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.

Ryker's lunch with the Little Ladies

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, Ryker invited some girlfriends over to visit. Kate drove in from Lafayette and Blair and her girls, Charlotte (3) and Frances (18 mo), drove in from Nola.

After filling our tummies with shrimp poboys, french fries and onion rings (a healthy weekend snack), we made some introductions.

Charlotte and Frances were so sweet and gentle with Ryker. They proved to be "big girls" when they held him tight and gave him sweet kisses on his head.

A nice way to spend a rainy day...

Meet Grammy & Poppy

"The fabulous people who surround us" stretches all the way to Utah, where Ryker's Grammy & Poppy live. They have booked a trip to visit us the first week in April. We are so excited to see them! We visited them over Thanksgiving when I was 6+ months pregnant (i.e. large and in charge).

Ryker will be their 5th grandchild! Justin's sister has 3 adorable children, Kaylee, Hunter and Avery and their daughter, Sherry, has a son, Collin. Below are some pictures from our trip.

We can't wait to see you Grammy & Poppy!

Justin with Grammy & Poppy, Jennifer, Matthew and Cameron

Jennifer & Drew with Kaylee, Avery and Hunter

Sucker!

I insisted I would not give my child a nunie. I don't know why, I just don't like them always having a nunie in their mouth. However, after 4 sleepless nights, Justin and I caved. When Ryker started to cry at 1am this morning, we pulled out all the tricks.

Insert nunie. Ah, quiet. Ryker woke up every 3 hours to eat. It was wonderful!

Oh well, I'm sure it's not the first time I'll give in and let Ryker win.

I'm in Love with a Boy named Ryker

1 week old today! It does go by so quickly. It's been an eventful week full of "firsts"...we've had our first doctors appointment, recovered from our first night at home and enjoyed our first outing (dinner at Mimi's). Please look how sweet our little man is...

Wearing Uncle Ches' hand-me-downs

In his outfit from Aunt Jillian

His great grandmother, Mam-ma

Enjoying his first dinner party with Mimi, great grandmother

Visiting with Mrs. Chantel