Aria's Birth Story

On Thursday morning the 16th I woke up with cramps/contractions. I laid there in the early morning hours thinking this must be it. This was how it started with Ryan and then bam! He was here! I got up and got ready around 7 am and while getting ready I noticed that the contractions had stopped. I did have other labor symptoms though, so I was certain that it would be soon. I had my 41 week check in that afternoon at 4, so I decided to just go about my day. I was super tired that day and even napped that afternoon. I never nap! I still had contractions, but they weren't that strong.
I went to the Dr. and I was dilated to a 5. She told me that I would be having my baby that night! I decided to go home and eat and say my goodbyes to Harper and Ryan. I grabbed us all McDonald's on the way home.
At this point I was getting nervous and excited. I waited for Jacob to get home and then we headed up to the hospital around 7 pm. I got checked in and right away they wanted me to do the epidural. I wasn't so sure I wanted to do it yet because I was afraid that it would slow labor. I was at 7 and figured that this would all be over soon. I was wrong. I can't remember how much later it was, but eventually I got the epidural. I wasn't in too much pain, but I didn't want to wait to long like I did with Ryan. After I got the epidural twice! (the first one did not work) I did not feel well. I remember asking the nurse to turn it down, but she was not very nice and quite frankly I could tell that she did not want to be there and wanted to get my labor over with ASAP. Ugh. Well, I told Jacob to get her because I was going to pass out. The Dr. came in asap and gave me some blood pressure medication. The epidural had made it drop too low. It was a scary moment. I remember focusing on not passing out, but at the same time thinking oh crap! I'm going to pass out and wake up with a c-section! Thankfully I recovered quickly.
The night drug on and my Dr. ordered pitocin and broke my water. I did not want either of these things. Once again I felt like they were both just trying to speed up my labor. I was laying there for an hour before I told Jacob to go get the nurse to check me. I was at a a 7 earlier and on pitocin for an hour I mean come on! The epidural wore off and I was feeling my contractions. They were manageable, but I could tell it would not be good if labor went on much longer. Sure enough I was ready to push. I felt like everyone was taking their sweet time getting their stuff together and I was ready to push! I pushed for about 20 minutes I think, maybe 10 pushes. I pushed more for Aria then with the others. I remember thinking, holy moly is this going to work? Is she even make progress down there. Then ahh! She was out on my chest and she was perfect! This is where the epidural was great. I was able to enjoy Aria while being taken care of and wrapped up.

Aria Grace was born 3-17-17 at 1 am weighing 8.1 oz 20 inches long

23 Weeks!

How Far Along: 203 weeks 

Size of baby: large mango

Total weight Gain/Loss: +10

Maternity Clothes: Yes, jeans and some shirts

Gender: Girl

Movement: Yes, but can't feel it from the outside yet.

Sleep: Hip pain occasionally, but somewhat good sleep

What I miss: nothing really

Cravings: puppy chow

Symptoms: Fatigue, Braxton hicks, generally uncomfortable

Best Moment This Week: getting one more week closer to the due date!

Baby #3! 20 weeks

How Far Along: 20 weeks 

Size of baby: small banana

Total weight Gain/Loss: +5

Maternity Clothes: Yes, jeans!!

Gender: Girl

Movement: Yes!

Sleep: Occasional insomnia

What I miss: wine

Cravings: none

Symptoms: Fatigue, Braxton hicks

Best Moment This Week: feeling baby girl move! 

January 2016

Welcome Back!

I don't know how often I will keep this up, but I'm hoping to do a better job at it. 

Ryan is 2 years and 3 months.

Harper is 4!

January

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January was a month of indoors! Harper played in the sink doing dishes. Her imagination is really taking off. She loves dress up and in the second to last picture she is playing office. Ryan is my smiley guy. I just love taking his picture because he just lights up with a full fledged cheek smile. I am enjoying my time with him being little. Lots of snuggles and sleeping. Harper is a ball of energy and I am happy to say that we are on the verge of being completely potty trained. 

Early in the month Jacob got sick with the flu. He was on complete lock down, because I didn't want Ryan to get sick. It was a long week for all of us! We also went to visit my sister this month in Columbia. We threw a baby shower for her. It was fun getting to spend time with her and my mom. I brought Harper and Ryan too. They did awesome on the 6 hour ride there and back.

3 Months

 

Ryan is 3 months old!

He is doing great with breast feeding. Still eating every 2-3 hours. No where near sleeping through the night. Currently goes down at 8pm, wakes at 12, wakes at 3,wakes at 6. Yeah it’s been a rough couple months!

 

Love him to pieces though!

Good Morning and Happy New Year!

New Year and it's back to blogging for me. I know, I know people always do a post like this and then we never hear from them again.

It's one of my resolutions this year. I want to try and blog at least once a week. I will be doing it mostly for my family. I think it will be fun to put it all in a book at the end of the year and have it to look back on when my kids are old and gone. :)

New Years was an uneventful one for us for sure. We stayed at home and made some snack foods and toasted each other at the grand hour of 8 o'clock! We fully accecpted this fate having a  2 month old and a 2 year old. New Years day was spent lounging around. We went to my parents later that day for dinner.Harper loves her Grammie and Papa (my parents). In fact she is there right now. I was running on some serious fumes, so I called the reinforcements. She was up at 6:30 and I was up at 9:30. Win!

Well, I'm going to down my coffee, shower, hug my little Ry Pickle, (yes, that's his nickname) and head to my mom's to pick of Harper.

Happy New Year!!

Ryan's Birth Story

On Sunday, 10-13-13 around 10pm I started to feel some contractions, mostly just tightening. After I laid down they went away, and I drifted off to sleep. '

At 3 am on 10-14 I woke up with pain in my back, at first I thought this is just another bh contraction, but as I laid there trying to go back to sleep I could tell these were different. I got up, went to couch, and timed my contractions while watching some TV. They were anywhere from 4-8 mins apart, but not painful yet. I would say they were mild.

Around 5 am I decided to shower. My hair was on its last leg and needed to be washed. I took my time and even shaved my legs!

I contined to wait it out because Jacob had just gotten home from work around 1 am that night. I wanted him to have as much rest as possible.

Harper got up around 6am and kept me company while I timed my contractions, still 4-8 mins apart, but getting more painful and longer.

At 7am I called my midwife friend Shaun and asked her what she thought. I was so hesistant about going in because I didn't want to get everyone excited and then be sent home. While I was on the phone with her I had a contraction that I could not talk through and even got a little teary through. I knew it was time to go at that point and Shaun agreed. I was having my baby!

7:30 am is when I finally got Jacob up saying, "Hey, I think I'm having a baby." He got up packed his bag and showered. I put the last few things in my bag. I had to repack Harper's bag real quick with warmer clothes since it got cold out that very morning.

8:00 am We were off to my in laws to drop off Harper!

8:30 We stopped at Sonic for me to get breakfast, a bacon, egg, & cheese toaster sandwich, which I downed between very painful contractions. Crazy I know!

9:00 am We get to the hospital. At this point my contractions were much closer and very painful. I could barely walk up to L&D. We go to check in and they had none of my info from preregistering! They were asking me all sorts of questions till finally I just gave them the paper work from when I preregistered. They then sent us to the waiting room!

9:15 am A nurse came and got us and took us to triage, you know to make sure I really am in labor. They asked how far apart my contractions were and I told them I didn't know. They had me change and checked me. I remember the nurse saying I'm going to go ahead and get you a wheelchai,r so we can move you to L&D, then I'll check you. Yep. 8cm and 0 cervix she said she could feel the head and waters!

I was then rushed to L&D and at this point HOLY MOLY! Contactions on top of each other and pain like crazy. Lots of nurses dashing in out hooking me up and asking questions. Do you want an epidural? YES. 

A few minutes later I changed my mind. I knew what position I would have to get into to get the epidrual and was not moving! Scratch that. No epidural. Pushing, water finally breaking. Yes, epidural please. I changed my mind. No turning back now this baby is coming whether you think you can do it or not. Scary! (All of this part I was dialoging in my head, I didn't really ask for the epidural again.) 5-7 pushes later baby was here!

9:57 am Ryan Josiah came into the world and he was beautiful. Love him!

Lesson learned. Next time don't stop for Sonic and you might have time for the epidural. :) 

40 weeks

How Far Along: 40 weeks 

Size of baby: pumpkin

Total weight Gain/Loss: +33

Maternity Clothes: Yep, they are all that will fit!

Gender: Boy! Ryan Josiah

Movement: Yes, he moves all the time! You think he would slow down some. 

Sleep: INSOMNIA from 2-5 

What I miss: sleep. deep. sleep. 

Cravings: puppy chow, cake, cinnamon toast crunch, milk

Symptoms: heartburn, achy, tired, bh contractions

Best Moment This Week: seeing my Dr. and hopin Ryan comes before my next appointment!

Dr: 4 1/2 cm dilated. Any day now. :)

39 weeks

How Far Along: 39 weeks 

Size of baby: watermelon 

Total weight Gain/Loss: +32

Maternity Clothes: Yep, they are all that will fit!

Gender: Boy! Ryan Josiah or Ryan Asa

Movement: Yes, he moves all the time!

Sleep: pretty good! 

What I miss: nothing 

Cravings: nothing in particular 

Symptoms: heartburn, achy 

Best Moment This Week: Being completely ready for him!

Dr: 4 cm dilated. Any day now. :)

37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 weeks 

Size of baby: watermelon 

Total weight Gain/Loss: +30

Maternity Clothes: Yep, they are all that will fit!

Gender: Boy! Ryan Josiah or Ryan Asa

Movement: Yes, he moves all the time!

Sleep: Developed a cold this week. Ugh. Miserable.

What I miss: sleep

Cravings: puppy chow and dipped pretzels 

Symptoms: sore, tired, heartburn

Best Moment This Week: Washing little baby clothes and getting my bags packed!

Dr: 1 cm dilated... oh well, I'm actually hoping to go the full 40!

34 Weeks

How Far Along: 34 weeks 

Size of baby: butternut squash 

Total weight Gain/Loss: +25

Maternity Clothes: Yes. Going to buy a demin jacket this weekend to wear over some of my strapless maternity dresses for the fall and preschool. Yay for labor day sales!

Gender: Boy! Ryan Josiah or Ryan Asa (both Old Testament kings that God saw as good) What do you think? I'm not a huge fan of Josiah, but fear he will get made fun of for Asa.

Movement: Yes, he moves all the time!

Sleep: My favorite spot is the couch with the two couch cushions we have. Weird, but they give me just the right posture for a decent night sleep!

What I miss: Bending over easily. I am helping a lot at the preschool at potty time and it's hard! 

Cravings: ice cream, milk, just really hungry in general. 

Symptoms: hungry! tired, sore

Best Moment This Week: Completing my first week back at preschool!

36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks 

Size of baby: watermelon 

Total weight Gain/Loss: +28

Maternity Clothes: Yep, they are all that will fit!

Gender: Boy! Ryan Josiah or Ryan Asa

Movement: Yes, he moves all the time!

Sleep: Up and down all night. Some nights insomnia. BOO!

What I miss: bending over and getting up easier

Cravings: brownies and watermelon

Symptoms: hungry! tired, sore, heartburn

Best Moment This Week: Doing some final shopping for Ryan and me. It's getting so close!

Dr. Appt on Tuesday!

35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks 

Size of baby: coconut measuring 6lbs 

Total weight Gain/Loss: +30

Maternity Clothes: Yep, they are all that will fit!

Gender: Boy! Ryan Josiah or Ryan Asa (both Old Testament kings that God saw as good) What do you think? I'm not a huge fan of Josiah, but fear he will get made fun of for Asa.

Movement: Yes, he moves all the time!

Sleep: Up and down all night. Some nights insomnia 

What I miss: moving easier 

Cravings: brownies 

Symptoms: hungry! tired, sore, heartburn 

Best Moment This Week: Ultra sound that revealed this kid has hair! :)

Pregnancy is flying by!

33 Weeks

How Far Along: 33 weeks 

Size of baby: durian fruit? 

Total weight Gain/Loss: +23

Maternity Clothes: Yes, pretty much everything now. Hoping not to buy anymore except a pair of dark skinny jeans.

Gender: Boy! Ryan (We are still debating a middle name.)

Movement: Yes, he moves all the time!

Sleep: Can we not talk about it. Grr... It's mainly Harper that is the issue not him though. 

What I miss:not having heartburn, gettting up and down easier, sleeping better.

Cravings: frozen custard, cheeseburgers, grape tomatoes 

Symptoms: achy feeling, tired easier, nesting 

Best Moment This Week: Getting a bassinet and baby monitor!

Side note: Ryan's kidney's are slightly dialated. I have to go to a high risk doctor next Tuesday for a more in depth look. I'm trying to stay cool about it, but prayers for a healthy baby would be appreciated.

Thanks!

31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 weeks 

Size of baby: pineapple 

Total weight Gain/Loss: +21

Maternity Clothes: Yes, going to my sister's this weekend, where we will pass an outlet mall. I'm hoping to find some sales!

Gender: Boy! Ryan (We are still debating a middle name.)

Movement: Yes, he has been very active this week. I can feel him dancing on my bladder! What a weird sensation!

Sleep: OK, I have gotten some insomnia lately. Plus, Harper is having a blast getting up super early. Yawn.

What I miss:not having heartburn, gettting up and down easier, sleeping better.

Cravings: sweets! Chick fil a! 

Symptoms: heartburn,very tired. general achy feeling

Best Moment This Week: Putting some final touches on the nursery! Crossing some things off my long to do list.

30 weeks

How Far Along: 30 weeks 

Size of baby: Cucumber

Total weight Gain/Loss: +19

Maternity Clothes: Yep, I'm loving the new fall clothes they are putting out right now. This due date is a little tricky because it will probably be warm still when baby comes, so no need to buy fall maternity wear, but what will I wear post partum. hmm...

Gender: Boy! Ryan (We are still debating a middle name.)
Ryan is Jacob's middle name and it's a good solid classic name. :)
We need suggestions!

Movement: Yes, he is everywhere. His movements can take my breath away because they can be painful. He also bumps my bladder, which is the weirdest feeling! Harper never hurt!

Sleep: OK, I have been very achy in my hips and I got my first leg cramp! Holy Moly! I

What I miss:not having heartburn, moving easier, how am I this stiff at 30 weeks?.

Cravings: Andy's frozen custard, brownies, milk 

Symptoms: heartburn,very tired. general achy feeling

Best Moment This Week: Getting exctied for a shower with close friends this weekend. Getting my new Ergo baby carrier in the mail!

28 Weeks

How Far Along: 28 weeks 

Size of baby: eggplant

Total weight Gain/Loss: +19

Maternity Clothes: Yes, I need some new shirts too! 

Gender: Boy! Ryan (We are still debating a middle name.)
Ryan is Jacob's middle name and it's a good solid classic name. :)

Movement: He slowed down for a couple days, but today he has been rolling all around. 

Sleep: Pretty good actually! Knock on wood!

What I miss:not having heartburn, carrying Harper with ease.

Cravings: sweets! Chocolate milk!

Symptoms: heartburn,very tired. contractions here and there

Best Moment This Week: Painting the nursery, moving in the furniture, getting our new stroller, I could go on... since I haven't posted for the past 2 weeks! Sorry baby Ryan! :)

25 weeks

How Far Along: 25 weeks 

Size of baby: cauliflower

Total weight Gain/Loss: +14

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and going shopping again soon for some more shirts and maybe a dress or two.

Gender: Boy! Ryan (We are still debating a middle name.)
Ryan is Jacob's middle name and it's a good solid classic name. :)

Movement: Yes! He moves a lot!

Sleep: Pregnancy insomnia has hit. 

What I miss:Sleeping, I guess I'll catch up in oh about 20 years.

Cravings: chick-fil-a, sweet tea, ice cream

Symptoms: heartburn, tired. contractions

Best Moment This Week: Making my list of things we need to get for Ryan. This could be why I have insomnia now... thinking of all that needs to get done!

24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 weeks 

Size of baby: cantaloupe

Total weight Gain/Loss: +13

Maternity Clothes: Yes, I'm getting to the point where I'm at slim pickings for what to wear. Grr! I have a long way to go too!

Gender: Boy! Ryan (We are still debating a middle name.)
Ryan is Jacob's middle name and it's a good solid classic name. :)

Movement: Yes! He moves a lot!

Sleep: Good! 

What I miss:Moving around easier. Being able to get up and down quicker.

Cravings: none really...Starbucks caramel machiatto sp? Did you know they make them decaf! Why did I not know that with Harper. :) 

Symptoms: heartburn, tired. contractions

Best Moment This Week: Feeling him moving all around.