Visit to Papa Chet's

It was a typical lazy Sunday and the weather was beautiful! After Lovey whipped up a yummy meal, we decided to drive out to Papa Chet's and check out some new rugs he had just bought.

It was Ryker's first visit to Magnolia (our nickname for Dad's property).

Peek-a-boo

Papa Chet's first car and Sam, our 13 yr old Lab.
There is actually a picture of Dad holding me on this car when I was a baby. (The car has since been refurbished.) I'll have to find that picture!

Much the Wiser

Justin's sister, Jennifer, gave me the book Baby Wise when I was pregnant. I read the first five chapters (twice), but the information just didn't seem to register at the time. A few friends recommended I give it a try again, so Lovey took a crash course this weekend (and gave me the cliff notes).

Feed/Wake/Sleep is the basic principle of the book. Ryker was already basically on this schedule, eating about every 3 hours. So, Thursday night we started trying Baby Wise. I have to say, it has been working for us!

The hardest part is the wake time. He is so sleepy after his bottle. We spend about 1 hour trying to stimulate him and keep him alert before his next nap time. This is a job! But, it seems to help him get a better nap (he's sleeping about 2 hours at a time). And, Friday and Saturday night he slept from 10:30pm to 3:00am.

I think it's important to do what works for you and your baby, and since Ryker seems to be happy and content on his new schedule, I think I'll stick with it!

Here are a few pictures from our weekend...

Daddy trying to keep Ryker awake (looks like Daddy's eyes are the one's closing!).

Nap time in the crib.

Nap time in the bouncer (we try it all!).

Aunt Steph's friends, Brittany & Jenna, helping with wake time.

Cooking with Daddy during wake time.

Friday Morning Flat

After a long night with Ryker, I woke up craving Chick-fil-a. Well, bad idea for many reasons! On our way back home, I hit a pothole...hello flat! Uncle Ches had to come save us.

No patching this one; Lovey will need a new tire!

Uncle Ches moving the car seat into the rescue vehicle.

Ryker never noticed our 'bump' in the road.

Not pretty!

3 Weeks Old

3 weeks today! It's hard to imagine life without him!

At his well visit last week he had grown to 20 inches and weighed 6lbs 8oz.

Ryker, we love watching you grow!

Sleep...Priceless

Like any new mom, I have been struggling with getting my newborn to sleep during the night. We've determined that he hates his bassinet and becomes fussy and irritable if we lay him in there. However, he's a little angel if we allow him to sleep in our bed or on my chest. I know, not safe! Believe me, we sleep with one eye open!

Sometime around 4am...

Out like a light.

"I thought I was clear, I''m not sleeping in here!"

"Mommy and Daddy's bed is much nicer."

On top of it all, part lack of sleep and part typical surgery recovery has caused me to experience the worst chills and shakes of my life. I was in bed all day on Saturday sick as a dog. Thank goodness for Lovey!! She's been taking care of me and Ryker.

Mommy's get sick too.

Last night my mom took Ryker while I went home and enjoyed a full night sleep (to be fair, this is not the first time she's so graciously done this in the past 2 weeks!). However, she was going to try something new to get him to sleep. After some seasoned moms/friends reassured us that he would not have spinal issues later in life, we were convinced it would be okay if he slept in his swing during the night and didn't force the bassinet on him.

Well, it worked. In bed at 11:30, he woke up at 3am and 6am to be fed! Woo Hoo! Thank you, Lovey!!

Aw, my sweet little lamb.

Nola Baby - Take 2

Lunch in New Orleans again and a brief stop at Target and Babies R Us...a far cry from our normal shopping destinations. One of the ways life changes when you have a baby.

We did feel a bit guilty for bringing a two week old out in public. (We usually are the ones talking about other people who are being irresponsible doing what we were doing.) But, now we understand the need to get out of the house in order to keep your sanity.

We just made sure to keep him covered and protect him from strangers who insist on invading his personal space. You know the ones who get right up under the car seat cover and come face to face with your newborn?

Anyway, we survived. And Steph got to join us for lunch before her hair appointment. Another relaxing day...

"I'll have the spinach and artichoke dip"

"Hey, Aunt Steph!"

"I can't believe y'all have me at Target!"

2 Weeks Old

Ryker is 2 weeks old today. Yesterday, March 18th, was my actual due date. It's so hard to believe that he could still be in my belly!? I can barely wrap my head around the concept. Birth is truly a miracle. It blows my mind how any woman who has ever been pregnant can question the existence of God. I thank Him daily for blessing me with this healthy baby boy!

"Good Morning, Mom"

Either touchdown or earmuffs, I can't decide?

Nola Baby

Today was a gorgeous day and it was time Ryker and I get out of the house and soak up some sunlight. The walls were beginning to close in! Not to mention, Lovey slept over last night and took care of Ryker, giving me a restful night's sleep. Aaah...rejuvenation!

We packed up and headed to New Orleans for some lunch and a glass of wine on a patio. It was the first glass of wine that I actually enjoyed in a long time.

After a long lunch and a brief shopping stop, I was just starting to have some fun. The plan was for me to pump in the car before our next stop. Fed and satisfied, we loaded Ryker into the car. I reached for my pump. Oh no, we had forgotten it at home on the kitchen table! Rookie mistake!

So, we cut our trip short and headed home. Hey, there is always tomorrow!

Daddy feeding Ryker before we left.

At the restaurant, I promise we kept him out of the sun!

He slept the whole time!

Ryker's turn to eat.

Content while we shopped.

Can't pass up a table full of Kissy Kissy!

Lovey in her usual pose, at the cash register!

What a sweetie!

Exhausted after his first outing!

First Bath

He wasn't so sure about the bath. He had this confused expression on his face the whole time, like "what are y'all doing to me?". But I think he'll warm up to it and eventually relax and enjoy! He sure smelt yummy all clean with a touch of Baby Magic!

'hand'some

From the moment he was born, Ryker has shown extreme interest in his hands. When we try to swaddle him, he finds a way to get his hands free. When he's not swaddled, he crosses his fingers and holds his hands together. At 7 days old, he was even trying to hold his bottle. Yes, we are impressed and it causes us to quickly jump up, grab the camera and document these moments.