1 month old

At 1 month Hayden weighs 7lbs 13oz. He loves his bouncie chair and is starting to like is swing. He loves it when his Daddy bounces him in his hands, and occasionally he finds his thumb and sucks on it...it's pretty cute!

Date Night

6/20/08
it was pouring rain as we ran from the theater to DQ, hence the awesome hairdo!

While my mom was here we took advantage of our opportunity to go out on a date. We left Hayden with her, but I'm pretty sure she enjoyed the date night too. We went to The Incredible Hulk...which we both really liked and out for some DQ dipped cones. It was really fun!

While Josh's mom was here we jumped at the chance to go out again while we had a trusted babysitter here. We went with our friends Tyler and Rachel to the drive-in. We watched Wall-e and the Incredible Hulk. We took our futon cushion and layed it in the back of their van, we ordered pizza and took it with us. We had lots of fun!

we love our family

Josh's brother Jamison came to visit us for about 5 days at the end of May. He went to class with Josh and we watched our share of movies while he was here, we had fun hanging out with him. We also went to Niagara Falls before he left. We went to the Canada side and walked all the way to the end of the walkway by the Falls. We had such a good time, come back anytime Jamison!

After Hayden was born my mom came to help us for a few weeks. It was so nice having her here. She went to the hospital with me everyday, cleaned our house and made us food, and she is such a good listener, and she always has a shoulder to let me cry on. Thanks for everything mom! We love ya!!

After my mom left Josh's Mom came to help us. It was so nice having her here. She took care of Hayden so I could get other things done and it was nice having someone to chat with while Josh was busy. Thanks for coming we loved having you here.

After Sherri left my sister Teri and her family came to visit. I wento to Niagara Falls, and Palmyra with them. And we couldn't let them leave without having some buffalo wings so we went to the Anchor Bar for some pizza and wings before heading back to Niagara Falls for the 4th of July fireworks show. It was so good to see them.

We hate being so far away from our family so it was really nice to have family here for about a month straight. We miss and love you guys!

Our Cute Little Guy

Here are a few pictures of our cute little Hayden. He is so sweet we're so lucky to have him in our family! Sunday naps are the best
1 month old

He's cute even when he's mad

3 weeks old

He's so little his pajamas are huge on him

Showing off his muscles

2 1/2 weeks old

Hayden loves sleeping with his hands by his face

the first day home from the hospital Josh didn't want to put him down. It was SO cute!

Hayden is home!

We brought Hayden home on Sunday June 15th. Josh couldn't have gotten a better Father's Day present. In honor of Father's Day we brought him home in a shirt that said "my dada is #1" We are so grateful to have him home and doing well.

Josh carried him around all afternoon while he studied. He said all he had to do was look at Hayden and it reminded him of why he works so hard. It was so cute! It melts my heart to see them together.

He's Here!

Daddy and Hayden I think this is so precious!

Right after he was born
The night he was born

Hayden Thomas Ricks
June 5, 2008

5lbs 11.5oz

18 1/2 in.

Our little Hayden decided he was sick of waiting, he was ready to come meet us 3 weeks before his due date. Thursday morning started out as a pretty normal day. I went to work at 6am just like I do every Thursday morning. I go to the University for a couple hours while the department of surgery has a meeting and basically man the breakfast foods. I wasn't feeling awesome while I was there but I hadn't gotten very much sleep the night before so I didn't think too much about it until I threw up, and then I knew I wasn't going in to work. I called in sick and came home after the meeting instead of going into the office. I went back to bed for about an hour and when I got up and started walking around about 9:30am I told Josh I thought my water broke, and I was having some cramping. Being first time parents we weren't sure if this was the real deal or not so I tried to call my Dr's office. My phone wasn't working so we went to Tyler & Rachel's to use their phone. I couldn't get a hold of my Dr. so we decided Josh would go to school...he had a practical that day...and I would get a hold of him if I needed him. I wasn't going to go to the hospital without a working cell phone so after Josh went to school I went and got a new phone. Josh and Rachel told me I couldn't be out driving if I was in labor, but I didn't listen. After getting my phone I called my Dr. again. I asked him what I should do. I had a stress test scheduled at 2pm, so I wasn't sure if I should wait until then to be checked or come to his office. He told me to go to labor and delivery to be checked. He said if it's the real deal they will admit you, if not go to your stress test appointment. Rachel took me down to the hospital at about 1pm and I was dilated to a 3 and 90% effaced, so they admit ed me. During the first hour at the hospital we tried to get a hold of Josh at the school, I threw up twice and my contractions were getting stronger and closer together. At about 2pm we finally got a hold of Tyler who was able to go get Josh. Josh was still in his practical so Tyler called to see if he should interrupt him. I wasn't sure what to do and the nurse said this is your first baby, you don't know how fast you will go get your husband here. Not too long after that Josh was at my side. I was so excited to see him! The first thing he said to me was "I'm SO excited!" After asking for my epidural for about an hour and a half I finally got it and I was able to be a little more comfortable during my contractions. I was not very patient while waiting for the epidural to come. Rachel said it was the only time I was grumpy. I kept asking where it was and why it was taking so long. I didn't think anyone was taking me seriously and I really wanted the epidural! I don't know why anyone would do it without! Labor went pretty fast and little Hayden was born at 5:51pm. I never thought I'd let anyone be in the room while I delivered except Josh, but after being with me all day Rachel just happened to be there when all the action took place! She said she always wanted someone to let her be there...so you're welcome Rach! Really I should be thanking her for all she did and continues to do for us. Thanks Rachel!

Hayden has had some problems breathing because his lungs are immature. So he is in the Special Care Nursery (NICU) where he is getting the constant care he needs right now. They expect that he will be fine in the next few days, but for now I'm home and he's still there, which is weird because it doesn't seem like we really had a baby. We love him so much and hopefully he'll be home with us and doing great really soon.

He has a little bit of jaundice. So here he is with his cool shades.

It's getting closer

My due date is officially 3 weeks away, I'm 37 weeks. That means our little guy could be here anytime! My brother and I always bet on stuff like this, so he called me the other day to tell me his vote is for the 12th of June. Are there any other guesses??