St. Louis Memories

Here are some of the fun things we did while we were in St. Louis....

Take me out to the ball game! While in St. Louis we went and saw the Atlanta Braves play the St. Louis Cardinals (Chad's favorite team). Sad that she is wearing a homemade onsie with "Braves" written on it in blue marker. Oops!

Swimming was always a favorite thing to do when daddy wasn't out knocking doors or in the office. It was so hot in St. Louis, so swimming was a great way to cool down.

Visiting the temple was always a special treat on Sunday afternoons.

We bought Rylee a little blow up pool and she LOVED it. She played in it everyday and we always loved having Asher and Shayna come and play too.

We loved visiting the St. Louis zoo. We went at least 3 times the summer we were there.

6 Months Old

Fourth of July

Of course having children the same age, Shayna and I had to dress the kiddos up to coordinate for another photo shoot for the 4th of July. Hey, when it's your first, everything is big deal, right? These are some of my favorite pictures of them together.

Friends Forever

My best friend Shayna Swiss and I were were pregnant at the same time. She had Asher on December 19, and then Rylee was born on January 9.

Chad managed on office for Apex Alarm the summer of 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri and the Swiss's were there working with us. It was so much fun to have her there. We had such a great time hanging out with eachother everyday while our hubby's worked and letting Asher and Rylee get together and have play groups (it was really an excuse to allow Shayna and I to hang out).

We thought we had two of the most beautiful children in the world. Almost everyday we would dress them up and take pictures of them. It's fun to have a close friend live close by that has a child the same age. It makes life so much more interesting. What a fun 2003 summer. I love you Shayna!

Here are some pictures we took during the summer....

Having fun together in the tub!

Our big eyed girl.



Yet another photo shoot.

Our First Little Angel

Rylee was born on January 9,2003. Chad and I couldn't wait to see her. I always wanted to have a little girl and couldn't wait for her to come. We were living in Rexburg, Idaho at the time and couldn't go home for Christmas. And as many of you know, when it's Christmas time in Rexburg and all the college students go home...the town is DEAD!!! So Chad and I really didn't have much to do. We did do some shopping, but the thing we did most was go on long walks in the Rexburg winter weather. I was determined to get this little baby out (especially since she wasn't suppose to be due until Jan. 23).

So we would go on 2-3 hour walks to get some exercise, get the baby out, and to kill some time. Soon enough the students were back at school and was more anxious than ever. I had my 38 week check-up on January 9 at 11:00 am. The Dr. Allred checked me out, said I was dialated to almost a 4 and said that my water was bulging and would be breaking in the next 24 hours. He told me he wanted to break my water in a controlled invironment instead of Chad and I being frantic and having it break at home in the next 24 hours. He told me to go home, pack my things and head to the hospital and he would call and tell them that we were coming.

Even though I was stoked to have my first little girl, I was never to nervous in my LIFE!! It was finally here. Time to go. But wait, did I really sign up for this, was I really ready to be a mom? I didn't know how to be a mom. All these different feelings were running through my body nervous, anxious, ready, scared, excited. I didn't know what to expect. We went home and got my bag. Then I had Chad give me a blessing and I started to calm down. Then off to the hospital we went. We arrived at the hospital at 12:30 and Dr. Allred came in around 1:00pm to break my water. I wasn't having contractions so they had to give me Pitocen and then finally my epidural. Somewhere around 10:30pm it was time for me to push. Then at 11:22pm she was here! Our little 6 lbs. 14 oz. and 19 inches long bundle of joy. The cord had been wrapped around Rylee's neck and she had a lot of fluid in her lungs which made it hard for her to cry and breathe. I was only able to hold her for a few seconds because then they took her into the NICU to monitor her heart and keep an eye on her.

Finally around 3:30 in the morning the nurse brought her into me. She said that I only had about 30 minutes with her because the nurse wanted her back in the NICU so she could keep an eye on her. Then around 8:00am the nurse brought her into me so I could feed her. Chad and I were so glad that everything was okay and were grateful to be able to hold her and finally take her home.

I am so grateful to be a mother. What a wonderful calling from our Heavenly Father. I feel so blessed and privelaged that my Heavenly Father intrusts me with one of His children. Each day I try harder and harder to be the mother my Heavenly Father would want me to be. Hopefully I won't let Him down. I love being home to play, teach, love, and support. There truly is no greater calling.

Here are some pictures of Rylee's first few months of life. We love you Rylee.