We got newborn photos done of Ty. We weren't able to do them until he was just over two weeks but we are sooo in love with the photos. Ashley Bennett did them and she was so great with Ty and did such a good job!! 

Family photo

Look at those cheeks

One of my favorites!!!!

Ty is now 6 weeks old and is so much more alert. We are loving how he is more awake during the day so we can play with him. He just started smiling and I am sure we will see much more of that in the weeks to come. He is a really good baby and usually only gets up 1-3 times a night. He has even slept for 5 1/2 hours a few times!!!

We are headed down to Montana this weekend to camp at the Parker family reunion. It's suppose to be very hot and Ty has had heat rash recently so hopefully he is a happy camper! :)

Ty is blessed

On Sunday, Michael blessed Ty. It went really well and Ty was nice and quiet. It was very last minute because my mom is getting surgery and we wanted her to be able to be there, so it was only our immediate families who came.

Ty looking just like his dad.

Ty in his little outfit. It is the same outfit my brother wore at his baby blessing 17 years ago.

3 weeks old

Mom and Ty

Family Photo

Ah, Three weeks already?

We have been so busy with Ty now being in our lives and the changes that comes with that.
We are loving being parents and are learning so much everyday. He is such a good little boy
and we can't wait until we get to see more of his personality. I can't believe he is already three
weeks old. It has gone by so fast and I keep trying to really enjoy this newborn stage, although
it has been tough. Here are some photos from Ty's first three weeks!

Mom, Grandma, Me, and Ty

Cassandra, Breanne, and Ty

Dad and Ty, and Ty looking like such a little chubster.

At Dad's soccer game. Ty all wrapped up to be protected from the mosquitos. PS... I realize now I will probably never have time to do my hair again. When he's sleeping, I just want to tidy the house and catch up on things, not do my hair...

We got newborn photos done with Ty. He was such a good boy and this is one of the photos! 

I can't wait to see the rest!

Our little boy after bathtime.

He's Here!!

Ty Thomas Mendenhall 

June 16, 2011

8:11pm

8lbs 2 oz

21.5 inches

Our little family.

Lots of people have been asking how everything went with Ty's arrival, here's the details.

June 16th my water broke at 10:30 and I was SO excited. I called Michael at work and he rushed home. Nothing was happening yet, so we cleaned the house a bit, packed up everything we would need and we ate some lunch, and then the contractions started at 11:30. First they were just cramps every 10 mins or so, so we left to the hospital and got there around 11:45. At noon we were in Labor and Delivery and I was having contractions every 2-3 mins and it was getting worse VERY quickly. Within 30 minutes I was unable to walk without two people helping me so they moved me into the room where Ty would arrive. I was in labor for about 2 hrs before I was able to get the epidural. We let them know as soon as we got to the hospital that we wanted to do the epidural and as things were getting worse, Michael kept asking how long it would be. After the epidural, things were great and progressing quickly. Then the nurses and doctors got concerned because my body wasn't relaxing between contractions, but baby was alright, so they kept a close eye on things. Doctors said it was very atypical that contractions would be like that. I kept thinking I honestly would have died if I hadn't had the epidural because I was pretty much passing out between contractions before it. Anyways, I was fully dialated so they had me start pushing, even though I didn't feel I needed to. Tried for about 40 minutes and nothing was changing so they put my on oxytocin so I would feel the contractions a bit more and more regular and shortly after I definately felt like pushing. I pushed for about another 2 hours and finally at 8:11, after 9 hrs of labor our little Ty was born! He is absolutely perfect and healthy. Michael and I are so in love with him. We can't believe he is here and he is ours.

Things at home have been good. Ty came out with arm and head first so healing has been slow but each day is getting better. We are getting use to the changes in our lives and enjoying having Ty home with us.

Michael has been amazing through everything. He was soo sweet to me during labor and I honestly can't imagine going through it without him. I just keep thinking how lucky I am to have him. He is already SUCH an amazing father. He loves Ty SO much and is so patient with him and is always willing to help out with changing diapers and calming Ty. Sometime I feel like his parental instincts are stronger than mine! :) I am so lucky to have these two guys in my life. They both make me so happy.

ONE week!!

We only have ONE week until this baby boy's due date!! I have a feeling he won't be here till closer to the due date. We are SOOO excited to get to meet this little guy and see what he will look like. It's pretty much all we talk about.

Michael has started playing on two soccer teams. One team is a Mens Over 30 league and another is a Co-Ed team. He also plays for fun at the research center here in Lethbridge with some people he use to work with at lunch hours 1-3 times a week. So he is just one active guy right now. I have always enjoyed Michael being on a team and getting to cheer him on but watching him makes me want to get out there and play as well! He scored a sweet goal last night.. I didn't see him shoot because I was busy chatting, but I hear it was impressive!!

So that's a lot of what we have been doing lately... waiting for baby, and soccer games. I'm just trying to keep up on all the housework so when baby decides to come, I will have a nice clean home to come home to. Anyways we'll keep you all updated!!!

a walk in the park

 Saturday was beautiful!! All us kids got together with Dad and Kristi and went for a walk at Henderson. I even got a bit of a tan, which I am not really expecting much of this summer. It was hot out, (almost too hot for my pregnant condition) and we just had fun visiting and being outside!!

 

All us kids with Dad!! I don't remember the last time we had one of these photos.

Cassandra was carrying Breanne around like this and Breanne was feeling a bit embarassed, ha.

Cassandra has a soccer ball baby.... About the same size? I think so.

Michael and I... We don't get many pictures together anymore it seems. They are always pictures of me and my belly....

So only about 2 1/2 more weeks till baby is scheduled to arrive. I have pretty much reached my limit in the discomfort department. It's feeling WAY too hot at night now, and my left rib is constantly killing me so I can only sleep on my right side, otherwise baby is rubbing against the ribs. I'm up every hour to hour and a half at night(which I know, is good prep for when baby arrives). I feel like I have a pulled muscle in my leg if I am walking or standing for longer than 20 minutes, and I can't sit for longer than 15 without my back pain starting. Although I can find plennnnty to complain about, I have a feeling it will all be worth it in the end, haha. Michael and I have been able to enjoy our little boy moving around TONS lately. Michael is always amazed by how much he moves and how strong he is. It really never gets old feeling him kick around, although it will be nice when it's not inside my body anymore.

I am starting to think more and more about what my body is going to have to go through. Although I feel like I am ready for baby to be here, I'm not so sure I am ready for the process that will be. Michael says I should just drive myself right on over to the hospital when I am in labor, since he will already be there (he works 3 floors below labor and delivery)... Funnnnnnyy.

Waiting....

We have begun to play the waiting game. This little guy is all cooked and ready to come at any time. We are hoping he comes pretty soon but I'm getting the feeling he won't be here for at least another 1-2 weeks. (I am now 37 weeks pregnant) Other than being up every hour to hour and a half at night, I am not experiencing any signs of oncoming labor. I guess it is good for me to start to get use to it. I have just finished the baby's room and have got pretty much everything I need for his arrival. I am actually surprised by how prepared I feel with how everything at home is all ready for him to come. The only thing left is to pack the hospital bag and load up the car seat. We are SO excited to let you all know when our little boy decides to show up!

Waterton

One of our favorite places ever is Waterton. It always brings back such good memories of when we first met and what became the best summer of our lives. Now it's so fun to think back to those days and think how I am now married to that same man I spent so much time with and that we have a baby on the way. We didn't do any hiking because of my 8 month pregnant condition, but we were able to walk around the townsite, enjoy the cool air near Cameron falls and enjoy some Big Scoop ice cream. We are excited to go back more this summer and maybe even do a bit of camping.

This is about all there was left of snow... just in the shade.

Beautiful view from the Prince of Wales

All these pictures were taken from the car... haha... impressed?

Lethbridgites

We have been busy lately... hah. Moving, unpacking, preparing, napping, and working... That's my excuse for not blogging. OH and we didn't have internet for about a week. We are mostly all settled now. We only have a little more to do in the baby's room to get ready, and only a few more things to gather that are needed for his arrival!! 

Our friends the Malmbergs just had their little girl and they were in town so we had them over for dinner and to visit. Their little girl is SUCH a cutie pie.

The girls

The guys

Michael and I, in the most comfortable outfit ever. It's sooo nice not to have the band on the pants. I could wear this everyday.

The twins on their 17th birthday! Growing up too fast!

Michael has been enjoying a new film camera and I've been his model, so here's a photo of me at 34 weeks!

While Michael and I were dating, Michael was trying to figure out what his next move was after his degree. We went online and searched around at a lot of jobs and the schooling that would have to be done. We looked at a lot of job descriptions, and he finally found a job he felt would suite him best-Radiation Therapy. I wasn't too sure about it, because at that time, I knew we would end up getting married and Radiation Therapists, in Alberta, only work in cancer treatment centers. The only two centers at that time were in Edmonton and Calgary. I didn't mind the idea of living there during schooling, but I sure didn't want to live in either places permanently.

Michael started the pre-requisites for getting into the program and I came to terms with this decision. I loved him and would go anywhere with him. Then the paper one day, just after we were married, there was an article on Lethbridge being selected for the new cancer treatment center in Alberta. I finally felt it WAS the perfect job for Michael, ha! After that I knew someday we would be back in Lethbridge.

Three and a half years later(a couple weeks ago), a job opportunity came up in Lethbridge. Michael applied, and shortly after he was offered the job. This was last Monday! They tell him they want him to start as soon as possible so we are now packing up our things to move back to Lethbridge. My last day of work is tomorrow(Wednesday), and at this point in my pregnancy, this job is a blessing for me. I might a wimp, but the job is feeling a bit too much physically for me right now and I was having a hard time thinking about working another month and a half. Michael starts his new job in the Jack Ady Cancer Center (in the Lethbridge Hospital) on Monday. We are both so excited for this big change. A new job, a new home, and then a new family member!!

We have been so blessed with how things have worked out so far. We are so happy our little boy will get to be around our families a lot now that we are so close.

I am so proud of Michael for all his hard work. He is such a good Radiation Therapist, despite how hard the job can be, physically and emotionally, and has shown he is going to be a great provider for our little family.... because until now I was our provider, haha.

Third and Final Trimester

I have just begun the third trimester, and already I am feeling many more discomforts than previously. I am finding I am short of breath even when just sitting, and have to focus on taking deeper breaths. Sleeping at night is still pretty good with no heartburn yet (I'm crossing my fingers), but I am constantly being woken up by having to use the washroom and I am finding he is most active in the middle of the night.... Great. I am still working full-time and planning to for the next two months, but I am feeling more and more tired after a full day of work, and finding my back pain is just getting worse. I like being able to work though because it keeps my mind on something else, and the days go by faster. Okay this is all sounding negative, but really the only great thing about being pregnant, for me anyway, is feeling our little guy moving around. It never gets old for me and Michael. That will probably be the only thing I miss about being pregnant.

Last week I went for my gestational diabetes exam. After checking in, the lady at reception handed me a very large class of orange soda and told me to drink it within 5 minutes. So I go sit back down and it seemed like all of the 30 people in the waiting room were staring at me while I tried to chug this nasty tangy orange soda drink, while feeling hot and trying to keep it down. Gross.

No, we don't have a name for our boy yet... We have about 10-15 names we like (ha), we just aren't sure if we want to name our son them... so we probably won't decide on a name for sure until we get to see what he looks like. Anyway, my mind is blank right now on what else to write.. so until next time.

Baby shower for Madison and Becky

Last weekend we threw my sister Becky and adorable niece Madison a baby shower. It was fun to have lots of family and friends come to support the new baby and Mom and spoil them a little. We ate some food, enjoyed company, and played a few games! 

Some of the food we had and the decorations we made!

Mom to be and new mom

Sisters

Some of the people that came (I think this was near the end when lots of people had left)

That Sunday they did a baby blessing for Madison and then we all went out to Cardston for a family potluck since some family from out of town was around AND to celebrate Grandmas 70th birthday!!!!


Pregnancy has been going good lately. I am LOVING feeling this little guy move around a lot. It's definately my favorite part of being pregnant and it never gets old. We are not having much luck with names, so I think we will just have to meet him to decide on a name. Back pain is pretty much the only thing that is not going well lately. It seems to always be getting worse. It hurts a lot to sit anytime after noon, not really sure why, so laying down or standing is the only relief I get, and if I am working, standing is not something I want to do more of when I don't have a client. But I will take this back pain over the sickness I experienced in the first few months. I am now 26 weeks and cannot believe how fast this is all going by. Michael and I are always talking about how excited we are to meet our little boy and how soon it will be. 


Thanks for all your suggestions for your favorite baby essentials... Any more advice is welcomed!! 

Giveaway HERE

03.07.11

I have been terrible with blog posts lately and I haven't posted any pictures in forever it seems. 

Skating in Bowness 

My sweet moves! 

After hoping Madison would be born a Friday evening so Michael and I could be there and see her on the weekend, it finally happend!! 8:45, just 15 minutes after we got into Lethbridge, she arrived!! Here we are waiting to see baby and Becky. We didn't get a lot of pictures because Michael took quite a bit of video with our video camera instead. She is the most adorable little girl who squeeks all the time!! This whole family is just loving her.

Waiting at the hospital to meet Madison Grace

Mom and I waiting

Breanne and Madison

Madison <3

A 3D movie

This weekend we head down to Lethbridge for the baby shower! And I'll be sure to get lots of photos of everyone at that!

Not a lot has been going on for Michael and I. We have started to get a lot of the essentials, and can't believe we get to meet this little boy in only 3 and a half months! I have been surprised lately by how excited Michael is getting too!! It's so fun to see him like that and talk about what our lives might be like when he comes.

Any advice or favorite baby items we should take a look at?

Our baby's first photos!!

Yesterday was our ultrasound. The place we went to get it done is across the street from where I work. Three of my clients work there and were there at the time we went and we were lucky enough to have one of them do the ultrasound. She was so good. Michael was allowed in the room the entire time and she showed us so much. They have a notice at the front desk saying they charge $10 for each copy of a photo but the tech gave us a CD with 24 photos on it!! I am so happy to have more than one photo to remember that experience!

We were able to find out what we are having... a BOY!! I'm so happy we were able to find out. Michael and I are both so thrilled to start our family off with a son! It's still hard to wrap my head around but I cannot stop thinking about it all! We got to see his adorable little body and he was moving around so much. I was laughing because of how much he was moving. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Michael and I were both in awe the entire time. Now that I have been able to see him, I can't stop thinking about when I will get to meet him, and now June feels very far off! At least I can start to shop!!

I love the profile of his little face.

We could see him sucking a little bit in these ones(not on his thumb).

Here's his little foot measuring just over an inch!

And here's a belly photo of me at 19 weeks!!

Six more days!!

Six more days until our ultrasound!! We are so excited to see our baby and find out if it will be a boy or a girl! I will be blogging all about it next week.

Yesterday Michael finished his national exam AKA his last exam ever!!! He started working at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at the beginning of the month and now that he doesn't have to studying in the evenings he is all mine!!

I have been TERRIBLE for not posting any photos of my baby bump, but it IS there and I hope to take some photos on the weekend when we go up for Michaels graduation and when I am looking decent.

Not much else to say so I will blog next week! Maybe I'll even do two posts!

Updates

Just a quick little update on here. More for me to write down and be able to read again someday than anything. I'm 16 weeks now and have started to feel a lot better. I am only getting sick about every 3-4 days. Smells aren't bothering me as much. I am still pretty picky with what I eat and I always feel I have to really think about what I want to eat because many things make me nauseous still. I have lost about 10lbs and will probably start gaining weight now that baby is getting bigger. My pants are getting very tight and I recently bought some pregnancy clothing at Target in Kalispell!! We are getting excited for the 25th this month to find out what this little baby will be. I am starting to actually feel like I am pregnant now and like I can enjoy it because I'm not always sick.

We are SO excited about this year and what it will bring us!! A lot of changes are going to be happening. Michael starts his new job (yes, you read that right)!! It's a temporary position here in Calgary at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre as a Radiation Therapist!! After he writes his national exam on the 18th we can start to look for a permanent position in Alberta-if there are any.

We had a really great holiday this year. We started by heading down to Lethbridge. We spent Christmas between my Mom's, Michael's parents, and my Dad's house which was extremely exhausting but really fun. We lazed around with family until the 31st and headed down to Echo Lake to the Malmbergs cabin with some friends and rung in the New Year with them! We played games, ate, and shopped. Now we are back in Calgary, getting back into the swing of real-life. Hope you all had a wonderful time with friends and family!!