Finally, I am in a picture

I realized that Kaitlyn was 6 weeks old and except for the hospital, I have one picture of me and my precious daughter. So, after church I had Mike snap one of us and then a neighbor happened to be outside and took the one of the family. I really need to do better. I really want some professional ones before she gets too old. Of course, not sure if I want to document the "heavier" me. :) Maybe I will wait until I shed the baby weight. hahaha

My 3 amigos

week in Columbia

We were at home for week #4 of Kaitlyn's life. We had a BLAST!!! For an impromptu visit we sure did try to see as many people as possible.

Ryan did great on the ride home...6 hours goes really quick when he is CONSTANTLY asking questions and Why, why, why a million times! Francie was so sweet to drive us all the way home.

Our first day in SC we stayed around the house. On Tuesday we headed to Pine Island...no small feat I might add. I had stuff strewn from room to room at my parent's house and getting all the gear ready for a picnic and lake time was almost more than I could handle. I got the bathing suits, swimmy diapers, snacks, drinks, regular diapers for both, changes of clothes for both, etc, etc, etc...everything EXCEPT my bathing suit. I mean, really. I made it almost all the way to Pine Island before I realized it and then there was nothing I could do about it. My dad was at home without a car because I took theirs. So, here I am with a baby - a hungry baby, 45 minutes late, no bathing suit and Ryan, of course, wants to swim. Kristen took pity on me and swam with Ryan while I fed Kaitlyn in the shade. It was fun, but in the end we were only able to stay an hour or so b/c Kaitlyn just couldn't handle the heat...poor baby - Did I mention that it was about 95 degrees!! UGH!!

Wednesday was a day for COUSINS!!! Brian and Beth came with their crew and we had SO MUCH FUN!! Ryan followed Bo around ALL DAY. I didn't have to do a thing. My Aunt Diane and Cousin Suzanne were there also so I was virtually kid-free. What an amazing thing family is. Suzanne ended up staying with us at the lake until Saturday when her family came back for the fireworks show. It was WONDERFUL having the extra pair of hands considering all Ryan wants to do while at Gigi and Pop's is be outside. Makes it a little tough when I am constantly feeding a 4 week old that MUST be going through a growth spurt and eats every 2 hours and then can't be put down because her acid reflux is out of control.

Thursday led us to visits from the great-grandmother and more friends. Finally Friday was a day of fun as some of my high school girlfriends showed up with their children and Mother's in tow. We had a 7, 5, 4, 3, two 2 yr olds, and a 1 yr old all playing in the water...and Kaitlyn. It was really fun to see all the children interacting with each other and all of us had an awesome time getting to relax and hang out some. Suzanne was a Godsend in an extra pair of hands. We cannot wait to do it again!!

Saturday is the fireworks show and the whole family comes up to the lake to celebrate July 4! Again, Ryan was in heaven. Weston was there - his 12.5 yr old hero. He did NOTHING without Weston and thankfully Weston seems to really enjoy having the sidekick. Ryan was up until almost 11pm shooting off fireworks with Weston and Daddy. Wow...he had a busy day. Kaitlyn was passed around all day and spent most of her time on someone's shoulder. Thankfully, for once, it wasn't mine!!! I got to enjoy some time with Mike and also in the water...Heaven.

Lastly, we spent Sunday and Monday hanging with Gigi and Pop on the boat. Ryan has his new puddle jumper and he has no fear. Jumps right in the deep (middle of the lake) water and just floats around like he has been doing it his whole life. Such a wonderful invention the puddle jumper is!!!

WE LOVE SOUTH CAROLINA!!!!

Monday, July 5

Ryan's favorite - the ducks!!

Swimming in the middle of "Hurricane Hole"

So much fun!!

I haven't been on one of these since High School. Man, we need to invest!!

Sunday

gotta love the life

Mike trying to convince Ryan to go "tubing"

I didn't work so well. Maybe next time!

Saturday - the family is here for July 4

It is July 3 and according to tradition, that means the family shows up and we have fun times on the lake. here are some pics from our day!

Ryan got hold of the hose

Dousing Daddy right in the face

Daddy saying...seriously, stop it already!!

Getting out with the puddle jumper

on the float with Weston

Suzanne, our brilliant helper all week!

Francie and Taylor

This was pretty much the main position for Kaitlyn all day

Thursday and Friday pictures

Lea, Kristen, Emily, me, Regan

Hodges, Manning, Tyler, Ryan, Scott, Allie, Greyson

Dot with Kaitlyn and Ryan

Visit with the cousins

Ryan and Bo

Betsy and Kaitlyn

4 weeks and counting

We are in Columbia - YEA!!

The McWane Science Center

Francie is here and we decided to venture out. We haven't been here in a while, but I was sure Ryan would love it...and he did.

They have this great water table to play in with all kinds of toys. They have a Mr. Potato Head exhibit going on right now and they have lots of other really fun hands on things for Ryan to do. We bought a membership and will definitely be returning.

3.5 weeks - me and the kiddos

Awful picture of me, I know, but I realized that I didn't have one single picture of me with Kaitlyn except at the hospital. How pathetic. And since nothing really fits and my hair needs to be highlighted and I don't have time...this is what I get.

Oh well...such is life right now. :)

3 weeks old - June 21

My first Tuesday alone

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the hardest days for me. Ryan is attending a Mother's Day Out program M/W/F and it is a huge help so far. (especially now that at 6 weeks Kaitlyn is having trouble sleeping during the day...)

So, this is my first real Tuesday without any help. Mike isn't here, my Mom isn't here, Priscilla isn't here and my cousin, Francie, won't be here until Thursday afternoon. So, I was a little freaked out with how I would handle this. I looked online for an activity for the morning since Ryan gets a little rambunctious if his energy is channelled. hahaha

I decide that the library has a cool thing coming to town. It is called the Mobile Dairy Cow. So, off to the library we head. When we arrive there is a rather large crowd, but Ryan was still able to get a sit close to the front. There is a huge bus/trailer filled with an enormous cow. The lady there is teaching all about cows and milking etc. Ryan was pretty interested...for about 30 minutes. Who knew this thing would last longer than that. We left right after the cow started milking. ryan had had enough and as this was outside and this was record-breaking heat wave temperatures, I was all too happy to load us all up and head to Chick-fil-A. Burn off a little energy in the air-conditioning. Now, that is Nice.

Priscilla's Visit

Yeah for Mimi!!

Ryan giving Kaitlyn "kisses" - his new specialty.

13 days old with Ryan and Daddy

3 Pairs of Hands

Friday night, June 11

Ryan, content from pizza

Kaitlyn being so sweet in her seat

Tyson and Jake in the baby pool

Ryan at the pool splash pad

Loving the noodle in the baby pool

We decide to head to the pool tonight with both of our neighbors. Next door has a 2 yr old and a 9 week old at this point and the other neighbors have a 2 yr old and a baby due within the next few weeks. Crazy how that works out. We had so much fun letting the kids run around in the water and eating pizza. Mike was so sweet to go pick it up for all of us. We had a little adult time around the tables and it was a great evening spending time with friends at the pool.