Worth Every Minute

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!"

1 Chronicles 16:34

From the day I stopped nursing Rylan on Monday, May 2nd, his doctors, speech pathologist, and lactation consultants prepared me for the hard fact that I would probably not be able to get him to nurse again once he outgrew his dysphagia (a fancy name for the suck, swallow, breathing coordination issue). I am so proud to say that last Monday, August 15th, we started weaning Rylan off the SimplyThick and by Wednesday afternoon, he and I began reteaching ourselves how to nurse. By Friday at lunch, he had it down perfectly again! We even nursed in a mother's room at the mall under the hooter hider! From the beginning, I was pretty emotional about not being able to nurse him because it had been so easy with Kaelyn and I longed for the bonding time with Rylan. I write this post with tears of joy and thankfulness to the Lord for allowing me to have this opportunity when it seemed unthinkable. The past three months have been long and tiring at times. The pumping, bottle feeding, and bottle washing consumed much of our days at home. I even learned how to pump and drive (which sounds kind of dangerous now that I don't have to do it anymore, but a mom has to do what is necessary) I can honestly say IT WAS WORTH EVERY MINUTE to get to where we are today! I feel like I gained 3-4 hours back to my daily routine. Rylan is doing so well and I couldn't be a more proud Mommy. Thank you to our friends and family who have prayed over us and have listened to my frustrations!

"Children are a gift from the Lord." Psalm 127:3

The month of July was another busy summer month for us! During the month, Kaelyn got to attend her first dress up party, we went on our family vacation, Rylan began eating cereal, and Kaelyn moved to her big girl bed.

Kaelyn was the cutest little 2 year old at the dress up birthday party. She walked right in and put on her purple tutu with pink fuzzy shoes and joined in the fun with the older girls. She even got to wear make-up for the first time along with fingernail stickers! I must admit that our little 2 year grew up overnight. I loved the party because I got to sit back and watch all the action with a big smile on my face. I knew Kaelyn was very "girly," but experiencing all her squeals and sheer delight at the party helped me realize it even more.

Loved her pink fuzzy high heels! 

She loved her fingernail stickers! If one fell off, she went back

to the "salon" for a reapplication!

First time for her to wear make-up! 

Her new friend Lexi who helped her with the makeover!

The finished product! All grown up! 

We left for our first family of four vacation on Saturday, July 23rd headed to Destin, Florida with the Blackstock family! Our trip had been in the works since before Rylan was born and we were all so anxious to get on the road and enjoy some beach time. We drove 2/3 of the way there on Saturday, stopping in Port Allen, LA for the night. We arrived in Destin on Sunday afternoon and the beach fun began! We stayed at the San Destin resort which was very family oriented. Kaelyn loved the sand. It provided hours of cheap (FREE) entertainment of sand castle building, burying daddy in the sand, and watering it. The kids all got along wonderfully and we got to enjoy some relaxing adult time as well. The resort had its own village called the Baytown Wharf and we spent several evenings walking around the village and enjoyed eating outside with live music. There were tons of activities for bigger kids (zip lining, a ropes course, etc.). One evening we got to see a fireworks show over the Wharf which was beautiful. It was Kaelyn's and Rylan's first fireworks show. Kaelyn kept saying "loud" so I'm not sure how much she liked them. After we got the kids down for bed each evening, we adults enjoyed sitting out on the balcony of our condo listening to the ocean and catching up on life. It was a great week and definitely not long enough. Robbie and I decided that the beach is our new favorite family hotspot because of all there is to do for our kids. Rylan will love it next year. We loved traveling with the Blackstock family as well! Kaelyn still asks for "Sarah Kate and Col."

Both of our kids were champs on the long drive!

Kaelyn passed the time coloring and watching movies. 

Kaelyn thought it was funny that Piglet helped Daddy drive. 

We made it to the beach!

(Her "Say Cheese" tilt of the head and smile)

Rylan loved the ocean breeze and his bed. 

The view from our 13th floor balcony. 

Sweet boy slept most of the day at the beach. 

The 3 big kids climbed into bed together to watch a movie. 

Kaelyn holding hands with Collin and Sarah Kate holding Rylan.

(Kaelyn is in love with Collin and made sure to hug him each night;

Sarah Kate was like a little mommy to Rylan and helped out with him)

Daddy and Kaelyn enjoying time in the sand.

I packed the garden water pot and had no idea what a hit it would be.

Sarah Kate and Kaelyn took turns watering the sand!

Blowing bubbles in the kiddie pool. 

Giving out some love. 

Gator Beach: Home to over 200 alligators

"Not too close Daddy."

Foggy lens from humidity, but picture with my babies!

Rylan's favorite thing to do at the beach...Sleep!

(It was his own personal sound machine)

Jumping the waves with Daddy. 

Taking a break from the hot sun to take a drink from her juice box! 

Burying Daddy's legs in the sand! 

The two boys at The Track

The kids built a fort under the end table in the condo and

somehow all fit inside very snuggly!

Inside was a little cramped. 

Meeting Memaw's sister, Birdie, for the first time.

She lives in Destin. 

More beach fun

Our condo at the San Destin resort, The WestWinds

Thanks to Tropical Storm Don, the waves were huge the last two days.

(Red flags flying)

This baby can sleep anywhere! Poolside this time. 

After our return from Destin, Rylan had his 4 month check-up. He is growing big and strong each and every day. He has a very contagious laugh and smiles with his whole body just like his sister! We love watching our little boy grow both physically and in personality! He even has started a high-pitch squeal that is just hilarious to hear. He enjoys watching Kaelyn play and thinks she is pretty funny too. Rylan has started teething and enjoys nibbling on anyone who will let him. We go for his follow-up Barium Swallow Study on Monday, August 15th and are anxious to hear if we've made any improvements. We are hoping and praying we can at least backup on the thickener. Our pediatrician has started us on rice cereal so we can hopefully get hiim sleeping through the night (this Mommy is more than ready for an uninterrupted night of sleep).

Rylan's 4 Month Statistics

Weight: 15 lbs. 12 oz. (75th percentile)

Height: 25 1/8 inches (75th percentile)

Not sure if he thinks the rice cereal is funny or his Mommy!

Kaelyn is also growing up as well! We just converted her crib to a toddler bed and she is sleeping very well in it now! It is an understatement for us to say that she adapts to most changes very well! She loves her big girl bed and wakes up each day happy and ready to come downstairs. Next on the list: potty training! 

Reflecting on the change! 

She is trying to figure out where all her babies are! 

Found them Mom! "I'm too smart."

(These are all the babies she slept with in her crib, but there

isn't any room anymore)

Waking up from her first nap in her new bed