Ryan's Birthday

I know, I know...his birthday was 10 days ago and I am just now getting around to blogging about it. Having a baby really makes blogging regularly difficult :)

I think I will tell it in pictures. Some of my blog friends do that and I always enjoy their blogs.

Madalyn and I took Ryan lunch and a cake to work. I grounded her for yelling at daddy on his birthday :)
This is Linda. She is a super-sweet lady that Ryan works with. She has recently finished chemo for lung cancer.

Ryan's gifts...two movies, money to buy tires for his new truck (which he didn't get because he couldn't find any he wanted. I helped him put the tires from our old truck (which were new) onto the new truck), and a Snoogle and Snoogle cover. For those of you that don't know, a Snoogle is a pillow that you use in pregnancy. I LOVE mine and still use it. Ryan always joked about wanting one, so I got him one. It is still in the wrapping. So, it was kind of a gag gift, but I bet he will love it.
I made him steak, buttered potatoes, and green beans from our garden for supper. I bought the rolls. Of course, I forgot to take a picture before we started eating. He had already eaten the green beans. I also bought him some Negro Medelo (beer) and made a German Chocolate Cake.


This was before bedtime. What a sweet daddy/baby picture. They love each other so much!

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Today is my brother-in-law Jonathan's 33rd birthday!

He has been in our family for so long I feel like he is my blood brother. He is such an amazing godly man and father. He treats my sister like a queen and is an awesome father to my 3 sweet nephews. I love that we not only have a great relationship with him, but we have one with his entire family. He is a wonderful provider (which allows my sis to stay home with the munchkins). He is a spiritual leader for their family, and he even drives a mini-van around (a very cool one I might add) to tote the family where they need to be.


Happy Birthday Jonathan. Ryan, Madalyn, and I wish we were there to celebrate. Hope it is a great one! We love you!

Happy Birthday to My Amazing Husband!

Today is Ryan's 29th Birthday!

I have many things planned for him today. Hopefully the monster will cooperate and let me get everything accomplished. I will let y'all know what happens on Thursday because I can't divulge all my secrets until afterward. :)

I want to celebrate Ryan today because he is God's gift to me! I love him more each day. I know that making a list of things is a pretty typical thing to do, but I can't help myself. Here goes...29 for his 29 years!

In no particular order, I love my sweet husband, Ryan Collins Sauer...

1. because he is thankful to God for everything and always tells Him so.
2. because he is such a hard worker
3. because he loves the outdoors and doesn't complain that he never gets to see them.
4. for his great hand-writing
5. for his beautiful eyes
6. because I swear he knows me better than I know myself
7. for the amazing father he is already8. for holding our sometimes screaming baby as soon as he walks through the door, just to give me a break
9. for driving an old, beat up truck that he constantly has to fix just so we can get out of debt sooner.
10. because he loves food, but doesn't complain that I am not a gourmet cook.
11. because he is the most understanding person I know.
12. for planting a garden so I can have fresh herbs and vegetables.
13. for his body (*smiles) - even his hairy chest Metting family :)
14. because he is the smartest person in the whole world!
15. because he has strong opinions about things you should have strong opinions about and doesn't compromise at ALL.
16. because he is Mr. Maps, Graphs, and Charts
17. because he prays for me and our family
18. for putting me in my place when I need it
19. for being an amazing provider and allowing me to stay home with our baby.
20. because we are on the same page financially and he lets me be a nerd about it. He even made me a really cool spreadsheet! :)
21. because he takes me hunting and fishing and cleans my "kill" when it makes me cry so I don't have to22. because he is hilarious in his own way...even when he is play mocking me. I swear he knows my next move before I do. I say I hate it, but I really don't :)23. because he loves my family
24. for never letting us go to bed (or anywhere) without resolving a conflict.
25. because I truly believe he thinks about me before himself.
26. for giving me time to relax in the bath at night even though he should be the one relaxing after a stressful 13 hour day.
27. again, because he is such a hard worker. He has such a high-stress job, and he never brings his work home.
28. because he is such a great snuggler.
29. because he is truly my best friend in the entire world and there is no one I would rather spend time with.

Of course, there are a million other reasons why I love Ryan. Maybe next year I will make another list with no repeats.

There is a song by Sara Evans that makes me cry EVERYTIME I hear it, because I think about Ryan and what a mess I would be if I didn't have him in my life. He is the most precious thing to me and I don't even want to think about what I would do without him (I am getting choked up as I write). Here are the lyrics.

I can't imagine any greater fear
Than waking up without you here
And though the sun would still shine on
My whole world all be gone
But not for long

If I had to run, if I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place that far

It wouldn't matter why we're apart
Lonely miles or two stubborn hearts
Nothing short of God above
Could turn me away from your love
I need you that much

If I had to run, if I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place that far

Oh, if I had to run, if I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place that far
Baby, there's no place that far


Ryan, if I could only say how much I really love you...it would take me an eternity and a language that has not yet been created.

Happy Birthday Baby!

One Month Check-Up

Madalyn had her one month check-up today...3 days late.

Her stats at 11 days were -

Height : 22 inches
Weight : 9 lbs. 9 oz.
Head Circumference : 37 cm

Her stats today at one month, 3 days are -

Height : 23 1/4 inches
Weight : 11 lbs. 8 oz.
Head Circumference : 39 cm

She is in the 90th percentile on height and weight and the 75th percentile on head circumference. Overall, there is nothing wrong with the little princess. Everything looks great.

The doctor did suggest to start her on a vitamin supplement to give her more vitamin D. He said that normally, breast-fed babies are deficient because the breast milk doesn't have enough. What have y'all heard? I am not going to run out and get the stuff without researching. Other moms, have you done this or heard about it??? Let me know.

I caught Madalyn sucking her thumb yesterday when I went to wake her from her nap. :)

Happy Birthday Ronald, Bubba, Ronaldo, Uncle Ronald, and Kilolo

Today is my baby brother's 27th birthday! He is such an amazing man, and I want everyone to know!


Ronald, you really are the best brother a girl could ask for. You have so many amazing qualities and you challenge me in so many ways. I love your passion for Jesus and to know Him more. I love your work ethic. I love your thirst for knowledge. I love how romantic you are (could 3 sisters have had anything to do with that???). I love your creativity. I love your sense of style. I love your athletic ability. I love your musicality. I love how no matter what, you strive to honor God in every area of your life. You ROCK!

I am so happy for you and the stage of life you are in right now. I wish you the best for the coming year and hope to see you and the lovely lady soon. Ryan and I are so proud of you and cannot wait to see how God uses your life this next year.

We love you so much!

Love,
Ryan, Meredith and Madalyn

1 Month Already!!??

I cannot believe that the monster is 1 month old already. I have a couple of pictures I wanted to share, but I mainly want to document her first month (primarily for my benefit).

She was born on April 16, 2009 at 6:33 PM. She weighed 9 lbs. 7 oz. and was 22 inches long. When we left the hospital she weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. and by day 11 (her first doctor's appointment) she weighed 9 lbs. 9 oz. We go to the doctor on Tuesday for her 1 month appointment, so I will let you know what her stats are for 1 month then. Oh, and she lost her umbilical cord on Wednesday, May 6th (one day shy of 3 weeks).

She has many nicknames that mommy and daddy like to call her. I call her princess and monster (depending on her mood and eating habits for the day :). Daddy calls her Ping-Pong Chin-Chin. It might sound weird, but here is the reason. Ryan and her share what I like to call "chinese eyes". He had them when he was a baby too. When they smile their eyes kind of shut. Ryan says it is because of the beauty of their eyes...if they stayed open it would not be fair to other people. HA! And, the Chin-Chin part...well, she does have mommy's double-chin! Sorry if it sounds racist to you...it is not intended to be. And last but not least, we cannot forget her name from Danna - Madalyquanda Sucrets Ryanisha Johnson!

From the first day, baby girl has been very alert, has been smiling, and holding her head up. She has started grabbing at her toys on her bouncy chair (see pics below). She hates her shirts being pulled over her head. She is starting to enjoy bath time. She is wearing 3 month clothes already and is in size 1 diapers. She has almost outgrown her moses basket and her bassinet. She loves to lay on daddy's tummy. She does not like laying on her back. She is almost impossible to wake up to eat, and we love to see her strecth it out when she is waking up. She is super-duper ticklish. I don't tickle her that much because it gives me horrible flashbacks of when I was young and my brother and dad used to hold me down and tickle me. Daddy on the other hand is not so nice :) He loves to tickle her little feet.

If I think of anything else to add, I will. Right now, I am in desparate need of a shower.

Thank You Dave Ramsey!

Be weird! That is what Dave Ramsey always says. "Broke is normal. Be weird."

Ryan and I are in the weird category. We don't use credit cards, we will be debt free in a few months, and we pay cash for everything...even big purchases, like our new/used truck!

There is no way we would have been able to without Dave's guidance. Praise the LORD for his ministry. Ryan and I bought a truck a couple of days ago, and we paid cash for it! It is a great truck. There is virtually nothing wrong with it. Here are a few pictures. Oh, and the hood is open because we were doing a tune up. It isn't normally like that.

We are trying to think of a name...yes, we name our cars. Our old truck was named Beuford. He unfortunately will be in the truck graveyard in a few days...after we take the tires off. If you have a suggestion for a name, leave us a comment.

to keep my sanity...while the princess naps

Tagged by Chrissy

8 Things

Here are the rules for "eight things": Mention the person that tagged you. Complete the list of eight things. Tag eight of your wonderful blogger friends.

Eight things I look forward to:
1. nap time (for both of us)
2. seeing my husband walk through the door
3. nursing my baby
4. a shower
5. relaxing
6. knowing that laundry is finally finished
7. seeing my family
8. moving back to Texas (no offense Arkansas)

Eight things I did yesterday:
1. ate roast, potatoes, and carrots, and green beans (my favorite meal!)
2. bought a truck for Ryan
3. nursed the baby
4. took a nap
5. hung out with the in-laws
6. fed the dogs
7. washed some dishes
8. begged Jesus to calm my sweet baby

Eight things i wish i could do:
1. cook well
2. get rid of madalyn's gas
3. sing
4. paint (anything...i can't even really paint a wall)
5. travel more
6. find a way for Ryan not to have to work so much
7. recite more scripture
8. see my family on a daily basis

Eight shows i watch:
1. The Biggest Loser
2. So You Think You Can Dance (in the summer)
3. Reruns of Friends
4. Reruns of Seinfeld
5. Law and Order SVU
6. Discovery Channel (Dirty Jobs)
7. Food Network
8. American Idol

Now I tag: Adrienne, Christy, Shabunta, Kandace, Ronald, Jeanna, Kim, Renee