:::Just call me mommy:::

Just thought I would put up a short blog announcing the arrival of our baby boy....Ryder Jaron Scott. :) He arrived on Monday, November 8, 2010 at 7:36 pm via C-section, weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces, and was 20.8 inches long. It was a scary start into this world, but he is healthy and absolutely beautiful. We came home Thursday evening....

Becoming a mommy has been the most amazing experience. I love him so so much already and can't imagine living a day of my life without him. I never want to leave him. His cry is the cutest cry I've ever heard, and everything about him is perfect. Eric and I are so in love. :)

Birth Story and Pics to come eventually.. :)

READY?

Tomorrow.....I become a mommy.

I have given up on going into labor naturally. I really wanted to experience going into labor naturally at home, and all that goes along with it....but, unless some miracle causes that to happen today or tonight......We are headed to the hospital in the morning.....and we have to be there at 6am. So, I am seeing little sleep for me tonight. Especially since I didn't get up until noon today, and daylight savings time started last night and we got an extra hour anyway!!!

Bags are packed (well, Ryder's bag, and my bag....), Eric's cleaning the Yukon inside/out today, getting the car seat in there, and everything seems to be "ready" to go for when we come back home. My parents have gotten all the details and they call and check on me every other day at least. I know Eric wishes he had family closer to be here with him during this exciting time in his life. I have so much family here.....and nothing at all against his family!!! I know it can't be helped!!! And I know they wish the same thing :)......but, I know after Ryder arrives tomorrow, he wishes he had family to show him off to. I can't wait to see how excited and proud he is of his son.

This is such a surreal feeling. Knowing that I am going to have a baby tomorrow. Knowing my life will never be the same. I am so scared! But also, very excited, and blessed.

I am worried about how tomorrow will go....how bad it will hurt....how Eric will do through it all....how good of a mother I will be.....how good of a baby Ryder will be....that he will start growing up the day he is born.....just worried.

I am excited that I get to hold MY baby boy in my arms tomorrow....that I will get to kiss him and feed him and love him....that Eric gets to be a daddy to a baby boy, and he gets to experience the birth of his child and the love that comes with it.....that my dad gets to become a grandpa tomorrow....just excited.

So many emotions today, and no real way to express them. I already told Eric there would be lots of crying tomorrow. He laughed and said "yea, I know" lol

Wish us luck!

:::Gulp..........

Had my doctor's appt. today......my hubby came along :) My blood pressure what slightly elevated (124/82 I believe)....just the bottom number is kinda high. So, then Dr. Bernardin said she wanted to check my urine for a protein/creatnine ratio (which involved a trip to the lab)....and when she checked me.....I wasn't any further progressed. So, still a "good 3cm" is what she said. Then she brought up the big "I" word.....INDUCTION.... she said with my blood pressure creeping up and since my cervix seems ready, she thinks its best to go ahead and induce me at 39 weeks.....this hit me kinda hard! She said it was up to me, and asked me if I was okay with it....but she said if I didn't want to be induced she would start doing non-stress tests on the baby twice a week to make sure he was doing okay with my higher blood pressure. I asked some questions....and I shared with her my fear of being induced and not progressing during labor, and then ending up with a c-section anyway. I know MORE than one person that exactly that has happened to this year!!! She said that wouldn't likely happen to me because my cervix was already ready to go...and they use this scale to determine the likelihood of someone delivering vaginally, and I score very high on that scale.....

Anywho.....I am scheduled for induction MONDAY.....unless, of course, I go into labor first......which, of course I would rather have happen, so, of course, I am asking anybody reading this to pray for that!!!!

Naturally going into labor seems so much better to me! But, I understand why she wants to induce me...and I am pretty ready......

And she said that nothing I do will make me go into labor....not any of these wives tales people are telling me to do!!! She DID say having sex could help because the prostaglandins from him is the same stuff they give women to soften the cervix for inductions. That's all I'll say about that. :) She wants me to pretty much just sit at home and lay around now....so my blood pressure doesn't elevate. This isn't fun. Waiting. Wondering. Being bored. Watching endless TV. Not fun.

HiCCuPs

Well, Halloween has came and went....and I'm still pregnant. No pumpkin baby ;( Which is OK...... Guess I need to be enjoying this last little bit of time I have of not being a busy, exhausted mommy......but I am ready to meet me little man. And I am sick of being as big as a whale....and going to the bathroom once an hour.....and not being able to sleep (well, that part won't go away)......

It's just hard waiting :) Not knowing when it will happen, or how it will happen......

I had Eric walk with me earlier tonight, and I ate some spicy food for dinner.....can't hurt, right? Then I vaccumed the whole house. I guess now I'll go do what some people keep saying to do....."Rest".

Oh, and this little guy gets the hiccups more than anyone I know. Almost every time I eat, and almost every time I lay down.....he starts. And they last forever!!!!!!!!! I really hope he doesn't get the hiccups this often after he is born! It's kinda driving his momma nuts, even tho it is a cool feeling. Just a little less often would be nice :)

::::DONE::::

Welllllllllll, looks like I am officially done working until after my maternity leave is over!! I honestly don't know whether I am happy or sad about that. I really wanted to keep working up until he got here.....but last night at work was pretty miserable. Thank God it was slow....but I was just so uncomfortable, and by the end of the night I was having contractions a lot. Then, this morning a lady at work explained some of my short term disability benefits to me. There is a 14 day waiting period after quitting work before the money kicks in.....So, if you wait until you actually deliver to start your claim, you have to not get paid, or use your PTO more for those 14 days, and then they start paying you. So then, you officially get 6 weeks off from a Dr. for delivery, you have to wait for two of those weeks to pass, then they would only pay you for the 4 weeks you have left off. BUT, if you go ahead and take your leave early, the 14 day waiting period starts from your last day of work.....and they will start paying you as soon as that waiting period is over OR the day you deliver....i.e. you end up getting more out of your STD because they will pay you from that point until your 6 weeks leave is over. Make sense???? its pretty confusing for sure! But, it just made more sense for me to go ahead and quit working so I would get more out of my STD.....Then, I will still have my FMLA leave after that. So, I am unsure when my exact date to go back to work is at this point, but lets not think about that yet!

So, now...we wait.....

I hope you don't make mommy wait too long Ryder....she will go crazy laying around this house for too long!

hi ho hi ho

so tonight, i have to work...and although i do want to have this baby SOON, i DON'T want to go into labor at work. :/ so, here's to hoping for an uneventful night in the NICU! and if tonight doesn't go well, it might just be my last shift, or close to my last shift, before going on maternity leave! crazy! Dr. Bernardin is fine with me quitting work whenever I want to. Wish me luck!

:::guess we'd better get "ready", whatever that means..........

Well, I had a Dr. appt. yesterday. Here I am, thinking I probably won't have made any progress at all....then, she checks me.....fun stuff....and to my complete surprise, she tells me I am already 3 cm. dilated! and 70% effaced!!!!! .... That I lost my mucous plug a long time ago, and it could be very soon that I might go into labor! Holy crap!!! She said he had a nice cushion of fluid protecting his head, which is already really low in my pelvis...about as low as it can get before labor. I was so shocked taking this all in!! She told me to call her if 1. My water breaks 2. I start bleeding 3. I go into labor ... Of course, some women sit at 3cm dilated for a couple weeks, but she didn't act like this would be the case for us.

So, after I left the Dr. I made a trip to Babies R Us and then Old Navy to get a couple of things I had been wanting. And last night I did the rest of his "necessary" laundry...and got his baby bag packed up and ready, and my bag close to ready. Just the last minute things will have to go in. Eric, of course, says he will just throw some things in a bag when it's time. Hopefully that works, huh? I still wish I had a few things for him before he arrives, but....shopping isn't really fun for me right now....and I hate spending more money. We didn't get his swing, which I really wanted, and a camcorder to get video of him..... he also has basically, NO newborn clothes....so, if he isn't bigger than 8 lbs...everything will be way too big on him. :( I might have to send my mom shopping, if this is the case.

Yesterday after my appt. and some today, I've had some different pains/feelings....of course making me wonder if I am going into labor! I just think her checking me triggered some of this. One pain yesterday in my left side was so bad, I had to take time to breath through it. I don't know what it was, but Thank GOD it went away! I am anxious now, waiting for labor to begin, wondering what it will feel like. Will I be one of those women who can't stand the pain of contractions, and needs an epidural really soon?? Or will it not be too bad, and I am able to get through them without too much trouble?? So many questions...but, I guess I will find out pretty soon. I will say, I am kinda scared for labor...but, excited as well. I work tomorrow night, so, here's hoping I don't go into labor at work! THAT is not what I want to happen!

I'd love to go to bed right now and get a good night's sleep....however, apparently I snore so loud now, I keep my husband up....who then wakes me up so I will quit snoring....and its hard to sleep when you can't get comfortable, have so much going through your mind...oh, and you had a mountain dew earlier in the night....yes, I said mountain dew. It was delicious. :)

.....ShoWeR me BaBy.....

Shower #1 was back on August 28, at my Aunt Cindy's church. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera that day....and I am yet to see the pics that other people took :( I did get a pic of this cute diaper cake Eric's mom made and sent up for the shower. It's so cute, I will hate having to take it apart!

Shower #2 was at my Aunt Diana's house. It was so nice! Family from my step-mom's side came, as well as some of my friends! The chocolate fountain was very yummy! and everyone loved it! I got a LOT of great things at this shower! Thank you Aunt Diana!

Shower #3 was thrown by my Aunt Mary Kay and Aunt Carole. It was fun, and some of my good friends were able to make it! Good times! Highlight of the evening, Grandma Z. giving me an outfit that was my dad's when he was a baby. :)

Shower #4 was hosted by my newly married work friend, Kim. She did an amazing job with the food, decorations, and party favors! So sweet! Just looking at this cake, makes me want some! lol I already posted a pic of all the preggars at this shower in the last post...

Of course, I wish I would have gotten more pictures of all the people who attended my showers!!!! :( but I want to thank everybody who came!!!! It's kinda hard to run a camera when you are opening gifts! :) Can't wait to use all of Ryder's new things when he arrives. :) :) :)

Pregnancy pics....finally....

6/29....20 weeks

Here I am at the old house, getting ready to leave on Eric's birthday for our ultrasound! Guess, what! There was a little boy in there!

7/31....24 weeks

at Lindsay's baby shower with all the other preggers from work!

9/3....29 weeks

9/19.....31 weeks

At Holly's baby shower

9/25....32 weeks....

At my baby shower at Aunt Diana's with Erin

10/1....33 weeks

At my baby shower at Aunt Mary Kay's with Charity
10/3....still 33 weeks

At Kim's house for my work shower, with every one still pregnant! :)

:::Tick, Tock, Tick:::

37 weeks! I am now what they consider "full term"...meaning baby Ryder can come at any time now. I go to the Dr. in the morning and will be getting "checked". So, I will probably know by the end of the appt. that I am NOT dilated at all! HA! I am hoping I am just a little bit, which would mean progress has started...but, I guess we will see :) It's now just a period of waiting.... I do think I would be great to have a baby right around Halloween! Costume birthday parties would be so fun! (Mommy wants you to come when you are READY, Ryder....but, just so you know....anytime, is fine with me) :)

I worked last night and was pretty miserable all night. :( I just feel so full and huge, and my hips/pelvis hurts. My body is seriously falling part....and I really hope eventually it will feel normal again. My Dr. said to try and work less if I can, so, I am down to working two shifts a week. The 12 hours suck, but at least its only twice in a week! I am happy to be working less, but I think it's gonna make the waiting drag out longer!

I did some laundry of Ryder's last week, and I think I will do some more in the next couple of days. I also need to get the hospital bag packed better. I have some things in it, but not everything...and Lord knows, Eric won't pack his until we are leaving for the hospital I am sure.

Had a good weekend last weekend, and went down to Nashville with my good friend Jordan and her 10 week old baby Ruby. We didn't stay too long, but it was good to get out and do something fun. Not much more time for that. Soon most of my time will be mommy and Ryder time, not "me" time. Especially since he will be arriving when it's starting to get cold out, and I will be stuck in the house. I also was able to have dinner with my friend Julie. Her due date is only a couple weeks before me! So, we enjoyed Olive Garden and talking one last time before baby time!

Also good news on the home front, Holly and Brandon welcomed baby Maxwell "Max" Dean Reynolds into the world on Thursday, Oct 21st at 1044. He weighed 8lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 inches long! Big baby! But not too big!! He is super cute and they were able to come home last night. Unfortunately, Holly has been having migraines, so, she hasn't been feeling the best. Hoping to go see them at home for a visit soon!

Can't believe that in the next couple of weeks, I am going to be a mommy. I feel nervous, excited, scared, blessed and many other feelings all at the same time right now. I can't wait to meet my little guy, but, the responsibility of being a mom is very overwhelming. I know that once he gets here, he will be my whole life. I hope Eric can compete! (haha)

:::36 weeks Completed:::

Well, lets see.....the time is getting closer for our little man to arrive! Today I have completed 36 weeks of pregnancy!!! Which means I am in my 37th week....and that also means, he could come at any time really. I haven't been feeling too bad. Swelling has actually been a little better, but I think we can thank the cooler weather for that. Plus, I have been trying to take it easy. The pain in my pelvic bone comes and goes, depending on how careful I am and how I move. But, after half a night at work, or a day of being busy, I feel like the little guy might fall out of my lower abdomen. It gets so sore!!

I got his pack n play put together and his bouncy seat! All by myself! They are set up in the living room :) And in our bedroom, we moved a few things and have the bassinet in place, as well as the chair I purchased (which I got a really good deal on BTW). So, besides laundry and going to buy a few more items, if he came today, I think we'd survive! :) But, lets hope he waits a little bit longer!

Eric has been working on the nursery some. He only has a little bit of drywall to finish up this week, and then I believe, we can paint and prime it. Which means, I need to get the paint this week. I also still have never painted the crib or changing table. As time passes, I feel like just saying "screw it" and leaving it plain wood. I don't like the light colored wood, but, nobody is offering to do the work for me, and I just can't sand and paint a crib all by myself! LOL I guess I can always paint it later if I decide I don't like it wood. I also need to figure out something for flooring in there. I really DON'T want carpet, but Eric insists we don't leave his bedroom like it is and paint it white. He hates it. So IDK what we'll decide!

Big news of this week: My good friends Holly and Brandon Reynolds will be welcoming their baby boy into the world this Thursday! That little stinker never turned, and he is still breech. Therefore, she has to have a c-section. She turns 39 weeks this Thursday, so they scheduled the surgery for that day. I can't wait to meet him. We have traveled through this journey of pregnancy together, and now we will have little boys that are only a small bit of time apart! Very cool. Here's to hoping everything goes well for them on Thursday! :) And also, our friend, Lindsay, from Riley (one of the four of us pregnant right now) had her baby on Thursday of last week. She didn't go into labor naturally by her due date, so they induced her Tuesday. And over 48 hours later, he finally arrived via C-section! Crazy! And to top it off, Corwin (love his name), has to be in the NICU for a little while. Hoping he recovers soon and gets to come home with his momma! :)

Just wanted to point out my husband is doing a pretty good job helping out around here. Although I do wish I had a personal slave, he is doing ok. LOL I made a list and he went grocery shopping Sunday morning, and he cleaned all the windows in the house this weekend. And for the most part, he does things I ask him to do without too much grumbling. I love you! Thanks for putting up with me these last few weeks .....we will be meeting our baby boy very soon! And then the REAL fun begins.

:::No MoRe sHoWeRs in tHe foReCasT:::

Well, all my baby showers are over!!! I appreciate everyone who was able to come and all the great things they got for Ryder! :) He is one lucky boy. But we still have a lot to get before his arrival! I have been going through everything trying to organize and make a list of things we still need. It gets a little overwhelming!!! And Sunday, I will say, I had a few meltdowns. But, I will blame that on the pregnancy hormones! Our diaper-keg party is this Saturday! So, it should be fun, and hopefully we will get lots of diapers to start out with when he gets here! Lord knows we will need them! We also had our birthing class this past Saturday. I thought it was fun, and we learned a lot. Eric might not completely agree....but he was a good sport, and I think he learned a lot too. I can't say I feel completely ready now for labor, but, I do feel a little more prepared. :)

The field fires around here have been out of control. Its so dry and the biggest problem is the idiots who throw their cigarettes out the car window....what do they think will happen when it hits a dried up field???!! Last week , they had a bad one at Eric's work. Caught the combine on fire...all because of some idiot and their cigarette. And I believe, just a little bit ago, there was one down the road from our house. I think they got it out though. We have had the dryest period around here in 40 years, I think is what they said. We can't even have a bonfire because of the burn ban! Totally stinks. :(

I just uploaded all the pictures from my camera, so, the next time I am on here...I promise to post some!

Update at Dr. appt......I saw Dr. Bernardain this time. I do really like her. She explained a lot of things to me about when I go into labor. She also felt the area on my pubic bone that has been causing me problems, and pushed on it...which hurt, a lot. So, its definitely the bones there separating, and then they rub together too. It feels horrible. So, she says, I need to take it easy if I can. My swelling, of course, has only gotten worse, and my blood pressure was somewhat higher this time (still in normal range, but higher for me)....so, that worries me. :( I decided to take a day off work this week. And will probably do that some more, as we get closer. I just can't work three 12 hours shifts, get rest, and get anything done. I don't do much anymore anyway. Which is what the Dr. told me to do. She said to let someone else do all my housework! Ha! if only she knew!!! But Eric has been doing small things when he remembers (or runs out of clothes) and my mom is coming over this week to help clean for the party.

Off to get ready for work!

BIG weekend ahead!

Hello all! :) I made it through working three days this week!! Only 6 more weeks of that, IF he waits that long! I am super excited for the weekend ahead. I have no doubt I will be exhausted! But, its all for the baby! I have my baby shower tonight at my Aunt Mary Kay's house for some of my dad's family, and my friends from around here. I'm so excited to see everybody! And, tomorrow is our birthing class!!! It's an 8 hour day (9-5) and, I get to spend it all with my husband! He is so excited to sit in a class all day! LOL I am sure it will be fun. Then, on Sunday, I have my work-baby shower! Hoping to get lots of good stuff for Ryder and then we will be able to figure out all the stuff we have left to get! Then, next weekend is our diaper and keg party. My sister is throwing it for us, here at our house. Should be a lot of fun, and hopefully, people remember that in order to drink beer....you must bring a pack of diapers for the little one!

Last weekend's shower was great. I got to see Christen, Kelli, Sarah, and Lindz from college, and I got lots of really great stuff at my shower. Aunt Diana did an amazing job throwing it! Much appreicaited! Eric put his car seat/stroller all together as soon as I got home that night. It is so awesome! Dad and Tami purchased that for us, and we are so grateful that $$$ part is out of the way!!

One of these days, I will feel like sitting here forever and uploading some pics. (maybe, lol)

Not too much longer, and I will be posting pics of Ryder on here. Can't wait.

Oh, btw...my little brother and his girlfriend welcomed Anna Rose Marie into the world on Tuesday morning. She came a little early at 36+4, but she is healthy! I believe she weighed 5 lbs 11 oz...so, just a teeny tot! Ryder is that big now!!!! Makes me nervous that so many pregnant girls I have known this year have delivered early! I'm hoping Ryder waits until he's at least 37/38 weeks cooked before he decides to arrive! :) (which, btw, is only a few weeks away!)

Already so big :)

Had my ultrasound this morning....it was so great to see my little man again. He looked really good! And he's in a good position...head down! (it was really low actually!) Let's hope he stays that way :) So, now I know what's been kicking me where. The ultrasound tech said he looks to be about 2 weeks ahead in his size....not as big as he was! And that right now, he weighs 5lbs 3oz!!! It's so crazy to know that! When Brian and Jordan had Ruby she was just over that at 5lbs 12oz (I believe)...so he's not far from that right now! Crazy!..She told me my fluid level was in normal range too. All good news!! The only unfortunate thing was she wasn't able to look at my pelvic bone to look for the Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. I am managing the pain, and to be honest, it has gotten a little better. I worked last night, and I was expecting major pain today, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought.

Looking forward to my baby shower tomorrow!!!!! Its going to be a very fun one! My step-mom's family, friends from home and college are all coming! I can't wait to see everybody! Then, I get to hang out with my girls from Ball State for awhile! It is always so good to see them and spend time together. :)

My diaper bag arrived today! I LOVE it.......little by little, this is becoming a reality! Ryder will be here before I know it.....and I get to carry this cute bag around to store all of his things! :)

:( Ouchie :(

So, I believe it was Friday last week, I started feeling this pain in my "lower region". I can't describe it very well, but it got worse throughout the weekend. It was like I had bruised myself down there somehow. I had a scheduled Dr.'s appt. for today, so I just figured I would ask about it then. My swelling has been pretty bad too. I worked last night and headed to my Dr.'s appt. after I was off work. The pain had really only gotten worse and certain things were triggering it.

So, my blood pressure and urine all checked out fine at the appt!!! This was good news because of course, I was worried about my blood pressure being high with the increased swelling. So, then I brought up this pain I was having...She asked me lots of questions and decided to do a pelvic exam. While she was doing that, she went ahead and swabbed me for my Group B Strep. (Its a bacteria some pregnant women carry and if they are positive, they have to receive an antibiotic during labor...no biggie). She said I looked swollen, but nothing looked abnormal. She then started talking about pubis synthesis. Its a natural thing that happens during pregnancy where the ligaments loosen and your pubic bone relaxes a little. But in some women, it separates too much, and it can be very painful. She wasn't sure, but she said that might be what is causing my pain. She wanted me to go buy a maternity support belt (to help support my belly and take some of the weight off my pelvic bone) and she had me schedule ANOTHER ultrasound. So, when I went to get dressed, I could barely lift my leg into my pants. I told her about this. She wanted to me go ahead and take a day off work this week and take the next two days to basically stay in bed and rest. To see if that helps. She did say there is really no way to make the pain get better, except delivering the baby. So, I would probably just have to take it easy and find ways to cope.

So, here I sit. When I finally got home today, I stayed in bed most the day. Tom, Sandy (family from California) and my Aunt Mary Kay came by for a visit. So, I did get up awhile for that. I went back to bed and each time I have tried to get up out of bed since then, I have been in horrible pain. So, here is some stuff I have found online about this issue: http://pregnancy.about.com/od/symptomsofpregnancy/a/pubicbonepain.htm

http://www.birthsource.com/scripts/article.asp?articleid=189

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphysis_pubis_dysfunction

(I typed all that yesterday).....Last night, I cried because it hurt so bad to go up the stairs and get comfortable in bed. I cried because this is freaking me out and I am worried it will get worse and I will have to be off work and deal with this for at least 7 more weeks. It hurts. A LOT. Today when I have gotten out of bed....it hurts, but its managable. I think that it gets worse depending on how much movement you have done that day...then when you sit or lie for awhile.....going to get up...is horrible. And moving from one side to the other in bed....brings tears to my eyes.

I need to go back upstairs and get back in bed and the air conditioning. Since the weather had gotten cooler, Eric took out the air conditioners downstairs last week. And of course, its in the 90s again this week...so, its like a sauna down here. So, back to bed....Dr.'s orders.

I'm like a bird.......

Hello. Sorry it's been a minute since I posted! :/ Life has been very busy, and I have been very tired. I had my first shower a few weeks ago...and it was very nice. My mom did a great job with everything, and little Ryder got lots of great stuff! I am looking forward to my next three showers coming up next weekend, and then the weekend after that! Hoping to get most of what we are needing then. Then, my sis is throwing us a diaper keg party Oct. 9th here at our house! People we invite have to bring a pack of diapers to drink the beer. Excited to get stocked up on those expensive things! Lord knows we will need them.

I had some feelings of panic this week. Not sure what kicked them in. Possibly the fact that Mr. Ryder will be here VERY soon, and have have NOTHING done. :/ I was thinking that if he happens to come early, he could be here in a matter of a few short weeks. It hit me really hard, and I decided I was GOING to accomplish something while I was off this week. And accomplish I did. He now has an adorable dresser that I found in an antique store in Greenfield, and a changing table I found at a used kids store in Greensburg. And finally, FINALLY the bedding arrived today!!! I have been waiting for it to get here for two weeks. Fed X must have lost the first shipment, so, they sent me a new one. It is absolutely adorable! The colors in it are definitely different than what I had pictured. But, I still love it. :) Now I have to pick out some colors for painting the furniture. And so, I feel a little bit calmer now. But, the nesting has definitely set in!

Here is his cute dresser with the diaper cake Eric's mom made for my last shower:

And this is a vintage record I bought off Ebay to put in his room. I think its adorable!

Eric has been working on the nursery some. However, harvest time has arrived!!!!! :( So, not much work is getting done now. Hoping to get it done before Ryder arrives. But, if not....he won't be sleeping in there anyway. So, it will be OK. Drywall is hung, just needs mud/sand/mud/sand/primer/paint.

As far as I'm concerned. I feel like he is coming sooner than later. I just have this feeling inside me he isn't going to wait until November 15th to arrive. My swelling in my ankles and feet has gotten pretty yucky. :( Everything has been fine at my Dr.'s appts....blood pressure and urine checks are good. So, I have an appt. on Tuesday morning. Hoping that stays the same. Just don't know how to deal with the swelling and feeling like the baby is HUGE. I am not complaining tho. As long as Ryder gets here healthy...that's all that matters. :)

A letter to my baby boy....

To my lil' punkin',
Daddy and I have decided to name you "Ryder". We both love this name and I think it already fits you. Ryder Jaron (most likely) Scott. Daddy came up with that middle name. Daddy is very excited to have a little boy on the way. We both can't wait to meet you.
Mommy is so excited for her very first baby shower today. There will be family from my mommy's family....and more family from daddy's family there. And its all because of you! And just think, in a couple more months, you will be here to use all the new things I get for you today. I can't believe your due date is coming up so soon. Hoping you are growing healthy and strong in there (which by the feeling of your movements, seems like you are!) .
I am also glad to say, that since I didn't get a "you failed" phone call from our doctor this week...mommy must have passed her glucose test!!! yay! so excited for that news....this makes it much more likely both you and I will stay healthy the rest of the pregnancy....and MAYBE you won't come out such a big boy. Mommy prefers you to be about 7 pounds! but, of course I will love you so much, no matter what size you are! lol (just keep that in mind..haha)

I need to go get ready for our shower now. There's going to be some good food there!! So, you get to enjoy it too!

Love you so much already,

Mommy

XX Fingers Crossed XX

Had my glucose tolerance test today! Won't know results until tomorrow or so (but only if it wasn't good)....no news is good news. So, I am hoping for no news!! But, if its high, then I will have to go do the three hour glucose test. :( Also had a Dr. appt today. Everything was good....and she gave me some info from my ultrasound! She said his size is now closer to the 65th percentile and my amniotic fluid is at the 70th percentile. This was better than before when they were much higher than that! However, she did say his head circumference was high at the 90th percentile! Oh goodness......that means he has a big head. GREAT. :/ I still measure 4 weeks ahead when they measure my belly/uterus. And she said he was about 2 lbs. 6 oz. at the ultrasound....but that was almost two weeks ago. He's a growin' boy!!

So, last night I spent hours thinking about the baby's room.....bedding, paint colors, decorations..etc.... I do know that I really really love accenting in colors and I love old vintage toys (for example... I bought a Winnebago, just like the one above, but its got more rust, at a garage sale....along with a few other antique trucks) ...which are usually colorful. After much thought, I believe I have completely changed my bedding. I have liked it all along, but just wasn't sure if it would work. And, even though I do like it, I just couldn't convince myself the fabric swatch I ordered was THE ONE!!! So, here it is:
It's so cute and looks really soft. Plus, I think it will go with anything I do put in the room. I am now trying to decide what colors to use on the walls and furniture. Here is another idea I LOVE and would like to try to do something similar to this in his room: I love everything about these letters!!! :) So, I guess the search starts now for letters A-Z! (REALLY in love with the button for the letter O....) Also will be searching for more vintage toys and ideas. Can't wait for Eric to get it done so I can start spending time in there!

*** Super excited for my first baby shower this weekend. My mom and aunts are working on it and we've invited that side of the family as well as Eric's family. Hoping lots of people can make it! Wish Eric's mom lived closer so she could be here for it....I know she would like to be. ;)

:::Bag for Baby (and ME)::

OK............call me crazy....but I REALLY want this diaper bag!!!!! The search for a diaper bag has been a long one for me. This bag was one of my first choices. I have looked and looked to find something I like, that wasn't so expensive. But thanks to my picky-ness....I can't find one I like as much as this one!!! It's just so awesome! and pretty! :) It's made by Petunia Pickle Bottom. I love so many bags of theirs...but, this one is by far my FAVORITE.

I also changed which car seat/stroller travel set I want. Its by Chicco, and its called Sahara. I did want the Midori one, but its a little more expensive, and I am really drawn more towards stuff with brown tones. :) Who knows what else I will change!!!

Got my invitation today for my first baby shower! Its less than two weeks away. It's making it all seem so real and so close. Three months from right now, I will be a mom. Our little man will be here, and our lives will change forever.

Loving the sound of a hammer!

So, I had my ultrasound on Friday morning. It was fun seeing the little man again. He really likes to show off those boy parts!! He was a lot calmer during this ultrasound. He looked good according to the ultrasound tech....and when she put all her measurements in, the computer put him at 28 weeks. And he was actually 26weeks and 4 days on Friday. So, a little ahead. I will wait to hear from my Dr.'s office to see what they think. He was breech, with his head up on my right side. I thought something was hanging out there all night at work Thursday night! Guess I was right!

Here are pics from the ultrasound....my scanner isn't working for some reason...so, I just took a pic with my phone of the pic and sent it to my email. Sorry, they aren't very good.

Here he is...looking right at us!

Boy Parts

Yep! He's a boy!

Hard to believe my due date is three months from today!!!

Which, brings me to my next news.......as I speak, my husband is hammering away upstairs working on lil' man's room! I am so excited for him to get started! Hopefully it goes smoothly (and fast)! I have my first baby shower in two weeks....and I am gonna need somewhere to put all his stuff! :) I can't wait. I ordered a swatch of fabric that I love from Caden Lane. The bedding on this website is so cute! I just can't really see spending that much on bedding! And I can't seem to find bedding I even kinda like since I am so picky!! So, I am hoping to order some fabric off the site and crib sheets and maybe just a blanket in the pattern I like. And then match the brown in the bedding for a crib bumper and crib skirt. I have a lot I am wanting to work on....but this horrible heat prevents me from wanting to spend any time outside. The crib needs sanded and painted. So does this old wardrobe cabinet I found at a garage sale. I am also wanting to find a dresser I can use for a changing table, or just an old changing table at a garage sale. Lots to do.............

Here is the fabric that I found:

So cute!

I have stuff to do around here!! :) More later this week...........

:::Baby Update:::

Okay, so I am horrible at posting pics. I never have time, nor want to take the time to sit here and put them up. sorry! Hopefully one of these days, I will just sit down and spend hours doing it. LOL But I thought I would give an update anyways. :)

So, little man has measured big since my 20 week ultrasound. They told me he was in the 90th percentile in size and my amniotic fluid was in the 90th percentile. Dr. Bernardan just said it was something we had to keep an eye on. So, at my last appt. (4 weeks ago), I gained a LOT of weight from the last time. We had just moved and I had a lot of swelling going on. So, she thought I had just overdone it and that I was carrying extra water weight. I have tried to do better drinking my water, and I am wearing lovely compression hose to work now. They really do keep the cankles at bay!

So, I had another appt. today. I was very pleased to have only gained 1 pound this time. Yay! :) However, I am still measuring ahead or big. She said I am measuring at about 30 weeks...when, I am actually 26 right now! I know the due date isn't wrong....so, she just said he is probably just a big baby, or I could still have a lot of extra fluid in there. Or both. So, she wants me to have another ultrasound to check it all out. Plus, its time for my blood glucose test, and I get to start going to the Dr. every two weeks now. Woohoo! I hate to complain, but, coming to Indianapolis so much stinks! But, its all for lil' man. So, it's worth it! Praying my glucose test is normal. Its always a risk to have gestational diabetes....and having a big baby is one side effect of that!

On another note.... Our really good friends, Brian and Jordan, just had their baby tonight!! Jordan's blood pressure was high yesterday at her appt....so, they induced her this morning (she was just under 38 weeks). Not sure how things all went down yet today, but they ended up having to do a C-section. She was born at 11:40pm and weight 5lbs 14.7 oz! Tiny little girl! Can't wait to meet Miss Ruby tomorrow! :)

P.S. Really hoping my husband gets started on the nursery soon. I am kinda getting antsy......... :)

....It wasn't just a pause....

Hello! We are back online after the big move! Finally! Much, much has happened since I last blogged. Don't really know who reads this....but, hopefully somebody noticed I was gone. We moved and are somewhat settled. Baby boy is a big 25 weeks old now! :) 15 weeks to go! so much to decide and so much to think about and so much to do. : / But, it will all work out. I need to put my feet up for now...but I will hopefully be able to update on all that has happened and post some pics in the next few days.

:::HoT DoG:::

Well, the news is in......ITS A BOY!!! I was definetly in a state of shock for 24 hours....I had a feeling it was a girl, and I, honestly, was somewhat sad....I must have been more set on it being a girl than I thought I was... I feel kinda bad about it... I had to mourn the loss of all the cute girl things I had picked out that I wanted to buy. We went to Buy Buy Baby afterwards, and it was hard....not very much cute for a baby boy... I did pick out something finally and then we left and went and picked up the crib from Tracy's parents. It's such a nice crib and I am so happy to have it (for free!).

Now I am feeling better! I am really excited now, and I keep coming up with great things about us having a boy. For starters, Eric is estatic! He is so damn excited to be having a boy....so, it makes up for my slight dissappointment. It makes me so happy to see him so happy about it..... Hopefully, he will be super cute and inherit he daddy's looks ;) . A boy will be good for me I think....it will teach me to be more laid back, and I won't have to stress out about doing hair every morning and finding the perfect outfits. Everyone keeps telling me how special it is to have a boy and that boys are best....So, I feel so awesome about it now. Still wish I could buy that cute car seat I had picked out! LOL But I doubt Eric would go for that! haha

Here he is! Showing off his boy parts! He was so proud, he showed us many times!

Looking right at us..........

Our little boy!!! He had his hands either up near his face or completely hiding his face the entire time!

Goodbye mom and dad! See you in the fall!

And this was one of our sad attempts at getting a 3-D image of him! The ultrasound tech was super nice and she tried many times to get a good image...but apparently, for this to work, the baby has to hold still for a second....which HE was incapable of doing!! Sound familiar??? Can't sit still, just like his daddy....hmmmmmmmmmmm..... makes me slightly nervous....lol

(you can kinda see a hands, they were up by his face)

.........And we are so excited to say, the plan is to move into the new house starting the end of next week! Eric is on vaca all week, and we should be able to have it all cleaned and ready to go! Carpet guys are coming Wednesday. So pumped! I am so looking forward to starting our new life there and starting the nursery for our baby boy!

:)

:::HaLf BaKeD:::

Holy Guacamole!!(or cantelope, since thats about how big the baby is)!!!!!! I've made it to 20 weeks!! The halfway point! Its so crazy how fast being pregnant has went so far! And we can't believe that tomorrow is out ultrasound!! :) So excited to share that with Eric on his 31st birthday! Love you honey! I will be sure to update the blog after we find out tomorrow.....I just listened with the doppler and I found the heartbeat right away and could also hear the baby moving all around in there....it was so cool to hear.

The ultrasound tomorrow is going to be AMAZING.

The house has made so many changes!!! very happy with everything! We are planning on moving in the end of next week/next weekend....Probably laying carpet first of the week... and Eric has the week off work since we were planning on going boating, and I took one PTO day. So, he will have some time to finish some stuff up and I will have a week off to help get moved and settled! My doctor told me the first thing that should be moved in on moving day is the couch....so, I can sit on it while everybody else moves stuff! LOL LOVE IT! I told Eric that yesterday and he just gave me this look! haha but she told me not to try and help! I am sure I will stay busy telling people where to put everything and putting stuff away. I CAN'T WAIT!

Be awaiting my post tomorrow!!! Please leave comments on here too! Sometimes I wonder how many people actually read this thing! But, even if nobody reads it....I like to blog anyways! :)

:::HaPPy BiRtHdAY MaDiSoN!:::

Countdown is now at one week! We are so excited to have our BIG ultrasound! :) I think that every once in awhile I feel these little "tingles" as I call them. Are they movements?? IDK! but I definitely haven't felt an actual kick yet....still waiting for that!

Madison had her 7th birthday yesterday! We had a good day together. I took her to Kid Zone and my sister came along, then to get a pedicure, then to the movies to see Marmaduke (very very cute movie btw) and last night we were SUPPOSED to go to the fair in Rushville with daddy. However, for some reason Rushville advertises their fair to start on June 20th, but they don't have rides until the 22nd!! WTH?? And last nights other activities got canceled due to rain....So, Madison got to pick where we got to eat instead.....Mexican! And of course she got chicken nachos and was super embarrassed when they came out and sang to her and gave her the ice cream! We plan on having a birthday party for her after we move into the new house. Right now was just NOT a good time! :)

I think she enjoyed it! LOL

Getting her birthday pedicure....

They painted flowers on her toes......

Birthday girl with her daddy at El Meson....

Eating her birthday ice cream.... :)

Opening her birthday presents....

I think she was most excited about the silly bands I found for her.....LOL

Progress is being made TODAY at the new house:::: the guy we hired to do the drywall in the stairs is there today starting his job. Should only take him a couple of days. This weekend we are hoping to refinish the front and entry way door hardwood areas. :)

:::T-13 days:::

Well, I had my apt. yesterday! :) :) :) It was a great apt. ....I got to meet Dr. Bernardin finally! She was great, and I really liked her A LOT! ....I asked some questions I had and they all got answered...she found the heartbeat! and it was a strong 150!... and she felt around on my belly for my uterus... said it was already above my belly button....which means I have a big uterus! lol she said that could mean two things 1. I have a big baby in there! or 2. there is a lot of fluid in there..... I am hoping for #2! I DON'T want a big baby! But, I guess you get what you get! :) Still waiting on that baby to kick me!

And the countdown has begun for our anatomy ultrasound! I made the apt. for June 29th! Eric's birthday! I thought it would be a good birthday present for him! CANNOT wait! T - 13 days!

The house is coming along great. Almost all the painting is now done! The drywall guy is hopefully coming this week/weekend to work on that. So, progress is being made!! We are going to LOVE this house when we can actually move in and live there. After we get moved, Eric will start working on the nursery. And of course, by then, we will know what we are having!

....and on that note, I think I'll go get myself a pedicure! Have a great weekend!

HoT PoTaTo HoT PoTaTo!!!!

18 weeks!!!! and our little one is about the size of a SWEET POTATO!! :) how cute, huh?? Can't wait for the appointment on Wednesday!

p.s. My good friends Holly and Brandon (who was the MOH in my wedding) just found out today they are having a BOY! :) Congrats to them! (she is 20 weeks along)

VeRy ExCiTinG!!!

A friend from work brought me her doppler....and as soon as I got home this morning, I tried to find little baby Scott's heartbeat......it took me awhile, but, I found it!!!! yay! I was so happy to finally hear it!!!....later today Madison and I tried to find it, and it took forever! but I finally found it....It really made me realize, "wow, there's another heart beating inside me!" pretty crazy stuff! So, hopefully, I will be able to find it again when daddy gets home today!

KICK baby, KICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.......I keep saying that........

...So, I know he or she is actually in there. I am trying to be patient, but besides the big belly I seem to have, I don't really feel pregnant! We hit 17 weeks yesterday! woo hoo! but I just wish it was time for my appointment or the baby would kick or something, because I need some convincing "its" in there! :) My appointment is still a week away. And we will be scheduling my ultrasound at that appointment for around 20 weeks. Can't wait! :)

Much more progress is being made on the new home front! Brian (our awesome friend and painter) is doing a great job getting things painted! We should be completely done with the upstairs by tonight hopefully! :) (except the baby's room, of course) Then painting on the downstairs can begin. Eric has the drywall up where he had torn out the walls. We just need to get the stairs done and the guy to come do the drywall in the stairwell. Then carpet.

It's going well, but it's a slow process, as I am learning. I am doing my best to be patient. Its just hard because I am the type of person that wants to do things myself in order to get them done and get them done right. And there's really not much I can do over there besides paint. And since Brian is doing most of that now, all I can do is wait. The guys are doing a great job though. We are going to have a GREAT place to live. :) Thanks for doing all the hardwork honey, I love you! (you too Brian)

We have Madison with us all week this week. :) She really is a good kid. She lets me sleep in on the days I work, and wants to help me when I clean. What kid does that!? She will be spending the day with my Aunt Mary Kay tomorrow while I sleep. Thank God I have family around here to help us out with watching her. Of course, none of them mind at all....they all love spending time with her. :)

......LOVE this.........

have you seen this: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/exeter-pendant/?pkey=cpendants

OMG.....I totally love them. I want them. I wonder if Eric could make one for me? or if it would be easier to just buy it. it would be so darn awesome in my new kitchen.... (well, not the kitchen now, but the dream kitchen I hope to get to someday!) hmmmmmmmmmmm......

if only I could afford ALL the things from Pottery Barn that I LOVE............

....well, still frustrated...

So, I took down my last post. Not because every single bit of it wasn't true....but because I don't need drama in my life....I have enough and I don't want anymore of it. I took it down because apparently, it was offensive to some. I will restate that I love Madison very much, and I do treat her very well.....Being a step parent is the single most difficult thing I have ever done, but I think I am a good step mom. I do my BEST at it. But I also cannot wait to become a real mom to my own child. I don't think there is anything wrong with being excited about that. Have a good day.

SuMMer has ARRived!

Sorry, I was slow in posting this week. And sorry no new pics. Truth is, I am being lazy. And, I've been too busy to sit down at this computer for the length of time it takes to add pictures!!!

Things are moving along, and summer has finally gotten here! I mean, really gotten here! Its been in the high 80s, and HOT. But, its better than cold. :) Small progress has been made at the house....Eric is ready to do drywall, and I got the carpet ordered. Madison's walls are finished being painted and I am going to finish the bathroom, hopefully, today! So, that's all good. Eric is thinking we might be able to move in about two weeks. Here's hoping! :)

They finished planting Saturday. Yay!!! I think that means I have to start cooking again. Boo. :( I need to....it would be much healthier for the baby.

Speaking of baby, I am now 16 weeks! Crazy how far I have made it, how fast it is going, and how little time is left before the ultrasound. I cannot wait for this! I am so anxious to find out what we are having. People keep asking me what I think it might be, and I honestly have NO idea!! I did have a dream the other night it was a boy...but I am not sure that means anything?? We will see. The ultrasound should be happening when I am about 20 weeks. I plan on calling the Dr. office tomorrow to see when that can be scheduled. :) Other good news is a girl at work offered to GIVE us her crib from her kids. I was planning on just using the one we have out in the barn that I bought at a garage sale when Madison was small...but, this option is much better! She brought me a picture of it last night and its very nice and cute! So excited! Now, I just really want some kind of cute armoire to paint or something. Maybe I can find that on craigslist? or a used furniture store? hmmmm....

What else can I tell ya? we took the dogs swimming for the first time on Saturday evening. It was hilarious! Lexi jumped right in head first when she saw the pond. So cute ;) Then, Eric gave them all baths.....fun stuff.

That's all for now, folks.

Our Little HiDinG HeaRtBeAt

14 WEEKS!!!!

...and today was our appointment............finally. Monday's appt. got canceled, and then they called to cancel today's appt. because the Dr. was sick.......but, thankfully they said I could see the nurse practitioner again instead. (I STILL haven't met my doctor!!!) So, we go in, and I am excited to FINALLY get to hear the heartbeat......and she couldn't find it!!....anywhere.

She then stepped out of the room to see if she could get an ultrasound scheduled.....and I started to cry, of course......I had just had this feeling we wouldn't get to hear it for some reason......She was able to get us in for an ultrasound, and the next 90 minutes

seemed to be an eternity...

When we finally went back (and I had to pee so bad I thought I would die because you have to have a full bladder!), she took some images and said she could see the heart beating. She had me go to the bathroom (thank GOD!) and then finished the study. We got to see the whole body...arms, legs, face, head, abdomen, feet...it was really surreal and such a relief. Heartbeat was 149. She said it was too early to see boy/girl parts...so, we have to wait until probably 20 weeks for another ultrasound to find out.

It felt so weird to be looking at that screen seeing he/she move all around and know that was going on inside me. I still just can't believe there's a baby in there! I am not sure why, but its such a strange feeling to me to be pregnant. I guess I never thought it would really happen. I am excited and nervous....but, everybody says thats normal.....so, I will just go with it! :)

On the house front, more progress is being made. I got lights for the entryway, stairway, and living room.....big step!!!! It takes me a loooooooooooong time to make decisions, so to have that done is big! And I have been itching to do SOMETHING at the house myself, so I painted Madison's room yesterday. Its not completely finished...but, it felt good to accomplish a little bit. :)

I will post some pics this week sometime of all this exciting stuff! :)

Can't wait for Eric's family to be in town and for his cuz's wedding. (I bought a maternity dress to wear.... LOL )

My HusBanD thE PlaNTer...................

Not much has changed since last week.....Eric has been able to be in the fields planting since the end of the week, and they haven't stopped!!! But, actually, this is really good news because... planting early now=an early harvest!!!! Which=he should be done in the fall before the baby gets here!!! That is REALLY good news! That way it won't be a stress being off work, and he will actually be able to take a week off or so to get adjusted at home. :) :) So, plant away boys!!! They should finish this week if it doesn't rain....however, there's a chance of rain tonight.

On the baby front, I am now 13 weeks!!!! Moving into my second trimester!!!! Crazy, I know! My email today said the baby is the size of a peach (or 2.9 inches)! I cannot honestly believe I have something the size of a peach inside me. I am kind of anxious to go to our doctor's appointment next week because its been so long since I was there! We will get to hear the heartbeat, and then I should feel better about it.... It still just seems impossible that I am pregnant right now! But, then I have the very frequent bathroom stops, exhaustion, hunger/nausea to remind me! lolAt the house, Eric just needs to finish up a little more work himself, but since he's been in the fields, he hasn't been able to go over there to work......then we are paying a guy to come drywall the staircase because its such a hard job. Then, paint everywhere and carpet in the living room, then we should be ready!.....so, I am thinking a couple more weeks........... :)

It would be great to be in by the time Eric's parents get here for his cousin Abby's wedding on the 22nd...but, I don't know if thats gonna happen! We will see! :)

Making our HOUSE a HOME

SOLD!!!

Well, I've hit 12 weeks!!! They are saying our little one is the size of a plum now....or about 2 and 1/2 inches. We have our next apt. in two weeks and should get to hear the heartbeat then! Can't wait for that!! and then sometime in June we should be able to find out the sex of the baby! yee haw! :) :) :) I have been feeling pretty good most of the time, except at work all night. Its horrible, and I get so tired. But, thats part of working nights I guess. I get to work three in a row this week, starting tonight. So, wish me luck!

I thought I would put up some pics of the demolition that is happening at the new place!!! Eric has been working hard the past few days, as well as our good friend Brian England. Its SO nice to have a good friend who is willing to help out during times like this. Otherwise, Eric would be doing a lot of it himself.

Its absolutely amazing to see how much tearing out the walls around the staircase has changed the look of the house!

Here is before:

During demo (they found a door behind the walls at the bottom of the stairs!! We plan to make this our "entryway" into the house!):

After:
Its so awesome how much it has opened up the space from the kitchen into the living room! We are trying to decide what to do with the stairs now...Carpet or just refinish the hardwood?? Then we will have to have a handrail/banister done for it. Its gonna be so pretty! :)

This is the "blue room", or what I thought I was making Madison's room, but now it might be the baby's room.....they had put in a closet there in the corner that looked really cheaply done...So, of course, Eric decided to tear it out and redo it. As you can see the floors are painted white...

Here is what was behind the walls: An amazing brick chimney! I love exposed brick so much!! So, Eric is going to put another closet in that corner and then leave the brick exposed! So awesome! And the floors in both this room and the other room are going to be left painted white I will post more "reno" pics in later posts....I have stuff to do today!

It was so pretty out yesterday, so I decided to take a few more pics outside so everyone who looks at the blog could get a better idea of how awesome it is out there:

Of course, this is the front again. LOVE :)

The side yard:

The big horse barn:

The HUGE shop (you don't know until you see the inside!):

This used to be the "washhouse" but we think it will be a great playhouse for the kids! :

The back pasture (it goes back past those big trees):