Time Flies

Wow time flies!!!!

I can't believe Kyson is already SEVEN weeks old!!

That means I only have one more week off work :( Lets not go there yet...I don't really want to think about having to leave him!

So...things have been going GREAT!!

Although Kyson is not perfect (no one is), I do have to say we have been extremely blessed with such a good baby! He is starting to be more vocal now but the only time he is fussy is when he's hungry (aren't we all) or when he has a bubble that just won't come out. But let me just tell you...when that bubble does decide to come out, he could probably win any burping or farting contest!! We laugh now but this may not be so funny in the future!! :)

He is also sleeping a lot better than those first couple weeks. I had planned on having him sleep in our room in a bassinet for the first couple months but after losing hours of sleep due to him grunting and groaning, I decided to see if putting him in his crib would allow us to get some sleep. And that it did!!

Not because we couldn't hear him grunt and groan, but because he actually slept!! YAY!!

For some reason he Hated the bassinet and seems to like his crib! For whatever reason, it doesn't matter because our nights are much better now. He gets up about every 2-3 hours to eat and after grunting and groaning for a bit, he goes right back to sleep.

We really couldn't ask for a better baby!!

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome since about 33 weeks. My swelling was pretty much completely gone about a week after delivering BUT...there was absolutely NO improvement in the numbness and tingly in my fingers/hands. This was quit frustrating since I had such high hopes that it would get better once my swelling was gone. So I decided to see a doctor and discuss my options. I told him my history and immediately he was a little concerned that I may have permanent nerve damage because I had CONSTANT numbness for so long. This was something I did NOT want to hear. He recommended surgery ASAP. The fact that I had a 2 week old baby was not a concern to me. I knew I would have help and I was scared to death that I was never going to be able to feel my fingers ever again. So, I had surgery a few days later...on BOTH wrists and trigger finger release on BOTH middle fingers. Recovery was extremely difficult with bandages on both hands and more painful than having a baby but...I'm happy to say, the surgery worked!!!!!!!!! :)

 I have about 95% feeling back!!

And...I will never have to deal with Carpal Tunnel EVER AGAIN!!!!!

So needless to say, we are adjusting to our new family and loving Every minute of it!!

Here are some pictures taken over the past 7 weeks!!

Leaving the hospital

He had to be on lights for Jaundice. Thankfully we only had to do this for a day!

 

Proud Uncle Jared

Proud Aunt Lauren

 

Someone's hungry!!

 

One of my FAVORITE pictures!!

Kyson's first hike

                                                                   

Mid sneeze

So Happy!

For some reason I completely forgot to get a family picture on his Blessing day :(

More hiking!!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day has a whole new meaning now.

I can't even begin to explain how much I Love being a MOM!!

It is by far one of the most AMAZING things that has ever happened to me!!

For my First Mother's Day, we went to Rock Springs to see my family. My Grandparents hadn't met Kyson yet so I was so excited to go.

The Absolute BEST part of the day was seeing my Grandma and Grandpa light up when they held their precious Great Grandson!!

                  

Then of course we had to get a Generation picture...

I also want to say Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful Mom!!!

Although we have had our ups and downs, she is an AMAZING Mother!! 

I Love her SO much!!!! 

And she may be new to this whole "Grandma" thing but she has already been an AMAZING Grandma!!

I also have to mention the fact that not only do I have an Amazing Mother, but I have an Amazing Mother In-law as well!!

I'm So Lucky!!!!

I am a child of God

Kyson Michael Rice is here!!

April 26, 2012...one of the Happiest Days of our entire Lives!!!!

I had an appt Monday April 23. The doctor walked in the room and the first thing she asked was "How's your swelling?" Before I even had a chance to answer, She looked at my feet and said "Never mind, you're done!" I think my heart skipped a few beats!

She asked if I wanted to go in that night to be induced. Although I have been waiting for this day to come, I still needed a few days to process the fact that is was "time" to have this baby. So we decided to go in Wednesday night.

We got to the hospital at 10:00pm. They hooked me up to the monitor to watch baby's heart beat and monitor my contractions. Then they slowly dripped pitocin all night to start more frequent contractions.

Eric being the amazing husband he is, was by my side the entire time!!

 I received an epidural (yes an epidural. I wasn't even going to try to be tough and delivery naturally!) at 8:30am. Dr Macy came in at 9:30am and broke my water. That's when labor started although I was still not feeling a thing. I kept expecting intense pain but that never happened! I guess that is one pro about being induced. :) By this time I think I was dilated to about a 3. My Amazing nurse was constantly making sure everything was ok and that baby's heart beat was where is should be with each contraction. At 12:30pm I was dilated to a 6. By this time my contractions were super intense and I was SO thankful I chose an epidural. The nurse decided to check me again at 1:30pm just in case and to her surprise I was complete. My heart skipped a few beats again when I heard her say "complete". I know what that means...time to call the doctor because this baby is on his way.

I pushed twice with the nurse and the top of his little head was visible. Dr Macy got there a few minutes later. I pushed 3 more times and he was out.

The emotions Eric and I both felt are indescribable!!! Hearing his little cry for the first time was the most AMAZING sound I've Ever heard!!!!

When they laid Kyson on my chest, my whole world stopped!!!!

We are parents to a precious baby boy!!

And we begin......

Eric cutting the cord

It's crazy how blue they are

Pure love!

Kyson and our Amazing nurse, Shannon

Weight: 6lbs 7oz

Length: 19in

Proud Daddy

My sweet baby

Kyson and Daddy

First bath

I am so thankful that everything went smoothly!!

We now begin a Whole New Chapter of our Lives!!!!

The end is near...

I'm going to start this post by saying I have the BEST friends and family in the world!

These past few weeks have been crazy with baby showers and trying to get prepared to welcome our little boy into this world. 

On top of all that, I have been dealing with some annoying end of pregnancy symptoms like swelling...

(I can't wait to be able to see my ankels and wear normal shoes again)

and severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome...

The swelling is causing my Median Nerve to be pinched...constantly!!

With the exception of my pinkies, both my hands have been completely numb and tingly for about 3 weeks now.  

It is probably one of the Most Annoying things I've ever dealt with. I sleep with braces on both wrists at night to keep them from throbbing and I'm slowly learning to deal with not being about to feel anything with my fingers.

I know things could be a lot worse and I shouldn't complain but...it's still extremely annoying and has taken me some time to get used to. 

So...on a HAPPY note...

I have had 3 Awesome baby showers!!!!

My "work family" shower:

We all made onesies and got pedicures (it pays to work with Great aestheticians)!!

I really do have the Best "work family"!!

Then...my friend Jess threw me a shower!

She did a Fabulous Job!!!

I really wish I would have thought to take more pictures!

It was a great turnout!!

I had a lot of fun eating and visiting with quit a few people I haven't seen in a while.

Then...my sister, mom, and Aunt threw me a Rock Springs shower!

It was another great success! 

Great turnout and lots of good food!

The High girls...or my second family :)

My Aunt Marilyn...love her!!

My oh-so-Amazing sister!!!

Mother and daughters!! <3

Making clay babies!

Thanks again to all my Amazing Friends and Family for everything you've done!!

It is all GREATLY appreciated!!!!

Now...we are anxiously waiting for our new bundle of joy!!

                   

My Pregnancy

Just thought I would give a little update on my pregnancy...I read a friend's blog and she had this fun little survey. It's a good update for people and also for myself to be able to look back on someday since I don't keep a journal.

So, THANKS Kellie for posting this survey.

How Far Along: 32 weeks exactly!!

Size of baby: Not sure! I'm a little disappointed that the clinic I go to only does ONE ultrasound during an entire pregnancy. After working in 3 different OB clinics, that's a little foreign to me. So I just keep hoping he's not Giant!!

Maternity Clothes: Sore subject. I'm still wearing my regular jeans however I haven't been able to button them for quit some time. I only have 8 weeks left so i'm trying REALLY hard to not have to buy ugly expensive maternity pants but I have a feeling I won't make it :( I can still wear a FEW of my normal shirts but I don't think that will last much longer either. 
I guess it looks like I need to go shopping soon, grrrrrrrrrr!

Gender: A very active baby Boy!!!

Name: I never thought picking the name would be the hardest part!!! There is one name I really like but neither of us are sold on it yet. So as of now his name is still Baby!!

Fetal movement: He is VERY VERY active!!! Eric is getting prepared to be chasing him all over!! ;)

Sleep: I sleep Great so far! Besides the CraZy dreams, nothing has really changed in the sleep department. Although I know that will coming to an end Real soon!!!!

Cravings: I HATED anything sweet and craved vinegar and mustard in the beginning but now my eating habits are normal and I don't really crave anything anymore. It just seems like i'm Always hungry!

Symptoms: As I mentioned earlier, I have worked in a few different OB clinics and have seen some HORRIBLE pregnancies. So, I can't complain at all!! I have had a SUPER easy pregnancy so far...knock on wood! BUT...I have now entered the "wonderful" world of swelling. It's the worst thing ever and it seems like just over night, I've decided I'm over being pregnant and I hope the next 8 weeks Fly by!!!!

Weird Things: I still think it's so weird that there is a little human being inside of me. :)

Worries: I think I have the same worries as most first time moms. Of course I worry about the rest of the pregnancy and hope he is born living and healthy. I also hope that I will know what to do when he gets here. My life will forever change and I hope I'm ready to be the Best mom to my sweet son!

Best Moment of the Week(s): The Best moment of Every Week is feeling our little boy move. He is extremely active and I could sit there all day with my hand on my stomach and feel him kick, roll, cartwheel, hiccup, and whatever else he does in there.

Appointments This Week: No appts this week. Our last one was Friday. We are right on schedule and got to hear his little heart just beating away!

What I'm looking forward to: Being DONE!!! I can't wait to hold him and kiss him and love him!!!!

Learned/Realized: I have learned that pregnancy really is a miracle. It's AMAZING to me what the human body can do. Grow another little human being from a sperm and an egg! WOW!!!! 
I've also realized that I really do have the most AMAZING husband in the Entire World!! He has taken care of me and has been by my side through all the ups and downs!! I couldn't ask for a better person to be the father of my child!!

Bear River

Our good friend Jared spent a lot of time planning what turned out to be a GREAT trip to Bear River!

I neglected to take pictures of the cabin we stayed in but it was super nice and cozy!

I think there were 24 of us total and although getting that many people together is usually a little chaotic, to my surprise it was quit opposite. All the meals were planned ahead of time (by the way, they were all AMAZING)!!

I'm really sad I didn't take more pictures of the weekend but I guess I do have pictures of my Favorite part!!

Most of our group getting ready to head out for the day!

Not long after we got started, we came across a wide open field...MANY feet of fresh powder!!

It looked like the perfect place to play around.

Well, it wasn't. 

With quit a few people who had never been snowmobiling before and most all of us being on heavy 2-person sleds...lets just say most of our time in that "perfect looking field" was spent standing in the snow waist deep and digging sleds out of the holes they were buried in.

Credit goes to the guys for all their patience and hard work!!

We eventually moved on from that field and continued to have a Wonderful time in the Beautiful mountains!!!

This was the entire group minus 2...they met up with us shortly after and again, I neglected to take another group picture with them included. 

I LOVE being in the outdoors!!!! 

Last but not least, I have to say THANKS to my Wonderful, Loving husband for letting me go snowmobiling despite the fact that I was 31 weeks pregnant. I know he was SUPER worried and I wouldn't have gone if he had it his way but I'm so glad he loves me and puts up with my stubbornness ;)

You're the Best Babe!!