School Pictures

I finally got around to getting the kids' school pictures into the computer. I still need to get a professional four year old picture taken of K, and one of Ryan as well. I have grand plans, but we will see what happens. So for now, enjoy these rites of passage.

Erin

2nd grade

Age 7

Ethan
5th grade
Age 10

* Of note- Erin lost one of her top front teeth just a week after school pictures. Ethan did his hair all by himself which included a liberal application of dad's hair mousse.

One month

Ryan at 5 weeks old (about 1 month).

Still screams for baths.
Doesn't mind diaper changes as much anymore.
Still sleeps a lot.
Still has the "newborn look."
Very adorable (even when he cries).



Ryan with big sister Erin.

Pictures

There are so many things I want to blog about. School pictures, Ryan's birth story, lots-o-pictures. Things around here are moving at a slower pace these days. So bear with me as I try to get caught up a little bit. I did get all the dishes done last night and all flat kitchen surfaces wiped down. That feels like a major accomplishment to me!

Ryan- 5 days old- handsome little man.
My mom came to help after Ryan was born. She was a lifesaver and kept the house running while I was out of it. She was able to have lunch with her brother, Bruce, and his wife, Laraine, before she left.
Ethan's latest Lego creation. A model of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.

The aftermath of Ryan's first sponge bath at home. He screamed the entire time. Not a big fan yet.

All dressed after his bath. All warm and cozy again.
Cuddle time with dad and Katelyn.
I love this onesie of his. Ryan- 8 days old.

Katelyn put together her ideal Halloween costume. Purple fairy bodice, homemade paper wings, fuzzy bunny ears headband- and a scooter for maximum candy haul.

Erin holding Ryan on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Erin 7 1/2
Ryan 13 days old
Mom gets her snuggles in too- Ryan's two week birthday.
I just can't get enough of this cutie.

Sleeping soundly at 2 weeks, 4 days old.

Ryan is three weeks old! His baby acne has kicked in now. Hopefully he'll be all clear by the time we bless him. Katelyn loves her little brother and is a great helper. She even got to "babysit" him in his bouncer this morning while momma took a shower. She helps to pick out his clothes most days and is the best diaper helper I could ask for.

Come again?

K picked out this outfit a few weeks back and I had a feeling of deja-vu. Then I remembered why-

They are seriously so cute! Now every time K gets dressed she asks me if I have a picture of Erin wearing the same exact thing. So far no luck with that, but this did make me smile!

Ryan's Birth Story

I have been meaning to write this for a while, but haven't. Here it is before I forget.

A few weeks before my due date my doctor and I were discussing the possibility of an induction. All of my labors have been very quick, and faster every time. I really didn't want to have a baby at home. Two weeks before my due date my doctor set an induction date of Monday, September 27, 2010. I was 39 weeks, 3 days then.

The day came. I was also induced with Katelyn and was called by the hospital to come in around 6am. So that is what I was expecting this time around. At about 8am I called the hospital. I was told that they already took 3 women in for inductions, but I was next on the list. I was supposed to wait for a phone call. Noon came. No call. I called them. (Can you tell I was an impatient pregnant lady at this point?) I am still next, but they have been really busy. A call should be coming very soon. Finally around 1:30 I got the call. They said I could come in around 2:00pm, but they needed to check with my doctor to make sure that was okay. (I guess some docs won't do inductions in the afternoon because they don't want to be delivering babies in the night.) I called my doctor's office to make sure that they would say yes. The hospital called me back and let me know that everything was a go. I called my sister Heather to come over and watch Katelyn so Jeff and I could leave. She would also be there when the older two came home from school.

We were off to the hospital. I find it odd to be at the hospital checking in to be tortured (I mean to have a baby) when I feel fine. But I knew it had to happen anyway. He wouldn't stay in there forever. Around 3 pm I was admitted and settled into my room. The nurse came in to get my IV placed and to start some pitocin. At this point I am not dilated at all. Jeff and I start a movie on his laptop and I get some ice chips with some cherry syrup on them from the nurse. About 5:30 I get checked. I have been having mild contractions, but I have not dilated at all. Dr. Holmes comes in to check on me. He insists on checking me himself even though that just happened by the nurse. He is not very nice at all and helps me get to a 2. OWWW! He wants to break my water. I tell him that he can, but only if I get an epidural first. I know how fast things go once my water breaks, and I am on pitocin. I did not want a repeat of Katelyn's delivery. I get my epidural (very good anesthesiologist- hardly any pain) and they come back to break my water. It is about 6 pm now. I am ready for dinner. Sad for me. No dinner.

The nurses come in and want to take guesses for delivery time. I guessed about 7:30. Jeff 7:45ish and the nurses about 9pm. I am having some pretty awesome contractions by now. They have to lower the pitocin a little. At about 8:25 I am feeling incredible pressure that won't go away and know that Ryan is practically falling out. The nurses confirm. Dr. Holmes is called to come back. He comes back, my bed gets broken down, everything is a go. One push and Ryan was born at 8:36pm. It was a relief to have him here healthy and crying. One of the first things I noticed about him was his right ear. His cartilage is formed in more of an "E" shape than a "C". I will always be able to tell that he's mine. I was able to cuddle him after he was born for a while.

We made a few phone calls to let family know Ryan was here. The kids were so excited and of course wanted to come to the hospital right away. Originally we thought that they would be coming after school to meet Ryan. They were disappointed to learn that they would have to wait until the morning to come and visit. We got to snuggle Ryan for about an hour. Then he was off to the nursery with Jeff to get all washed and weighed. I was moved to my mother/baby room about 11:30pm. I was starving, exhausted, and very happy. Jeff stayed with us until about 1 am and then went home to relieve Heather of her duties.

In the morning Jeff brought the kids to come and meet Ryan. They were all so cute and each took turns holding Ryan. I knew that there was no way that they could wait to see him until after school. Having a new brother has to be a good excuse to be late to school. They stayed until about 10:30. Jeff took Ethan and Erin to school, and Katelyn stayed with me. After school Heather brought the older kids back over for another visit. Our two days at the hospital were all too short, but it was finally time to go home. My mom flew in that day and was able to see us at the hospital before we came home. Heather was there with Abram and our kids to greet us. The kids had made cute signs and put them all over the door. It was good to be home.

Two weeks already

At Ryan's two week appointment (Oct. 12) his stats were:

Height- 22 inches (89%)

Weight- 7 lbs. 15 0z. (25%)

Head circumference- 14 inches (19%)

He is tall and skinny with a Petersen head. We are working on fattening him back up to birth weight. He hates being naked and getting his diaper changed. He sleeps lots and is a great snuggler.

Katelyn and I took Ryan on his first walk in the stroller yesterday. I was getting rather stir crazy and needed some fresh air. It was a beautiful sunny fall day about 70 degrees. Katelyn rode her bike the whole way and Ryan slept throught the entire experience.

Ryan

Our little bundle of joy has arrived! Ryan Alexander Petersen made his arrival at 8:36pm on Monday, September 27, 2010. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and was 21 inches long. We are already so in love with him!

Leaving the hospital- the first time in real clothes.
The welcome home crew. Heather had the kids make some signs to welcome Ryan home. The older kids were so excited to finally have mom and brother home.Ryan at 3 days old.

Wide awake for a few minutes.

Mom and baby are doing well. Ryan is well loved and gets lots of cuddle time with everyone. More details and pictures to come soon!