The Gebhardt's

10 Months Old!

2012-01-19T05:28:00.000-08:00

Well, our baby boy is 10 months old (yesterday)! We cannot believe how time has flown and that he will be a year old in two short months! As you can see from the above pic, his 10 month old pics were taken in his diaper. I thought it was appropriate since he loves being in his diaper... I think he misses those Summer months! (haha) He has really grown up so fast and just in this last month, I have seen his personality blossom even more! He's such a sweet funny little guy!

Ry at 10 Months:
loves walking (especially when he has an audience to clap and say "yay Ryker!"
loves getting into cupboards and loves doors
loves anything that makes noise
is really enjoying feeding himself table foods (he loves Cheerios)
loves his family (they are his favorite and best friends)
is a beaver (literally, he tries to bite his way through his wooden crib haha)
now has 6 teeth (with 2 more on the way)
loves babbling
loves singing and dancing (check out video below)
knows what "no" means
points at pictures in books
loves looking at books (and turning pages)
wants whatever Mommy and Daddy are eating
is so pleased with himself when he accomplishes something (He walked from one couch to the next--about 6 feet apart--and when he made it he just smiled and laughed and got so excited)
waves his arms around when he is excited
does this cute little fake laugh when he hears an adult laugh

He loves chords (as all babies do!) He has such a funny personality!

He enjoys pulling his diapers off of his diaper changing table. I put them back up there, and then I enjoy watching him throw them off one at a time. :)

Well, you know how Ry is kinda tall? Well, now that he's walking around, he loves pulling things down that he can reach

He is obsessed with opening and closing doors...he just loves doors so much.

His hair is just like BAM! It's really starting to come in. I'm afraid his first haircut is right around the corner. I love how it is curling up. It looks like he has wings on both sides of his head.

Ry has most recently developed a clingy-ness to his mommy. He'll crawl (or walk) over to Mommy's legs and look up to be picked up. When others are holding him and Mom comes into view he will lean toward her. I'm pretty sure it's because he spends most of his time with her though!

I just thought this pic was funny! He is wearing Daddy's Boston Red Sox beanie! Go Sox! (haha)

Here is Ryker walking a few days ago

Here is Ryker dancing during snack time (when we say "dance, dance, baby!" he usually dances)

Didn't even notice until today that he was dancing to the same exact song in his room. This was yesterday--10 months! Also, if my sisters would please check out his onesie! :)

Videos

2012-01-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

This is a video of everyone clapping for Ryker after he opened some books from Santa. He was looking at everyone like "what the heck?" Funny!

Ryker is now taking steps! :)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T15:21:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year! Ours was low key. We went to my brother-in-laws place from 4-7 on New Years Eve and just visited with family. Unfortunately Joe had to work, but Joe got paid triple time, so we aren't complaining too much. We had him for Christmas! :) We're just counting all our blessings Heavenly Father has given us, and surely income is one especially at this time! Having a healthy son is also one of the many blessings we recognize. During this new year, I have made some goals, and I am excited to try and accomplish them in 2012! Can't believe it's already 2012! Here is a pic of Ryker I think on New Years Eve Eve! I failed to get any on New Years Eve or New Years. Here's to a great year! Happy 2012!

Cute little boy on New Years Eve Eve!

I just wanted to throw this one in because Ry is looking at the camera. He was actually being cuddly! Which I love! :)
Hmmm... we have to have someone take more pics of all 3 of us together. We don't have enough of those!

Christmas

2012-01-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas! I think it was more fun for all the adults to watch Ryker on Christmas than it was for him, but I'm pretty sure that's how it always is when a child is so young! Joe's siblings loved spoiling their first and only nephew. :) On Christmas Eve, a couple of Joe's cousins and their kids came over for dinner and we opened presents. It was fun for Ryker to play with the other kids. :)

Presents from second cousins! :)

On Christmas day, we went to church first since it is at 9 and we have to leave our house by 8:30 to get to Sacrament meeting on time. It was a wonderful Sacrament meeting. It was so nice to remember the true reason for the season! We sang all the Christmas hymns too. We really felt the Spirit! Oh, and we saw snowflakes fall in the window behind the pulpit! Beautiful! After church, my father-in-law made us some delicious breakfast. After breakfast, we opened our stockings. It was very fun for us. We waited until early evening to open gifts so that all Ryker's Gebhardt aunts and uncles could be there. We really had a nice time together. Ricky's (my bro-in-law) girlfriend, Katie, got me a beautiful mother's necklace. It has a heart on it with an R for Ryker. When Joe and I have more children, we can add other letters on it. It was a very nice gift! Also, I didn't get any pics of Joe and his gifts, but I got him a mousepad with our family pictures on it, hair trimmers (nice ones), and Ryker got him a robe! We had a delicious family dinner after that, and I said the blessing on the food. My father-in-law wanted either Joe or I to "say grace" before we started eating. I love moments like these where we can show our family what we do often! :) Hope everyone had as wonderful a Christmas as we were blessed to have! :)

Here is Ryker Christmas morning. "Dad! Wake up! It's Christmas morning!"

On Christmas Eve, we opened our Christmas jammies. This is Christmas morning as you can tell by our puffy faces.

Our stockings!

Cute little boy opening his first stocking!

Ryker helped Daddy with his too.

Ryker with some of his Christmas loot and Daddy!

Ryker would get so excited when Joe ripped off the wrapping paper!

Ryker gave his Gebhardt aunt and uncles each a frame with their picture in it! Here is his Aunt Liana and her frame! (the guy next to her is her boyfriend, Greg...Ryker calls him Uncle Greg)

Here is Uncle Ricky and his frame! (and his girlfriend Katie!)

Uncle Steve and his gift! (his fiance Tracy wasn't there :( she was in Rhode Island with her Aunt)

Here is most of Ryker's loot!

My mother-in-law got me a cute cardigan! She knows what I like! :)

Joe got me a beautiful watch! The picture does not do it justice! Since Joe takes our phone to work, it's nice for me to have something to tell me the time. :)

This is a great gift! Harry Potter calendar! I've been really into Harry Potter lately since I started reading the books. I just finished number 4 and am waiting for 5 to arrive from Amazon! We've been watching the movies after I finish each book. I have to fill Joe in on all the things they skip in the movies! :)

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:59:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! We've had a wonderful Christmas spent with family! Hope you enjoy your Christmas and have a Happy New Year! I spent my Christmas Eve morning at a core class at the Y, and I spent my Christmas morning trying to get out of bed (haha). I am so sore, but we are enjoying it regardless. Ryker is having a great first Christmas too! I'll post pics of the stockings and presents later! :) Here is our Christmas card and Christmas letter from this year! :)

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas! 2011 has been a wonderful year for us!

As most of you know, we welcomed our first child Ryker Thomas into our family on March 18th. It has been such a delight to have him in our family. He is so much fun and is growing way too fast! He is a very social and happy baby. He loves all people. He started crawling in October and is quite the active little guy. We wouldn’t be surprised if he is walking before the new year. J

Cynthia finished her student teaching and graduated from BYU-Idaho in April. She started working part-time at the Children’s Education Center at the YMCA in Beverly in July and is having fun putting her degree to use. She is in the Enrichment Committee in Relief Society and is enjoying getting to know sisters in the ward. She ran her first race, the Wild Turkey 5 Mile Race, on Thanksgiving Day in Salem. Other than working three hours a day, she is busy being a mom (and wife) and is thoroughly enjoying it!

Joe started working for Biogen in Cambridge at the beginning of June. He is enjoying it. We are fortunate enough to have an aunt and uncle who commute there, so he is able to carpool with them, which is nice. He is the Assistant Ward Mission Leader in our ward and loves doing missionary work. He is currently looking into starting a Master’s program, but is still unsure of what he would like to go into. Although his 12 hour shifts can be rigorous, he enjoys his many days off with his family. He is having a blast being a Dad!

We recently had the privilege of helping our ward out in a community service project. We collected food and personal hygiene items for homeless people. This experience has really helped us get into the spirit of Christmas! Service is an amazing thing!

We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,

The Gebhardt’s

John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

Food for Thought

2011-12-22T06:45:00.000-08:00

Last night as I was laying in bed, I found myself thinking about macaroni and cheese. Why, you ask? I have absolutely no idea. The kids in the Toddler lab had it for lunch yesterday at work, but I see kids eating it all the time at lunch. I don't even like mac n cheese that much! It brought me back to a letter I got in October (on Benji's birthday, actually). It reads:

"Dear Cynthia Gebhardt,
Enclosed is a copy of your recent labs. Your total cholesterol and LDL or "bad" cholesterol is elevated which gives you an elevated coronary risk. The recommendation is regular exercise, weight loss and a diet low in saturated fat. Please work on these lifestyle changes and I would like to recheck fasting labwork again in 6 months. All other tests were within normal or acceptable limits. Please set up this lab visit and call the office with any questions. Take care."

Back in September I had to get a physical for work, and the nurse wanted me to get some blood work done after fasting 12 hours. That was the letter I received.
Guys, my LDL cholesterol was 146! That is so bad! It is expected to be under 100, recently changed from under 120 or something like that. Joe's mom said that she has never seen someone with it that high, and Joe's mom and sister have had problems with cholesterol in the past. My mother-in-law suggested that perhaps it's genetics because honestly I wasn't eating that bad, and I was exercising a little bit and trying to lose weight. Well, neither of my parents have high cholesterol, so what is up with me?

Oh, and the part where it says, "Please work on these lifestyle changes..." How do they even know what kind of lifestyle habits I have? What if I was already doing all those things?!

Cheese is BAD for your cholesterol. So, I was thinking perhaps maybe I was craving the cheesy mac n cheese because of my cholesterol perhaps? Well, at least my HDL cholesterol is within "normal or acceptable limits."

I guess I'll have to keep exercising like crazy and eating extremely healthy!

Ryker is 9 Months!

2011-12-22T06:29:00.000-08:00

Ryker turned 9 months last Sunday. He is such a fun and sweet boy! At the doctor's on Tuesday, he weighed 23.5 pounds (89th percentile) and he was 30 inches long (between 75-85 percentile). He said his head is a good size, which isn't surprising...Joe and I have pretty big heads. LOL. Right now he is enjoying everything. He just wants to explore everything (especially things he shouldn,t) like the wood stove and the heaters and cords. He has such a cute and sweet personality, we love it! He can say "more" ("mo") when he wants more food. And we think he says "Hi" because when he sees someone he smiles and says "ha" We just pretend like he is saying "Hi," anyways. Oh, we just love him, we do! :)

My two favorite Handsome Boys!

I like this pic because you can see his curls in the back. :)

"NOM NOM!"

A Video that Makes Me Smile

2011-11-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-26T05:39:00.001-08:00

I hope that everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and a great Black Friday! :) Joe had to work Thanksgiving day, which kind of stunk, but we have him for Christmas so we're pretty happy about that! Plus, Friday felt like Thanksgiving too, and we had Joe home for that. We spent Thanksgiving with Joe's siblings and their significant others. Joe's mom did a wonderful job on the food. MMMM... So good! I did miss my family this Thanksgiving as well, but we had fun! And it was another happy day because I ran my very very first race, a 5 Mile Wild Turkey Race in Salem. I was hoping to finish it in an hour, but I finished it in 54 minutes and 22 seconds! Crazy I know! Katie figured out that there were little chips on the back of our bibs (numbers we wear) and that's how it tracked when we crossed the starting and finish lines. I have to admit though, I thought I was going to barf after I crossed that finish line, but it went away right away, so thank goodness for that. It was cold and I was decked out in my technical shirt, head band, mp3 player, and gloves. Glad I didn't wear a jacket because I was sweating like 3 minutes into that race. I had to take my gloves off and hold them because my hands started to sweat. I'm so thankful that it was so sunny and beautiful on Thanksgiving because the day before it was dark, dreary, windy, and rainy. It was also a beautiful day because Joe's brother Steve finally got engaged to his girlfriend Tracy before the race! Congrats and it's about time! Ryker needs some Gebhardt cousins! It was kind of neat because all of the girls ran it.... me, Joe's sister Liana, Steve's fiance Tracy, and Rick's (Joe's oldest brother) girlfriend Katie! And we all did awesome. I was last place out of all of us of course, but I can't complain! We all came in within a minute or seconds of each other. Well, Tracy was like six minutes before us all, but close enough. ;) After we stopped running and were standing there for a little bit, we got pretty cold because it was still under 40 degrees out (I think) and we were wet from sweat. I pigged out at Thanksgiving dinner so I'm pretty sure I canceled out any calories I burned that morning. I wish I had gotten a picture of the event, but oh well. I was wicked sore yesterday too. My shins, my quads, my ankles, my feet were all so sore, but I sure love that feeling! :) Here are all the girls results. I think if you double click you can see it better. :) It gives what place number, the name, where they are from, their bib number, age, gender, age group, time, and time per mile!Thanksgiving dinner was delicious as I said before, and Ryker had a blast with his uncles and aunts! :) He was also very happy when Daddy came home that night!
Friday morning, we went to have breakfast with Joe's dad and sister. It was fun, and then Joe and I were off to the malls for some Black Friday shopping. I saved 120 dollars at Kohl's and got some things for Christmas at a couple other shops and another mall. We went to dinner with Ricky and Katie at Chili's, and we had a lot of fun. Ryker joined us for that one.
Anyways, we love the holidays and we had a great last couple of days! :)Here is my technical shirt and my bib. I figured since I didn't get a pic of me wearing it during the race, I'd just take a pic of what I wore. Not proof, I know, but man am I happy I finally accomplished one of my goals! :)
Ryker's first Thanksgiving! :) I'm thankful that I can be a mom to such a wonderful boy and a wife to such a wonderful man! :)
I'm grateful for my sweet little boy. Check out that turkey with his huge blue slippers on. :)
Thanksgiving dinner knocked him out. Haha. Seriously though, we were all eating dinner at the table and looked over and he fell asleep. :)

I'm thankful for so much this year. As I mentioned above, I'm thankful for my family, I'm thankful for all that we have been blessed with...and we have been blessed with so so much! I'm thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants what's best for us so that we can return and live with Him after this life. I know that that couldn't be possible without Jesus Christ atoning for our sins. I am forever thankful for Him. I love Him. I'm thankful for eternal families and that I can be with them forever. I can't imagine life without my family. :) I love them so much! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! :)

8 Months Old!

2011-11-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

Ryker turned 8 months on November 18! We can't believe it! He has learned so much in the last month, it's crazy! It's amazing how fast such a little person can learn! Here are some things about Ryker!
-Ryker learned to crawl at 7 and a half months (it was about time! He's been trying so hard for like 2 months now!)
-He loves pulling himself up in his crib and bouncing and walking around in his bed
-He is very very talkative and now says "Ma-ma!" (first said it on 11/11/11)
-He likes to mimic people as you will see in the video below.
-He can have yogurt now, and I'm pretty sure that's his favorite thing. He also loves his Mum-mums, which is like a cracker for a baby (dissolves in his mouth)
-He is cruising (furniture walking)!
-He loves being on his legs; he definitely wants to walk!
-He wants to see everything that is going on around him and will grab at everything. He especially loves grabbing things off the shelf at the grocery store.
-He just wants to do what everyone else is doing
-He started this new thing where he looks at people all innocently, and it looks like he is wondering if he is supposed to be doing what he is doing.
-He really loves his mommy and daddy and is really starting to be clingy. When we try to give him to someone he'll lean towards us like he doesn't want to go, but when we give him to someone he doesn't really cry either. He also started this thing where he lays his head on our shoulders when we pick him up or take him out of his crib when he is crying.
-He's so cuddly.
-He likes when we sing at church. I'm pretty sure he tries to sing because it's only when we sing hymns that it starts to sound like he is shouting. He did it during the closing hymn last week, and then when we were in relief society he did it again. I think he likes to sing.
-He really enjoys the song "Called to Serve"
-He likes to dance to music.
We love him very much. He is just growing up way too fast! Love you Ryker Thomas! :)

Celebrate!

2011-11-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

A glorious thing happened to me yesterday. I was putting away Summer clothes and getting out Winter clothes, and organizing maternity clothes, prepregnancy clothes, etc. Well, I forgot about my favorite pair of skinny jeans from before pregnancy. I was just messing around, but I tried them on and they fit! I was so happy that I danced around in them while cleaning all day yesterday! Makes me want to go buy my second pair of skinny jeans ever! I've been converted to the skinny jeans! :)

Halloween and Some other Fun!

2011-11-04T06:08:00.001-07:00

"I'm gonna get you Mom!"

So, I know I'm a little late on this, but I figure if I don't do it now, I will never get this post done! We had a good Halloween. Ryker was a cute chubby monkey. I didn't even realize when I bought the costume that it had all this extra fluff in the middle until I put it on him and he looked like a fat monkey. :) Ryker went trick or treating a total of 3 times. The first time was at our ward trunk or treat on October 25. Here are some pictures from that night. We joke and say that Ryker was an Angry Chubby Monkey because he hardly smiled in any pics.The next time we went trick or treating at my sister-in-law's work on Thursday October 27. It is also my brother-in-law's girlfriend's job (she's a scientist). We walked around and went to different places in the building to get candy. They had free food and there were lots of cute little kids. Ryker was the cutest of course. ;) Joe's parents came with me. Joe had to work that day, but we had lots of fun. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of that day.

Not sure if anyone heard of the winter storm that hit New England late Saturday (Oct. 29) and early Sunday, but it did, and I was a little annoyed that the meteorologists were correct about this storm. Usually, they are at least a little off. This time they were dead on. It was so windy and cold! We lost power a little after midnight and didn't get it back til almost 11a.m. We were freezing. Ryker wore his snow suit in bed and was a little fed up with the fact that he could hardly move in that thing. It was so cute. There are still some without power today. I am so grateful that we have power and heat. :) Here's a pic of the snow from our side yard and backyard. It was only like 3 or 4 inches in our city, but some got a foot or more! yikes!
Most the snow had melted by Halloween, but there are still spots where there is snow today. Some cities had to post pone trick or treating because of the power outage. Luckily, we had power, so we went trick or treating! Joe had to work that day as well, so Joe's mom came with Ryker and I. Ryker was an Angry chubby monkey when we were trying to get pics of him in his costume. Ryker got some nice comments and some nice loot for his family! ;) Here he is on Halloween. We also carved a pumpkin as you can see in the pic with Ryker!

This was a little bit before we went trick or treating. He was showing off his muscles to his Uncle Steve. That kid is so strong. Sometimes I feel like he's stronger than me.

Ryker and his Mimi!

The Angry Chubby Monkey!

We also had the missionaries over that night, and here are some pics. He particularly enjoyed their ties. :) Ryker also enjoyed Elder Ban. In every group pic we tried to get, he was looking over at Elder Ban. He also wanted to eat Elder Ban's tie. Maybe Elder Ban smells like Cambodian food. ;) Elder Ban also enjoyed eating our Halloween candy. ;) We were happy to give them all the Halloween candy. I was still wearing my work shirt. Sometimes I just stay in my work clothes all day. Lazy of me, I know.

Check out Elder Ban!

Happy Boy!

MMMM Tasty!

7 Months Old

2011-10-18T06:25:00.001-07:00

We cannot believe that Ryker is already 7 months old today! Oh, how times flies! Here he is at 7 months!At 7 months, Ryker is doing so many things! He is talking like crazy! He especially loves the word "Da-da." He loves his Daddy! He loves most when his Daddy gives him a lick of his popsicle. Playing with Daddy is one of his many favorite things, too!

-He loves bouncing up and down
-He loves to put himself in the sitting position from the crawling position (although he still cannot crawl)
-He loves playing with his feet and pulling his socks off
-He loves walking around in his walker (sometimes running)
-He loves splashing in the bathtub
-He loves greenbeans and carrots
-He loves playing with toys at his high chair
-He loves being held by his mommy and daddy
-He loves throwing his binky on the floor (doesn't like sucking on it much anymore--he mostly just plays with it and bites it)
-He really wishes he could crawl and get to things, but just can't yet. I think he's going to be one of those babies that skip crawling and go straight to walking. LOL
-He loves going on walks in the stroller
-Hates his little carseat He is too big for it now(he tries to sit up in it now and it bugs him that he's fastened down; he's going to be in the big boy carseat soon... like today. haha)
-He loves books!
-He is huge!
-He loves chewing on everything in sight. He likes to bite really hard with his teeth. Yikes.
-Most of all, he loves attention from anyone and everyone!
We love him so much and can't believe how fast he is growing up! Happy 7 months baby boy!

Out of the Blue Decision!

2011-10-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

So, last weekend while Joe was working, I was just lounging around the house and doing some chores while Ryker played. My sister-in-law came over to have my mother-in-law do her hair. She had just gone to the gym that morning and mentioned that she was trying to get ready for the turkey trot on Thanksgiving. I was like, "turkey trot? What is that?" She told me that it was a 5 mile race in Salem on Thanksgiving Day. She said that she had done it last year and had a lot of fun (she didn't even train and still did 5 miles in an hour, that's 12 minutes a mile!) So this year she is doing it again and training this time. So, I was like "I've always wanted to run in something like this" whether it be a 5k, 5 mile, 10k, half marathon, etc. except I will never do a whole marathon...a half marathon is pushing it.... ANYWAY, back to what I was saying. I said, "I'm going to do it! Send me the registration info." So, she sent it to me, and I signed up! I have 7 weeks to train. Last week I could only run a mile without stopping. Starting this week, I have worked out everyday. Every other day I do a long run and the days in between I either bike for 30 minutes at 90-100 rpms or I do a P90X workout, or both. Well, yesterday I ran a little over a mile and a half without stopping. It took 20 minutes. Slowly, but surely, I am going to go faster and longer until I can do 5 miles. I'm nervous and excited. This morning I did Kempo X for an hour... that was fun! And tonight I'm going to bike for a half hour at the YMCA (glad my membership is free! ). I hope this can be a big accomplishment even if it ends up being awful. I just want to be able to say that I accomplished one of my dreams... to be able to say that I ran in the Wild Turkey Road Race! haha. Another thing that will help is Liana (Joe's sis) and Katie (Joe's brother's girlfriend) will be running it with me, so I'm not alone. I'm kinda sad though because Joe would have liked to run in it with me, but he has to work on Thanksgiving day :( Anyways, I just felt like I needed to ramble for a bit! I hope to add the video of Ryker saying "Da-da" in the next post!

The Topsfield Fair

2011-10-10T10:44:00.001-07:00

Every year, there is a Fair in Topsfield in the first week and a half of October. Topsfield is basically right down the street from us, so we went on one of Joe's days off last week and we had a lot of fun! Joe won Ryker a Tazmanian Devil stuffed doll and we also got him a personalized shirt (I'll have to post it when he wears it, it won't fit him til he's like a year and a half or something) and the cutest doggy snow hat ever. Oh, we also ate a lot of junk food. :) We had a nice time together as a family! Ryker was a sweet little angel and just looked around at everything. It was a little windy and chilly when the sun started to go down, but it was sunny most the day.
In some little museum--like father like son. HAHA
So, Joe really wanted to climb this rock wall. There were 3 sides to it. The side on the very left is the hard side. If you climb to the top and hit the button, you win 100 dollars. Joe wanted to try and win that 100 dollars. Here he is climbing the easy side.

Here is Joe attempting the hard side. We watched many people try it, and no one succeeded. It was worth a shot! haha
This is amazing. This man made this. How do people sculpt sand?!

At the little museum
Giant man, or woman. Not really sure. Looked like a man, sounded like a woman.
In the tent looking at the animals! Ryker likes the llamas.
We are glad we were able to go and have a good time! There were some pretty bad rainstorms on some of the days, so we picked a pretty good day to go!

And I just wanted to add this video because I just think Ryker looks so cute walking around in his walker. He didn't start walking forward til a couple weeks ago. He used to go backwards and that's it. I love how cute his little legs look when he walks. :)

Ryker said his first word today...

2011-10-06T18:54:00.000-07:00

and it was "Da-da!" Joe's been telling him to say "Da-da" for pretty much his whole life, and today Joe told him to say it, and he did! He probably has no idea what he means when he says it, which would explain why he's been saying it all day I'm guessing. It's so cute to hear how talkative he's been lately. Oh, and he sure is learning how to use his two bottom teeth! He's been biting hard on everything (especially the collar of my work shirt while I'm holding him). He's a funny boy!

Ryker Sits Up and Does Some Other Tricks

2011-09-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some videos of some things that Ryker can do. He's learned some tricks too. LOL

At Ryker's 6 Month Appointment...

2011-09-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

He ways 21 lbs 11 oz. (95th percentile)
He is 28 inches long. (90th percentile)
He is still growing like a champ, and I believe the phrase his doctor used was "he's solid."
So, he is very healthy and everything is looking great!
He wasn't so happy about those shots though. It's always so sad to see real sad tears come out of his little eyes.
We're so grateful that he's healthy!

6 Months Old!

2011-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Today, our little boy is 6 months old! He's half a year! We cannot believe it! I guess today would be called his half birthday! He is getting cuter and smarter and funnier and wigglier and heavier! And we love the little boy he is becoming! He definitely knows who his mommy and daddy are, as he will smile, laugh, and jump around when one of us enter the room. He has only whimpered once when someone he didn't know held him, but other than that, he is a pretty social boy! So, here's a little bit about Ryker at 6 months!

He really really really wants to crawl, but can't quite yet grasp the concept of moving his arms forward with his legs, so he often does a face plant into the floor. He moves those chubby little legs, but keeps those hands still. He's so close and has been for like the last month!
He is also really close to sitting up on his own but is a little wobbly right and left. He'd much rather be laying down or rolling around to get himself around than be sitting up, which makes it very hard for me to help him learn to sit up. He's close though--as you can see from the below picture.
He loves walking around in his walker backwards. It's so funny. It looks like he's backing away slowly from people. He often gets caught in corners though haha.
He just started pureed food a week ago and is loving it. I've only given him vegetables to get him used to the taste before he falls in love with the fruit. So far, he has had green beans, peas, and carrots. His favorite, you ask? Carrots! He devoured those things everyday the last 3 days. He'll eat the peas, but I can tell he's not a fan. It looks like he's forcing it down. What a good little boy cause I wouldn't do that. haha
He loves using the spoon himself. I'll let him play with the spoon a little bit after he's done eating. He gets messy enough with me feeding him.
He loves his oatmeal at breakfast and his rice cereal at dinner, but I'm pretty sure he likes his milk the very best! He looks forward to his bedtime bottle.
It's like he's got an internal clock. Right at 9, it's bedtime for him. He goes down very well. I get him ready for bed, lay him in his crib, and he rolls right over to go to sleep. He sleeps til about 7:30, so I can't complain! :)
He has one bottom tooth, it's so cute!
He just started blowing raspberries regularly a few days ago.
He thinks he's the most hilarious person ever.
He laughs at weird things, like when I cough, he laughs. I think he thinks I'm being funny.
He's been doing this thing where he smiles and scrunches up his whole face til his eyes are almost closed. I'll have to try and get a pic sometime.
When he's really really worn out, he'll snore in his sleep.
He plays in his bed until Mommy or Daddy get him for breakfast. After a while, he call us to come get him. He's our little alarm clock!
He can almost hold his bottle without pulling it out of his mouth every 5 seconds.
He loves playing with a baby girl that is a couple months older than him at church. They just laugh at each other and babble, and steal each others toys. :)

Anyways, I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but there's a good little update. We love him so much and still can't believe it's been 6 months since we held him in our arms for the first time! We love you Ryker Thomas! :)

Here are some 6 month pictures I took this morning before church.

As you can see, his suit coat is a little snug. I wanted him to wear it at least once before he grew out of it, and today seemed like the perfect day because it's been chilly here in Mass! Goodbye Summer! I will miss you, except I won't miss the really hot muggy days. Glad those are over.

I was trying to get a normal pic of him sitting up...fail. He wasn't really in the mood for pictures this morning.

Like I said, he wasn't in the mood. I tried so hard to get him to smile... instead he stared at the camera like he wanted to take a huge bite out of it! LOL

We love our little man!
Happy 6 Months Ry!

This...

2011-09-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

makes me smile!

Our First Family Vacation

2011-09-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

The day after Ryker and I got in from Indiana, our little family drove up to New Hampshire and stayed in Joe's parents' and brother's condo. It was such a nice little getaway. It's literally right behind a little outlet mall. We walked around and did some window shopping and bought Ryker a Halloween costume because it's so cheap at that mall. But you shall not know what he will be until later. We also went to Thusis beach and swam in the water. Ryker thoroughly enjoyed it. He splashed and stomped around. It was fun! We relaxed and went out to eat one night and then watched Limitless after. That movie is just okay. It was nice to relax as a family. It was our first family vacation!... til next year! haha

Ryker relaxing and playing with his feet after the beach

The Secret Mission Revealed!

2011-09-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

So, I am way past due to write this post, but our secret mission was to go visit my sister and her family in Indiana. Another nice little treat was that my mom was going to see her too, so we got to see her too! Kerstin knew that my mom was coming, but didn't know I was coming until I posted that last post. Darn me! haha. Ryker and I were in the Logan airport for 8 hours because we didn't get on the first flight with our buddy pass, and the next flight was delayed like 3 hours, so we didn't get into Chicago until 9:40 or something like that. And then we didn't get to their house until like 3 or something because we took this little detour to get gas and then got a little lost, but we made it ok. LOL. Ryker was very tired and just wanted to be sleeping on his stomach (his favorite way to sleep).
It was so much fun and wish we could have visited longer! I hadn't seen my sister and her kids in three years, and hadn't yet met her youngest, Levi. She, of course, hadn't met Ryker, and the same goes for my mom. She was so happy to be with 5 of her 7 grandbabies! We had some great laughs and Ryker did excellent the whole trip. That' where he learned to get in the crawling position. I'm pretty sure he saw his cousin Levi crawling and decided he wanted to do the same. haha jk, but seriously, he was looking at Levi like "um, how come I can't do that?" KT's kids have grown up so much since I last saw them. They are all so beautiful and handsome, and they all have such cute and different personalities! It's so fun. I look forward to be in that stage with Ryker and my future children someday.
We did some great things while we were there. We went to an Amish store (DELICIOUS food btw), visited quilt gardens, baked, cooked, went and saw "The Help" (must read book), and played with the kids. It was just a great time. Oh, and we pigged out on junk food, too (or should I say I pigged out! I'm pretty sure I ate two packages of oreos and like 6 donuts and 2 huge cinnamon rolls mm mm). Anyways, It was so fun to see everyone! Thanks KT and fam for giving mom, Ryker, and I a great visit! :) Miss you guys!

Ryker helped his Mommy pack for the trip!
Waiting in the Logan airport. I'm so blessed to have such a good baby. It would have been pretty hard, being there 8 hours and all.
Sisters reunite at last! haha
Ryker and his Grandma finally meet. :)
Ryker with his cousin Torilynn! :)

At the quilt gardens
My sister caught this on camera!

The rest of the pics were taken with my sister's awesome camera (except for the obvious couple):
Ryker with his cousins: Ellalyn, Torilynn, Landon, and Levi!

Ryker and his cousins chillin
I just had to throw this one in--my nieces are so cute!

My mom and 5 of her 7 beautiful grandkids! :)
Ryker was happy to see his Daddy again--he missed him a lot, and it was on Joe's birthday too!

The Secret Mission

2011-08-17T03:35:00.001-07:00

Ryker and I are going on a secret mission today while Daddy is at work. We shall tell you all about it when we get back. Wish us luck! :)

It's Not About Me

2011-08-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

Since becoming a wife and mother, I have learned a lot about selflessness. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't totally gain a full testimony of this until Joe and I had Ryker. I've learned that it is NOT about me. Sure, I need to take care of myself and love myself, but ultimately it's about others and serving others. It wasn't until we had Ryker that I realized how selfish I was at times. So what if I have spit up in my hair, I'm wearing raggy clothes, and have no make up on? I'm doing what I love and that is taking care of my little family. I was laying in bed last night thinking about all my many blessings. I've thought about how much I've been blessed when I know I truly haven't deserved it. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father gave me an amazing family. I love my hardworking husband and our sweet, funny little boy. I'm so happy He sent them to me. I feel nothing but joy when I can do things for them. I love that Ryker relies on his parents to do almost everything. I'm getting very sad for the day that he won't need us to do most things anymore. Oh, I love life, I do! :) This is one of my favorite pics of my boys. Ryker was maybe 2 weeks in this pic. I love it because you can tell how much Joe adores his son! :)
And here is one of the many cute portraits that Ryker got done yesterday...just 5 days away from turning 5 months old! :)

A Little Game called Catch Up!

2011-07-07T12:44:00.001-07:00

Our Very Handsome Boy!
It has been a while since I've updated everyone on the little Gebhardt family. We are doing well, and we have been up to a lot. Joe started his new job on June 6, so he has been working a little bit over a month now. It has been going well. There are pros and cons to his new job. His schedule is like this:
Work Wednesday and Thursday one week.
Work Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday the next week.
So, he alternates weeks. It's kind of like a nurse's schedule I think. This week is what we call his short week. He only had to work yesterday and is working today. The pros are that he technically works half a month if you think about it, and he has a lot of days off to be with his little family. Also, his job has GREAT benefits, which is just terrific! :) Also, he carpools with his Aunt and Uncle, which saves us a lot of gas money since it's a 40 minute commute. Also, it is great to finally have some good income, so we can start paying off a few of our small school loans and save some money up!
So, the cons: He works 12 hour shifts, from 7a.m. to 7p.m. Basically, he is gone 14 hours on his work days, so when he comes home, he basically gets ready for bed to get up at 5 the next morning. Another OBVIOUS con is he has to work every other Sunday. BOO. However, we know that this is where he is supposed to be and that everything will work out for good in the long run. Plus, he gets 3 weeks vacation, so he will take some Sundays off so he can go to church. :) Ryker definitely misses his Daddy when he is gone because when Daddy gets home from work, he cannot stop smiling and laughing at him. It's such a sweet thing to see. :)
Okay, moving on. So, it's really nice to finally have good health insurance. It's also finally nice to have dental and vision insurance, so that we can go to the dentist and finally get our eyes checked out. I hadn't been to the eye doctor in almost 4 years, and same with Joe. We finally got to go. The lady at the front desk told us that we have a special vision insurance (really good) because we get both contacts and glasses under this insurance. It is grand. So, we took full advantage and ordered ourselves some nice glasses. I was surprised to find out that neither of us had any change in our vision. I'm very grateful for that. Also, it covers $500 of lasik. Joe is really trying to get me to get it, but I'm a little nervous. We might do it in a couple years.So, here are the frames I picked out. They are ruby and I like them a lot. They are Bebe brand. The only Bebe brand anything I will ever own.
Of course, everyone wants to know about our little man. Ryker is doing wonderfully. He is so smart, and he is getting so big. Too fast. It's been fun to see his personality continue to blossom. He's such a funny little boy. Here are some things that he loves to do (or just does):
-stick his tongue out and move it all around in his mouth. He's a fish.
-drool
-blow bubbles
-try really hard to roll over
-lift his butt of the bed and push his body up
-scream happy sounds
-smile and laugh
-sit up with help
-play with daddy and mommy
-there is never a time that he doesn't smile at his Pappy (Joe's dad)
-be fed by his Mimi (Joe's mom)
-be held by his Uncle Ricky, Uncle Stevie, and Aunt Liana
-stand up on his legs when you try to burp him
-shove and rub his face in your shoulder
-look at himself in the mirror and smile
-swim (went in for the first time 2 days ago, and loved it. Not a peep out of him except for happy screams and laughter)
-scoot around in his bed in the morning until mom wakes and comes to get him for breakfast
-his binky (only when it's nap time or bed time)
-stare at his hands and holding burp rag or a small cloth
-bath time
-play next to mommy while she works out
-ride in the car
-try to get out of everyone's arms even though he can't go anywhere. haha
-ride in his stroller, as you can tell from below. HAHA
Ok, that list is plenty long. I could add more, but I don't feel like it. The point is is he is very fun and we love everything about that little boy! :) Can't believe he will be 4 months in a week and a half. We got him a bouncer. He is going to love that thing when his Pappy puts it in the doorway for him.

Also, I got a part time job at the CEC (Childhood Education Center) at the YMCA. It's just 3 hours a day, 5 days a week from 11-2. They are going to pay me 12 bucks an hour to basically cover for people's lunch breaks. It will be a lot of fun because it will be in my field of study. Preschool. I'll be with the Kindergarten ready children though, I think. Also, I get a free membership at the YMCA which is great because I can go there and get rid of my baby weight, hopefully. They have babysitters to watch kids too. Pappy is going to watch Ryker while I work. Unfortunately, they don't have room for him in their infant lab, which is fine with me because I don't want anyone touching my infant without me there to watch them (ok, so I'm a little paranoid, but who can blame me), unless, of course, it's family or people I can trust with him. duh. But ya, I start Monday, and I am very excited to make a little extra money, so that I can help pay off my student loans and perhaps get a pedicure. haha Jk about the pedicure. It should work out well, I hope.

Well, that's our update! :) Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and we have no clue what that plan is, but we know we are in the right place right now. We have truly been blessed with this job and my in-laws for letting us live with them for a little while. He has blessed us with a healthy, sweet little boy. We are a happy family. :)Ryker and his Daddy on the 4th of July!HAHA. Funny.

New England LINGO

2011-07-07T12:33:00.001-07:00

Living in Massachusetts these passed (almost) couple months, I have learned a little bit about the New England lingo. Here are some words that I have always known to be and the New England versions. I started a list and hope to continue to add to it. HAHA
Purse is no longer a purse, it is a Pocket Book.
Tennis Shoes are no longer tennis shoes, they are Sneakers.
Garbage is not garbage, it is simply Rubbish!
Soda is not soda anymore, it is Tonic instead... what is that word tonic anyways?
A Stroller is called a Carriage.
A Shopping cart is also called a Carriage.
A Shake is not a shake, it is a Frap.
Chocolate chips are Chocolate bits.

Now, since I've known Joe, I have heard some of these terms before, but I added a few that I recently learned about. It's kind of fun!

Massachusetts

2011-05-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

Well, we moved to Massachusetts. It was unexpected and FAST. Well, we knew we were moving there, but we didn't think we'd be moving there Saturday. We felt really bad because we were out of there quick, and the only people that really knew were Joe's parents and the people in my Dad's house. It was Friday afternoon, and we found out that the only flights that were really open were this past Saturday and the Saturday after that. So, we had to go this past Saturday. We still had so much to do. We had so much to do that we had to ask Luke and Logan to feed the baby while we were packing and getting a few more boxes ready to ship. I had to run errands to go cancel some things and such. I could not believe how quick it went and then we were gone. It's been crazy, but this new step in our lives will be an adventure. Joe's parents are ecstatic to finally be with their very first grandchild. He is being showered with so much love (not that he wasn't before because he was), but man, there are constantly people playing with him and watching him lay there and so on. Joe's sister and brothers think he is the best thing since sliced bread, and it has just been great. I have been a little bit homesick, but the good thing is is that Joe's parents are so kind and just spoil me as much as they spoil the grandchild, and it really helps me feel loved and welcome! :) For now, we are just unpacking and settling in. Ryker is sleeping great at night. I think this time change helped with that a lot! Joe starts his job June 6, and we are just on a hunt for a car. It will be nice to finally have some good income and to be able to save and raise a family and just have insurance for once. :) Well, for those of you who had absolutely no clue we were moving, we apologize. It was nothing against anyone. It was just so fast and unexpected! We love you all. We are definitely missing the Vegas weather. It's been a little cold and damp here... too humid! Yuck, but it's warming up so that's nice. Ryker did excellent on the plane. Everyone on the plane was complimenting him. He is such a sweet little angel. He slept almost the whole plane ride and played a little bit, but didn't fuss a peep! Even when the plane made a bang and started shaking (and the dumb flight attendant said for everyone to put their electronics away because it was an emergency) We were so mad about that by the way... how is a little bit of turbulance an emergency? The woman made everyone think we were going in for a crash landing... lame. Anyways, Ryker is doing great with his new big boy crib (aka not a tiny little bassinet). Well, we love you all! We are so grateful for all that Heavenly Father has blessed us with. He has done so much for us, and He has showed us that through all of you. :) Thank you!
This was Ryker's first night in his big crib.
I just thought that this froggy sleeper was so cute!
I don't know why this uploaded sideways, but this is him pooping haha. He is wearing one of my favorite onesies of his.
My Little Monster :) He's such a cutie! (Don't know why it uploaded upside down, how annoying.)

Ryker's Two Month!

2011-05-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Ryker went in for his two month appointment. He did very well, and he also did great with his shots! Here are his statistics!

weight-14 lbs (95th percentile)
length- 23.75 in. (80th percentile)

He sure is a big boy! He keeps getting cuter! :)

8 Weeks Old

2011-05-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Ryker is 8 weeks old today! That's two months! He is changing so much and he gets cuter everyday. His personality is really starting to come out and he's starting to smile a ton. We've been getting a lot of videos of him these last couple of days. It's been so much fun! We love our Ryker! I can't believe he's getting his shots next Wednesday. I can't wait until that is over. I can't believe how chunky he has gotten. We love that sweet little boy! :) Last night he only got up once to eat. That was weird but amazing!... and then he peed on me when I changed his diaper. I couldn't help but laugh because it's so cute. It's almost like he knows what he is doing and so he smiles. He smiles when he pees on me and when he spits up on me. It's too cute! :) Love love love him! :)Newborn Ryker... I think he is just a few days old in this pic.
I believe he was just about a month old in this pic with Uncle Matt. :)
Two month old Ryker

Ryker Takes Care of Business!

2011-05-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Happy 6 Weeks Ryker!

2011-04-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

Our handsome little man is already 6 weeks! We can't believe it! Here are some things he loves:
-His mommy and daddy
-Eating
-Pooping (and tooting)
-Peeing on mommy and daddy while they are changing his diaper :)
-Growling when he is hungry (it is so cute!)
-Lifting his head off of shoulder and looking at you
-His bouncy seat
-Looking at the world around him (sometimes he's too distracted by what's going on around him to eat)
-Being taken care of by his papa, nana, and uncles
-Listening to Grandma and Grandpa Gebhardt on Skype
-Riding in his car seat in the car (He loves it so much!)
-Grunting
-Sleeping on Daddy's chest
-Binky (sometimes)
-The diaper changing table
-Taking a bath (after the initial shock, he loves it haha)
-Making cute little baby sounds when he is sleeping
I love the expression on his face! :)
Isn't he so so so beautiful?!

It's been so fun having Ryker in our family! We look forward to many, many more fun years with him too! :) We love you Ryker!

Also, here are some pictures from bring your child to work day. I figured since it was bring your child to work day, I could bring Ryker to school! :) It was so fun, and my teacher was just in love with him! Hey, let's face it! Everyone there was in love with that cute little guy! :)So, since today was my last day student teaching, my teacher surprised me with this cake. We ate it with our students, and then I brought the rest of it home. She also got me some gifts. Two super cute outfits for Ryker when he is bigger, and a 25 dollar gift card to use at any of 5 restaurants... I can only remember Outback Steakhouse right now. It was so nice of her! I also included pics of two of the girls we work with and their pictures of me they drew.
I love how she drew Ryker inside of my belly. HAHA!

Anyways! That's about it! Happy 6 weeks Ryker! Love you son!

Happy Birthday Kerstin!

2011-04-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KERSTIN!!! Hope you had a great fun day! We love you!
Love,
CC, Joe, and Ryker

The Birth Story

2011-04-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

Joe got me up at 2:30 a.m. on Friday, March 18^th 2011 to go pee. Yes, he had to get me up and pee in the middle of the night when I was pregnant. We went back to bed, and about an hour and twenty minutes later (about 3:50 a.m.), I woke up for literally a couple seconds just to turn over, and I felt a gush of wetness. I was thinking “that’s kind of strange!” Then Joe asked me if I was okay. I told him that I thought my water had broken. Sure enough, I began to move around and it just kept coming out. It was like Niagra Falls! So, I rinsed off in the shower, and Joe and I got everything ready for the hospital (Luckily, we had our hospital bag all ready). When we got to the hospital (about 5:00 a.m.), I got out of the car, and the water began to soak me again. Once we got to the maternity floor, my pants were drenched. It was very warm and quite uncomfortable if I do say so myself.

They had me change into a hospital gown, and they checked to see if my water actually had broken (let’s hope so because I don’t know what else that would have been). They checked for dilation, and I was dilated between and 3 and a 4. They said that when I was a 4, they could give me the epidural.

They took me down to the delivery room (it was a super nice big room) and put a monitor around my belly to track my contractions and the baby’s heartbeat. Joe rested on his pull-out bed, and I tried to sleep. I could, but I always woke up to the contractions. I focused and breathed through each contraction. It really does help when you are focused on breathing and looking at an object in the room. [every now and again during this time, the nurses came and checked me]

Soon after that, the anesthesiologist came to give me my epidural. It didn’t hurt initially, but then there was a lot of pressure and a little bit of pain in my lower back. It wasn’t long before I felt the numbness kick in. I had noticed that the numbness was more effective on my left side. When I had a contraction, I experienced terrible pain in one little spot on my right side. They decided to tilt me to the right to help the drugs spread better to my right side. Throughout all this, both nurses kept checking for dilation ( I think one was being trained, or she may have been brand new). I was still dilated to a 4 for the next hour or two. My right side was still experiencing a lot of pain ( I mean unbearable pain!), so they decided to give me some more anesthesia.

Finally, I felt no pain. It was great! It was funny to watch them move my leg and then watch it fall while feeling absolutely nothing! It honestly made me laugh out loud.

I had a feeling something was up when the nurses kept coming in to move me back and forth to different laying positions. They said that the baby didn’t respond well to the contractions, so they were seeing if repositioning me would help him.

Dr. Paul dropped in to see me for a couple minutes and said he’d be back when I was dilated to a 7. The nurses came back in to put an internal monitor on me and the baby. They left again. Then they came back and put an oxygen mask on me. They said it would help me and the baby get more oxygen. They left again. (Joe was sleeping during this time). I was scared. I knew something wasn’t right. I looked over at the monitor to see the baby’s heartbeat. It was going from around 150 down to around 80 and back to a normal, steady rate. I could tell when I was having a contraction because Ryker’s heart rate would go out of control. Next thing I knew, I saw lines --- where his heart rate was supposed to be. I panicked. I tried calling Joe’s name through the oxygen mask. He wouldn’t wake up. I bawled. I thought our baby was dead! L I continued to cry for Joe, and he finally woke up and rushed to my side.

The nurses came in and told me that everything was okay and that the monitor had just come off the baby. Phewy! I was relieved! Joe stayed by my side and helped one of the nurses calm me down. I was a crying wreck! Hormones are crazy! The nurses really were the best…so kind and considerate to my feelings. I wanted so bad to deliver vaginally. One of the nurses checked me again, and I was dilated to a 5, and the baby’s head had dropped. Joe and I were both happy to hear that! I really thought that I might deliver vaginally at this point!

The nurses came back and gave me some medicine to stop the contractions since Ryker wasn’t liking them. They said it would make me feel a little jittery. As soon as they gave it to me through the IV, my heart started to pound really fast and my hands shook hysterically. I didn’t like it at all. Joe held me hand through it all and told me that I was doing great.

They went to call Dr. Paul and came back and said, “You’re not going to want to hear this, but we’re going to have to do a c-section.” I said okay, and I bawled. They gave Joe the white bunny suit to put on for the operating room. LOL Dr. Paul came back and said, “This happens to me all the time. I’m just leaving the hospital, then I have to turn around and come right back J I’ll go get changed and be back.” Dr. Paul is so funny. I’m so glad he was my doctor!

So, they wheeled me down to the operating room with Joe (in his white bunny suit J ). My right arm was still shaking really bad through it all. Those crazy drugs! I’m sure my nervousness added to it too. The room was really cold. Dr. Paul, another doctor, 4 or 5 nurses, and the anesthesiologist were all in the room. They turned on music (I thought that was awesome).

They quickly transferred me to the operating table, put up the blue sheet, the anesthesiologist gave me some more anesthesia, and they went for it! I had Joe talk to me to distract me… He literally talked for less than a minute, and we both heard little Ryker’s cry. We couldn’t believe he was already out! They showed me him, and I cried. He was and is so beautiful! They had Joe look over the curtain and take a picture. Good thing Joe does okay with blood because I’m pretty sure he saw my insides. While they were first operating, I felt a lot of pressure up by my ribs, and I thought that was interesting because the incision is bikini line. It’s really low and not that big actually.

The anesthesiologist kept asking how I was doing and kept reassuring me that everything looked great and that I was doing well. Joe was gone with the baby while they stitched me up. I was so happy Ryker was okay. I couldn’t stop smiling. The anesthesiologist and nurses were dancing to the music while the doctors were fixing me up. They said it was because everything went so well and that they wouldn’t be dancing if I hadn’t done so great. They congratulated me, and my nurses wheeled me back to my recovery room.

The nurses were pushing on my stomach in the recovery room and Joe came back to my side and showed me a picture of Ryker. He asked if I was okay. I told him I was feeling quite fantastic. You could truly tell I was on drugs. LOL. I felt so numb and relaxed. Joe said that he was really worried because he overheard Dr. Paul say that I was bleeding a lot while they were operating. He was worried that I was dying, so he left the baby as quickly as possible to come see if I was alright.

Dr. Paul came and talked to me briefly after. He said that my placenta had been tearing away from my uterus wall and that was what was causing Ryker’s crazy heart rate. This is what they call placental abruption. Thankfully, it hadn’t torn completely because Ryker wouldn’t have gotten any oxygen, and I would have bled to death. He congratulated me and proceeded to go deliver another baby. As much as I was disappointed that I had to have a c-section, I was so grateful for modern technology and that c-sections exist. We wouldn’t have a beautiful baby boy without it! I’m really hoping for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) with our next baby!

I’m so grateful for Joe and all that he did to help me get through the delivery and what he’s done to help take care of me and the baby this past month. I can’t believe that we are parents! I’m also grateful for all the people who took care of us at the hospital. They were all so kind! J

Silly Mommy!

2011-04-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

So I was briefly looking back on some of my old posts while trying to finish up this work sample of mine, and I laughed. I said that Ryker will most likely come late and that it will be great because I'll be done student teaching. Here I am, a mommy to a four week old baby two weeks after his official due date... silly me for assuming such things. Now, I get to make up my student teaching, and I am still working on my work sample. The night before my water broke that early morning, I whipped out a ton of work sample. Good thing because I'm having a hard enough time trying to finish this thing! Also, thank goodness for BYU-Idaho because they let me take as much time as I needed to start going back to school. I'm only doing half days by the way, and even that is hard. Joe and I are so sleep deprived, but it's worth it all for our little guy! :) Happy four weeks Ryker! We love you so much, and we couldn't imagine our family without you! We are so happy Heavenly Father let us have you! :)I just thought I'd add this pic because those shoes are so adorable! :)

3 Weeks Old!

2011-04-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

He mostly just smiles when he poops and sleeps right now. :)

This is him in a cute little outfit from his Grandma Gebhardt... We were so glad it was cold yesterday, so he could actually wear it before he grew out of it! :)
Look how handsome and chunky he is getting! :) We love that cute little sweater on him. :)

We love our little monkey so much! :) He makes so us so happy, and we couldn't imagine our little family without him!
Oh, and Joe got this while we were sleeping... it's not even staged. I was totally sleeping!

Ryker Thomas Gebhardt

2011-03-24T00:58:00.000-07:00

Born Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:48 a.m. 7 lbs 9 oz, 19.5 inches long
Mom and Dad just love him to pieces!!! :)

The Promised Picture

2011-03-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

Full Term! 37 weeks, 2 days!

Hello World!

2011-03-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

Dear World,
We are 20 days away from Ryker's official due date! We are so anxious to find out when he will come! I know he'll most likely come late, which in the long run, will be a blessing because I need to get through student teaching, but I just want to see his face! I want to know what he looks like! I know that he will be such a cute little boy! :) Also, I've been getting things ready for the baby. Joe put up the crib that we were given. I've washed all his newborn and 0-3 months clothes. I also washed the covering on the car seat which was also given to us. Also, my in-laws are spoiling us like crazy! They got us some crib sheets, a super cute bassinet with a change of sheets, a crib bumper thingy. Also, Joe's brother got Ryker a little bouncy chair. He will be the most spoiled of them all! He already is, jeez. But we are so grateful for all that they have done and do for us. Also, we have been given great things from awesome family and friends.
Right now, my main focus is getting things ready for the baby and finishing my work sample. Really, I should make sure my work sample is done first, so that if the baby does happen to come, it will already be finished, and I won't have to worry about it. I can't help but do all this other stuff though. I am going to get the hospital bag ready, and Joe and I are going to an 8 hour birthing class tomorrow. We'll see how that turns out. HAHA. Complimentary breakfast, which is a plus! We are super excited for this baby, but we are super nervous. We want him to come now, but at the same time, we feel like we need more time! It's all in the Lord's timing though. We are so grateful for our many blessings! We truly have been blessed by our Father in Heaven! We'll see where life takes us after Ryker comes, and I finish student teaching! :) Which ends in 3 weeks. :) Oh, and I am going to put a picture of us up soon, so stay tuned!

Baby Shower! :)

2011-02-27T19:22:00.000-08:00

The baby shower was amazing thanks to Shayla and those who helped her put it all together (Mom and JoAnn). We ate some great food, admired some super duper cute decorations, played some super fun games, and Joe and I opened some great gifts. We couldn't believe how much Ryker was spoiled by all our great family and friends. We thank you again and love you all!!! :D If you want to see more pics of the wonderful occasion, go to facebook. There is also a video of us opening the gift from Joe's parents. It was AWESOME. We had them on skype during the baby shower, too. So check it all out!Isn't this banner amazing?!?! Shayla, you are amazing!!! :D

Life- Not Just a Delicious Cereal

2011-02-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

I am 34 weeks today. We can't believe how fast time is flying. Baby Ryker will be here before we know it! Today I had my appointment. Everything is looking good. I go again in two more weeks. That's when they start checking for dilation...then it's every week until the baby comes. I am so so nervous! We still have a lot to do to get ready. The lady that I am tutoring for gave us a crib, a car seat (looks brand new!), and some baby clothes. She has a 5 year old and two two-year-olds (twins). She had triplets, but the last one passed away at 6 months old. :( It has been great to get all this stuff! We just don't have any of it ready. Also, she is going through more stuff and giving me more on Monday. She has some boppy pillows and stuff like that. We're excited.
I am at my new school now. I am loving it. This school only has 500 students, so it is really small compared to most elementary schools. Dooley has been open since 1989; I always thought it was a new school, but that's because hardly anyone knows of it. It is nice because we get done at 2:11, but I do have to be there an hour earlier than I did at Smalley. It will be great because my cooperating teacher lets me rest my feet when I need to and things like that. And because I am in special education now, there are more opportunities to be sitting and resting than when I was in the third grade classroom. I miss my other students though. :( I'm hoping I can get through at least to the second to last week of student teaching before Ryker comes. It would be so nice because then I won't have to make up any school. :) We'll see what happens! We are super excited for the baby shower coming up next Saturday. We have a wonderful family who does so much for us! Thank you all!

WOE-UH!

2011-02-08T21:53:00.000-08:00

I am almost 33 weeks. Yikes-a-bee! I can't believe how fast this time is going! We don't have ANYTHING ready!!! eeeek! This is my last week in third grade, then I move to Dooley Elementary to do special education! I can't believe I'm already halfway through student teaching! Crazy! I'll hopefully get an updated picture soon. If you want to see a recent one, go to facebook.

That's What's Up

2011-01-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

Made it through the first two weeks of student teaching in the third grade classroom. Only four more weeks to go, then off to another school to work in special education. I was supposed to work in the resource room at the school I'm at now, but they found out that I was placed with 3rd and 4th and I really need to be placed somewhere in 1st-3rd, so I can no longer stay at Smalley after February 11th. They have to move me to a different school. Sadness. I can't believe I'm almost halfway done in this classroom though! Time is flying and before we know it, Ryker will be here! So much to do, so little time!

28 weeks and 4 days!

2011-01-09T17:32:00.001-08:00

Little Baby Ryker is getting bigger! I am almost 29 weeks. Tomorrow I have to go in for my glucose test and get my Rhogam shot! This will be fun! (NOT!) Especially since I have to fast for 8 hours before I go in, and I can't go in until after student teaching, so I will be VERY hungry. Hopefully the shot won't be too painful either...it goes in my hip.... well, more like the love handle area so it shouldn't be too painful. Anyways, feeling ginormous and I know I'll be feeling a lot bigger than this pretty soon! Can't believe we're 11 weeks or less (not too much less hopefully) away from this baby being born! Yikes! :]

Student and Baby

2010-12-30T17:35:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, I am going to be student teaching in a third grade classroom at Smalley Elementary School in Henderson! I am excited but very nervous. I just hope the cooperating teacher is good to me and that the students aren't too bad. I am nervous also because I don't know how flexible the teacher will be with me if I have to go to a doctor's appointment or something. Also, I hope that I can find a doctor that will take me. I've heard of girls having to beg doctor's to take them because they are all booked up or something. I have three doctor's in mind so far- Dr. Sauter (he's wicked busy), Dr. Paul, and Dr. Juarez. I'm crossing my fingers that we can get one of those! Because I am 28 weeks next week and I need to go in soon. That's an important appointment! And I have to get my shot. Yuck. Anyways, hope you all had a Merry Christmas! We sure did! It's been fun, and we are happy to finally be in Henderson and away from the icky snow and ice! Happy NEW YEAR! We are going to Joe's aunt's house for games and food tomorrow night...it should be fun.

All Grown up and Graduated!

2010-12-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

Well, today I graduated! It was great. We got to be the first graduating class to graduate in the new BYU-Idaho center! It is a beautiful building and it resembles the conference center. It is a lot bigger than the Hart auditorium is, but of course it's not nearly as big as the conference center. It seats 15,000 people! Crazy! Anyways, can't believe we made it! Well, I still have to student teach, but we are done in Rexburg FOREVER! I will miss it here a lot, but I definitely won't miss the fall/winter/spring weather! Yes, winter lasts three seasons.... usually. Plus, I am terrified to drive in the snow and especially when there is ice. It's been melting and freezing a lot and if I slide the littlest bit, I will cry... and I have a couple of times... but we're still alive and I am rambling. So, yes. Graduation was great and Marvin K. Jensen spoke to us and it was wonderful. Last night Joe and I went to the graduation banquet and got to have a little reunion with some of our closest friends who have since moved out of the ward. It was so great to see them before we move. Convocation followed and that was fun too. There were a lot of education majors graduating (A LOT more Eled than ECSE though, which is to be expected). It was just all great and I felt bad Joe has been so sick, but has still come because he is the only one here to see me do something I thought I'd never see myself do. Well, the end of the tunnel is here and it feels great. I know I couldn't have done it without my Father in Heaven, My husband, my family, and wonderful, wonderful friends who have done so much for Joe and I. Thank you everyone! :) We are excited for the next part of our life.... very nervous, but excited. We are starting our family and Joe is hoping to find a career that he enjoys. For now, he'll be selling insurance with Allstate...and who knows, maybe he'll love that. That'd be hard for me to love though. Just saying. And I probably won't start teaching teaching until our children are in school (unless something happens and I need to work) and that will be a while. I better make sure to keep my credentials up! I didn't do this for nothing! I really do want to teach one day! :) Okay, anyways, our next step is to pack and clean this apartment out! It'll be a long couple days, but it's worth it to wait and let Joe get over pneumonia and gain strength back. For now, we can do the little things... like decide what we are trashing or giving to D.I. and putting some things in boxes. Anyways, world! Next time I post, we might be in Henderson, so Merry Christmas!!! :)

Joe and I at my graduation banquet...My cheeks are huge.These are our good friends Luke and Mary and there adorable baby boy Max. They've done so much for us, and I served with Mary in the relief society presidency before her little family moved out of the ward. :)Joe got a snap of me before I went to be awarded my diploma (case, haha).Joe and I after convocation...what a trooper. Poor boy was feeling sicky.This is us and our good friends Kristen, Jared, and their cute new baby Ashlyn (they also have another little girl Kaylee who is almost 2). They are really good friends and I served with Kristen in the relief society presidency before they moved out of the ward. As you can see, they graduated together. How exciting! :)Here's a little snippet of the new BYU-Idaho center auditorium. Beautiful isn't it? This is where we had commencement this morning. Joe and I couldn't be there for the dedication of the building because Joe was bed ridden, so when we marched into here from the gym, my eyes got huge. :) I look like I am on drugs in this picture... hahaMe and my two favorite people :) Joe and Ryker. So glad they could share this special day with me! Love you boys! :)

The Promised Post

2010-12-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

So, I was going to take a 24 week pic, but I was like what's the point in taking one every week? I should wait another 4 weeks or something and then there will definitely be a difference. I am getting big though. I went into my last appointment here in Rexburg today, and I gained 10 pounds since I went in last, 4 weeks ago. Yikes! That's a little bit more than 2 pounds a week! I don't think it will be quite that much though because lately, I have not been able to eat anything I want because I get full after my first bite! That's a little bit of an exaggeration, but you get my drift. So, we are a little bit nervous about moving and finding a doctor in Vegas and getting insurance stuff taken care of and all that stuff. I'm supposed to get that one shot in my hip at 28 weeks from my RH factor thing. Also, someone gave me advice and said that we should do Lamaze classes because Joe will have no clue how to coach me through labor or something like that. I have no clue, but maybe we'll do that when I'm like 7 months or something. I'm sure we'll be fine if we don't do that classes. Either way, whatevs. So, when me and my team (Amyra and Tandy) went to do our last intervention session for our strategies class, we took the family small thank you gifts and a thank you card for letting us come into their home and work with their child. When we were just about to get in Amyra's car, the mom said, "can you girls come back, we have something for you!" Next thing we know, they hand us all this fancy cosmetic stuff (pics below). I guess her husband used to work for some expensive cosmetic company in the past and had all this stuff the company gave to him. I'm not sure why he gave to him so much except like when the weight of the products were off and they couldn't sell them or something. So, yes. He gave us the following items. Well, he gave me a little bit more than Tandy and Amyra, but that's only because I am pregnant, and they don't need stretch mark creams. haha
So this is stretch mark cream. This is one of those products that they couldn't sell because the weight was off and ya. whatev.
This lotion is amazing. He said that they have 5 pound boxes of this (his wife must love all this) It has been great to put on my itchy itchy womb. Also, the mom came out with the nipple cream. She was afraid I'd be embarrassed, but I was like whatev. She said that I will love this when I am breastfeeding because it is very painful (so I've heard, I'm not expecting anything less than painful).
So, that silvery thing is worth $45. I would never spend that much money on any cosmetic item... well, that small anyways! It is some kind of photo finish targeted pore and line primer stuff. Fancy. They gave me an extra bottle of scar healing stuff and then a tube of scar therapy (not sure what the difference is). They also gave me this fancy tinted moisturizer for my face. Fancy!
I also got some more cute baby gifts from girls who couldn't make it. My friend Leann got all these cute sleepy time outfits!
My friend Mary gave me the cutest little cardigan three piece outfit. The onesie says "handsome like daddy" So cute!!! And my bishop and his wife gave us a soft blue blankey with a cute newborn onesie! So cute! Love!
Wednesday was my last day with the Kindergartners. I will miss this little bunch! They are all little darlings and just so silly! I will also miss my cooperating teacher. I won't use names for privacy reasons, but she is great! Love them all! I will miss the sound of their snow boots clonking around on the floor. That is one of the most amazing schools I have been in!!! :) Go Discovery Elementary Dragons! :) Oh, also I graduate next Friday and Saturday. Can't believe that! Friday they are dedicating the new BYU-Idaho center. It is supposed to be a lot like the conference center and is huge. I heard it is so beautiful. Joe and I are going to go to that and President Eyring will be speaking. We also are going to my graduation banquet at 5:00 that day. Delicious food I'm sure. After that, I will go to convocation and graduate with all my education peeps. Saturday morning will be commencement and I believe someone from the Seventy will be speaking to us, and that will be in the new BYU-Idaho center. It will be great, and I am excited to get pics in a cap and gown. It will feel more real that way... maybe. Okay, anyways, I'm going to eat some pizza and breadsticks now! Enjoy! More of you need to look at my blog! I feel like I update no one on here! Or maybe a lot of you just don't leave comments, except a few of you. You know who you are! :)

24 Weeks and Other Goodies Coming Soon!

2010-12-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

I shall post soon, but for now, this is just a reminder to me! :)

Great News!

2010-12-03T18:33:00.000-08:00

I have some wonderful news! I did my portfolio presentation on Wednesday. I presented myself in front of a committee of four. I sat at this table and they sat around in desks and watched me while I did a speech on my learning journey in the ECSE program. I have to admit, it was a little scary, but it wasn't at all as terrifying as I pictured. Two of them were smiling at me constantly so it made me a little bit more comfortable. They sent me out after I presented and they asked all the questions they wanted, and ten to fifteen minutes later called me back in. They said, "Cynthia, of course we feel it is unanimous that you are indeed ready to student teach." I was so very happy. Then they told me about my strengths, gave me some recommendations, and then congratulated me. I went out and jumped around with my friend Amyra and helped get her ready to go in. Since she had to sit out and wait for me, I had to wait until she was done with hers. Of course she passed because she is amazing. We went and celebrated after at Subway. She is student teaching in vegas too, so it will be exciting to still be able to see her a little bit. She is coming to visit Ryker after he is born too! :) Anyways, it was like this huge burden was lifted off my shoulders when they said I passed! :) oh, and my cooperating teacher for my kindergarten practicum sat in on the committee and she gave me a gift after. It was so sweet. This is what she gave me:
Cute huh? I love children's books! I must have told her or something. Isn't that so sweet of her? I've really had a great semester! :)
Anyways, last night was my baby shower. It was really fun. We had brownies (the most delicious chocolatey brownies ever), cake, and some yummy grapefruit soda drink. Not really sure what kind it was, but it was delicious. Ryker liked it a lot. It was very nice of my friends Kristen and Alex to throw the baby shower for me. They made it really comfortable and decorated it in a Christmasy setting. It was very nice! My friend Linda got pics of me opening gifts, but I'll post those when she gets those to me. It was super fun, and I got a lot of great gifts! Ryker will love it all! Also, thanks everyone! :)

I got a pack of 5 onesies (they are sports onesies, super cute), three hooded towels (super cute), four receiving blankets, a really soft blanket, two packs of baby wash cloths, two home made burping rags, and like 14 nursing pads. My friend Kristen made them. :)

I was so excited to get all this essential stuff! You can never have enough I've heard! I got 4 things of lotion (one is Aveeno brand) and 4 baby washes (one is Aveeno brand), a little sample of aveeno baby shampoo, some baby shampoo, and diaper rash cream (heard that stuff is magical). :)
I don't know why this pic wouldn't come up the right way, but I got a cute striped sleeper, a long sleeve moose onesie, a bib that says "Thank Heaven for little BOYS" :), a cute little green outfit with little footsies, and four burping rags! :)
Two cute striped onesies with a matching six pack of socks, a bib that says "born to eat," a cute bear blanket, cute little "things that go" book set, and little vans with dinosaurs on them. Aren't those the cutest little shoes EVER!? :)

A little lion outfit that says roar all over it with a lion bib and the pants are backwards just to show off the ROAR butt :) Also, the sleeper right next to it is REALLY soft and a girl in my ward MADE IT. She is so talented! It's for 6-9 months, but I'm pretty sure Ryker won't be that big at 6-9 months, but ya never know! :)
The little sleeper on the left is what Joe picked out right after we found out we were having a boy, a blue onesie with cute little jeans, and a cute little one piece outfit (an up close look below), and some cute little booties! :)
Isn't that so cute? I like the tie and the watch on the arm! haha!This is me yesterday after the baby shower as you can see from the stuff in the background. Over Thanksgiving break I just kind of popped out! yikes! It's exciting now though because people can tell. A little girl in Kindergarten even asked "Mrs. Gebhardt, are you pregnant?" I told her yes and that I was having a boy. She said, "I have a baby boy!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T17:28:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is having such a wonderful holiday! We had fun in Ogden and had a delicious (as always) Thanksgiving dinner made by mom, and are now enjoying our time in Henderson...we had Thanksgiving dinner (or should I say lunch) with Joe's Aunt Karen, Uncle Mark, cousins, and friends. We are so grateful that they were willing to share this holiday with us! It was delicious of course. Aunt Karen cooked her turkey for 12 hours... it was so tender and juicy. Delish! It truly has been fun despite all the homework I've been doing. Finishing up my portfolio and writing my speech so I can memorize it by next Wednesday. It'll be a scary day, but it will be exciting when it is accomplished! Plus the next day will be my Rexburg baby shower. I look forward to it! I'm grateful for such wonderful friends who are so nice to do so much for me! I'm so grateful for all my family, Joe, and Joe and I are both thankful for our baby boy Ryker! We are also excited to see Kiki go through the temple tomorrow! What an exciting day for her and her family! :) She is going to Indianapolis, Indiana--the same mish her dad served in! :)
Thanksgiving Dinner at Mom's! :) Thanks Mom!
The almost finished product! Can't wait to get this wide load out of my hands and into the ECSE faculty's.

Overwhelming!

2010-11-15T11:22:00.001-08:00

I had my first mental breakdown yesterday for the first time in a very long time... I just felt so overwhelmed with school, my calling, and the fact that we'll be moving in the next month. It's so sad! I am really going to miss Rexburg, but I know that it will be much fun starting the next chapter of our lives. It's exciting, yet very scary! I have my portfolio presentation the Wednesday after Thanksgiving break. I am TERRIFIED...as is everyone else who has to do theirs this semester. They start presentations today, and I bet my peers will do great! It will be so nice once I'm past that point. That's the scariest part of this whole program. I'm not even scared to student teach compared to this! I have to present for fifteen minutes in front of a committee (including ECSE faculty, my cooperating teacher for Kindergarten, and some dude high up in the education department) and be able to show them that I know what I need to know to move on to student teaching. They ask me any questions they want after I'm done presenting, and I have to answer them right there. Then, they send me out for like ten more minutes and wait until they call me back in. They tell me my strengths, weaknesses, give advice, and then tell me if they feel I am ready to move on to student teaching. If they don't feel I am, I FAIL. Well, they'll just have me present again the next week. Usually people pass though. The next couple weeks they look over my actual portfolio (that I've worked like 10+ hours on--still not done). This is really all I fret about right now. For my calling, I have to do visiting teaching interview, which aren't hard. They last about 5 minutes, but I'm just starting them and I have 18 girls to interview... and half of them probably won't sign up or even show. I fear it is because they haven't done their visiting teaching, but we tell them that it is okay and that we would still like to talk to them. Also, we are leaving Friday at noon to go to Utah and then Vegas for the break. We want to start moving stuff down, so we don't have to worry about getting a UHAUL, but I feel like I have NO time to start packing that stuff because I have all these other assignments. We have a Relief Society activity Thursday, which I'm second counselor so I must be there. I have an intervention session for my Strategies class Wednesday night, and aside from this I have to do the interviews. Joe is studying for a huge test to get licensed for insurance because we think that will help him get a job easier when we move, and he has been overwhelmed too... he just handles it better than me. Other than that, I am so happy and excited that we know we are having a boy! His name is Ryker Thomas. Don't judge. We love that name and that is his name! We've decided. Ryker because we just like that name and Thomas after Thomas S. Monson. Cute huh?
We had stake conference this weekend and it was wonderful, but I just get so distracted by the babies and especially the boys now that I know we are having a boy. Joe was quite distracted himself. So cute! Also, I just love looking at baby clothes, but I need to just hold off until it's baby shower time! I'm hoping someone here throws me one, but I'll end up having one no matter what, so it's okay. It'll all be fun! My friend Jessica who is the Relief Society president found out the same day that she is having a girl. Everyone thought that we would have the girl and she would have the boy. It's always the opposite of what we think. But Jess and I say that we both knew deep down inside that she was having a girl and I was having a boy. Anyways, I really need to go do some homework. Love you all family and friends! :)

It's a BOY!!!

2010-11-12T16:09:00.001-08:00

We are pleased to announce that we are having a wonderful little boy! We are super duper excited. She didn't print any pics that show proof that it is a boy, but we have some great pictures of his head! He's so cute! They gave us a DVD of the ultrasound, and I just watched it. Definitely a boy. Not that I doubted it because I'm pretty they wouldn't make a mistake, but when she said it's pretty clear I kept missing the screen because I was looking at Joe and talking about how surprised he was. He was sure it was a girl, but he is very excited to have a boy too. We both are! Ah! I can't even describe how excited I am! I think it's just the fact that we finally know to say "he." Ok, since everyone has been asking... we like the names Ryker or Ethan. We haven't really looked too much into it though, so we aren't sure on first or middle names or whatever. Anyways, we are so excited about our baby boy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

4 More Days...

2010-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

until we find out what this baby is!!! We are super duper excited. Oh, and I just got a call from the doctor saying that they got my blood test results back. They said my CBC test looks good, but they want me on some additional folic acid. My red blood cell count must be low. Also, they want to do a CBC on Joey, so they'll be doing lots of fun things on Friday. The ultrasound will be the best part of course. Hope that everything goes well! Yay for our little baby!!! :)
Here's my updated baby bump at 20 weeks! I don't know why Joe feels he has to get me close up. He's so silly!

2010-11-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here are our updated numbers!
We have 17 votes for a girl (Matt and Logan voted a girl too; very surprising)
We have 13 votes for a boy
We have 2 votes for one of each (twins, which is pretty much a cop out answer because clearly we are only having ONE baby)
Anyways, this is so fun for me even though it's a 50/50 chance. I still like to see what people think. Next Friday needs to come faster!!!Okay, so I might have cheated a little bit and angled myself to make myself look bigger, but I figure I'll look like that next week if not earlier! :)

What Do We Have?

2010-10-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

So far 75% (6 votes) have said a girl and 25% have said a boy (2 votes). I don't know how many more people are planning on voting, but I guess I'll do another update right before we find out.

What do you think?!

2010-10-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

So, I will probably do a poll on facebook because you all know I don't know how to do anything on blogger except type and put pictures up, but I wanted to still open your votes to blogger. In a comment, post whether you think we will have a boy or a girl! We find out in two weeks!!!

18 Weeks!

2010-10-25T16:22:00.001-07:00

You like how I am eating a sandwich? Peanut Butter and Honey... Yum! Got the flu shot today and my arm is really sore. :( Going for a checkup on Friday and then finding out the sex in two weeks!!! :)

17 Weeks Pregnant

2010-10-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

17 Weeks!

2010-10-19T09:31:00.001-07:00

Today I am 17 weeks! Crazy! We get to find out if it is a girl or a boy in 3 weeks and 3 days! :) Yay!!! Just within the last couple of days I have realized that I feel like I NEVER get full. I feel like I'm eating way too much, but I heard that the second trimester is like that because the baby is doing some serious growing and developing. I'll probably be back at more frequent smaller meals when I am in the third trimester... If I'm anything like my friend Shannon, anyways. I just don't want to gain way too much excess weight. Hopefully no more than ten or fifteen extra pounds (after the baby has been delivered, of course). I only say this because I heard of a girl who gained 15 just in her first trimester, and gained overall like 50-60 pounds. Yikes. Anyways, I'm rambling. I gotta shower and get ready for class. I will post a pic of my belly later. I look more pregnant now... crazy! Just a week later and it popped out!

Pregnancy

2010-10-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I am officially 16 weeks along, and I can feel my stomach start to get firm. It is a very strange feeling for me. It's like I'm constipated or something. TMI, I know, but it's the truth! I can no longer sleep on my stomach... so, so sad. That is my favorite way to sleep... so comfy! Now it just feels strange. It's not like I'm uncomfortable, but I feel like I'm squishing the baby, so my brain will not allow it. I ordered a body pillow... can't wait til it comes. I have to be honest though--I have loved every minute of pregnancy! Regardless of the nausea! Oh, speaking of nausea... it's pretty much gone. I made it through it and only puked once! (watch, now I'll puke tonight. ahha) Anyways, I'm 16 weeks and this is all I have to show for it! (refer to pic below) Can't wait til I look pregnant and not like I've eaten way too many doughnuts. :) We find out if we are having a boy or a girl November 12th! My dad's birthday! It will be an exciting day for everyone! :) My friend Jess who is due the same day is finding out the same day! We didn't even plan it! Crazy!Sorry for our embarrassing water marks on the mirror...We also went to Yellowstone National Park for the first time this past weekend! It was so fun and we saw a grizzly bear! Scary! We got a pic of it, but this is the best pic of all. haha

Wow-This is Way Overdue

2010-09-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I've blogged. I'm horrible about blogging. Hopefully I'll get better, but maybe not since this is going to be a tough semester. Everybody knows this, but Joe and I are going to be a Daddy and Mommy! We found out in July and were excited to find out yesterday that we are due March 31, 2011! One of my good friends (and the RS president, who I work closely with) Jessica is due the same day! Awesome, huh? Anyways, we are super duper excited! Joe thinks it is a girl. I have no clue what to think. I just know that Joe is pretty sure it's a girl. My friend who is pregnant with a boy said that they say girls usually have a higher heartbeat than boys and she said that ours is higher than hers was. Doesn't mean anything though. But anyways, seeing the baby made it feel so real. I almost cried I couldn't believe that baby was inside of me! They also gave me a video, so Joe and I watched it last night. You could really see the baby's heart beating. Our baby is two inches long and had a heartbeat of 180 bpm. She showed us the hands, the tummy, the thighs, the spinal cord, and even the umbilical cord. It was so cute! School is going well. I'm managing, but having a hard time getting back into the swing of things... have to motivate myself to do my homework. I really like the piano class. It is lots of fun. Anyways, gotta do some homework and prepare for a homevisit.

Looks like the baby is sucking his or her thumb! So precious! :)

Woopsie!

2010-07-20T12:19:00.001-07:00

Just realized that Brent didn't actually mean send him a Big Jud burger pic, he wanted me to send him a REAL Big Jud burger. Whoops! haha

Big Jud Bid Deal!

2010-07-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

On behalf of Brent's request, here are the Big Jud pics. I think that the first one is a double Big Jud, but we didn't get a double. That would be sooo much meat!!! Oh, and p.s., when we got there, I look over, and there is Matt with all his buddies. Matt said his friend Nate leaned over and said, "Matt did you invite your sister?" and they all look back and I waved like a crazy person. It was Awesome!
Some random guy!
It was so good! I was disappointed in myself though because I couldn't finish half of a Big Jud.
Joe enjoyed that thing thoroughly. He finished his. :)
The guy that we went on the double date with got a Big Jud and finished the whole thing, and then he forgot to get his picture taken. It was funny! Oh, and I just learned that it is Big Jud's, not Big Judd's.

2010-07-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that next Friday is my last day of school (for the semester, of course)! The day after that, I have to take my Praxis exam, which certifies me to be a teacher. Hopefully I pass--those tests are not cheap! $220! Anways, I'll be testing from about 7:30 til 12:30 (with a 45 minute break between the tests). Anyways, enough of that. This past Wednesday marked the last day of preschool with the children... it was a bitter-sweet feeling. I would totally post a picture of our class, but I am not allowed to for privacy reasons. Those little ones were so fun to work with... oh, how I get attached way too easily. For the last day, we had a summer theme. The children learned about the seasons, eating (or drinking) refreshing treats, and summer activities. After we learned about summertime activities, we all went outside and had some of our own summertime activities. They Pretended to sell otter pops to college students with fake money... it was so cute. I was over the "fishing for prizes." There was also a water balloon toss, sponge relay, face painting, and a "trike" wash (rather than a car wash). There was also a sensory table filled with water for the children to play in. It was a great time! It couldn't have gone more perfect for the last day of preschool! In other news, I am 85% finished with Assessments and Evaluation!!! Woo hoo! It really has not been as bad as everyone made it seem... I'm learning so much in that class, and we found today that we're starting to make jokes out of what we learned... we sound like wicked nerds! BAHA! It's exciting to think that I can do well in a master's level course... it'd be cool to get a master's! We have three days of finals just for that class. On Monday, we have the first 50 multiple choice questions. On Tuesday, we have up to three hours to answer fifteen essay questions well-written! On Wednesday, we have the second 50 multiple choice question... then we are done. Wednesday will be a day of celebration... then I need to take my New Testament final on Thursday. Tonight Joe and I are going on a double date with his friend Bob and his girlfriend. We are going to BIG JUDD'S! Yes! We haven't been there since we weren't even engaged! We are definitely going to get a BIG JUDD burger... that thing his HUGE! It should be delicious. Tomorrow my friend Mary is having her bachelorette party... she is getting married next Friday, and I am so happy for her! She has become one of my good friends! Congrats Mary! :)This is Mary in Ecuador. She lived there for a semester to help in the orphanage... I just think this is the cutest pic ever!

I applied for my last semester of class... excited, might I add! I am taking my Kindergarten practicum (4 credits), Strategies (4 credits, a lot like assessments), Science Methods (2 credits), and Social Studies Methods (2 credits). In honor of my last semester of classes and just because I want to take advantage while I still can, I am taking two additional classes for fun! I am taking Fit for Life (2 credits, you learn all about the body and fitness) and a Piano class! :) (2 credits, I am super excited to finally use my keyboard! :) It is one of my dreams to play the piano well. It is also one of my dreams to run a half marathon... a marathon is way too much, but I could do a half marathon, maybe. I would like to run one one day. Maybe not for a while though. Anyways, life is good. Joe is working at Western Wats. Poor guy. It's not his favorite, but it's something. He is keeping himself busy, so that is good because I am always really busy. Anyways, sometimes I wish I was a millionaire so that I could just get a car and by tickets to fly anywhere I want to. There are many people I would like to visit right now... KT and her familiy, for example. It has been approximately two years since I've seen them. :( Tear! Love you all!!!!So, in honor of you KT! The best pic EVER!!! :) Love you sista!

Thank Goodness!

2010-06-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

Thank Goodness for the gospel... Couldn't have made it this far into the semester without it! Oh, and exercising helps too! We love the gym! :)

Didn't Feel Like Fixing It

2010-04-25T19:31:00.000-07:00

Saying goodbye to Timmy!...

Brighton is such a silly little boy! :)
Dad's awesome shoes. They're DC!!!
On our way to church... I like how Logan is smiling for the camera in the back...
Hanging out at the Brunner's house! It's so different with only three cousins there now...
Timmy shoved a piece of chicken in his mouth! Baha!
Jumpin' on the "tramp"!
Went to the temple with the brothers and parents to do baptisms.
Hello All! So, the first week of the semester was... OK. I know that it is going to be a rough semester. It already feels rough! We have a lot to do to get ready for Preschool, and I have to get a second lesson plan done by like next week or something! The lesson plans are long and it's a long process. We have to have them done about three weeks before the lesson is taught because it needs to go to our head teacher first and then my instructor, and then my team (the girls I work with in the preschool). There are several different majors i n the preschool labs. There is my major ECE/ECSE and then there are child development majors, Professional Preschool majors, etc. Since we are ECSE majors, our lesson plans are different and they are a lot longer, more detailed, and more rigorous. It is pretty intense and a little confusing, but that is okay. I'm glad that we only have to do four lesson plans because I guess normally they have to do six on their own. In this case, since it is the spring semester and there are no off campus placements, there are more students in each lab--limiting us to so many lessons to teach. We only have to make and teach two lesson plans on our own, and then we teach with one other person the first time and then the last time, all the ECSE majors teach together. It will really help me as I am taking the Assessme nts course which is going to kick my butt. If we don't pass the first test, the teacher drops us from the class. We get multiple attempts to pass the test, but you have to get a 90 or higher to pass, so yes. I really look forward to that. At least there are only two tests. That's nice. I am also taking a religion class (New Testament), which I think will help out because last semester I didn't take a religion class, and I needed one more three credit scripture-based religion. I am also taking Math Methods. Next semester, I will be taking Kindergarten practicum, Strategies, social studies methods, and science methods. My last semester of classes!!! YES! This semester will be hardest by far. That's what I've been told. Anyways, Joe found a job! He's going to try it out. He starts training Tuesday. It's called Palacio...a magazine company. He's not entirely sure what he'll be doing, but we'll see. We had Matt over for di nner tonight. We made pizza. It was a good time. He was all out of food at his apartment. We were glad to feed him. He had to leave though because he said he had a ton of homework. Anyways, all I really had an update on is school and Joe's job because that is really all that is up with us. Enjoy the pics from our break!

Spending some time with Mom and Darin and the grandparents!
I love Luke's face in this pic
Me and Blue... Love him...
Getting ready to take Joe out for his first In-n-Out experience! We picked up Timmy from school and took him with us too.
Timmy's friend Kaden and I helped Timmy ask a girl to prom. Cute?
Here's his answer! :)
Joe's aunt Karen and uncle Mark and cousin Hilary. We went to some place called Grand China. Great Chinese food. His aunt and uncle spoiled us a lot while we were there.
Little Seth! What a doll! P.S. sad that I didn't get any pics with Brent and Shayla! :( We got to visit with them for a little bit and Shayla made some amazing pasta!!! Thanks again!
The little bros! They're all bigger than me now!

One of our awesome attempts to get a pic of the whole group. haha! We put the camera on timer and put the camera on the garbage can haha!

Survived the Semester!

2010-04-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! Wow, has it been such a long time since I last posted! Well, I survived last semester! It was refreshing to be done! I got all A's and one crumby B. Oh well! Just glad that's over and will be super excited when next semester is over because it should be my hardest semester. Next semester starts this Tuesday. I know it will be stressful, but it will be good. Joey graduated! I am so proud of him! He is probably going to start working for his friend scott, who started a business that makes websites for other companies. He may also work for Qwest, but it is in Idaho Falls, and unless he finds someone to go with that is not a girl (because that would be awkward), he might not be able to work there. There are great health insurance and dental insurance benefits with that company. We have been having a wonderful time here in Henderson. The weather has been BEAUTIFUL! So sunny and warm and just perfect. We've been having a lot of fun with family--including Joe's aunt and uncle. They have spoiled us a lot. I am sad to see the week break go as we will be flying back to Salt Lake tomorrow night. :( It's okay, life goes on! It'll be fun to get back to our baby apartment haha. I have to hit the books wicked hard on Tuesday! Woo hoo! That should be fun!

Help!

2010-03-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

5...4...3...2... bet you thought I was going to put 1 next, huh? Those numbers represent the credits for each of the classes I am taking next semester. I just registered last week. My preschool practicum is 5 credits, Assessments is 4 credits (I will die), New Testament is 3 credits :), and math methods is 2 credits. Oh, how I wish I was graduating in April...
Anyways, I titled this post Help! because I need someone to make my blog layout look pretty. I have no idea how to do it.
Thank you. Gotta run to class!

A Heart Full of Gratitude!

2010-03-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

Last week Joe and I were going to go to a cheap movie and then eat at Gringo's (right across the street) afterwards. Because we were so swamped with homework, we never got to doing it. Yesterday, we received an email from our apartment managers that said "Joe and Cynthia, You have a letter in the office. Please come pick it up during office hours." So, I was thinking "hmmm... this is weird, how could the letter have not ended up in our mailbox? So, I went and picked it up after class today and it was an envelope that said "Gephardts" on it. I was like hmmmm this is weird. So I opened it up and found two movie tickets and a $20 giftcard to Gringo's. So, I was like totally thinking this was creepy because Joe and I did not tell anyone that we wanted to go to Gringo's and to see a movie... Joe and I just got the chills. Then, I found a note that said "use where needed." I was thinking, "well, really you can only use them at two places: Gringo's and the movie theater... but then I looked in the envelope again and found $100 dollars (2 $50's). We just had such a heart full of gratitude... I felt like I wanted to thank the person, but obviously they didn't want us to know who they were. I just hope that person knows how grateful we are for this very generous gift. We are going to use the $100 for groceries and what not. I am so grateful for the Lord and what He does for us. I couldn't have made it through last week and this week without him. I was just so sick and so overwhelmed with homework, presentations, and teaching and didn't think I could do it, but here I am finishing up a 9 page activity plan (my last one, yay!) that is due tomorrow and I couldn't have done it without the Lord, and I know a part of the reason we have been so blessed is because of my great husband and everything he has been doing. He has been to the temple everyday this week and has been doing family history work along with school. I wish I was that good. He makes me want to be better everyday! Anyways, I just wanted to express thanks to all of you as well for being so kind, loving, and patient with us. We are excited to go to Henderson in April. It will be a good break between semesters. We also are excited to take Matt out for his bday either this weekend or the next. Love you all! :)

It's been a while...

2010-02-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

So, here I am, wasting time on Facebook (not doing homework, mind you) and I could easily be updating my good family and friends about our lives. Well, there really isn't much to say except that I can't wait to graduate!!!!!! ugh! I am so ready to be done. I love school and all, but I don't enjoy the stress and busy work that comes with it. I wish we could all go to school JUST to learn and not do any assignments. That would be wonderful. So, I have senioritis, but I am not a senior. Close. But not yet. 2nd semester junior.... yes.... sounds pretty good. Joe graduates in April. He is so lucky. He is trying to find a job and hopes to have one by the time school gets out so that he is not just sitting around being bored.... and we'd have money! :) He is in his capstone right now. He does consultant projects and stuff like that... I don't know how it works, but it is a lot of work for him. He works hard. I don't know how he does it with the diet he is on. Poor guy. I am taking 15 credits mostly because that's the minimum I can take on the fast grad program. I am in a 4 credit class...tis the toddler lab.... tis very, very time consuming. I have to lead teach 3 times (1 down, 2 to go), and the activity plans that we have to write are VERY long. They seriously take me like 8 hours to do all together. I just wrote my second one and it was a little easier the second time. I am hoping the third one is even easier. I'm sure it will all become easier as the semester goes on. I am also taking a Child 230 class, which is a preschool curriculum class. We have to make these HUGE resource files... 10 subjects.... atleast 10 resources in each subject, 10 activity starters (like games and activities and such), and other teacher aides required (puppets, felt story boards, etc.) So, that takes up a good amount of time (rather, it WILL take up a good amount of time) I haven't worked on it as much as I should be. I am also taking a culture and diversity class... tis the easiest class this semester. It's my only 2 credit class and it is not too demanding... thank heavens! It's the back burner class... teehee. I am also taking another 400 level class, but it is 3 credits. It's a SPED course about family and community. It is pretty good. I like it. Lots of projects of course... last, but not least! I am taking another SPED class. It is called Exceptional Students, and both my major and ELED majors have to take it. The tests are quite rigorous thus far. We get to do fun application assignments (wheelchair, visual impairment, hearing impairment, stuttering, and language delay.) I have done the visual impairment where we have to wear four different masks for four hours (one hour per mask)... I am so grateful for my eyes... even if I have to wear contacts to make them work right. I have also done the stuttering and language delay and I was really embarrassed and self conscious. It is really interesting to see how others feel who have these disabilities. I am so very grateful for my blessings and hope that I can better interact with people with disabilities, rather than being scared of interacting with them. I will be doing the wheelchair next monday. Yay. There are certain things we have to do with this one. We have to get in and out of a car, go down to the book store, go to the bathroom (no standing, so I have to meneuver my body from the chair to the can, yikes) and there are some other things I have to do, but I am not sure of them right now. The hearing impairment... well, I have to wear ear plugs for EIGHT hours... I might have a headache by the end of that day. It will be good. So, yes. Life is good. I am especially nervous for next semester because I will be in Preschool lab... 5 big whoppin credits!!! I heard it's harder than the kidergarten practicum, which I will be taking in the fall. I am going to be taking preschool along with an assessments course which is 4 credits and I heard that class will make you cry because you have to learn how to assess children with disabilities and write an IFSP for them. I also learned that we have to take extremely rigorous tests in there too (same teacher, go figure.) He's good though. I am really enjoying this major no matter how hard it is because I am learning so very much a lot, and I can do SO many things with this major. Today we took Matt some "get well" brownies with some tylenol cold gel caps. He is sick. We gotta take care of our Matty boy. He was so nice to take us out for my birthday. We went to Winger's. We also took him out for pizza a few weeks ago. It is good to see him. So, pretty much life is Great! No social lives, but... wait! We are playing dodgeball, that's kind of social. Joe is the team captain for our dodgeball team. We've played one game. We won by forfeit. The other team only had 2 players show up. They were scared that we would win. I just play because the team has to have atleast one girl if it is a bunch of boys and atleast one boy if it is a bunch of girls. It's fun, but MAN! do those boys throw those balls fast and hard. Mine just fly in the air so slow that those guys catch them easily. Also, I am now 21! Feel the same, feel like I'm still 20. Joey and I both got over viruses. Thankfully, we have NOT gotten the flu... any type (knock on wood). That would destroy my grades. Hmmm... what else... oh! My best friend Kiki's missionary gets home TOMORROW!!! I have planned that they will be married during the summer break. That's what they'll probably do anyways if they decide to be married. Well, family and friends! I hope life is going very well for you! I will try and update this thing more often, but I can't make any promises! Happy late Valentine's day too! Love, love, love you all!!!

This is me on my birthday. We got one of those microwave Betty Crocker cakes... don't put the candles in right when it's done. They'll melt into the cake. Oh ya, and I was sick on my bday. A good day! That's why my nose is nice and rosey.

This is me and the father-in-law at his surprise 60th birthday party! He was indeed very surprised! :O

Awww... Father and son... so cute. Joe's dad is a riot!!! :)

The Rest of the Pictures...

2009-12-27T13:16:00.001-08:00

Here are the pictures from Christmas eve!!! :)

The little Christmas tree... These Christmas trees are awesome!

Look! I'm a little person! haha

The big Christmas tree!

The family snacking!

Crazy Fatha!

Liana!

This is Sophie (the little one) and Allie. Sophie is Joe's cousin Carrie's daughter, and Allie is Joe's cousin Suzie's daughter!

Little Sophie!

That's Sophia's little sister Olivia.. they call her Livi... she is such a good baby... very cute!

Awwwwww!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2009-12-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

Well, we hope everyone had a great Christmas! We had a good time and got some great gifts! The day before Christmas eve, we went caroling with Joe's sister Liana and the missionaries. It was lots of fun. I failed to get pictures though. Christmas eve, we had a bunch of Joe's family over for dinner and presents. Joe's mom loves getting clothes for Joe's cousins' kids. They love it. :) Christmas was great! We had a steak lunch around 3. Delicious! And then we opened gifts, built a 6 ft. snowman, and then JOey and I watched Groundhog Day. (haha, I had never seen it.) We got to talk to all the fam except Brent and Kerstin. :( Tried to call, we just kept playing phone tag! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and we were thinking of all of you! We miss you muchos!!! Have a wonderful New Year!!!!!! Here are some pics from the festivities...

Joey's excited it Christmas Day!!!

My hot purse from Mom and Dad G!

Joe's fancy sweater!!! My beautiful white cardigan
My beautiful red cardigan...
Ricky got Star Trek on Blue Ray!
Ricky's fancy gift wrap! haha
The snuggie we got Motha!
Joey got a snuggie and a bag of reeses from me...
Joey, this is just what I wanted! How'd you know?

This too! Thanks Joey :)
My black (or navy, we couldn't decide) cardigan! :)
delicious tights!
Steve packing the snow on!
We gave him a beauty mark... Lee and Lu posin...
Me and Joey...
It was taking forever to load pictures, so I'll load the pics from Christmas eve later... these were from Christmas... I was very much spoiled! Thanks everyone!!! :) Time to go shopping! haha jk

Rexburg is WAY too cold!

2009-12-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, I know nothing about making a nice blog layout, so it'll probably be pretty icky looking for a while. Joey and I are getting our pictures done by a girl in our ward on Saturday, so hopefully those will turn out nice and I can post on blog! It's that time for freezing buns again! I walked outside (in a skirt might I add) today to go to the elementary school and boy was there a very undelightful drift! Also, when I breathed in my nose, I could feel my bogies freeze... it is the weirdest feeling... I thought to myself, "wow, it must be pretty cold out here today!" Come to find out it was 1 degree below 0. It is 9 degrees below 0 as I speak (or should I say type)! This has really made me grateful for the amazingly great heat that we have to keep us warm and the hot showers! Life has been good. We are just trying to get through these last couple of weeks of school--stressful. Thanksgiving holiday was awesome! We were so grateful to spend some time with mom and Darin and both their parents, as well as the Karl and Marrae Brunner fam! It was great fun! We were also grateful for the time off from school. It was great relaxation. I'm afraid I gained 4 pounds on this break though... oh well! We also got our first Christmas tree. It's so cute and little. It's a four footer! We are excited! :) Anyways, from the mouth of Michael Scott--"Back to work!" haha.

This is Kaylee Cook. I babysat her one day so that her mom (Kristen, the relief society president) could go to the temple. Isn't she adorable?

The failed attempt!

Uncle David

Grandma!

Grandpa! haha I love how he isn't even looking at the camera.

All the girls that were at grandma and grandpa Brunner's. haha I look like a freak or maybe Brent would consider it the "Clog!" haha

Oh, how I love him!!! <3

Yikes. I must look like this often. I think Brother Nelson (my geology teacher) probably thinks I think that his class is boring because I can hardly stay awake! (Well, today atleast) haha

Oh, how I love those beautiful brown eyes of his!!! :)

This is our cute little baby Christmas tree. :)

Funky layout and Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-24T15:13:00.000-08:00

So, I am trying to figure out this whole layout thing, and our blog is under construction, so don't laugh at how funny it looks. It doesn't match at all, and until I get some good pics and what not to put on here, it will look like this. Plus I won't have access to the internet this week too much. Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Also, for our family that we don't get to see, WE MISS YOU TONS! Love you all and hope you are all doing well!!

Update!

2009-10-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hello wonderful family and friends! Oh, how time flies! We are already half way through the semester! We had a great and fun summer, which went by way too fast by the way. I'm surviving and so is Joey, barely. He's up late at the library with class group work and stuff. Fun for him! I also have a lot of group stuff this semester--in like 4 of my classes. I like all of my classes... except English--you have to be able to dig deep into literature to feel smart in the class. I can't dig deep.. I'm more of a math person, personally. haha! We both cannot wait until this semester is over! We've been so busy, we've hardly had any time for eachother. I know that that will happen a lot, but we try to atleast have time together on the weekend, but it feels like that hasn't happened in a while. Although, we do watch a prophet video every Sunday night, so I guess that counts! :) Joey has been working really hard to lose weight. He is doing great. He hasn't had pizza in over a month! That's like pretty much amazing for him because pizza is his all time favorite food. He's been working out everyday except Sunday as well. I've been trying to support him and stuff by eating healthy myself, but I like to eat chocolate too much. haha! I just started my block class this week. It's my Literacy practicum, where I go into the elementary school twice a week and help with assessments and anything else my cooperative teacher needs help with. It has been fun. We're put in the first grade class. Cute kids. It was so sad--one little boy was doing his "reading naturally" on the computer (it's basically where you read a little paragraph and practice over and over until you've got it pretty good, and then you read it to a teacher/adult), and he just started crying and said, "I'm just not good, I'm never going to read 'grows' right." Poor little boy. I guess he is in the lower level reading group, but he loves trying hard and enjoys reading for the most part. The little kiddies were dressed up for halloween today--so cute! Over the intercom, there was spooky music playing and some kids were like, "I'm not scared of that!" and others were like, "this computer room is haunted!" So silly! This week has really worn me out. I've been sick with this horrible cough and nose thing, and I can't miss more than a day in my block class or else you fail! so, I went today because I wanted to save my one "sick" day for if I got the flu or something nasty like that. I've been so tempted to just skip class, but I just can't afford to. Our professors take attendance and it's part of our grade...icky... but it's good because then I don't really get behind. Next week, I have a presentation, analytical insight paper, a test, and two projects due. Joey and I just take it a day at a time and are excited when we've reached Friday night alive. haha! Oh, also, when I walked out the door this morning there was SNOW on the ground, and I was not too happy about that... ya, it looks nice, but it's not fun to walk in or freeze in or anything in. Not to mention we live on a hill so it's so scary walking down because you have to walk like a 100 year old man just so you don't slip! And the bottom of your pants get all wet and nasty and white from the salt. I just need the snow to go away until I move away from here!... The wind is ridiculous here... that should go away too. You can't stay warm no matter how many layers you put on because the wind just blows the cold air right into you, and it makes it very difficult to wear a skirt or dress because, unless you wear leggings underneath, you and all your glory shows! Anyways, that's enough about the weather. I love Rexburg other than that. Oh ya, like a month ago or something we were going to move to a bigger apartment because this one is sooooo tiny, but we ended up staying because we felt that the Lord wanted us in the ward that we are in. We are both very busy with our callings. Meetings here and there--no naps for us on Sunday any more. That's okay though! Joey graduates in April and we are both excited! I wish I graduated that soon! Goodness, I don't graduate until next December, but that will come quick, I'm sure. Just look at how fast this semester has gone! We have both been homesick and miss our families mucho. I think it's because we just hate not being able to go anywhere too often because we don't have a car yet. It's okay though because we are saving a lot by not having one right now. Anyways, that's our lives! School takes over it! We love you all and have a wonderful weekend!--we plan to. :)

Update Coming Soon...

2009-10-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow! It's been a long time since I've updated this thing! Be prepared for a nice update coming soon!!! :)

The Pics

2009-08-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

The joy of traveling!

2009-08-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it safe to Boston! It was a super long day yesterday. We were using buddy passes, so of course we were on standby. We were hoping to get the 7 a.m flight, but they only had one more seat when they called us. If we had checked in a little earlier than we did we would have been able to get on, but we weren't early enough. So, we stayed at the airport until the 11:15. We didn't take off until about 12. Our flight to New York wasn't too bad. We made good time. We got to New York around 7:30 (eastern time of course), but our next flight was supposed to be for 10:50, but got delayed until 11:15, but we didn't get on the plane until 11:30, and then we were in a long line of planes for take off, so I imagine we didn't take off until about midnight. Luckily that flight was much shorter. It seemed like 10 minutes. We arrived in Boston a little before 1 a.m. and then we got to Joe's parents house around 2:15. My lower back was killing me... I was in so much pain. I think it happens when I sit for too long, and I felt so tired and sick and wanted to just go to sleep. So, we were asleep by about 3. I was so happy to wake up to a much better back and felt well! We woke up at about 11. It was a loooong day yesterday, but we are grateful to be safe and sound in good ole Beverly. It's not hot here at all. It's actually kind of chili. I think it's in the 60's right now. Tomorrow it's supposed to get into the 80's.
We had a great time in Henderson! We are so glad we got to see everyone we wanted to see for the most part. We are also excited to say that we got to stay and be there for Benji's endowment. It was great. We were originally going to leave the 6th, but stayed til the 10th, and we both agree that it was much better that way! We are grateful for such a great family and good friends! We had a good time swimming and doing all that fun stuff! Also, we had a good time with my mom and Darin. They are so good to us. They are going to be taking us back up to Rexburg. They do so much for us!!! :) We are sad that we didn't get pictures with them, but we'll have to do that when we get back to Utah! We were excited to see Brent and Shayla and the boys! They are so cute!!! Shayla made a delicious breakfast dinner! Brent said there was so much extra sausage and I regret not eating more! I thought that sausage was so good! It was a good time though. We played loaded questions and Chelsea was there too! We were glad to get to be there for 2 weeks! Now we are here for most of the rest of the time. I'll try and keep you all updated as much as possible. Also, we wish we could see KT and her family!!! It has been WAY too long!!!! :(.
It's late, so I'm gonna get off, but I'll post pictures from Vegas tomorrow!!! Love you!!

P.S. Funny Story

2009-07-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

So, I was going around delivering notes to some apartments, and I went to pass our friend Bill's apartment (He's the kind man who lets us use his sweet truck to buy groceries and other things), and he was like "congratulations!" and I was like "what?" and then he told me he found our shopping list in his truck. I was thinking of the things that may have been written on it, and this guy from our ward that was there chatting with him was like, "are you pregnant?" and I was like "what? no!" and then Bill was like, "prenatal vitamins?", and I was like, "Dude, you can take those before, during, and after pregnancy." And then later he was like well, congrats anyways. And then I just told them that I have been taking prenatal vitamins since like last May or June because my Women's Health teacher told us to start taking them. So, to make a long story short, Bill thought I was prego because I was buying some prenatal vitamins. False!

craves oreos!

2009-07-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends!
I made it through last week, and everything went well! I feel like my confidence in teaching and getting in front of people is boosting!!! I aced my Math 205 test (yes!), and my presentation on autism went well, and my 30 minute lesson on maps went well too! All I have left is 4 days of class, 3 assignments, and 3 finals! Yes! Oh, and I think I did okay on my state tests. The first one seemed easy, but I hope I didn't fail the second one. HAHA! We are excited to go one vacation here pretty soon! We can't wait to see a lot of the family!!! We will be in Vegas on the 27th, and we'll probably head to Boston around our anniversary or something. We are going to decide in Vegas because we will just be using buddy passes and getting on whenever we can. So, everything here is going well! The weather is beautiful and I feel like I want to wear shorts and flip flops to class, but I can't! and that is okay! because class is only 4 more days! Joe had all his finals last week, so he is done except for a couple things! LUCKY! Anyways, I better eat lunch before it's time to go to church! Love all of you!!!! Oh, and for the record I am NOT pregnant yet, so hold off on the excitement haha.

2009-07-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today has been a busy, yet great day!!! Here's how my day went!
8:20- wake up and get ready for presidency meeting
9:40- get a phone call from stake asking Joe and I to meet at 12
10:00-presidency meeting
11:00-visiting teaching meeting
11:30-leave VT meeting early and rush home to be visit taught
11:47-say thanks and goodbye to visiting teachers
12:00-meet with stake presidency-Joe gets called as ward clerk
1:30-sacrament meeting
2:30-teach family history
3:30-Relief society
4:30-church ends
4:45-Joey gets set apart
5:00-stake relief society meeting
6:00-dinner :)
It was a great day and a very spiritual one at that!
Friday and Saturday Shade was having a big blowout sale at a middle school down at the end of the street that has the temple on it, and they seriously had some great deals! I got two pairs of capris, 3 maternity shirts (get them while they're cheap!), and two t-shirts. If I got everything at original price (which I wouldn't), the grand total would have been 201.50, but I got all of it for 39.00, saving $162.50!!! WOOHOO! Two more weeks of the semester!!! I can't wait til this week is over! I have two state tests, a math test, a presentation, and a 30 minute lesson I have to teach. I'm nervous, but it will be okay!

Scary Dreams!

2009-07-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had the most terrifying dreams? I usually never have very scary dreams--usually they're manageable, but last week I had two very scary dreams. In the first dream--it sounds corny--but Benji was flying one of those small airplanes, and I watched it crash and go up in smoke. I was devastated. I bawled uncontrollably and my Aunt Lori was trying to comfort me, and I sobbed and said, "he was one of my best friends!!!", and I woke up with the most awful feelings and I was bawling and Joe asked me what was wrong and I told him the whole story, and even though I knew it was just a dream I continued to cry and I think it was because it felt sooo real. In that same dream, Logan had to get stitches in his eyes because of "me". I don't know what I did, but both tragedies were my fault. My next dream, which I had the other day, was finding out that my mom died. Again, I was devastated, and woke up crying. I asked my mom if she was getting enough rest because these dreams felt so real. I think I had these dreams because the subject of death has come up a few times, with Michael Jackson dying, that lady Farrah, and the student in our school that drowned in the snake river. Some of my friends knew him and they have expressed how happy they are to know that it is not the end. They will see him again. Anyways, ya those dreams were very scary and sad and I would love to not have dreams like that again. In other news, I was recently called into the Relief Society Presidency as Secretary, and I am very excited to serve and get to know many of the sisters in my ward. I feel like this is a great way to better myself and to learn and grow. I haven't been released from my Family History calling, so Joe and I are still teaching those classes. It's great fun. I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July!!! We did. We got our own fireworks and set them off and all that fun stuff. School has been crazy, and we are excited for the semester to be over in a few weeks!

Yes...

2009-05-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

I was having way too many of these......

(BAD HAIR DAY!)

So it was time for one of these......

I'm satisfied!...

Our life consists of this...

2009-05-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

School, Homework, school, Homework...

Future teacher!!!.. woo!... I teach at an elementary twice a week in Sugar City.

wishing....

Lack of sleep!!!

On-the-go snacks!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

First, I would like to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! To all the women out there! Even if you do not have children yet, because one way or another you will be a mother one day!!! but I would especially like to thank my mom for being a great mom and for bringing me into this world and caring for me. Also, thank you for all you do to help us! Also, thank you for being so funny! I love laughing! Also, we love you!!! Well, I know it's been a long time since I blogged, but I just want to let you know that our calling is going great. We are having fun teaching and learning about family history. It's a lot to remember, but we have a great class of people who are ready to learn. Also, last Sunday Elder Bednar spoke in OUR ward!!!! It was so exciting. We walked into sacrament meeting and first I noticed that President Clark up there and I was amazed at that, and then I looked to the left and there was Elder Bednar!!! Woe! and our bishop was so funny today because he said that he felt so nervous having an Apostle sitting next to him. It was a very good day. Yesterday Matt came over and that was pretty fun; he came shopping with us and what not as well. He also stopped by today as well. School is a lot of work, but we are getting through it. I go to an elementary school in Sugar City twice a week for one of my classes and it's fun because I get to wear a name tag and we get to teach a couple of times. Me and this girl Stephanie are in a first grade class. This class is like the most well-behaved class i've ever seen. It's fun stuff. Also, the weather has been beautiful!!! yes! Except it gets wicked windy here. They should call Rexburg the windy city!!! It never stops! Oh, and some sad news. Joey's cousin Jessica passed away about a week and a half or two weeks ago. She was 24 and it was really unexpected. They never found out the cause, but we know she is in a much better place! Well, we love you all and miss you all! And try and dodge the sick people! I feel something coming on! Go Boston!!!

The Break, Our Sunday, and a New Semester!

2009-04-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a great break from school. We went down to Utah and Henderson. We only got to spend about two days in Utah all together and the rest of the time was spent in Henderson. Here are some highlights from the trip:
-We got to see gma and gpa Watts for the first time since they got back from the Mish...Joey met them for the first time ever.
-We played spoons with the family
-I got to spend a few hours with Kiki whom I hadn't seen since August. It was great times.
-We went to little Noah's birthday party and got to see good family and friends.
-We got to go to the Las Vegas temple with Dad and JoAnn
-We got to go to Brent and Shayla's to play games...we played the Celestial Marriage game. It was great fun, and it was good to spend time with Brent and Shay... and it was also great to finally meet little Baby Seth! He is sooooo cute!... oh, and Brighton is just as cute as ever and did I mention he's a genius?
-We got to play Yahtzee with the family.
-We got to go to Buffalo Wild Wings with Joey's Aunt Karen, Uncle Mark, and cousin Hilary.
-We got to go to 2 of Timmy's volleyball games--he's really good by the way.
-We got to go see Monsters vs. Aliens at the Rave theater with Joey's Uncle Mark.
-We got to play Donkey Kong Country, Tetris, and Mario World
-When we got back to Utah we got to play Round Trip to Europe or whatever that game is called with Matt and Darin... that is a fun game, and Joey killed us!
-On the way back up to Rexburg we had a great trip. It was fun. We went to the Idaho Falls Temple and we went to Red Robin. It was great to spend time with Matt and Mom.
I'm sure there were many more highlights, but these are the things that i could think of for now. We just appreciate everything that everyone has done for us. We are definitely grateful for a great family and great friends.
Our Sunday has been wonderful. We had to go meet with one of the counselors from the bishopric before church, and to our surprise we received a very exciting calling. We have the opportunity to serve as Church History Consultants. We are so excited and feel very blessed to get to learn and to teach others about Family History. It has been an emotionally draining day... in a good way of course. Joey and I also each have another calling and when we were in the meeting today, they said that they have heard nothing but great things about how Joe has been serving in his calling. I am so grateful for such a hardworking husband who always wants to do his best and wants to fulfill his callings to the fullest. He's the best! Anyways, the talks today were so great. I felt like they were speaking directly to me. It was all just great. Tomorrow is the first day of the Spring semester. I am kind of excited, and I am ready for this challenge. I haven't taken 17 credits together ever, so I'm definitely expecting a lot of hard work and study throughout this semester, especially now with our great callings. Of course, the calling with be a lot more fun than the schoolwork... haha jk, but seriously. It's going to be great though! Well, here are some pics from our trip. We wish we would have gotten more, but we aren't the best at remembering to take the camera everywhere we go. Love ya'll! oh, Happy Late Easter by the way!!!
Don't you love our style? haha jk
Luke's "I'm bad" look.
BDN
Playing knockout in the gameroom.
Elder Doubleday--> he is from Massachusetts like Joe. They have a lot in common.
Eating a delicious peanut butter rice crispy.

We played Yahtzee a few times. It was fun.

I know, I know... our shirts are very familiar. We don't have money to change our wardrobe yet.

Logan listening to the monitor for little baby Rexi.

Timmy loves doing the dishes.

School and other Miscellany...

2009-04-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

Hello dear family and friends. It has been way too long! School has been up, and that's all. It'll be over next week thank goodness, but then it's back in April 22... I know, right? What kind of break is that? haha. I will be taking 17 credits... I will be taking the following: El Early Field (That's a class where you go to an elementary school and observe, I think.), Eng 313 (Advanced Writing Elem), Math 110 (College Algebra), Doctrines of the Gospel, Math 205 (Fundamental Number Theories or something like that), Ed 345 (Comp. Lit. 2). It'll probably be a busier than this semester, but I'm ready for the challenge. Bring it on!!! For this semester my grades are looking good! They're all A's except I think I have a B+ in my FDAMF class. Okay, enough about grades. So, I have my state lit. 1 test next tuesday. I was kind of nervous about it, but after the review in that class I think it should be pretty good. Now, the state lit. 2 and 3 might be hard! I finished my 60 books for Children's lit! woooo!! It was pretty fun to read a bunch of different kinds of books. We had to make cards for each book that we read and that was pretty fun. Joey is doing great in school like always... OH, Happy April by the way!!! This week has been good. Joe and I have been working our hard this week. I am not sure why, maybe just for fun or maybe just to relieve stress from school... haha. We are super excited to be going to my mom's next week and then to Henderson for the week we have off from school. We hope to be able to enjoy the warm weather!!!..... We most likely will. Oh, and the flat streets... we pretty much live on a giant hill!!! ... haha. So, a good few weeks ago we had Matt over for dinner. It was great fun. We had Matt's favorite burgers and chocolate milk.... 7 burgers... Matt 3, Joe 2, and me 2!!! On the first day of Spring, we had beautiful weather! but I knew it was too good to be true to stay that way... We've had snow yesterday and today. We are very excited because I am planning to be done with school hopefully by next fall. I want to get on fast grad (that's when you go all year around and you have to take atleast 15 credits each semester...) It's pretty great. I'll probably get on fast grad because you only have to have 50 credits, and by the time I apply for fast grad I will have 58 credits. Joe should be done this fall or next winter which is great!!! I can't wait to be finished! Anyways, sorry this blog is kind of boring. We haven't been up to much... it's been great though. And fun and exciting. Here are some pics to top this blog off....A pic of Matty
Okay, so funny story... So we were walking to the temple and it was really really windy (It gets pretty windy here in Rexburg) and so I was so scared that my skirt would fly up so I was holding my temple bag behind my skirt to keep it down. Well, as we were walking, my temple bag kept hitting the back of my legs and the result was a huge welt on the back of my right leg right under my knee pit. It's pretty much disappeared now, but it hurt and I just did not think that that would have causeda bruise. LOL!
What we ate for dinner tonight... spicy chicken fingers. yum!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-03-20T12:30:00.001-07:00

Today is mommy's birthday and we would like to wish her a very happy birthday! We appreciate everything that she does for us (she does A LOT), and we cannot thank her enough! She is always so loving and willing and will take time out of her precious sleeping time to spend with her kids. We know that is because she loves us and doesn't want to miss a minute with us. She is very understanding and tells me to never overdo it or get too stressed. This helps me stay calm in my school work and I know it will help me next semester as I will be taking 17 credits. It's a lot for me. Anyways, we just wanted to wish her a happy bday!!! Also, I wish I had a pic to post right now, but I am at the school library so I may have to add it later! We love you mom!!!!!! :)

It's a Beautiful Day!!!

2009-02-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, so the last couple of days have been beautiful out and I only wish this is the beginning of spring, but you know in Rexburg you can never really be certain! Tomorrow it might be 30 below! Anyways, the sky is blue the sun is shining and I even saw some boys with short sleeves on! I couldn't do that... it's still a little too chili for that. It's definitely short sleeve weather for our brother Matt though. He truly is a warm blooded being. :) So anyways, school has been super overwhelming and midterms is next week. Yay! We're halfway through the semester! I have to have 30 books read by next Thursday and I've read 25 and am reading the 26th... pretty good if I do say so myself. (it's good for me atleast... I'm not one you see reading during precious free time) There's an older girl in two of my classes, and seriously she comes to class everyday with a different book in hand regardless of how huge the book is. That takes talent! I've found a love for reading, but not if it's a boring book. I've picked up a few of those at the library!

I also have some papers to write and since I am in FA 100, I have to go to one event tonight and another tomorrow night (band and choir). That will make 4 events out of 7, so I'm almost done! Ya baby! Matt's 22nd Bday is coming up soon and so we are probably going to have him over for dinner the Sunday before. We feel so bad because I always feel so busy and sometimes I'm kind of closed off from pretty much everyone except my husband, my professors, and my classmates. It feels like I'm always going and never have a break from schoolwork. It's okay though because I'm not paying for college to fail, so I might as well do well in school right? Plus, I value my education! So, Joey and I had a dream last night... a very similar dream. Joey had a dream I was pregnant and I had a dream that I found out I was pregnant and was very sick. Weird right? Maybe it's a sign! :) Okay, well on another note: I have found my new love... it's a jean vest and I just feel like wearing it everyday! haha... it was 4 bucks and I had some birthday money, so i couldn't pass it up! Well, I hope all is well with everyone! Hope ya'll are having a beautiful day as well!!!!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

2009-02-14T18:19:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures from our Valentines Day! It was a good one! Hope everyone has/has had a Happy Valentines Day (regardless what the weather is like! haha)!!!

This is after we got to Winger's. I had my hair did so nicely until I had to walk in the snow... then it went flat!! haha

It was worth the walk! It tasted delicious!

This is after we went to Craigo's for dessert. We got a "Cookie Monster" it was delicious. As you can see by my face and pink things it was freezing out there!

Joey reading his card from me.

I got him his fave! Reeses!

I know I looked stoned!

My little baby roses!

Real roses, chocolate rose, I heart you chocolate! haha

Thanks!

2009-02-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and gifts! They mean a lot to me! I can't believe I'm 20!!!! My birthday was pretty good. Of course, I did have classes, a lot of homework, and studying but it was still great! Joey made it lots of fun! Hope everyone is doing well and good luck with everything!

This was my delicious birthday breakfast that Joe made for me! I look like I just woke up... probably because I did.

These are the gifts from Joey!

I got a new pink scripture case, a white undershirt, hot cheetohs (love), chocolate, and my favorite peanut m&m's.

This is another one of my faves, Matt got me some delicious gummy bears!

This is the pretty card from Joey. It was so sweet! My smile is crooked I know.

Joey and me.
My tiny little birthday cake! (it was yummy!)
Blowing out the candles!

The Gebhardt's

10 Months Old!

Videos

Happy New Year!

Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Food for Thought

Ryker is 9 Months!

A Video that Makes Me Smile

Happy Thanksgiving!

8 Months Old!

Celebrate!

Halloween and Some other Fun!

7 Months Old

Out of the Blue Decision!

The Topsfield Fair

Ryker said his first word today...

Ryker Sits Up and Does Some Other Tricks

At Ryker's 6 Month Appointment...

6 Months Old!

This...

Our First Family Vacation

The Secret Mission Revealed!

The Secret Mission

It's Not About Me

A Little Game called Catch Up!

New England LINGO

Massachusetts

Ryker's Two Month!

8 Weeks Old

Ryker Takes Care of Business!

Happy 6 Weeks Ryker!

Happy Birthday Kerstin!

The Birth Story

Silly Mommy!

3 Weeks Old!

Ryker Thomas Gebhardt

The Promised Picture

Hello World!

Baby Shower! :)

Life- Not Just a Delicious Cereal

WOE-UH!

That's What's Up

28 weeks and 4 days!

Student and Baby

All Grown up and Graduated!

The Promised Post

24 Weeks and Other Goodies Coming Soon!

Great News!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Overwhelming!

It's a BOY!!!

4 More Days...

What Do We Have?

What do you think?!

18 Weeks!

17 Weeks Pregnant

17 Weeks!

Pregnancy

Wow-This is Way Overdue

Woopsie!

Big Jud Bid Deal!

Thank Goodness!

Didn't Feel Like Fixing It

Survived the Semester!

Help!

A Heart Full of Gratitude!

It's been a while...

The Rest of the Pictures...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Rexburg is WAY too cold!

Funky layout and Happy Thanksgiving!

Update!

Update Coming Soon...

The Pics

The joy of traveling!

P.S. Funny Story

*craves oreos!*

Scary Dreams!

Yes...

craves oreos!