Rilyn Nikhol has arrived!

Jamie gave birth to Rilyn Nikhol Plush on December 26th. Rilyn weighed 5lb 8oz and was born one month early. Mommy and baby are doing fine and are actually headed home now. Seeing tiny baby Rilyn made Ryker look like a giant! I will post her pics later.

Ryker Coy's 1st Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and we enjoyed it so much since lil' Ryker is now a member of our family. Although very busy and tiring, this year was so special. Of coarse, Ryker got tons of gifts from our families and he is very appreciative. :-) I'm sure next year he'll be trying to help everyone open their gifts and enjoying all of the wrapping paper and tree ornaments...it'll be interesting!

He's one month old!

I can't believe that yesterday was Ryker's 1 month birthday!! He's doing really well. He is staying awake more and more each day and is really alert. Ryker has been picking his head up since he was a few days old and now he can push up w/his arms. He's so strong and strong willed. LOL!

He's sleeping pretty well at night also. Although I'm still nursing, I've also introduced him to formula. He's doing fine w/it, that makes me feel better knowing that eventually I'll have to wean him totally. I feel like he weighs around 10lbs now. I'll take him back to the doctor next month and am anxious to see how much he's growing. Ryker's 1st Thanksgiving Hanging out with PawPaw

Ryker's 2 week appt

Yesterday I took Ryker to see Dr. Wallace for his 2 week appt. He is now weighing
8lb8oz! I'm so relieved that he's gaining weight since I'm nursing and don't really know how much he's eating. Dr. Wallace was very impressed w/his weight gain also and said that Ryker was a healthy, beautiful boy...but we already knew that, right?!? Anyway, I was very pleased with the visit. I'll take him back in 2 months.

Can't believe my baby is 2 weeks old already! Geez!!

From the homefront...

Ryker is already 9 days old! I can't believe that we've had him at home w/us for a week now. We are enjoying him so much. Ryker is such a good baby, only fussing when his lil' butt is dirty and if he's hungry. He's doing lots of sleeping. We actually get good sleep at night, only waking to feed him every 3 hours. He had a little bit of jaundice, but that's almost gone now. Supposedly, the jaundice makes him lazy...we'll see...he sure is a sleepy, lazy baby now.

We had an appt w/the lactation consultant on Tuesday. He's gaining weight like he's supposed to, so he's getting enough milk from me. I was so glad to hear that. It's hard because you don't know exactly how much he's eating at every feeding. Me and Justin have been keeping track of every feeding and all of his wet and dirty diapers. I stopped logging everything yesterday since I felt confident that he was eating plenty. We'll go see Dr. Wallace on Dec 1st for his first real pedi visit.

I'm feeling really good. I made my first trip to town today, by myself, w/Ryker. It was easier than I thought it would be. He did really well...but he was sleeping the whole time. LOL!

After his first bath today

Dressed and ready for town
He loves to snuggle with Daddy

Me and Ry before we were discharged from the hospital

Ryker's Big Day!

Yesterday was Ryker's birthday! I can't believe that he's actually here. It was a long day, but he made his appearance at 6:15pm, weighing 8lb 5oz and 21.5 inches long. He has long fingers and big feet and is absolutely perfect!!! We are so in love with him and can't wait to bring him home. We'll be dismissed from the hospital tomorrow morning.




My first meal after his birth...nuggets!
Ryker's first visit to the nursery.

Our bright eyed lil' man.

Justin is a proud Daddy!

Our last day...

So, today is our last day before Ryker arrives in this world. I'm home alone just hanging out and doing normal, daily duties. I woke up around 6:45 and got up to wash clothes and do a few things around the house. I actually took a nap from 8-9 this morning. Maybe I'll catch another nap sometime today.

Justin decided to work half a day today. He's got to run to town and get a flat tire fixed on my truck. Once that's done, we may go out to dinner and just relax. We're excited about tomorrow....but I still don't think it's actually hit us yet.

Keep us in your prayers. The next time that I post anything, I'm sure it'll include pics of baby Ryker!!

Last day of work!!

I can't believe today is my last day of work until January 19th, 2009! I have been so looking forward to this day, but now that it's arrived, I feel kinda wierd. I guess I really will miss this place, especially my co-workers. We'll have to meet for lunch a few times while I'm out so that I can catch up on everything.

37 week appt

I had my 37 week (and final!) appt on Monday, 11/3/08. Everything went fine. We did a growth ultrasound and they feel like Ryker will arrive in this world weighing between 8.5-9lbs. No surprise here. I also decided to go ahead and try for a natural delivery (w/an epidural of coarse) instead of just doing a c-section right off the bat. We have to be at the hospital at 5:30am on 11/11 to get everything started. Dr. Brown said that if I don't progress like I should w/in a few hours, then we'll go ahead w/the c-section. I'm nervous, but excited that I may be able to have him natuarally....pending on the fact that his head isn't too huge! Say a prayer for us.

3 pregnant ladies!

Stephanie stopped by today so we took this opportunity for a photo op. We are all three due in the next few weeks and are all having little boys. Carissa is actually due on 10/31/08, but has an appointment today and is hoping that they'll go ahead and just send her to Labor and Delivery! Wonder why my belly is the biggest??
Stephanie(35 weeks), me (35 weeks), and Carissa (38 weeks)

Ryker's Nursery

Here are some recent pictures of Ryker's room. It's pretty much completed. The only thing left to do is put a few things away and finish up the curtain. I think it turned out so cute!

Late night craving!!!

I am craving some Taco Bell right now. Like major. I need a chicken soft taco supreme with lots of mild sauce and sour cream. I asked Justin to go get me some and he refused. So I'm pouting. I may hop up (hop up...who am I kidding) and go get it myself, but that's just not as satsifying. I told him that he's lucky that I've not had any weird cravings like this over the past 8 months. I told him that other husbands have to go get food late at night like this all the time....he just said that other husbands lived in town and we don't. Good answer, but I'm still hungry. I told him that I only have 3 more weeks to be pregnant and I may just give in to this serious craving for some Taco Bell. He just went to bed and I'm still sitting here, contemplating my next move. Do I fix a turkey sandwich and only be full, but not satisfied, or do I grab my keys and "run for the border"??

I came across these pics from Brian and Mandy's wedding shower. They were taken on 8/31. Thought they were cute and wanted to share. Enjoy!

Me and Mom

Me, Justin, Mandy, Brian, Katelynn, Kellie, Blake and Jim Ed

Me(27 weeks)and Jamie(18 weeks)

We have a date!

So, I had my 34 week appointment yesterday. Everything went fine....the best part was that Dr. Brown and I set Ryker's birthday!! After a long talk, we both decided that due to Ryker's size and my own fears, he'll be delivered via c-section. The big day is Tuesday, 11/11/08!! We are to show up to Women's and Children's hospital on that day at 10am and the surgery is scheduled for noon. We are so very excited!! (maybe that's why I'm awake and posting this at 3am...LOL!)

32 week appt

I had another appt yesterday. We did another 3D ultrasound and finally were able to get Ryker's measurements. He weighed in at 5lb 11oz. Still measuring 3 weeks ahead. We were expecting him to be big, but this is really big. He's in the 87th percentile....his head is in the 98th percentile...yikes! I told Dr. Brown that I'd be fine w/a c-section if that was necessary and I'm starting to think that it'll be necessary! LOL!

Baby Shower

A painting from my Granny

The wonderful cake

The table decor

The arrival of me, Nana, and Meme

Kelli, Me and Ronica

I had my baby shower on Saturday, 9/27. It was awesome! I got so many great gifts and got to visit with lots of people that I don't get to see too often. Everything was decorated so cute and the cake was phenomenal. What more could a girl ask for!?!

Our 2 year anniversary!

I can't believe that 2 years ago today, we said our vows! We've had a great two years. Last year, on our anniversary, we moved into our house. Now, we're planning for baby Ryker. Justin sent me a beautiful bouquet of pink roses. How sweet! We're going to Lake Charles to eat and shop for each other's gifts. Yay for that! I'm attaching some of my favorite wedding pics...for old times sake.

30 week appt

Look at his little ear!

He's getting annoyed!

"Talk to the hand!"

I had my 30 week appt yesterday. We got to do another 3D ultrasound since the other pics weren't too clear. Well, Ryker had other plans. This time, he kept his lil' face covered the whole time. He was not liking that at all. We do get to try again in 2 weeks. Other than that, everything went fine.

30 week belly pics

Here are some recent pics, as I promised.

OMG! 30 weeks already!

So yesterday marked the beginning of my 30th week! This is unreal to me. I feel so close, yet so far away to giving birth. I could go another 7-10 weeks with this big belly. I'm starting to wonder how much longer I'll be pregnant. I guess I'm just getting anxious, but I need to be patient. He needs to "cook" as long as necessary!
I'm sure Ryker is so cramped in there. I know I feel every little move he's making!

I'll be posting some belly pics soon! I've been lazy taking pics here lately. Get ready....'cause I've got one big belly! LOL!

28 Week Appointment

I went to the doctor on 9/4/08 for my 28 week appointment. We were able to do our 3D ultrasound that day and it was really neat. Although the pictures didn't come out quite as good as we'd hoped, it was still awesome to see lil' Ryker's features. I think he looks like his Daddy! The tech said that the umbilical cord was in the way for most pics so she'll let me do the ultrasound again when I go back on 9/18/08. I can't believe I'm already going to the doctor every 2 weeks now!! This is gonna make the time fly by! Before we know it, Ryker Coy will be here with us!

Size Comparison for Month 7

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

VIP Shower

Last weekend was my VIP Baby Shower in Houston, TX. My friends Darren, Matt, and Stephanie rode w/me to Houston to meet up w/Jenny and her mom Kay, aka Puss. These are all friends of mine from college. We don't get to see each other too often, but when we do, it's so much fun! We had a great weekend of relaxing, visiting, shopping, and of coarse, tons of great food and gifts for baby Ryker. They all pitched in and got me a Pak-N-Play that I was really wanting. Yay for that! Ryker got tons of little outfits and all kinds of great things. Jenny even crocheted a blanket for him. So sweet! I really appreciate all of them for making this so special for me.

Robust Baby!?!

Robust...that's the term that the perintologist used to describe our 'lil man. I had a follow up appointment yesterday with a specialist at Women's and Children's Hospital. Everything is fine and I don't have to go back. Praise the Lord! He just wanted to check and make sure that Ryker was growing and that everything was going as it should. Well, he's definitely growing alright. According to the sonogram, Ryker is already weighing in at 2lb 12oz!! Me and Mom almost fell out! (According to www.babycenter.com, most babies at this gestation are about 1lb 10 oz) His measurements show that my estimated due date should be 11/7, but my actual due date is 11/23, so he's measuring over 2 weeks ahead. I can't wait to see what Dr. Brown says about all of this. I doubt he'll officially change my due date right now, but I think once November gets here, I better have my bags packed just in case. I guess "robust" is an appropriate term after all! LOL!

A Work in Progress........

This past week, Justin has been working on Ryker's nursery furniture. His Dad helped him out with the crib on Tuesday night, so everything is complete! I'm so pleased with how everything turned out. There are lots of little things to finish and hang on the wall, but the big stuff is done. Mom and I bought some cute fabric yesterday to make curtains. There are tons of little things that I'd like to buy to add to the decor, but I'm making myself wait until after the shower. I'll be posting more nursery pics as we get more done.

Ryker's New Ride

Last weekend, Justin and I went to Babies R Us in Beaumont....and I'm hooked! I love that store! Anyhoo, Justin's parents (Meme and Poppa) generously gave us their credit card to purchase Ryker's travel system. After much debate, Jus and I decided on the Chicco Cortina Travel System. The car seat is rated #1 in the US, so that made us all feel better. I can't wait to see our lil' man all bundled up in his new ride!

Pregnancy Comments

Ok..so let me start by saying that most comments directed towards me during my pregnancy have been really sweet, positive, and appropriate. Then me and Justin went to Wal-Mart and ran into a couple that we know.

Here's how the conversation went:
Guy: Hey, so what are you having?
Me: a little boy
Guy: Wow, that's what I figured...you're big. I mean, how far along are you?
Me: um, 6 months or so
Guy: dang, my wife wasn't that big when she delivered.
Me: oh. ok.

Luckily, I don't have a self-esteem problem...never have, even now that I'm big and pregnant. Oh well, no biggie. Won't be the last time that someone, probably another guy, will make a similar comment. I'll just smile, pat my belly, and thank God that I'm blessed enough to be pregnant (when I really want say "I'm growing a human, what have you accomplished today?)

Yowza.

My back is really hurting this week. I just can't get comfortable sitting or laying down. I feel better when I stand, which is nearly impossible to do since I work at my desk all day. This is gonna be a long 3 months!

On the bright side, Ryker's furniture is in! I'm gonna try and pick it up today and see if Justin will start the assembly. I can't wait to get his nursery in order.

Yay for Nursery Furniture!

After tons of internet research and window shopping, I finally decided on the perfect furniture for Ryker's room. The crib and changing table should be in early next week and the dresser will be in the following week. We can't wait for it to arrive so we can start decorating!

Lake Weekend

Last weekend, me and Jus, Mom and Dad, Haley, Cade, Uncle Jedd and Uncle Wade took the boat to Toledo Bend for the weekend. Aunt Gayla was stuck at home working on her classroom to get it ready for the new school year, so she didn't get to come, but she was in our thoughts. :-) We rented a new cabin at the State Park and it was really nice. We took the kids tubing and mostly just relaxed, visited, and ate! Just what we all needed!! We really must plan another weekend like that in the future.

Haley and Cade on the tube.