A light at the end of the 40 week tunnel

Although I am still massively with child, there is an end in sight. If this huge child does not decide to make his presence known by Monday, then we shall persuade him to come out with subtle things like induction drugs... about 10:30 on Monday morn. So no matter what happens, we should have Ryder in our arms (and, Praise Jesus, out of my stretched-to-the-limit-belly) by Monday evening.

Interesting info, for those who want to know. I am progressing and could "go" at any time. I am measuring at 44 or 45 weeks. (I tried to tell you I was big).  I have been having false labor contractions for a few days, the other night I had contractions 15 min. apart for over an hour and a half... then nothing. So hopefully we are working on something.

My Doc is on call today, Thursday and Friday, and then not again until Monday. I have been praying that if I were to go into labor on my own it would be when she is available. She has been there for both Caden's and Rigg's birth... I really want her there for Ryder's.

There is no jet plane involved, but my bags are packed and I am ready to go.  I am behind on my house cleaning... scrubbing and mopping are hard on a ginormous pregnant lady. On the plus side, my laundry and dishes are caught up!  The nursery has been cleaned and Rigg is doing OK-to-well in his big boy bed. I have even slept unusually well for the past couple of nights... it has been wonderful!

So for lack of anything else to do... and because it has been snowing non-stop for the past 2 days, I am just hanging out in my PJ's and puttering/ reading/ playing with Rigg. Now it is a waiting game. Feel free to join me in my hunkering-down stage. I promise to post when I know more... or am a mommy again!

38 weeks 2 days

Big Rigg? Maybe... HUGE Ryder!

We had and ultrasound this morning to determine just how big this boy is. He is weighing in at 8.9 lbs (95th%) and is as comfy-cozy as can be... meaning, I see no birthing of any baby today or tomorrow... or in the next couple of days, for that matter...(no more "progression" has been made)

Maybe next weekend. My Doc is on call then, I will be 39 weeks next Friday.. and she mentioned inducing. I will not know for certain until she calls me back or I see her again on Monday.

So until he decides to force his way into our midst, we will wait. Some of us (maybe just me) will be waiting with swollen fingers and some pain... but wait we shall.

An Addition

No I have not had the baby...

I added a little addition to this blog.
I have been putting off writing a "summary" of our story for lack of inspiration and lack of time. Well, not to say I was inspired or really had the time... but I did get it done.
Now if you are new to reading about my oh-so-exciting life,(said with much sarcasm) or started visiting after our "major events" and just want to read more, I have written a beginnings page.
It is linked to, on the sidebar under our profile.
Or just click here.

It was interesting to think through our last couple of years and try to sum it up. So much has happened... and reflecting on it was amazing. God is SO good. He has given and provided so much for us. He alone, as the author of the story, is worthy of praise and glory.
Although much of what we have been through was hard and wearing... the peace and hope God has provided us through the fire is comforting and empowering. If He has been proven faithful once...He will be proven so again... no matter the situation.

I hope you see Him in the story as much as I do.

Ryder update

Ryder: "engaged" very big...makes mommy measure @ 41 weeks when mommy just turned 37 weeks yesterday.

New ultrasound will be taken next Thursday (my birthday!) to get a more up-to-date size. Maybe then we will find out if we get to meet Mr. Ryder a bit early.

Me: HUGE, waddling, uncomfortable. I have "progressed" a bit.

My Dr. informed me I am free to have the baby any time.

I am slowly getting things done. Rigg slept in his big boy bed last night for the first time. The Captain and I think it went rather well. Ryder's bag is packed and ready and I plan on getting the nursery cleaned and sorted out today. Let's hope I get my bag packed and a few odds and ends done before our newest addition makes his appearance!

Happy New Year everyone!

The day after the day after Christmas

or, December 27th.

or, Christmas with Cari's side of the family...late because we were waiting on sister and bro-in-law to get into town.

Pick your favorite title...

At any rate, it (Christmas celebrations) happened again yesterday.

Santa made an appearance for a long awaited Charlie (my brand new niece) to arrive.

We tried (in vain) to get a good picture of a squirming Rigg...

We played dress-up and pose with the baby and my mothers beautifully wrapped Christmas presents.

A family pic of my sis and brother and niece.

My mom with her grand kids... Rigg was enjoying Charlie's baby feet.

And yes... I really am that big...3 weeks people!

a Christmas pictorial summation

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Today

picture a large pregnant lady sitting on the sofa watching football...and eating pizza

Tomorrow

hung by the chimney with care

no stocking this year

just a Big Rigg

and a sweet reminder

It all started with a baby

As Christmas approaches (at an insanely incalculable speed, I might add) I am constantly bombarded with memories, emotions and desires. To me Christmas conjures up feelings of warmth. The atmosphere is just warm and inviting, the glow of a Christmas tree seems warm, the hot coco, the P.J's, the snuggling under blankets watching movies you only watch once a year... it all brings an aura of warmth. I enjoy feeling warm and happy. I look forward to the glow and the warmth Christmas brings.

This year, along with wanting all the family, food, pretty decorations and a desire to see Rigg really take notice, I desire to grasp meaning. I want not be drawn to my warmth so much as be drawn closer to Christ.

As I have been pondering ways I can learn and grow in my faith this Christmas, I have been struck anew. Not about Peace, or Joy, or how completely miraculous the entire Christmas Story really is... (each one of these things is amazing and awe inspiring) but about Hope.

God's gift of Hope...in the form of a baby.

I love all of the promises the bible offers to me about my hope for the future. Since Caden died, I have clung more desperately to my promise of salvation. (Ephesians 1:13) I look forward to the day Christ returns. I long to hear the trumpet sound and see the clouds rolled back. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) I rest upon the Hope that is promised to those who have put their trust in Christ,( John 3:16) in one word.... Heaven.

Hope has become a very real thing for me...an almost tangible thing to hold.

As I have reread and become reacquainted with the story of the birth of my Savior, I have discovered the beginning, the start... the foundation of my Hope.

Jesus

A baby.

A promised King.

A prophesied Messiah.

A perfect Lamb.

My only Hope.

Without Jesus' s birth, without His life of sinlessness upon this fallen terrain, without His willingness to die in my stead... I would be hopeless.

But He was born, He did live a sinless life, and He died for me. And because of Him, I have Hope.

Hope of Heaven.

Hope of true rest and no more pain.

Hope of eternity with Him.

Hope to see my Caden again.

So this Christmas, while I soak up and praise God for all the many ways I experience "my Christmas warmth" I am also praising and thanking Him for my Hope... the Hope that started with a baby, was solidified by a man on a cross and will end when He returns to take me home.

Thank you, Father, for your plan and provision.. for your Hope.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

And to think... it all started with a baby.

A little about the wee one

Wee One: Ryder Andrew

Due in just 4ish short weeks.

The babe we have nothing ready for.

We had an ultrasound on Monday and were able to view our newest addition. He is head down: very good news because they thought he was transverse... or maybe breech.  He is, fortunately, none of the above. Head down and ready to go...or at least he feels like he is ready...he is causing me large quantities of pain... when he moves it feels like his foot, or his knee, or some other appendage or body part will just shoot right out of my side, or something. Anyway, it is very painful... and there is nothing they can do.

One reason he might be causing so much pain is because he is HUGE. Ryder is already 6 & 1/2 to 7 lbs. He is considered in the 94th percentile at this point. My Dr. brought up the subject of induction as to avoid birthing a babe the size of which might be worth mentioning on the cover of a tabloid magazine. I am fine with that... the induction part, not the part about being on the cover of a magazine in the Wal-Mart check-out lane, thankyouverymuch.

We have started moving rooms around. Our office is now in the back of our kitchen, and after this weekend the once-was-office will hopefully be painted and become Rigg's new Big Boy Room. My mom is going to help me go through clothes and wash and ready them for Ryder,as well as move Rigg's to their new location... a freshly painted lime green dresser... I know you are just as stoked as me about that!

So, to sum up: Huge baby. Causing lots of pain. Due in 4 ish short weeks. nothing done.

Mother trying not to freak about lack of preparedness.