life's about to get crazy!

Ryken is 11 days old now and Derek left for Hawaii on Saturday. I'm handling both boys fine, which was to be expected since Owen is 5 years old and SO self sufficient. But, through all of this newborn phase and Derek gone in Hawaii... we'll be moving! We put an offer in on a house back in May, it was a short sale so we knew it could take a while. In late October, we decided to cancel the offer because it was so up in the air and with a baby coming I didn't want any surprises. As soon as we cancelled it, the short sale was approved. We either had the option to reinstate our offer, or walk away from the house completely. After some discussion, we decided to reinstate the offer. We knew this was our house from the moment we walked in, and really in our price range it's the best. Move in ready!!! All appliances, nothing needs to be replaced, just paint the boys' rooms and move. This should all go down mid December, and hopefully we'll be spending Christmas in our new home.

On the baby front, Ryken was 9lbs 3 oz when he was born. When we went for a follow up at the hospital he weighed 8 lbs 3 oz. Not a good loss... we went in the following day and he'd gained an oz. The next day I weighed him and he had gained 3 oz! I was really excited... but then his weight started to go down again. And on Sunday he was back down to 8 lbs 3 oz. I called the labor and delivery unit at the hospital and she recommended I start supplementing and then call his Dr to see what he suggests. So, I supplemented all day Sunday (he gained 3.5 oz Sunday and Monday) and Monday evening we met with the Dr. He said Ryken looked great and gave me a prescription to help my milk come in stronger. I will be supplementing all this week and when he goes in for his circumcision I'm hoping he'll be up enough to stop the supplementing. I'm praying he keeps gaining like he is!

Meet: Ryken Spencer

Ryken Spencer was born Friday 11/11/11 at 11:11am, weighing 9 lbs 3 oz and measuring 22 inches long!

We were scheduled to have the c-section on the 11th and 10 am and with a c-section before us and just how everything panned out, our little mister made a big impression on the whole hospital! He was the talk of the labor and delivery unit.

That morning while getting ready to go, I noticed I was spotting. And while being monitored the nurse told me "yep, he was gonna come today schedule c-section or not, you're having some really strong contractions and about 5 minutes apart." Crazy!

Here are some pictures my friend Keren took for us the day after he was born (she was going to be there for all of his very first photos, but was called into another birth... lots of babies born on 11/11/11!)

39 weeks

Ok, I've officially never been this pregnant! Owen was born at 39 weeks 1 day... I am 39 weeks 1 day now. I can't believe that he'll be here soon!!!! I'm busy making sure the house is clean for the big day and making sure me, Derek and Owen are all ready to be away from home for a few days. Yikes!!!!!

38 weeks

Yesterday was Halloween... I took Owen trick or treating last night and we walked all over my mom's neighborhood (which is quite large) and when we got back I noticed that Ryken was significantly lower than he was when we left. Kinda weird looking really. At my Dr appointment this morning though we've had no progress and everything is on track for the c-section. Thank God! I would hate to have Derek miss the birth. Everything checked out well, heartbeat was at 155bpm and he's still measuring good. She did, however, say that he's going to be a good size baby. Which to me says, he'll be over 9 pounds like Owen. Good thing I didn't take the tags off the few newborn outfits we bought!

Thinking

I've been doing a lot of thinking these days. I know that I was and will forever be someone who dealt with many losses along with trying for so long to get pregnant. It's not something that won't affect me. I still think about how loved each baby was and is and how badly it hurt to lose them. I often think of my friends who are still trying to conceive or wanting a baby. I feel blessed to be finally pregnant, but this little boy will never replace the ones lost.

I got to browsing on facebook yesterday, and came across 2 girls' profiles. Both have little boys and both are pregnant with baby #2. Both will be about 2-3 years apart. I still feel a bit of envy... I really wanted my kids to be closer in age. I know that this 5 year gap was God's plan, but it doesn't mean that I think about how much of an age difference it really is. I started really thinking about the big birthdays and where each boy will be at the time... When Owen turns 16, Ryken will be 11. Those are way different times in their lives... Owen will be in high school, learning to drive and dating girls. Ryken will be in 6th grade, riding his bike and maybe still hating girls. Now, when Ryken turns 16, Owen will be turning 21. Talk about 2 HUGE birthdays in one year... I'm still trying to see the great parts of this age difference (for goodness sakes, God made it this way for a reason) I will only have to get one child ready in the mornings. Owen is self sufficient. He gets himself dressed, brushes his own teeth, washes himself in the tub, wipes his own bum! Plus I know he'll be a big help.

Anyways... this is a super long rant. I just wanted to get it out there that even though a lot of my posts are in excitement, I still think about what was lost. And I'm constantly thinking of those who've lost or are still trying.

37 weeks

We're full term! I'm praying though that he stays in... like I've stated before ;] I'm feeling more pain in my pelvis and hips, which is to be expected. Sleeping is harder, because now my hips hurt if I sleep on one side too long. I'm not complaining though cause I know it will all end soon enough and instead of waking up to pain, I'll be waking up to a sweet little boy! I also have taken to Derek's long sleeved shirts. I'm not hot this pregnancy like I was with Owen, so I need long sleeves, but no shirts of mine and barely any sweatshirts fit around my belly. So, now I just grab one of the few shirts Derek has and wear them... usually just around the house ;]

Derek left for Hawaii on Sunday and should be back on the 8th or 9th of November. He's hoping to be home for Owen's birthday on the 6th, but we'll see.

At my appointment today, Ryken sounded good and measured perfectly. I did have some spotting Saturday (very minimal) and was anxious for the exam to see if anything happened. Still no progress which makes me happy :] Even though I can't wait to meet this little man, I can wait til his daddy gets home!

36 weeks

4 weeks left!!!! I can't believe we've gotten this far. I can remember just dreaming we'd get this far. At this point I know he can come at any time and would be a healthy boy. Although, I want him to wait for our c-section date because Derek will for sure be home. He leaves for Hawaii on Sunday and won't be back until around the time of the scheduled c-section.

With Derek being gone in Hawaii for what they say could be 8-10 months (we will see... it was supposed to be over 6 months last year and he was there for about 4), the boys and I will be visiting him about once a month. I know, rough times going to Hawaii once a month! I am hoping that with Owen being 5 and Ryken being pretty young, we will survive the 6 hour flight. I came across a little dilemma when it came to bring a stroller to Hawaii. I had purchased a Graco Snap n Go stroller and a Baby Trend jogging stroller secondhand. Which one to bring?? I kept toying with the idea of taking the jogging stroller, but the car seat doesn't attach and Ryken wouldn't be old enough to ride in it. It would be a huge help in the airport to lug carry on's in though. So I decided to research something that could work as both. I ended up selling both strollers on Craigslist not even 24 hours after I posted them. And yesterday I ordered this....

I'm really excited about it. The seat reverses so baby can face me, and it also lays flat which is PERFECT for a new baby. It comes with an infant car seat attachment so I can use it with the car seat... even better! I've read a ton of reviews and the only negative is that it is heavy... I've dealt with some heavy strollers before and I know this thing will be fine.

At my Dr's appointment today he's measuring right on still and his heartbeat sounds strong! I love hearing it!!! No progress, which is good since we will be bidding farewell to Derek this week... I must keep this boy in until he comes back home!