It’s almost been a week

Below  is a link to a few more pictures from the hospital.  Between my mom and I we have hardly taken any since being home–which is rare for both of us but I’m sure that will change soon. 

Carson Ryder

We’re trying to work into somewhat of a routine around here.  It has not been a piece of cake, but all things considered, we really are doing well. Every night before bed I ask Rodd, “Are you sure we’re gonna make it through this stage?” Knowing full well that we will..but it still feels good to be reminded that the sleeping/nursing (OUCH!!) etc will get better.

One of the craziest things for me has been feeling like Logan and Sydney are suddenly SO big.   After staring at Carson & all his tiny features all day long, & then looking at the other 2, I absolutely cannot get over how grown up they are. Logan’s fingers are chubby like a big boy, his face is humongous and I swear he’s gained at least 5 pounds.  It’s crazy…and I am not exaggerating.  It’s like they grew up overnight.  Makes me so sad that they’re getting so big & makes me toootally treasure Carson at this age too!!!

Other than that–not too much to update you on.   It is insane how helpless this tiny baby is… and how they can be so small but require so much time & attention.  I still say the transition from none to ONE is harder than 1 to 2 or 2 to 3, but then again, we’re just at week one.  My mom and I are on our way to the park and also to get a few groceries.

Carson Ryder

Carson Ryder Harris was born at 3:49am on April 22.  I started having light contractions during dinner on Tuesday night and finally went to the hospital around 10:45 that night–not looking forward to a night ahead of labor, but excited that it was baby time.  After several hours that seemed like an eternity he was born–all of 6 pounds 3 ounces and  20 1/2 inches long. 

After waiting all morning for the pediatrician to do her rounds and check on Carson, we were finally released after lunch today and are happy to be home.  My mom has been taking tons of pictures so I’ll put more pictures up soon, but here are a few for now.  We’re all doing fine–fairly well rested–& SO thankful for the safe arrival of our sweet baby boy!  And now…let the adjustment begin. 

Baby Time

Kristie’s in labor. PRAY for a safe and quick delivery. It’s 2am so pray for strength and alertness.

Saturday

Saturday morning my mom and I took the kids to Panera in Lake Mary.   This particular Panera has a bike/walk/jogging trail and a beautiful piece of property that includes a small pond and pasture for cows & horses so we  walked and walked and walked in search of horses. 

Of course we also enjoyed coffee, cinnamon rolls,  & bagels on this beautiful day too.

 

Future coworkers?

Our friends, Mike, Carrie, Ryan and Abby came down for a few days to check out NTM and see if this is something they want to do fulltime. Our vote is yes, but we’re praying with them for wisdom in what they should do.  Rodd would love to have Mike’s help on his monster of a project he’s working on. 

The kids had so much fun playing together.   

Help has arrived

My mom arrived safely on Wednesday night–after a LONG trip home with messed up flights, connections etc.  It is such a relief & JOY to have her here with us. ♥

We spent yesterday doing a few projects, resting,  and going through all my newborn baby clothes.  They’re washed, folded, put away, and now just ready to be worn!  After hearing I was 1 cm. dilated at the beginning of the week, I  packed our hospital bags…knowing we still could have a few weeks to go. I’ve found myself getting all sentimental with Sydney and Logan …wanting to spend lots of quality time with them.  Having my mom here has allowed me more time to be lazy with them, read lots of books etc.  Tonight is pizza night, so I better go!

 

Bringing you up to date

It’s been a whirlwind around here lately.  For starters though, we had a special Easter last weekend. Now that the kids are older, we enjoyed being able to make it more meaningful to them.  I loved listening to Sydney ask and answer questions about what Jesus did, & see the lights begin to come on in her head!  Hopefully next year we’ll be celebrating with her in a whole new way!!

Sadly, my camera card got destroyed, but Rodd was able to recover a few pictures.  Grandma Harris makes Sydney her Easter dress every year.  Here she is with S & L after church.

We enjoyed spending Easter day with friends from WA, the Ishimitsus (more pictures of that to come) followed by an egg hunt and games later that night with family and more friends.

Egg dyin’

Tonight we dyed eggs with Grandma Harris.  Sydney already dyed some at school, and I didn’t think she and Logan would get into it that much, so I didn’t boil too many.  I definitely should’ve done more because they loved it!

If you don’t have the resurrection eggs, I would recommend getting them (or making them) in time for Easter next year.  It’s a simple yet tangible way to explain why we celebrate Easter &  what Christ did for us.  We opened 4 tonight, will do 4 tomorrow, and the final 4 on Sunday. Here is Sydney opening the “coins.”  

“Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to
the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray
Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave
them to him.” Matthew 26: 14-15

Pregnancy update:  I had a friend tell me tonight, “Wow- Kristie–you couldn’t possibly have any more time left.  There’s no room for you to get any bigger!”   A few hours later I was video skyping with my parents and my dad said, ” Kristie, are they positive you’re not having twins?”  and then proceeded by singing Baby Beluga to me.  All the comments  made me laugh cuz it’s exactly how I feel.

Family Far Away

Here are a few pictures my mom sent me of their time in PNG. I can’t wait to see all of them once she gets here.

Kade loves dogs.

This is their favorite beach to visit. I can see why.

Still hard-core Steelers fans!

Busted and phewsh.

Rodd and I are trying to avoid soda…or so I thought.  I was up in his office this morning and saw his huge stash of sodas he’s been drinking…stowed away under his desk. Toootally busted! We hardly ever buy soda of any kind because if we do, we drink it right away. I can see he’s been getting his fair share of soda so I definitely don’t need to buy it.

Also, I was so relieved to finally hear from my family last night. I was convinced they had all become ash on the island of Kaboman that they live on (where there are volcanos that blow all the time & sometimes the ash is so bad they can’t even leave the house.)  My parents were in the tribe with my sister last week, and they emailed me from Brisbane today.  They’re on their way back to Thailand & one week from today my mom gets here.  Yippee!