Recently we have been able to really enjoy this wonderful summer weather. We have been so lucky with how nice it has been this year and we are trying to be outside enjoying the weather as much as we can! I thought having a new baby this summer would limit me, but I feel we have been able to do most of the things we typically do each summer... it just takes a lot of time and preparation and planning to do them. Here are some photos...

A walk around Henderson one evening. SO beautiful out. 

Ty all packed up to go home after visiting Grandma and Grandpa Mendenhall.

Golfing!

Ty and Dad's golf ball

I have started a stroller class and I go twice a week at Henderson with some other Moms. It was my first day today and boy did I get a workout. I am already sore!! I am excited to get into shape and maybe lose the last of this pregnancy weight! Also the next three Fridays there is a Free Yoga and Pilates class at Henderson for Moms! If you want to come with me and my sister, let me know!

We are so lucky to have been able to see some really good friends lately. And they even have kids around the same age as Ty too! Here are some photos of us at Magrath Days and spending time with friends.

Magrath Parade

Lauren helping Bailey get candy at the parade. 

I don't believe they planned to match tops.... :)

Ty and Ollie hanging out..

The men with their babies.

Last minute photo. Darcy even got Ollie out of bed for it.

Dustin and Nicole came to Lethbridge and so they guys went golfing (should have made them take the camera and get some photos) and Nicole and I hung out with our babies and chatted! I definitely miss sitting with friends talking! We will have to get more photos when they come next!

Cute little Cali moving around like crazy! She is two months older, can you believe it? So tiny!

Another new post down below!

Family Reunion

We had a Parker family reunion in Montana at Tally Lake. There was approximately 108 Parkers there and that's only the posterity of my Grandma and Grandpa. I guess thats what having 11 kids will give you. We were a bit nervous to take Ty camping for his first time but I have to say, Ty did really well. He slept as he usually does and we did a pretty good job at keeping him out of the sun and away from mosquitos!! Michael and I love to camp so we were pleased we didn't have to miss out this year because of our little Ty. We had a volleyball tournament, played amazing race, and minute to win it. We also went to the lake, swam, and rode seadoos!

Ty's first morning waking up in a tent

Mom so pleased that Ty slept so well!

Volleyball tournament (Michaels team won!!

Ty getting so big! He got his first dip in lake water and he did not like it one bit.

Watching Minute To Win It.

Cass in her super cute t-shirt, ha!

Michael competing.

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.