My Daisy Belle

2010-12-30T10:06:00.001-07:00

Scary Monster face!

2010-12-01T11:08:00.002-07:00

Black & White photo contest

2010-11-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

I took this picture at Ryleigh's 2nd birthday party. She didn't feel well, but in my opinion, she is as adorable as ever!

I am linked to:

Loves her new hat lol

2010-10-29T10:00:00.002-06:00

2010-10-09T17:17:00.001-06:00

Look out Sunday School! Here I come!

2010-09-26T08:22:00.001-06:00

Blessed!

2010-08-28T09:31:00.001-06:00

I'm feeling so blessed this morning! Ryleigh is in her crib, winding down for a nap and she is "singing" a couple songs she made up..."Jesus Name Jesus Name...Jesus Jesus Name" I LOVE it! The other one is to the same tune but the words are "Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Praise the Praise the Lord!" How precious is that? Reminds me of the scripture "Train up a child in the way he should go..."

A couple of days ago, Ryleigh, Daddy & myself were all in the same room. Daddy and I were busy, our minds elsewhere. Ryleigh sneezed and no one said anything. Totally put out, she said, "Daddy, I NEED a bless you!". Daddy said, "Oh, bless you Ryleigh!" "Sanks Daddy". LOL Love it!

She says the sweetest things. She is beyond intelligent...a fact agreed upon by her DR and nurse...and of course all our family members. LOL She's only been 2 for a few weeks but can count to 12, says most of the alphabet, knows where she lives and her full name, knows the sounds of at least 15-20 animals, puts her own shoes on the right feet and before she was 2, decided she'd like to use the potty instead of her diaper! Woohoo! lol She can tell you who the first president was, identifies school buses (a YELLOW school bus, Mommy!), semi-trucks, fire trucks and trash trucks. Says chugga chugga choo choo when she sees a train. I could go on and on and on. LOL She keeps us hopping!

She loves Sunday School. Loves Jesus. Loves her pastor, Bro. Mooney. She loves to pray. Talks in complete sentences and her reasoning skills are astounding! Did I mention she JUST turned 2??

Without a doubt, God has blessed us with Ryleigh Ema Jane!

2010-07-16T13:45:00.001-06:00

2010-07-10T13:06:00.001-06:00

Ryleigh is 2!

2010-07-01T21:04:00.000-06:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Ryleigh!

2010-07-01T16:48:00.002-06:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, baby girl!

2010-07-01T13:43:00.000-06:00

Today my baby turns 2! TWO! two....no matter how I type it, I can't believe it!! I read through my blog last night, relived the memories of her birth, the adoption, etc. and had a good cry. Wow. God has been so good to our family!

CHEESE!

2010-06-29T13:07:00.002-06:00

Graduation day at Sunday School

2010-06-06T10:49:00.002-06:00

Graduation Day at church. Going to the 2 yr. olds class today!

2010-06-06T10:47:00.003-06:00

Cutie patootie

2010-05-18T14:18:00.002-06:00

My 2nd Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T11:09:00.002-06:00

2010-05-06T15:43:00.002-06:00

wearing her mac & cheese bowl as a hat

2010-05-06T15:39:00.003-06:00

Ryleigh's first "horsey" ride

2010-04-30T16:00:00.002-06:00

Easter 2010

2010-04-27T18:29:00.002-06:00

My mom, Ryleigh & Hubby

Bunny Tone?

2010-03-31T21:34:00.000-06:00

Played around with Picnik & the tone to Ry's pic is called "Bunny Tone". Kinda different, but she's a cutie regardless! lol

DR's visit w/ Mommy

2010-03-31T21:20:00.000-06:00

Doctoring is such an exhausting job! lol

My little cowgirl!

2010-03-01T23:05:00.000-07:00

Allegra's Closet Giveaway!!

2010-02-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Preparing for Our Children's Future is featuring Allegra's Closet on their blog and offering a free Giveaway! Don't miss your change to enter! Deadline is March 11.

19 months old

2010-02-11T18:20:00.003-07:00

Here's Ry, modeling a headband I made to sell.

Christmas Pictures 2009

2010-01-05T09:46:00.003-07:00

October 2009

2009-11-04T11:36:00.003-07:00

Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com
Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

September 10, 2009

2009-11-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Miss Ryleigh

2009-08-11T11:28:00.001-06:00

Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

1st Birthday!!

2009-07-01T20:58:00.001-06:00

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, BABY RYLEIGH!!

One year ago this moment, you were 2 hours and 39 minutes old!!!

I LOVE YOU!

Feeling emotional

2009-06-30T20:07:00.007-06:00

I'm feeling so emotional right now!! One year ago, at this VERY minute, my hubby and I were eating at Texas Roadhouse in Muncie, IN...eating our last meal as a family of two. Less than 24 hours later, we were a family of 3!

Our bags were packed and my in-law's were back at our house, ready to go to the hospital with us the next morning. Our birth mom was being induced at some ridiculously early hour on July 1!

I cannot believe a whole year has gone.

I cannot believe God truly answered my prayers to become a mom.

I cannot believe something so precious, so beautiful is mine.

Thank You, God.

July 1, 2008

June 30, 2009

Ryleigh's Bday pix

2009-06-28T14:34:00.001-06:00

Click on the link to see pix of Ryleigh's first birthday party!

Ryleigh's Pix

Blog coming to a close & new pix!

2009-06-09T16:55:00.004-06:00

Ryleigh's first birthday is coming up in about 3 weeks. I cannot believe it!! It seems like yesterday that I began this blog, journaling our journey through the adoption process!

I've been fairly weepy the past week or so. Could it be because I had a hysterectomy 3 weeks ago and it's a hormonal thing?? Maybe, but I don't think so.

Everyday, I've been thinking back to one year ago...what was I doing that day last year in anticipation of Ryleigh's arrival? Ryleigh was actually due in June (but she waited until July!), so each day we were on pins and needles.

Last year was without a doubt one of the most stressful years of our lives. I almost lost my husband in the spring to a parasite that got in his blood stream. After 9 days in the hospital being treated by 5 specialists, he was able to come home but spent 2 months in recovery in his recliner. For 2 months I slept alone and I nursed my husband and prayed (begged!) God to spare his life. All the while, I was trying to get to know our birth mom by myself, etc.

Then in June last year, my in-law's came for a visit. My MIL went with me to a DR's visit so she could hear the baby's heartbeat plus meet our birth mom. Before we even got into the building, my MIL fell and broke her knee and we were bombarded with a trauma team and crash cart, the whole 9-yards!

She then spent the next 20+ days recovering on our couch while my FIL slept on a mattress in the nursery....did I mention he was going through chemo at the time???

All of the above situations combined did not equal the stress I felt while waiting for Ryleigh to come...would the birth family change their minds? could God really be answering a prayer I'd prayed for 15 YEARS?? So many fears. So many doubts.

But here we are, one year later.

I still hold Ryleigh at night sometimes and cry. I hold her and rock her, sobbing, "Thank You Jesus" over and over. At times the depth of gratitude I feel to God feels like a physical ache in my heart. If you haven't experienced 15 years of infertility and ovarian disease and pain, then you won't understand the depth of my gratitude to God for this miracle He's given me.

I can remember many years back when the pain of infertility consumed my life. I told my husband one evening that I had to get a hold of God and get some peace and that I was going to the bedroom to pray and would not come out until I got peace, else I be totally consumed by the pain and die from brokenness.

I went to our bedroom and lay face down in the carpet. I remember there being 4 stages to my prayers and not because I planned it that way but I remember each change in my attitude washing over me like an ocean wave. My prayers started out with the WHY? and then I got ANGRY. I reminded God that I lived for Him, served Him, worshiped Him, went to church every time the doors were open, paid my tithe. WHY wouldn't He give me the desires of my heart??? I railed and railed at God. And He TOOK it and He loved me anyway. Then I became repentant for my attitude and prayed for forgiveness. Then, I remember surrendering my will to God. I finally came to the place in my prayer that I was able to say I would love God, live for God, worship God, go to church every time the doors are open and pay my tithe...even if He never gave me a child.

Ten years went by and I felt tested many times. When I struggled with the pain of barrenness, I would remember the place where I met God those years before and would find peace once again.

We brought our miracle from God home from the hospital on our 15th wedding anniversary. We had planned on taking a big trip...Australia?... to celebrate our anniversary, but then we found out about Ryleigh...so, instead of jetting to Australia, we ate hospital food and fed a hungry baby every 2 hours. And, we wouldn't have had it any other way!

Now here we are, with a little one running all over the place! Taking care of a baby is one of the hardest things I've ever done! But, the most rewarding by far!

I'm busier than ever now and don't have a lot of time to update this blog, so I'm wondering if this might be one of the last posts? I'll definitely post about her 1st birthday, but beyond that, we'll see.

After all, this blog was started to chronicle our adoption journey and what a journey it was!

Here are some pix I took of her in her birthday dress. Enjoy!

Happy 11 months, baby girl!

2009-06-02T14:17:00.002-06:00

Here is Ryleigh yesterday, on her 11 month birthday! She is SOoOoO tired! I had a hysterectomy May 18 and there's been upheavel around here for her...too many people...off her schedule, etc. She just zonked out on her daddy's lap yesterday morning!

Not only does she walk, but she RUNS all over the house! It is SO sweet looking because she's so tiny!

I can't believe our little miracle will be a year old in less than a month now!

1st Birthday party ideas

2009-05-22T20:47:00.006-06:00

Ryleigh's first birthday is coming up on July 1! I need some help with a party theme! being July 1, we could go with a red, white and blue theme, but I'd love to hear your ideas!

Ry in her 1st Jacuzzi last week! lol

Thanks for the Mother's Day wishes!

2009-05-13T15:30:00.003-06:00

I got some very sweet wishes for Mother's Day and thought I'd compile them here so I'd always have them!

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Happy Mother's Day my dear friend!!! I know this day is super special for you and I hope that you have a day as special and dear as you!!! love ya!!!!!!!

Alma Harlow

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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MICHELLE! ~Sherri Perdue

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Happy Mother's Day! I love you!! ~ from our birth mom via text message

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#1 MOM! Kisses! I love you!!~ Amy

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"Happy Mothers Day babe. You have been a great wife for almost 16 years and now
you are blessed to celebrate your first Mothers Day. I know you are and will
continue to be a great mommy to baby Ryleigh. I love you and Happy Mothers Day!"
~ From my hubby!

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Happy Mothers Day! hope it's a goodun for you ~Dad

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I CAN RELATE WHEN YOU GET BLESSED WITH A CHILD THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CARRY IT IS TRULY A MIRACLE. ~ TAMARA RUSSELL

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I am so happy for you! Congratulations!!!! and Happy Mother's Day! -Michelle Cron

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I am so happy for you Michelle!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

Paige Messick Brown

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Faylene Bickford Quinn:

Mothers Day is the 3rd best day of the year (after Christmas and Easter)! Congrats on your first and may each one that follows be as blessed as this one!

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I am so happy for you! (and Fred) Happy Mother's Day! -Lisa Meadway

Mother's Day gift

2009-05-11T12:22:00.001-06:00

For Mother's Day, hubby & Ryleigh gave me a ruby (Ry's birthstone) and diamond ring. The photo just doesn't do it justice! It's so beautiful! Thank you hubby! Thank you baby girl! The band is inscribed with Ryleigh Ema Jane.

Little baby...big cup!

2009-05-11T08:59:00.001-06:00

Drinking melted ice through the straw hole! lol

Playin' Outside

2009-05-08T13:16:00.010-06:00

America's Next Top Model!

Rock, anyone?

YAY! It's warm enough to play outside today!

Standing at the split rail fence

Rocks!

Mmmm...these rocks are tasty!

Hallelujah! I'm outside!

Guarding her rocks

I'm tellin' ya...these rocks are tasty! They taste like chicken! lol

Wanna try for yourself??

Drama Queen!

Standing all by herself, pondering rocks. lol

Big girl standing all by herself!

Let's tear off the blooms & dig out the dirt!

Check out that mouth full of teeth!

Mama and sissy's goin barefoot in the grass today

Mothers

2009-05-07T09:27:00.000-06:00

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up..

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

I want less guilt

2009-05-05T16:20:00.004-06:00

“We are all something, but none of us are everything.”

Blaise Pascal, 1623-1662
French mathematician and religious philosopher

I so needed to read that quote today. I'm struggling with trying to be everything that I need to be, or think I should be. I need to remember that I can't do it all.

Mothering is hard work! My 10 month old is very, very busy.

My house is a mess and when I do get something cleaned up, Little Miss Ry undoes it right under my nose! lol

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has told me, "Don't worry about your house...it'll be there when Ryleigh is grown up."

I understand that, but I can't live in a sty! The one thing my husband LOVES is a clean house and I know I am letting him down. He helps so much around here, but he works all day too.

I can't even remember the last time I cooked dinner. Truly.

I tried to put the gallon of milk in the cabinet above the stove the other day. Last night, I opened the microwave, looking for something that is in the cabinet above. I mean, did I really think I stored cans of soup in the microwave??

Two night ago, I stood in the kitchen/garage doorway and couldn't understand why the garage door wasn't closing while I pressed the the keychain button that unlocks my car doors. Sigh.

I could go on and on about all the things I'm doing that make no sense.

Part of my problem is that I don't feel well. My 38 year old body has way too much pain. I'm having a hysterectomy May 18, so that should eliminate some of my pain.

I still have the degenerating spine and arthritis in my spine that is oh so painful.

Last night, my husband was sick in bed, Ry would not go to bed... blah blah blah. It was after 10 PM when she went to bed. I went to the living and sat in the recliner with a big sigh. The instant I sat down, Snoopy, our black lab, comes over and roots under my legs, wanting rubbed and scratched and companionship and all I could think was "Can't somebody just not need me for 5 minutes!?"

Are there really moms out there who can do it all? What are the secrets to having a clean house, dinner on the table every night and less guilt?

Cute things for a tiny domestic diva

2009-04-30T12:02:00.003-06:00

I bought Ry a tiny little apron in the above paper doll material yesterday. Isn't it adorable!?

I think every little girl needs something as adorable as this little stove and I can't wait until she's old enough to play house! That was one of my favorite things to do as a little girl!

All these items are from The Warm Biscuit Company

Ry's 1st time in the grass

2009-04-27T13:10:00.010-06:00

Ryleigh got in the grass for the first time this past weekend and she did NOT like it! LOL She couldn't climb into my lap fast enough to get out of the grass! Daddy put a quilt on the ground and she crawled from edge to edge and turned around every time she got close to the grass! She is so silly! She finally settled down enough to play and she eventually dipped her toe into the sea of grass without a meltdown! LOL

eeewww...that yucky ol' grass touched me!

Here she is singing

Looks like she was singin' a Gospel song & gettin' down for Jesus! LOL

Sunday after church...

Our fun Saturday!

2009-04-20T07:01:00.001-06:00

My MIL is in her late 60's and got on a 4-wheeler for the 1st time ever!! She's showing off here and posing, but she did let me take her for a ride and she loved it!

The next 2 pix are of Ry's first trip to the park!

Where's Ry?????

2009-04-19T11:49:00.000-06:00

Fluffy hair & eatin ladybugs!

2009-04-19T11:32:00.002-06:00

Fluffy Hair!!

Ry was picking the lady bugs out of the window sill. Not sure how many she ate! lol

Rotten baby girl!

2009-04-16T09:01:00.001-06:00

Trying to get a shower is such an ordeal with Ryleigh...(during the day when Fred isn't here to help.)

I put her in one of her seats and park her right by the tub. She's fine until I pull the shower curtain closed and then all you know what breaks loose. I mean, I can't even hear myself think, she screams so loud.

So, I bought a clear shower curtain so that she could see me. Today, I tried it out for the first time. I sat her right by the tub, on the floor so she could play. As soon as I pulled the curtain, the screaming began!! Once she realized she could actually see me, she calmed down. We touched hands through the vinyl, pressed our noses together, etc. She LOVES to "touch noses!"

Then, with my back turned, I felt a draft. She had pulled back the curtain and was playing in my water! lol

My entertainment!

2009-04-13T17:26:00.001-06:00

Ryleigh sure keeps me entertained! lol

A few Easter pix

2009-04-13T13:02:00.002-06:00

Proud Daddy with Ryleigh at church

Our church has an Easter Children's Parade. They line up back in the prayer room then walk out across the platform and get to choose a large plastic egg out of a basket. Here's Fred w/ Ry as they were just coming out of the prayer room onto the platform. There were prolly 300 or more children!!!! When it was Ry's turn, she pulled her own egg out of the basket without any help from daddy! Well, daddy leaned her over the basket as the basket was 5 times bigger than Ry! lol I have picture of it, but I have to get them developed first.

Grandpa held the baby boy that was with the people sitting next to us and Ry was not happy! LOL She looked at Grandpa like "HOW COULD YOU!?" It was SO funny! So, Grandpa had to hold both babies on his lap!

Ry with her egg

As we were leaving the church yesterday, I took these
next 2 photos with my cell phone.

This photo is of Amy & her daughter Eleana. Amy was used tremendously by God in facilitating our adoption of Ryleigh!

Dyeing Easter Eggs

2009-04-09T15:35:00.004-06:00

I decided Ry and I would dye some Easter eggs today. She had to have pigtails for the task, so once that was accomplished, we were set to go! lol She did well in the beginning, but being a bit sleepy, she had a meltdown towards the end. We had lots of fun though!

Sleeping Beauty

2009-04-07T17:17:00.003-06:00

Ryleigh went to sleep on my lap today. I couldn't resist taking some pix with my cell phone.

Just waking up...

I took the photos and made this collage with them, in black & white:

Ladybug ladybug...

2009-04-06T11:25:00.000-06:00

This morning, Ry had cereal on her face and a ladybug on her chin! LOL

Goin' to the DR

2009-04-03T10:33:00.003-06:00

The first two pix were taken yesterday at the DR's office and the bottom two on our porch before going to the DR.

Ry weighed 18.13 lbs and is 27" long!

Mouthful of teeth

2009-03-30T20:29:00.008-06:00

Ryleigh, who got her first 2 teeth at 4 months, is now working on her 9th tooth! They are coming in faster than I can wipe up the drool! lol She'll be 9 months old on Wednesday.

Getting ready for summer

2009-03-25T21:24:00.002-06:00

We got Ry a bathing suit at Kohl's tonight. I can't wait to see her in it!

We got several summer outfits for her as they were having a really good sale.
i LoVe buying baby clothes! lol

Proud Grandpa

2009-03-22T17:36:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Fred's bday today at Buca de Bepo in Greenwood. Grandpa & LaQuita helped us celebrate. Of course, they couldn't care less if we're there or not, so long as Ryleigh is! LOL
Grandpa had a bone scan last week and we all went to the oncologist this past week. The scan looked GREAT so he is able to hold off on more chemo right now. He still takes LOTS of pills each day and an injection in his stomach every 3 months as part of treatment, but not being hooked up to chemo is a huge blessing!!!

A birthday

2009-03-20T19:41:00.002-06:00

Our birth mom turned 16 yesterday. I can hardly believe that! It doesn't seem like all that long ago that I met her as a 14 year old pregnant girl.

I got her a couple of gifts and tried to meet her last Sunday. A couple things happened and it didn't work out. I did go to her house and she wasn't home yet. I talked to her mom and step-dad. I asked her mom if she wanted to see Ryleigh and she didn't. I understood. I mean, she did want to see her, but couldn't do it, you know?

I did find out that the names our birth mom had chosen for her unborn baby were Tianna or Amarie. She graciously called "our" baby Ryleigh through her pregnancy and at the hospital when asked what name she'd picked out for the baby so it could be officially written in the records, she said "Ryleigh".

I can't believe that's been 8.5 months ago.

Cruisin' Around

2009-03-17T18:14:00.003-06:00

Ryleigh rode in the shopping cart seat for the first time today! She LOVED it!! lol
She checked out everyone and everything! If I put something in the cart that she could reach, she pulled it out of the cart and tossed it on the floor! She loves to stick out her tongue and make funny noises, which is what she was doing here.

New Pix

2009-03-13T15:16:00.003-06:00

sissy's new sandels!

I'd pay big $ to have those eyelashes!! lol

Ry pulls herself up on anything that's half-way stable. She pulled herself up on this tote and decided to "help mommy". As soon as I'd put clothing in this tote, she'd toss it out! LOL

Michelle

New Project

2009-03-13T14:28:00.002-06:00

There's something I want for Ryleigh but don't want to pay a ton of money for...so I went and bought myself some fabric and a sewing machine! I'm not gonna tell you what it is I'm making....I'll be posting pix!! LOL

Michelle

Spring walk

2009-03-06T14:44:00.002-07:00

It is 65* here today, so we took our first walk this year! We have a long driveway, so we just walked around that. We heard birds, the windchimes and the neighbors roosters and Ry just laughed and laughed!

Michelle

New pix

2009-03-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

Going to the DR with mommy 3/4/09

Grandma Patti came to our church Sunday! 3/1/09

Michelle

Surprise for Mommy!

2009-02-24T13:41:00.003-07:00

I put Ry in her crib this morning for a nap and I got into the tub. About 10 minutes later, I heard her screaming bloody murder. When I flipped the light on in the nursery, I saw her STANDING in her crib!! She had one hand on the rail and the other one in the air, just hollering to beat the band! And she's only 7 months old!!!!!

She's has the strongest arms and legs of any baby I've ever seen in my life!!

Just last night, I had hubby lower the mattress in the crib because I'd seen her on her knees holding the rail and I knew it wouldn't be long before she was standing, but I didn't think it would be TODAY!! LOL
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Feb. 25-
I took this pic today of her standing in her pack & play!

Sunday afternoon

2009-02-22T20:36:00.003-07:00

Sissy in the high chair at Steak & Shake today.

LOVE this sweater Grandpa & Grandma got her for Christmas!

Beautiful baby girl

Michelle

Makeshift corral

2009-02-20T08:46:00.004-07:00

I've been trying to get some computer work done this week and Miss Ryleigh is into everything in here...pulling the books off the bookcase, opening the filing cabinet, getting stuck under daddy's desk, etc. She loves to get under the chair but then gets mad when she can't get on her hands and knees under there. SO I had to corral her someway!!

Scary day

2009-02-19T11:57:00.002-07:00

My excitement for the day...Ry is crawling now. Was playing with her toys...I thought it was too quiet...looked and she was gone...she'd crawled over to one of my long plants...a philodendron and was eating a leaf! I had to dig part of it out of her mouth. That plant is poisonous! Called the DR... he said call poison control.

Poison control told me to watch for redness and swelling in her mouth and give her water to drink.

Went and got a bottle with water for her, came back and she'd taken this huge spongy thing that she's always played with and she'd bitten a hunk out it and I had to dig THAT out of her mouth!

Sigh. It's been a long afternoon, but she doesn't seem any worse for the wear! lol

She just started crawling, so I've got lots of work to do...baby proofing!

Oops...she just banged her head.......byyyyyyyyeeeeeeee

Michelle

Sissy in the sink...lol

2009-02-17T18:23:00.003-07:00

I've always given Ry a bath in the tub in her little tub but since she's such a good sitter, I thought I'd try the kitchen sink tonight. She loved it! She wasn't sure at first, but ended up having lots of fun and it was much easier on my back! lol

Helping, dad's way

2009-02-17T00:00:00.003-07:00

Ry has bowel issues and won't "go" unless she eats baby prunes. Well, after not going for several days and after giving her 2 servings of prunes today, she went and I mean big time! All up her back...thru her sleeper...I was gagging and praying God would help me open a new pack of wipes while keeping Ry from putting her hand in her mouth after she's stuck it in poop....when all was said and done, I just wadded the sleeper and wipes all up in a blanket and left if for daddy to deal with. Mind you, I'm trying to get over bronchitis and can't catch a breath as it is....

So, daddy gets home an hour later and I explain the situation. He takes one look at the mess and says "Oh dear" LOL.

He goes outside...comes back in...I'm like... "What are you doing?" Well, he said, the sleeper was so nasty I couldn't put it in the washer so I laid it in the driveway and hosed it off with the garden hose!".

I'm like, "It's 30* outside!"

"Well, we'll just have a slick spot in the drive, huh?" he said, and walked off, proud of his accomplishment with the stinky sleeper!

Michelle

Free Giveaway!

2009-02-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

Stop by http://imjustaguywhoquilts.blogspot.com/ and go to the Feb. 1st post to sign-up for a chance to win these free giveaways! Awesome!

Michelle

One Word

2009-02-07T12:07:00.002-07:00

One word answers...

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? soulmate
3. Your hair? messy
4. Your mother? single
5. Your father? luthier
6. Your favorite thing? Jesus
7. Your dream last night? unknown
8. Your favorite drink? Diet pepsi
9. Your dream/goal? healthy
10. What room you are in? den
11. Your hobby? crafting
12. Your fear? sickness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? wiser
14. Where were you last night? bed
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. Wish list item? sewingmachine (is that cheating to run the words together?? lol)
17. Where you grew up? Indiana
18. Last thing you did? eat
19. What are you wearing? jammies
20. Your TV? on
21. Your pets? Snoopy
22. Friends? fantastic
23. Your life? exhausting
24. Your mood? fair
25. Missing someone? Yes
26. Car? black
27. Something you're not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? primitive
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32. Who will blog about this? ???
33. One place that I go to over and over? Wal-Mart
34. One person who emails me regularly? Lydia (forwards)
35.My favorite place to eat? Buca
36. Why you participating in this survey? bored
37. What are you doing tonight? sleep

Watchin' the Super Bowl w/ Daddy!

2009-02-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

7 months old!

2009-02-01T16:13:00.002-07:00

Our little miracle is 7 months old today!! I can't believe it!

Two days ago, she learned to say "Dad Dad" It's so adorable! She said it about
14, 745 times yesterday!!

Be Mine!

2009-02-01T16:10:00.001-07:00

imikimi - Customize Your World!

Big girl!

2009-01-29T15:54:00.002-07:00

Daddy's Girl

2009-01-20T19:32:00.001-07:00

Tiny baby girl in her daddy's lap at breakfast time this morning.

Lunch time!

2009-01-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

"Yummy cereal!"

"I can hold the bottle all by myself!"

Calling you...

2009-01-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

Ryleigh is calling you to tell you she went to the DR today and weighs
15 lb. 15 oz and is 24.5" long. And, Uncle Steve, as Dr. Rousseau calls himself in Ryleigh's presence, said from observing her that she is highly intelligent. She gets that from me, right?? lol

She loves to "talk" on my cell phone, so I got her one today. The fact that she knows how to hold it just right kills me! lol

We did it!!

2009-01-13T17:57:00.006-07:00

We've had lots going on around here the past 36 hours or so.

Ryleigh has spent the first 6 months of her life sleeping in her swing. She would not sleep in her bed. I had tried the "cry it out" method and the longest I'd ever lasted was 40 minutes. Daddy doesn't make it past 5 minutes! lol

Well, she turned 6 months on January 1st and the batteries for the swing were costing us about $50 a month and I'd had enough. lol

Would you believe in the 5 baby showers that were given for us, we never received a baby monitor?? Well, the other day, I had an hour to myself and decided to go to my fave consignment shop here in New Castle and I found a brand new set of monitiors for $7!!

So, yesterday, I decided it was THE day. I had to do it during the day, while Daddy was at work. When it came time for a nap, I put Ryleigh in her crib and made sure everything was just right...not too hot, not too cold...no fluffy things in the crib, etc. She screamed and screamed and screamed. Did I mention she screamed? I called my sister and said "Someone needs to come here and break this child from sleeping in her swing because I can't do it." She told me I could, to stay out of her room, to peak around the corner to make sure she was OK, but to STAY out of the room. Fine, I thought. I can do this. 5 seconds later, I said to myself, "Self, I cannot do this." I had to go to my bedroom where I couldn't hear her screaming. I had to close the door. I sat on the bed and bawled my head off. I prayed for her even! Prayed for me too! lol

30 minutes later, she was sound asleep! I don't think the photo will show up very good, but I'll post it here anyway. She feel asleep on her belly, each fist tightly grasping a side bar with her head propped up on the bars of the crib. It was so pitiful!!! I couldn't hardly stand it! She slept 90 minutes, woke up with bar marks on her heads but was happy as a lark and still liked me!! What a relief!! LOL

She'd relaxed a little bit here:

Then, when it came time for bed, I told Daddy we were going to put her back in the crib. He let me handle it cause he can't stand to hear her cry at all. So, I put her to bed and she only cried 10 minutes this time. I had to go in and move her cause she decided to use her soft baby doll as a pillow and her nose was too close into the doll, so I put the doll at the end of the crib. Well, it woke her up of course and we had to listen to her scream in the monitors. Daddy thought he'd have to go sleep on the couch cause he couldn't take it. And he said, "So, she doesn't even have her doll?????" He was broken hearted. She cried about 15 minutes and then went back to sleep.

Then, I got to worrying. Her bedroom is far from ours. She's never slept so far away before...I worried cause she flips over on her belly to sleep...on and on. But, I finally went to sleep from sheer exhaustion.

She slept 13 hours!! 13!!! I got up this morning and went to check on her cause I hadn't heard a peep and she was laying quietly, playing with her paci! I was shocked!!

She was awake a couple of hours, then wanted a nap. I put her in the crib, she flopped over and went sound asleep! Then got up for a while, wanted another nap and repeated the same thing! She flopped over, no crying, slept for 2 hours!!

I'm so proud of my baby girl!! I never thought we'd accomplish this in one day!! My sister is so surprised as well as my MIL!! WOOHOO! I'm proud of me too! LOL I can't believe I stuck it out! Hearing her sob was heartbreaking.

Today she was like a different baby. Calmer, more relaxed...it's been great!

These next 2 pix were taken Sunday as we were leaving church. We were waiting on Daddy to pull up to the door:

UPDATE: The second night in her crib, she slept 9 hours and the 3rd night she slept 10 hours! Woohoo!

Is there a baby in there??

2009-01-09T13:40:00.002-07:00

We're supposed to get ice and snow this weekend, so I ventured out with Ryleigh to Wal-mart by myself today. Bless her little heart. She had groceries stacked all around her!

I put her in the basket part of the cart, in her car seat. Fred doesn't like the carts with the baby carriers built in because they tip easily. He usually goes with me and pushes sis around in her own cart. lol

Christmas at our house 2008

2009-01-06T16:15:00.001-07:00

Happy 6th month Birthday, Baby!

2009-01-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

My miracle turned 6 months old today!!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T21:34:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year, everyone!! Woohoo!! LOL I am SO ready for a new year!!

I hope and pray yours is blessed with good health, special times with family and friends and a closer relationship to Jesus Christ.

Happy 2009!!!

Simply Mary's child

2008-12-26T10:30:00.001-07:00

A mother never forgets the first time she sees her child. She memorizes in her heart the wonder of each tiny feature. She runs her fingertip tenderly across her infant’s silken skin. She checks each finger and toe. Her heart skips a beat as tiny eyes look up at her—helpless except for her protection and care. Mary must have felt the same wonder as she gazed down at her sweet baby boy, lying in His manger bed. Jesus was indeed the Savior of the world, but for those first precious moments, He was simply Mary’s Child.

--Rebecca Currington

How can we explain such a man?

2008-12-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

A baby asleep in a manger, yet He is the Savior of the world. A man who drove merchandisers from the temple, yet He willingly laid down His life for the same. The King of all kings Who came to die as a lamb. The One who owned it all yet laid it all aside. How can we explain such a man? We can't. We must stand in awe and worship Him.

--Marie Norton

Merry Christmas from the Petersons!

2008-12-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

Ryleigh's first friend

2008-12-22T11:41:00.003-07:00

We like to eat at a little local diner, the Iron Kettle. When you go there, it's like a family reunion every time...only the folks there aren't really your relatives! lol

They all (workers and patrons) waited with us on the arrival of Ryleigh. And, at the same time, the owner of the restaurant, Melinda, was waiting on the birth of her first grandchild.

Her granddaughter, Ziranda Jade, arrived 6 weeks after Ryleigh. Everytime we go there to eat, the place is full of the same people each time and it's so fun. They are watching Ryleigh and Ziranda grow up. Here's their first official photo together. We took this pic 12/19. After Ziranda went home, Melinda carried Ryleigh all around the restaurant to show her off. It was great because Fred & I got to eat our dinner without interuption! Ha! The restaurant is just one small room and everyone hollers across the room to each other. It's so funny!

Ry's first Christmas party

2008-12-22T10:02:00.015-07:00

We had my family's Christmas at my mom's yesterday. Fred's dad and step-mom came too. Here's some pix:

My Mom with her youngest grandchild...Ryleigh

Sittin' on Mamaw's lap

Ry with her Uncle Toren

My beautiful sister Karen w/ her favorite niece...lol...
OK, so Ryleigh's her ONLY niece!

Grandpa Peterson looks mad, but he wasn't. He was chewin' his food...lol Grandma Quitee talking to her son Bob on the phone

Mom's three grandchildren: Nathan is 24, Hannah is 22 & Ry is 5 months
Aren't they the best looking kids ever??

Ry loved jabbering to Nathan. He kept calling her "little squirt"

YUM! Wrapping paper!! lol

Getting help from Aunt Karen

"Forget the awesome toy...there's more wrapping paper I haven't chewed on yet!"

Ry w/ Grandma Quitee

Innocence

2008-12-15T18:36:00.002-07:00

Our friends Dana & Nate that adopted a little boy earlier this year sent these pix. I LOVE the innocence of them. The pic of him gazing in wonder at the Christmas light is so beautiful. Then, he shows his playful side...he looks like he's directing his church choir in a rousing rendition of "We wish you a Merry Christmas"; then he shows us that he wants to be just like his daddy! lol

Mommy & Sissy ready for church 12/14

2008-12-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

Go Colts!

2008-12-14T18:36:00.001-07:00

New Pix

2008-12-12T16:13:00.002-07:00

I've been super busy with Christmas orders from my web site & eBay that I don't have much time for blogging right now, but here's some pix I took today of Miss Ryleigh. She's always hated socks & has taken them off, but just recently discovered her feet and LOVES chewing on her toes! lol She weighed in at 15.1 lbs at the DR today.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

2008-12-01T18:21:00.001-07:00

Ryleigh is 5 months old today.
She celebrated by riding in a shopping cart at Target! lol

Ry's first Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

Daddy's Girl

New Pix

2008-11-18T17:03:00.002-07:00

Four-month check-up. Getting ready to get those dreaded shots!
Nov. 6, 2008

Pictures below were taken Sunday, Nov. 15

Two bottom teeth coming in already! They are both in now. She's so cute!

Long week

2008-11-13T22:51:00.003-07:00

It's been a long week around here. Ryleigh has had a horrible time with constipation. I have bawled right along with her. I think we're through it now. What a nightmare for all of us. We've changed her formula and we're also giving her a bit of apple juice daily. Saturday night I was up with her until 4 AM Sunday morning.

And, she's teething and it's really been bugging her this week. She's done so well with the teething up until the past few days. So, no one around here has gotten much sleep this week and we're all a little grumpy and weepy and exhausted. We got her some pain relief though so maybe we'll all get some sleep.

Her two bottom middle teeth are both gonna come in at the same time it seems. One is all the way through the gum and the other isn't far behind. I can't believe she's getting teeth at 4 months old!

When I gave her a bath tonight, she just giggled and played. She loves kicking her legs and chewing on the wash cloth. She giggled for a long time after she got out of the tub and it was so sweet.

In spite of the exhaustion, I love this little girl so much my heart feels like it might crack into pieces from the weight of this love.

My Beautiful Baby Girl

2008-11-13T22:42:00.000-07:00

imikimi - Customize Your World

So thankful for our Veterans

2008-11-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

May God bless our Veteran's-those who are still living and those who gave their lives to ensure our Freedom.
My Grandpa Russell Cox is a WWII veteran and my father-in-law Fred Peterson a Vietnam Veteran. I'm so proud of them both!

Four Month Check-Up

2008-11-07T12:37:00.003-07:00

Ryleigh had her 4-month check-up yesterday and all was well! She weighs 13.8 lbs. and is 23.25" long. Doc said she's perfect! =)

She got her shots and has been doing well with that.

Her two bottom middle teeth are coming in already! One has already broken through the skin! We're pretty excited about that!

We've known Nurse Lisa for about 10 years. While she is no longer with our DR, she still works in the same medical building. So, we had to stop by to see her. She came out to the waiting room to sit with us. lol She was teary eyed and is so happy for us, as she knows of our infertility journey and the pain we've gone through.

Lisa is one of the sweetest people I've ever met!

Election Day

2008-11-04T17:02:00.007-07:00

I hope you exercised your right to vote today! We went to vote about 8 AM. We live in a rural area and the wait was less then 10-15 minutes. I think there were 8 people in front of me.

The news on TV is saying that some people in Indianapolis have waited 5 hours in line to vote. Would I wait that long?? I don't know. I can't imagine I would stand in line that long. Maybe if they gave me a chair? lol Would you wait that long to vote?

I propose a new candidate for President! She certainly gets Mommy and Daddy's votes!