Words From Rylie.

Rylie will turn three in less than a month. And the other night...as I was watching her play in the bathtub...I nearly had a breakdown. I know the phrase, "time flies", is SOOOO overused...but she's turning THREE!!!! Already.


She has always been a spirited child. And as she continues to grow into her own...she continues to become even more spirited. And wild. And sassy. And loud. And enthusiastic. Throw in some moments of pure sweetness. But quickly go back to playful. Rylie loves her little sister and has definitely taken on the role of "big sister" with pride! But we have to be careful because she tends to be a little rough. :) It's just her nature.


I want to document a few things that Rylie has been saying/doing lately...just so that we remember:


"Mommy...you're my best fwiend. I love you!" This definitely tops the list. :)


Shortly after I put her down for her nap, she calls out, "mommy...I wake up!" No honey, you have yet to even close your eyes.


"Scuse me, mommy!" You're excused, Rylie.


Unfortunately, she's growing through this stage where she simply does NOT listen. We can tell her something 50 times a day but she continues to do it. And when we tell her not to do something, she replies with..."I'm just playing." Or..."I'm just looking." As she holds out her arms and shrugs her shoulders. And here lately, when she wants to do something that she knows she isn't supposed to do...she'll say, "mommy...move!" Basically, she wants me to leave the room so she doesn't get into trouble. Clever little thing. :)


"Mommy...I have to go potty. Go WIT me!"


"I wanna brush my teef."

"Rylie, do you want a cheese omelet?" Rylie says, "YES! I want a cheese-on-it!"

After a very long, yet successful, shopping trip...I "rewarded" Rylie with a happy meal from McDonald's. The lady asked me if it was for a male or female. Obviously...I said female. On our way home, Rylie kept saying, "mommy...I want my female." :)

Even at this young age, Rylie is proving to be quite opinionated. She already tells me...every single day...how she wants her hair. And I HAVE to do it the way she wants it (which can sometimes be difficult to determine)...or we have a meltdown! She'll tell me if she just wants it curly with a bow. One pony tail or two. High pony tail, low pony tail or side pony tail. Bangs or no bangs. AAhhhh!!!! Pay-backs are not fun...I was SUPER picky. I remember not wanting to wear jeans for YEARS because I didn't like the way the zipper area looked??!!

Rylie's birthday falls on a Saturday this year and I'm so excited to get back to Kansas to share this special day with our family!! She chose to have a tinkerbell party this year...so family, get your pixie dust ready. :)

{The Birth of Parker Lynn}

On Tuesday, July 26th, shortly before midnight...Brian and I left Rylie in the care of my mom, step-dad, and mother-in-law and headed to the hospital. Within an hour, I was being hooked up to the machines and they started me on pitocin. As to be expected, we really didn't get a lot of sleep that night. Come 5am, we were joined by my dad, step-mom and my brother. We loved that everyone wanted to be here for us and were very thankful for their support!

Things started out pretty slowly. Nothing seemed to be "happening" and I was pain-free...until about 8am. By this time, everyone (including Rylie) had made it to the hospital and my contractions had become pretty intense. My doctor came in around 9am to break my water and found me dilated to a 4. He told me that I could go ahead and get the epidural if I wanted to...and I was shocked. With Rylie, I was begging for one. But apparently, I was able to control my pain a bit more this time around because I didn't even feel "ready" for the epidural yet. But in fear of waiting too long, I went ahead and had them call in the anesthesiologist. He wasn't able to get to me for another hour...so I did end up asking the nurse for some pain medicine...which helped me relax tremendously! And then after I received my epidural, I was able to rest. However, my nurses were checking on me very regularly and sometimes, they would make me rotate sides and put the oxygen mask on me. They said that the baby wasn't reacting well to my labor.

A few hours passed and my nurses were joined by my doctor around 1:45pm. I could tell by the look on my doctor's face and the way he was shaking his head that he didn't necessarily like what was going on. He told Brian and I that our baby really wasn't doing very well and that her heart-rate kept dropping at the most inopportune time. He said that he normally would already have a c-section underway but wanted to check me again to see how close I was to pushing. The news of a possible c-section scared both Brian and I...but thankfully, by this point, I was fully dilated and I was able to start pushing.

With Rylie, the pushing stage was horrible. I was in terrible pain, didn't know what I was doing, and had to push for over an hour. But this time around...things were different (thank the good Lord)! I had wonderful nurses. And my parents said they even heard me giggle a bit from outside the door. My doctor must have said something extremely funny because really...who giggles during child birth?! :) But truthfully, this birthing experience was rather...do I dare say, enjoyable?! I know that sounds crazy. And don't get me wrong. It was still a bit scary at times...a bit painful at times...and a bit exhausting at times. But there is something about childbirth that is just so incredible...and after it's said and done...it's really not that bad (especially for the reward)! :) I'm actually a bit saddened by the fact that I may not ever experience another one!

But...

Parker Lynn was born on July 27th at 2:22pm. She weighed 8lbs. 1oz and was 21 inches long. She was born a strong and healthy girl and even though my labor was hard on her, she had no complications! She did have what they call the "new baby hives"...but our pediatrician said that it wasn't anything to worry about and that it would go away in a few weeks. She has thin, dark hair...blue eyes...olive-colored skin...my nose...and Brian's eyes. She has been such a wonderful addition to our family and we thank God, every day, for her!

39 Weeks.

We did it...we did it...we did it...yea! Name that cartoon. :)

Tomorrow I will be exactly 39 weeks pregnant. I had my last prenatal visit today and my body is aching like crazy. My bones hurt. My feet are beginning to swell (but not nearly as much as last time, thankfully). I have tons of pressure. Am dilated to a 2. And my baby girl has taken up permanent residency on my bladder! This Friday is my last day of work and I am scheduled to get induced next week. Yay!!!!!

Brian has taken off all of next week and we plan on having a "date-day" on Monday. We'll go to lunch and then want to watch a movie (we never go to the theaters...I'm excited!). Then I plan on getting a mani and pedi while Brian does some shopping for some last minute things. My checklist has helped make me feel pretty organized and things are actually getting accomplished! Lots of family members will be coming down next week to help with Rylie and to help welcome our new baby girl into this world. Did I mention that I'm actually a bit more nervous for the delivery this time around?? I thought it would be the exact opposite. But I guess it's because I know what is going to happen this time. :)

Will you please pray that I have a safe delivery and that we have a healthy baby girl??!!

38 Weeks.

Had my weekly check-up this morning...

...1.5 cm...80% effaced...baby is engaged!

I have a "half day" at work tomorrow and will probably spend the afternoon fully preparing for "Baby Parker's" arrival. I really don't feel that she will be here before the week of my due date...but then again, I'm not the one in control.

I knew that I would eventually begin to feel a bit guilty about bringing another baby into "Rylie's World". And that guilt is beginning to sink in. I'm sure that what I'm feeling is normal...but it hurts to know that Rylie will have to experience feelings of jealousy. I want to take full advantage of the next two weeks and spoil her like crazy! We will be spending the evenings reading, playing, swimming, and soaking in as much "Rylie time" as we can. I know and trust that she will love her sister and eventually...she will take pride in her big sister role!! I can't wait to see the friendship they form and the bond that will be created. I cherish the simple thought of that! :)

37 Weeks.

Today...

I am 3 weeks from my due date!

I am 2 weeks and 1 day from my last day of work!

I am 1.5 cm dilated!

I am 37 pounds heavier!

I have 3 appointments left before either a) going into labor or b) getting induced!

I have 1 excited big sister ready to meet her little sister!

I have 1 eager husband anxious to hold his newest baby!

I can no longer see or paint my toes!

I can no longer remember what life was like without heartburn!

I have yet to get pregnancy carpal tunnel!

I have yet to start retaining water!

Today...

I have a full-term baby and can't believe that the end is so near!!!!

Checklist {Before Baby Arrives}.

Move to apartment- check
Get Griffey groomed- check
Church baby shower- check
Eye appointment- check
Rylie's dentist appointment- scheduled
Dentist appointment- scheduled
Buy swing, double-stroller, and pack-n-play- pending
Pack hospital bag- pending
Organize apartment for baby- check
Mani/pedi (gotta' have manicured feet for the hospital, right?!)- pending

2 weeks until my last day of work
3 weeks until my due date

YIKES!!!!

Ill-Prepared. But Ready.

Several family members have been asking about my diminishing blogging habits. They are anxious to see the progress of our house and my growing belly! But for the life of me, I cannot seem to post on a regular basis anymore.

Call me lazy.

Or 9 months pregnant.

Whatever.

Went to the doctor yesterday. Was told to have her car seat ready. WHERE IS THAT THING?! I’m only kidding. I know exactly where it is. Among many other things, it’s packed away in storage at the apartment (at least it’s at the apartment, right?). Her clothes? Packed away in a bin, stored in Rylie’s closet. Her blankets? The same. But we do have lotion. And powder. And baby wash. And infant gas relief medicine! We have diapers. And wipes. The rocking chair is ready to be moved to the living room. Along with the changing table. Sleeping arrangements have been made and hers is in the box, waiting to be put together. Her name, you ask?! Still undecided. On Friday…I will be 9 months pregnant! And can you guess what we’re doing this weekend?! CAMPING!

WHAT. IS. WRONG. WITH. ME?

It is so hard to believe that I am already in my last month of this pregnancy. Seems like only yesterday that we were vacationing in Branson…with a secret. But here we are. Only 4 weeks out from my due date. Side note: why is 9 months considered the normal pregnancy term when it’s truly 10 months?! Anyway. The end is near. And although I may seem a little ill prepared…I’m so excited to meet our new baby girl! I can’t wait. Really! I’m ready to hold her in my arms. I’m ready to see Brian interact with a newborn again. And I’m ready for Rylie to meet her “wittle sister”…who she already refers to as Parker.

Oh…how our life is about to change!