Ryan meets Colton

Ryan came to the hospital on Tuesday to meet his new baby brother Colton! I had missed him like crazy so I was very excited to see him. It was the longest period of time I've spent apart from him. My parents, my in-laws, and Matt's Aunt and Uncle were there so I think it was a little overwhelming for Ryan when he first walked in the room!

Ryan was very excited to see his momma but he totally ignored his little brother Colton.

Ryan got to open his gift from his new brother. He got a monkey backpack with his name on it and a fish toy to play with in the water. He was totally in love with his new toys and didn't really pay much attention to Colton.

Colton was watching his big brother.

This is the best picture we got of the four of us. Not the best picture since Matt got cut off! Hoping we can get a better one soon!

Ryan has been really good since we've been home! He loves to help me give Colton a bottle and even gave him a kiss tonight before going to bed!

He is in grandparent heaven right now and loving all the attention from his grandparents and Uncle Matt. Hoping things don't completely hit the fan when they leave next week, ha!

He hasn't acted jealous or upset at all when I'm holding Colton. That's a good sign! He is going to be such a good big brother! So far so good!

Colton's Birthday

On Sunday I was beginning to wonder if Colton was ever going to make his entrance into the world. I was still only having mild contractions and he was still pretty high.

Sunday afternoon I took the dogs for a walk during Ryan's nap and then I went to Kroger to get groceries for the week. I was putting the groceries in the car when I felt some leakage and I thought "uhm hope that wasn't my water that just broke". Ha! With Ryan was water broke after we got to the hospital and it gushed so I wasn't sure since it was just a trickle.

Once I got home I knew it wasn't just my bladder and that my water was leaking. We called the doctor and they said it sounded like my water broke and to come on in. We called my in-laws to come stay with Ryan and we headed to the hospital!

We got to the hospital around 8:15 and they confirmed that my water had indeed broke! Colton was on his way but I was still only 2 cm dilated and he was still pretty high. They admitted us to the hospital and we got to our room around 9:30. I still wasn't having very strong contractions but they monitored me for an hour to see how I was a progressing.

By 11 my contractions were pretty far apart so they started me on pitocin to pick things up. The contractions definitely started picking up and I was being asked to be checked around 12:00. I was 5-6cm and was ready for the epidural. They prepped me and I got some relief by 1am.

I progressed really fast and was 10cm by 2:30am. I pushed around 30 minutes and little Colton made his debut at 3:25am. He weighed 7lbs 1oz and 20 inches long.

My sweet new boy!!!!

Colton looks a whole lot like his big brother Ryan did at birth! I will have to post with pictures to compare. He does have darker hair than Ryan did and more of it! It's so gorgeous I love it!

He is such a good and sweet baby! We are totally in love with him!!!

We are so blessed!

Daddy's new boy!

Funny how I was in labor with Ryan on a Sunday night and he was born on a Monday morning! The bad thing about that is we got absolutely no sleep on Sunday night. Once Colton was born we were so excited with him we couldn't sleep plus we had nurses in and out of our room.

The hospital I delivered at doesn't have a nursery, just a special care nursery. We were both running on fumes last night so our sweet nurse offered to take Colton to the nursery for a few hours so we could get some rest. We were so thankful for that since we hadn't slept since Saturday night. The nurse took him around 1am and brought him back around 4am. Bless her soul!!!!!!

He is just beautiful and perfect! We are so thrilled!!!!

Colton is here!!!

Colton Matthew Deepe is here!!!!! He arrive at 3:25 this morning! We are both doing well and just trying to rest! He weighed 7lbs 1oz and is 20 inches long!

He has wavy brown hair! Ryan had dark blond hair when he was born so Colton's is definitely darker! He looks almost exactly like Ryan did when he was born! So cute and adorable! We are just eating him up!

Ryan is coming to the hospital this afternoon to meet his new baby brother! Can't wait to see him! We keep saying how much we miss Ryan! pictures to come soon! :)

Update of Sorts and Cupcakes

So I wanted to give an update of sorts on Colton's arrival. I am still here and still pregnant! Ugh!!! I am beyond ready to have this baby and really praying he makes his debut very soon!

I had my 39 week appointment on Friday and my doctor said I am 1 to 2 cm dilated and she "stirred things up". She said he is still pretty high but that is normal for a second pregnancy. Usually with your second they don't drop til right before labor.

I had lots of cramps yesterday and mild contractions. I thought things would move faster but unfortunately I'm still just having mild contractions. I know it will be real labor when they start getting more intense and closer together! I know it's in God's timing and Colton will come when he's ready but I honestly don't want to hear that right now! I want this baby to come NOW!!!! I am SO anxious to see what he looks like and finally meet him! Until then we will keep waiting and praying! =)

And since I'm talking about labor I thought I would share the "labor-inducing" lemon drop cupcake recipe! The cupcakes are really good and I will definitely be making them again! So yummy!

Lemon Drop Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sour cream

FROSTING:
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon milk

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add lemon peel and vanilla; mix well.

2. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (batter will be thick).
3. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups with 1/4 cup of batter.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

5. Cool for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

6. For frosting, cream butter and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add lemon juice, vanilla, lemon peel and milk; beat until smooth. Frost cupcakes.

Splash!

Once Colton arrives (which I'm hoping is very soon) we will be spending alot of time at home. I've been trying to get us out of the house and having fun play days! I like to be on the go and can only take a few days of being home all day long.

Today I decided to take Ryan to the splash park! I was glad to see the weather was nice so we packed up and headed to the park!

Ryan absolutely had a blast playing in the water! He was too busy running around splashing to even look at the camera! He was in heaven! It was our first time at this park and it was fantastic. It's got lots of things to keep the kids entertained and it's gated so they can't just run off. And plenty of places for parents to sit or stand and watch the kids without having to get wet.

I was totally scoping out the park thinking about how we can come back when Colton arrives and how I can handle it with two. There was plenty of shade so I could totally keep him in the stroller or carry him in the baby bijorn.

We are definitely looking forward to coming back! So fun!

And I love how the sun and water just wears kids out and they sleep like little angels when they get home.

Tonight I'm planning to make a trip to Costco for some essential items we will be needing in the next month or so. I figure I should stock up on stuff like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, frozen meals...you know, the essentials!

Wednesday

Today was pretty uneventful! We hung out at home and our friend Anissa came over with Elizabeth and baby Quinn. It was nice to have play mates around and a friend to chat with.

Ryan was so sweet with Quinn. Quinn was crying so he was rocking his car seat and trying to give him his paci. He is going to be such a good big brother! Now that we have some baby stuff out he loves to turn on the swing and bouncy seat.

This afternoon we took a walk up to the pond to see the geese! Ryan loves to say "geese" whenever we drive by. He loved seeing them and it was good for me to get out and walk.

Today Jennifer tweeted about these "labor-inducing" lemon drop cupcakes. Apparently they have been known to put pregnant women into labor, ha! So of course I had to make some tonight and hope they are true to their promise. At this point I'm so uncomfortable I will try anything to start labor. If nothing else it will be a sweet treat for sure! Yum!

Quality Time

The last few days I've been trying to be very intentional about spending quality time with Ryan. Even though I am huge and can barely move around I want to treasure and create fun memories of these last fews days of Ryan being an only child. I know he will not remember being an only child but I will. Ryan is going to be such a good big brother! I'm so excited he will have a brother to grow up with! I love it when people tell me "oh they will be thick as thieves" and "they will be so close" when they find out I'm having a boy!

We had a really rough day yesterday! We had Ryan's two year check up and I thought it would be fun to go to lunch afterwards. Ryan didn't think so! He was throwing food on the floor, spilling milk and was totally not interested in eating his lunch. It was one of those moments you feel that every eye in the place is on you and wondering why you can't control your child! I was almost in tears when I just packed it all up and we headed out the door. Thank the Lord he took a good nap once we got home and ate so well at dinner last night. He even asked for more pears!!! That's a biggie for him!

His two year appointment went great yesterday! He weighs 28lbs (in 45th percentile) and is 36 inches tall (80th percentile) and his head is in the 50th percentile. He is a tall and lean little boy. According to his height he will be 6 ft - same as his daddy - when he's an adult.

I talked to the doctor alot about his eating habits and speech. He said we are doing all the right things with food and to keep offering him the healthy foods and hopefully like most kids he will out grow his pickiness.

For a long time I've been worried about his speech. Matt and I have talked about it for so long and we decided we would wait until he was two before we talked about intervention. I was so proud to tell the pediatrician yesterday that Ryan is saying new words every day and his vocabulary is really growing. The only concern we have about a delay is he isn't saying phrases yet. All of his motor and physical skills are right on target. I know Ryan is so smart and I have full confidence he will be saying a huge list of words and phrases very soon!

38 Weeks

I'm 38 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Size of baby: Colton is around 6.8 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 18 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but everything else is regular. I'm down to just a few things I can still fit into. ha!

Gender: It's a boy!!!! Colton Matthew Deepe

Movement: He is VERY active - especially in the afternoon and at night. Lately I think he has run out of room because he isn't moving as much. This little boy is going to be long! For the last week or so he has been shoving his foot in my rib and it's been so painful!

Sleep: Sometimes I sleep well and other nights I don't sleep at all! I can't get comfortable and I just have insomnia. I keep dreaming about having Colton and wondering when he is going to arrive.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, bending over! Being able to do anything - I can barely get around at this point.

Cravings: I've lost my appetite lately - I think maybe my stomach has run out of room?

Symptoms: I'm 9 months pregnant - I'm huge, I waddle and I can barely move. I can't bend over or get comfortable in any position. Lots of pressure and braxton hicks. BUT I'm SO thankful for this pregnancy and I'm trying to enjoy the very end.

Best Moment this week: Just feeling Colton move so much and hearing his heartbeat at the doctor. He feels like he is doing complete flips in my stomach. I'm SO anxious to see him!

I had my 38 week appointment on Friday and I am still barely one cm dilated. I was completely bummed! I totally thought the doctor was going to tell me I was like 2 or 3 cm. He said we probably won't be having a baby within the next week but the hope is that by my next appointment this Friday I will be more dilated and Colton will arrive before his due date. I am specifically praying that I am 2 cm on Friday!

I know Matt is probably getting so tired of me complaining about everything but I am so ready to be done with this pregnancy and hold little Colton. I'm ready to be myself again and take care of my family! I'm SO thankful for this pregnancy and trying to enjoy it to the very end.

Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day to the most amazing man in the world. Matt is not only an amazing husband be he is an incredible dad to Ryan. I couldn't ask for a better father for my kids! He is such a loving, gentle, funny, humble and compassionate man!

He is totally crazy about Ryan and I know he will be the same with Colton! Not only does he play and roughhouse with Ryan but he loves to read to him and teach him new things.

We love you SO much Matt and appreciate everything you do for us! I thank the Lord for such an amazing gift!

And I must say a very Happy Father's Day to my Daddy! He is the most selfless and giving person I know! He is a great dad and the best GrandDad in the whole world. Love you Dad!

Two Years

Dear Ryan,

You are TWO years old! I cannot believe it has been two years since I first held you in my arms and stared into your big brown eyes. Two years since you stole all our hearts!

My heart swells with love every time I look at you! You make me so proud to be your Momma! You are so smart and so funny! You always have us laughing at something new or funny your doing. You have such a sweet and gentle spirit. I'm so proud that you are kind hearted!

You are very strong willed and can be stubborn - typical first born. You definitely test us and we definitely have our moments. You can be very hard headed! We are all learning to be patient with each other. We have so much to teach you and I know you will teach us too along the way.

I love that you love to go to church and sing about Jesus. You get so excited when we sing Jesus Loves Me, The Wheels on the Bus and The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

You have this sparkle in your eye and you always put a smile on our faces. You love to help and you are such a good helper. I just know you are going to be a great big brother. You already practice by putting your stuffed animals in the baby swing and being so gentle rocking the. We cannot wait for you to meet you little brother.

Your vocabulary is growing and increasing every day! You like to tell us the names of your friends. You will also try to tell us what you are pointing to and what you want. The light switch to your vocabulary has finally gone off and you are saying new things all the time. You are understanding more and more what we say to you!

You are such a good sleeper and we hope your little brother takes after you! Some days you let us sleep in til around 9am and you take a good afternoon nap. Even if you don't go to sleep when we put you to bed you play so well in your bed until you fall asleep.

Your daddy and I love you so very much sweet boy! We look forward to many more fun years with you!

I was a little sad when we took your last "monthly" picture today in your chair! We might just have to take here and there just for memory sake!

Thursday Randoms

It was another pool day for us today! We've been hanging low key since I can barely move around these days!

Matt is so funny because he keeps asking me if we need to go to the hospital. If I complain about anything or say I'm out of breath he freaks out and thinks I am having the baby right now, haha! I've assured him that I will tell you when it's time. I'm not having contractions, just lots of pressure down low!

I ordered big brother/little brother shirts about two months ago and I've been waiting and waiting on them to arrive. I ordered them on Etsy and they finally arrived today! Yay!

I was getting a little worried that they weren't going to arrive before little Colton gets here. I want the boys to wear these the first time they meet each other!