I thought I would be a whole lot better at writing on here since I was on bed rest, but I ended up having my baby boy a week after my last post.

Daddy's hand next to Ryder the day he was born.

 Ryder Maddox Chlarson was born on 4/13/13 weighing 1 lb 14 oz, and measuring 14 & 1/4 inches long! We are so happy he made it here safe and that he is doing well so far. I know it is the pure power of prayer that has gotten us both through our journey. 

Ryder is 5 weeks old now and is doing really well! He is up to 2 lbs 13 oz and is tolerating his feedings and is pooping regularly! We are so happy about that! Usually preemies right around 32 weeks gestation get an infection in the intestines called NEC that can be very dangerous. Breastfed babies do better when it comes to that so hopefully he will not get the infection. We are so happy with the nurses and doctors caring for our little guy!

I am staying here in the valley while he is in the hospital. I get to see the hubby and kids every now and then. Either they come here or I go back home to see them. It has been rough being torn between both places, but I know it is important for me to be close to Ryder so I can do therapies with him and have my milk there for him. I am so grateful for the people of St. Johns who have given their time to make meals, clean my house and watch my kids! My mom and hubby have been amazing at holding down the fort, but I know they could't do it without the help of our town members. I feel so loved and blessed with how much everyone has sacrificed on my behalf.

 It's been over 3 years but finally I am updating my blog! Lately I have been on bed rest, and will be until my little guy decides to come into this world. Needless to say I have quite a bit of time on  my hands, and I can journal more. 

 These are our newest family pictures taken by my bestie Rachel Richardson. I love this one of all my kids. They are so dang good looking to me!

 The absolute love of my life! I would be so lost without him. I LOVE you Babe!

Man I miss my hubby and kids so much! I am staying at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix 4 1/2 hours away from them! We get to do face time every now and then, but it's not the same. I will be here for quite a while. Not sure exactly when my precious little boy will come into this world, best case scenario I will make it to 34 weeks (May 31), but he will have to be here until his original due date of July 12, 2013. They don't think I will make it to 34 weeks but they will definitely try and keep me pregnant as long as possible. I am 26 weeks today, next goal is to make it to 28! He has done well for the most part, but he has some dips in his heart rate almost everyday. Nothing too bad, but enough to where they want to monitor him closely. The other day (Wednesday) I was bleeding more than I normally did and I was having some contractions, so they put me on magnesium just in case things got worse and they had to deliver. The bleeding had died down by night time, but his heart rate wasn't as steady as they liked it so they didn't let me have dinner that night. I didn't sleep well, they didn't let me eat breakfast and couldn't tell me when I could eat, so I was an emotional wreck and so exhausted!. I was afraid to call anyone cause I couldn't even talk and they would have thought I lost the baby. Thankfully I was able to calm down and his heart rate had been good for a while so they let me eat at 10 am and then they took me off the magnesium. That stuff is horrible! I hope I do not have to do that again any time soon! Today has been a good day and I hope it stays that way!