Week 6

It's been a great week at the Billing house. For the big Monday night football game, Ryder got together with his buddies Everett and Autumn. They helped cheer the Vikes on to their victory over the Packers :) Then, last night, Ryder woke to eat in 4 hour increments, letting mom get some great rest! Let's hope that continues. His head now measures 16" (14.5" at birth) and he is 23.5" long (20" at birth). Also, I was able to slide my wedding ring on yesterday for the first time since I was 16 weeks pregnant! Woohoo! I can't get it off now, but I'll worry about that later :) Hopefully more exciting news is to follow - I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and I'm crossing my fingers they'll give me the okay to run again!


Everett - 4 months, Ryder - 5 weeks, Autumn - 2 weeks


Out on a walk around Lake Harriet with buddy Everett

Week 5

It was a big week for Ryder: his first trip on an airplane to visit his grandparents and auntie in Indiana, then we came back home for his first wedding and to cheer some friends on who were running the TC 10 mile and marathon! He was absolutely perfect for all 3 events. We're so glad he likes traveling already!






Becky & Joel's wedding in St. Paul


Cheering on the TC marathoners

Week 4

This week Ryder met his new cousin, Autumn! She made Ryder look like a giant!

Week 3

We spent this past weekend in Spooner, Wisconsin for Shawn's 40 mile mountain bike race. Ryder and I traveled along the race route Saturday morning to cheer daddy on. Both Ryder and Shawn did great!! There were also a few new first this weekend: Ryder's first out-of-state trip, first bonfire and first brew pub!



A couple more favorite photos from this week:

Week 2

Another fun week - Ryder met his first friend, had his first bottle, and made his first trip to daddy's office :) He also had a doctor appointment this week and weighed in at 8lbs, 11oz.




Ryder meets Everett!


Daddy's first time feeding Ryder


All dressed up to visit daddy at work :)

Week 1

Even though half of it was in the hospital, our first week has been a busy one! Highlights include: lots and lots of visitors, a couple walks in his stroller around the neighborhood, dinner at Totinos, our first trip to Target, and mommy and daddy's first date alone (where mom ordrered her first glass of wine - yum!).


Okay - so he's way too tiny for this (even with the baby insert), but this was the purchase we were making at REI when my water broke!


Just sponge baths for now, but look how tiny I am in my tub, too!

Ryder's Arrival!

Ryder Matthew Billing was born at 1:58am on August 30. Right on his due date. How it all began: Friday after work, Shawn and I went to REI to buy a bike trailer/jogging stroller for the little one. That must have made Ryder excited to come out and play because at the checkout, my water broke. After 24 hours of labor (mild for most of the time, intense for 5 1/2 hours), followed by 2 1/2 hours of pushing, they realized he was not going to come out. Thinking his head was positioned funny and that he was just too big for me, they decided to proceed with a c-section. Being that my sisters and I were safely born via c-section, I wasn't too worried...just ready to meet our son. A few hours later, we were parents :) Ryder was 8lbs 4oz and 20in long at birth. He's perfectly healthy and so beautiful! We're here in the hospital until Wednesday, but I'll post a picture shortly after we bring the little one home.