Great Friday!

Ryan continues to make new friends - Patrick and Patricia were so kind as to bring over Ryan's favorite pizza  from the Saucy Noodle  (ground Italian sausage, black olives and mushrooms), which just so happens to be Mommy's favorite as well.  Patrick sure seemed like a natural when holding our little lady - hmmmm.  Thank you to both of them for making their Friday night a "wild one" with us - we really enjoyed the food and especially the company.

Earlier that afternoon Ryan also received a very special care package from California.  Leslie's cousin Ann (loyal blog reader!!!) sent a really great book on manners for young ladies ( a lost art some would say) which makes it fun to learn how to act like a proper young woman!  Can't wait to read this at bed time - Ann you can quiz her next time you see her.  She also included a very nice hand made knitted outfit, which Ryan was dying to try on, but then fell asleep in ( see picture)  Thank you Ann for the wonderful gift.

We continue to cross our fingers that Ryan continues on her current schedule - pretty steady and not too fussy.  We love her soo much!

More soon - Grant, Leslie & Ryan

Visitors - oh my!

Today was a fun and busy one.  We welcomed not one but three friends and family over to meet our little Ryan.  First Kristi came by to say hello.  Thank you for the "super cute" (Leslie told me to type that) polka-dot jumper.  She also was kind enough to hand deliver a equally "super cute" jumper from Nicole and Danny (shout out to our friends in St. Chuck).  Later that evening our good friend Kara came by with delicious cupcakes from our favorite bakery.  (just what daddy's growing waist needs!) I am enjoying a carrot cake cupcake as I type.  Double trouble occurred when Leslie's cousin, Sydney, joined Kara and all of us here at the condo.  Thank you to Sydney for the wonderful wine, or as Ryan's mom calls it "apple juice", "milk for my cereal" or sometimes just "coffee".

Ryan is getting on a great schedule that we hope (and pray) continues.  Regardless, she is perfect and wonderful.

More tomorrow - thanks to everyone for their continued support and well wishes.

Sleeping, eating, pooping....

And that's just what Grant has been up to. Our little Ryan is 11 days old and, knock on wood, doing wonderfully. She's been sleeping decent stretches of 4-5 hours at night in order to give us all some much needed rest. Our days consist of feedings, changings, naps (for all of us), and numerous mindless TV shows - thank god for the extended cable package. Here are a few more pictures of Ryan Elizabeth. I dare you to not want to bite those precious little cheeks!

Lazy Sundays

Ryan enjoyed her first trip to the Bread Co today. Grandma and Grandpa were with us and Ryan really liked the cinnamon crunch bagel, but felt the coffee was only so/so (she takes after her mom). She didn't make a noise from start to finish - which was great. Mr. B has to head home today - it was sure great to have him out. We are holding onto Mrs. B for a few more weeks!!!

Happy Fourth of July

We celebrate our nations birthday with the welcome arrival of Ryan's grandpa - Mr. John Britt!  Mr. B arrived in the afternoon and we all enjoyed a cookout, fireworks and a great comeback from the Colorado Rockies.  Ryan only had two hot dogs and stuck with Michelob Ultra to keep looking trim.  Surprisingly she put away about a sixer, however I personally think Peg snaked a few of Ryan's brews.

First Doctor Visit and Visitors

They haven't called to tell us to bring her back, so we are working closely with Peg to determine how to care for this beautiful baby girl. So far so good - only one rough night (Thursday)

She is opening her eyes now and again, but mostly just sleeping and eating (what a life!)

We had our first visitors on Thursday - Mark and Nicole were the first to see our little bundle of joy. They also brought along some great gifts to make life easier when feeding and pacifying Ryan! Thank you Mark and Nicole.

We also had our first Doctor visit - all is well. She has lost some weight, but that is mostly due to the strict workout regiment. Ryan is handling the machine weights well, but still struggles with the heavy free weights...all in due time :-).

Thank you to everyone for the calls, well wishes, gifts and prayers.

SHE is here!

We proudly welcomed the most beautiful and wonderful baby girl ever seen Sunday evening, June 29th, at 10:46pm. Ryan Elizabeth Stiff joined us after 11 hours of labor and a few Phase 10 card games. She was a whopping 8 lbs, 15 ounces and 21 inches long. She had a full head of dark hair and was the spitting image of her dad - no paternity lawsuits in this family. We got home from the hospital yesterday and 24 hours into our life at home, she fits in like she has always been here. Our first night was relatively calm and dare we say, pleasant. A HUGE, HUGE, HUGE thank you to my mom who has been our savior. A former nurse, she puts us at ease with any baby questions and she is a fabulous cook and all around "what can I get for you" help. Thanks to all of you for your kind phone calls, flowers, wishes, emails, visits, etc.....

Naturally, the one thing we really need at this time, our camera, is on the verge of dying --- in the midst of the excitement Sunday night, we 'donated' our camera charger to whomever cleans up at the hospital. One of dad's duties today is to go out and find a new life-line for the world to see our precious Ryan. Here are a few pics though from yesterday - please enjoy!