Ryder's Birth Day

I was woken up at 6:20 am to my phone ringing. It was the hospital calling to tell us to be there by 7 am for our induction. (The night before they told me it would probably be 11 or so before we got in so we weren't quite ready!) We called Scott's sister, Tracy to come and stay with Cohen, who was still asleep and rushed to finish packing our bag and shower, etc. We got to the American Fork hospital just after 7 am. They broke my water after we got settled in the delivery room at about 7:30 and I was dilated to 4 cm. We waited until 9 to see if that kicked my contractions into a steady pattern, but there wasn't much going on so I was put on petocin to get things going. I walked around and Scott helped me through the strong contractions for a couple hours. (He is such an awesome labor coach!) Sometime after 11 I wanted to get the epidural, during which I told the anesthesiologist I loved him, (I am sure that is not the first time he has heard that from a pregnant woman in labor!) I also got giddy after it kicked in and said how wonderful epidurals are at least 5 times in a short time period. They checked me about 11:30 and I was at a 7. I rested for a little bit then started feeling pressure. I told the nurse and she checked and said I was already complete (10 cm)! Soon after Scott looked and saw the baby coming and the nurse said she better hurry and get the doctor! My body was contracting and pushing the baby out, I didn't have to do much more than push a couple times and he was here! Scott cut the umbilical cord and they placed him on my stomach and I held our new baby in my arms for the first time.
Ryder was born at 12:44 pm, weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces and 19 inches long.
After searching and searching name lists and ideas, Ryder was the only name that stuck and seemed to fit this baby and we both loved. We chose Everett for his middle name, which is my great great grandfathers middle name on my mother's side and has special meaning to me.
His labor and delivery was an amazing and enjoyable experience for me, I feel so blessed that everything went so well and it was such an incredible day!

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY, baby Ryder!

Maternity Photo Shoot

I finally got copies of the maternity pictures I talked about earlier! Here they are... I was about 36 weeks.

Tomorrow's the day!

So, here I am, almost 40 weeks... Three weeks ago when I scheduled an induction date, I really really didn't think I would need it since I was already dialating and having contractions. The contractions have continued and gotten stronger, not really painful, but definitely uncomfortable and enough to keep me up on many, many nights, but they have mostly been random and when they are consistant, they haven't gotten closer than ten minutes apart and then they suddenly stop. (I feel like I have already been through the beginings of labor for over a week!) I really really wanted him to come on his own! We have tried just about everything we could, but it seems like my body needs a little extra push to get this baby born so we are being induced tomorrow!
It is bitter-sweet for me with how many miscarriages I have had and how hard we have fought to stay pregnant to know tomorrow the ending goal will be reached and my baby will be here, no longer safe in my tummy. But I am so excited to finally meet this little guy! I have been extra cautious of each movement today, enjoying his wiggling limbs and hiccups.
I have so much I want to update on from Scott's new job at Gold Medallion Homes to how our little Cohen is doing, but we still don't have internet so I will get to it with all the "free time" I will have soon!

HERE COMES BABY FINALLY! YEAH!

One more pregnancy update, hopefully the last!

I am almost there! 37 weeks (full term and when I had Cohen) is days away and I am really feeling all the ending aches and pains. At this point when I was pregnant with Cohen I was still sleeping well and pretty much enjoying my pregnancy. This is not the case with this little guy! I HURT all over and am surprised that I am feeling ready to have him as of today. I am lucky to get 5-6 hours of sleep a night with Cohen now being in a toddler bed and not sleeping much (last night he slept from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am and naps for maybe 2 hours if I am lucky) and I am waking up a lot to go to the bathroom. I am having a lot of back pain, pelvic pressure, cramping and random contractions as of two days ago and the thought of this going on for a few weeks, which is definitely possible, makes me even more exhausted than I already am. I hate to complain, but this is my reality. I am also dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced... Baby, I am about ready! Are you???

My mom had a maternity photo shoot done for me and I will post pictures as soon as I get copies of those! My sister and I also took some pics last night that I haven't seen yet so I don't know how those turned out. Anyway, it was fun and a great memory to have.

Pregnancy Update

I haven't done an update on my pregnancy like I have wanted in a long time (since 4 months)! I don't have a pregnancy journal like I did with Cohen, so I want to write some things down so I don't forget!

I started to feel the first kicks at about 17 weeks and didn't have much of an appetite until after 20 weeks. I had a lot of round ligament pain from early on until 20+ weeks and now my entire body just hurts. I don't remember having this many aches with Cohen (it probably has a lot to do with lifting a 30+ pound toddler all day on top of being pregnant)! I feel like I am falling apart already and I am only 32 weeks! I have gained about 15 pounds so far, but feel like I have gained 50! My hips, joints, tail bone, back, legs and feet hurt and occasionally my head. I have been having braxton hicks contractions off and on since about 25 weeks (especially during the move back and the weeks following, they have calmed down since). I also get shooting pains straight up the front on my stomach, especially when I am more active (it feeling like my skin in burning or tearing!). I don't sleep very well anymore, I'm restless and I get up a few times a night to use the bathroom and I change positions at least 30 times trying to stop my hips from aching. I have all day and night acid reflux so I try to sleep sitting up which doesn't work since I am a side sleeper. I already waddle like a penguin and lean to the left a lot because this little boy LOVES having his feet pressed against or under my right ribs! It is the strangest feeling! I love watching him shift his limbs and body, making my belly dance in waves. He also has been getting the hiccups often and I just love feeling it!
I am so excited to meet this sweet little one and to experience life with him. I am anxious, but feel content that I have about another month or so until he is here. He is safe inside and even with the pains of pregnancy I know how much work it will be when he arrives so I am just going to enjoy it all until his birthday!
We are pretty sure we have picked his name, but we are waiting to announce it until after he is here (I want to make sure it fits, plus it will be a fun surprise!)
I want to remember how freakin' awesome Scott has been throughout this pregnancy! He has been so supportive through the blood tests and unknown in the beginning, the morning sickness and fatigue, and now not being able to bend over or do as much as I want. He has made me feel great about my changing body and growing belly, he is so excited about this new little baby and about becoming a daddy again! He is so cute about wanting to touch my baby belly and would just stare at me and excitedly announce that I have belly when it first started to show.
It's a blessing carrying his baby.
I am excited to see how Cohen is with him, but nervous about juggling two!
(In the last month Cohen has learned how to throw some pretty good tantrums and become a "true two year old" in wanting to do what he wants to do right then. I try to avoid going into public when I don't have back up... Just when you think you get use to one stage, they are moving into the next. Some things get easier, but most have just gotten harder lately. I think when he learns to communicate a little better that will help a lot.)
Overall though, I have really enjoyed being pregnant and I love having the opportunity to experience the pure miracle of it all again. I can't believe it's almost over! It's gone really fast and I have so many projects to work on and get done before he arrives!
Belly Pics
23 weeks

27 weeks

32 weeks