Did you think we had forgotten??????

It has been almost a month since our last entry, and I am sure some of you may have thought we had forgotten about this blog.  Many things have happened since our last update that have caused the delay.

We had our one-month checkup on March 2, 2010, and were greeted with good news about our little Ryman.  She surpassed her birth weight and now weighs a smidge over 8lbs.  We have also grown almost two inches.  She is eating well and beginning to get a sleeping routine figured out.

We also made our first out of town trip with Ryman, and that was an adventure.  We received a call last Tuesday that Matt's Grandfather was in the hospital.  The following morning we received another call that he was in very unstable condition and we needed to come.  Although we were somewhat ready, it took us almost 4 hours to pack everything and leave!!!!  We were in Matt's hometown four nights and five days, and ended the week with his funeral.  It has been a very tough transition for the family, but one that we can overcome.

One of the hardest things we have had to deal with during this event was the fact that his grandfather never got to see Ryman in person.  Of course he saw pictures, but he never got to hold her in his arms.  This has been tough for the both of us.  This, however, is not the only great-grandparent that never got to see Ryman.  Both of her great-grandmothers on Lauren's side had passed away before getting to hold her as well.

When events like this happen, it makes you sit back and think.  You remember what great times you were able to spend with these loved ones.  You reminisce through old photos and stories told around a hospital bed.  These are memories you have, but aside from this, you are responsible for passing down these memories to your children who did not have the privilege of meeting them.  I can't wait for the day when we get to sit down with Ryman, pictures in hand, and tell stories after stories of her  Great Grandma Elkins, Great Grandma Rose, and Papa Gray.

Aside from all of this, we have have some milestones that were happy.  So we will leave you with a video of our first real bath!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNCpVUHd5fw

Ryman's Newborn Photos

We had Ryman's newborn photos taken today.  We had a plan to have her up and fed at 9:30 this morning in order for her to be nice and asleep when Jadie (that's the photographer and wow is she amazing) arrived.  Obviously we are still new parents, and have not realized that what we plan is not always what transpires.  After Ryman's feeding she was wide awake, and did not want to be having her first photo shoot.  She was not very cooperative, and did not like us trying to position her for the perfect shot.  She even got so upset at one point, she scratched her face so deep it started bleeding.  In the middle of the session, I was already wondering why we were wasting the photographer's time, and was ready to reschedule.  After all was said and done, Jadie did an amazing job and I can't believe how great the photos looked.  Here is the link to view the slideshow, and I hope you enjoy them just as much we did.

http://www.jadiethomasphotography.com/hayes0210

She's Here!

Welcome to Backstage with Ryman, an all access look into the life of Ryman Elizabeth Hayes.  Matt and I thought this would be a great vehicle to share fun details of Ryman's every-day life with family and friends.  (Thanks to Chris and M.K. Elkins for the inspiration!)

Ryman arrived at 7:36am on February 2, 2010.  She weighed 7lbs 12oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.  Her size was somewhat a surprise because we were expecting her to be at least 9lbs.  At the hospital, Matt and I were so lucky to have all of our families there when she was born.  She was welcomed into the world with an abundance of love around her.

We came home from the hospital on Friday, and were excited to get some time alone with Ryman.  The first night at home was a little rough because her days and nights were switched.  It has gotten better each night since.  We love being parents.  We love her more than we could have ever imagined.  I have always known that Matt was going to be a great dad, but seeing him in the last seven days, I'm convinced that it is what he was born to do.  He has done such a great job taking care of us both as I recover from the surgery.

Today we had her first visit to the doctor.  She now weighs 7lbs 1oz, which is within the normal range of wight loss for a newborn.  The doctor said she was just perfect!  (Those were his exact words!)

This is the first of many updates on our new life as a family.