Holiday Gluttony.......

I must say, this holiday, I am full in every way.

My heart, my life, my family, my love, my mind, my time, and lastly, but without a doubt, not least, my belly.

 

And man oh man, do I have a full belly.
Even though I will have to deal with the discomfort of walking, I wish this little baby would start to drop, so, I could eat in comfort again.
I do not like being told that I am done eating, even though I don't feel I am.
Super bummer!

With that being said, we just had a fantastic dinner with my mom and dad. We went to the same restaurant that we went to last year.
Sat at the same table and had the same server.
Is it too soon to say, Christmas Tradition?
I think not.

This has been a lovely holiday, and the week has only begun.

Christmas was a blast. It's one thing to watch your partner, family member, or even dear friend open a gift that you gave them.
And it is entirely a whole different spectrum of amazing to watch your own child open something that you poured all your love into.

Even if it is as silly as a robot.............

........ whatever makes them light up, makes you melt.

AMAZING!!!!!!


A montage of our little lovely getting his spirit on. No extreme Christmas crazies, but nothing short of amazing in our eyes.......


Love him.

And love to you all.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and everything else.

love,
us

Holiday Quickie........

1. 4 days until Christmas!!!
   
   
2.  I'm 32 weeks of pure belly!
   
   
   
3. Eric is going to have 11 days, in a row, off from work for the holidays. Not to mention, the 3 weeks he will be taking once the little man greets us.
   
   
4. The stockings are hung. :)
   
   
5. Baby Shower 2 is going to be a wonderful day. I can't wait to give this little guy his first taste of being celebrated!!
   
   
   
6. We will be staying in St. Augie for 3 nights, and can't wait for Ryden to see the lights.
   
   
7. I wish it was cold here. The warmth just doesn't feel right.
   
   
8. Ryden is an artist........
   
   
    
9. I'm so looking forward to meeting my baby, but starting to get sad that this is the last ride.
    
   
10. Anyone want to guess baby stats? Like date and weight.......
    I am "due" 2/13.
    Ryden was 8lbs. 8ozs. (for reference)
    
    
11. and an 11 just because that is how many years Eric and I will have been married on NYE!
    xoxoxoxo
    
    
    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
    us
    
    
    
    
    

Tickety Tock!!

I love when the countdown actually becomes an attainable thing.

I am 31 weeks!!

Which means...... I have 2 months, or 9 weeks, or 62 days left. How ever you count, it's freakin' fantastic!!
And I am starting to feel the crunch.

I actually busted out all of Ryden's old baby clothes along with his newborn diapers and washed them. I also washed the new clothes and the new diapers I've gotten.
Like the precious little things they are, I have folded them and lined them up in my closet.
Ever so perfectly. :)
It's always those little things that really makes it all real.

Today, I had a prenatal appointment. Everything is great. Other than the fact that I got a big fat shot in my butt. Apparently, my left cheek is my least favorable, because that is the one I singled out to get stuck.
I hope there are no hard feelings.
Baby is good.
We woke him up listening to his heartbeat with the doppler. I even felt a little bad, because we startled him so much that he actually jumped. Poor guy, maybe a tiny bit funny, though. :)
And Eric got to feel the baby's butt. Angie was palpating the baby's position, and directed Eric how to do the same. I already knew what position he was in. 

I am now on the every two week schedule with my appointments. And at 35 weeks, my appointment will be at home.
Pretty great.
That way, we can go over all our bases at home, and Angie will know how to get here.

Did I mention, crunch time!!

Christmas is almost here. And we have Ryden amped!! He knows that Santa will leave presents under the tree (Santa Claus tree as he calls it), and he will get to open them on Christmas morning.
Eric and I did most of his shopping on Saturday. Now, I just have to do a couple of orders online and we will be good.
Like his cukoo clock .
It says, "cukoo, cukoo, meow!"
He loves it.
Though, it won't be going in his room. I'm not completely insane.

Sunday, we took him to see Santa. All of our prepping and coaching turned out to work. He was actually excited to see him, and was fine with sitting on his lap. Pretty funny, it was the same Santa from last year. Though he didn't know.
I know he told Santa a few things he wanted.
One of them being a candy cane. haha!
Cause right before it was his turn, we saw that Santa was giving the kids candy canes, and Ryden was way stoked about that.




This pic was after several takes of trying to get him to smile WITH his eyes open. :)


Here I am at 31 weeks. The internet tells me that the baby should be weighing in at 3 plus pounds and around 18 inches.
Almost maximum length.
The rest of the weeks are pretty much for filling out. I think the baby is estimated to gain half a pound a week from here on out.

 

Baby is definitely up to weight. :)

Anyhoo, I think that is everything. Baby is great. I am great. Ryden is great, though, he did just get over a cold. He got to spend 4 nights in our bed. I know that made him happy.

And as long as Eric doesn't end up coming down with Ryden's cold, he is great, too.

Not sure how I dodged this cold, but I'll count my blessings.

Love,

us

Sometimes I'd rather a Merry Go Round.....

The ups and downs of pregnancy are never without the emotional roller coaster that goes with them.

And as exciting as the ups can be, the downs can be just as devastating.

On monday, I got a call from my midwife informing me that I had failed my 1 hour gestational diabetes test that I had taken the week prior. And not just with a slightly elevated number, but considerably higher.

She also informed me, in the same phone call, that I am no longer borderline anemic, but now, anemic.

Man, did it hit me hard. I was really upset, and was not prepared for this kind of news. Especially, the GD test. I am not a huge sugar eater, well, I guess that is if you don't count all the bread. :)

After I got off the phone with her, I had myself a little pity party and just cried and cried. Definitely the hormones. Eric asked me if he should come home, and I said no.

So, I immediately got on the phone and made the appointment for my 3 hour glucose tolerance test the following morning. This test would consist of a fast overnight, and then I would go in at 7:45 for my FIRST blood draw. Then I had to drink that god awful 100 grams of glucose drink. Yuk! Then I would have another blood draw at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours.

That's right! 4 stinkin' needle pricks within 3 hours.

After the phone call, I went and took a nap, and tried to clear my head of all the worries and doubt. Unfortunately, when Eric got home that night, I was still in a really sour mood.
I was just SO sad. I can't explain.

Anyways, I took the test yesterday morning. It completely sucked, but I did it.
I did not let myself get my hopes up either, because I didn't want another major letdown.

Today (earlier than I had ever hoped), I found out that I passed with flying colors!!!!
All four markers!!
I was so elated, and beyond relieved. I also made sure to not be active during the test since it is a resting test. I didn't want to help my results by burning energy. I wanted a true result, and I am glad I did that. :)

Now, I just have to go on an iron supplement for the anemia, and I will be tested again in several weeks. Shockingly, I have not been fatigued lately. I have felt really good, so, this was a bit of a surprise, too. Either way, I feel it is much easier to manage and improve than having GD.

As for everything else....

I am 29 weeks. I have a giant, round tummy.
We spent Thanksgiving In Jacksonville with a couple of short trips to St. Augustine. We had a really great time, and got lots of rest. Also, lots of delicious food thanks to Eric's mom.
Our dining room table is being delivered on friday- so stoked!!!!
The weather is beautiful, and I am feeling pretty good.

This is what Ryden thinks my belly is good for.........



That is all,

Michele

Fun at School!

Today was family fun day at Ryden's school, Maitland Farm Preschool. It was only for a couple of hours, and a really nice, little event. My mom had already planned to go with us. Eric was also planning on going, but had to go to work this morning, and was gonna take a break and head over.
But when this morning came around, it looked like it was gonna rain, did in some areas (like his school). I didn't think it was worth it for Eric to drive 30 minutes from work to hang for a little while, and then have to drive back. Especially, since we didn't know if it was going to get rained out.

I mean, c'mon, it is Florida!

But, as luck would have it, it only rained for the first 5 minutes we were there, and then turned into quite a beautiful day.
Definitely a good time.

So, I took a few pics of little man doing his thing. :)


playing with the ever so wonderful bubbles..........




looks like someone is busted doing the opposite of sharing :)




yummy?




Running through the tunnel




the baby chicks....






the cow




eating a snow cone





with grandma...




dancing....




eating a cookie




he kept holding it up, saying, "YAY!"




ACORNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!




kissing grandma.... :)




and playing in the dump truck




There are a few more, so, here is a slidshow to them.

Click for slideshow!!!

Anyhoo, Eric will be home later, and we are meeting family at the fair tonight. I hope Eric has the energy to go on some rides with Ryden, cause my ass sure as heck isn't! :)

Michele

1 + 1 = AWESOME!

You know how it is always funny when you see those morphed, photo-shopped images of a baby that was made with the photos of two people. They are always half hazardly constructed with the top portion of one person and the bottom of another.
Or maybe even the eyes and mouth of one person pasted on to the face of another.

Looking at them always makes you feel uneasy and something just seems off... quite unsettling.

Well, in the case of Ryden, he is about the most perfect morph of Eric and I that I could have ever imagined. Of course, it's hard to see me in him since he has Eric's amazingly, exaggerated, big, brown eyes. Not to mention, Eric's face shape, cheeks and sweet, little nose.

He does have my philtrum or Cubid's bow (the area between the mouth and nose). I uses to think he had my mouth, but I think Eric might have won that one, too.

But where I really come in is ALL personality. All of his expressions, and especially his over-animation of expression is me.

We finally got his first school pics, and the proof is in the pudding. It's like looking at a little Eric with the personality of me.



I mean, c'mon... could he be ANY happier! He is so happy that he is gripping that bunny like and a madman and has his other hand tightly clinched in a fist. He looks like he is going to explode with excitement.
And you might not be able to, but I can hear him saying 'cheese' in this pic.
(*side note) I am so right about this. Ryden just walked into the room, saw his pic on the screen and said three things. "Superman shirt" "I hold a bunny" and lastly, "CHEESE" haha... I knew it.

I'm sure there will be future photos just as great, but there could never have been a first to top this one!
I'm sure of that.

Have I mentioned Ryden had turned into quite the tiny dancer lately. It took him forever to start, but now that he has, it is SO funny!!

Maybe it's not and it's just cause I'm his mom that I think so.....



Seeing how Ryden has turned out, I can't wait to see how this next little boy shares our genes.

And speaking of the little boy on the way, my sister told me that she is throwing me a little, surprise, get-together with some of my friends when I am in St. Augustine next week.
No fussiness, no presents, just a couple of hours to celebrate this little guy coming into the world.
 I'll know more details in a couple of days and I think Cindy is gonna make an event for it on Facebook. I'll pass the word along.
Also, even the little ones are invited. :)

Cheers to Baby Brother!!!!!!

Obviously, not a surprise anymore, my sister told me yesterday. I actually teared up when she told me. Such a nice surprise.

Michele

The Choices We Make....

Everything is moving along here..... just fine, I might add. :)

Here I am at almost 27 weeks. We were on our way to the Chili Cook-off. We also used the stroller for the first time, minus second seat, and it was awesome!

 

The baby is should be somewhere around or over 2 lbs. right now. I love that. And the last thing I read, on the internet, compared him to some type of roast (usually, they use a fruit or veggie comparison). I found that funny.

Everything here is great. I am, actually, 27 weeks this week. Somehow, last week, I got ahead of myself. Wishful thinking, I guess.

I'm super excited about Thanksgiving coming up, and going to visit family. Ryden is really looking forward to it, as well.

I think I am going to make a gift registry. I know some of you family want to get some things for lil' baby man, so, I figured why not.

Since we aren't having a baby shower (not needed), I hadn't thought about making one. 

This weekend, we FINALLY bought a dining room table. I have been looking at tables for almost a year, and finally made a decision. We are super stoked, and I can't wait to entertain, for the first time, with it.

Here is our baby, and it also has two 15" extensions that go on the ends, so, it becomes GIANT. I hope it lasts for generations (more wishful thinking, again). :) 

 

It will be a great Christmas. And speaking of Christmas, Ryden is also getting beyond jazzed about it!! He has picked out some presents for his family to tell Santa about (yes, I have no problem propagating the whole Santa Claus thing).

He also told Eric and I yesterday that he wants a spaceship!

I think that was one of the best things I ever heard him say.

Now, for a little insight into our upcoming birthing plans.

What's that... what hospital are we delivering at? Wellll......................

I know most of you know that we had Ryden in a birthing center with a nurse midwife. Considering that my pregnancy was low risk (no twins, baby not breech, no placenta previa, no signs of pre-e or GD or anything else that would possibly put me into the higher risk category) and also having a very standard labor, everything really went as planned.
At least, as much as you can plan labor and birth. ;)

With everything remaining low risk, Eric and I felt very confident in our decision, and think it was the best one for us and Ryden.

One of the reasons we chose a birth center (stand alone, not connected to a hospital) was because this was all new to us, and it felt like the safest middle ground. Funny though, it offers nothing more, in terms of safety, than a home birth. Just maybe a little bit of easier clean up. It just seemed easier to process, is all.

After having Ryden, I do not have a single regret with the choice we made.

There are several things I can list that made all the difference in the world. I know most of these things can happen in the hospital setting, but it does depend on your hospital's policies and your doctor's comfort. There was nothing I wanted that I had to fight for.

1. Receiving a healthy baby and having minimal interventions.
2. Being able to hold my son immediately and uninterrupted for the first hour.
3. Being able to start labor on my own, even though my water broke first, and it was beyond 12 hours before I went into active labor.
4. Being able to constantly move during labor and having a tub to labor in and even birth in had I chose to.
5. Not having Ryden taken from me to have tests done until after we had nursed and he was a little more familiarized with his world.
6. Being able to do delayed cord clamping.
7. Not being offered drugs (which, admittedly, would have been very tempting at times)
8. Not being exposed to an abundance of germs or super bugs.
9. Having pre-natal appointments that lasted upwards of 30 minutes and were never rushed.
10. Having a third stage that was minimally managed and not rushed.
11. Being able to drink and eat (though, I didn't eat) throughout labor.
12. Not having to worry about good intentioned nurses offering my son formula, sugar water, pacifiers or anything of the like without my knowing.

I could go on about benefits that I feel are part of our decision process, but you get the picture.

I do want to say, that I am not at all opposed to birthing in the hospital. I think we all have different wants, and that is why it is wonderful that there are so many choices for us.
However, from doing loads of research, this pregnancy and last, I do not feel that there is any conclusive evidence that proves a hospital to be safer for baby or mama, who is low risk and is being attended by a competent midwife.
Keys being low-risk and competent midwife.

Most very serious complications are few and far between and can be managed by a midwife until mom or baby is transferred to the hospital.
There are only a couple of things that are so extreme and unknown until labor or delivery that they can only be handled at a hospital. Things like uterine rupture, severe PPH requiring transfusions, heart issues for mom or baby, cord prolapse and a couple others. These are all extremely rare and are difficult no matter the setting.

However, there are lots of complications that can be caused by interventions typically done in a hospital setting. Things like overuse of pitocin, AROM, too many dilation checks (germs), actively managing third stage too aggressively, sections on a baby who is too young and so on.

These are the risk/benefits I weigh with every decision.

I guess some of you, other than most of our family, may be wondering why I am making this case.
That is because with this birth, Eric and I have opted for a homebirth with a wonderful CNM (certified nurse midwife).
Not to mention, we are about 7-10 minutes from our local hospital. And that is a straight drive.
And speaking of hospitals, I hope to not have to use ours. It does not even have a NICU, there is no OB/GYN or anesthesiologist on staff overnight. Therefore, even if I did have to transfer for an emergency, in those hours, they would be calling the docs in anyways. If we need a NICU, we would have to transfer to another hospital for that, too.
If I were planning a hospital birth, I would probably use another hospital, even with that meaning we would have to drive to a nearby city.

I prefaced with so much, because unless someone has researched the subject, just hearing the word homebirth sets in panic and takes people back to the 1800's.
Which is not the case, thank goodness!!

There is a lot of research I could cite. Most of it showing benefits and dangers on both sides.
I recently read this blog entry from a Doctor in California who attended the recent homebirth summit, and I really think he summed up things nicely and really showed both sides of the coin. I am on the same page as him.

I am confident in our decision, and hope that everything stays low risk, and we are able to go forward with this.
I understand there are risks with a homebirth just as there are risks with a hospital birth. We are opting for the less frequent, though very real risks at home, and in the case of an emergency will transfer to our hospital. And I have absolutely no problem with transferring. I feel safer with the rare risks of birthing at home than dealing with the more common and often risks that happen at a hospital.

Any questions... feel free to ask.

Now that I got that out of the way, hope everyone has wonderful holidays next week!!!!!!

Michele & the gang

Less Words... More Pretty

Since I have been updating more often, there isn't as much catch up to do when I come on here.
So, I thought, why not fill space with more images and less words.

There are a few things to mention. Ryden's Mi Mi and Pop Pop (Eric's parents) came down for a visit this weekend. It was really nice to have them, and Ryden was super happy to see them.

I feel great. 27 weeks and more than enough of a belly to prove it. :)
Little buggerboo has been so active. And I am happy to start feeling kicks and jabs in the upper part of my uterus. I do believe he is starting to hang out upside down a lot more now. I hope he, eventually, stays that way. 
Next week, I have my 28 week appt. and that will mark the beginning of my third trimester. So much happiness.

And one more thing. Holy toddler "NO" phase. Ryden has really found the power of this word, and is trying to use it to it's fullest. And he is so definitive about it that 'No' is always followed by the person of interest's name. "no mommy!" is an absolute favorite.
And how any of you potty train during this time is beyond me. I would absolutely loose my noodles. In comparison to 18 months when my little man was still so eager to please, I can't even imagine how much harder it would have been now. Holy NO!

Still trying to figure out how to place the photos. A little trial and error... bear with me. :)



how about a little IronMan for starters.......







Ryden has found a new love for my old Winnie the Pooh in the box. It was love at first, then total fear and now, absolute love again.

Today, I took Ryden for a ride in his little red car. I never really got him outside yesterday. So, I am making sure today is better. :)

 

this next one is just pure joy!!

 

Now, a few of Ryden and I playing "self portrait".........

 

he was so helpful

this one melts me. Touching baby brother and looking at me... xoxox

I got a simple, new sling the other day. Only had to pay for shipping and handling. 

Ryden was kind enough to try it out for me........

and just to round everything out.

sweet ilsa

Eric and his other love........

and to finish with little man at his purest.

love

Trick or No Treat......

I could not be luckier to have committed a major Halloween FAIL with a child who has no idea. We had planned to take him to the local botanical garden for a fantastic, Halloween extravaganza. A place with so much going on that it would be ever so easy to avoid the candy.

Yes, avoid the candy. That's what I said. I know it's Halloween, and I know that CANDY is the best part.... but it can wait another year in Ryden's world.
I might sound kind of lame, but Ryden doesn't know any better and that is the best part.

As long as Ryden can stand in the check out line at the grocery store, eye level to all the candy, and want to do nothing more than shake the candy because of the neat sounds it makes..... then all is fine by me.

And speaking of candy, how the heck do you people deal with sugar crazed children? Tonight, we let Ryden eat almost an entire ginger bread cookie. At first, no big deal.

Then.......

we get home, and all hell breaks loose. He was insane. I have never seen him like that, and neither has Eric. It was truly like he was drunk.
On what, not quite sure?
After his bath, we put him to bed, and nothing. Yep, from the moment I turned on the monitor, I saw and heard absolutely nothing. Amazing crash!

But back to the Halloween event.

It was closed. Major Buzz Kill!!

Apparently due to all the rain. Seriously stunk!
So, we almost caved and took him trick or treating, which would have ruined the bubble I live in, but where we  drove to, there were no children around, and not many lights on. So, we took him to the cookie store, and as far as he knows, he had a fantastic time trick or treating. :)

Ryden dressed up as Batman, and he was so stoked.
Not that you can tell below.

He was just too cute.
Can you tell I rigged his costume? Maybe a little silly, but I didn't like the big, yucky material costumes at the store. Plus, they were long sleeved, and I knew it would be kind of stuffy around here. :)
I think it's cute.


As for me, and this sweet little boy in my belly, all is well. I am 25 weeks and things are pretty much... pregnant as usual.
At my next appointment, I will be in my third trimester..... INSANE!!!!

Looking forward to all the holidays that are coming our way.

I think we are going to have a photographer for the birth. Not to catch all the gory details, but to document all the sweet and intimate details that happen before, during and after all the action.
All the stuff that we didn't get on film when I had Ryden.
Something I am really excited about. :)

Anyhoo, that is all for now.......

us

The Running Theme........!!

Sorry if it gets old to hear, but I am freakin' huge! It is now the running theme in my life.

I have hit 23 weeks,

and for the love of god,

there is a baby in me. And it is clear as day!

Like I mentioned in previous posts, I have resorted to looking at pics from my past pregnancy, for some type of hand holding, to reassure myself that I am not that much bigger than last time. And each time I do this, I am only comforted for a minute.

Not sure why my head is screwing with me so much. I really miss the days of seeing even the slightest of growth in my little, baby compartment with such pride.

Rant over.

Click on linky below if you want to see me 23 weeks pregnant with Ryden...........
old blog entry :)



As for everything else, all is truly well. I feel good, other than endless nights of tossing and turning, not being able to fall asleep, staying up until midnight even though I am exhausted and never seeming to be able to get comfortable.

I sound so stoked, don't I. :)
Honestly though, I am. Even despite my minimal complaints at night.
Oh yeah, did I mention the restless legs?

SO, I bought my first item from Craigslist, ever, yesterday. I got a glider chair with an ottoman. It also reclines which is really nice. I never had one with Ryden, and as he grew, I did many laps through my house trying to settle him to sleep. I'm hoping this will cut down on, at least, one of those marathons a day. Also, It will make for a nice place to sit in our bedroom, so, I am not having to constantly be propped up in bed like before.

We have decided to not even attempt to make a nursery this time. Down the line, yes. But for now, no need. We will have the baby in our room, and just add a dresser of sorts, the glider (chair), a co-sleeper and anything else we see fit. As this little guy gets bigger, we will switch out Ryden's old crib for the co-sleeper and continue.
This seems to make the most sense, since Ryden really didn't go to his room until he was around 7 months.

As for Ryden, he is growing leaps and bounds lately. He is truly becoming such a funny and smart little boy. And I am really enjoying this age. He only tests limits for a couple of days, and that is it. He is very respectful and listens to directions quite well. I'm not getting the terrible twos thing at all. Maybe I will post from a completely different tone next week. They really are ever changing. For now, good. :)

He has quite a few talents that really have me impressed, lately.

He can eat a cup of applesauce, with a normal spoon, without spilling a drop.
He uses the word "too" quite often and always in appropriate situations.
We are no longer using sippy cups of any sort, and he never even noticed the change.
He says he misses people which is beyond adorable and ever so tender. Especially, Allen and Sid. He misses them at least a couple of times a week. :)
He has been in underwear overnight, for about a month now, with only one accident.
He has a vocabulary and memory that could challenge even the brightest of most adults. Well, not really, but they are very extensive.
He uses the word "I" in reference to himself instead of me. You now, the caveman talk that kids do. Sometimes still third person, RyRy. :)
And best of all, he has started to laugh like no one's business. It is so funny, and like sweet little music to this mama's ears.

Did I mention that I love him.

He also had his first real cupcake yesterday, and fell in love. He is normally a pretty tidy eater, and likes to always have a napkin nearby to wipe his hands. Well, the icing caused mad confusion, because licking fingers tasted so much better, but almost didn't make sense. Quite the conundrum!

What's a boy to do?

One thing of course.......
He decided that he loved the cupcake so much, that he would show his undying affection by eating it in it's entirety!!

Ryden had school pics taken at pre-school last week, and I CANNOT wait to see them!!