The date is set!

Unless a miracle happens, which we know is possible, we will be meeting our baby boy in the middle of May. We are giving my placenta one more chance to move away from my cervix by next week. If it fails to move we have already scheduled our C-section so that we will be meeting Ryker 2 weeks early. I am so greatful that if there were to be a complication in my pregnancy that it is this, because this has everything to do with me and not our baby. If I were to go into labor my body is in danger not really his. This is why it is important not to go completely to week 40. Anthony and I made the decision however to try to go as long as our doctor would allow us to go so that Ryker can "cook" as long as possible. So mark your calendars, Ryker Anthony will be here May 18th!
I have had a few scares the last few weeks, with spotting and cramping. Yes, my big scare came while Anthony was in Texas for business. He said his worse fear came true when I told him I was going to the doctor. Thank goodness for my mom who came with me, and calmed Anthony down all at the same time! I guess this is just the beginning of me worrying about a baby! Luckily everything is ok, and this is to be expected with Placenta Previa. I am so thankful for the doctor that we have to ease my mind everytime I call or see him, I am kind of known for worrying. =)
So as much as I would love to sit here and say I am bummed I have this "condition," I choose to see this as a great thing. We have learned the word patience through this journey God has put us on, and maybe this is his way of saying we don't have to wait as long this time! I get to meet our baby boy that we have been dreaming about for years, early! How can I complain about that! Move over labor pains and ripping... hello pain killers and stitches! =)

Second ultrasound check-up

Our tech did 3-D pictures for us, we were just expecting 2-D, such a nice surprise!

I'm in love!!! Look at that little button nose!!!

His hands were next to his face the whole time, we had to jiggle around a couple times to get some pictures without his hands in his face! It looks like he is praying! Perfect little lips! =)

32 weeks! He has been SO low this whole time! He is already head down... resting on my bladder. They measured him and he is 4 pounds 11 ounces which is in the 59th percentile!

This ultrasound was obviously an amazing experience, but it had a more serious purpose. At my 20 week ultrasound they found that my placenta is covering my cervix, which is called placenta previa. Today's ultrasound was to check and see if the placenta has moved away from my cervix or not. Unfortunately it moved, but not enough. This means that if it doesn't move completey in the next 4 weeks I will need to have a c-section by week 38. This has its positives and negatives, but I know no matter what happens it is for a purpose!

Things are starting to feel more real! From kicks and movements almost constantly, to swelling almost everywhere on my body, I am starting to realize that there is actually a baby in there! Good thing because ALL of these body changes would be one scary thing without a little baby to look forward to! =) I am looking forward to my baby showers as well, once again I think they will help me see that this is really happening and it is not just an amazing dream!

Our plan for the rest of this month is to finish up our birthing classes, start working on decorating the nursery, and spend some quality time together before the surreal/craziness begins!

28 weeks!

Wow is it my 3rd trimester already??
So many things have happened this month! At my last doctor's appointment I had to undergo the exciting glucose test! After taking the test I found out I was one of the lucky few that had the lovely scare of having gestational diabetes. Luckily however, after sitting in a lab for 3 hours and getting more of my blood drawn, 4 times (which if you know me is the worst!) I am diabetes free!
Ryker is growing like crazy! He is definitely a mover. But what I will remember forever is his, already, close bond with his daddy! Every night Anthony gets his Ryker boy time, talking to him. The best part is, everytime Ryker hears his daddy he flips and does kicks just for him. I guess he is sick of hearing my voice seeing as though I talk all day to 4th graders. When he hears Anthony's voice it is game time! =)

The most exciting thing that happened this month is Anthony getting a job! It has been a long 2+ year road that we will never forget. It has made us stronger and most definitely closer. He is now a business development associate for Staples Advantage... sorry guys not Staples Retail. =) He is so excited, and already feels welcomed by the company (which is a huge change from previous jobs). It is so great to see him happy, he has worked SO hard to provide for our family, but it seemed like God had other plans. I am so proud of his hard work, but more importantly his positive attitude, and never failing faith that something good was going to happen. I couldn't have gotten through this rough time without him!

Ryker is also getting a new Auntie! My younger brother Jake proposed to his girlfriend Jessica! We are so excited! Parker is already in love with her, so I know Ryker will love her too! It is going to be quit the summer, with two babies in June, and a wedding in August! We can't wait to have Jessica a part of our already growing family!!

Some have been asking how we are decorating our nursery... Here is a little sample of what our nursery looks like! We are going with a Vintage Sports theme, we have lots of visions and can't wait to put it all together.





Ryker's Crib

Nana and Grandpa gave us a glider... I've always wanted a glider!

24 Weeks!

Its time for the monthly belly shot! =) It is crazy to look at the difference from 20 weeks to now 24 weeks. Of course I notice the size difference in my belly, but holy cow I think I notice my pregnant face more! HAHA It is crazy where you actually become pregnant, apparently I am carrying Ryker in my belly and my face! =) OK, OK I may be enjoying a couple extra cookies now and then which doesn't help the cause so much. Cookies have always been my weakness, but now there is no way I can say no!

I still have not really had any crazy cravings, however I do have foods daily I eat that make me happy, such as Frosted Mini Wheats for breakfast (can't start my day without them!) and Orange Juice at least once or twice a day. Both of which are not really what I would normally have on a daily bases.

We started our registry last weekend! I'll I have to say is thank goodness for my sister-in-law Melissa! What an overwhelming experience! I am pretty sure if she wasn't with Anthony and I telling us what we actually needed and pointing out brands she recommends I could have had a few crisis emotional breakdowns. Anthony was a great trooper, walking around with us girls being more of a comic relief and moral support than anything. I am so greatful I have a husband that wants to be a part of every second of this wonderful journey!

A week after we announced we are having a boy, Geoff and Melissa found out what they are having! We are so excited! They are having a GIRL! Little Miss Sadie! A boy and a girl so perfect!

Announcement Party!

We could not be more excited about having a BOY! Anthony already has many visions of what he gets to do with our little one ( I have already vetoed many :) )! We feel so blessed!
Before the party began! My mom helped me get my appetizers ready, she and my dad just got back from Palm Springs! We missed each other!
The time has come! Anthony got to do the honors of announcing what we were having! No one wanted to hear his mushy speech, they were all ready to hear the news! HAHA he did great! Once he announced our BOY, we had a game for the party to play... They had to guess our BOY's name with cards that I made.
They got it! This was a tight squeeze in our little family room! Story of his name to come!
I made these for everyone at the party. It is a magnet, so they can look at it everyday like we think about Ryker everyday! =)

How we came up with Ryker Anthony:
Most of you already know, but Anthony is Dutch (hence the name Taylor-Weber). We really wanted to give our baby a name that reflected this. Richard is Anthony's middle name, and a big name in his family, both his mom's side and his dad's. We did some research and found out that Ryker is a Dutch name for Richard... we were sold instantly! His middle name, Anthony, of course is for his daddy, but also because Anthony is a name on both sides of our family. Anthony's Opa (grandpa), was named Anton, who Anthony has looked up to all is life. And my dad's REAL name is Anthony (Glenn is his middle name). So it was a no brainer that Anthony would be our first boy's middle name. And so it is, our little BOY has a Dutch name that has a lot of family meaning... Ryker Anthony! :-)

Thank you to everyone who came to our announcement party! It was so special to be able to share this moment with you! It was definitely a squeeze fitting everyone in our little place, but it turned out great! We will remember this moment forever!

Sneek Peek!

Just to torture you a little! We had this note along with a picture in the envelope for us! Anthony looked at it first and told me! I loved hearing it come from his mouth instead of the Dr.'s! A moment I will always remember!

Here is our perfect little baby!

All 10 fingers and toes!

Here is my belly at 20 weeks! Don't judge on how sick I look, pasty white plus being sick= not too flattering! =) Just focus on the belly!

Exactly 6 days!!

I am so thankful this work week has gone by quickly for many reasons. First, it is the first week back from winter break, and you never know what kind of kiddos in your classroom you will get coming back! Second, and most importantly, it made my count down to our doctor's appoinment creep closer and closer! Thursday next week Anthony and I will be going to our 20 week ultrasound appointment, where we have chosen to find out what we are having! I admire the people who can wait and not find out, but I am not one of those people. I am a planner, I want to know and plan as much as I can before our little miracle baby arrives!

We both feel it is less exciting and less of a bonding experience if we find out at the ultrasound, so we will be having the doctor write it down. This way we can read it together in a more private setting where we can both let our emotions take over, because if you know us well enough, you know neither of us like to get emotional in front of people, especially Anthony (except on our wedding day... an image I will savor forever!) :)

Do not get your hopes up, however, to see us posting the results Thursday night. I promised myself that if we couldn't wait to find out then we would at least have a family announcement get together so that Anthony can have his moment to be the proud Daddy and announce what we are having to everyone. This will not be happening for another 10 days after we find out! Talk about torture! Most of my wonderful family members are lucky enough to go Arizona for the National Championship game... Go Ducks! But some of them (don't worry mom and dad I won't mention who) ;) will be using this time to extend some vacation time. SO as soon as they get off the plane they will be heading to our house, because I won't be able to hold it in one more second!

Since we will have time to process our news before sharing, we will be able to think, sleep, and pray about our name choice. SO hopefully by the time we do actually post what we are having we will be able to share a name as well! No matter what, we are so excited to see what God has in store for us! I am just hoping next week will go by just as fast as this week!!