I'm so glad when daddy 'stays' home...

Lucky for us, Jed was able to take Thursday and Friday off last week. I wanted him to take a couple of days off after our mom's left to help me out a bit. I figured it wasn't to much to ask since he's only had off the day that Ryker was born. It was so nice to have him home. He took Lucas golfing which I gather was quite an experience. Lucas talked the entire time and got some looks from other golfers. They got rained on a bit, but I'm pretty sure they had fun together.




Friday morning we headed up to Honeyville for the weekend. It was our 10 year class reunion Friday and Saturday and we were in charge. We planned a dinner in Logan that was catered by Hamilton's. It turned out really good after a minor mishap. The address they had given was wrong which meant all the invitations were wrong. Not a good start, but everyone took it good (I think). It was great to see those that came and I think everyone had a great time. Saturday we planned a family activity at the Brigham pool. We're thankful to those that came with their families. It wasn't as warm as I had hoped but the sun did shine and the rain held off until we were out of the pool about 5 minutes. Our kids had a blast. I love their faces on the two pictures below! Thanks to everyone who came... and I'm very grateful that I don't ever have to plan it again!!







After the reunion we stopped by to see Grandma Valentine. We love visiting with her and hearing all the fun things happening in the family. She's an amazing lady.



We headed back Sunday after dropping my mom off at the airport. Last week my grandpa Clouse had surgery and things aren't going so well. She flew down there to be with my grandma. You can read the updates on my mom's blog. It's hard to watch people you love go through these things... especially from a distance. Grandpa... we love you!

And to Jed, our dad's and grandpa's... Happy Belated Father's Day. We love you all!

Feeling Blessed

I feel so lucky to have had help for the first 12 days after we brought Ryker home. My mom was able to stay with me for a little over a week. I'm sure she was ready to head home, but I wouldn't mind if she moved in! Jed was amazed that things he wore one day were washed and hanging up the next! (So maybe I'm not the best at laundry... but I'm trying to do better!)

She was a huge help with the boys and I really appreciate it. I have the best mom. Jed's quite jealous that Shara gets her for two weeks! We love you mom and hope we didn't wear you out too much.

While my mom was here, Shara and Abby flew up from Arizona to see Ryker. It was so fun to have them here. We don't get to see them often enough. I'm hoping to find a time where I can go down and visit after her little guy comes. Abby loved baby Ryker and was willing to hold him all day long! She's going to be a great big sister! They cousins had such a great time playing together with only a few minor incidents. I'm so glad they were able to come... love you guys!

My dad & Jess were able to come down for the weekend so it was fun to have (almost) everyone here. Aaron was able to skype in a couple times to say hi to his girls so we did get to see him for a minute!

After my mom left, Jed's mom came for a few days. It was great to have her here. She kept the boys entertained with fun things to do. She also organized the closet where everything was on the floor after Lucas pulled the shelf out of the wall. I wasn't much help, but did my best to keep the boys out of the way. I know it wasn't a fun project, but I really appreciate her help with it. While she was here, Talon & Mariann came down to visit. Talon is such a happy little guy.

My kids have the best grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins! We're so blessed! Thanks to everyone... we love you all!

I Survived...

my first day (Thursday) as a mother of 3 boys with no help!








And we're all still alive...



miracles happen!




And then I sent 2 of them to Tawn's today and may or may not have purposely left them there! Just kidding! I would never think to do such a thing...


(I had errands to run)









It was acutally Ryker's 2 week well check today. 2 weeks... when will time slow down!




Weight: 9lbs 11ozs
Height: 21 inches
Head: 14 3/4 inches



Dr. B said he's perfect... of course I already knew that! He's the best baby and hardly ever cries. Even when the brother just older than him isn't so nice (i.e. throws a dinosaur at his head). I'm afraid Kody was a bit disappointed that when everyone left this week they didn't take the baby too!

Just one for now...

I have so much to catch up on from the last week, but until I upload all the pictures, you get just this one for now! I can't hardly get enough of the chubby cheeks. Oh boy is he loved!!

Leave it to the Professionals...

Shara: "Oh Dear", (just a little bit louder) "OH DEAR...

Mom: "It's not that ba..." burts out laughing before she can finish

Tawn: "YOU GUYS, THERE'S A WHOLE IN MY EYEBROW"






Mom: "Nothing a little Sharpie can't fix!"





Photo courtesy of Jed who thought it was the perfect event for a blog. I agreed. Sorry Tawn!

One Week

Little Ryker is a week old today and to celebrate he decided to pee on me... twice.

We love having him in our home. So far he's been a very good baby. He hardly every makes a fuss unless he's hungry. He sleeps in about 2-3 hour intervals at night which is always an adjustment when you are use to sleeping all night long! There aren't many moments when he's not being kissed, hugged or just plain loved!

Happy One Week Birthday Baby Boy... we love you!

Lots of Lovin'

It's good to be home! There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed and eating your own food! We came home Saturday afternoon.



I kept telling everyone I felt like I was having a 10 pound baby, but everyone just laughed. Now that's it true, I can hardly believe I did it. All of my babies have been really fast, but Ryker was the fastest and easiest. I was really nervous that it wouldn't be that way since I was being induced. (He is 1.5 times the size of Lucas and 2.5 pounds bigger than Kody.)









It's amazing how they change so fast in such a little amount of time. Kody has now taken a liking to him and likes to smother him in kisses and make sure his binky is in his mouth. Lucas constantly has an eye on him to make sure he's okay.










It's been so nice to have my mom here. She's been a huge help with the boys and I couldn't do this without her. She's been here to stay with the boys while were in the hospital which they loved! Jed was able to stay with me at the hospital and keep me company in the day which I really appreciate.



We've had a few visitors at the hospital and at home. Grandpa Mark came down to see us at the hospital and Grama Carole, Tawnya & Nappy came by later that night. On Saturday Grandpa & Grandma Valentine came up to see Ryker and Mariann, Nathan & Talon also came by. On Sunday Shane and Talease stopped by on their way back from Logan. I don't have pictures of everyone, but we are sure grateful for all our family and all their love and support.














And these are just because...

Arrival Story

How could you not just kiss on those chubby cheeks.


Now for his arrival story...


I had an appointment on Thursday and Dr. Glenn decided to start us Friday morning if he didn't come in between. I got a call at 5:30 Friday morning asking us to be at the hospital by 6:30. Because I was Group B positive, I needed 4 hours of antibiotics before he came. I got settled about 7:15 and they started the medicine about 7:30.





I was still a 3 1/2 and 85% (and had been that for the last 3 weeks). Dr. Glenn broke my water around 8:15 and then started the pitocin about 8:45 after I had the full dose of antibiotic. Since my previous deliveries had gone fast they wanted to make sure I had it in me for as close to the 4 hours as possible. The contractions started getting harder after the pitocin but not extremely close together. I got an epidural about 9:15 but was only around a 5. The nurse turned up the pitocin a couple times in the next 1/2 hour and it didn't take long before I was feeling things! The nurse checked me one more time and I was ready. She called the doctor and the NICU (in case he swallowed meconium). I pushed through on contraction and 1 more little push and at 10:38 he was here. Dr. Glenn's first comment was wow he's a 10 pounder and well endowed! He also had the chunkiest cord the doctor had ever seen. It was at least 1 1/2 to 2 inches around. He wouldn't even let Jed cut it cause it took multiple cuts to get through it. Apparently Ryker had quite the food supply! He weighed 9lbs 7ozs and actually surprised everyone in the room that that was all he weighed.








I didn't get to see him for long, but new instantly that I love him and would fit in perfectly. He was taken to the NICU for monitoring since he was making a funny breathing sound, but apparently only spent about 5 minutes there and then was taken to the regular nursery. Jed was with him and said that his legs were to fat to get the blood pressure cuff around so they had to do it around his arm. We only made it 3 hours with the antibiotics so he had to be monitored for any signs of that. And because he was large for his age (that's what the nurse said) he had to have his vitals taken more often and his blood sugar taken ever 6 hours. With all the 'extra' things he had to go through, it was nice to hear his jaundice levels were really low so he doesn't have to be re poked.

I chilled up in the labor room for the next hour or so afterwards with the shakes and chills (as always) and then was transferred down to mother and baby. It was nice to finally get to hold our little guy and love on him. He looked a lot like Kody with Lucas' chin (or no chin). He is perfect and we are so grateful to have him as part of our family.

Meet Baby Ryker

Ryker Beatty Valentine

19 1/2 inches

and...



wait for it...





9lbs 7ozs

He has more chunk than I've ever seen, but completely adorable. More details to come later!

I love this picture... (not of me) because Lucas and Kody are both showing their personalities... Lucas is making sure Ryker's okay and Kody is completely oblivious to the fact there is a baby (he'd rather be pushing buttons)!

5 Days or Less!

I'm hoping for less, but at least there is some light coming through the tunnel. The good news is he waited long enough to come so my doctor should be back in town now. Jed's thinking the 26th since we have a 6th and 16th.

I met my mom up in Bountiful Friday afternoon so Lucas and Kody could spend the weekend with them. They were beyond excited. Lucas could hardly wait to play with all the cousins. And I needed a little break to let my patience level rise again!

Thursday afternoon it seemed like one thing after another...

Lucas decided he needed his dominoes, but instead of asking he tried to climb up to get them and pulled one of the shelves out of the wall and sent everything on top of it down to the floor. He was lucky he didn't get hurt. Fortunately it's in a closet... so I shut the door!

About 15 minutes later Kody decided he would get into the dishwasher and chase Lucas with the big butcher knife. I screamed and he tossed the knife aside. Thankful he didn't catch Lucas and didn't trip while running.

And about 15 minutes after that Jed called to let me know his contact was not in his eye. I searched the bathroom but with no luck. He's always losing his contact but luckily we've always been able to find it. Not this time. Fortunately it wasn't the bad eye that he lost so he can still see. His contacts and I have a love/hate relationship!

Since the kids were gone, Jed and I spent much of the day in Provo. Jed was fitted for a new suit. Something he hasn't had since his mission and not necessarily what he wanted for Father's Day! We ate at PF Changs and did a little shopping for the boys for next year, especially Lucas. It was nice to have day with just the two of us. Especially since we're going to be out numbered pretty soon!

But now that it's Sunday, I miss the two little munchkins. They sure know how to make us smile and laugh with there funny personalities.

KODY

• is finally trying to repeat back words. He could already do mama & dadadada but now he can say "esssse" for Reese and sometimes you can make out Lucas. Every once in awhile you can get his version of grandpa or grandma, but most often he just uses the same sound for everyone.
  
• When he nods yes he uses so much neck action I'm surprised he hasn't given himself whip lash.
  
• He has the cutest run ever! He has some serious twinkle toes while he runs. I need to get it on video before he stops doing it.
  
• One of my absolute favorite things he does is when you pick him up, he'll put one arm around your neck and start scratching or patting your back. I love it!
  
• When he's going to sleep he has to be able to play with the little ties on his blanket and have his little puppy next to his head.
  
• He won't be our baby for much longer, but is going to be a great big brother (with lots of supervision)!

LUCAS

• can hardly wait for his brother to come. He asks me almost every morning how many more days. And then he always tells me that's to long. He saw a brand new baby the other day and I think that made him even more excited. I'm sure he'll be a great help to me and the baby.
  
• He had his last day of preschool last week (minus the water party this week). He is going to miss it over the summer. He loves Ms. Heather and being with all the kids. He still has one more year of preschool before he'll start Kindergarten... and I'm okay with that!
  
• On our way to St. George a few weekends ago we stopped at Walmart in Cedar City. Jed asked Lucas to carry the box of wipes to the car and after carrying them for about 4 steps he turns to me and says "Mom, I can't carry these, my knees are going to give out". I burst out laughing, but he wasn't kidding. I obviously wouldn't want his knees to buckle so I took the box from him!
  
• He has a memory like you wouldn't believe and reminded Tawn the other day how he use to be scared of her work (when he was not even 2)! He's always reminding us of things that happened or things that we promised him from a long time ago. Everything that happened in the past (including yesterday) he refers to as last month.


• He loves to talk on the phone. I find him with my cell phone quite often chit chatting with Jed, Tawn, Shara & Grandma Carole. He knows their programmed # in my phone. He can talk forever about the most random things. It's the funniest thing to listen to. Most likely if they have a missed call on their phone it wasn't from me!
  

I love these two so much and can't wait for our little guy to meet his brothers! They really are the best Lucas and Kody ever!!