Monday, September 26, 2011

One Month Old...My How Time Flies!


Well, Ryder is officially one month old now! Somehow, mommy, daddy, Ryder and Boston all survived! There were definitely a few days there when I wasn't quite sure if we would, but thanks to a lot of prayer and a lot of support, encouragement, and help from Nana, Mawmaw, and friends from church, we made it to the one month mark! Ryder is now feeling much better thanks to our doctor sending out a prescription for his silent reflux. Poor Ryder had some rough days there for a while until we figured out what was wrong, but now he is able to sleep and get his tummy full when he eats! Mommy and Daddy are so glad to have a happy baby again!

We've all been learning quite a bit too! Daddy learned how to change diapers, although he must wear gloves each time and still worries that he might get sprayed at anytime! Mommy has learned how to eat, type, and do many other things with one hand! Boston has learned to share his attention with Ryder, although he does try to climb up on the couch beside us when Ryder's eating, and he is learning to allow people to come visit Ryder, except for the mail lady whom he seems to harbor a deep-seated hatred for, not sure why... We've also learned how to swaddle, distinguish Ryder's cries, plan around a baby schedule, and thrive on much less sleep than we had before Ryder arrived. :)

Some things that Ryder has accomplished at this point are learning to take naps without someone holding him, although mommy still tends to hold him for as long as she can. He also tends to fight his sleep at times, but he's learning to take a paci and he even knows to put his hand over it to hold it in. He can hold his head up for a minute or more at a time. He's beginning to coo and talk to his mobile. And he recognizes mommy and daddy's voices. He is becoming more OK with being swaddled, but he still manages to break free of it some nights! He's not a fan of the swing yet or laying on his back for very long or having to take a break from eating to burp or getting a bath, but he sure loves being talked to, sang to, and cuddling with mommy and daddy! Oh and did I mention eating?! :)
our little escape artist

Some of his other favorite things are sleeping in his Rock and Play sleeper.

Watching the lights and toys on his mobile or play mat.


It's exhausting work to be a newborn!
Sucking on his fingers.

And best of all staring at the lights while sitting in mommy or daddy's arms! Notice that I didn't say laying in our arms because Ryder likes to sit up and look out and around or lay up on our chests. We think this has a little bit to do with the reflux, but I can't wait until he can sit in his bumpo seat and look around!!


We ended the first month with a visit from Tyler's dad and brother. Ryder was happy to meet his grandpa and uncle!

Grandpa Ron

Uncle Garrett - these guys are gonna be good buddies!

All in all, I'd say we've had a very successful first month of life! :)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Time Flies When You're in Love!

Well our lives have been totally turned upside down with the arrival of Mr. Ryder, but we're all adjusting and I wouldn't trade all the changes for my life before Ryder for anything! It seems crazy that Ryder has been with us for almost a month! It seems like the time has flown by, but there have definitely been the rough days too for mommy and for Ryder. It took us a few days to figure out that our sweet little boy wasn't just crying to cry, but that he wasn't feeling well. It turns out that he has silent acid reflux and was pretty miserable until we got him the medicine he needed. Since the medicine took effect, Ryder has slept bettter and seems to feel better. We're so thankful to see the changes and hope it keeps up! Life has definitely changed for us like our bedtime routine, how often I get time to do anything besides feed and hold baby, and the amount of effort and coordinstion it takes to leave home. Who knew our world would revolve around such a sweet little guy or that the same sweet little guy could be so demanding?!? We still think our little boy is the cutest baby ever and we love showing him off! He just seems to get cuter each day!


Proud Daddy!


2 weeks old

3 weeks old




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Our New Addition

We are so thrilled to announce our beautiful new addition to our family, Ryder Dean Harden!! He was born August 25, 2011 after about 15 hours of labor.

Ryder decided to turn himself face up before being born, so mommy had to push for over 2 hours to bring him into the world, and after the hardest workout of my life, I got to meet the most adorable little man and fell in love instantly!



He further surprised us all by his size, weighing in at 8 lbs. 15.7 oz. and measuring 20 inches. We're still not quite sure how he fit inside me, but we're so glad he's so healthy and happy!

Right before we left for the hospital! My last belly picture...
I would have never guessed he weighed that much!!

We had an amazing nurse and doctor, who both coached me along in pushing, and of course daddy was there the entire time to hold my hand, bring me ice chips, and cheer me on! I couldn't have done it without him! Daddy is very much in love with Ryder too!


Ryder has had lots of visitors, who were anxious to meet him and love on him!
Great-grandma (Mawmaw)

Aunt Caitlyn

Grandpa

Nana

Grandma Hardin

Aunt Layne
Boston has also fallen in love with his ittle brother and is eager to protect him. He likes to lick Ryder's feet when Ryder's upset, and he comes to alert us when Ryder makes the smallest of sounds.

In general, we're all doing well and are so happy to be a family of four now! We of course think our baby is the cutest baby ever, but you can judge for yourself! :)


1 week old and cute as ever!!




And baby makes three!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Abundantly Blessed

Today, I was reading through Jeremiah for my quiet time, and I don't often post about this private time with the Lord, but I was struck by a short chapter in Jeremiah that packed a powerful punch. Chapter 45 of Jeremiah is a mere 5 verses, but in those 5 verses the Lord convicted me of my expectations concerning my faithfulness. In this chapter, Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful scribe, has become discouraged (and who wouldn't be after seeing God's judgment again and again on His people as they refuse to obey His command). So the Lord sends this message to Baruch, who has remained faithful despite the rest of the nation turing against the Lord in disobedience. Now, I would think that God would send him this incredibly uplifting message and promise him greatness, but instead God responds with this, "Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don't do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go." (vs.5). After reading that I thought, "really that's all he gets after all he's been through? Just his life?" Then it occurred to me that God is making a point here. Baruch was doing what he was supposed to do, nothing more, nothing less. And God's reward to him was the most precious gift we can be given by God, life. When we live a life of faithfulness to the Lord, we are living the most abundant and prosperous life possible, and we shouldn't want for anything else. Not greatness, not fame, not riches, just a fulfilled life in Christ. It also reminded me of something I say often to my students who expect or request extra credit for doing simple tasks that they're expected to do, "You don't get extra credit for doing what you're already supposed to do." In a world with an endless sense of entitlement, I was humbled by the Lord's reminder that He has promised to give us life, and life abundant, but nothing more, and we should be more than satisfied with that. So Lord, I'm completely satisfied with my life of obedience to you, and may I never seek more than a faithful life to You.

And I couldn't be more thankful for the life He has given me!! We are now only three weeks from the due date of our precious baby boy, and I couldn't be more thrilled!!
37 weeks and ounting!!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Showers of Blessing

I have been so blessed over the past week and a half to have had two wonderful baby showers! We received so many great gifts, and are just so thankful for all of our friends and family who helped to not only throw the showers, but buy gifts and just be there to support us!

The first shower was July 16 at Shenandoah Baptist Church with lots of family and old friends.
The yummy cake!

Lots of presents!!

Mom used the lamp from the nursery as a centerpiece, and then added our sonogram pictures.



Some of the guests were family, friends from high school, and family friends from the church I grew up in. :)

A photo album to fill up with lots of sweet baby pictures!

Mom bought the baby his first suit for Easter!! :) SO CUTE!!

He got lots of clothes!

More presents!

I had such a great time!!
The second shower was at my friend Meg's house with many of the ladies from our church, First Baptist, Roanoke on July 22. My mom and sister came too, so they could meet our friends. I'm so glad they were able to come and meet the people that have become such a big part of our lives!!

The beautiful cake my friend, Leslie Ann made!

We told her she needed to go into business making cakes! It looked great, and even better, it tasted delicious!!

Some of the sweet ladies I've met through Sunday School and Bible study. I love them all!

Meg had us make a letter book for the baby. We each had to choose a letter and fill up a page with items from magazines that started with that letter. We all had a lot of fun finding pictures for each other's letters! There were a few "unique" suggestions too! :)

Opening more gifts

The Moby Wrap so I can carry the baby around and have my hands free!

So many of the cards had such sweet notes of encouragement and advice in them! I loved reading each one! :)

Still working on the letter book!

So many cute clothes!!

I'm so glad my mom was able to be there and get to meet all of the girls!

The very interesting squeezy spoon that Tyler registered us for. Everyone was very intrigued by the contraption! :)

There were several cards that teased us about being careful of the baby peeing on us, since Tyler is deathly afraid of getting peed in the face! haha


The play mat, Tyler wants one for his size!

This tote is so cute and unique! You can reach your hand in the mouth and get toys out! Plus, it totally went with our room theme!!
All in all, I had lots of fun and can't wait to use everything when baby boy gets here!!