Lizzy's two weeks old today and her checkup went fine.  She's in excellend health!  After having dropped about 10% of her birth weight, she's now 5 oz. above it.  Apparently doctors like to see babies reach their birthweight by 14 days so she's doing great.  We, on the other hand, are trying to get sleep... well, mostly my wife now.  Since I'm back at work she's been a blessing to me in that she hasn't been asking for my help.  Honestly, I offer, but she just smiles and says "you have to go to work in the morning."  She's great :)

We ordered a new laptop last week.  After being tricked into going to Circuity City Friday morning, I came home empty-handed and then ordered one online with my GE discount from Dell.  It should arrive early next week and I'm very excited to play with it.  My wife and I each have to have our own computer to be happy ;)  Of course, the new one will be hers.

Things at work are going well.  Today was an above average day even with the meeting this morning that went like this: My project doesn't have enough people working on it and their solution: track our progress in even more detail!  How is that going to help, you might ask, well, it will make us spend even more time reporting on our work instead of actually doing it!  Oh well.  When that happens I just think of the Christmas lights on the tree and my wife and daughter waiting at home for me.  Ahhh.

Went to get a real Christmas tree on Sunday but it started raining so we came back home.  I've never had a real tree before so this is exciting.  The fake tree is in the office (right next to me) and the real one will be in the living room.  That way there will be a tree in both front windows!

Well, it's 9:20 and time for bed.  Sad, huh?  We take it when we can get it.  I can't wait for Christmas because I have from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 off!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Ryan

On November 13, we welcomed our daughter, Elizabeth Jane, into our lives!  She was born at 1:26 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs 5 oz.  She was 21 inches long.  God has truly blessed us with this little girl and we feel nothing but love for her.

We went in to the hospital last Sunday and my wife was induced on Monday, with the baby being delivered on Tuesday a.m.  The delivery and recovery were a bit hard on my wife, so much so in fact that she had to recieve three units of blood the next day.  There's nothing worse than standing by, helpless to do anything, while someone you love hurts.  That was by far the hardest part for me.  Fortunately, she felt better almost right away and the only issue now is finding time to sleep. 

We came home on Thursday but had to go see the pediatrician on Friday and Saturday.  Lizzy had some jaundice and she nearly had to go back to the hospital.  It improved though as she got better at feeding.  Otherwise, she's in great health.  The really strange thing is that both of the pediatricians who looked at her are are positive that she's about three weeks early.  On the other hand we are fairly sure we know the due date, and the two ultrasounds both agreed with our due date.  Very strange.

I'm going back to work tomorrow but hopefully that won't be too hard because it's only a three day week with Thanksgiving coming up.  My mother and father in law are here and will stay through the holiday.  My parents were also here all of last week and my wife's grandmother is here also.  It was stressful sometimes with so many people around in the hospital, especially trying to get some sleep, but it all worked out in the end.  The nurses and doctors at Southview were really great.  We're planning to send some flowers soon in appreciation of their help.  It's actually kind of hard for me to express just how much their support and sympathy means to me.  They were truly wonderful.

I'm happy to be able to share pictures of her on her very own part of my website.

Thanks to God.

Ryan 

We're now one day past the due date and Monday is the "scheduled" delivery.  Both sets of parents are descending on the house any moment.  Everything is clean and in order: car seat is in the car, bassinet is prepared, dog will go to kennel for two days... now we just need a baby!  I'm taking the week off to be at the hospital and at home with my family.  Wish us luck!

Hopefully great news in a few days!

R.

Hey, 

swngnblues