Happy Easter

Our Easter was pretty low key this year. Even though it was Ryker's first Easter, we spent the day watching General Conference and then went to Grandma and Grandpa Hobdey's for a light dinner. It was overall a really great day to just sit back, enjoy the family, and reflect on the true meaning of what Easter represents.

However, once Grandma and Grandpa DeGiulio got home from California, we had a nice big Easter Egg Hunt and Aunt Joe and Uncle Al's house with all the cousins! It was a ton of fun and Ryker was so funny with all the Easter Eggs.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

Gratitude

For those of you who don't already know, things have been kind of tough for us lately. Mostly financially speaking. With the birth of Ryker, we made the decision that it would be best for me to stay home with him, which meant giving up my wonderful, good paying job. I have still been able to work from home some, but that is taking a bit longer to get up and running than originally expected and of course the job hunt for Justin has been all but exciting. While things are really tight right now, it has made me stop and ponder what it is I am doing. Is it really worth the sacrifice to be able to be home with my baby all day? I have to admit, I am not the best house wife around just yet. I struggle getting the house cleaned and taking care of other household chores on a daily basis. It's something I am working on improving. So does it really matter that I am home with my son all day each and every day when I could, in fact, be out working my full-time job making more than enough money to make ends meet?

YES! It really does matter! And I know that it matters.

Ryker may not know now, and he may not ever know, how much of a sacrifice we really are giving in order for his mommy to be home with him to hold him when he is sad, to feed him when he is hungry, to put him down for naps, to clean his dirty diapers, and to read and play with him. However, it does make a difference.
I can tell by the way that he recognizes us that he knows that we love him.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that mothers who are unable to stay home with their children or who chose not to love their children any less than I love Ryker. However, I am saying that it is worth the sacrifice. It is worth the struggles and some of the humbling that is required in order to be here with him.

I love this quote from The Proclamation to the World about our role as mothers

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children."

I love my husband and all that he does for us. I love my dear, sweet little boy and the amazing kid he already is. I love my extended family for helping us and supporting us as we struggle to get on with the real world now that college is over.

I am deeply grateful to everyone that has supported us throughout the years. Thank you for everything and for continuing to be there for us. 

High Fives

Ryker is such a fun little guy! I can't believe how much he has already learned and knows at just 4 months old! He just started giving high fives! We had him doing it over and over again, so finally decided it was time to catch it in action. He is best with his right hand and it is super slow motion. But hey, what can you say, he's a little guy!

Food Anyone

Ryker was so funny. He has this new fascination with adult food. Sometimes we catch him looking back and forth between the food and us. When he sees us looking at him, he smiles and tilts his head, batting his eyes and flirting a little to try to get us to feed him. Occasionally that works, when it doesn't he starts throwing a fit. Here is a video of him crying in between each of my bites.

Ryker and Grandpa Waite

It's funny how different people have opinions on who Ryker looks the most like. However, I think across the board most people think he looks somewhat like my dad, Charles Waite. This is especially true when they are wearing the same color of shirt. However, I do still think he has a lot of Justin's features as well. I think it's really just his eyes and his coloring right now that make him look so much like his Grandpa Waite.
When we were at Grandma and Grandpa Hobdey's for dinner one Sunday, my dad was holding Ryker and kept growling at him. Poor Ryker kept pouting and crying in response. It was too funny! We tried to get it on camera, but of course once we pulled the camera out he stopped being so funny. At any rate, here is a video of Ryker with his Grandpa Waite.

Silly Baby

Ryker has this new thing where he likes to run his feet under the running water in the tub. He wiggles his little toes around and just smiles ear to ear. Here's a little video of his tiny feet!

Ryker Rolling Over

Our little baby is sure growing up fast! He started rolling over from his tummy to his back and just a few weeks old. Here he is rolling from his back to his tummy just a few days before turning 3 months old.