One Week Old

I can't believe that it has already been one week since this little man entered our lives.  In some ways it feels like a month, but everything is still so vivid in my mind - I could probably recount every minute of what happened last Wednesday afternoon. 

Ryder James - you are the perfect completion to our family.   We didn't know what to expect - a boy or a girl (I was secretly hoping to be able to reuse the girl clothes) - but God knew better - you are exactly what we need.  I can't imagine our family any other way  now -  Addisen is quite the dominant little lady, I'm not sure a sister would have survived!  Brody is a sensitive older brother, who will always look out for you and make sure you are okay.  I think you will be able to give him a lot - reassure him of the right decisions and boost his confidence - it will be great for him to have a boy to relate to.

You are our little guy.  We were at the doctor on Monday and you were 20 inches long (51st percentile), 6lb 15.5oz (26th percentile) and your head circumference was large like the rest of the family 36.5cm (88th percentile).

When you were growing inside me I thought for sure that you were going to be that "crazy third child".  You were always on the move - we didn't have one ultrasound that you made it easy for the technician to get their measurements.  But then you were born and you are so laid back and content.  You have been so good to mommy - you sleep from about 12am - 4am each night (we are sleeping in a chair...but it is still sleep).  I told Jim that you are lucky you are the third child, because otherwise everything would have been by the book and you would be screaming in your bassinet before I would ever sleep in a chair with you!  I really don't mind - because I know you are the last of my little babies - and I just can't hold you enough!

I cannot wait to see what you become.  It is funny - when Brody was born all I could do was focus on the present - how was it going to be going home, would we make it through the nights.  Addisen was born and I wondered how she was going to get along with her older brother and worried she would be the last of my babies.  You were born and the first thing I thought that night is "What will this little guy become".  This is probably because I look at your older brother and see such a personality, and I can't believe that he is 5 years old - I know now how fast everything will go.

 

I can't believe how much love and joy you have brought into our family...after just one week!  I know that before I know it I will be looking back at this post and updating the blog for your first birthday - so I am going to continue to hold onto all the minutes I have to just hold you in my arms!

Welcome to the World Ryder James!

 

Our family became complete on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013 at 6:48pm.  We welcomed Ryder James into the world weighing 7lbs 3oz and measuring 20 inches long.  Jim and I were both in awe at the sight of our second baby boy - it's just amazing how you instantly fall deeply in love with this little person!

The last time I posted we were waiting for the 35 week ultrasound to see how big our little baby was.  We found out at that time that the baby was measuring about 4.5lbs and in the 14th percentile for weight - as you can imagine, I got a little worried.  I was reassured by the doctors that everything was going to be fine, I was just going to have a little baby.  The following weeks were filled with anticipation as we awaited the arrival of our little guy.  I had Addisen at 36 weeks, so I was expecting the same with this one, so really after I hit that date, I began to analyze and worry about every little feeling.

Ryder was the only one of my children that sent me to the hospital with a false alarm.  On Sunday, January 20th I was feeling a lot of pressure and just didn't feel right.  So Jim and I headed to the hospital while my parents watched the kids.  After they monitored me for about an hour, they sent me home saying I was still only 2cm dilated and having contractions every 8 minutes.  I came home in tears - first of all because I went to the hospital when nothing was going on and secondly because I was having contractions every 8 minutes and I didn't feel them - of course I began to worry that this little baby was going to be born at home!

 

Last Tuesday night I began to have contractions frequent enough to start to time them.  By the time Jim and Brody got back from Soccer they had become somewhat regular but then quit by 8pm.  I began to think this little baby was going to make it all the way to the due date.

 

On Wednesday my dad had to work in Grand Rapids so my mom offered to come stay the night with us.  I had to teach at our downtown campus for 6 hours on Wednesday - so it was going to be a long day and I was thankful to have her coming to help us out at night.  I had no signs of labor during the first class, but then at about 2:20pm I had the first major contraction.  The next one came about 10 minutes later and then I was at the front of the class teaching and texting Jim at the same time to ask him to go and get Addisen from Daycare - I knew this little baby had decided to enter the world.  I was teaching with another faculty member and at 3pm I looked at her and said "you are going to have to walk me over to the hospital after class".  I saw the fear in her eyes - she was already concerned that it was too much for me to teach that day.  Class ended at 3:30pm and we had a few students asking questions - by this time all I could do was focus on not showing my pain - the contractions were coming quicker than every 5 minutes.  Once class ended, we headed over to the hospital - our building is luckily attached to the hospital - but gosh it felt like we were walking miles!  The contractions were coming quick and they really hurt.  The other faculty member kept asking me if I wanted to sit down - but all I could focus on was getting over to the hospital and making sure the baby wasn't coming before Jim got there.  I checked into the ER and was up to Triage by 3:55pm.  The nurse from Sunday came to help me and told me that I was dilated to 6cm - it was true, our little baby would be here before we knew it.  Jim was still an hour away, so I was hoping that things would slow down a little.  Next, the nurse that delivered Addisen came in to start my IV - it is so funny that after 2 years she was so vivid in my memory - I'm not sure those nurses know how much they mean to a delivering mom!  It took them about 7 tries to get an IV set (luckily this gave me something else to focus on and I could laugh about it).  Everyone kept commenting on how well I was doing for being at 6cm already (this I think jinxed my experience).  I got moved to a delivery room and Jim showed up at about 5pm, then I got my epidural.  The anesthesiologist came in and it was the husband to one of my very first students.  He had never met me in person, but I knew a lot about him through her stories as a student and now facebook.  It was nice to have something to talk about vs. the thought of what he was doing.  Shortly after placement my legs were numb, but then the pain of the contractions were back stronger than before the epidural.  We tried a bolus dose and changing positions - but the pain just kept getting worse.  By 6:15pm I was fully dilated and the nurse called my doctor - we were so blessed that Dr.Hicks was working in her office and agreed to come and deliver our baby - she is an awesome doctor.  I was in so much pain at this point and the contractions were one on top of each other that all I could do was focus on getting the baby out.  Dr. Hicks showed up at 6:30pm in her work clothes - I have never been so disappointed!  All I could think is that I would not make it the extra 10 minutes it would take her to change.  She was amazing though - back in scrubs in what seemed like 2 minutes.  It was time to push - and I was having such a hard time...but then I got it and at 6:48pm our little boy entered the world - that is the one thing I am good at - pushing and getting these babies out fast :)  He was beautiful - and although Jim and I were both thinking that maybe it was a boy, we still have the feeling it was a girl - so we were still surprised.  I was so thrilled that he was perfect and not TINY!

 

Grandma and Bobo came to meet their 3rd grandchild on Thursday morning after getting Brody and Addisen off to school.  It was such a lifesaver that they were able to stay and watch the kids and allow Jim to be in the hospital with me.  Ryder was an excellent baby - he stayed in the room with us and slept most of the 2 days we were there.  He even figured out the feeding thing rather quickly and has been doing great since.

We weren't sure what Addisen would think of Ryder - but she showed up at the hospital to meet him Thursday night and all she could say was "my baby!".  She had lots and lots of kisses for her little brother.  The nurse had to come and check his vitals, and Addisen lost it!  She just started screaming "My baby, my baby!".  Jim had to take her out of the room because she was so angry!

 

We knew Brody was going to be in love - from the day he found out I was pregnant he was sure I was having a little boy.  He had drawn pictures for his brother, and even said if it was a girl he would give the pictures to his dad.  I was so happy that he got his little brother.  I could not ask for either of the kids to love this little guy anymore than they do - every morning they are looking for him and when they get home from school he is the first one they want to see.  He gets a lot of kisses and "it's okays".

 

 

We headed home from the hospital on Friday afternoon.  I had enough time to get settled in at home before Jim picked up the kids.  The transition has gone pretty well.  I was overwhelmed on Friday night with everything going on, but Jim has been amazing.  He has kept us grounded and assured me that we are going to be fine.  I have to keep remembering my New Year's Resolution - be thankful.  Don't worry about the days/weeks/years to come...just be thankful in this moment - we have been so blessed.

 Big Brother Brody on the day Ryder came home.

Can you tell how much she loves this guy?  I know this was the right thing for our family - a little boy is the perfect completion to our family - and exactly what we needed.  Brody and Addisen love him so much, I just can't imagine life with out him (even though it has only been one week).

Jim came through with the stork!  I am so happy - we couldn't have it any different for our third child!

I just stare at him - he is perfect...

 

They were so sweet at daycare - they sent us this picture on Thursday morning.  She is one proud big sister!

I'll end with my favorite picture so far - he is just too sweet!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 Addisen started off the Christmas season with her Winter Gala at Kindercare.  She was the cutest reindeer I've ever seen!  Grandma and Bobo were able to come and watch her sing Jingle Bells.  We were all shocked that she stayed at the front of the room and completed the song instead of running to one of us (much different than her brother at that age!).



Brody was so excited to see his friend Simon when we were there.  They just laughed and played on the phone the whole time.  It is great to see the friendship they have is still going strong even though Brody is at a different school now.  Brody will have a few days to catch up with his old buddies this week since I have to go back to work tomorrow and school doesn't start again until Monday for him.

My little reindeer and elf (doesn't Brody look so old!)!

The day after Addisen's Winter Gala we were at Brody's school for his Christmas party.  It is a lot of fun to see him interact with his teacher and other friends.

Christmas Eve was quiet in our house.  We continued with our tradition of each of us having our "favorite" for dinner.  Jim had chicken wings and the kids and I had macaroni and cheese (not really my favorite - but the easiest for me to worry about!).

Christmas morning was a lot of fun in our house.  Brody tore into all of his presents as fast as he could and Addisen cherished each one.  I think it was 5pm before Addisen had opened all of her presents.

 

The kids were being silly while we waited for Grandma, Bobo and Uncle Neal to show up on Christmas morning.

They definitely were not short on presents - they were so spoiled this year! 

Jim and I have both been lucky enough to be off of work for the last week.  We have had a lot of fun with the kids during the week.  They definitely have a lot of energy - and I am lacking it these days!  Luckily they have been entertained by all the new toys they received.

On Friday Jim thought it would be fun to take Brody bowling.  Addisen and I went along, but we mostly just watched and ate snacks :)

Brody had a lot of fun bowling.  By the second game he was running up there and just throwing it!

The weekend before Christmas my mom came to help me make some Christmas Cookies.  Addisen had a lot of fun decorating and tasting them!  Brody loved eating all the green frosting from his cookies!

 

We got a few inches of snow earlier in the week so it seemed like a good opportunity for Brody to  burn off some energy!  He helped Jim shovel the driveway for 50 cents!  We will be in trouble when he starts to understand how expensive toys are!

 

Our New Year's Eve was pretty quiet around the house.  The biggest excitement happened in the morning when I talked Jim into bringing the bounce house in and setting it up in the living room.  The kids had so much fun running through and were amazed that we had it in the house!

At night we just got some pizza and had a picnic in the basement.  I guess we are officially getting old - while friends were out at bars, we were sitting on the couch watching Horton Hears a Who and in bed before the ball dropped! 

  

 Brody got a Lego Batman game for his Nintendo DS for Christmas from Santa - it has become and addiction for both him and Jim!  They have spent hours sitting in the sun room just playing that game!  

Baby Raguckas Update:  Here's a picture of me and Brody from last night - I'm at 35 weeks.  I think my face is finally starting to get fuller - I was hoping to avoid that this time!

 

I had my 34 week appointment last Friday.  Since Addisen came at 36 weeks it was time to check to see how things were progressing.  I was dilated to 1cm, so things seem to have started to move.  Because of this I received the news that I couldn't lift anything heavier than 25 lbs...that meant no more picking up Addisen!  It has been a hard adjustment for me, I really like to be independent and each day it keeps sinking in more and more the things that this means I can't do.  I can't take the kids to the store by myself, I am at the mercy of my 2 year old...no way to make her move if she doesn't want to...unable to take her into daycare and pick her up (I'm still trying to see if she can climb in the car and get up in her carseat herself).  I know it is only for about 4 weeks - but I like to be in control!  The other thing that came up in the appointment is that the doctor was unable to tell the position of the baby and I am still measuring about 2 weeks smaller than I should be.  I will be going on Thursday for an ultrasound that will hopefully show the baby is head down (if not, then a c-section is likely) and that our little baby is growing strong in there!  I feel it moving so much and the heart rate was strong at 143, so I am confident that it is healthy - just making it's mommy worry!

 

My resolution for our family this year is to be thankful.  The day after Christmas one of my friends lost her dad unexpectedly, while I sat at the funeral on Saturday feeling sorry for myself and my weight restrictions, I listened to the service and realized that I should be thankful that the baby hasn't come yet and that we have 2 healthy kids and that I have a great husband that has helped me a lot in the last week.  I have been worrying so much about this baby and the change that will occur with our family and praying that I made the right decision (because I really had to twist Jim's arm into agreeing to another baby).  I have been so scared of the unknown that I have forgotten to sit here and just take in everything we have...and be thankful.  So this is the year - we are going to be so blessed with our third child and I know the days will be filled with laughter, tears, some shouting, but in the end everyday will be full of love (no matter what it looks like that day!).  So I hope each of you will find that in 2013 too!  I will hopefully reflect back on this a few times throughout the year - to remind myself - be thankful!