Getting so BIG

I can't believe that these outfits that Ryder used to be swimming in are about to have to be packed away because they don't fit him anymore! On one hand that makes me happy because he's a healthy growing baby....but of course looking at how much he has changed in just barely 3 months makes me sad because time is going by so fast. Goodbye newborn clothes, I'll miss you :*(

Little Warrior

I had to take Ryder to the doctor on Monday for an eye infection (this was our first unscheduled doctor visit!). While laying on the table, his Dr. noticed the way he was positioned and said she was very happy to see him posing like he was. She said that babies his age lay this way and it was a sign to her that he is developing on schedule. He was a preemie, so we're expecting him to reach his milestones a little slower than average. All this time, I thought he was just posing for the camera (with one arm behind his head and the other stretched straight out), but go figure, he was developing right before my eyes. Here's my little warrior in action:

Smokey Bottom BBQ

Sunday was our very first Smokey Bottom BBQ event and it went great! Poppy (Alan's Dad) along with 3 uncles started a BBQ business and we were finally able to put all of the preparations into action. It was the Frazier-Mason "Some Gave All" Memorial Ride, where almost 1,000 bikers rode from Spotsylvania Highschool to King George Highschool to honor two fallen heroes. When the sea of bikes poured into King George Highschool, we were there ready to take on the crowd. They wasted no time getting in line and we all went to work. The guys cooked all the food on the grill, brought it into the truck where the sandwiches were made and we served the crowd. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the food, we had a blast, and are proud to say that our first event was a success!

So, now that we're officially in business, if you know of an event that needs a food vendor, are having a party that needs catering, or if you just want to buy the BEST BBQ IN TOWN for a weekend cookout, Visit us online at http://www.smokeybottombbq.com/ .

And, of course, we can't forget about this guy (he's saying Goooo Poppy!)

Our First Night Out...Almost!

Saturday was interesting. Our friends Nikki & Jose were getting married and it was supposed to be our first night out since the baby. We got all dressed up, Yaya (my mom) came over to watch the baby, and we were on our way, or so we thought. We got to the bridge that takes us into Maryland and traffic was backed up soooo far. We sat in the traffice (that was not moving) for over 45 minutes when we realized that there was no way we were going to make it to this wedding. It looked like they had the bridge completely shut down for construction, would open it for like 10 minutes to let some people go, then close it again. We still had an hour and a half drive once we got over the bridge which would've put us there half way through the reception. So we decided to turn around! We decided to take advantage of the babysitting service and go have dinner. We went to a little Italian restaurant by our house and had a romantic steak & cheese dinner. I'm sad that we didn't make it to the wedding, but it was nice that we still got to have dinner together.

Kidney Update!

Ryder saw his kidney doctor today and the appointment went so good. They tested 3 different levels in his blood that give them a clue as to how the kidneys are functioning and all 3 came back normal (yay!). Then they did a sonogram to look at both kidneys and his bladder. The Dr. said that both kidneys have grown over a centimeter since last month which he explained is great news because if the kidney had been damaged too bad and lost all function it would not be growing. The fluid that was surrounding the left kidney after it ruptured is completely gone now which means that the kidney absorbed and processed it (another sign that the kidney is functioning). The only thing we have to keep an eye on are some pockets of fluid that are left inside the kidney. I don't know when we'll get a definite answer as to how much function the left kidney has, but it's definitely doing something...which is such a blessing considering we thought he would only be living with one kidney. We go back in 2 months, so we'll see how everything is doing then!

Oh and he weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces today!! My boy is getting big! I don't have a picture to go along with the day, so I guess I'll have to post one we took of him this weekend. It's my favorite picture of him so far. This is what happens when Daddy gets him dressed and ready to go out:

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I finally took the time to do some research and figure out why my comment section wasn't working. It's fixed now...comment away!

SNUGLI!

Having a new baby around is such a learning experience. Everything seems to be trial and error. People said to me over and over "You'll just figure it out"...I had no clue what this meant until the day we brought Ryder home. And, ever since then, we have just kind of figured everything out! My latest struggle has been trying to get things done around the house. I just can't find the time, or the extra set of hands to get anything done. So yesterday, I really wanted to clean my kitchen. I put Ryder in his bassinet, gave him his pacifier and headed to the kitchen. I put one dish away, and he starts crying. I stop what I'm doing, go over, put his pacifier back in his mouth, and head back for dish number two. This went on for about 10 dishes when I realized there had to be an easier way. Sidenote: I know some of you are thinking "just let him cry!" My kitchen would not get clean any faster if I just let the baby sit there and cry, because I cannot focus when he's crying. I can multi-task in ANY other situation, but for some reason, I can't do a thing when that baby starts crying. Yes, eventually there will come a time when I will have to just let him cry, but that time is not now. Okay, moving on...there must be an easier way. LIGHTBULB: I remembered that I had received a Snugli as a gift at my baby shower. I took it out of the package, figured out how the thing worked, and put it to use. Here are the results:

My View Looking Down...I think we got this right baby

His view looking up...Ummm Mom, you still there?

Ahhh, sleeping baby, I love this thing!

Me + Ryder + Snugli = Clean Kitchen!!

What an amazing invention...I bet I know who came up with that! A mom who needed her hands back. As I walked around with Ryder attached to me in this Snugli, I realized what a flashback this was for both of us. It reminded me of when I was pregnant and I used to carry him around in front of me everywhere I went. Only this time was way better because I could look down and see that sweet face, instead of looking down with a million questions about this mystery man. By him falling asleep within 5 minutes of being in the Snugli, I realized that for him it brought him back to that close, safe comfort that he used to have in the womb where he could just listen to my heartbeat all day and get rocked to sleep by my movements. It was at this moment that I realized what a strong bond I will always have with my son, and that no matter what he will love me because I'm his mommy (even when I have to just let him cry!)