Daddy and Cade

Grad School

We have finally decided that Cole will be going to Kansas State to receive his masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. A few weeks ago he went to visit the campus and really liked the feel of it. He was able to meet with some of the faculty and the dean of the program. After the visit he received a call saying they would offer him an assistantship. He will assist in an undergraduate course. This will wave all tuition plus a stipend every month. He also really liked the city. It is in Manhattan, Kansas-about 2 1/2 hours from Kansas City. He said it seemed to be a really close tight-knit community. He said the area was really beautiful with lots of trees and rolling hills. We are very excited about this decision. We will be moving sometime in the summer, not quite sure when yet.

Cole's First Shot at this Blog Thingy

I have never really done this before, and Jenna has no idea that I have done this, but I wanted to give it a shot. Jenna has praised me up and down on this little blog and I wanted my turn to let everyone know what Jenna and Cade mean to me. The idea of posting something on the blog came to after I had returned from running an errand to find Jenna and Cade taking a nap together on the bed. Although this is not an unusual scene, as both Cade and Jenna LOVE their sleep, I wanted to take some pictures of this because they usually fall asleep while Cade is feeding and Jenna would kill me if I posted those pictures. So I snuck over to Jenna's purse to grab her camera (I probably didn't need to sneak, it's not like she is a light sleeper or anything ;) ! ) and begun taking pictures. I've posted just a couple of them, but what I really wanted to do is give everyone a little idea how hard Jenna works to keep her family happy and to be successful as a teacher. Jenna usually does not get to bed before midnight, as she is usually working on school stuff. At either midnight or 1:00 AM she will usually feed Cade and on a really good night will have the chance to sleep until 5:30 AM when her alarm goes off to let her know that her 4 1/2 hours of sleep must be sufficient and that she must now get up and feed Cade and get ready for school. Then at about 7:15 AM Jenna travels with Shan (Thanks Shan for driving Jenna to school, you really don't know how much it helps us out and we really do appreciate it. Thank you.) to school until she gets home between 4:15 and 5:15. It is REALLY hard for Jenna to leave Cade every single day and I know that because of that she gets drained emotionally. Jenna thank you for doing that for me an Cade. Not only is Jenna teaching all day, but she spends her lunch break pumping so Cade can have milk for the next day. Upon returning home Jenna usually makes dinner, and they are the type of dinners that any husband would love to eat day after day. You are probably thinking that i'm a big hoser by now b/c I won't even make dinner, but I've tried and Jenna will tell you that she'd rather eat cereal for dinner than anything I could make. After dinner we usually sit and chat for a little while before she starts doing her school prep stuff (we usually find time to squeeze in American Idol as well ;) ). After doing her school stuff she falls asleep and does the whole thing over again.

When I came home today to find Jenna taking a nap with Cade, I just realized again how lucky I am to have found a girl like Jenna to spend my life with. How grateful I am to Heavenly Father for my son, and even more so to have found his mother, my sweet wife, on that August afternoon on the corner of 7th and 7th. I love you so much Jenna.

Cole

PS: Here are some super cute pictures of Cade!!

Ratcliffe Update

Here is the update on everyone!

Cade: He is doing really well. He is starting to smile more and sometimes even laugh and coo. He either has a really good night or has a horrible night-and we are lucky to have more good nights. He nows weighs 11 pounds. He goes to Cole's mom house M/W/F while Cole is at school and I am at work. On T/TH he goes to campus with Cole because he has one class and then does some research which gives him some flexibility and ability to take care of Cade. He has found a baby changing station in one of the boys bathrooms in the SWKT and takes a little cooler that has his milk in it. It has been working pretty well. Cole does a very good job playing mom!

Me: I have been back to work. Its was fun to be back and be able to teach better and have more energy without the limitations of pregnancy but it is so hard to leave everyday!! I hate it! Before I leave he is ususally the happiest because he has just woken up and has been fed. He is so adorable then and I have to leave him! But I know he is in good hands during the day. I am feeling well and all recovered just usually quite tired.

Cole: Cole has been applying to graduate schools and we have heard back from 3: He is accepted into Kansas State, has been interviewed and accepted into Oklahoma State, and has an interview with Purdue. He was really impressed at the Oklahoma interview which kind of surprised both of us. He really liked the professors, the program, and it is only 4 hours from Dallas. Kansas has always been his top choice (he has not been there because they do not have interveiws) but now Oklahoma is looking good. So now we are waiting to see how the Purdue interview goes, see if he gets accecpted there and then make our decision. I hate big decisions!!

Events: Last weekend my family came up for the blessing. It was really exciting becuase this was the first time for my dad and sisters to meet Cade. We had a good time. (more pictures coming!)

More Adorable Cade

The Many Faces of Cade

I couldn't resist!!! He is so cute!!!

Our Little Blessing!

Here are just a bunch of pictures from our experience at being new parents!! We are loving it!Me before all the action began! We had our doctor's appt the day after Christmas and we were going to ask if there was anything she could do to speed up the process-I was so ready! She checked everything and said she would induce me. She called over to see what the schedule looked like since lots of people want to induce before the end of the year. She said the next day was really booked but right then was really open. So we said, "Great-lets take it!" I had my bag already in the car and we went straight over! 7 hours later he was here!
Cade the first time I was able to hold him! First time Cole got to hold his son!

Cade getting a bath down in the nursery-he is getting his light BROWN hair washed!

Sweet Cade all dressed and clean!Aunt Shan came to visit!

Coming home from the hospital!

Grandma is here!!!

First bath at home! (He didn't like it very much) Here he is recuperating in his warm towel.

Playing with Grandma!