Rylan's here

Rylan Chace Garrison decided he wanted to meet the world a little early - 17 days to be exact. He was born at 12:08 am Tuesday July 10th. He weighed 6 lbs 6.5 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. I had been having contractions since Thursday morning (the 5th), but nothing consistent. I had a Dr's appt on Friday morning and I was about 2-3 cm dilated, but not effaced. Then on Monday afternoon around 4:30, the contractions became quite intense and were between 4-5 minutes apart. So, I called Curtis at 5 - he is doing his pediatrics rotation in Ashtabula, OH which is about 45 minutes from our house. He told his Dr and he said well, I guess I'll see ya next week! So, Curtis came home and picked me up and we went to the hospital, by this time it was about 6 and the contractions were still there. I got all hooked up to the monitors and the Dr came to check me and I was between 3-4 cm dilated and the contractions were very strong. So, they got my epidural started and she broke my water about 8:30. Shortly after that the contractions slowed down, so they started me on some petocin, which caused them to pick back up and become very strong and I was pushing shortly after midnight. According to Curtis I only pushed 4 times and then Rylan was here - I honestly don't remember how many times, it certainly seemed like much longer, but I definitely wanted him OUT! :) His Apgar scores were 8 & 9 and everything checked out just perfect. We are now at home and enjoying being a family. Aubrey is doing great being a big sister and wants to help with everything. She's very protective of him also and wants to hold him lots. We hope you enjoy some of the pictures we've taken. I will try to post more often.

It's been a while...

but I am now caught up again! I hope that you enjoy all the new posts and pictures.

We're doing very well, just staying extremely busy. Curtis just completed his 2nd year of Medical School, took the first step of the Medical Board test on May 24th and will begin his first rotation on June 4th. For the next 2 years he will have a different rotation every month with one month off a year, which has been scheduled for part of December and January so that we can head south for the holidays!

I am taking a break from my MBA classes until after Rylan is born and enjoying spending as much time with Aubrey as possible. We are in the process of moving into a rental house, so I am also packing up all of our belongings yet again. I am very involved in a stay at home parents' group here in Erie, we have playdates, members' nights out/in and lots of fun at local parks now that it is warm and sunny here. Aubrey and I have both made a lot of wonderful friends and it has definitely made Erie feel more like home to us while we are here. Our church family is wonderful to and has been so supportive of us during the past few months of stress while Curtis prepared for his test. We are looking forward to spending the summer with many of the members and being involved with Vacation Bible School in July.

Aubrey is almost 2 - just a couple more weeks - I can't believe how the past 2 years have flown by. It's been amazing and she is such a blessing in our lives! Of course, she is almost 2 so she is into EVERYTHING!!!! But she absorbs so much, it's so much fun watching her learn new things and communicate with those around her. She loves to sing, boogy to music, read her books, play with her friends and "talk" on the phone! She's looking forward to being a big sister soon, although she really doesn't understand what that means. She does have several friends who have new baby brothers or sisters, so she's around babies quite a bit, which I think will really help her when Rylan comes along.

Well, this has gotten to be a bit longer than I meant for it to, so I'm going to end it now. I hope that each of you are doing well and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

HAPPY SUMMER!!!!!!!!!

Niagara Falls

Curtis and I were able to take a short vacation to Niagara Falls for our anniversary and to celebrate his board test being over. We stayed on the Canadian side at the Cairn Gorn Bed & Breakfast. It was a wonderful place to stay and the lady that ran it was awesome. There was a slight mix-up when we first got there and we ended up in the biggest suite in the house because of it. So, the first two pictures are of the sitting room when you first walk in to the suite.

This is the hallway leading to the bedroom area.

This is the bedroom area with another sitting area in it.
This is the kitchenette off of the bedroom area.
And this is the huge bathroom with a jacuzzi tub and separate shower! The tub was awesome - I don't think I have ever taken so many baths in such a short time - I loved just soaking in it as long as possible! :)
And here is Curtis trying to act sophisticated!
While out walking we saw a black squirrel with a red tail! Neither one of us had ever seen anything like it!Pictures of the falls on our first night there.

Waterfall at the Bird Kingdom
Lots of pictures of birds at the Bird Kingdom, this was one of our favorite places that we visited - it was amazing how close you could get to the birds!

Curtis in front of the falls
One of the things we did was the Journey Behind the Falls, which was a tunnel that took you behind the falls - this is a picture of one of the portals that opened up behind the falls - it was amazing how much water there really was!
Right next to the falls on Journey Behind the Falls.

Another picture of the falls - this is the American Falls
Beth in front of some tulips - my favorite flower!
We found someone that took our picture to prove that we were both there at the same time! :)

Beth in front of the falls.

More water!!!!


Rainbow in front of the falls

Another rainbow.
Curtis on the Maid of the Mist
Beth on the Maid of the Mist
Pictures Curtis took on the Maid of the Mist
The skyline of Canada on the Maid of the Mist

Aubrey is 2

Well, almost anyway! But we had to take a picture with the number 2 at Nise & Pop Pop's house! So, she posed away for us!