Rylan's First Field Trip

I was able to go with Rylan on his first field trip with his class at daycare. We went to Matthys Farms. We visited the petting zoo, played on the playground, and rode the hay ride out to get pumpkins. Rylan was full of energy on this particular day, so I was after him a majority of the time. The kids enjoyed looking at the animals too. It was a great time!

Here is the group shot. Pretty difficult to get a group of two year olds looking at the same time. Also, Rylan's school puts all of the kids in the same shirt when they go on field trips. Due to it being a little chilly, you can't really see them. Except for Rylan's. They gave him a bigger size, so his is hanging out the bottom of his sweatshirt.

All of the kids waiting for the horse to come closer so they could pet him.


Rylan petting one of the goats.

Playing on the playground.

Picking pumpkins in the field, Rylan spent more time trying to get away from me than actually looking at the pumpkins.

Riding on the hayride. Rylan loved the big tractor wheels. Especially because they were driving through the mud.

Great Grandma Horein

Lucy got to meet Great Grandma Horein for the first time in October during a trip to the lake. Grandma turned 91 on August 5th. One month before Lucy was born. Thankfully, we had a few great weather weekends in October. It is great to head up to the lake on those days. Grandma was enamored with Lucy.

Lucy was looking right back at Grandma as she was talking to her.

Here is a picture of Roger and Grandma fishing off of the deck. They were just sitting there talking and fishing.

Dave Ramsey

Yes, Ryan and I drank the Kool-Aide! And it is so worth it. In 2007, Ryan and I (with the help of my sister) attended Financial Peace University at our church. We began to follow Dave Ramsey's baby steps to financial freedom. Since then, we are on a first name basis with Dave, and he is a friend in our head. We are not as intense as some, but this has changed the way we think about and spend money. It is fun to think of the possibilities we might have if we stay on the path we are on. We have already made great progress.

At the end of September, Dave came to South Bend to promote his new book EntreLeadership. Ryan and I took Lucy and stood in line for 1 hour and 40 minutes to get the book signed. We had a great time talking to the people around us while we weaved through the aisles at Barnes and Noble. Lucy was pretty quiet until we were about 10 feet from the table to get the book signed. Then she really started fussing and crying. I was attempting to get pictures of Ryan while holding her. It all happens very quickly once you get to the table so the pictures are not the best. It was exciting anyway.

Outside we stood in front of the tour bus.

Dave talking to the crowd before he began signing books.

Me with Dave (way) in the background.

Ryan talking with Dave and having him sign our book.

Another fun Dave fact is that my sister's BFF Angie's dad looks just like him! Here is the picture I took of their family photo to show Ryan after we visited them in Oklahoma a couple of years ago. :)

Uncle Eric and Aunt Cindy!

We were so excited when we told Eric and Cindy we were expecting in January because they realized they would be in town for their friend Trisha's wedding just after Lucy was born. They flew in for a long weekend, met Lucy, and had a great time celebrating their friends. We also made a stop at the lake (Lucy's first trip).

Lucy's shirt says "Current Family Favorite". This is perfect for our family. She had to wear it when Uncle Eric and Aunt Cindy were in town so they could be aware of the change in pecking order for the time being.

September Happenings

Lucy was 9 lbs when she was born and 8 lbs 3 oz when we had her first appointment at 4 days old. We guessed most of the weight was in her cheeks! :) It's amazing how they got smaller so quickly!

First bath at home.

Check out that hair!

This is the first time Rylan asked to hold her. The picture isn't so great because I trying to make sure he didn't drop her.

First trip to church for bible study. (8 days old)

Rylan gave Lucy some cars to play with.

Check out that face! Hilarious!

Ready for her first lunch date at Hacienda!

Birthdays in the Hospital

With having Lucy on the 5th, I was scheduled to go home on my birthday. Mom's whole birthday was wrapped up in helping with Rylan, getting him to and from school, and bringing him up to see us. I was surprised how sad I was in the evening after Rylan left the hospital. He was glad to see me, but didn't really love being confined in the space of our room. He also knew he was going to see Lucy, and called the hospital "Lucy's house". Thankfully he didn't seem to mind when we brought her home to live at our house.

Ryan reading to Rylan at the hospital to keep him busy.

While you're at the hospital, when you take medicine or order food (which was awesome, they have a new menu) they ask you your birthday to confirm you are you. When the gal brought me my breakfast on Thursday, she said "What's your birth date?" I responded, "Today is my birthday!" Then they brought me a cake at lunch! It was such a nice treat!

Here is the cake they brought me. Notice the "cravings" menu under the cake. It was like room service.

Ryan holding Lucy before we headed home.

Mom picked up Rylan on Thursday because we were coming home from the hospital later that evening. Of course we had to stop for McDonald's diet cokes and Hacienda to Go on the way home. When we got home, Mom and Rylan were coming out the front door and Rylan yelled, "Did you bring Baby Lucy home with you?". He was excited we were all back to normal again.

Here we are getting out of the car. I have the Hacienda bag in my hand! Happy Birthday to Me!

Rylan peeking in at Lucy.

Our new family of four at home for the first time.

It was a great birthday week! Next year it will be even more fun with Lucy turning 1.

Labor Day! Literally!

Lucy Marie Kring is here!

She was born at 5:50pm on Labor Day
Monday, September 5th.

I woke up at 4am just like most of the days in the month of August, and start of September. I was then so excited when I started feeling light contractions shortly after. I was awake so I got up to start walking so I could keep it moving. I walked and walked around the living room watching the DVR of America's Got Talent and having contractions. Rylan got up around 6:30 (as usual), and I woke Ryan to tell him he would have to cancel his golf outing because I the day was here.

The morning was slow labor wise, and we started making phone calls. Grandma and Grandpa Kring came to get Rylan around 10 and then labor picked up. Of course when we headed to the hospital at 11, everything slowed down. I had to do the dreaded hour long walk in the hospital at 1pm. It worked wonders! And that was when the real pain started! I was admitted, got an epidural, and made quick progress in the next two hours.

Lucy arrived in 3 pushes while everyone raved about her black hair and big cheeks! We guessed her weight before they weighed her, and we were so wrong! I guessed she was around Rylan's size (8 lbs, 7 oz - but really didn't know), Ryan said in the 7 lb range, and the nurse guessed 8 lbs (ish) as well. We were all wrong. She was 9lbs!

What a great day! The family came up to see us, and we settled in for the night at the hospital. We had great nurses and felt good about the delivery process. We are grateful.

Now Lucy's birthday is the 5th, Mom's is the 6th, and mine is the 7th. I love week long birthday celebrations! Mom is right, she is a great present!

September 1st -- Due Date

When I was due with Rylan, I posted this picture of me. I was feeling pretty good and so excited!

Here I am on September 1st.

I was having some signs of labor but worked through the 2nd. We had a relaxing weekend, and I made a list of all of the things I was going to do while I was off work waiting for Lucy to arrive. I thought for sure I was going to make it to my next appointment scheduled for my birthday, the 7th.

I was ready. I was tired, and it was difficult to get things done or take care of Rylan very well. I wasn't really complaining though, just moving really slow. Ryan helped me all the time. I was also SO excited to meet her, and see what she looked like, and tie my shoes without grunting. It is so funny to me how people in your life, some who you know less than others, predict when the baby is going to arrive. So many people said she would be early and she would come so fast because she was my second. I just kept saying there was no way to know with a smile on my face.

I was very thankful to spend 7 days in my classroom meeting my students and establishing routines. I am also thankful for my awesome sub for the fall (and into the winter), Barbara Bandera. I have known her since high school, and she couldn't be nicer. She is a great fit! God worked that out really well, as He always does, in His timing and on His schedule.

Last Weekends Before Baby

With Lucy's arrival approaching, we spent some more time at the lake. Ryan took Rylan up with him one day while I stayed home. I don't know how much I got done, but it was a nice treat. Mom took Rylan to Lunker's to look at the fish tanks. Rylan also wore some awesome sunglasses which ended up finishing the trip in the lake.


Sunday, September 4th, we celebrated Mom and I's birthdays (September 6th for Mom, and 7th for me. This was noted very early on in our pregnancy as the due date was Sept. 1st.) We had a laid back day with lunch and boat rides (for some) and ice cream cake!

Here are Rylan and I reading a book. He barely fit on my lap at this point. I love his little hand on my belly. Mom says she has a picture of Eric on her lap right before she had me. This will be a great memory in 30 years. :)

Emily came home...

to see me! Well, she came home to see everyone, but in my head, it's different. :) She blogged about it too! We had a great time just relaxing and enjoying each others' company. Here are some pics of our time together (and some good ones of Rylan, because I like him).

Rylan playing with his Tia, aunt in Spanish. He doesn't even know her name is Emily.

Playing with Papa in the lake...and crying because it was time to get out.

Some sweet corn, and some sweet hair indeed!

One of our best cousins, Kim, came up for the weekend too. We were hot enough to take a dip in the lake. Of course, I left my bathing suit in Chicago. So I had to act like a celebrity and bare the belly...in a bathing suit top and Purdue shorts. Everyone was fine after being blinded by my white skin. Emily and Kim boarded "Big Mabel" by the house, and I pushed/pulled them down the channel because I didn't think I could get my body up there. Well, I was tired on the way back, so we made it happen. And we cracked up the whole way. Uncle Dave had to help pull us in.

Get ready for your ride ladies!

Swimming out in the water with Em, Kim, Roger, and Uncle Dave.

Thanks Uncle Dave!