Welcome, Coverton Hoss!

I'm going to share Coverton's birth story first, and then put all of the pictures at the end, that way, if it's just pictures you want to see, you can scroll past all of this. :)

Coverton Hoss Ryerse was born on Monday, August 12, 2013 at 2:50 p.m. at McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, UT.  Contractions for mom started Sunday around noon and were spaced every half an hour at first.  They moved up to every 15 minutes by evening, so mom & dad decided to head to the hospital since they we’re told to be at the hospital about 4 hours before the expected delivery since mom tested positive for Strep B and antibiotics needed to be administered intravenously.  They checked mom and she was only dilated to a 3 and only effaced 50%, which is what she was at her doctor’s appointment earlier in the week.  So we waited around for a while to see if anything would happen, and we still had consistent and strong contractions, but the cervix was not opening up any more.  So they sent us home at 1:15 a.m. and we went to get a good night’s rest in our own beds, which was very much needed.  We had an appointment with our OB, Dr. Jeffrey Arrington, the next morning at 10:45.  By the time we were checked at the appointment, mom was having contractions every five minutes and they were getting stronger.  Dr. Arrington and his nurse said they couldn’t believe I was so calm being so far into labor and told us we were going to have the baby that day.   We walked down the hall and into a birthing room and got set up there, monitoring the baby and contractions and getting the IV going.  Mom chose a natural birth again with this baby.  Many of the nurses kept saying how they couldn’t believe how calm she was and that they should record the birth to show others “this is how it’s done”.  Ha ha, I doubt that, but it was funny.  Everything went really well and mom worked through the contractions with breathing and relaxation and keeping a sense of humor.  She also used a birthing ball, which helped.  Dad was an amazing support like always, being close by mom’s side, putting cool wash cloths on her head, and holding her hand.  Finally, mom felt the urge to push, but they couldn’t reach Dr. Arrington.  So mom tried to breathe instead but this baby really was ready to come.  They tried getting ahold of Dr. Arrington several times – paging, calling, texting, and even one of the nurses ran down the hall to his clinic.  They called in the Resident OB to come help out since we couldn’t reach him.  Mom really had to push, but was trying to hold out for the doctor, but the nurses said I could just go ahead.  She pushed a couple of times, which broke her water, the first time it’s done it on its own for us!  Mom could tell this was a pretty big baby (she’s been saying that for weeks), since it took a lot more to get him out.  She pushed a couple more big pushes and let out a few screams and out our baby boy came!   The resident barely got her gear on in time to deliver, and right before our little guy came, Dr. Arrington walked in the door.  So he was there, but the resident delivered the baby.  It was such a happy moment to see and hear him!  He came out with some good crying, and it appeared everything looked well.  Dad cut his umbilical cord and then they put him on mom’s chest for some bonding time.  He was so sweet and we loved him right away!  Then they cleaned him off and then weighed and measured him.  He was 7 lbs., 7 oz., our biggest baby so far, which mom guessed since he felt bigger in there and he took a lot more effort to bring him into this world, and was 20 inches long.  He had a bunch of dark brown hair and it looks like he’ll have blue eyes.  He came out very purple but his color changed quickly and he looks so perfect to us.  We held him and then mom nursed him.  He did really well breast feeding and had a bunch of diapers to change from the beginning.  

Then we went into our recovery room, and soon after had our first visitors.  We loved having visitors!  The kids were especially excited to see new baby brother.  Emma held Coverton carefully and quietly in awe and giggled a little when he passed some gas under her hand.  Callahan loved it, he was grinning the whole time and so proud to have a new baby brother.  He loved looking at his little fingers, toes, hair, everything!  He was fascinated and kept wanting to hold him again and again.  He said “Grandma’s not letting me have a turn” even though he had already had a turn to hold him and she had not.  Lucy said “No squishing baby brother!” (we’ve had some of these talks recently) and said that “aw, he’s so cute!”  She still is kind of confused though and keeps kissing my tummy.  They are so excited, as were all of the other family and friends who came to visit!  It was nice to have company and just chat.  Other visitors to the hospital include Grandma Sue, Grandpa Dan, Uncle Brian, Uncle Randy, Grandma Di, Grandpa Scott, Uncle Jerry, Aunt Stacy, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Shirley, Brennen, Xou Yang, Great Aunt Lois & Great Uncle Keith, Grammie. 

The days in the hospital were nice, though it felt like we were there forever.  We had lots of cuddle time, got some pretty good rest (at least Mom did, Dad had a rough time sleeping on the hard as a rock pull-out bed), read a lot, watched some fun TV we usually don’t see, and mom worked on finishing up his birth announcement cross stitch, and talked without any interruptions.    

Coverton has been a really good, mellow baby so far!  He doesn’t cry much at all, except when he’s getting a diaper change and he’s cold.  Even when he wakes up to eat, we just hear some lip smacking.  And he goes for about 4 hours during the night in between feedings!  He’s super sweet and we all just love him.  He sleeps a lot, but when he's awake, he's very alert.  The kids can’t get enough!  They always want to hold him, help change, burp, clothe, give baths, or anything they can do to get close.  They’ve all done really well, but Lucy did have a few things to get used to.  Lucy had a little breakdown the first night we were home and we used “her wipes” to change his diaper.  She sat and cried for quite a while about that, even though after first mention of it, we got him a different wipes container and started using separate ones for him.  Then, when she saw me feeding him for the first time, she started screaming “He’s eating you!!!” and we all tried to explain to her that milk comes out and that’s what babies eat and that is how she ate when she was a baby and it doesn’t hurt mommy.  She busted down and cried for about a half an hour and nothing anyone said could console her. I think she thought I was going to get through feeding him and there would be a hole there, he he!  But the next day, she kept reassuring that that’s how she ate, it doesn’t hurt mommy, babies need milk.  It was pretty funny, but since then she hasn’t shown any jealousy or confusion about it.  So I think she’s getting the hang of this whole big sister thing. 

It’s been so nice to be so close to family during this time, we really lucked out!  Our family and friends have been so great to make meals, help watch the kids, come visit or call or text to check in, offer to help do anything we need.  It’s been kind of a relaxing week actually, and we so appreciate all of the love and support we’ve received! 

And now he is a week old, almost exactly from the time I’m writing this.  Where does time go?  Sometimes I just want to freeze time and sit and snuggle with Coverton forever, or watch how cute it is when Daddy talks to him, or see the kids in awe over him.  It’s almost like magic having a newborn around.  What a miracle birth and life is!  It’s amazing how everything works together perfectly.  It certainly is proof that there is a God and that he loves us!

Coverton’s name is a family one that comes from David’s grandpa Charles Coverton Ryerse, his great- grandfather Coverton (Cub) Kelly Ryerse, and his great-great grandfather Kelly Coverton Ryerse.  We have had quite the difficult time coming up with a name we all liked this time around, but think that Coverton is a good fit for this boy.  There is no definition or name meanings we can find for the name. The kids said they want to call him Covey, which is what we have been calling him and think when he gets older we will just call him Cov for a nickname.  Coverton’s middle name, Hoss, is a name Dave has always wanted.  He and one of his mission companions, Cameron Gleave, always used to call each other Hoss.  The name comes from the name Horse, meaning big and strong.  In Swedish it means big in stature and big in spirit, "a big man with friendly ways.  In Scandinavian it means big in stature and character.  it's an old mountain term, it means 'friend”.  Dave’s favorite definition from the urban dictionary: “one who is a beast that can basically do anything he wants. He is usually loved by all and a ladies man. He could break anyone or anything in half.”  Hoss is a compliment.

A little while before Coverton came into the world.  It was an awesome birth experience!  I love going natural.  I don't know why so many are afraid of it.  Giving birth is what our female bodies are made to do and women for most of the history of the world have done it this way.  It's such a positive experience (although near the end you do feel like you will die), and so euphoric when the baby arrives.  And the recovery time is the best part.  I'm up and walking around right after, and feel so much better than I did when I had an epidural.  Every lady is different and every pregnancy is different, but I would say if you can do it, you should!  It is so worth it!

Bonding with Covey.  He is such a sweetie!

Coverton was our biggest baby!  He earned the middle name Hoss!

Bundle of joy

Proud big sister Emma!  She's always been such an amazing big sister, the others are lucky to have her!  She's kind of like a mini mommy, so eager to help, comfort, and teach her younger siblings.

Cal cracked me up the most.  He's been so excited for "Baby Brother" and just couldn't get enough!  He always wants to hold him and look at his little hands and feet!  He always says that Coverton likes him the best.

Lucy said "Awww!  He's so cute" upon first holding him.  She had a little adjustment period at home once reality set in but is doing really well with him and loves him!

My precious little ones!

Our first family photo with all 6, yes, 6 of us!  How did that happen?!  4 kids, that makes me feel so old!  2 boys and 2 girls, we done good!

We love Grandmas!  Grandma Sue with Covey!  We went back and forth at the hospital about what to call him - Cubby, Covie, Covey, Covvy. But we've settled on Covey.

This is the 7th grand baby on both sides!  Must be a lucky kid!

When tests weren't going on, or we weren't getting checked, we enjoyed just watching and holding this little guy!

The first picture we posted online of our little man!

I love his little scrunchced face on this picture!

With Great Aunt Lois, they are both so sweet!

August 12 is a good day!  This is my Grammie and Coverton was born on her birthday!  So Coverton's got some big shoes to fill now!

Cal and Emma and Lucy came with Grandma again to visit on day 2.

Snuggles all around!

The proud papa and his little Cougar!  I loved that they were watching in their crimson & gray!  I love my man and what a great dad he is to all of our kids and a great husband to me!  

I could watch him sleep all day!

It is a boy and his name is Coverton!  A beautiful child of God.

Ready to go home!

We made it home in one piece and everyone smothered him with love!

Emma had to do the whole Lion King thing with him.  Ha ha!

3 days old

The kids really had to play with him so they decided to dress up!  They dressed him up like a cowboy and Emma held him on our rocking horse.  It was cute to see them with him!

He is very alert when he's awake!

Everyone's always eager to hold him or help out with him!  Love my kids!

A week old today!  Oh sweet Coverton, we love you!

Pioneer Days

Blessed, honored pioneers!  What a great pioneer heritage I have!  Recently, I've been enjoying exploring the new Family Search.  They've recently updated the site and users can add pictures and stories of their ancestors in addition to their information.  It's been so neat to go and connect with those who have come before me.  My Mom has always been great at compiling and keeping the histories and pictures together of our ancestors, but there are some new pictures and stories we've never seen before that other posterity has posted.  It's pretty cool and anyone can go to the website and learn about their ancestors, I'd highly recommend it!

We have been able to do many fun things to celebrate Pioneer Day this year!

Grandma Di & Grandpa Scott are into volunteering in many places.  They are always doing some kind of clean up along the Jordan River Parkway, ushering for a community gathering or something.  What a great example they are setting for us all!  They decided to volunteer at the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo this year, and got us all some tickets to go to it as well.  Thanks, we had a great time!

This was Lucy's first rodeo!

Gotta love these free lime green hats we got at the gate!

Emma loves horses and the rodeo!  She had to get all decked out in her cowgirl duds, which wasn't an easy task since lots of our stuff is packed away still.  Sweet cowgirl!  Her favorite were the female trick riders, they were impressive!

Cal loved chilling with his Uncle Marko!  

Here comes the parachuter with the Amerian flag.  It landed[mostly] off the ground.  One thing I love about a good rodeo, they are always very patriotic!  

Amber had a chile sucker (a Mexcian candy) which is super spicy on the outside, covered in chili powder.  She would share with Cal & Lucy, since they wanted to try it.  Once they decided they liked it too, she kept helping them all have some tastes.  ABC suckers, anyone?  

What a beautiful venue!  I love this stadium in Ogden and the amazing surroundings!  Both Mom and Dad grew up in Ogden, and I loved my time at Weber State University there and the first 6 years of our married life living in Ogden.  It is a great place!  Some of my ancestors were asked to settle in Ogden, including the Wheelwrights, who made a name for themselves 

Then we participated in the Handcart Days Rodeo in Bountiful.  My in-laws braved the early morning crowds to get great seats, the ones we have sat in for as long as we could remember.  This is my favorite parade!  It's so local and has entries from our high schools, stake floats from where we grew up, and other familiar places and faces.  We love being with our fun family and hearing all of the uncles yell out funny comments ("Hey Miss Utah, what's your number?"  -Brain) and eating all kinds of cold drinks and junk food.

Brody & Lucy, two peas in a pod.

Cal & Uncle Marko

Stacy, Mark, Mayela, Emma, Amber, Kaison, Tayla & Cal get ready for the flag to go by.  

Cal & Tayla wave to our brave fire fighters.

From the time they were teeny toddlers, Tayla and Emma have loved marching right along with the marching bands.  They still do and it makes me smile.

My handsome man and cute little Lucy, who is attached to his hip most of the time.

Some of the crew - Brian, Jerry, Julie, Sue, Dan & David

Our stake float - they did an amazing job, it was impressive!

Enjoying the parade with my Lucy!

 On Pioneer Day, we went swimming at the Rec Center with Amber and Mark and Mayela.  It was a lot of fun and for free swim day, wasn't really crowded at all!  Our kids love the water and could swim all day! Lucy got sick the night before, so Daddy stayed home with her.  I swear one of our kids always gets sick on this holiday!  :(  After swimming, we went to my parents house for a pioneer lunch.  We had ham and beans, pioneer salad, corn on the cob, pioneer brown bread, home made butter, strawberries, and for dessert, spice cake with home made vanilla ice cream.  Tasty!  If only the pioneers got to eat that regularly.  Most of the times while crossing the plains, they had little or sometimes no food.  I'm grateful for their faith and dedication despite hard circumstances!  Earlier in the week, my Mom read pioneer stories to the kids, and we made pioneer pulling taffy, corn husk dolls, and played some pioneer games.  And we went to the library, where we heard a man sing songs about the pioneers, and we played some pioneer games as well.  I'm thankful to all of those who are keeping the spirit of our our brave fore bearers alive today, and teaching my family about their heritage.

A few days after Pioneer Day, we got together at Jerry & Stacy's for the Ryerse firework show.  Everyone's been pitching in money and getting half price vouchers to firework stands, and we pool it all and have a great show!  We had dinner first - chicken fingers, dutch oven potatoes, rolls, and salads just on the front lawn.  Then we got the show started!

Brody, Lucy & Kaison watch the snake

Tayla and Emma loved the parachutes and the tanks!

Mrs. Brown, their sweet elderly neighbor from across the street was having a birthday.  She was sitting out on her patio, and so we decided to get sparklers out and sing to her.  She was so thrilled, it was cute!

We had bunches of fountains and lots of aeriels.  There were some pretty good ones this year!  

Emma started not feeling well this night, so Aunt Julie was holding her during most of the fireworks.  We were all just sitting there gazing up into the sky, when something went wrong with one of the fireworks.  It tipped on the side and started shooting all over - cars parked on the street, the neighbors house, and towards where most of the kids were sitting.  Dave went to try to put out the firework as quick as he could, but he couldn't quite stop it in time.  Julie shielded Emma with her body, and in the process, the firework came and hit her knee (luckily she was wearing pants, but even then it was bad).  She got a pretty bad blow. :(  Poor Julie!  It was cute because all of the kids were so concerned and wanted to help patch things up.  Thanks, Julie, for saving Emma's life!  We are grateful nothing more serious happened, though the wound and bruising on Julie gets worse by the day it seems.  I was trembling and paranoid the rest of the time we lit the rest of the fireworks, but we had no problems.

It was a beautiful night and a fun time to be with family!