I am A Mother

Guest Writer: Mommy (the sappy one)

We recently celebrated a holiday that is dedicated to honoring all the mothers of the world. Tory and I have been so blessed with the mothers that we were given. If it were not for them, we would not be the people we are. They built the foundation for everything we know and do. Thank you both so much for all your work and sleepless nights on our behalf.

But I also want to honor those who have allowed me to take the title "mommy." I am by no means a supermom or will ever win the mother of the year award. That is the pure truth and I have come to accept that. But I love and adore these two little amazing people. I was so overwhelmed by the idea of motherhood when we started down this journey, but each time I see and hear that first little heart beat on the ultrasound, I fall in love all over again. The first time I saw their sweet little faces and gave them a kiss, I was smitten. The best part of all this, is they seem to really like me too! Like I said before, I am by no means a perfect or even good mom. Threats of selling certain small fry to the gypsies have exited my lips. And I sit and write this while the laundry lays in mounds around my house, dirty dishes are overflowing the sink, and the weeds claim victory over the gardens. Oh well, that is just me. More importantly I love my two little miracles, and hope my heart will always melt when I look into their eyes and get smiles only a mommy is given.

Graduation

So after four long years and too many papers, projects, clinical hours, and pretty much time away from the most important people in the world, Daddy did it, he GRADUATED!!!

He has been the most amazing full time student/full time bread winner/full time daddy (the most important title of course). Thank you Daddy!!!

And of course it can't be a good post without some pictures of us.

Now, let the wild rumpus start!

Updates, Updates, Updates

Once again, we have finally gotten some time on this computer to update you all on our latest adventures. So keep scrolling down and see all the fun we have had lately.

Every Princess Needs a Throne

Well, potty training seems to be all the rage right now with all my peers. Mommy and Daddy decided that they might as well purchase a little potty chair for me to get used to the idea. Well, lets just say, I like the idea of not having a dirty bottom and this "throne" is already getting some use. It will probably be a slow process, but hey, might as well start somewhere.

My Buddy

I have not had a lot of opportunities to meet many of my cousins since there Daddy has been in school and this last winter has been one stinky germ after another. Well, during Spring Break,

I finally got to go visit some cousins. One in particular became rather attached, he wanted to hold, cuddle, and carry me everywhere. I have now received the title of "The Interactive Doll." I am cute and cuddly, what can I say.

Climb Every Mountain, or at Least Every Stair Step

Visiting our cousins during Spring Break was so fun. Of course I had to learn a new skill while away from home.

Devouring Literature

Daddy has been spending a lot time with all his books lately. I decided to following in his example, but I don't think we are doing it the same way. Oh well, this is a really tasty book.

Cinder-Michelle

I feel like Ryker and I having been picking up some serious slack in this house. Our house would never get clean if we didn't help.

1 and 2 and 3 and Breathe and

In Daddy's family there are a plethora of health care professionals. It is in our genes to help people. I guess it is never too early to start teaching CPR. Can't wait to learn more life-saving skills.

The new "passey"

Well just recently I had an appointment with a special doctor called a Pediatric Pulmonologist to help me get rid of my trach and ventilator someday. Well she told Mommy and Daddy that I had to start wearing this special thing on the end of trach called a Passey Muir valve. It is supposed to help me learn to talk with trach still in. Can't wait to post some videos of me singing.

Acute Gastrenteritis (aka: A Really Bad Case of the Stomach Flu)

I am going to write this for Michelle. She is sleeping on the couch right now, and I think I am the only one left in this family that doesn't seem to being feeling completely exhausted these days. This story began Sunday evening. Mommy had gone to work, even though Michelle and I had discussed with her the multiple benefits of staying home with us. Michelle starting act a little uncomfortable, and it just went downhill from there. By the time Mommy had gotten home Daddy had resorted to giving Michelle only Pedialyte. But alas, it was too late. Michelle spent most of the night throwing up anything that entered her gastrointestinal system. By morning Mommy and Daddy looked like the cast from that new vampire movie that is all the rage, (something about evening, or maybe it was dusk, oh Twilight, that's it). Well, they hoped she had expelled whatever germy was causing Michelle so much discomfort and tried to finish a very important paper that Daddy had to get done for school. By noon it was obvious that she was only getting worse so they decided it was time to call the Peditrician. We got some medicine that was supposed to help with the continuous upchucking. That night was only slightly better since she was able to stop hurling, but she just laid in bed and moaned since her belly still HURT. Well Mommy called the Pediatrician first thing the next morning. We left that morning for a quick trip to the office, a couple diagnostic tests later Michelle laid in a hospital bed with tubes and wires everywhere. (Even more than our usual assortment.) With all her vomitting she had become very dehydrated and since she was really able to handle anything in her tummy they started and IV and gave her lots and lots and lots of fluid.

Thankfully by the next morning the fantastic crew of doctors and nurses had helped Michelle get better. And of course being the fantastic little brother that I am, I brought her in a balloon and present to help her feel better.

Well, this typing and posting has made me a little hungry and tired. So I better go do what I do best and that is eat and sleep.

The Important Ones

So we see that Mommy took some space the other day on our blog. I guess that is alright since she helps take the pictures of us. But really, isn't this supposed to be about us. Well, Daddy is gone to school right now, so we have commandeered the computer to upload all the cute photos and do some updating.

Mommy and Daddy are trying to improve their culinary skills, and figured that if I might as well start learnig now. I am absolutely amazing, but everything I do is absolutely amzaing.

For Valentine's Day, Daddy and the two of us Heart Attacked Mommy. We also made her a homemade spa in her bathroom. Aren't we the most amazing children ever?

Here is a normal morning in our home. Mommy off doing something, who knows what and me taking care of Ryker. Changing his diaper, singing him songs, what would they do without me, honestly.

I have also recently discovered the joy of stickers. I wouldn't even let mommy take them off until my bath the next day.

I also have also recently taken over some of my own hygiene care. No one really can do anything as well for me as, well, myself. But this definitely needs to be seen in video to be fully appreciated.

This next video is for all you to understand why our home is no longer so quiet and peaceful. I am totally sweet and cute, and then this little man finds his voice.

Pay It Forward!

So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift!
Send me an email with your address, emthornton@gmail.com Remember, only the first three get a gift, so you have to be super fast!

Valentines Day (Anniversary Day)

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!

This is a very important day in my life it is when Elizabeth and I were MARRIED forever. I just thought I would let everyone know that day I was the happiest man alive! I am still the happiest man alive. It has been six wonderful years with my best friend at my side. We have been through quite an adventure and have tried to always keep a positive attitude. I just have to say I LOVE YOU ELIZABETH and you will always be the love of my life. We once mentioned that we would always be around to push or pull the other and help them accomplish the goals and happiness in life. I feel like you are the one who is always doing the work at pushing and pulling. Well I have to say my post is pretty cheesy but it's me. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ELIZABETH! I love you.

LOVE Tory.

It Takes Heart

Today is another really important day. We all celebrate birthdays, and there are anniversaries for everything from first kiss to first home. But today is not one of those. True it is an anniversary, but not one that many people celebrate. It is the 2nd anniversary of my mended heart. Mommy told the whole story last year, and if you are want to remember or are in need of a good cry (Mommy sure did as she just reread it) just link on my HEART.



It is fun to look back and see all that has happened this last year. I have learned so many words. Traveling has become a favorite past time. Walking and running is my new favorite sport. Becoming Mommy number 2 for little Ryker. But something even more important is that I continue to grow stronger and healthier. Whenever Mommy and Daddy talk about the doctors fixing my broken heart, they always end with how I put their heart back together. And now that Ryker is here to play, Mommy and Daddy tell us how they love both of us so much, that the two of us together just make their hearts grow bigger and stronger.

I have to admit that it is old school to go see doctors or have tests done, but I have noticed that if it comes to my little heart, Mommy and Daddy are still very nervous and anxious. And so I must say that I am so thankful to have had so many miracles in my life, and can't wait to see what miracles this next year has to offer.

Gaseous Anomaly

Hi, My name is Ryker, I am a Myliconaholic.

Since I was just a few weeks old, I have had issues with flatulence. Poor Mommy first assumed it had something to do with the testosterone running through my system. But when it started making me less than happy and was greatly impeding anyone in the house from sleeping, she decided it must be something more. So then she tried taking everything out of her diet that might irritate my little gastrointestinal system. Nope, still stinky and cranky. A great relief to us all since Mommy is not the most happiest herself when you take away her chocolate and spicy yummy foods. Well Mommy and Daddy gave in and tried Mylicon, aka Gas Drops. I have to admit, I have been addicted from that very first tasty. I slurped it right up. Well the package said that they could give it to me after I eat up to 12 times a day. So there we go. I have to have it after each feeding, and it works like a miracle. Well, it makes me feel better, but I kinda still stink when I let one rip.

But this last week, Mommy tried to cut me off thinking I might have outgrown this need. Once again, she assumed wrong. I let her know that for me to be happy I have to have my fix. I mean look at that cute face below, would any of you deny him the one thing that truly makes him happy, i didn't think so.

No Longer Mother of Year!

I love my Mommy very much, don't get me wrong, but she really needs some help. Like this morning. So Mommy was not paying any attention to me because she was trying to clean up and vacuum, why I am not sure because destruction was what filled my agenda for the day. So I decided to do something totally amazing to catch her attention. I stood up at the couch and started running to her. She realized that something amazing was happening and grabbed the camera to video me. Well you can watch the video of super cute me walking all around.

Well she tried to get another video of me walking all over the house by myself. Well I am still learning this whole walk by myself thing and I was walking around the kitchen table and lost my balance and fell and hit my head really hard on one of the feet of the table. Now that REALLY got her attention. It hurt really bad and I have this gigantic deep purple goose egg on my head. The picture does not do it justice, believe me. Personally I am rather excited to have this war wound to show off, but don't let Mommy know.

2008: Year in Review

Wow, 2009 has already been going for a while and we haven't blogged yet. We have been having way too much fun with Mommy and Daddy this last little while, we have been forgetting to keep things updated. We decided that we should start again by reviewing over the year 2008. So many great things and fun adventures filled this last year. Sorry Ryker that some of these adventures you didn't get to really enjoy since you spent most of the year baking in Mommy's belly.

So here we go-

January we started off by traveling to both Grandparents house to see the new Rexburg LDS temple. It was so beautiful. We also went sledding and skiing with my aunt and uncle who live close to my Grandparents. I love traveling. I also started off the year by standing by myself (which is totally old stuff now, but made Mommy and Daddy cry when it happened).

February is the month we celebrate the Heart. Lots of big anniversaries for our family. Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary and thanks to Tammy and Toby and Dan and Angela, Daddy was able to give Mommy lots of surprises. We also celebrated one year from my last heart surgery, when all the love and prayers from family and friends and even people we don't know fixed my broken heart.

March I learned the joy of Easter and the yummy things the Easter Bunny brings.

April I played my first April's Fools joke on the world. I announced to the whole world I was no longer an only child and that I was going to have a sibling.

May was a month of one really big adventure. I had my first really big road trip to go see my uncle race a 24 hour mountain bike race and then watch my youngest aunt graduate from High School. I was expecting something more musical after seeing the movie, but I guess real life is like that.

June was one adventure after another. I went on two more road trips. One was to the McCracken family reunion which was sooooooo fun. All the cousins together causing all sorts of chaos and confusion. The second to a vacation home where we met up with Landon, Shellie, Ella, and Tino. Ella taught me lots of girly things like how to be fancy. In between adventures though, Mommy had one scary night she started having lots of contractions and had to go to labor and delivery and check on our little baby. And then later that month we found out my little sibling was going to be my little Ryker.

July we went on another exciting adventure. We went to the Thornton family reunion. Again lots of cousins to cause all sorts of chaos and confusion. It was fabulous.

August was ever so important because I turned 2 years old. What a great Birthday! But that is not all, I gave up the Num Num. I had been biting the ends off since my teeth were coming in with a vengeance so Mommy and Daddy told me that if I kept biting the ends off they would just throw them away. I couldn't help myself and so away went the Num Num, and I haven't looked back.

September was a crazy, busy, worrying month. Daddy started school again, the last year of Grad School. But then Mommy ended up on bedrest. Ryker decided that we were obviously having too much fun with all our adventures and he couldn't wait any longer to be apart of it all. So on the couch Mommy went with her glass of Gatorade and yucky medicine (but the best part is Grandma came and stayed with us so that Mommy wouldn't have to worry about taking care of me-it was great).

October was a very busy month. It started with excitement from me of course. I figured out that it was pretty cool to walk by myself with my walker out on the driveway. Ryker came into the world early one morning and began adding lots of excitement of his own. Then we had Halloween to end it all, and of course that is super fun! But woh, what a month.

November was month full of sleepless nights and lots of adjusting for Mommy and Daddy. But for us there were lots of first words and first steps.

December was just as exciting as the rest of the year. Mostly spent just playing and enjoying being a family.

What a year it was, full of adventures and fun.