And some perspective...

This is Ryan one more time. There was one more memory I wanted to share with all of you before closing up shop for tonight and getting some much needed rest. Sawyer was admitted to the NICU (ICU for babies) after he was born due to some fairly inconsequential problems with breathing. He is fine now, and Griffin went through the same when he was born, so we were prepared. However I wasn’t prepared for everything the NICU would show me yesterday. As I stood looking at my son, tears of joy welling up in my eyes, Sawyer’s doctor apologized to me for not coming to talk with us sooner. “I am taking care of another baby that is going to die today…” Those words echoed through my head for what seemed like an eternity wrapped up in 30 seconds and I can still play them back perfectly in my head. As I stood there thanking God for the miracle that he had brought into our lives, a mother and father stood less that 20 feet away from me, questioning the same God, asking him why, and I asked with them. I looked at my perfect son and asked God why those people weren’t going to be able to share the same joy I am sharing with all of you. I can’t tell you that I heard an answer clearly back, because I don’t think God believes we deserve an answer every time we ask why. That makes me feel many things. I am confused, angry, disappointed, sorrowful, and at the same time delighted, thankful, joyful, and blessed at the gift I have been given in Sawyer. Through experiencing these crazy emotions all at the same time, I was drawn closer to God in those 15 minutes that I have been the entire last 2-3 years of my life. Those emotions stirred my heart to seek him and talk to him, and question him and grow in him. My prayer (and I hope you will join me) is that the family of that baby would draw closer to him, that our doctor that was treating him would draw closer, and that you in your moments of pain would draw closer to God even further than in your moments of joy and thankfulness.

A Surprise Appearance

Happy Saturday everyone, or is it Sunday? This is Ryan writing for the first time. Over the past couple of months I have taken to reading a number of different blogs and so to make this more official…welcome to my first guest post. I would have rather Abbi wrote my introduction, however she is lying next to me dreaming of holding her newest born. I am staying up late, training for the triathlon of feeding, changing, and 26.2 minutes of soothing that make up infant parenting. I wanted to take this opportunity to share some pictures with you of our amazing new family member, and share a few thoughts from the day.

Our day started off a little different from the past couple. Abbi woke up and I was fully expecting to hear her say, “I slept terribly last night …the baby kept me up all night…why hasn’t he come out yet…can you believe LeBron gave up on Cleveland and went to Miami?” Okay maybe she didn’t say that last part, but a guy can dream that that would be part of his wife’s stream of consciousness right? But back to the day: Abbi rolled over to me (in between our oldest son’s screams for us to come get him out of his room…we gate him into his room…if you know him you understand why) and said she wasn’t feeling too hot. She said she was cramping a bit and felt a little nauseous, and that the baby hadn’t been moving a whole lot. I, being the calm and coolheaded one in our relationship, jumped from bed, cancelled my appointments for the day (sorry Jason, I promise I will help you with the swing set some day) and launched into a general state of panic. Abbi promptly responded by yelling at me that she was the only one that got to be nervous at which point I stuck my proverbial tail between my legs and calmly googled our hospital’s phone number…yes I was unprepared…no I wasn’t completely ready for the baby that was supposed to come on Wednesday…but LEBRON CHOSE MIAMI! Ok, not the real reason I wasn’t ready, but it sounds better than just procrastination. So post tail tucking, we gathered Abbi’s things (yes our pregnancy bag was ready to go) and headed off to the hospital.

After a number of NASCAR maneuvers that would have made Joe Gibbs recruit me on the spot to his driving team, we arrived at Edwards Hospital in Naperville. They quickly escorted us to a room where they hooked Abs up to a monitor. Before I had time to call our parents, hand our oldest off to his Grandma, get Abbi’s things from the car, and discuss the 2010 NBA Free Agency period with a male nurse, they were taking my wife into the OR to deliver our son into the world.

Sawyer Richard was born at 11:43 AM on July 10, 2010. He was born at 8 lbs 14 oz and was approximately 19.5 inches long. I wish I could tell you what the moments were like as they wheeled Abbi into the operating room and left me behind, but all I could think was “God please take care of my wife and son…” and he did just that. The next 30 minutes or so were a blur and I don’t have a lot of recollection of them, but what I can tell you is that having a child is like no other adrenaline rush you will ever feel. Our friends who have kids will understand this, but for those who don’t, wait until the time is right, but definitely do it! We are so excited to welcome the newest Eccleston into the world and thank all of you for your support and prayers over the last nine months.

We are so thankful for the gift that has been given to us today and we look forward to sharing him with all of you in the years to come. I added a few pictures below of our experiences and hope you can take even a small fraction of the joy from them that they are bringing us right now. We love you Sawyer!

the 4th!

Happy 4th of July! We usually spend every 4th of July up at Grand Beach and this year we made the trek up there for a weekend full of Grand Beach fun! The neighborhood always does a golf cart parade (which the boys rode in this year in Lighting McQueen themed float) and all kinds of other really fun family themed things to do! It'll be so fun as the years go by for the boys to spend this holiday up at the lake creating fun memories and crazy golf cart floats to ride on! I will have to post more pictures later!

In baby news, as you can see from the pic on the 4th, he's still cooking! I did wake up this morning though at 7:30 and think, in a week I will be in the hospital and he will be just about to enter this world since that is the exact time my c-section is scheduled! It's amazing! My body is SO ready for this little man to be out, but it is a lot of anxious anticipation to imagine all the changes this new babe will bring to our lives. Plus I am starting to freak out about having surgery! In a week though, it will be here and gone and we will have a new life to adjust to! We will keep you posted! We are so excited!

21 days out...but who's counting??

Hi friends:)!

We have had such a busy June, which I am super thankful for because it really has gone fast.

In Griffin news:

Griffin celebrated his birthday about 10 times between grandparents, friends & family, so that kicked off our month! We could feel nothing but thankfulness for his life and for all the sweet folks in it who love him. There isn't anything better as a parent then knowing your kiddo is loved is there??!!?? I am trying to cherish every little moment I have with him before Sawyer gets here and we've had some doozies. He is not only so very ornery at the moment, but also adorable. He has really started talking up a storm & here are a few of his best lines as of late:

"mommy, daddy...you guys are my best friends"

"mommy, you so pretty"

lots of unprompted "i love yous"

"i a rock star, like de Jonas brothers"

....and man, I should write them down as we go, because I can't think of the funny ones now, but thus far age 3 has been a HOOT for us to experience and an absolute JOY to receive his verbal affection!

Update on me/Sawyer:

Well I am fully in "bloom". Waddling is really the only choice I have if I want to move, my back feels like it's cracking in about 5 different places and seriously this tummy can't stretch that much more (I don't think)! But with 3 weeks to go, I am pressing onward and feeling so thankful I have almost made it. I am going into the doc 3 times a week (2 OBGYN appts and 1 Endocrinology appt) where they check my sugars, monitor my thyroid levels, and monitor the babies heart rate. So far, so good. I haven't even filled up with fluid...no swollen feet yet, although I seriously hesitate to write that, I may wake up with them tomorrow:)! I would love to make it these next 3 weeks so that when Sawyer comes out he has the best chance of breathing on his own and not having to go to the NICU like Griffin did. I have a really sweet image in my head of actually getting to hold him in the recovery room and spending some bonding time together after he's is born, just me & him. But, if it's best for him to be on oxygen...we'll take that too! I have an ultra sound again next Monday to monitor his weight and see where we are at! For now though Sawyer, it looks like you and me have a date on Wednesday the 14th to meet up and I absolutely can't wait!

We are feeling as ready as we can be for another baby, all the while knowing that you can never be fully ready to add another person into your life, until they are there...just wiggling their own way into your heart and daily life. His room is ready to go, new bouncy seat built, I am going to attempt to cloth diaper him...so supplies are ready to give it a go, all of Griffy's clothes are washed and ready and I am going to get the car seat installed here sometime in the next few weeks. So physically, I think we're good to go. My heart is still wondering how there is room to love someone as much I as love Griffin, but I am told it just happens and I can't wait to watch and see that unfold. I am ready for my heart to expand....instead of my belly (haha!)

So, that's it for now! Sorry no pics with this post, just an update but there will be baby pictures to come in the next few (hopefully short) weeks! AH! Pray that we all make it and come out a happier, bigger and stronger family! Thanks God, for all that our life is right now!

Our LITTLE man is 3!!??!!

Well...it happened again!

My sweet little baby is another year older!

I have no idea how time keeps flying faster & faster....BUT, it does!

griffy at 3 years old

Yesterday, June 1st 2010 Griffin Andrew was 3 at 6:15pm! Ry & I were rehashing the details of that amazing...yet painful:) day! It will always be one of the MOST special & memorable times in our life. That day is now 3 years past though, and here we are with a BIG BOY who is ready to party!

We started off the day at Dunkin Doughnuts where Griffy requested a pink doughnut, but they had run out...so he settled for and thoroughly enjoyed a white one! We even had candles and everyone in the store joined in our singing! He was a hit! We spent the rest of the day shopping and preparing for the party. My mom & I worked on the food and Ryan got the yard all ready to go. By 6 we had a house full of friends to celebrate with us! I didn't get too many pics of the party...because...well you know how those things go, but here's a few shots from the day! He was a happy camper!

enjoying doughnuts in the morning with m & d!

I love you my little 3 year old! Here's to the start of another amazing year of your life...I am just privileged to be a part of it! You are such a blessing!

party tables

playing with new "noculars"

make a wish!!

My litte...wait, My big Melon!!

Today I am 31 weeks Preggers!

AHHHHH!! YEAH! That means at the most, baby Sawyer will be in my arms in less than 7 weeks from this morning! This is exciting because I can't wait to hold him, kiss him, see what he looks like, show him to Griffy, share another BIG moment with Ryan, witness a miracle, see a glimpse of God....and I have to say GET THIS MELON OUTTA MY TUMMY!:)

This morning I got my weekly "baby center" email which stated that my baby at 31 weeks should be approximately 3.3 pounds. I went into my doctors today for a weight check ultra sound and they predicted that baby Bean weighs about 4.9 at the moment. Oh, just a touch larger than average...just growing at a rapid speed...just waiting for him to explode right out of me! Haha! The tech said he's on his way to being bigger than Griffy (10 lbs 14 oz). PLEASE NO! It was awesome to see him again, although he's too big to really understand what you are seeing on the ultrasound screen now. Griff & my mom came in too, and I think G man was very confused about what he got to see, considering we told him we were going to look at his brother....more like some black and white blobs! Poor guy, he was so patient through it!

I have to say, if that's the worst news I get for the rest of this pregnancy, I'll take it! So far all looks good and healthy...heart beat is strong, organs look good and all is in the right place! So blessed!

I will keep you posted...sometime soon, there will be a plump new little Eccleston on the way to our house!

Please pray I can stand the stretching I am going to need to do here in the next few weeks, that blood sugars stay in control and that he arrives safely!

5 years ago...

5 years ago Ry & I were on our Honeymoon! I can't believe that much time has passed! It seems like yesterday and a million years ago all in the same breath! We were just laughing the other night about how on our honeymoon we said that in 5 years we would come back on vacation to the same spot and we would start thinking about having some kiddos! Baaahahhahaha! In reality we were sitting in a restaurant 5 miles away from our first son, and 1.5 months away from meeting our second in the good ole state of Illinois. Thankfully, that we both agreed we wouldn't have had it any other way! The last 5 years have been such a beautiful mess of really tough, really wonderful, surprising, happy, silly, foolish, wonderful life we have been blessed to live through. We both shared our "high" from the last 5 years and both of our "highs" revolved around a low that we made it through as a couple figuring out how to trust God. It's amazing to look back on a life together and realize how much God has guided and walked beside us so that we could get to today. It's such a blessing....and even better to share that life with the person you love most in the world. So, lots has changed in the last 5 years...the state we live in, the # of people in our growing family, our jobs, our goals....US! but what hasn't changed is that we both still are in love with the Lord and that in turn has helped us seal the deal on loving each other.

...and come on, how couldn't I when I am still getting carried away by him:)! Love you Ryski, you are my sunshine!