It's TVD Thursday!

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween yesterday! Last year, Erik and I were vampires - I was a 1940's Pinup girl turned Vampire and Erik was the Vampire Priest who turned me.  Keira was a Flapper - she was too cute!

Gotta love last minute costume ideas!  

I had just found out I was pregnant then so I had to work with what I had in my closet! Being a pregnant, pin-up girl, and just turned Vampire was a little too complicated to explain to people! ;)

Ahhhhh!

Oh, I never got a chance to remind my fellow TVD fans to watch the new episodes on Thursday night on the CW at 8! It's so good!  If you're still trying to catch up on episodes Netflix on demand has seasons 1 & 2 on there.

Up Next: Guest Post - "How to Host a Murder Mystery Party"

Decode Your Baby's Cry!

My sister just recently turned me on to the "Dunstan Baby Language" and I just couldn't believe how accurate it really was in decoding a baby's cry! According to Priscilla Dunstan, there are 5 words that babies use to communicate to adults through their cries.

There are 5 dominant sounds that babies make during these cries that you can hear to help you understand what they really need.  I watched the DVD today and used these techniques to try to figure out what Ryker needed when he started to cry and it actually worked!

The 5 words/sounds they make are listed below.  This video interview from the Oprah Show also gives a glimpse of the language.  The DVD is definitely worth watching though - it tells Priscilla's story of how she was able to figure out this language, plus the samples they show are great in getting more familiar with these different cries.

Sound  =  What baby is feeling
"NEH" = Hungry
"OWH" = Sleepy or Tired
"HEH" = Discomfort (too hot or too cold, or diaper is wet)
"EAIR" = Lower Gas Pain/Discomfort
"EH" = Burp Me




I hope this can help you mommies out there... I know how tough it can be when your baby is crying and all you want to do is find a way to help soothe them.  This is definitely worth a try!

Let me know how it works for you!
Happy Thursday!

The HOT boys of July!

Last month just flew by so fast! I seems like it was just yesterday that it was still June and I was anticipating when my baby boy was going to make his appearance in July! Now it's already August!

It has definitely been an eventful month, which is probably why it flew by so quickly. Here's what we've been up to...

My beautiful son was born!

My handsome hubby celebrated his birthday!

and...I finally got to meet the hot Salvatore Brothers from The Vampire Diaries! ;)

I guess it's was a fun filled month full of CUTE BOYS!

Now here's to August - the month of getting things done!

Welcome Ryker Keane!

So, I finally went into active labor at 2:30 am on Saturday, July 7th.  I delivered little Ryker at 6:24 am as we got to see the sunrise from our room - it was an amazingly beautiful experience, it almost felt surreal!  Ryker weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and was just about 21 inches long.  He's been such a joy & seeing Keira and him together is just priceless!

Ryker's first photo with Mommy & Daddy

Welcome Little Ryker!

My babies! 

Father & Son

The first car ride home.  I have to get used to seeing 2 car seats in the back of the car!

Keira's being a great big sister!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommy's out there.  Being a mother is such an amazing experience and without my daughter and my soon to come son,  I would feel incomplete in my life.  I've learned so much from my AMAZING mother and mother-in-law and couldn't feel luckier to have them both in my life.  I love you guys!

And to my little Keira who's getting to be such a big girl now, you will always be my little "sunshine princess"!  Time sure does fly...

Keira just a few months old

Keira & Mommy at the Aquarium

Just love her SO much!

Waking up to this smile is PRICELESS!

...it's a girl thing!

...and without our Mommy's we wouldn't be able to be Mommy's!

Happy Mother's Day to our Special MOM's!

My Mommy & Me

Erik & His Mom

Happy Mother's Day...enjoy your wonderful day!

Yay! I'm back at home!

Thank you everyone for all your love and support this last week.  Your kind and supportive words really helped me get through this pneumonia!  It's been a rough 4 days, but I'm finally back home (still recovering) but at least I'm laying in my Tempurpedic bed and not an uncomfortable hospital bed hooked up to an IV!

The nurses and doctors at the new Mills Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame were GREAT.  They were all really sweet and helpful and not to mention the hospital was BEAUTIFUL!  Erik actually kept referring to it as the "Hotel" instead of "hospital". This is where I'll be delivering Ryker at in about a month from now so at least it felt comforting to know that I'll be in good hands.

Here's a glimpse of my week...

Erik & Keira waiting for me in the ER.  Keira fell asleep on daddy's lap & whenever the nurse wheeled me away to take an x-ray she would cry!  She was concerned for her Mommy that I wanted to cry each time I saw her tear up!

The Hospital "Room Service" Menu - really, that's what it was named

It was actually pretty good, it allowed you to switch it up each night to suit your craving

My parents visiting me in my room.  I was looking out that window quite a lot wishing I could enjoy the warm weather out there!

My wonderful husband spent all 3 nights with me at the hospital, he said the pull-out bed wasn't too bad to sleep on and he was just happy that it was long enough for his legs!

They treated me like I was TWO patients because they monitored the baby's heartbeat for 20 minutes straight about 4-5 times a day + they had to monitor my blood pressure too - it was crazy!

My awesome coworkers at NAARTJIE sent me this beautiful plant to cheer me up!  Thanks guys, it worked!!

I hope you all enjoy this wonderful weather outside, being trapped inside of a hospital room unable to breath really makes you realize how lucky you are when you well and able to enjoy being home with your family.

Love,

-Kathy

Need your prayers guys!

Hi all,
I know I've been MIA for a few days. I was planning on doing another Weekend Update but unfortunately I've been sick again but this time I got pneumonia so I've been in the hospital trying to fight this. Baby Ryker seems to be doing great but I just need some extra love and positivity for my body to fully recover. I'm staying positive and I plan on being right back to on my feet very soon. I'm been so lucky to have such a great husband to stay with me and brighten up my days and Keira who always makes me laugh. Thank you to my family and friends for coming to visit me and for all your positive energy. I love you guys and I'll give you an update soon!!!
-Kathy