Ryker Eugene

Since it is Ryker's birthday month, I wanted to talk about this kid. Ryker was not planned at all. Craig and I both wanted to wait, but obviously the good lord above had another plan for us. When I was pregnant with Ryker I had morning sickness from the day I found out until the day I went into labor.

My pregnancy was pretty normal. No major issues. just the normal things that happen, tiredness, belly growing, no more comfort when moving or sleeping. Baby has opposite schedule while inside you (and when they are out of you). For the most part I love being pregnant. I even loved Labor and Delivery. 

We had an ultrasound done at 12 weeks, and the Dr. told us that we were having a GIRL! I was so disappointed. I have 5 sisters and am the oldest and really didn't want a girl of my own. Craig on the other hand was so excited, as I think most guys are when they find out they're having a little girl.

A couple weeks later they did another ultrasound and little Bristol was no longer. We were having a BOY! I was so thrilled, and I think Craig was a little bit disappointed. As we got his room complete we were both really excited to just have this baby. What a true blessing he was going to be for our family.

The day I went into labor I had a Dr. appointment, it was with the PA (physicians assistant) she told me that I went from a 3 back down to a 2. I was so discouraged, at this point I just wanted this little guy out of me.  I am sure most of you can relate. You get to the last couple weeks and you're literally just miserable.

I went into work and I remember just being an emotional wreck. My boss, Jackie (who was the sweetest lady) literally just told me everything would be ok and he would come when he was ready. I went home that night and as I was getting into bed I l felt like I had peed myself. WHAT. THE. HECK. Come to find out my water had broke and either Ryker was sick of me crying about him not here yet or he was just ready to make his entrance.

We got to the hospital and at around 11 pm. I was dilated to a 3 or 4 so I had a ways to go. After a couple of hours of moving around and changing positions, there was all of a sudden lots of beeping on the monitors and a swarm of nurses came into the room. Obviously as parents we were a little freaked out by this. Come to find out, the umbilical cord had wrapped around Ryker's little body because there was not any fluids. Long story short, they put a tube in so they could get some fluids in there with him so the cord would move. Basically the umbilical cord wrapping around him was causing his some stress and his heart rate kept going down. 

I got my epidural shortly after that and Ryker was born 45 minutes later. I had my mom, Craig's mom, Craig and right as he was coming my Aunt Jeanne walked in the room. There was so much love in that room, it was very overwhelming.

It's so crazy to think back on this day, it seems like it was just yesterday this was happening. My little baby is now 6, a Kindergarten graduate and the spunkiest, most out going, selfless kid I know. 

He brings so much joy to our lives and I can't even imagine life without him. He loves his little brother and is always looking out for him. Yes, they love to tease each other and both annoy each other at times, but at the end of the day, the bond these two boys have is priceless. 

Ryker has accomplished so many things in his little life so far. I would say his biggest accomplishment is racing! Most parents are putting their kids in tee-ball, soccer, or football. (I ask myself all the time why we didn't just go down this route.) Instead we put Ryker in a .25 midget at 5 years old. 

I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of my little guy. He is one heck of a race car driver. I think as a parent one of the most impressive things to watch is how much Ryker looks up to his favorite race-car driver ... Stevie Sussex! Seriously, one of the best Sprint Car drivers in AZ. Ryker tells us all the time that he wants to be just like him. He goes with his dad to races and "Helps" where he can, but most importantly he is there to watch and learn. 

Ryker loves to travel and has been to well over 10 states in his 6 years of living. I would say his favorite is California - LegoLand. I mean what little boy wouldn't love a theme park full of LEGO's right? He has been from the West Coast to the Bayous of "Weezy - Anna" (Louisiana) and everywhere in between. 

I look forward to watching my sweet, test my patience, selfless, smart, boy grow into an exceptional young man. 

Ryker, Mom and Dad love you! 

With all the ugly things going on in the world, I have realized that the most important thing is family! Your children. Hug them a little tighter every night/day, tell them you love them all the time, take time away from social media and any other distractions and give them your undivided attention. I am not perfect with this, but try very hard to spend time with them a couple hours a night. 

Family: today's little moments become tomorrow's precious memories! 

xoxo, 

Chelsea