Blake's Blessing

Yesterday was such a special day for our family (yes, we have had lots of special days recently). Blake had his Baby Blessing at church. Ryan did the blessing and we had 2 grandpa's, the missionaries, and the bishop as a part of the circle.

It was one of those days where pride was radiating from the whole family. I was personally a nervous wreck because I wanted things to be perfect - meaning I didn't want Blake to scream during the whole thing. Well, things WERE perfect. Blake slept peacefully as Ryan said the most beautiful blessing. We even had a nice lady behind us write down the main points of the blessing so that we could put it in Blakes baby book. Bless her heart!!! I was such a hot mess that I didn't even think about doing that.

After the blessing we (meaning us and both of our families) came back to our house and had a cook out. We also played games and spent quality time with each other. Moments like this just remind you how important family is and how nice it is to be a part of a great one.

2 Week Update

Blake had his 2 week check-up today! And the results are...

• He now weighs 7 lbs and 4 oz. This is awesome!! Babies tend to go down in weigh right after they are born. So, doctors are happy if the baby is back to its original birth weight by the 2 week appointment. Blake has passed that and gained almost half a pound!
• He is now 20 inches long - half an inch in growth.
• His head measurements are good. I'm not really sure what it was or what is normal...but the doctor didn't say anything about it so I'm just gonna check that off the list! :)
• All of Blake's bones and organs seem to be in great shape
• He can now take the fun baths in his baby bath tub!
• He still has a slight bit of Jaundice, but nothing that some natural sunlight can't fix.
• Vitamin D is our friend. We got a little supplement to help with that.
• We also invested in a breast pump...Ryan is excited about being able to give Blake a bottle every now and then.

Be Mine

Valentine's Day! This year was super special for two reasons. For one, it was the first Valentine's Day that Ryan and I have actually been in the same location. The first year he was in Afghanistan and the second year he was in Italy. The second reason this was a special Valentine's Day is because we have Blake with us!!

Ryan and I laughed because we never thought that our first Valentine's Day would be in the middle of nowhere Louisiana and with a 12 day old baby. However, it did not keep us from celebrating our love! Luckily my mom is still in town and she offered to watch Blake while we had a quick dinner...I called it a speed date. LOL.

So, after getting Blake settled for the night, we drove up the road to a small little Mexican restaurant with another couple and had a double date. It was so much fun! Often I think that people try to go above and beyond on holidays like Valentine's Day...it can be rather unnecessary. I LOVED just going out to an average place (in a hurry) and enjoying the simple things with the love of my life.

The gifts...Ryan got me a beautiful wooden carved rose. It actually has 3 roses (for our family) and it is purple (my favorite color and our wedding color). It is gorgeous and its something that I will keep forever. He has also ordered a scentsy wax warmer that I have been wanting. I got Ryan the Settlers of Catan game that he wanted (he got this gift early). Then I decorated our bedroom door with hearts. All the hearts had reasons why I love him. For Blake, Ryan and I decorated his door with hearts and all the reasons we love him! It's so cute! We are also making a Daddy & Me hand prints canvas to hang in his room (we will post pictures of that later...)

Just another great day with my love! Ryan and I have always said that we have a special kind of love. We don't have the typical love story...and we have been through so much in the past 2 years. Our love is a fairy tale.... and we live happily ever after every day. :)

Many people have different feelings about Valentine's Day. Some people hate it because it is such a commercialized holiday. Others love the day because they get to celebrate their love for others. No matter what your feelings are, take a second to spend time with someone you love - a significant other, a family member, or even a friend! Love one another!!! ...and not just on Valentine's Day!

Typical New Parents

We could go on all day talking about Blake and his adventures during his first week of life... but just for fun, let's play a game called "You Know You Are A New Parent When..."

You Know You Are A New Parent When...

• You learn to function on 4 hours of sleep ("function" meaning your eyes are open)
• You get the stressed-out-deer-in-headlights look when your baby cries in public and people look at you funny
• You get peed on
• Your main topic of conversation revolves around breastfeeding and poop
• Your cheeks hurt from smiling all the time
• You learn a whole different form of appreciation for your parents
• You learn to appreciate the true length of a minute
• You are full of pride because of all the compliments people give your baby.
• You learn that you  no longer set your schedule...the baby does that now!
• You learn a whole different meaning for protective.

The list could go on...and Ryan and I have only been parents for 1 week. Bottom line is that Blake has been such a blessing to us! He has been such a trooper as we have dealt with doctors, check-ups, and a new world. All this time Ryan and I have thought that we are in control and that we will be the ones in charge...but Blake has taught us quickly that he is the one that is in charge. Our lives revolve around him and we will do anything for our little man! We love our little family!

Blake's Birth Story

I have always heard the line "the miracle of birth", but I didn't fully understand the phrase until I experienced it first hand. Blake Ryan Larsen was born on February 2. 2012 at 9:37 am. It was by far the happiest moment in mine and Ryan's life. However, the process of getting Blake (that little thing called labor) started several days earlier.

At my 38 week doctors appointment we learned that I was already 3 cm dilated. I was ecstatic because I was ready to have the baby! I was also a little surprised because I had NO contractions up to that point. Either way, that appointment got me way too excited about going into labor. I thought it was going to happen any minute. Boy was I wrong!!

A week later I was still not having the "red flag" signs of labor. No bleeding, No water breaking. No contractions 3-5 minutes apart. I was however having contractions 7 minutes apart! That's a start! I timed them to the second for a whole day...and they were still only 7 minutes apart. I was so frustrated! Finally I decided to eat, walk, and do anything else that would help the process. Wednesday night I was still having them 7 minutes apart, but this time they were VERY painful.  I finally asked Ryan to take me in to get checked just to make sure something wasn't wrong. Well, nothing was wrong - instead we learned that I was 5 cm dilated and in active labor! Hello labor and delivery room. We were admitted to Bayne- Jones Army Community Hospital and ready to get started.

My body seemed determined to not let my contractions get any closer than 7 minutes apart, so the doctor put me on some medications to speed the process up a little. They weren't kidding...that sped things up a bit! I jumped to being 7 cm dilated in 2 hours. The contractions also grew in pain (obviously). That was the moment when I requested the epidural - by far the best thing I could do for myself! From that point on I didn't feel a thing! Ps- No, I do not feel any less of a woman because I had an epidural. That is what I needed and I am sticking to it! LOL.

We thought that I was going to have Blake within a couple of hours, but things stalled again (I guess my body was being stubborn). I couldn't;t get passed 8 cm! The doctors then decided to break my water themselves and we waited for several more hours until I was far enough along to start pushing. I guess you can gather all that happened in this part. After an hour of pushing, we got to see Blake!

I requested that I get to hold Blake immediately after birth before they took him to get cleaned up. That was the most magical moment for us. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen...and that strawberry blond hair made me smile so big! I can't explain the extreme amount of love that was felt for him in those first seconds. It truly was a miracle! Ryan was so supportive as he was able to help with the labor, cut the chord, and take the pictures of Blake's first moments in the world.

We wouldn't have been able to have such an easy experience if it weren't for our amazing nurses! Tracy was our first nurse when we were admitted. She was so cute and bubbly. She was the kind of person who automatically felt comfortable with. Sadly her shift ended before Blake arrived, but she checked up on us the next day. She also surprised us with a little beanie hat that she made for baby Blake. She said that it was little families like ours that made her love her job. That was such a wonderful compliment for us to hear.

We also had a great nurse, Michelle, who actually delivered us. There was a nurse named Jack who took care of us the last little bit at the hospital. He also sent us home with well wishes! Ms. Love (I think that was her real name?) was really funny and super sweet as she helped care for Blake when he was wrestling with Jaundice. Our doctor, Dr. Mason, did a fantastic job with me and my recovery. These people made everything so much easier. I have never met so many friendly people who loved their jobs so much. We have been so blessed!!

Having Blake in our lives has been the best thing ever. Yes, we are sleep deprived, but it is all worth it just looking at that precious face. We wouldn't trade this opportunity for anything! Oh yeah, people always ask new moms if after all the pain they went through with labor, would they do it again? In a heart beat! Nothing is more wonderful and magical than bringing a baby into this world.

Blake Ryan Larsen

Ryan and I are proud to announce that Blake Ryan Larsen has joined us!!!

He was born at 9:37 on February 2, 2012. Our little man is 6 lbs 11 oz and is 19 1/2 inches long. He has all of his little fingers and toes...and he has  A LOT of strawberry blond hair. Let's just say that he is perfect from head to toe! :)

We are currently still at the hospital - since they keep all newborns and their families for 48 hours. Blake is keeping us busy with all of his little check-ups and procedures. Poor thing just keeps being poked and prodded. And....he is also getting LOTS of love from us and his grandparents (even his great-grandma memommy!). He has even survived his first severe thunderstorm - thanks Louisiana!

We should be going home tomorrow and we cant wait! Stay tuned for the Birth Story and some adorable pictures of our new love! Welcome to the world Blake!!!