CHEEEEEEZE!

I am so excited because Rylie has begun the stage where she starts to smile a lot on her own and even coo. Today we had her on the couch and she was grinning like crazy! I love how her face just lights right up when she smiles!!!! She makes me so happy!

Butterfly Garden & Children's Garden at MSU

Connor & Garrett
Connor
McGinnis & Jeppesen Family
My brother and his family have been in from Utah since last Wednesday night! We've had a great time with them! We went to Palmyra, Niagara Falls, Kirtland, Holland, Muskegon, Lake Michigan, and the places around town. On this particular day we went on a tour of MSU campus. My sister-in-law (my brother's wife) served her mission in Lansing. A lot of her time was spent on campus. So, she took us around and we got to see the Children's 4-H Gardens and the Butterfly Gardens! It was AWESOME!!!!!

Great News!

I went to my 6-week Post Partum check-up today! I dread those appointments. It's never fun to have the "check-up". However, I did received great news today! I have lost 20 glorious lbs. since delivering Rylie!!! SCORE!!!! I'm so motivated to keep it going now! So, as soon as we get back from NY we're starting our low-calorie, working-out diets!!!! Let the fun begin!!!

I Just Can't Get Enough!

BFF's In the Making!!!

(2 months old, 1 month old, 0 months old)

(Sadie Elizabeth Charles, Rylie Anne McGinnis, Zoey Kendyll Call)

When Mike and I moved to Lansing, MI (the first time around) in April 2005, we became close to some really neat families. Two of which were Brad & Diana Charles and Justin & Megan Call. We've been through a lot with them and experienced some pretty awesome things. One of which was being pregnant together! We announced we were pregnant back in August 2007. That same day the Charles's announced they were pregnant. Then the Call's announced in December that they were pregnant too!!! Come to find out, we were all due within nearly a month of each other. Diana was due first, myself second, and Megan third. Above you can see what beautiful miracles came from that! I think these munchkins are destined to be BFF's!

Zoey Kendyll Call

Rylie & Samantha

(Alyson, Samantha, Rylie)

Tonight we went to Amberly's house to hang ouy. There were a few others there. One of which was Samantha! It was so fun to see the comparison between Rylie and Samantha. Rylie now weighs 9 lbs., which is what Samantha weighed at birth 5 weeks ago. Rylie is now 21 inches long, which is what Samantha was 5 weeks ago too. So, you can imagine how much bigger Samantha was. It was so cute to see them together and to finally get them close up! How fun!

1 Month Old!

Rylie is officially 1 month old today! I can't believe it's already been a month! It's really flown by. We have enjoyed Rylie so much! I am so happy to have a baby girl! She's starting to smile more and stays awake more and more all the time. I love being a Mom!

A Little Piece of Heaven

On Tuesday I was introduced to a little bit of heaven! Ok, a BIG piece of heaven! On Tuesday I was really sad and having a hard time because I had dropped off my parents. I was at home crying when my friend, Tiffany, called and asked how I was doing. She said she wanted to come over and show me something she knew I would love! She was right!!!! These are definitely from heaven! Apparently they can only be found at Target! So you'd better head on over and check 'em out! Mmmmmm!

I Hate Goodbye's!

I absolutely hate, hate, hate goodbye's!!! My parents flew back to Utah yesterday and it was so sad and so awful!!!!! We all cried and cried! Connor was bawling, screaming, and trying to run after my parents because he thought he was going on the airplane with them. The whole way home from the airport Connor was upset and kept asking where Grandma and Grandpa were and if they could play with him. It broke my heart! Needless to say, I spent the whole day in tears! Coming home to an emptier house was especially hard. I miss them so much! Having them here was awesome and it was so nice to actually have an adult to talk to and have fun with, since Mike is at school all the time! I'm so depressed but we'll get over it and be ok!

Rylie's Blessing Day!

Yesterday, April 13th, Rylie was blessed at church. We were so blessed to have my Dad and Mom there. Unfortunately, Mike's parents weren't able to make it. We really missed them there but understood why they couldn't make it. It was a very special day and I was so touched and proud to see my husband blessing our beautiful daughter. It was also very special because my sister made the beautiful blessing dress!!!! My Dad picked out the adorable, beautiful bracelet and blanket as well. My Mom picked out the shoes and lacey socks. It was a very special day!!!!

Isn't She Lovely? Isn't She Beautiful?

Visit to Lake Michigan

Rylie Update

Tonight we got the ok to leave the hospital and go home!!! Yay! We are so glad that we were able to bring Rylie home! It was so hard for us to watch her get poked, prodded, and be in pain! It was so sad! Luckily she is doing much better and they felt good about sending us home. We are so relieved because it was horrible in the hospital! None of us got much sleep and we're so tired! However, it's just so great to be home again! I really missed Connor and my Mom. We're lucky my Mom was still here to visit!

Out of the blue!!!

Today we had a shock! This morning I was getting Rylie dressed. I was changing her socks when I noticed her toe appearing to have infection in it. So, I called the Dr. and they got me in at 1:15pm. So, after cutting Christie's hair I packed up and off we went to the Dr. Our Dr. took a look at her toe and decided to call Dr. Ali, up at Pediatrics in the Ingam Hospital. Next thing we knew we were on our way to the hospital with Rylie. We got up there and they decided to admit Rylie as a patient. Her toe has major infection in it that has spread to her lymph nodes by her groin. If she were older then they'd give us antibiotics to give her. Where she's a newborn she is unable to fight the infection quick enough. Now she's hooked up to an I.V. where she is getting her antibiotics. If all goes well and the infection is clearing up then we'll go home tomorrow afternoon (Saturday). If not then we'll be here another night, at least. Mike and I are both EXHAUSTED!!!! Poor Rylie had had it and is so sad. If we put her down she screams and cries a lot. We can't sleep and I feel so bad for her!!!! I hate to see her hurting and unhappy. Please pray for her! However, she is 7 lbs. 5 oz. now! She's gaining weight! Yay! :)

Rylie's First Time At Church

Laura & Rylie
Grandma & Rylie
Connor
Laura, Grandma, Rylie
Laura, Grandma, Rylie, Connor

President Sybrowsky and Rylie

March 30, 2008 was Rylie's first time going to church. She even got to spend some one-on-one time with her Branch President, President Sybrowsky!!!! She was really good at church and was very sweet! It was fun to take her to church to show her to everyone! It was also fun to be there with my Mom! Connor loved telling everyone about his little sister, Rylie! Thanks, Sister Sybrowsky, for taking all these great pictures of Rylie!!!!

Hangin' With the Missionaries

Elder Heaton
Elder Packer

The missionaries have been so cute, fun, and supportive of the pregnant women in our Branch (myself, Megan, and Amy). They called to check how we were doing or if there was anything they could do. On one weekend they brought us each a cake or cookies. Then, after I had delivered Rylie, they brought us an amazing chocolate cake. It was delicious! Soon after we had gotten home they stopped by to see how we were and if we were ok. I love our missionaries! They are so AWESOME! It's nice to have hard-working & dedicated Elders here!

She Has Eyes!!!!

This was some fun "awake time" we were having with Rylie! She was more awake this day then she had ever been since she was born. It was fun to see her eyes wide open and just looking around. I just can't get enough of her! She makes me so happy!