Change of scenery

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Life with two girls

Hello! Well, I am alive! I survived yesterday, my first day "alone" with the two girls. It went well. I was able to get ready in the morning with EF watching Sesame Street for a few minutes and then playing with her pretend make-up kit (thank you, Margarita!!!). Then, we ran a few errands...in the pouring down rain. I was so proud! I nursed little Ryals twice with Eliza Faris awake and I just closed the door to her room and sat on her bed while she played on the floor and I fed Ryals. I was so pleased that Eliza Faris would play for that long without needing something. Truly a blessing! Today was not as smooth, but we're making it! I'm beginning to wonder if our neighbors think that I am abusing my child. She screams and cries so much! I feel bad for the neighbors, if they are home in the day time. Oh well, I think it will take awhile for Eliza Faris to adjust to the new baby.

As for Ryals, she is easy easy easy! She just sleeps all day and night or if she's awake, she just looks around. I can count on one hand the times she's been fussy and I've been able to get her calm in just a few minutes. What a little angel child! I know that she is probably still incubating and resting from labor and delivery, but that's ok...I'll take all the calmness she will offer.

Caleb has been such a wonderful help to me. He comes home from a hard day at work only to be faced with feeding EF, bathing her and putting her down because I'm busy nursing. I appreciate him so much and can't imagine what single mothers do!

Here are some pictures of the girls. Most are of Eliza Faris's time with my parents in Greenville right after Ryals was born; but I also put a few pictures from yesterday of little Ryals. Enjoy!!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2604318&id=4922755&l=441992752e

Kathryn "Ryals" Connor

Hello all! Well, we had a little surprise this week! Ryals decided to make her entrance a few weeks early. I was almost 37 weeks, though, so she is fine. I was up all Monday night with contractions and went into the doctor on Tuesday morning. My mom had come into town on Sunday night to help with the move (side note: we moved into a bigger place this past weekend--yay!). She helped watch EF while Caleb did some moving on Sunday and then hung out with me on Monday getting things done! So, Mom was scheduled to leave on Tuesday morning first thing, but when I woke up and was up all night with contractions, she stayed and took me to the doctor. I wasn't really that worked up about going in because I had had contractions a week or so back and they stopped. So, the contractions stopped on the way to the doctor, he checked me and I hadn't made any progress since my appointment the week before. I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. That was normal for me because I dilated very early with Eliza Faris and she still wasn't here on her due date. So, he sent me home and told me to drink more water. Easy enough, right? So, I went about my business. About 3 when I laid down to take a quick rest (remember, NO sleep the night before), the contractions started again. They intensified over the next few hours and by the time EF was up from her nap, they were pretty painful and 4-5 minutes apart. I STILL thought this was a false alarm. Caleb came home and I wanted him to go to the grocery store (crazy nesting) while I did the dishes (imagine me wash, wash, washing and then keeling over in pain every few minutes only to return to the washing). So, he didn't want to leave me alone and I needed help with EF, so he called our great friend Britt to come over. Britt took over EF duties and kept a running record of my contractions while I raced around getting the house in order JUST IN CASE the baby was coming. They were 2 minutes apart for about an hour and a half and I called Caleb and told him we really should head to the hospital--it hurt! Britt and Ross were kind enough to stay with EF and put her to bed and we headed out under the impression that we would be back and feel stupid for going in...and mad that we had to pay the hospital copay. Well, the nurse checked me and said, "you'll be staying...you're going to have your baby tonight". I STARTED BAWLING!! I was so scared and unprepared. Apparently I was 5 centimeters. They immediately rolled my bed over to a labor and delivery room and were all racing around getting ready for the baby. It was weird because I'm thinking, hey, I was just home washing dishes, I think we have a little time. So, long story even longer, I asked for an epidural and that was wonderful. It did slow down labor a bit, but totally worth it. I started pushing a few minutes after midnight and we had precious Ryals at 12:32. When we were admitted to the hospital, I called my parents and they rushed into town. Dad came to our house and relieved the Trulocks and went to bed, while Mom came to the hospital to be my 2nd coach! She took pictures and it was so nice to have her there. I can't imagine ever going through something that monumental without my mom around.

So...Kathryn "Ryals" Connor, born on Sept. 23rd at 12:32AM, 6 lbs 2 oz and 19 inches long.

Check out these pics:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2604282&id=4922755&l=67f6a9401f

Buggy ride

A friend of mine took these pictures of Eliza Faris's class out on a buggy ride. Unfortunately, they don't go to the playground in her class because several of the kids can't walk yet; but I'm thrilled to see that they do get out! Ms. Vanessa is their sweet teacher pushing them around. EF is on the back right row. Aren't they adorable??

Our new place!

Hey everyone! We finally found a great renter for our house and we are moving over the next two weeks to a cute little townhome in our neighborhood. We are renting it for a year. Of course it's not something we would buy, but it will do and I'm so glad to have the extra space! It's about 500 more square feet than we have now---and has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a dining room, and yes...a dishwasher!!! We are thrilled! Check out the pics...we took them today before we started moving anything in. Sorry for my appearance. I'm 36 weeks pregnant and that's my excuse!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2600166&id=4922755&l=48b4dbe385

Pawley's Island/Litchfield Beach

Eliza Faris and I headed to Pawley's Island, SC two weeks ago for a fun-filled vacation with my parents. We were sad to not have Caleb, Brende and Mike with us; however we didn't let that keep us from having a grande ole time!! The weather wasn't great, but honestly we didn't care. All any of us wanted to do was relax and that is easy to do in the very nice condo. We all had our own rooms and I think that we can all say that we did what we wanted to do all week. For me, that was enjoying the time with my parents, watching them interact with my little one, sitting on my butt, and of course...EATING! Mom always has this motto that on vacation you can eat whatever you want. Well, I decided that being pregnant and on vacation means a double whammy of "eat what you want". Let's just say I was not pleased this morning at my doctor's appointment when I saw how much weight I've gained in the last month! ha!! Anyhoo, we went out to dinner each night (thank you, Dad!!) at some very yummy local spots. I had lots of fried shrimp and we went to lobster night at Island Deli (dee-lish!). Eliza Faris slept like a champ all week (2 hour plus naps and slept til 8:30 or 9 each morning), which made for lots of relaxing for me. It's amazing how much you can relax when you're not at your own house where you feel like you have to do chores and run errands. We spent time on the beach and EF was a little weary of the water. She did enjoy playing in the sand and walking along the beach, though. She LOVED the pool and you can see that in the pictures.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2599022&id=4922755&l=4c8a70fe1b

Caleb's 29th birthday

Staples, Caleb and me

The newly engaged couple, Paige and Jack!

Boys

Gals

Caleb is almost 30!!! He turned 29 on August 29th. Britt said that means it's his golden birthday. So, anyway, we celebrated by having dinner with a few friends at Sheehan's, which is a really yummy and fun neighborhood restaurant/bar. Everyone was in great spirits...and if I had been able to drink, I would have been too! Just kidding, it was great fun. Our present to "daddy" was a pair of jeans from Banana Republic. I'm on a mission to get Caleb to wear jeans every now and then. I think that they are so good looking on guys! So, the ones I got him are a little big, but at least I've got him wearing them. On Caleb's actual birthday, which was Saturday the 29th, we had an exquisite dinner with Susan and John. Susan shared some amazing filets that her dad had sent her and we made homemade mashed potatoes. Put it with some green beans, french bread, and good company and we had another wonderful birthday dinner for Caleb.

Happy Birthday to the best husband and daddy ever!! We love you, honey!!