My Hero

Sean's very much into Super Heroes right now.  He loves Super Why on PBS - which is actually a spelling and reading-oriented show.  But the main line in the theme song is "Super Readers, to the rescue!"  

In addition, we inherited some pretty awesome Superman pajamas from the Schniedermeyer's, which made an appearance in the Halloween party post from October.  As it always seems to be, the best performances are never when the camera's around, but here is my attempt to capture my own little Superman super hero on film - surely the best protection a Momma could ask for.

(Sorry for the video quality on this one - I accidently filmed it in a portrait orientation, instead of landscape, and it lost a lot of quality when I rotated the video.)

Happy One Month

(Not sure if I'll keep this monthly update up, but we'll try...)

Dearest Ryan,

You graced the world with your presence just one month ago today.  And what a whirlwind it has already been.  First off, let me state for the record that what I've heard all my life is true - my heart has simply grown larger to accommodate all the love I feel for you.  You are simply an angel, and I love you more than anything, the same way I feel about your brother and sister.

I feel I have disappointed you in two ways, though I am without regret.  First of all, you were not born drug free like your brother.  Like Sean, you decided to enter this world bearing down on my spine, but unlike him, chose to take your sweet time!  I felt I was ready for the long haul thanks to my Hypnobirthing, but in the end, the spine-crushing pain was more than I could endure and I opted for the epidural at the 11th hour (not literally - it was actually six hours!).  And then you literally fell onto this earth.  Your Momma, numb from here to oblivion, had to inform everyone in the room of your arrival, as we all looked down to see you laying on the table - full of surprises from the very beginning, aren't you?  I did not enjoy my complete immobilization for hours, thanks to the overly-generous anesthesiologist, but you did not seem to mind as I held you in my arms for those first few hours.  

And I apologize that you and I couldn't get breastfeeding figured out.  Regardless of what the two lactation consultants said, you and I were obviously not seeing eye to eye.  Sean and I had the same troubles, but I plowed through thanks to my relentless need to be perfect.  And since I cried in pain through most of his first six weeks, I opted not to do that to you and me.  So from day five, you have been formula-fed.  It's a personal disappointment, but you are thriving regardless.   One month later, our scale says you're a good 8 pounds, and you're already outgrowing the tiniest outfits.  

But these disappointments will have little meaning in the long run.  You're as perfect as can be, laid back just like your big brother.  You're mellow and calm, crying only when hungry and during those horrible diaper changes!  You've been practicing your big grins, though I'm pretty sure you're not smiling at me just yet - but they are beautiful nonetheless.  And how you have filled out - my goodness, what a big, strong boy you are!  You're already working so hard to hold your head up.  Of course, as of last night, you're already sucking down five ounces at a time - much more than your brother at this age.  Will you surpass him in size someday?  

Last night was also the first night that you not only gave me 3 1/2 hours between feedings, but went right back to sleep afterwards.  What a step forward!  So far, it has been one or the other - either eating every one to two hours, or taking one to two hours to fall back asleep.  Let's keep this up and you and I will get along just fine!

Thanks to the busy holiday season, you've met almost your entire extended family, too!   Your grandmas and grandpas; aunts and cousin; and the extended Latta clan.  In your first 31 days, you've also met Santa Claus, and welcomed a New Year!  I look forward to this time next year, though, because you'll have half a clue what's going on, and Momma will be sleeping somewhat regular hours.  Your Momma, a self-professed Christmas fanatic, is very grateful that Christmas is over so that we can figure out what normal life is now that you're in it.  

I look forward to what each new day brings.  Tomorrow is our first normal-life day - your brother and I will be home with you while Daddy goes to work.  No holidays to prepare for, no family coming in from out of town.  How will we spend our days?  Will you adapt easily to our way of life, or will you alter our very existence?  Will you mind when Momma doesn't answer your every need right away because your big brother has my attention first?  Can I keep Sean from body slamming you because he thinks you want to play already?  Can I keep Sophie from licking your face every five minutes?  Will I ever convince Sean that his old toys are yours now?  

But most importantly, will you ever understand that, even if all this hub-hub, I love you more than I will ever be able to express?  I hope I have a lifetime to show you.  

With all my love,

Momma

Peace and Prosperity

I am well aware of how behind I am on postings - I still have Thanksgiving photos to post!  But that will have to wait another day, today (or is that tonight?) I want to reflect a bit on the beginning of a New Year. 

Peace And Prosperity are the two words that have stuck in my head today.  Internal peace, world peace.  Prosperity, not only in finances, but in your relationships.  Those two words really say a lot, and I wish for both of them to all my friends and family this upcoming year.  

But what I really would like to say was actually said much better by a friend of my husband.  Travis is a friend of Trey's from grade school, and he also has a blog that is a really great read, though I rarely make it over to his site to do so.  This week, Travis lost his mom to a long battle with lung cancer, and his post to her was so amazing and filled with love.  But it was his post today, on New Year's Day, that I wish I had written myself.  His post today was about starting fresh, how we get to reset the clock every year.  He also wrote about characters, and how we get to define the type of people we want to be.  Everything that Travis wrote about who he'd like to be - I felt that he was speaking for me.  We set such high standards for ourselves, yet rarely live up to them.  At the same time, we expect our loved ones to live up to the same high standards, and there's nothing worse than the feeling of being judged for not living the perfect life.  

But I feel that what Travis wrote is something we can all aspire to be - generous, funny, lighthearted, loving, forgiving.  These are simple things, and yet we so frequently fail to live life in these manners.  So thank you, Travis, for putting into words what I cannot right now.  (I know, sleep will be mine again soon!)  I will work very hard every single day to be these things for my husband, children, family and friends.  And I will start today, right now, even at 10pm at night.

So I will sign off now, go tell my husband how much I love him, and snuggle until we both pass out (about five minutes!).

Two Week Check Up

Ok, first of all, I'm not intending to only do once a week posts!  However, given my lack of sleep, Christmas, and adjusting to two kids, finding time to sit and type more than one sentence on here has not been easy!  (though, can I tell you this post has taken Four Hours, between interruptions in typing and Blogger not liking my photos today.  Argh!)

Given that....Hey, everyone, Ryan had his two week check up on Thursday!  And the kid is doing great!

He's already up to 7 lbs, 5 oz - which is 25th percentile.

He's 21 1/2 inches long - 75th percentile.

And I can't remember how big his head is, but it was 50th percentile.  

SO...he's tall and skinny like his brother, but thankfully doesn't have quite the mellon that his big bro sports!  

Here's my long skinny boy, at the doctor's office.

Notice he still has his umbilical cord.

Look at those Bright Eyes!

The kid eats constantly, but not too much at one time.  I'd love it if he ate more in one sitting and then gave me a bit more time (especially at night!), but I know that will come in time.  

Speaking of nights....We're improving!  I figured a few things out - I think we're dealing with warmth issues.  I can get this kid to sleep 4-5 hours at night, if he's nestled in my arms, as we sleep on the couch!  Unfortunately, this is not a long term solution, and my back is killing me from sleeping slumped over with a baby in my arms.  So we're using a heat bag and heating pad to warm up his bassinet when he's not in it, so that it's nice and cozy when he gets in.  There has been some improvement since we started this a few nights ago. 

I also lined his bed with one of my shirts - not sure if that's helping, but at least he's getting my scent even though I'm not right next to him.  He doesn't full out scream and cry, it's more constant wimpering, until he eventually falls asleep.  The progress is slow...but it's progress.  I see relief in my future.

Ryan's umbilical cord fell off the evening after his doctor's visit!  Sean's took a full four weeks, Ryan only two.  So I decided it was a good time to for his first bath.  Which he loved!

Can't you just see the Joy on his face!

Oh, that's better, Momma!  

A few other things...Ryan's hair has really lightened up, and frequently has a reddish hue to it.  More than once I've looked at him and seen myself as an old man!  Other times he looks exactly like Sean.  But in all, I believe he is very much his own little guy in looks.  He seems to be pretty laid back still, not overly fussy and rarely screams full out.  Unless, of course, he's partially undressed.  He hates getting his diaper changed, and as you saw above, hated being nekkid in the bathroom.  

All in all...it's been a good two weeks, just tiring.  It is an adjustment having two, but not nearly as difficult as I expected (honestly, it's just the lack of sleep right now.)  I'm realizing that the difficulty will be when Ryan gets older and has opinions on things.  Right now, he just eat, sleeps and poops.  Period.  What happens when he actually wants to do something?  :-)

In the meantime, here's another photo of my cute little guy!

Baby Ryan

Our First Week

Ryan was born one week ago this morning.  Really, it could have been a lifetime ago!  What they say is true - your heart just grows bigger with each child, I love this little creature with everything I have, just as I do with Sean and Isabella.  

I will say, however.....I am tired.  Ryan is a bit confused on daytime vs. nighttime.  He's not fussy at all, and is an excellent sleeper.  He just prefers to sleep during the day.  Yesterday, he slept six straight hours!  From Noon till dinner time.  Oh, I tried to wake him up.  I let Sean yelp and run around all he wanted.  I even snuck in a feeding or two.  But nary an eyeball did I see.  

But life with Ryan has not been too difficult as of yet.  He's a good kid, so that always helps.  Sean has been a struggle - he digs the new baby, but is definitely upset with Momma for not giving him her 100%.  And I've always been one to let Sean go on his own, I'm not the Mom who coddles and hovers over.  He's just that much of a Momma's Boy!  He'd been tantruming more before Ryan came, and we've seen a definite increase in the past week.  So we've got some room to work on there.

Otherwise, we've seen lots of visitors and had lots of help.  In the hospital, Grandma Fran was there when Ryan was born; and we were visited by Grandpa Phil & Oma Annie; Grammy & Isabella; Poppa Latta & Nana Roxy; Trey's cousin Sam and his wife Debby; playgroup friend Lindsey and Belinda & her husband Darden.  I'd love to show you pictures of everyone, except you really just aren't on it as much with the second one!  Ha!  Then Aunt Jessica came and visited over the weekend, and Grammy stayed with us from Monday morning until late yesterday afternoon.  

And the meals - let me tell you, I did not have this with Sean, and it has been just awesome!  I have not had to think about dinner (or lunch for that matter.)  Papa Z made dinner Saturday, Roxy cooked Sunday, and the Playgroup meals kicked in this week - so we have a homemade meal delivered to us every Monday, Wednesday & Friday for the next four weeks.  Plus, I have MOPS moms who are ready to deliver any meals once those run out.   I have tears in my eyes right now - I could not be more blessed!  

Other thoughts about this week....

*  God has a funny sense of humor and has given Trey, Sean and I all a little something to add to the fun.  Sean and I have been battling a cold since a few days before Ryan was born, and Trey had a 24 hour stomach bug earlier this week.  It just adds to the excitement around here!

*  Ryan has a bit of schmutz in his left eye - clogged tear duct no doubt - so I'm already that mom who has her hands all over her kids face, bugging the crap out of them.  But he really doesn't seem to mind, just grunts at me.

*  Speaking of grunting, Ryan's my Little Piglet - he squeals, squeaks and grunts like a little piggie when he's awake!  I'll have to get some video of it, you know, in my spare time.

*  I've never been a germaphobe, but have to admit I'm a bit freaked out to have such a vulnerable newborn baby during cold and flu season.  So don't mind me if I get anal on you, avoid large crowds or prefer that you stay away or wear a mask if you're sick.  My hands are raw from all the handwashing!  

*  I can't even list all of the things that don't bother with the 2nd kid that I obsessed over with the 1st - there's such comfort in knowing that I managed to keep Sean alive for 2 1/2 years, so I know that Ryan will be just fine!  That doesn't mean I don't have worries or concerns, I'm just so much more relaxed about it this go round.  For instance, I still remember sitting in my house with 3 week old Sean, in the baby seat for an hour and half, trying to get the courage to go to Target by myself with him.  This past Saturday, on the way home from the Pediatrician, I didn't think twice about swinging by Target to pick up a few things (only to have to turn around because Ryan decided he was starving.)  You just don't worry as much.

*  I had more insightful musings over this past week.  But sleep deprivation won't allow me to remember them at this time...

So, here are some more pics - if you even bothered to read all of the above, I know what you're here for!

Sweet Precious Boy

My long, skinny boy. Check out those Monkey Toes - just like his brother!

Like everything else Momma packed, Ryan's going home outfit was ginormous on him!

Don't cry, little guy, we're going home!

Momma's Little Bean (his other nickname)

Hey, Ryan's sleeping!  Hey, it's the middle of the afternoon!

(But too cute how that sleeper is wearing him!  He's so tiny!)

Ryan says:  "Funny how Mom thinks this will put me to sleep."

Introducing Ryan Conley

Trey & Amy proudly introduce you to our newest family member!

Ryan Conley

December 4, 2008

6:32 a.m.

7 pounds 0 ounces

20 inches long

Our new baby boy, Ryan

   
Momma & Ryan

Daddy & Ryan

Dad and his babies

Week 39 - Reality

You were thinking I birthed a baby, weren't you?  I know, I've been quiet since last week, surely by now there'd be news of a kid by now!

Well, the Reality of motherhood, babies, and nature has set in.  As of last Tuesday, I was still 2-3 cm dilated, 80% effaced.  But on Wednesday, I started having fairly intense, longer contractions.  I happily indulged in many speed-things-along techniques - which apparently only give me wonderfully strong contractions that make me think that I'm in labor! Walking, sex (sorry mom and dad!), spicy foods, etc. - oh, they bring on the contractions!  Friday, after doing 3/4 of my Christmas shopping online (in jammies, drinking coffee!), I dusted and vacuumed, decorated the house for Christmas - by that evening, the contractions were kickin'!  So much so, before Trey and I went to bed, I gave him a heads up - "I don't want to freak you out, honey, but they are hitting with some consistency, here, so let's go to bed and get some rest...I think this could be the beginning!"

Poor Trey.  While I slept like a rock for five good hours (because the contractions completely stopped!), he slept with one eye open, freaking out over every sleeping sigh to come out of me.  But even when I woke up Saturday morning, the contractions started back up again for a short time.  And then nothing.  At all.  All day.

And last night...they started to hit with some regularity again.  Humorously (well, funny in one of those Parenthood kind of ways), I was thinking that labor may be a reality around 3 and 4 am this morning, when Sean started to cry around 4:30.  I peeked in to see what was up - and chaos ensued for the next two hours.  Sean, for the first time ever, was throwing up - four times in about an hour and a half.  Mommy-mode kicked in - get him cleaned up, changing jammies three times, eventually went to towels for blankets.  

And you know what?  The contractions stopped.  As if Ryan knew - "Big bro needs Momma right now, I better wait."  Or more likely, he was never coming this morning anyway, and he decided to stop f'in with me while I cleaned up my Lil Boo of head to toe pukey!  (Can I throw in an aside that I had my stepdad make his awesome Eggplant Parmesan for dinner last night?  That's what Sean was covered in at 4:30 am this morning!)

So here it is, after 9am on December 1st, seven days left on that baby ticker to the right.  I'm a bit more content this morning than I thought I would be.  While I don't want to stay in this state forever, I'm not really that uncomfortable - certainly not the misery I experienced in the last few weeks of my pregnancy with Sean.  My 39 week appointment is in one hour, and we'll see what the Doc says.  Either way - it won't matter.  Ryan will come when he is ready.  All these signs are only signs of the inevitable, but not necessarily the imminent.  

So enjoy these belly shots - taken Right Now!  Let me enjoy these last minutes, hours or days of life growing inside of me, as I am most likely never doing this again, and I will miss the wonderful feelings of a baby growing and kicking me from the inside.  I will cherish these last moments as long as Ryan gives them to me.  And then I will cherish the lifetime of love ahead!

Week 39 Belly Shot

Week 39 Naked Belly Shot