Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Here's to the stay at home mom...

Well, today wraps up my maternity leave.  It has been a great experience, and I have so much to be thankful for (NOT in order of importance!)

1. A healthy, happy, BEAUTIFUL baby boy
2. A room full of family before and after delivery
3. My health and quick recovery
4. My wonderful, loving Mom staying with us for over a week
5. An AWESOME husband who stuck by me through many mood swings....including me getting mad at him because he did not feel well.  Sorry babe.
6.  Wonderful in-laws giving Marc and I date night!
7. My very brave mother-in-law for keeping Ryder when I go back to work.
8. A job to go back to with the best coworkers and friends in the world
9. 24 Hour Fitness (not that I have gone more than twice!)
10.  WINE

So, Ryder is getting bigger every day and is the most precious thing I have ever seen.  Noooo...I'm not just saying that because he's mine.  I would say it even if he wasn't!  haha!!  I have learned a lot of things about myself over this time off.  I have gained even more respect for my mom who did this 3 times and had all 3 of us in diapers at one time. WOW!!!  That is insane!!  Seriously!!  I remember going with her and my sisters to the grocery store when we were little.  I think it was Haley in the top, small part of the cart.  Lindsey in the big open part, and I was on the bottom.  First stop, the deli to get a free cookie and entertain  us for a few minutes.  The thought of having 3 kids at the grocery store just freaks me out!!
Speaking of freaking out...I think that I have learned to be more patient. Marc may disagree!
 Poop no longer disgust me.  Actually, I get so excited to see Ryder's poop now.  We even do a little cheer.  haha!   I have learned that I can do sooo many things at once.  Bottles, laundry, feeding....however, nothing ever seems to get finished!
I have also learned how incredibly important family is.  I have always been a family girl and loved spending time with my family.  However, this experience has made me cherish every single minute I am lucky enough to get to spend with them.  I wish it were more, but I am thankful for the time we get together.
Last thing...This morning I woke up and began my day with coffee and making a bottle.   I played with Fisher as I do every morning, careful not to make him feel neglected with the arrival of Ryder.  I fed Ryder and put him in the bassinett so I could get ready.  Then, I walked into the guest room where Fisher sat looking at me with his big, guilty eyes.  Slowly, I looked over and saw that he had peed all over the bed. At that moment, Ryder began to cry which quickly became a scream.  I tried and tried to comfort him, but nothing work.  The only thing I could do was to cry with him.  So, there we sat...next to the bed with pee, Ryder in my arms, crying together.  SO....here's to the stay at home Mom because it is a HARD job!

Here are some pictures of Ryder at 7 weeks:



Yesterday, Ryder had a play date with his friends Aldo and Avery.  Aren't they the cutest little things ever?!?!










Sunday, October 10, 2010

Home Sweet Home

Last week my sweet mom flew into Houston and we drove back to Mississippi with Ryder.  We stayed there all week.  I had the most wonderful time!  I love going home, but I hate it because it always makes me realize how much I miss it!  I miss the smaller city and slower pace...and I definitely miss my mom and dad!  However, I am so blessed to have such wonderful family here in Houston as well!
Anyway...throughout the week we went and visited friends and family, and of course...ate delicious food! Ryder got to meet his great grandmother Gran on Monday.  We got to see her new home and show Ryder off to her friends.  Here is a picture of Ryder and Gran.

Ryder also got to spend lots of time with his Pop!  



On Tuesday we made the trip to Utica to visit Mee Maw and Paw Paw.  We had lunch with them and guess what Mee Maw made??  If any cousins are reading this you may want to sit down!  Yes!  She made dressing!!  That was my request when she asked what I would like.  However, we all just laughed about it, not really expecting her to make it.  She surprised me with it when we got to her house.  I thought I took a picture of it, but it's not on my camera.  I'll take one at Thanksgiving! 








And of course, Lolli got to spend her share of time with the little man as well!  



We sure missed Daddy while we were gone, but we had a blast!  I can't wait to see everyone again at Thanksgiving! 
Friday we made the drive back to Houston plus my Dad.  He was in his truck.  Lindsey, Jeremy, and Hutch met us in Houston.  We got to spend the weekend together.  Saturday we went for lunch and margaritas and then we headed to the Mississippi State / Houston game.  It was a lot of fun and WE WON!  woooohooo!!!  Go DAWGS!!! 
I don't have any pictures, but I think Lindsey may have taken some.  
So, now everyone is gone and it's really quiet.  I had my regular cry as I always do when my family leaves. I love y'all!  Thanks so much for coming to Houston!  
**Sister Haley we missed you and look forward to you being with us at Thanksgiving.  

Ryder - 5 weeks


I just wanted to post some pictures really quick.  He is now 6 weeks and 3 days.  I'm just late posting these!  Keep in mind that the pictures are taken with my camera and it is not professional.  Also, I don't have editing software on my laptop.  So, the quality is not the best.  Sorry! 









Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Skinny jeans and the not so skinny...

Ok, so this will be quick.  I'm just going to vent for a sec.  Mom, if you're reading you can stop because I already called you about this today.  Lindsey, you too!  Anyway, so Fall is in the air and I was so excited this morning to get my boots on.  However, I realized that the only way to show off my fabulous boots is to wear....wait for it....SKINNY JEANS.  Oh no, this is clearly a problem seeing as how I just had a baby. Well, I thought, I've lost 20 of the 40 so maybe, just maybe they will fit.  I dug through all of my boxes and pulled them out.  Haha!!  I pulled them over my feet and that's about as far as I got.  They wouldn't go over my ankles basically.  In case you're wondering...20 pounds is a lot of weight.  Enough to make you go up a few sizes!  So, ok, I pulled back on the ol maternity jeans.  I walk 2 steps and they're falling off.  I hate those things.  Then I had to find a shirt.  I pulled out this cute maternity shirt that I bought.  It is tight fitting and with the little baby bump, it was really cute.  Well, it just isn't quite as cute anymore.  A pooch is only cute if there is a baby inside! I don't want to buy any clothes because HOPEFULLY I will be back in my clothes soon.  So, what did I do??  Yes, that's right...I went and got myself a trainer.  Haha!!  I only bought the sessions.  It is up to me to schedule them.  I'm waiting until I go back to the dr before I get started.  WISH ME LUCK!!!  Oh...dinner tonight, pasta with a cream sauce and a couple glasses of wine.  Is that how you lose weight??  Just wondering!!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Yes, still alive and kicking!

Ok, so it has been a bit longer than I had wanted in between blog postings.  However, don't think that means we're going crazy with this parenting thing.  Oh no!  We're doing it, and I must say...we're getting it down pat!  Yes, there are some times that are tough, but all in all, I think we're doing a great job.  I'm with Ryder during the day.  Last week we took our first trip to the Galleria.  THANK GOODNESS  my friend Chrysa was there because I parked on LL2 which, FYI, does not have an elevator.  You should have seen the two of us.  It was a really good laugh!  I was carrying the car seat with Ryder in it, and Chrysa had to tote the stroller up the stairs.  I guess you had to be there because that didn't sound so funny.  It really was at the time.  
Last week I went to meet my girls from school for dinner.  It was tons of fun!  Let's just say...Carlita may have made an appearance!  Regulators on Karaoke??  Yes, that must have been Carlita!  haha...we had a BLAST!!  
Marc takes over Ryder duty when he gets home.  He does a great job!  I'll get out some and get some "me time" in.  You know, grocery store, post office, Walgreens.  I'm really enjoying being OUT of the house these days.  I had cabin fever before Ryder was born.  It continues! 
We have started using a little formula in Ryder's diet.  I haven't been producing enough milk for that big boy.  So...a few ounces of formula has been used.  He really loves it! He just LOVES to eat.  He has definitely grown, but we have not been to the dr since he weighed in at 10lbs 1 oz. So, I don't have a weight for you.  I can't wait to see how much he weighs now! 
This past weekend we went to Jen and Chad's house near the Woodlands.  Lindsey, Jeremy, and Hutch were there.  It was great to see them.  I don't have any pics, but I think Lindsey does.  I'll try to get them from her.  We had a lot of fun!  
Ok, well, I'm going to stop now because I have a feeling this is probably really boring for everyone other than me.  Here are a few pictures of Ryder at 3 and 1/2 weeks.  Tomorrow he will be 4 weeks old.  Wow!  That's unreal!  











Look who got a hair cut!! 


OH!! I want to add...Ryder and I went for a walk this morning.  It was awesome!!  Fall is in the air and I cannot wait!!  I LOVE FALL!!!  

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Calming down....

Well, things are starting to slow down around here.  Mom left and now Marc is going back to work.  He is going back tomorrow, and I am super sad.  Gigi and Mamo are coming over tonight to see Ryder.  He is really excited!
Yesterday we went to see the dr.  Our little man now weighs 10 pounds and 1 oz.  He is 22 inches long!  Yes, he eats ALL of the time!  I had to start pumping so we could keep up with how much he eats.  I only kept track for one day because it was SOOO much!  I just put on Tom and Jerry for him, but he wasn't interested.    He is now in his Nap Nanny staring out the window. He LOVES the light!
Not much has been going on.  We are starting to get the hang of this parenting thing.  Fortunately, breastfeeding is going GREAT!  So great in fact, Marc says we're going to open a dairy farm!  haha!  Ok, that's gross, but funny! I feel really blessed that it is coming easy for me.  The past few nights Ryder has slept from 11:00pm until about 4:00am and then is up for good around 7:30 or 8:00.  Not bad, right?!
OH!!  The greatest news of all...we went to the audiologist today and is hearing is GREAT!  He passed the hearing test in both ears.  The dr. said that the left ear (originally the one in question) scored higher than the right ear!  So, both ears passed! Thank you for all of the prayers! 
I extended my maternity leave for a week and a half.  It already makes me really sad thinking about leaving him.  That's one thing I need to work on...STOP THINKING AHEAD!!  I always get sad thinking about it and I really just need to enjoy the time I have and be thankful I get time off!


Happy Happy Birthday to my Dad.  I love you soooooooo much and hope you have  terrific day.  I can't wait to see you soon!!!


I go to the dr tomorrow for me.  It will be my 2 week check up.  Hopefully he will release me to drive.  I was ready a couple of days after surgery.  I was about to hop in the driver's seat and my mom was like, "You can't drive for 2 weeks!"  Seriously?  That is something they should tell you when you are NOT on heavy medication and will remember!  I have no memory of anyone talking to me about not driving!  Thanks for looking out for me Mom!


Well, that's it for me.  GO MISSISSIPPI STATE!!!  I'll be watching you in Texas and Ryder will be representing!!  Last thing, I want to leave you with this video that one of Marc's friends posted.  I have watched it so many times and laugh even more the more I watch it.  I hope I can post it correctly.  Enjoy!! Be sure to listen to the girl after "it" happens.  HILARIOUS!!!!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

The Journey Begins...


Well, today marks day #6 of being at home and day #1 without my Momma. We dropped her off at the airport last night. It was so hard telling her good bye. I started crying 2 or 3 days BEFORE she ever even left. We had such a great time. ThANK YOU for coming and staying with us Mom!! I am eating chicken spaghetti as I write this blog! Marc and I have had a few good laughs today reflecting on the amount of butter we consumed this past week! YUMMY!!!!! Butter makes everything better...including tears. That's why we started the day off with a big pan of Mom's homemade biscuits. I love you!!


Ok, so...you would think this blog would be full of horror stories about the first week of parenting and all, but it's not. We have a little angel...so far = ) I am breastfeeding which is going TERRIFIC. He does wake up a bit throughout the night, but he also LOVES to sleep! We are so thankful. My mom stayed up with him the last 2 nights she was here. So, Marc and I were able to sleep! It was GREAT!! Ryder had his first outing Wednesday night. We went with Marc's family to dinner. It was great to eat Mexican without getting heartburn! haha! SO....that's really about it. Everything is going smoothly, and we are so in love with our little man!


We went to the dr. on Tuesday. At that time, Ryder had gained 4oz...yes, that's right, he weighed 9lbs and 4 oz. He's a big, growing boy! We go again on Wednesday for his 2 week checkup. I'm sure he will weigh even more! Prayer request...Ryder failed the hearing test in his left ear. He almost passed it. The dr. thinks he probably just had fluid in there. We go to the ear dr on Thursday. Please pray that everything comes back normal. Typically, it does! So, we're really positive about it. However, you can never have too many prayers!


Today we are watching the Ut/Rice game. Ryder is showing his support. Here are a few pictures. He's really into the game!




My handsome hubby decided to shave his beard for Ryder!  I love it! 

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Ryder and Parents Finally Come Home

I'm going through as many clothes as Ryder is. His mommy feeds him and his daddy changes his diapers and gets peed on.

Marc

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Some Photo Slideshows



Ryder Boone Ramirez

Well, Ryder is finally here, and let's just say he came in with a BANG! That's right, no normal entrance for this little man!  He wanted to make sure everyone was paying attention!  
We got to the hospital at 7:15am on Thursday.  Everything was going great UNTIL...well, until it wasn't!  I started running pretty high fever and Ryder's heart beat was not consistent.  It dropped and then went high repeatedly.  You can only imagine the scare he gave us.  So, this continued for a bit and the dr. continued to monitor me.  Around 5:15 we decided a C-section would be the safest way to go.  They took me back and our baby Ryder was born at 5:58!  I couldn't see when they pulled him out.  This is all I heard, "WOW....Oh my, that's a BIG baby!"  Ryder came into this world weighing 9lbs even and measuring 22inches.  He is BEAUTIFUL!!! Because of the drama before hand and my fever, Ryder has to be in the NICU for a few days.  Yesterday he was granted permission to come down to our room and visit for awhile.  He is just the most amazing little person.  Everyone was right...words cannot express the way a newborn baby changes you the minute he is born.  I am a whole new person!  
I'm not sure when we'll be leaving the hospital, but I'll keep you posted!  Here are some pictures of Ryder's birthday and the day after.  


Marc surprised me with this when we got to the hospital.  Yes, I have the best husband ever! The nurse said it is a "push present" haha! 
Here we go...ready or not! 
Ryder Boone Ramirez
The proud families!

Yes, I was tired!