Tyce's first "REAL" bath!

He loved it! Warm, calm, and he got a head rub.

His cord fell of 2 days before, then he got circumcised the day before this picture.

Salmon Fishing on the Kenai

Jon got invited to go king salmon fishing with a client up in Alaska on the Kenai River. It is light all night at this time of year, so they fished until 1 am, (below is the first catch, just a regular)

then slept a bit, woke up at 3am and Jon nailed this 40lb king at 5 am!!

He said it was tough to reel it in! Salmon feast, here we come!!

Sweet Cade

A segment of Cade's prayer tonight:

"...bless {we're grateful for} that we can have Tyce in our family. Bless him to be healthy and strong, that he can grow up and get married in the temple like me and Jay...."

Also, the other day he was trying to open Tyce's hand and pull his little arm towards him and couldn't budge it. He said, "Mom, we prayed for him to be strong and he IS strong!"

What an awesome kid.

Bundle of Joy

Tyce was wide awake, Jay was sleeping, Cade was at the store with Papa and Nana and the lighting was great.... so we seized the moment and did a little photoshoot.

I am so in love with this little man.

Tyce @ 3 days old:

Tyce's 1st Sponge Bath

This little guy didn't like it. It was cold, I made him lift his arms to clean those little pits, and he still just wanted to be in a little, swaddled ball.

So cute. ;)

Let Freedom Ring!

For the 4th, Jon and the boys went with Papa and Nana Gatten to the parade in downtown cda while Tyce and Mommy took a nap. :)

We spent the rest of the day hanging out at Grandpa and Grammie's dock on Hayden Lake and eating yummy barbecue. We even made it for the 10 o' clock fireworks!

We're so grateful for our little family, being able to worship as we may, for all those who are fighting for our country, and for the many, many, other freedoms we enjoy.

Introducing: Tyce Gatten Erickson

Tyce Gatten Erickson

July 2, 2011

3:32 p.m.

6lbs 14oz, 18 in.

This beautiful baby decided to come 18 days early when my water broke on the night of July 1st. I had been swimming with the boys all day. Jon luckily made it home from being gone all week that evening. We spent the night "camping" as a family in the back yard. I squatted down to say goodnight, and BAM! Ruptured membranes.

I had a couple of contractions right away, but they died down and I made it through the night with some rest at the hospital before they put me on pitocin @ 5 am on July 2nd to speed things up.

When I went in I was 90% effaced and dialated to a 2. It took me until about 2 pm to get to 6cm dialated, so I got my epidural and went to sleep!

My dad was thinking I probably wasn't progressing at all since I was sleeping (along with Jon and my mom. ;) 45 mins after dozing off I woke up with lots of pressure and said,

"I think the baby is coming..."

Sure enough, I felt down there and his little head of hair was close!

So, we reluctantly waited 15 mins for the Doc (while Jon and the nurses geared up to deliver!) then I pushed at the end of one contraction... and once more...

then our beautiful, tiny, perfect baby boy made his debut:

Daddy cutting the cord:

Such an emotional moment! Nothing quite like it.

This guy couldn't have a better Dad, and I a better husband.

the start of the visitor train!

This moment was absolutely the best. Our boys are LOVING another brother.

FAMILY OF 5!!

"Hey, Cade! Look, I'm holding....(looks at Brynne) wait, what's his name again?"

Grandparents:

My sisters. :)

Take home outfit:

Here he goes, out into the world!!

We couldn't feel more happy, blessed and content with this guy joining our family. My recovery has been amazing, he is eating great, he's healthy and adorable! We know he was meant to be here, with us, and we can't wait to watch him grow and progress.

There is no doubt in our mind that the Lord has entrusted Jon and I with amazing {future} men to teach and love. We feel Tyce's strong spirit and our hearts are swelling with so much love for him already!!