Holy Moly! February has been a chaotic, emotional, busy, stressful, and joyful month. February 1st we moved into our new home (pictures of the house to come later). At this time I was about 34 1/2 weeks pregnant. It was very difficult to unpack, move boxes, and take care of kids at this point. I was also going to the OBGYN for my checkups and during this time we discovered I was measuring small and the baby wasn't growing and the topic of inducing me had come up with the Dr. I continued to go to the Dr. about twice a week for checkups and after 8 days of moving into the new house my Dr. told me he was gonna induce me in 4 days. I had measured 33 weeks for about 4 weeks straight and the baby had not grown at all. I had low placenta fluid blah blah blah and it was better for the baby to come out 3 weeks early and grow and develop normally outside of the womb because he wasn't doing so inside of the womb. Not really a big deal except for the fact that I was still unpacking a house, trying to get through Taylor's 29th birthday, Valentine's day, and Brynlee's 4th birthday. I was so stressed! While unpacking, trying to get through birthdays and valentine's day I was also preparing for an unexpected early baby. I had quite a bit of stuff for the baby from Tayson, the only problem was that Tayson was 8 lbs 3 oz and this baby was only 5 lbs (according to ultrasound). It was gonna take some time for him to be able to wear Tayson's clothes so I had to go buy smaller clothes for the baby. I was extrememly tired and emotional during all this chaos and poor Taylor was stuck dealing with me. Luckily it all turned out well and we made it through the month.
Super Steppers Dance pictures
Before we moved out of Grandma and Grandpa's house the kids made a few tents/forts with their books to entertain themselves while mom was busy trying to pack up.
Brynlee's Fancy Nancy Friend Birthday Soiree
(February 12th 2011)
Brynlee had a friend party 3 days before her actual birthday. The girls all dressed in their most exquisite ensembles, had a tea party, opened presents, had cake and ice cream, played games, and colored. Brynlee got some cute presents, but most of all she had a blast with all of her friends.
Brynlee's 4th Birthday (February 15th 2011)
We started the day off with the traditional birthday breakfast doughnut. Later we went to dance class and shared treats, then went to McDonald's to get Happy Meals with friends and played on the playplace, later that night we ate pizza and then had a party with Grandma's and Grandpa's. She had a great day and was sad it was all over so soon.
This is how big I was the night before I had the baby. I was 36 weeks and 5 days along (February 17th 2011).
Ryker Mitchell North
Born: February 19 th 2011
Time: 12:46 a.m.
Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz
Length: 17.5 in
I was induced February 18th 2011 but had to go through 2 treatments of antibiotics for Group B Strep before the heavy labor was started. The delivery process always seems longer because of these antibiotics. I have had to have this done with all four of my deliveries. They have to get 2 doses of antibiotics in your body before the birth of the baby. Not fun! I have gotten epidurals with all of my deliveries and certainly was gonna have another epidural with this delivery. My epidurals always have issues with either not working or falling out. It's weird! This time the left side of my body was completely numb and the right wasn't numb at all. I actually kinda liked it this way. I was totally comfortable but knew exactly what was going on with my body. I felt every contraction but wasn't in an unbearable amount of pain because half of my body hurt and the other half didn't. haha As soon as I get dialated to a 6 I have about 30 minutes before the baby pops out. I go from a 6 to a 10 so darn fast. I was checked at a 6 and about 20 minutes later I told Taylor to push the nurse button cause I could feel the head coming out. If I had waited 2 minutes before having Taylor push the nurse button I would have had a baby all by myself. Dr. Rogers made it just in time to deliver and I gave one tiny little push and he was out. I really didn't even need to push cause he pretty much slipped out. He was my smallest baby thus far and easiest delivery for sure and I should add that this was my easiest recovery. We debated on his name for 2 days. We were originally gonna name him Kyson. Long story short we ended up with Ryker, we used Mitchell as the middle name after Taylor's brother. Ryker is such a GOOD baby. He brings us all such joy! He RARELY cries, only when he is hungry or getting a diaper change. He is beautiful and we are sooooo happy! The kids haven't been able to be around him much because they have been sick. Kamryn, Brynlee, and Tayson all had colds for about a week and as soon as the colds were gone Tayson started puking and shared the sickness with his sisters. It's been a hectic month between moving, birthdays, having a baby, and dealing with sick kids. Ready for life to calm down so we can just enjoy this little guy.
First bath (love his face in this picture).
He LOVED getting his head washed. He cried and cried during his bath but was as calm as could be while getting his head washed.
On our way home. Yippee!
First bath at home.
While giving Ryker his first bath at home he rolled over from his back to his tummy and from his tummy back to his back. He was 4 days old at this point. Taylor and I couldn't believe it. But he is so light and skinny that it doesn't surprise me. If he gets really ticked he gets rolling side to side. I am sure it won't last long but it was crazy to see him do such a thing at only 4 days old.
Ryker has lots of dark hair in the back and just a little bit on the top. We like to call it the Dr. Phil hair do. Nothing on top and lots on the sides and back.
He LOVES tummy time!
Peek-A-Boo
I still had a few things to finish up in the house after I had the baby and shredding bills and such was one of them. It made a huge mess! But what do you expect when you go 7-8 months without doing it. NEVER AGAIN!
My mom made this cute little hat and diaper cover for his newborn pictures and I had to snap a picture myself.
I love this one! He is so darn tiny and yet so strong. He tries to pull himself forward when sitting up.
Brynlee just being Brynlee. She is such a goof ball.
I love these pictures of Ryker with Taylor. It makes him look so small.
The kids got to hold Ryker once when he came home and then had to wait a week to hold him again because they were sick. They got to hold him just in time too cause the very next day Tayson got sick and shared the germs again. Luckily the baby hasn't caught any of the germs yet. The kids have been dying not being able to be around him much.
Such a good big brother. Tayson loves having a baby around. He can't stop kissing him and loving him now that he is feeling better.
