my coughing had finally slowed down and fever came down a little so we called the grandparents and texted other friends and family.

Your first visitor was your big sister, Kinley, along with Jade and Journey.

Kinley came walking in with them looking like such a big girl. She wasn't too sure about this hospital place but was excited to see her Dad. As soon as she realized I was holding a baby, she wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. I was a little heart broken at that but knew it was late and her whole world had changed while she was at Jade's. We were able to take a family picture (minus big sister, Tobie) before Kinley headed back to Jade's for the night. By staying with Jade, Kinley was able to keep her daytime routine and be with people she was familiar with. We are forever grateful that the Beck family took our sweet girl in. I had no worries that she was in good hands {though I often thought about her and prayed she would come around to loving her little brother}.

While in the hospital, the doctor continued to treat my cough. All this time, you took well to breast feeding so were off to the races! At 24 hours old, you passed your hearing check with flying colors. Friday evening, you had visitors from my teacher friends, your Grandpa O and sister Kinley. During this visit she warmed up to you more. She still wasn't 100% about you but a definite improvement from the night before. Grandpa O was able to snap a few more pictures of our new family too.

By Saturday morning, I was complaining of a gargling feeling in my throat, like when I would breathe, it would feel like something was in he the back of my throat. The doctor ordered a chest X-ray because he thought he heard some fluid in my lungs. The X-ray confirmed that I was developing pneumonia in the lower part of my left lung. We decided it was best to stay one more night to get breathing treatments and rest since I needed to be healthy for our new little guy. I had been fortunate to have two great nurses on the post partum floor. They really kept on top of my medicines and trying to get me better... Until Saturday night.

The new shift started at 7. I was supposed to get pain medicine at 8. I was getting a little rest and nursing so I didn't realize it was past due. As soon as Hubby returned from a quick run home to feed and love on Tobie, I sent him to track her down. He did that at 9 and she didn't make it to the room until 9:30. Needless to say, I had to call her when I was supposed to have medicine so I was very unimpressed with her. The day nurse on Sunday was nothing to write home about either. She was very by the book, like read us word for word, in a monotone voice, all of the discharge papers. We were finally discharged around 3:30 and made it home around 4:00.

Tobie was excited to meet you and greeted you with many kisses. Dad then took you on a tour of the house so you would know your way around. Since we were so late getting discharged, your sister was at a birthday party with Jade and didn't make it home to greet you until 5:30ish. She was more open to the idea of a baby and was kind of all of in your face. She just kept saying, "baby! baby." over and over and over, in a loud, high pitched voice. We worked on calling you Wyatt but she liked Baby better. We would make the mistake of saying, "Hi, Buddy!" and without skipping a beat, she would say, "Hi, Buuddy."

Your first night at home was busy. You ate every 3 hours and pooped or peed in between

And that little guy is all about the Day You Were Born {and a few days after}.

#1 Stunna

everyone says they have the best husband around so why shouldn't I?! 

during this moving process, he has made it clear that his number one priority is his little family. he took off of work so he could pack, unpack and put away our things during the day and hang with his family at night. once Kinley and I got home from school, his moving stopped until Kinley went to bed. he made sure that Kinley had a bed to sleep in and a place to change her pants before she got home. basically what I'm saying is that he took care of Kinley first and Tobie and I just happened to have our bed to sleep in too. 

i feel so blessed to have him as my Boo.

{I wrote this right as we were in the process of moving (december 2013)... along with blogging in general, it got lost in the shuffle of this crazy thing called life. And sorry 'bout all you others out there that think you have the best Boo... :) }

One Month

{this sock monkey was your first stuffed animal. it came from Aunt Mary and Uncle Ken, your great aunt and uncle}

It’s hard to believe it’s already been one month. As most people say, ”it seems like yesterday” that you were born. Time really has gone quickly since your arrival.

Dad took off for a week when you were born. Being that I was sick on top of just having a baby, he had his work cut out for him as far as nursing us back to healthy. But... You can rest assured that he did just that. In case I haven't told you, you have Super Dad for a Dad. He was on top of medicine, refilling my cup to keep me hydrated, making sure Kinley and I got to eat, diaper changes, plenty of snuggling for you and Kinley, taking Kinley to school, hanging with us during nighttime feeds, entertaining Kinley so you and I had time to snuggle and rest together and so much more! You Dad does an excellent job taking care of his family. Even after he went back it work, he would wake up with you so I could get rest and recover. He loves snuggling you up in his arms in the corner of the sofa mobile and would sleep there forever with you if he needed to.

We attempted pictures on day 7. You were fine after peeing and pooping on us when we tried to put you in the dump truck. We didn't get a dump truck shot but you cooperated other times. It was your sister that didn't cooperate so family pictures will come later. 

our little Brother Bear!

We jumped back into the saddle a lot sooner with you... Your first trip to church was when you were 10 days old! 

At one week old, you weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces. At 3 weeks, you weighed 8 pounds 5.5 ounces so we were continuing to fatten you up one day at a time. You have 4 ounces every 3-4 hours. After about three weeks, we went to giving you breast milk from a bottle. This allows Dad to help feed and we know how much you are eating. You are still getting plenty of Mom snuggles though!

I don't think we truly know how tall you are because of the terrible measuring system at the doctor's office. I'd say you are getting taller though.

You are wearing size one diapers and newborn clothes, which are hard to come by for little boys! Well any clothes really. I tell you what, I never paid attention to how one sided stores are but there is not a whole lot to offer for sweet little boys.

During your first month, we spent time adjusting as a family. Many of our friends and family helped make the adjustment easier by bringing us dinners. You, of course, made the adjustment pretty easy, like you had always been here. 

34 weeks and beyond!

{As I finish this, our little Brother Bear is almost 7 weeks old. I feel sad that I was not able to keep up with posting and all the details of this pregnancy. But... I will say that there was a lot of other things that went on and had to be taken care which kept me busy and unable to sit down to blog my adventure. Now that he is here, I feel like I need to get this posted before I can post about him. He is such a sweet little guy that needs some blog lovin'!!}

34 weeks

This week was big for Brother Bear! He got curtains that I think we will like, his car seat will be getting cleaned up for him and we will pick up his crib and dresser this weekend! We also got registered at the hospital so we are good to go whenever the time comes. Guess that means it is time to start thinking about packing some sort of bag?

We are determined to decide on a name, as many people are frustrated that he doesn't have one yet. I don't know why but it seems harder to decide this time. I suppose part of it is because Kinley's name is so cute that we want to make sure his is equally cool (you know since boys probably wouldn't be concerned with having a cute name).

He is still like a little bouncy ball tucked inside my belly, sometimes more so than his sister. At school, he was fed really well as my co-workers took the week to celebrate me as the Teacher of the Year.

 We also got the crib and dresser put into Brother's room! Whew, they came in before he got home!

35 weeks

36 weeks

 During 36 weeks, we finally got Brother Bear's room put together. We made his name sign but only told family and a few close friends what his name was going to be. The rest of the world found out when he was born.

37 weeks

On February 22, Brother had a shower hosted by some of my college friends. It was an adorable transportation theme to go along with his bedroom! I loved the blues and orange of it too! A bonus was that there were Sixlets for days to eat afterwards! (I actually just finished mine off this week, 2 months after the shower! I think I had good restraint on eating them )

Jade, Susan, Casey and Sharon

Nandy, Aunt Mary and Anna

Courtney, Erin, Tiffany, Grace, BA and Kay
--not pictured... Jennifer, Jillian and Nancy, and photographer, Heather--

Kinley and I with Nandy, Aunt Mary, Anna and Sharon

Cute little outfits, books, cars and more!

38 weeks

38 weeks with the sisters

During this week, I visited the doctor on a Friday, February 28. However, when the day came around, I felt like poo. I had started sniffling and had a little cough to go with it. My PE teacher was adamant about me not doing our assistant's duty, as I had done in the past so that she could have her lunch and I could make my appointment. Little did I know, my teacher friends had planned a surprise diaper shower! At least a week or two before, I had mentioned in the teacher's lounge that I had this appointment and no one said anything about it.Well, surprise to you too! I can't stay long because I have an appointment.

Dr. W. said Brother was still baking, head down so we would wait and see what the week would bring. I told him I had started coughing and had the sniffles but didn't feel sick, maybe it was just allergies starting up. He recommended some Claritin and cough syrup so I stopped on the way back to school and loaded up!

As the days progressed, I kept coughing and coughing and coughing. Each time I needed to cough, I had to prepare myself because I did not want to cough the baby right out of me... or pee my pants. One of the two may or may not have happened on more than one occasion.

People would ask me when my last day was before maternity leave kicked in and my response was, "I'll be here until Mr. Bobby (our custodian) is following me around with a mop bucket telling me to go home." And I pretty much did that.... 

I went to work on Wednesday, March 5th. The cold or whatever I had left me feeling like poo but I had to go. I spent my plan time resting on the couch in the teacher's lounge. At one point, my assistant came in with a blanket and said, "Mr. S. (the principal) asked me to cover you up. He thought it might be awkward if he came in and did it himself." When it was time to get my kids I felt a little more refreshed. We finished off the day and at the end of the day, I told my kids to have a good night and I would see them tomorrow. As I was leaving with my friends and feeling like dooky, I said, "You know, at this point I really should leave everyday as if I am not coming in tomorrow." and then I shut off the lights and closed the door..........

{I know, I know, I did horrible at recording the preparation for Brother Bear but it truly is harder to do with another little person running around. I am doing my best to keep up with his baby book since I know how bare mine is. And to make me feel better, I haven't totally kept up with Kinley's}