An overdue update

So, I'm sorry it's been so long again. It seems when life gets stressful, which it has with the juggling act of three kids, the easiest thing to cut out is the blog. So, here is an update from our last few weeks. Most recent pictures come first, then it goes down. So, maybe you want to start from the bottom.
This is our most recent picture of little Ruth. She's three months now. We love her to death. Ava hasn't had one day with out saying, "I think she's pretty cute." She says it atleast 10 times every day as she stands over admiring her. Owen says he's going to marry her when he grows up and that they'll travel in our van together. As for me, I just love all the cuddling at this age.
This is my Grandma who Ruth is named after. So, when we went to Idaho for Thanksgiving it was priceless to see the two Ruth's meet.
We took the kids bowling one night for fun. They loved it! I loved seeing Owen in his miniature size bowling shoes. Too bad Ava's feel were still to small for her own pair too.

Ava had quite a great time. Actually scored an impressive game. She did have the bumpers to help, of course. Atleast I tell myself that to make me feel better. She scored better than I did.
For Halloween this year we had a Bengal's football player and a little fairy. They were pretty cute and had so much fun.

In the first weeks of Ruth's life she often would end up in a little ball when she'd fall asleep on us. Ryan was commenting on her form this day and I told him to imagine that exact thing, but under his skin. It's still hard to believe these babies fit inside somehow. Crazy!
I am soooooo grateful to this man. He delivered Ruth. Moving to a new city three weeks before giving birth was frightening, but I was assured by many that Dr. Hiss was wonderful, and a great surgeon which I needed with my third c-section. I think these OB's have one of the best jobs in the world being an instrument in bringing these little miracles into the world.
These two were having so much fun this night in the bath. I was listening to their giggles and just feeling so thankful they have each other. They often stop to hug each other and say, "You're my best friend." A newborn keeps my arms occupied a lot so I love that Owen and Ava can play and give each other so much attention.
Since Ruth arrived, it's pretty difficult to venture out with the three of them on my own. It's getting better the older Ruth gets, but in the beginning when the weather was still warm we went to a nearby park a lot. It's literally 2 minutes from our house and the kids loved it. So, I could go let them play and it got them out of the house for a while. Oh, the fresh air is so therapeutic!

More Pics

This last Sunday, Ruth was blessed in our church. The beautiful blessing dress was given to us by Ryan's mom. Thank you again Linda! It was a very sweet day to have Ryan's parents here to share it with, and to hear Ryan bless her.

She has arrived!

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 our little family of 4 became a family of 5 as Ruth Wallis entered the world. Ryan and I arrived at the hospital at 5:15 am for another scheduled c-section. After blood work, paper work, and some waiting the actual procedure started around 7:15. Finally at 7:51 I heard that priceless first cry from our baby girl, Ruth. This pregnancy has seemed so long to me. Then, in the home stretch we had to say good bye to our friends in Ohio and move across the country to Spokane. Of course, we didn't just go from Dayton to Spokane. We had Ryan's graduation from his residency, a family reunion at Bear Lake, Utah, and a trip to my family in Idaho all came after Dayton and before Spokane. However, we did arrive in Spokane at 37 weeks. I met my new doctor. Ryan started work again. Owen started preschool. We all worked on turbo speed to satisfy my nesting urge and get our house together before the baby came.

Needless to say I was a bit emotional after all we had been through. Ruth arrived and I just kept thinking, "We did it. We did it. I actually made it. She's really out." I still wake up sometimes and have to remind myself I'm not pregnant anymore. What a great feeling! Even better is when I look over and our little babe is sleeping so soundly. Oh, why can't the newborn stage last longer?

I was sure this baby was even bigger than our first two. There was just no more room to grow. Turns out she was the exact same weight that Ava was.
She weighed in at 9 lbs 8 oz. 21 inches long.
My brief first moment to hold her before they take her to get cleaned up and I get sewn up.
She was born with a little 'strawberry kiss' on her forehead from being pressed against bone for so long. The doctor said it will fade away over a little time.
The kids got to come up to see the baby and I every day after they woke up from their nap. Ryan packed them a dinner to eat in the room and we just hung out. Here we are testing the weight capacity of the hospital bed.
Good bye Dayton!
Ryan graduated from his residency program. Then, the kids and I with the help of his parents and my cute sister-in-law, Lexi caught a flight to Salt Lake. Ryan and his brother drove our van and Ryan's car out to Salt Lake. We were proud of the good things everyone had to say about Ryan at the clinic. Good job Hubby!
Ryan and the two directors over his residency program.
This was Ryan's assistant for the year. Good bye Tina.
The beach at Bear Lake was probably Owen's favorite thing about the whole summer.
Ava loved the beach as well.
Owen's first day of preschool. I was very proud of him for being so excited when he knew he wouldn't know anyone there. I love his outgoing personality. Hoping he'll be able to make lots of friends in Spokane.

Birthday! Birthday!

So, another year has passed for our kiddies. June 18th Ava turned 2 and July 13th Owen turned 4. Although I love an excuse to spoil them, I'm glad the birthdays are over. One less stress now with the move and baby coming. I try not do do anything huge, but even in keeping it simple I'm thinking for weeks what they would love for a present, what cake to do, which friends could come. It's all worth it to see them feel special on their big day, but I'm feeling good that I'm in the clear for another year.
Owen had his first birthday party with a pirate theme. Thank you to all of his friends and family that came. He was all too excited for the big event. Here are his pirate cupcakes with treasure chest and all.
A close up of the cupcake. The treasure chest was made out of a hoho and candy inside. Blue frosting and gummy fish to adorn it. The kids loved them and surprisingly the adults too.
We love you Owen! Your expressive face and wild imagination always keep us smiling. It's been fun to watch you grow into a genuine, loving, creative little boy who still loves to laugh.
I tried to get a good picture of Ava with her cupcakes, but every picture she was reaching to eat one, so this is the best we got even though the lighting doesn't show much.
Ava's butterfly cupcakes.
What girls birthday is complete without some bling? She loves putting these bracelets on and off.
Ava got a pack-n-play for her baby doll and it's been the sweetest thing to watch her mother this little doll. She changes her diaper, puts her to sleep, rocks her in her arms. She's really turning into more of a little girl instead of a baby herself.

A few things to catch up on

Ryan had one of two graduations for the year. This was for all medical residents in the hospital. He'll later have his final graduation for just the dental residents. It felt like it definitely marked the beginning of the end here though. Good job Ryan!

After the graduation there was a dinner held for the graduates in the Air Force museum on base. It was a nice night to enjoy with our kids sleeping at home. I'll never know why I ever thought to drag them through Ryan's OSU dental graduation. Never again! This was so much more enjoyable - for them too probably. They got to play with one of their favorite babysitters.

Owen had his last day of preschool. This is him with his two wonderful teachers. He absolutely loved school. It was only two mornings a week, but he's really come far with his letters, numbers, cutting skills, and making new friends. It's been great thing for him, and I haven't minded having one less to cart around during errands and such. :)

We fed some ducks at a near by park a few weeks back with some good friends. I've never seen such people friendly ducks, and so many of them. We couldn't tear the bread fast enough.

Ava had so much fun even after getting bit once.

It's a girl!

It's official! We're having another girl. I had my 20 week ultra sound a few days ago and there was no question about it. It was very exciting to see the baby moving around. It always brings such a reality to the whole pregnancy.

The funny thing is although I have been showing somewhat, we hadn't told Owen or Ava yet. I felt like 9 months is so long for a child that young to wait and even Owen wouldn't really get it when I wasn't looking pregnant. So, we were waiting for my stomach to obviously look pregnant and since that happened around the time we found out the sex, we waited. So, last night we read him his bed time stories and then talked to him a little about the whole thing. He was very excited. He said a few things, then was quiet for a minute with a straight face and asked, "Well, does this mean Ava has to share her binkies?" We assured him Ava could still take her naps with her own binkies and the baby would have her own that are more of a baby size. He can't believe he'll have 2 sisters. I'm so thankful to have him. He's a great big brother to Ava and will be to this little one.

Now the battle of names begins. :)

The wait is over. We're moving to. . .

After a year of wondering and waiting, we finally turned in our wish list of places we'd like to be next year. We feel SO extremely blessed to be moving to Spokane, Washington. Both of us are thrilled. It's very eastern Washington, next to the Idaho boarder. Neither one of us have been there, but we hear from everyone that it's beautiful. It's on the eastern side of the mountains so it's not as rainy as western Washington, or Oregon. There is an airport. Beautiful summers, but lots of snow in the winter. A big plus is the fact that family will be in driving distance. 8-10 1/2 hours depending on who and where. So, moving day isn't until Aug. 7, but we're very looking forward to our time back west for the next 3 years.

The Dagwood Challenge

So, for anyone who watches a show on the Travel Channel this might be familiar. Man vs. Food is one of Ryan's shows he loves to watch when he has a minute. For those of you who aren't familiar it is a show where this guy travels the states visiting restaraunts that have either famous dishes or food challenges. Some of the challenges include crazy things like a 72 oz steak, or a hamburger the size of a pizza, etc. You get the point. Most of them are discusting, but for some reason it's entertaining to watch this guy (who is actually normal size, not a competitive eater) stuff this food down.
Well, one episode that caught our attention was one where he went to Columbus, Oh. Our old stomping grounds. Of course we had to watch. He visited The Ohio Deli where they have a sandwich called the Dagwood, named after Dagwood from the Blondie comic strip, who is always eating cold cut sandwiches. It is a deli sandwich with 21 oz. of cold cuts. Along with the sandwich is a pound of fries and a pickle. The challenge is to down this monster in 30 minutes and you receive a t-shirt that says, "I devoured the Dagwood," along with your picture on the wall. If you don't devour it, you have the option to buy a t-shirt that says, "The dagwood kicked my !**.
Ryan, of course, wanted to take the challenge and roped in some buddies from work to go down with him to try it. However, to his dismay, he got a little over 1/2 way done with is before he surrendered. Although his brothers may be dissapointed, I think it may be more attractive that he couldn't complete the challenge.
This is The Dagwood. French bread, cheese, garlic mayo, 7 oz. turkey, 7 oz. roast beef, and 7 oz. ham.
This is his before picture. He hadn't eaten all morning in preparation for the big event.
As Ryan was suffering, Owen was at our table adjacent shouting, "Go Dad, go Dad." Ryan later commented he felt both proud and ashamed. Ashamed that his 3 yr old son was cheering him on for a ridiculous food challenge. Not teaching the best eating habits, I guess.
This is the point he drew his white flag. We still love you babe!
Here's Ryan with his t-shirt. Props to one of his buddies, Brandon, who actually finished the Dagwood in 15 minutes.