Stinky Pete Ritchie and the Dirty Bottom Boys

If you see this group of hoodlums I suggest you stay out of their way. They drool, burp, and toot. They are considered very dangerous. They live hard, play hard, and will sometimes nap. They have mostly been spotted in the state of Arizona but have also been seen in New Mexico on their way to Colorado. Where they are known to hang out.

The one on the left is Dakota. His indian name is BRAVEST LITTLE CHICKEN. He is well known for his bartering skills. He will have his toys and everyone else's before the deal is done. It is rumored this little man can fly.

The one in the center is Stinky Pete. He also goes by the name Baby G (his rapper alias). This one looks sweet and innocent but man can he really live up to his name. He is a snuggler.

The one on the right is Dylan my middle name is Danger Dodd. This one is rumored to love trains and will steal them whenever possible. Some of his key phrases are,"Papa we are on bacation (vacation)!" He has also been heard saying," Uncle Ty push that button. That button Uncle Ty! DO IT NOW!!!!!"

If you see these boys run and whatever you do DON'T TOUCH THEIR BLUE BLANKIES!!!

Seven Months... really?

Graham is now a little over 7 months and let me tell you things are a changing in our world. He is officially crawling. He isn't really a distance crawler but he is a speed demon especially when he sees something he wants to hold, play with, put in his mouth, or all of the above. He is working hard to pull himself up on anything and everything. He says Dada (always sounds happy and smiling), Non (for Nonnie) and MahhhMahhh (always with a bit of a whine and the sound of desperation in his voice). I was really looking forward to him saying my name and now I am looking forward to him saying it with out whining. This morning he waved goodbye to me when I left him at Nonnie's house. My baby is getting so big.

First official but not professional pictures

While we were in Colorado. We decided to take some family pictures. Teri took them and I think they turned out very cute.

The Amazing Adorable Graham

Every day Graham does something new and amazing. I love watching him grow and learn. He is getting so big and strong. He sits up. He is trying so hard to crawl. He can't figure out what to do with his knees so he ends up pushing himself backward which frustrated him cause he is farther away from what ever he wanted. His smile is adorable and his laugh is contagious.

Welcome to your new life...

Last hospital story I promise but this one is really funny. I had decided I was going to breast feed but since Graham was in the NIC nursery I had to pump initially and did go into the nursery to feed him when I could. The nursing in the NIC nursery didn't go very well. It was just not very conducive for breast feeding. Finally the day that they moved him into our room with us was because of the lactation specialist who basically just told them he was going to the room with his parents where he belonged. I love this women and will always be thankful for all her help. So we are finally back in our room. She works with us and Graham starts feeding so she leaves and its just Tyler, Graham, and myself. Graham and I had the same problem that when he would start feeding we would both get very very sleepy. Tyler was rubbing Grahams chin trying to get him to stay awake and eat when all of a sudden my head bobs down and I am sound asleep. Ty pushes my head back and continues to try to keep Graham awake and once again my head bobs over and my hair is in Graham's face. I think you are seeing the pattern develop. This goes on for 5 minutes and needless to say Tyler was getting very frustrated with Graham and I. When I wake up Tyler is holding my head back and rubbing Graham at the same time and looking pretty frustrated. The look on his face was priceless. He just looked at me and said,"Is this how my life is going to be from now on? You and Graham are just going to do what ever you want." Welcome to your new life baby hope you love it.

All babies love their Mommies.

On the day that Graham arrived I got to see him briefly after his birth before he was taken to the NIC unit. Later in the afternoon still loopy I was convinced that everyone had got to see and hold Graham before I had. Yes this is still the drugs talking. My sister, Mom, and two adorable nephews were in my hospital room with me and I was telling my mom and sister how upset I was that I still hadn't been able to hold Graham that he had been here for hours and still didn't know his mommy yet. Dakota (my 3 year old nephew) who was busy listening to his Mom's ipod, playing in the privacy curtain, and seemingly not paying any attention turned to me and said,"Don't worry Aunt Jenny all babies love their Mommies." Such sweet words of comfort from a smart little boy.

Its all a bit blurry

  This is the story of the arrival of Graham Dixon as much as I can remember or what I have been told. I know Graham is my first baby but I would think it would be safe to say there was nothing normal about his delivery. My due date was February 19th and despite my best efforts to go into labor that day came and went.  My doctor was on vacation so I then had to wait for him to be back in order to be induced. February 24th I started to have some contractions nothing major just on and off most all day. Teri, Dakota, and Dylan were here for the arrival of baby Ritchie. Dylan about sent me into full on labor by making me laugh so hard.

  So that night we went to the hospital at 9:00 to really get the process started. It was very exciting and scary all at the same time. Once we were settled in the hospital room they gave me something to soften my cervix more which really increased my contractions. Now to make things even more interesting I was given a sleeping pill so between contractions I would fall asleep and then be wide awake for the contractions. I remember thinking I was having one constant contraction. This is about all I remember from that night as the sleeping pill had made me a little loopy.

  The next morning Tyler was exhausted after my"night of constant contraction" and had fallen asleep. The nurse evidently decided it would be a good idea to put me in the bath tub. I don't know how long I had  been in there but luckily Teri came in the morning and found me dozing on and off in the bath tub. Probably should not have been put in the bath tub in the first place.

   So at 9:00 am the doctor came in to break my water and really get the process going. So he breaks my water and discovers that Graham is breech.  This is something that he really should have known before this point but as he so nicely pointed out at least I knew what child birth was like. All I can say is the man is lucky to be alive cause I think Teri was ready to kill him.  Now I am off for an emergency c-section. 

  They take me back to get me prepped for surgery. I have to have a spinal tap which is one of my biggest fears. Large needle in my back not my idea of fun. They have to do that before they will bring Tyler back so I asked some complete stranger who I have no idea who he was maybe a nurse or something to hold my hand. He was very sweet and did. My doctor came over and held my other hand. I do think he felt like a smuck at this point. Ty comes back and they start. The doctor tells Ty they will have the baby out in 3 minutes which comes and goes quickly. They start calling for more doctors and tools. After a very long 8 minutes they had Graham out. He doesn't cry and doesn't cry and this seems to go on forever. I am panicking and asking Ty what is going on why isn't he crying? At this point in time he has swallowed a lot of meconium and they are working on him. Finally they bring him over I get to see him briefly and then he is off to the NIC unit. 

  Things get even fuzzier for me. I remember very very little. I remember being sick. I guess I am glad that I don't remember too much. In the end all that matters is my baby is here. He is safe and beautiful.