13 weeks

Tummy Time! He is so fun on his changing table right now... he loves to play, smile, and giggle!

This was one of his first attempts on his bumbo! He is even better now!

At the Zoo with Grandma! We had fun showing Grandma all of "our favorite" Animals! ;)

GG came to visit a little while ago... as you can see Ryker kind of loved her! We can't wait to see her and Great Grandpa again this week for Uncle Jake's wedding!

Time with the Wells! Bella got to play with Ryker! It took her awhile to warm up to him, but then all she wanted to do was point out his nose and eyes!

Katie and Chase Wells loving on Ryker! We are so greatful for them and their friendship! Chase loved being able to hold a boy! =)

Has it been over 3 months already?? Wow I am really slacking on this blog! I can't believe how much a little human can change in 3 months. But even more than that, I can't believe how much we can love a little human like we do. Ryker is starting to look and act like a complete mix of Anthony and I. His blue eyes are sticking around (YES!) and he even has blonde hair right now! But you can't miss those beautiful lips and cute button nose like his daddy. He had his first cold this last week, which was harder on us than him. He was such a trooper, you would barely even know he was sick by the way he acted, only by the way he could barely breath out of his nose!

I am trying to get used to leaving him since, dare I say it, I have to go back to work in less than a month. My dad took care of him 2 days last week, while my mom and I played in a golf tournament. It was very hard being away from him each day, but of course he did great, and he alread LOVES his Ahpa! Oh and yes, my mom and I won again! =) I can say this because I think I helped out maybe only 4 holes after not playing all year while being pregnant and all, my mom was the true winner!

We are so close to sleeping more! He now has a bed time, Wahoo, and will give us about a 5-6 hour stretch, but then continues his every 3 hour feeding needs. But hey, I'll take it! =) He is getting much better at tummy time, see picture above, and lucky us, he actually likes to have alone time and play on his playmat by himself!

Our strong growing boy!

Tummy time, turned to nap time! =) I couldn't resist taking a picture!

Hi Big Eyes!

He is kind of loved! =) Proud Ahpa, uncle Jake, and Nana

Three generations! VERY happy Opa about to call the 6A baseball state championship!

Soaking in some rays! Daddy has a picture just like this of him as a baby =)

Showing off his cute sweatshirt, he liked it!

Muscles, beach outfit! He was ready for the SUN!

Whirlwind of a month

Wow where to begin! For those who don't know the story I will explain, as briefly as possible. Thursday, April 28th at 12:00 AM I woke up to the feeling of possibly my water breaking. I instantly ran to the bathroom and to my suprise and horror I did not find amniotic fluid, but blood. Anthony rushed me to the hospital where they hooked me up to monitors and gave me medication to stop any contractions. Ryker was breathing just fine and was not affected what so ever. At that point though, because I had lost so much blood, and they didn't want it to happen again I was put on strict bed rest in the hospital. My parents were in Palm Springs at this time, so my mom found the first flight home, and my dad jumped in the car and drove home, only stopping for gas. Unfortunately on April 30th, I had another episode of bleeding and this time contractions were coming every 3 minutes (mind you I was not supposed to have any contractions with placenta previa). My doctor was not on-call, however, I soon found out that the doctor who delivered me 28 years ago was. He came in and instantly made the decision that this was an emergency situation and if I wanted to keep my uterus or even live, we needed to deliver the baby right away. By the time I was in the operation room my doctor came running in the door. He came in even though he wasn't on-call!

Because of the stress and fear of the situation, Anthony began to not feel good. He made the best yet hardest decision to stay behind and wait for Ryker to come out with the nurses. My mom came in with me and was by my side the whole time. The procedure went great, and the fear of losing my uterus was no longer. Ryker came out and was absolutely beautiful. I was in love right away and could not be more happy. Unfortunately my happiness was short lived when my doctor came in and said that they have called Emanual and are planning to send Ryker to the Children's Hospital because he was having a hard time breathing on his own. They instantly hooked him up to the C-Pap, and he responded amazingly. I got to touch him on the leg before they carted him off to a completely different hospital. I was transported over the next morning.

We spent the next week at Emanuel. I was allowed to go home Tuesday of that week, and Ryker couldn't go home until that Saturday. It was the hardest thing not being able to hold him when I wanted, or even see him. But the worst part was leaving the hospital everyday without my baby. Ryker gave me the greatest mother's day gift however and stayed strong the WHOLE time he was in the NICU, even after doctors said he probably wouldn't continue with his progress. He never once slowed down and was able to go home the day before mother's day.

It has been a whirlwind ever since with love, excitement, fear, worry, and just complete confusion, but we wouldn't change any of it for a second.

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers, along with your encouraging words and advice! Now on with the FUN stuff! Pictures!

Family Pictures

Excited parents!

LOVE!

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!