Why the name change?

If you are a follower you may or may not have noticed that I changed the heading on the blog. We are no longer just CGsquared which we have so proudly been. Ryder is here so I needed a new clever title to put. I can't think of anything awesome like all the blogs I follow so this will do. But for now, I like this because it is us for so many reasons.

We are a happy family. Nothing gets us down. We know that if we trust in God then everything will work out. We are getting everything we want/ need in life. For some reason Heavenly Father keeps deciding to bless us. I'm still trying to figure out what we have done to deserve the wonderful life we have.

The other reason for this title is because it has become our family song. On a daily basis I sing to Ryder (several times a day). " I love Ryder he loves me. We love Daddy yes siree. He loves us and so you see, We are a happy family." I guess love is all you need to be happy. It is working out pretty well for us so far...

Sleeping in the crib...

My little baby is getting so big! He has been sleeping through the night for over a week now. From like 11:30pm to 6:30am. It is exciting!

So I thought I would try having him sleep in the crib. He took a nap yesterday in it for a few hours! Last night he slept from like 10:30pm woke up to be fed at 5:30am and went back to sleep. It is 9:45am and is still sleeping! Amazing!!!! Lets hope this is his new schedule.

I can't believe how grown up he is getting! I love him so much!

I think I jinked myself, I think he's up...

I walk in and he's just laying there looking around sucking on his knuckle. What a happy baby!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday was my first mother's day! It was nice. Chase, I mean Ryder did really good! They did a little scavenger hunt (there goes my father's day idea hahaha)

Chase woke me up and next to Ryder was a magnetic picture frame to put a picture in and hang up on the fridge. On it was a post-it that said There is another one in the kitchen. So we went in there and on the fridge was a frame with Ryder's footprints in it.

Then hanging above my desk where I keep my scrapbooking stuff etc. was letters that said moms crafts! So cute. We are going to paint them this summer when less is going on.

Then there was a post-it that said it ends where it started. So I went back to Ryder's craddle and there was a KING SIZE 3 Musketeers bar! My Fav! It was a fun morning. Here is a picture of Ryder like 20 minutes after. I guess it was just too much for him...

I was getting ready for Church in the other room and went to check on him and this is what I came in on.

This was one of the hardest year to get something for our mom's. Usually I can think of something or my mom has unintentionally hinted something. But this year I had nothing. This year we gave Chase's mom a huge cutting board and my mom some spray paint to paint an outside table she has and a huge "pimp" glass that says Hot Mom on it. I thought it was fun. She could drink her Pepsi out of it.

From our ward they gave us this scripture and quote:
Who can find a virtuous women? For her price is far above rubies- Proverbs 31:10

"I believe the women of the Church today... are every bit as strong and faithful [as pioneer women]. The Priesthood leadership of this Church at all levels gratefully acknowledge the service, sacrifice, commitment, and contribution of the sisters.

Much of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women. Whether in the Church or in the home, it is a beautiful thing to see the Priesthood and the Relief Society work in perfect harmony. Such a relationship is like a well-tuned orchestra, and the resulting symphony inspires all of us." - Elder Quentin L. Cook, April 2011.

So they gave us all Symphony bars. YUM!!!

I am so grateful for my mom's. They are a great example to me on how I can be a mom. I am so blessed! I am also grateful that I can be a mommy! Ryder has blessed our lives so much and I love having him on our family. I love every moment I get to spend with him. He is growing up so fast!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms and future moms! This day isn't just for Moms but for women!

... great is my joy!

Last night Chase & I were reading our scriptures. We came across the saying "great is my joy". How many times do we come across that term, but don't really think about it. Last night it really stuck out to me. I started to think great is my joy, but why? I feel like I have so much joy in my life. I have alway been a happy person (at least I have been told that and I feel like I have). These last 2 years I feel like my joy have grown so much that I never imagined. So after the thought of last night I thought It would be nice to list what brings me joy. So not in any order here is my great is my joy list!

Chase is my joy- Chase and I met June 1, 2009. Since then there have been very few days where we have not seen each other and I can't think of a day that we didn't talk or text (oh the world we live in...). I am so grateful for that. I NEED HIM! I don't think he realizes that. He is such a strength to me and a awesome example to me. I love the time I get to spend with him. The conversations we have are so special to me. the times where we just sit and talk are some of our funnest time. He is my best friend! I love him so much and he brings me great joy!

(this is going to be more difficult than I thought. I'm getting teary eyed...)

Ryder is my joy- so in case you didn't know, I gave birth to our baby boy February 1, 2011. He has been a great blessing to us. From the first time I saw him I have a hard time looking away. He is such a joy to be around. He is the best boy I could ask for. It is amazing how much pride grows over such a short time. Well the good kind of pride. My & Chase have to be the proudest parents. How many parents do you know will applaud and cheer and Good Job when their baby burps or ever toots? The first time Ryder rolled over when I was expecting it he started crying because I cheered too loud and it startled him. I love him so much and each day grows stronger and stronger!

Ryder's smile is my joy- Ryder's smile makes my heart melt. It is the sweetest thing! He makes everyone else smile. I hope he keeps this trait.

Being an Eternal Family is my joy- Chase & I were sealed together October 30, 2009 in the Mesa, AZ Temple. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I am so grateful that we belong to a Church that believes in life after death and marriage and family too. Family is so important to me and I am so glad I don't have to give that up after this life. One of my good friends got married civilly. It was one of the saddest things to hear "til death do you part." I am so glad that me and Chase lived worthily that we could start our Eternal family the right way. Now as our family grows we know that no matter what we will be with each other forever!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is my joy- I know a lot of people think that being Mormon brings you down. It doesn't let you do anything you want. Being "Mormon" has given me everything I want. I have the Spirit to guide me each and everyday. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and as it grows it just gets more exciting. I was blessed to meet and Marry Chase and now we have Ryder and hopefully many more kids to come:) everything I love in my life was given to me through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the strong testimony that I have and have never questioned the truthfulness .

Being a stay at home mommy is my joy- Growing up I never imagined I would have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom. I thought only the rich families were able to. Luckily I married a man who strongly believes in having his wife home to take care of the kids. I am so blessed that Chase is willing to make the sacrifice that I am able to stay home and take care of Ryder. This is the greatest thing that I have been able to do. I know that our family will be blessed because of it. I am so glad that I will be there for every little milestone Ryder goes through. I love it!

Family is my joy- Before I got Married I loved being a Packer! I thought I had the best family in the world and I thought I would be sad to have to change my name. Now I love being a Gibson! Not only do I get my Packer family, but I have a whole other Gibson family that I get to love. I am so glad that I have a wonderful Big family that I can count on for anything!

Friends are my joy- Well I already have talked about my closest friends so I'm going to talk about non-related friends. I love you! I am so grateful to have you in my life and for the example you have been to me. Sometimes I try to think where my life would be if it weren't for the friends I had and I stop because I don't think it does any good! Thank you for caring about me and my family.

Chocolate is my joy- I know this is somewhat of a serious post, but I have to pay tribute to chocolate! I love you! Please be good to me!

Great is my joy!!!

I'm going to stop here, Ryder is getting antsy!

I recommend everyone giving something like this a try. It was nice to do.

The end is in sight...!

So this 9 month journey has definitely been crazy! Especially with the recent turn of events.

I guess I should have knocked on wood whenever I said that I've had an easy pregnancy.

Just thought I'd relay some events that happened to our family last week that. last Tuesday I went to bed feeling fine, I woke up at about 2am ish with pain in my lower abdominal area and was shaking. For the first time in 9 months I was freezing and there was nothing I could do about it. I remembered in my reading that one of the symptoms (can't think of a better word) of contractions was cold feet and uncontrollable shaking. Plus with the pain I was having I thought maybe this was it. We were debating whether we should go to the hospital or not, because I wasn't able to time the "contractions" and I really didn't want to look silly going to the hospital and find out it is nothing. As Chase was gathering a few things I remained in bed seeing if I could make a decision on what I thought this was. I also took my temperature to make sure it wasn't a fever, it was a 98 something. So after my wonderful husband got everything together we decided we should go to the hospital and get it checked out, atleast then we would know what was going on.

So we arrived at the hospital around 3am and started getting all my vitals. My heart rate was high, and so was Ryder's. I was scared. Normal heart beat for a baby that far along is between like 120 and 140 (I think) they said. Ryder's was like in the 180 range. this was not comforting to me to hear. They also checked my temp but it was like a 103 degrees. I remember now that I was drinking water and that probably affected by temp while we were at home.

So here I was, the day before my due date, a high temperature, and both of our heart beats were going crazy. They drew some blood, stuck an IV in me and put my on an oxygen mask to help calm Ryder down. They day before Chase & I ran out of water at our house so I was pretty dehydrated too. I felt like a horrible mom. Here I am suppose to be taking care of my unborn son and I felt like I failed. I was so worried something would happen. They made it sound like there was a chance that they would try to get this baby out. I didn't want it like this, as much as I wanted Ryder to be here, I didn't want it to be like this. they had me relax for a few hours and eventually moved me to the labor & Delivery room and notified my Dr.

After tests on my urine & blood, they discovered that their was protein in my urine, which is a sign of pre-eclampsia. Also, my platelet count in my blood was low. After waiting HOURS for my Dr. to finally show up she decided that I had a virus and that is why I wasn't feeling well. She also decided not to deliver, she didn't want to with my health. She didn't want to put too much stress on me or Ryder, she had nurses give me antibiotics for the remainder of my stay. She had me stay overnight wanted to do another blood test in the morning to check on my platelet count. The fear of that being low is I wouldn't be able to have an epidural and they would be worried that my blood wouldn't clot at a normal rate and I'd lose a lot of blood during delivery.

So I had to spend the night in the hospital. My loving husband was there with me the whole. I am so grateful that I actually slept pretty well. they asked if I would want a sleeping pill, but I don't feel comfortable with those.

The next morning they did the blood test and my platelet count was up a little bit so it was a sign of improvement. I had to do a 24 hour urine test at home (which sucked) and take a Z-PAC pill everyday. And I was released around 8am.

Things are going good now. My blood pressure is high and has been at my last few DR. appointments. So she had me relax this weekend. (Not sure how well I did with that). Saturday I had an appointment at the hospital. The ultrasound looked good and all my vitals were good.

Now for the exciting part! I am scheduled to be induced tomorrow (Monday) night at 8pm. So looks like Ryder is going to be a February baby! We cannot wait to bring our baby home:) I am a little scared, but I know everything will work out.

I often think of the quote from Our Savior, "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." Now I know he wasn't talking about giving birth and being pregnant, but it can definitely apply. I am so grateful to our Father in Heaven for Him blessing us with this child and having the chance to raise him in the gospel.

So close, but seems so far!

Ryder could come ANY DAY now!!! It makes it seems so close, but then I go to the Dr and no change in dialation:( She said I was 50% effaced so I guess that is good. Sometimes it seems like it is never going to come. It's just I don't want to wait anymore, I want to hold my baby! It's a time in my life that I have been looking forward to for many, many years and now that it is so close I'm impatient!!! Me & Chase thank Heavenly Father every day for this blessing he is letting us take care of for Him. We are so grateful for this baby that we are going to be able to raise. We are so excited for him to join our family.

We have everything we need to get us started so it's the waiting game. Luckily I'm working 3 days a week to keep me busy.

Chase is super busy working MPS and Dominos. Between the 2 jobs he gets about 35-40 hours. He started school this week. (Another reason I'm anxious for Ryder) He wouldn't really miss anything this week. Chase does so much for our family, I am so lucky!

I'm temporarily released from my calling as a primary teacher. They want to give me time to be a new mom. I'm fine with that! Me & Chase are enjoying going to Sunday School together!

We are down to 1 car and have been for awhile. It's kind of annoying, but it is working out. Some days are harder than others. I work with my mom so it makes it really convenient. We have some money saved up we just haven't found anything we felt like we should get. And then in the back of my mind I'm thinking about Dr bills that will be due soon.

Bryan's fiance Brittany and her daughter Emma just moved down her. I know it was really hard on her, but I am so glad they are here! I love them both so much and they are a wonderful addition to our family! The family feels more complete!

The Gibson's had some additions not sure if I ever mentioned. Jaxon Tyler Gibson (Parents Stephen & Jodie) was born November 29th and Enoch Emerson Gibson (Parents Brandon & Ann) on December 20th. (Both were after their due date so let's hope Ryder doesn't follow his cousin's footsteps). They are both adorable little boys! We haven't seen Jaxon yet, just pictures. We are hoping they will come over soon (he lives in Cali). We have seen Enoch a few times, but I had a cold/cough and didn't want to pass it on. Chase was a little sick too so we didn't get too close.

Chase's cousin Jen also had a baby, a little girl. Brooklyn Natalie Anglin was born December 27th. So Ryder will have a lot of cousins to play with.

Chase's softball team made playoffs. he will play tomorrow and hopefully they do good. The team that is in the number 1 spot they played last week and lost by 1 so I think they may have a chance.

Chase & I are trying to take advantage of the little time we have left of being kidless. We've done a couple of date nights which are always fun! We are also starting to get in a better habit of FHE. So last nights activity was to come up with a few ideas and put them in a jar so if we don't have something planned we can turn to that. Hopefully we'll get better at this. We really want our children to love the Gospel!

Thanks for reading!

Happy New Year!!!

This seems like a good way to start off 2011!! Let's see if we can be better at updating this year.

We rang in the New Year with the Gibson's and had a ton of fun playing games and eating good food:) Mom even splurged and bought some sparklers and a firecracker. There were so many going off, it's obvious to see that everyone is excited now that they are legal.

Things are going great with the pregnancy & Ryder. At my last appointment I wasn't dilating at all (which I know doesn't really mean anything). I was suppose to have an appointment yesterday, but she had a baby to deliver and it got rescheduled for Monday. We'll see how that goes. He isn't moving as much as he use to, I guess it's starting to get really cramped for him. He never was one to move a ton. We'll see how that goes once he is born.

Chase enjoyed some time off from his new MPS job and was able to sleep in a little but:) Start back on Monday bright and early. I go back to work as well. We enjoyed our time together, but we gotta do what we gotta do.

Christmas holidays were a lot of fun! Probably one of our favorite things was doing Secret Santa to a neighbor. We weren't that great at it, but I'm sure they still enjoyed it. We intended on doing like the 12 days of Christmas, but ended up doing like 6 maybe. Hopefully next year.

We enjoyed spending time with our family which we always love!!!