BABY OUT!

Posted By DADDY:

Quint and Russell had been saying, "Baby Out!" since they found out mommy had a baby in her belly. Today we were blessed to welcome our third son out of mommy and into the world. The day went like this:

630AM- call to make sure they have a bed for Christy-they said yes.

800AM- show up at our fancy birthing suite

900AM- start induction meds

200PM- get epidural

400PM- big increase on induction meds because wasn't progressing fast enough

605PM- Starrett Paul Richardson born. Weight 8lbs 3oz; Length 21.5 inches.

Christy was amazing. She said there was no pain thanks to the epidural. She and Rett bonded over his first meal and now they are both snoozing away. Here are some pics from this fabulous day.

Before we left, the boys said "baby out!"

Mom is "Rhett" to go!

Rhett arrives 6:05 pm

We are so jazzed!

I didn't know anyone could look so beautiful after labor

Fresh out of the oven

Boys and Grammy meet Rhett

TIRED

Starrett "Rhett" Paul Richardson

Biggest belly contest

I saw a picture like this and thought it was a cute idea:) Here is the Richardson version....

Me and my three little men!

In the biggest belly contest....I think I am winning:)

The first day

Today was the first day of preschool. Quint was up early and ready to go by 7 am. He was wearing his backpack around, asking when was it time to go. We packed up and headed out the door at 8:30. Here is our morning in pictures.

Quint poised for a first day pic

Quint wanted to help push Russell in to his school in the stroller

Quint's hook with his backpack on it!

Quint's bucket

Mrs. Winstead's class

Lined up and ready to go.

When it was time to go in, he ran in without me!

By the time Russell and I made it in he was already sitting in circle time.

Guess he is ready!

At circle time just before they kicked out the parents:(
I don't think he even missed us!

Meet your teacher night

Tonight we had meet your teacher night at preschool. It was great. Quint was pumped and I was jazzed BK could be there to get a feel for Quint's school. We toured around to find all the important places, his hook for his back pack, his cubby, the centers room, where he eats his snack, etc. There are two teachers and I hear both are great but I am so happy with the one he got. Mrs. Winstead is kinda like my mom. She has been teacher preschool for 15 years. She has grown children and appears to love little ones. She knelt down next to Quint to introduce herself.

She said "hi Quint, I am so excited you will be in my class this year!"

Quint said nothing. Just stared at her.

I know he is not the most chatty boy but I was hoping for a "hello" or something! I am sure he will warm up, but I couldn't believe even after I prompted him he still just looked at her. It is a big experience, going off to school even if it is only 2 1/2 hours, twice a week. I am a bit nervous about how it will go next week on his first day.

As we were leaving we saw a huge rainbow over the church where Quint's school is held. I felt reassured.

Kids day at Kinnick

BK heard about kids day at the stadium. They let families in to Kinnick to watch practice! We were a little late because we didn't want to disrupt nap time, but it was a hot one so it worked out great. It is an amazing stadium and Iowa fans are die hard. It was fun to see the atmosphere and look for our old neighbors who play for the Hawkeyes. We walked there, well, BK walked, I waddled, and the boys ran:) It was fun. We are excited to be in Iowa in the fall. It is the best time in my opinion.

Daddy, Russ, and Quint walking into Kinnick

Mommy, Quint, and Russell checking out the view from the stands

Hawkeyes practicing

Russell running on the way home

It was a fun memory:)

The belly keeps growing....

Every few weeks we take a belly pic. Here is the latest:) Little over a month to go!

He ran to us:)

This weekend BK was able to come see us!! It was a total God thing. He realized he was on call Thursday night which means he would get out early on Friday so he can sleep. It also meant he could make an airplane. It all worked out for him at the hospital, but I didn't think we could get a good ticket. I looked and it was pricey, but some frequent flyer miles did the trick!! I could not believe it!! He had a flight out of Cedar Rapids to Rochester (which we can never afford normally). Plenty of time to get there too.

Well, in the grand O'hare style he was delayed in CR....and delayed....and delayed. Finally he got out of CR but it was going to be close. Then he landed in O'hare and there were no gates! Seriously. I was dying waiting for text message updates. He was going to have to run if he was going to make it. Finally he got off the plane, and HE RAN.

HE RAN to the shuttle to the next terminal, and then HE RAN to the other end the terminal to his gate. The Rochester flight was delayed too, and they had waited an additional five minutes and we still don't know why...or do we:)

HE RAN TO US!

When BK was running through o'hare I kept thinking, BK is really fast, he has long legs, he will make it. And he did. I picked him up at the airport at 130 AM....the middle of the night for us, but it was soooo worth it! I did not tell the boys, because I knew flying is unpredictable. Their expressions were priceless when they saw Daddy and played with him over the weekend.

We had 40 hours together, which was far too short, and went way to fast, but it was amazing to be a complete family again. BK could have easily said it was too much to fly. He sacrificed a lot of sleep, and post-poned a lot of work he has to complete in the next two weeks to run to us. I am so so grateful he jumped at the chance to see us, and that he is a fast runner:)

I didn't stop smiling all weekend!

My hubby was home!

Russell and Daddy bonding

Lots of hugs for Daddy

And kisses

Even leg hugs:)

Lisa and Yanki

This weekend I was also jazzed to have Lisa here for her yearly visit the to lake, but this time she brought a special visitor! Her fiance Yanki!!! She called me last Thursday to tell me they were engaged, and I am so glad I was able to meet him. It was still the same Lisa, but she was a little different. She and Yanki were blissfully in love. It was awesome. I am sooo happy for them!! Yanki is a wonderful guy and seems to be a great match for Lisa. Yanki is not a big vacationer, so I feel grateful he took time off to come see us! I can't wait to watch them grow as a couple, and celebrate with them at their wedding in the near future! It was a hectic weekend because of the boys and BK suprising us, but they were so flexible. Here are a few pics from our visit together.

Our traditional swims:)

Yanki and Lisa made us a tasty Sunday dinner!

Lisa wrestled and played with the boys:)

Yanki and Lisa took out the beach cruisers

Maybe Yanki will become a beach cruiser lover too!

Lisa and Yanki swimming off the boat

Lisa and I together

Cute Lake pic of the engaged couple!

Walk on the Farm

My grandparents have had a farm in the country for nearly 50 years. They both loved the land. I have so many memories of them working the land together. With Grandpa gone, Granma still works on her land all summer and loves it. Cutting paths and keeping it up. It is not my passion, but I love it here. I spent lots of time here as a child and have many great memories. I love sharing it with my boys, even though I am kind of a city slicker:)

Quint was eager!

Russell running round the fence too

Exploring the path between the trees

Quint and Russell led the charge

GG was a great guide, giving us nature lessons along the way:)

Russell breaking through the trees

Quint and Russell found a place to hide in the tall grass

Exploring the grass

(they were pumped...I was thinking there are lots of bugs and maybe an animal or two in there...yikes!)

More exploring

Running up the hill in the field

BIG SKY is not just in Iowa!

GG and Grammy make it up the hill

More dogs my boys love

We went to visit my Gramna (GG to the boys) and she has two dogs. The boys are so spoiled since it seems most people we know here have dogs:) They were pumped to play with the doggies! I don't see us having a dog for a long time (if ever) so I am glad dog people share with us!

GG with Russell

Quint and Russell resting after our walk with the dog

Russell is jazzed. Maybe we will have to get a dog....someday:)

Ball in the tree....

We brought some balls to Great Granma's farm. Grammy was playing with the boys with the ball and by accident threw it in the tree! It was a big tree and the ball was stuck! HAHA. It was a dilemna:) Grammy was determined to get it, so she found a big stick in the shop and the ladder to fish it out. It was a good 15 feet up, so it was a task, but the boys, GG, and I thought it was funny. Grammy got it after a little hard work:)

Grammy its up there!

Way up there.....

Don't worry Grammy was raised on the farm, she will get it!