Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Our Little AVERY

For all those who occasionally follow this blog I give a preemptive apology. Avery has been with us now for three weeks and I am just getting around to updating our blog.

Now for all those who don't know, and would like to, Avery Rytting was born on Monday November 10th at 2pm. She weighed in at 6 lbs 1 oz and was 19 in in length. As you can see she has a full head of beautiful brown hair which was one of our biggest surprises when she arrived. If Christian wouldn't have told me about her hair during the last part of delivary I don't know if I would have believed this was our baby when they put her in my arms. I thought for sure we would have a whole family of blondies but am so grateful for this amazingly beautiful brown hair, olive skinned little girl.

Labor and delivary went smoothly and I thank my lucky stars that I live in a time where women have epiderals! Those who have experienced natural birth may laugh, but after they broke my water I only made it threw half a dozzen "hard labor" contractions before I was begging for an epideral. Then after the epideral was administered I couldn't believe how wonderful labor seemed. I took a nap, chatted with family, snuck some food, and watched as my contractions spiked on the monitor, all without feeling any pain. Then when it was time to push I gave nine hard pushes, the doctor used some suction, and after a massive episiodomy Avery was here! If it wasn't for the tearing I think I could easily do that kind of labor any day of the week... or at least it didn't scare me enough to sware off ever having children again.

However difficult women told me labor would be, I think the weeks following gave me a run for my money. Technically I knew babies only slept in two to three hour incriments but I had no idea what it would actually feel like when I was experiencing it, not to mention the pain of breast feeding. Physically I was exhausted, emotionally I was a nut case, and all while being strung out on all types of pain killers. Fortunatly I have an wonderfully compassionate husband and an amazingly wise mother who made sure every loose end was taken care of. Even though our kitchen is in the middle of being remodeled (I know, bad timing) meals were taken care of and the house was always clean. Christian and I even got to go on a dinner date before my mother left last week and for once my life seemed normal again.

In contrast to all the new challenges of being a mother I have to admit there is nothing more rewarding than seeing my little girls smile and hearing her giggle threw out the night (even if it is only gas). I LOVE being a mom! And although I still have plenty to learn I will forever be grateful for my little Avery and all we will learn together!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Blog Takeover

Since its conception, this blog has been run by Christian, it was his idea to start it, he wrote all the postings, and displayed all the pictures....but not any more! I (Emily) have official taken over the Ryttingfamilyblog site, and as the new underwriter I promise ... change. ;) From now on I will have decreased taxes for all fellow bloggers, I will talk about stabilizing the economy and post recipes of yummy treats you can eat while reading my thoughts on such nonsense, and I give you my word to post pictures regularly (as soon as Christian walks me through how to do it ;)
In short, I am really looking forward to being apart of this new sphere and keeping in better contact with all those I know and love!
Best Regards,
The new owner and operator,
Emily



PS. Some have commented that I'm still looking a little small for being as far along in my pregnancy as I am... well the truth is I just haven't posted any recent side shots of myself. So here I am in all my 9 months of glory!



Wednesday, August 27, 2008

What's the latest - August 2008

IT'S A GIRL!!!


Well, for the 64% of you who voted for a girl...you were right! Emily is expecting a girl! We have known that since July. Oops. You can blame me for that. Sorry for delayed update!For those who voted for a boy...well, maybe next time ;) I will never forget the moment when we found out we would be having a girl. For all of those who know me well, you know I have been wanting a girl. It was such an anxious, exciting moment for us. Emily laid there, holding my hands tightly and then I blurted out..."I don't see anything, it's a girl! Is it a girl?" The nurse quickly responded, "calm down, just a moment." Moments later she said "it's a girl!"

There was such a sweet feeling that both Emily and I felt as we found out we were having a girl. We were so thrilled! Since finding out we are having a girl we are just getting more and more excited the nearer we get to actually having her here with us. I consider myself the luckiest man in the world! Marrying the best woman in the world is enough. But then having a daughter that I hope is like her? ...now that is lucky! ...See more pics.




Ok...so I realize its been a little while since I updated the blog. Sorry to the one or two people that actually noticed ;) There has been quite a bit that has happened! In addition to finding out we are having a girl...

The other big announcement is that Emily has graduated from BYU! I am so proud of her and how hard she worked during this last year, especially with all of the changes that come with being married, moving and being pregnant. Just a little to deal with ;) The best part about these new changes...now that Em is home, that means she can start working on this blog with me...yeah! I have felt a little lonely in this effort as the network of "blogging husbands" is a little small. Right now I feel a little like an outsider in the relief society. Anyways we are glad Emily graduated. Congrats Em!....more pics to come.










To celebrate, we left from all of the graduation festivities to spend a week in Lake Tahoe with Emily's family and Grandpa George. Man that place is gorgeous!...see more pics.










Oh...and those June and July highlights I failed to post...here they are!

Celebrating Mom E's Birthday
Debra had been up here, living in SLC while Austin played Rugby for Olympus High School. Before she left back home to College Station, we had the chance celebrate her birthday with her. Though we are glad she is back hom in Texas, we miss her!...see more pics.

Rytting Family Reunion

Well I guess one indication that our family is getting bigger is the fact that we now title the time when we get together as the "Rytting Family Reunion". What a blast! From crashing Dad's work party at the buzz game to the trip at the cabin. The stars of the show were the young members of the family...see more pics.

Down with the bush!
Hopefully each month we will have some progress that we can share with you on the house. The big project this past month...removing the enormous, overgrown bush in our front yard. The only comment the inspector has when we were buying the house, "yeah, that thing is a definate fire hazard"...so? Down with the bush!...see more pics.

Stopping by while in Texas
While attending the Microsoft Partner Conference in Houston, I was able to stop by Garrett and Katie's home to say hi to the Edmondson family. It was great to fly into Houston and feel a little like I was coming home...see more pics.

Date to Thanksgivin Point
Man I love going on dates with my wife! Here is one of our latest simple but fun dates to Thanksgiving Point. Whenever you go there, you have to check out the landmark we left!...see more pics.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Our Trip to Lake Tahoe

The best part of the trip was just being able to visit with Em's family!

Emily and her Grandpa George

On our way to the Tahoe North Ward

Man. It is hard of even thinking of leaving this place!


The "backside" of the lake


Dad E...right before he pulled his back out!


Taking a ride on the ski lift through the mountains


Skipper will fetch anything


See what we mean


Celebrating Uncle Mark's birthday! The big 50!


Getting older means getting help blowing out the candles


Notice Mark is wearing the present he just got...a new shirt


Uncle Scott, Oliver and Grandpa George

not necessarily what we would call the "lazy river"


A little cold Austin?


Uncle Mark was a natural on the river


Yes I am singing....yes I am that white...yes I am now that burnt!



Punch anyone?

Dad floating on his blow-up mattress, Why not?


A shot of the whole family

Christian's birthday cake. Man that still looks good!


Thanks for only putting one candle instead of the 28. AHHH






I think Oliver liked the cake!


Jada Lee and Machawn having fun at the B-day celebration


Adam and Adrienne came down from Alemida to spend the weekend with us


Man we wish we could hang out with Machawn more often


Patches


Skipper


Going for an early morning swim

Adam and Cael on the south side of the lake


Danny, Jenn, Kyson and Kaleb also joined us for the hike

Em and Lara

Kyson


Danny and Kaleb


Check out that smile!


What a great family!


Kaleb loved the lake and the hike


For some reason Kyson loves these cars

Grandpa George and his girls