Christmas Weekend

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families this year. On Thursday night (Christmas eve) we spent the evening with Mollie's family. It was so much fun to watch Kyrsten and Jenna rip open gifts complete with a Tank for Jenna and pink radio for Kyrsten. On Friday (Christmas) we had a wonderful lunch at Mollie's uncle Rick's house with more of the family and then hit the road to Eagan to spend time with Ryan's family. Of course we came home with more than we took which included homemade salsa, marmalade, soup, and pickles. Nikki has enough photo artwork to start a "Bob Newman" original gallery.

Dylan in his much too big x-mas sleep sac.

What a wonderful time with the Family!!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christams from Ryan, Mollie and Dylan.

Christmas Tree

On Saturday we went to pick out a christmas tree at Hinkmeyer Farms. We started the trek slightly after 4 pm and when we found the tree farm it was too dark to cut down our own tree so we picked the best pre-cut tree on the farm. Mollie was the master decorator and tonight our house is blessed with a lovely christmas tree. I guess christmas is really here.

Ryan, Mollie and Dylan pose with Frosty at the tree farm

Our christmas tree!

Over the last couple of weeks we have had several visitors both friends and family. Here are some of the pictures that Grandpa Newman (Bob) took on a couple of his visits.

Mollie and Dylan

Grandma and Dylan

Grandpa and Dylan

1st week with Dylan

We have been home for one week and I am proud to report the family is doing well. The only little speed bump is Dylan is not gaining weight as fast as the pediatricians would like so we visit the clinic for frequent weigh ins. Last weekend my mom and Nikki came to visit and brought us enough snacks to last 3 weeks.

Here is picture I took myself while Dylan and I were chillin' on the couch.

Dylan at one week.

Dylan Robert Newman

A Baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty

Mollie gave birth to a healthy 6.7 lb, 21inch baby boy today at 0159 am, Dylan Robert Newman.

Yesterday we had a routine 38 week appointment and our doctor determined that Mollie had low Amniotic Fluid volume and he wanted us to come in for an induction.

1 pm: Admitted to Hospital
2 pm: Drug administered to start labor (pitocin)
4 pm: Water broke430 pm: contractions began
8 pm: Mollie around 8 cm dilated
1130 pm: Mollie completely dilated and began to push
0159 am : Baby born



Mollie and Dylan shortly after delivery




Mollie and Karalee - Mollie and I relied on our awesome birthing nurses who guided us through this, Epidural free. Karalee not only educated us in our childbirth education classes she was assigned to be our nurse through the toughest part of the 9 hour labor.


More to come very soon.

Pictures

A couple weeks ago Mollie and I went to get our pictures taken to document Mollie's growing belly. Here are a couple of the pics that we thought turned out well.

Baby Celebration

What a week of baby fun~

On Wednesday night Ryan's department at work threw a "baby celebration" for the four couples expecting babies in the near future. Ryan and Alan, the expectant fathers, had to participate in a skills set that included changing a diaper, swaddling a baby, and then drinking [beer] from a baby's bottle. We're not really sure who won (definitely NOT the babies) but the guys had us in stitches when Ryan used parmesan cheese and hot pepper for baby powder (applying it to baby's bum) and Alan swaddled the baby like it was a Chipotle burrito! While Ryan was trying to drink from the bottle as a baby would, Alan simply popped the top and chugged it down. They are going to make great fathers...

On Thursday we picked up our stroller from Fitzharris: the BOB Revolution. Ryan's been checking out jogging strollers and bike trailers since the week we found out we were having a baby. I tell people he's all about the accessories! I'm watching him play with all of the moving parts as I type this blog. He's practicing with the car seat attachment right now (I've now been instructed in the proper mechanics for putting in and taking out the car seat). Apparently it has great maneuverability as it "turns on a dime!"

We had a nice time last Friday at cousin Jessie's wedding. It was nice to see family and friends and I got tons of baby advice from cousin Mark's wife Jess. As a new mom, she knows what we're in for...

Sophie gave us a run for our money (literally) on Saturday. An emergency vet visit and >$200 later, we hope to have a healthy kitty again soon.

Monday night was Ryan's night out with the guys and Tuesday night was his night in with the guys (Alan and Justin came over for beef stroganoff).

I wonder if the guys are going to come around when Baby's here...I wonder if guys' nights involve babysitting...

Baby Showers

Over the last couple weeks we have been blessed with family and friends throwing us (Mollie) wonderful baby showers. On Sept 26th family and friends met at the Stonehouse Restaurant to celebrate. Thanks Crystal and moms for all the work on setting up the day. After the shower the Newmans, Joel and Sabrina, and the Huls' enjoyed a BBQ at our house.

On Tuesday night coworkers threw Mollie and me a shower at the Green Mill. Thanks Joy and Jen for the great time and the wonderful cake!!!

Thanks to Grandma Rosie, Baby's room has been painted "kangaroo beige." Now if only the window blinds and furniture would arrive...

Ironman weekend

On Friday Ryan golfed in the St. Cloud Hospital Golf outing with Jim, Jim, and Brody. We did not win but we finished 7 strokes under par. We survived the rain and it was my lucky day, the bar had the seasonal New Belgium product "Hoptober" on tap!

On Saturday we went to Madison, WI to watch the Ford Ironman. Hagen finished the race in a little over 14 hours. GREAT WORK! It was very inspiring to see people from all 'walks of life' swim the 2.4 miles, bike the 112 miles, and then run a full marathon (26.2 miles).

Weekend fun

This weekend Mollie and I went to the State Fair, her uncle Rick's cabin, and got Direct TV!!! On Friday night we met my family at the state fair and did what most fair goers do, EAT. We had a rhubarb/strawberry malt, cheese curds, a corn dog, cookies and milk and I sampled Bacon on a Stick.

On Saturday we treked up to Rick's cabin with Mollie's family and enjoyed a pontoon ride, dinner and a fire with Mollie's favorite, S'Mores. On Sunday, after a nice run (12 miles for Rick and 8 for Ryan) we enjoyed Rick's mexican eggs (they were great!) and Mollie's watermelon. Then we went fishing and Mollie caught a whopper (note the picture).

We drove home around 5 pm just in time to judge a pie contest between Mollie's Dad (Barney) and the neighbor, Gayle. Here is where it gets interesting: I was chatting outside while the voting was taking place and I was judge number 5. The count was tied 2 to 2 and I was the deciding judge. After some encouraging from Barney, "You better pick mine!" I made my decision - Barney won by one vote.

Monday we worked around the house and the direct TV installation person came over to install the dish. Then Peater and I fished a little on the mighty Mississippi (Peater caught a northern) and we enjoyed a meal of organic steaks on the grill.

Wow, what a great weekend!!

24 Hours of Salsa "Afton"

Another year in the books. Thanks for all the family and friends that came to support me and the boys as we climbed Afton Alps from Friday at 5 pm until Saturday at 5 pm. I rode 7 laps but was only to ride the "Man Handler" 3 times (I hope Monte likes the picture with me walking next to the Whistler sign).

The weather was great and I think that every one had a great time.

Kayak

So while Mollie was working I spent the evening in the kayak on the Mississippi River. I put in about 12 blocks from our house and paddled up steam for about 30 minutes. I turned around and let the current bring me home. The little trip was about an hour long at sunset.

Fishing

Today I took Peater and his friend Cody fishing. Though we did not catch much we still had a great time.
It is amazing that Peater just turned 15. I met him when he was 8 and we have seen each other every 1-2 weeks for the last 7 years!!!! When I met him I did not have a digital camera (not to mention a phone that took pictures) in fact I did not even know what a blog was. Wow how time flies.

Kyrsten's squeeky shoes

This week Mollie went to visit her sister in-law and her nieces and nephew. They have shoes that squeek with every step. We pray for Ben and Crystal's sanity.

New Car

Mollie bought a new car yesterday, a Subaru Baja. The Baja is a cross between a Subaru outback and pickup. It has a sporty look and fits Mollie really well since she did not want a truck but wanted a vehicle that is safe for baby and for hauling compost.

It is a manual transmision and she will soon be great at driving a stick shift.