Birthday Boy!!!

Happy 2nd birthday to my biggest boy, who never ceases to make me laugh hysterically and keep me on my toes.  I love you Liam Brooks Ragan!!!

Catching Up...

The three musketeers...

The Start of Week 39...

Today marks the last official week before my due date.  I am still venturing out in public and I actually feel really great (thank you, Lord!).  Yesterday Bryant and I went to morning and evening church at Crossroads and I did feel the sympathetic stares and looks of "oh my goodness she must be ready to burst any day!" as I tried consciously not to waddle through the aisles.  It is so funny to make a mental log of the things people say and ask.  It is as if their internal mufflers shut down when they see an extremely pregnant woman.  Anything that comes out of their mouth is fair game.  Lucky me.

I also had several people ask if I am "ready" to have this baby.  Let's be realistic about this question.  Can you ever be "ready" for an event like labor not to mention bringing another baby home...the sleepless nights, diaper blow outs, burping, umbilical cord care...etc?  Actually, though, I think I am.  At least I am more ready than I was with Brooks when I had no idea what we truly had ahead of us.

A lot of people told me the first time around that labor is like a marathon, you know it will end, but it is hardest thing you can do.  Ummmmmmmm, I have run a marathon and it lasted right around four hours, it was gorgeous and I had a team of over 50 people from Aspen cheering me on to the finish who I had trained with all summer, not to mention my future fiance ran the entire race by my side (yes, he is incredible!).  My labor with Brooks was 12+ hours start to finish, much more painful than a marathon and I didn't know most of the people in the delivery room (nurses and staff) who were cheering me to the finish...although my team of Bryant, Amy Jo and my mom did a great job!  But, humor set aside, labor and delivery with the right attitude is a pretty amazing adventure.
 
Physically I am doing the regular, "get yourself ready for labor," things recommended in most doula/midwife circles.  I am going to get a massage and chiropractor adjustment this week (I might save this one for next week), we have another check up with the midwife on Wednesday and I am sitting on a fit ball several times a day.  I have been drinking raspberry leaf tea for a couple weeks now and occasionally I have a glass of pineapple juice or order a juicy burger in hopes that something might just start something.  But, the difference between this pregnancy and my last is there is zero desperation or expectation for what these "methods" might do.  I am doing it all in an effort to prepare my body for labor, not put myself into it.  There will be nothing drastic, like castor oil this time around.  I am much more conscious of God's divine timing than my discomfort level.

Aside from the usual tasks recommended to physically and mentally prepare us for labor, we have made a conscious effort to prepare ourselves spiritually not only for L&D but Caleb's introduction into our family.  Bryant and I have listened to "Supernatural Childbirth," an incredible book about living free from the curse and praying consciously for a God centered childbirth where no fear or pain can be present (yes, I said and mean no pain), praying specifically for the things you want to happen in the time frame they should happen (no three hours of pushing this time around please!).  If you ask my close friends, they will tell you I am a big fan of praying for specific things with supernatural expectation, and I have them all laid out for Caleb's delivery.  Bryant and I have big expectations, from the staff we want at the hospital, to the room we hope to get, to the pain level, to the timing.  It has been incredible to kneel by his side in agreement and ask the Lord to bless this experience.

We have also been praying for Caleb as a new member of our family.  For his health and development, his sleep patterns, his role as Brooks' little brother, specifically their relationship as brothers, and so many other things.  God is so good and He desires nothing more than for us to surrender these desires/requests to Him...

Thanks for wading through this post.  During this pregnancy I have really enjoyed going back and reading my thoughts on my pregnancy/delivery with Brooks, so I am trying to chronicle some of the little details this time around so we can share them with the boys when they get older...and so I can re read it all when I am (gulp) pregnant again!

Thank you, dear friends, for joining us in prayer and agreement that we will have a perfectly formed baby boy through supernatural childbirth in God's perfect timing...

Until I have something to report about my "progress"...

XOXO,

Becs & the boys

Happy Camper

Today Brooks made up for his 30 minute nap yesterday and slept a whopping 3.5 hours!  When he got out of bed he would not leave his doggy in the crib, so "Frank" came down for snack time.  On a side note, while I was in the shower this morning, I heard Brooks give a wail of a yell in the hallway.  I quickly ran out to find him sadly holding his head.  I think he fell off of the chair and hit his head on our door trim... There is a big vertical red line from his forehead to the middle of his cheek on the right side of his face.  Oh, boys.  And I am going to have two of them.

Week 38 Baby "Not" News

It is me again, updating you, my dear family and friends who are anxious to hear about the arrival of Caleb, to tell you that he is safe and clearly comfortable in the womb and doesn't want to be exposed too early to the freezing Aspen air.

We had another great yet uneventful appointment with our midwife...so uneventful she gave us the green light to go to Denver Friday night (a four hour drive over two 10,000ft+ passes) for a pending business meeting Bryant is trying to schedule.  She did feel around my blossoming belly to see if she could guess on his weight and at 38+ weeks she thinks he is about 6lbs and if he is born on/around his due date, he won't be the 8lb 6oz his beasty brother was at birth.  (thank you, Lord!)

I am still ok with the non news, although, sometimes when my hips feel like they are 95 years old and my back aches as I lay in bed with insomnia, I get a little twinge of hope that something will happen and he will at least figure out which way is "out" so he can start heading (pun heavily intended) in that direction. (to be clear, he is head down, but he needs to move down).

Today is toddler gym class for Brookser and I, and I will be bouncing on the trampolines with him... Maybe gravity will be my friend! :)

Until then though, we are soaking up every cuddle and tickle bug fight we can with our Brooks because we know that although they will still be regular occurances, his life is going to change pretty drastically, pretty soon.

Thanks for your prayers and support... I really am doing my best to keep my head and smile up and it hasn't been too hard to do so thus far!  At the most, I will only be pregnant 23 more days and that is if I go until February 19th...12 days past my due date... no, thank you. :)  This time, I am bound and determined not to do any of the drastic at home induction methods, but let things happen on their own, in God's timing...which is always perfect.

XOXO,

Becs & the boys

Showered...

My sister in law, Amy Jo hosted a beautiful and perfect shower for baby Caleb and me last night.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such incredible women who love the Lord and are a great support system.

As a surprise she had asked several women from my Bible study and church to come early and share a verse of encouragement and pray over the end of my pregnancy, my delivery and baby Caleb.  It was incredible.  They are incredible.  Amy Jo is incredible.  I am blessed beyond measure.

Here are some of the verses they shared:

Exodus 1: 18-20 "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."  (although I really do want my midwife in the room. :))

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 127:3-5 "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

Isaiah 43:1 "I have called thee by they name; thou art mine."

Psalm 139:5 "You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head as I go."

Job 10:11-12 "You gave me skin and flesh and knit together bones and sinews.  You gave me life and were so kind and loving to me, and I was preserved by your care."

Isaiah 44:3-5 "I will pour out my spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants; and they will spring up among the grass like poplars by streams of water.  This one will say, "I am the Lord's" and that one will call on the name of Jacob and another will write on his hand, belonging to the Lord."

Numbers 14:24 "...Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went into, and his descendants will inherit it."

Numbers 32:12 "Not one except Caleb and Joshua because they followed the Lord wholeheartedly."

Deuteronomy 1:36 "...except Caleb...He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly."

Thank you wonderful women...there were more, but they are in cards in the other room.  I can't wait to read these over the boys as they grow.  God is so good.  Our cup overflows.

Be Blessed,

Becs & the boys...

Toddler Gym!

I have had such a bad memory lately, I think Caleb is sucking all of the nutrients that should be going to my brain.  That being said, I keep forgetting my camera, and on gorgeous, fun days like today, that is a big bummer!

Brooks and I were invited to try out a class at our local gymnastics club for parents and toddlers.  I can't believe we didn't go sooner!  It was such a blast!  They have a dozen different trampolines, a bunch of soft bouncy blocks and fun things to climb on and jump off of, and a big parachute to play on and under.  Brooks had an absolute ball.  So did I!  Not only was it so fun to watch him play with the other munchkins, but I knew so many of the parents I was able to do a little socializing too, which is so nice since we have been pretty house bound lately.

I have a feeling we will be frequenting this class, even after Caleb arrives.  It will be a good way for LB to get out and play with the big kids.

I will do my best to remember my camera next time because it was so darn cute to watch him have such a blast!

Now, it is extreme nap time for both him and me.  Shoo, it is hard work growing a human! :)  And because I was asked at least 20 times today, I will answer it one more time... I am due in just over two weeks and we are having another boy.  The last few weeks always bring out the stares and random questions from people who would not normally stop to inquire...People crack me up.  :)


XOXO,

Becs and the boys

37.5 Weeks...(I hope I don't bore you too bad...)



...and nothing new to report other than we had rain in Woody Creek a couple days ago (so very odd for this time of year) and now it is finally back to snowing.  But, aside from the weather, there really is nothing new to report with the pregnancy.  I had an appointment with my midwife today and my trusty, amazing doula (and sister in law), Amy Jo came with me.  It was fun to chat about our birthplan with Nancy and it did get me a little more excited about the delivery.  I have been warned by both of them it is high time I start packing my things for the hospital because second deliveries are typically pretty fast. (I love that they keep speaking that over me!)  So, I will pull out the bag and at least lay it on the floor to start tossing things into as I think of it.  So much different than my first pregnancy... I am pretty sure I was packed by a week ago and ready, just in case...such a rookie move! :)



A couple from our marriage group and church had their baby boy this weekend and it made me excited that we are going to be joining them in the second time parent club in a couple of weeks, too!  They found out they were pregnant after us, but she was more pregnant than me at the time! 

I have been drinking raspberry leaf tea because there are rumors it makes labor shorter and easier.  I am all for that! 

We have a busy week next week, so #38 should hopefully fly by...although nothing could possibly creep by slower than my first pregnancy!



Oh and our Brooks is still getting more delicious by the day!  He is saying so much and understands an amazing amount.  He is great about saying please (with hands desperately clasped below his chin) and thank you and when he calls the dog, Mali it sounds like Wayi, which really sounds like Hawaii, so we dream of the beach quite a bit... especially because my best friend from childhood and her family are moving to Kona in a couple of weeks! 



Until I have something more exciting to report about my pregnancy...

Becs & The Boys



An oldy, but so cute I had to share it again.



Just in Case You Aren't on Facebook...

Here are the pictures My SIL, Amy Jo of Lotta Love Photo posted of our big guy...

Babymoon

We had the wonderful opportunity to take advantage of a silent auction item we won last summer just before Caleb arrives. Trevor and Amy Jo watched Brooks for the night (my first night in 21 months without him!) while Bryant and I went to a tiny (really, really tiny) town in southwestern Colorado called Gateway. In the mid 1990s an adventurous millionaire visited this one horse town and had the vision of creating a world class adventure destination. What has become of it is a 50ish room hotel/resort on a huge piece of property that caters to pretty much any desert adventure you can dream of from flying bi planes through red rock canyons to 4x4 jeep rides in and around canyons and cliffs, it is an incredible facility.

We happened to be there in the offest of off seasons, which was perfect for us. We prayed on the long drive down for favor at check in and a random upgrade, and God is so good, we got both. I think we were one of two rooms in the entire resort. We ate at the only restaurant open for all meals and the rest of the time enjoyed being still and not chasing a toddler around or wondering what he was getting into. It was amazing. We watched movies, read and prayed together. And despite warnings that I might not, I slept like a baby. There was no pressure to get out and do anything because there was absolutely nothing going on.

It was the perfect retreat before we welcome another infant into our lives.

I am 37 weeks tomorrow and still feeling great, although getting more easily exhausted by the day. Somehow, after just curling my hair for church today I had to take a little rest. Shoo. Where did the energy go?

Brooks is doing awesome and getting bigger by the day. Amy Jo took some new pictures of him while he was at her house this weekend and he just looks so grown up and delicious. I love that boy. It is hard to imagine having equal love for another little man, but I know it will happen as soon as we meet him. Brooks is saying so much and talks (jabbers) all of the time with such confidence. If only I knew what he was saying, I bet we could solve the world's problems together.

XOXO,

Becs & the Boys

Cheese-Ball

Brooks loves saying "cheese" for the camera.

As soon as he knows you have taken his picture, he rushes over to look at it.

I think Amy Jo and I have ruined him with excessive photo takage.

Blue Eyes

He gets away with a lot when he flashes those baby blues...

Discovering...Ornaments

Brooks was so helpful putting up the tree. He made a lot of new discoveries. It was pretty cute.

Let's just say the glass and "special" ornaments are at the top of the tree this year.

What's in a Name?

One of the tougher decisions parents need to make is naming their babies. There is a lot of pressure when picking a name. We always picture our child as an adult either playing sports or running a major company (hey a parent can dream), and say their name in association with a profession to see if we find it too trendy or something that will go out of style and sound unprofessional some day.

With Brooks, we actually picked his name while driving down the road and listening to Sirius radio. A Garth Brooks song came on the radio, Bryant looked down and said, "Brooks! That's a cool name!" And I instantly loved it too... so it stuck. We came up with Liam as Bryant wanted our first son to have an Irish name, and Liam is the last half of William (Bryant's first name). So, we went with Liam Brooks Ragan, and we call him Brooks, and it suits him so well.

When it came to choosing a name for boy number 2, I decided to pray about it and see what God wanted us to name him. Within days we were sitting at a Sunday night service at our church and Brent preached about courage and mentioned the stories of Joshua (also the name of his son born in August), and Caleb from the Old Testament. I quietly stored that in the back of my head as a possible name, but wasn't totally sold...yet.

That night we were laying in bed, and Bryant randomly said, "what about Caleb?" I excitedly replied back, "I knew you were going to say that!" So, we decided to try it out for a while, and decided we really liked the name.

Then Bryant went on his trip to South Africa. While there, the group spent a lot of time at Northpoint Church in Johannesburg. During a Wednesday night prayer meeting, the members of the church prayed over the guys from Aspen. A random stranger came to pray over Bryant and part of what she said was, "...And I just felt God say that you are like Caleb..." When Bryant told me this story, we knew that was the name God had for our second son.

Now to pick a middle name. As I mentioned in a previous post, this will probably be a game time decision.

It has been a while...again

We have had a great fall and beginning to winter. We have record amounts of snow (123% above average on the slopes) which would be so awesome...if I were skiing this year.

Bryant went to South Africa for two weeks and while he was away, my mama came to help me out...and it was such a blessing to have her here! She took great care of us and Brooks warmed right up to his Mema!

Bryant's trip was life changing. The things they learned and experienced were incredible!

Brooks is already 19+ months, and time couldn't seem to be going any faster. It feels like he should be six months old...but then I wouldn't be 30+ weeks pregnant with Caleb _____ Ragan, due in February! (we are still going back and forth on middle names... it might be a game time decision based on the direction of or "discussions"). Brooks is saying so many words (most of which we only understand because we know what he is trying to say). My favorites are of course, please and thank you, and he is saying "good girl" to Mali, and pretty much any other animal is a hoooooooooooorse! Oh and any food he wants is a "cook-ie." He forgot to learn how to walk and went straight to running. That is pretty much all he does to get around now. I am having a harder time keeping up as my belly gets bigger by the day!

He is quite a risky guy...one of his favorite activities is climbing up on our headboard and doing superman dives into our pillows. Oh and the laughter! He has the best, most contagious laugh I have ever heard. It is awesome.

We are so thankful for every smile and laugh (and there are a lot) we get from him. He is truly a blessing.

We had a great ultra sound appointment today and got wonderful pictures of Caleb. I have been preparing myself to meet a totally opposite boy from Brooks, just in case Caleb is born with dark features, small brown eyes and hair, (still adorable but different than our big blue eyed blondy) but based on the pictures, he looks just like Brooks did, at least the features, we obviously won't be able to see the colors until his arrival.

So, in addition to being in my third trimester, our house is under contract and due to close either in the beginning of January, OR February, days after my due date. We are praying for extreme favor and the earlier closing so we can move into another house before we go into the hospital...we should know in a matter of hours or days when it should happen. You just never know with the banks these days.

I am excited to move into a new house (new to us) and have a little more space for when our families and friends visit. Plus there is something refreshing about purging and moving. The house we love is a lot closer to the Everetts and the grocery store, both places we visit on a regular basis... in fact, I could load the boys in the Chariott and walk to the grocery store on a sunny day. Now that is enticing!

Below are pictures of our boys, within two weeks gestational age...Brooks at 32 weeks and Caleb at 30.5 weeks.

Liam Brooks

Caleb (Schmaleb)

Splish Splash!

Brooks is fascinated with the bath/shower. If we are filling the tub for him, he gets so excited for his bath...

And if either of us are in the shower, he will stand at the bath the entire time, water spraying his face and hair and try to get in with us.

It is pretty cute.

He is pretty cute. He must take after his daddy.

XOXO,

Proud Mama

w.r.i.t.e.r.s b.l.o.c.k

I am absent from the blog...

But more present in mommyhood than ever.

When we got home from Charleston I started "working" from home.

I thought this would mean more work than it has been, but it turns out, I have been able to spend most of my time playing mama and maid (I am being silly about the maid part).

My day has become scheduled...8:30ish the boy is up, we eat breakfast together after daddy leaves for work...he plays until about 10:00ish and then naps for an hour or two while I clean a closet or tidy the house...he wakes. We typically have an afternoon adventure such as hiking Smuggler mountain with Aunt Amy Jo and Tait, and then he takes another nap around 3:30...daddy is home around 6:00, we play as a family, eat dinner, play some more, and then Brooks heads to bed...

I couldn't be more happy and am so thankful the Lord has opened the opportunity for me to be at home with my boy. What a joy.

Everyday when he is napping I check into my favorite blogs (see blog role to the right). I am so inspired by so many godly women who give a peak into their world as mommies and wives...and then I start a blog entry of my own...and get stuck.

So, I am praying for inspiration. I have a zillion fun pictures to show you that I took with my new camera! I have some really fun adventures to share with you... but they will come in time.

As a family we are dealing with some health issues, and focusing our time on praying and supporting our loved one who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (but asked to remain anonymous, and I love and respect that).

I love you all...my cup runneth over.

Until I can put my thoughts into better words,

Becs

I love this little boy...

Life Changes...The News!

Crazy. Stressful. Busy. Moving.

That is how it has been since we had Brooks in April. Actually, since I went back to work full time six weeks after bringing him home.

Adjusting to motherhood, the shuffle of baby stuff, transitioning into childcare three days a week (THANK YOU, AMY JO!), and trying (often failing) to keep our personal life semi organized and tidy (Ugh), keeping Gary (my boss) happy and really organized, and let's not forget about my amazing, supportive, tremendous (HOT) husband... it has all piled high.

We have been praying. We have had people praying for us, and we really felt like we needed to make a change so we didn't wake up one day with our kids in college and wonder where the last 18 years went.

So, we stepped out in faith and I made a proposal to the VP of our company, and she was supportive, despite the state of the economy. So after a lot of thought and stress and sleepless nights, I had a conversation with Gary...

The News!

I will be transitioning into a position that is 100% from home. I will be implementing the company's strategic marketing plan. By the first of the year, I will be able to be at home with Brooks full time. I get to hear him laugh and see him smile all day long. I get to put him in his own crib for naps and do dishes and vacuum the dog hair without sacrificing my precious momma time with him.

I can't wait! I feel like the weight of Grand Coulee Dam has been lifted off my shoulders.

I praise you, Lord for hearing my cries.

You know the desires of my heart.

Love,

B

Six Months Old!

6 month photos by Aunty Amy Jo of Lotta Love Photo

I have read it on so many "mommy" blogs.

...Time flies...

I didn't necessarily believe it until I woke up on October 21st...

and realized that Brooks is six months old.

Half a year.

Soon he will be a year.

And then, he will be heading off to play baseball in college (Go Cougs!).

Ok, I got a little ahead of myself there, but that is what it feels like.

The other day, I snuck over to Paradise bakery for a yummy treat,

and I saw two moms walking with their late teenage boys. One of the boys reached over and gave his momma a playful noogy. I laughed to myself.

It made me fast forward to Amy Jo and I walking around with Tait and Brooks.

Stand still, time! I demand it!

Ok, enough of that.

Brooks is 6 months old...

At his appointment yesterday, we learned that his head is 90th percentile (that explains 12 hours of labor...and 3 HOURS of pushing), he is 80th percentile for length, and 60th percentile for weight... right on schedule in his development

...and quite a little stud, if you ask his totally unbiased momma...

I don't exaggerate when I tell you, he is one of the happiest babies I have ever been around.

He cracks up when we play peak a boo, he smiles constantly, and he loves loves loves nuggin' with his momma and daddio.

What a joy. Pure joy.

My cup runneth over.

~The B's~