Saturday, February 16, 2008

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!)







Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Friday, January 11, 2008

The Many Faces of Cade

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

Saturday, January 5, 2008

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!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Cade Michael Ratcliffe

He is here!!!!! He arrived December 26th, 2007 at 7:36 p.m. I was induced just after noon and he came about 7 hours later! Things went smoothly and we are grateful for no extra excitement. Cade was 7lbs 9 oz and 20 inches. Initially we thought we had a red-head, but as he has gotten a little more it looks to be a light brown. Woo-Hoo! Here are a few quick pictures with more to come. We also added a couple little snippets of his cuteness. We are grateful to have him in our little family safe and sound!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Waiting Patiently

Ok-well maybe not that patiently. At the end of every day I am disappointed our son is not here yet!! We are very anxious to hold our new baby. I will spare you my woes with being 8 1/2 months pregnant-anyone who has kids already knows. But the foot is doing better. I am off crutches and just hobbling around in a boot. It is healing slower than I would like but it has improved some. I was talking to my mom today and she asked if I was any bigger so I decided it is time to post some pics of me at my biggest. I made it through the end of school which was good and Cole is done with finals!!! We have been greatly enjoying our break but are very anxious to have a baby to enjoy it with. You can see in one of the pics that we put up our very small tree but we are very happy that the holidays are here and that we get to celebrate it by adding to our family!! (hopefully soon!!)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Ratcliffe Update

Just when I thought being an 8 1/2 months pregnant lady was about as bad as it could get-it got worse. I am now an 8 1/2 months pregnant lady hobbling around on crutches! Oh and it is quite a funny sight! I was walking out to the car Monday morning to go to school and I slipped on the ice. I sprained a major tendon in my foot. So just to add to my awkwardness and uncomfortableness I have crutches and a boot in addition to my very large belly. I guess I have been humbled-I feel like I should have never complained about anything before this incident! But not to worry-I am in good hands. Cole is doing a master job of taking care of me and helping me with everything I could possibly need-not to mention his own load of school work.
The latest on the baby-head is down and I am about 3cm dilated already! The doctor said she could almost guarantee a 2007 baby and that it really would not surprise her if he came any time now! My goal is to make it till the 19th. That is my last real teaching day before our break starts and about the time Cole will finish finals.
It has been a very busy month for Cole and I-sub plans for all of January, getting baby stuff ready, finals, grad school applications, and then classes and teaching all day! We have barely even thought about Christmas coming! But we are getting through it and look forward to our upcoming son! (We are so curious about his hair color! Kind of hoping he does not get his mother's genes!)