Introducing Ryan Paul Bynum

Here he is!  The newest member of our family.  Ryan Paul Bynum.  Born February 25, 2015 at 7:39 am, weighing 6 pounds 7 ounces and 19 inches long.  

Here's how it all went down:  I had my regularly scheduled, 38 week appointment on Tuesday, February 24th.  I went in and the doctor told me I was 4 cm dilated but since I wasn't having any contractions, just to go home and we'll see what happens.  So I went home, had dinner with the family and did the usual night time routine.  Around 5:30 pm I started having mild contractions that didn't last long and were not consistent.  I continued to have them but they weren't bad so I decided to go to bed.  I got a few hours of sleep on and off and around 2:00 am woke up to more intense contractions.  We started timing them and they began coming more frequently and lasted longer.  Shortly after that we called nana and papa Bynum to come over and watch Jackson while we went to the hospital.  

We got to the hospital a little before 4:00 am and when they checked me I was at 5 cm.  They told me I would be staying and the real labor began.  Only a few hours later Ryan Paul was born.  We were very happy to hear we had another healthy son! 

In the delivery room right after birth

After delivery they took me up to recovery where we would spend the next couple of days.  One of the nurses took Ryan to bathe him and conduct a few newborn tests.  All was well and they brought him back to our room where he stayed with us for the remainder of our hospital stay.  

Later that afternoon big brother Jackson came to visit.  We had Ryan in his bassinet with a Big Bird and big brother shirt for Jackson from Ryan.  When Jackson walked into the room he climbed in bed with me and told him about Ryan being born.  I pointed to Ryan who was sleeping across the room in the bassinet and Jackson said "turn baby on".  We then gave Jackson Ryan's gifts and he was over the moon!  He loved that Big Bird!  

We then brought Ryan over and I held him and Jackson in my lap as Jackson's eyes lit up looking at his new brother.  He smiled silently for a few second and then began touching his head and face.  Jackson wanted to see all of him so we unwrapped Ryan and Jackson gently began exploring him. 

He was so sweet!  After a few hours Jackson, nana, and papa left for the day and we spent some more time with our new little sweetheart.  

The next day Jackson came to visit again and this time Ryan had a farm book, another big brother shirt and some chocolate ice cream for Jackson.  The ice cream was eaten immediately and we read the farm book four times, which wasn't enough.  Then we brought Ryan over to Jackson again.  He was just as curious about Ryan, wanted to see and touch every part of him.

And then we attempted to take a family picture.  This is the best we've got:

Jack left to take a nap and we spent some more time with baby Ryan, hugging him, kissing him, holding him, and watching his many facial expressions before going home on Friday. 

Welcome to the world beautiful Ryan!  We can't wait to explore, learn and grow with you!