Happy Birthday to you....

Can you believe today is Riley's 1st birthday? It has been an emotional week for me, I can't believe my little baby is one.

Friday brought back a ton of memories since she was born on a Friday. I can remember that day like yesterday. I woke up around 3:00 am with some weird feeling, boy didn't know what the day was going to bring. I finally realized that something was going on and woke Ron up to time the contractions. From 4:00 to about 6:00 am my contractions went from being 15 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart. We watched some stupid ferret show in the toy room and I can remember laughing about it saying I can't believe we are watching this. We laughed and laughed about how bad it was and how this is what we are going to remember about my early labor and let me say we were right. We still laugh about it. We decided to call the doctor and see what she thought. She said head on into the hospital to get checked out. Well me thinking I wasn't even for sure if this was it, took my time. I took a shower finished getting everything ready. We had to get Tony up and get him to my parents house so they could get him to school. We then decided he could stay home just in case he wanted to come up to the hospital later. By the time we got there it was going on 8:00 am. I got all situation in a holding room and they told me I was in labor and dilated to a 3. They then told me they had no rooms at the time. What how can a hospital be full, it wasn't like it was a hotel! So Ron and I walked the halls for a little bit, the holding room had three other women in there and I felt better moving around. My Mom showed up at some point while we walked the halls and stayed the whole time with us, it was great to have her there. By the time a room came open it was close to 11:30 am. Once we got in the room I immediately got the epidural. I was dilated to a 5 so I figured half way, might as well start the drugs now! I guess I should of just braved it out because that epidural HURT. After about an hour I was still have very intense contractions and asked the nurse if that was normal. Come to find out my epidural didn't take and they had to redo it. Not fun, the contractions were easier that getting another epidural! Finally after what seemed like forever I had some relief. I remember trying to relax because I had read so many horror stories about women pushing forever and getting exhausted. Well after a very short time the nurse checked me again and I was to an 8, at this point my water still hadn't broke. They called my doctor and she came in and checked me and broke my water. She said we had some time so she left. After the nurse got everything ready she checked me again and she could feel Riley's head. She paged the doctor and while we waited we did a few practice pushed. I remember the doctor coming in and pushing three sets and out came Riley! Easy as can be. Hint, this is why we will never have another I will get cursed for having such a easy first pregnancy :) Our lives have never been the same from this day a year ago and feel so blessed for having such a wonderful and full of life child in our lives.

Her party is next weekend. This weekend is Moto GP for those that don't know and well after working 15 hours I didn't feel in the mood to host a party too. Plus I have to be up in just a few hours to go back. I will update more on Riley in another post and share her new quirks and how big she is getting. She also has her one year check up on Friday so some prayers please for another great weight gain!

Heart Walk

September 19th the family is talking a walk for hearts in downtown Indianapolis. We are doing this walk with Ron and Tony's karting sponsor and the in-laws place of employment, J.D. Byrider. For me this is a great cause, heart issues have touched so many people I know. The American Heart Association mission statement is "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke." So what a better way than to support this great organization that with a little heart pumping walk! Most of you know Ron and I are on a path to changing our lives to a "healthier" way of living. I have lost 10 pounds! But more importantly I am getting stronger and making my heart stronger so I can be around for Tony and Riley's kids. If you would like to donate to our walking fund please click on the link below!

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=297521&lis=0&kntae297521=0541CEDE4E5B4A8DAF41FED9ABFEA1AB

Indiana State Fair

Sunday morning we got up and headed to the State Fair. We meet up with our friends the Weak's and some of her friends. It was the last day of the fair and they had a wristband for a set price and you could ride all the rides you wanted. Tony got his use out of his wristband. We had a lot of fun, walked a ton, saw some animals, and even had pineapple whip! After 7 long hours at the fair we headed to Steve and Terri's to celebrate her birthday. By the time we got home we were all exhausted and Chase had left a mighty present for Tony :) I guess we know what Chase thinks of him! We had a blast and can't wait for next year.

Indians Game!

Great baseball stadium! I love Victory Field :)
Riley and her cup..... I think she will be joining apple juice anonymous soon.

What is in here......

We had an action packed weekend first the Colts game on Thursday then Friday night we had planned to head out to Victory field and watch a baseball game. I thought this was a great idea, my parents had been wanting to take Tony to a baseball game for awhile so we all went. Well, lets just say it didn't go like I had expected. First, not a huge fan of baseball unless it is the playoffs or the Cardinals are playing. I don't think Ron even likes baseball! We both got bored before the first inning was over. Second, the weather was not in out favor, a rain storm came through about the 3rd inning. Third, Riley was not interested and was much more interested in walking around. So, we made it to the 4th inning, walked all the back to the car in the pouring rain just for it to stop as we got into the van and headed home. It will be a few years before we go back or we will leave Riley at home. Life it about the experiences right!

Colts preseason game

I got a call Thursday morning wanting to know if I would like Colts tickets for that nights game. Are you kidding me? Do you really need to ask :) Never did I imagine that they would be 15 rows up from the field on the 50 yard line, when she said good I didn't think they were THAT good! I about fell out of my chair when I saw the price on the ticket.

It was a mad race to get everyone ready before we left, Riley stayed with my parents, thanks Mom and Dad! We made it in time to see the flyover, which I guess caused mad chaos with 911 calls and people thinking downtown was getting attacked. This was the first time we had been in the stadium with the roof and window open. Even though it was a preseason game and most of the starters only played the first quarter it was a great game and experience for us. As I was sitting there looking around I just can not imagine the paying that kind of money for season tickets. I told Ron one day hopefully we can afford these seats :)

Our crazy family

Riley wishing she could go outside and swim! She has been in the pool and loves it. She is defintely a water baby.

Notice the Koala, Tony has a Koala he takes everywhere. She found this in his room and hasn't let go of it. Kind of funny she picked this one out of all the stuffed animals he has.
Our Kids, all three of them

Our Monsters, Oh I mean our boys :)

Told you she takes koala everywhere, even on her workouts on the treadmill!

Still trying to figure out how this child is so small. She eats a ton and loves to eat.

We are so blessed to have such great kids. We couldn't be happier even when they are all driving us crazy, which happens a lot!

Tony's first day of school!

Monday was Tony's first day of 4th grade. We are lucky because Tony loves school. I was a little worried about getting him up and out the door on time but once I said first day of school he literally jumped out of bed! He got the teacher he wanted so that makes things a little easier. Of course he has already been in trouble for, can you guess? TALKING :) It always takes the teachers some time to realize this kid loves to talk! I am excited about what this year bring for him. I think 4th grade was my favorite grade in school. We learned about all sorts of cool things and I had a great teacher too!

TONY'S FIRST WIN

Tony won his first race yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew it was just a matter of time and it would come this year. He has been getting better and better with each race. This was such a huge confidence boost that he needed to continue to get better :) I have a feeling now that he knows what it is like to win there will be no stopping him. Unfortunately I wasn't there to see it :( It was to hot to take Riley up there and and with no place to go to cool off we decided to stay home. So, I don't have any pictures of his first win, but we will get pictures tonight with his metal. I am hoping the track photographer has at least one good picture and I hope it is one with him after the race. I can only imagine the celebration after getting the checkered flag. He told me last night during dinner that he wished New Castle let winners do donuts. From what I have heard it was a close race between Tony and second place, and Tony lead every lap :)

Watch out Tony Stewart, there is a new Tony in town!

Riley and Eeyore

Riley loves to push anything she can get her hands on, Eeyore currently is her favorite at our house. She will go and go and go pushing him around. She gets better and walking by herself everyday! I didn't update from her last doctor's appointment but she gained 1.7 pounds, she weighed 16.8 pounds! We will find out where we go from here at her next doctors appointment which will be her one year appointment! As you can see I really don't think we have anything to worry about I think she burns so many calories she would have to be eating all the time to keep up.

Pool time

It finally got warm enough for us to get into the pool on Sunday and break out the slip and slide! I won't tell you that Ron put the slip and slide upside down and we couldn't figure out why it wasn't working :) But once we got it all fixed Tony had a fun. It was a blast from the past with the vintage slip and slide, I can remember having one in my backyard as a child. Thanks Grandma Ruth for the slip and slide, you would of gotten the emergency room bill if he broke something :) Ron and I just watched, we need all our arms and legs to be in one piece! Where was Riley during all this you might ask, well she was taking a 3 hour nap!

Tony and I had gotten up earlier that morning and did some school clothes shopping while Ron and Riley went and worked on the karts. Grandma Terri must of wore her out for her to take that long of a nap. It was nice once we all got home and got to just spend some time together with no chores or anything we had to do. I can't wait for the day again in another 3-4 months. Ok, not really but it seems like we are so busy lately I am dying for a day of nothing, do those exist with kids? I am starting to think not!

Colts Camp

We got up early Saturday morning and headed over to Terre Haute. I had a baby shower to go to and Ron and Tony headed to the Colts camp. It worked out perfect, I was not looking forward to that drive by myself. But now that I think about it peace and quiet might have been nice ;) I had a great time at the baby shower with Riley but I secretly wish I could of went to see the Colts! Ron and Tony had a blast, they didn't get to see much because by the time we got into town they had already started. We are all glad football is just around the corner. Tony got to play lots of games and then they ended up going to lunch with the dad to be :)