Patrick at home

A few pictures of Patrick's first week:
Sleeping in his pack and play. Mom and Patrick taking a little nap.

Kody, Patrick's guard dog, Lincoln, and Patrick in our living room. Our three babies. (Patrick is on a bouncy seat near the tv).

We go for a walk every afternoon. I don't think Patrick has actually seen much of the outdoors yet, as he falls right to sleep.

A Week Early!

Patrick Ryan Ross

7lbs, 9oz and 20.5 inches

Born: 5-6-09, 8:43 a.m.

We were in real labor for about 14 hours total. At 8 cm I got a little medication, but no epidural. Then we pushed for about 9 hours. In the last 20 minutes, the doctor decided we needed to use a vacuum to help him out (I think he also had to be turned a bit, he has wide shoulders). So, Patrick arrived with an amazing conehead that started to disappear immediately. I now understand how flexible babies heads can be!

Ryan was very hands on in the delivery room (we did not know this is coming, but I think he could be a professional midwife now). I cannot count how many people were involved (as the shift changed), but I know in the end they called in an extra nurse at the end. There were also two observers, a resident studying OB and a student nurse. Quite a crowd. The student nurse was awesome and took some pictures right after birth (there is no way I would have thought of that at that point!)

Ryan stepped up right away and is already the man to go to when Patrick needs calming down (or anything else). Patrick and I are very lucky to have him.


This is Patrick all set to go home. He likes having his hands up to his face, or as Ryan says, "Listening to his headphones."

Snowshoe trip to Deer Park

Ryan and two friends went on their first snowshoe trip in March. Here is him testing out his pack. He had to take a lot of gear as it was way up in the mountains and below freezing. His pack weighed about 50lbs and included a tent, stove, lantern, axe, snowshoes and more.


The hike was 8 miles uphill to where they would camp. At this point the snow wasn't deep enough for the snowshoes. This is Jeremy and Keith.

Now they have put on their snowshoes...

I wish we had pictures of their camp, hopefully I can add some later. Below are two Great Pyrenees (like Kody) doing what the breed is for, guarding livestock. These boys guard alpaca. This was on the drive up to where Ryan's hike started. They sound just like Kody, but are obviously way tougher!

March and April activities

TWILIGHT FANS: We visited Forks, the home of Twilight! I haven't read the books or seen the movie. But, Peninsula College (my employer) has actually gotten calls from people all over interested in coming out here for college because of the film!

Forks High School (above and below). I work with kids who attend here often!

La Push, Washington - Rialto Beach

I loved this piece of driftwood, it was huge! I am huge as well, 36 weeks pregnant.

Our second stop was a hike down to Second Beach (easy walk down, tough return to the car!!) I was disappointed as I couldn't climb over the driftwood to get to the water

Mom and I spotted the wild elk herd that wanders the Sequim area. They are not fenced in, as it looks they are in the second photo. They are very used to cars and people.

In early April we couldn't wait any longer and went camping. We tested out our new tent and cast iron cookware. It was a nice time and I can't wait to camp more this summer!
It was a test for Kody, to see if he could handle camping without too much barking. He was great! He also kept us warm in the tent.

Our March snow, about 6 inches in early March. Kody and I couldn't resist getting out and walking in it.

This is an early morning sunrise from our living room. The mountain way off in the distance is Mount Baker. Across the Puget Sound, it is between 100-150 miles away from our place, near Bellingham, WA.

Baby Shower!

My lovely friends at work threw me a baby shower in late March. I appreciated their company, advice and thoughtful gifts! Here are a couple of pictures:

Ryan spotted this bald eagle from out couch. It is looking out over the Juan de Fuca Straight. I went outside and took the picture from our porch. We have seen this one and a juvenile often flying by.

Snow in Port Angeles

It has snowed a 2-4 inches three times in the last week here in Port Angeles. It isn't common here, so I actually didn't have work on Thursday and Friday. Here are some pictures:

our house

Kody gets crazy in the snow, its the Alaskan in him.
Guarding all that is his.

A tanker heading towards Seattle on the Juan de Fuca Strait.

Looking down on houses to the East.

View from the recliner.