30 weeks

How am I 30 weeks already?  Our baby girl is going to be here before we know it.  I must admit it has been a little hard to focus on my pregnancy and preparing for her since my injury.  It's been 4 weeks since my surgery and I'm gradually getting better at maneuvering around on one leg.  Steve is still mostly doing majority of the housework and Luke duties but I'm trying.  Between this growing belly and one leg it's hard to do even some of the simplest tasks. 

Everything with the pregnancy is looking great.  She is growing normally and has a strong heartbeat.  145bpm at the last appt.  I'm now going every 2 weeks for our checkups.  I feel like she is going to be very strong and wiggly.  She moves ALL THE TIME! and sometimes when she's rolling around in there is will shake my entire body.  She especially likes getting up under my right ribs.  I don't remember Luke being so forceful when he was in my belly. Steve and I love imagining what she'll look like and what her personality will be like as it gets closer to time.  And of course I had to through Steve for a loop and give him a new list of names to consider.  This is what happens when you can't get comfortable and don't sleep at night.  We know her middle name will be Frances and Tatum is still on the list.  Other names for consideration are Olivia, Ella, and Emily.  Names are hard.

We've been talking to Luke more and more about his baby sister.  He still doesn't really understand but he does talk to my belly sometimes.  I think he actually thinks my protruding bellybutton is the baby since he pets that.  One day he came up and slapped my belly and said, "I give baby high five."  I really want to believe he was being sweet but part of me things it was a little bit of manipulative meanness.  Here is one of his sweet moments:

In other news we had a great day celebrating Easter with our church family and my family in Picayune. Easter is my favorite holiday.  I can't wait until I can get Luke and his sister coordinating outfits next year.  We've been trying to do and play as much as possible with an injured family member.  The weather is great outside and I hate missing out on these days.

Luke decorated my cast for me

We celebrated Frankie's bday at the zoo

Luke helped make sure I got around at the zoo

Luke got some quality time with Tiff since she stayed and helped me after my surgery.  He loves "TT"

Making my bo bo better

Steve got to participate in his favorite sport - eating.  He beat the Sully's challenge with 10 min to spare.  I on the other hand couldn't finish my salad because I had heartburn.

Week 26

The last few weeks have been pretty chaotic around the Ryder house.

On March 8th, we found out that Steve's Gram passed away.  She lived a very full 93 years and we know she is happy to be reunited with her husband in heaven.  We went to Tampa for the funeral later that week while Luke got to stay with our neighbor and his Nanna.  I learned even more how great this 4'10" little feisty woman was from all the stories shared from her loved ones while we were there.  Although the circumstances were sad, it was nice to get to visit with family we rarely see for a few days.  We also decided on the name Tatum Frances Ryder for our little girl to remember Gram.

A few weeks later after one of our family runs, Steve and I were doing some yard work while Luke napped.  I tripped with the hedge clippers and ended up cutting my leg pretty severely.  Steve took me to the ER where he got one of his bosses to look at it and decided to go ahead sew me up and put me in a boot.  It was neat to see Steve in action especially since he was still wearing his yard work clothes.  After about 4 days of having foot drop and numbness, Steve knew I did a pretty good bit of damage and got me in to see a specialist.  I ended up having surgery that Friday to repair the peroneal nerve and 3 tendons that I those clippers severed.  I had to get a spinal block instead of going under anesthesia so I was awake for the entire thing.  It was a very weird experience talking to the people who are working inside your leg.  I did get to take a peek right before they closed me up which was pretty cool if you like that sort of gross stuff. The next few days were pretty bad with pain but I'm doing better now and am getting better at maneuvering around on these crutches which it looks like I'll be on for the rest of pregnancy.  We already know Tatum is going to be tough because she did great throughout the surgery.  Every time I started to get a little anxious, (I was awake while people were cutting me open. It was neat but also a little overwhelming) I would focus on Tatum's heartbeat which I could hear on the fetal monitor.  It really helped calm me down.

Just the past few weeks has reminded me even more of how awesome of a husband I have and how lucky Luke and Tatum are.  He's taken on double duty around here and has turned into a great caregiver.  He's also pretty easy on the eyes :)

Here's some photos of Steve's artwork (I'll spare the gory pre-stitches photo) and me taking it easy.

 

In happier news, we have been making progress on getting Tatum's room ready. I think it looks great so far but we have a little more work to do once I'm a little more mobile.  Also, Spring is here and we're getting ready for Easter which is my favorite time of year.  It's hard to be to bummed when the days are long and the sun is warm.

a sneak peak of Tatum's room

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Week 23

I've been steadily growing while enjoying some time outside.  We've had a few great days of weather here and there and I love taking advantage of them. I'm getting some energy back and feeling pretty good these days.  This little girl moves a lot!  I think she is pretty stretched out in there too, all the way to my belly because it doesn't take much food for me to feel really full.  The problem is I'm starving 10 minutes later. 
One of our outdoor family times that has become a routine is a 5 mile run around the neighborhood on Saturday mornings.  This is the time of year that Steve really steps up his running so we can do the CCC in New Orleans.  Fortunately for me, there is some construction in our neighborhood so I have a porta potty I can use halfway through the run.  Since I'm still a little faster than Steve, I usually start off pushing Luke so it puts us at an even pace.  About halfway through though, I get tell Steve I'm tired of carrying both kids so he takes over the stroller and I get Dash.  Luke is content singing Wheels on the Bus and Itsy Bitsy Spider for the duration of the trip. 

He looks so tiny in his new bed

Luke was a big help while dad put together his new furniture

Week 20 - It's a girl

The last few weeks have been pretty uneventful, which is a nice change in our house.  It's been great for me because I haven't been able to shake the exhaustion of pregnancy this time.  We've enjoyed spending some quality time with Luke since he will soon have divided attention from us.  Steve and I have also been imagining what this baby will be like. The more my belly grows and the more I feel movements, the more real it becomes that our family will soon have an addition.

We had our ultrasound yesterday to check on the baby's growth and find out if it's a he or she.  Fortunately, Steve was able to take off of work and meet me.  He really thought it was going to be a girl and I was sure it was a boy.  My mommy senses were wrong.  She was modest at first but finally wiggled into the right position for us to see. One thing is for sure, she's active!  I already knew this from all the moving I feel day and night but it was confirmed with the ultrasound.  I'm guessing she's going to be a gymnast.  This will definitely be a new adventure for us since we have the boy thing pretty down.  Now it's time to find her a name and start buying cute clothes.

In other news, it's really exciting because we have several friends who are also expecting.  This little girl will have lots of friends to play with around here.  We recently celebrate Jennifer Sheridan's as they anticipate the arrival of Anthony and Alana, their soon to be adopted children.  All of her hosts were pregnant and due within a month of each other. 

Here are a few pictures of us enjoying the last few weeks:

Luke just got a new truck that he can't drive

The cutest little Valentine.

Mardi Gras Parade fun

A fun day rolling in the grass

This occurred in the process of moving Luke to a big boy bed

Week 16 Round 2

I took a video of the screen.  I could watch that heart beating all day

At week 16 I've started getting a little more excited about our new baby.  I've started growing a little belly and have become more curious about what the baby will be like.  Steve and I have been tossing around names as well. 

We went into his office to see if we could figure out the sex on the ultrasound machine there.  We really didn't know what we were doing.  We did know when we saw that tiny little heart beating though.  We both fell in love and kept looking at our baby for about 15 more minutes.  We sort of kinda think we know but again, we're not sure we were even looking in the right spot.  We're going to try again at 18 weeks and then know for sure on my appointment on Feb. 18th.

This is what we think is the genital area

How sweet is that tiny foot pushing my belly?

In the meantime, I have been wanting King Cake.  Actually, I always want king cake in a bad way around Mardi Gras but I'm just blaming the amount I eat on pregnancy.  I even requested that Bop's make a king cake concrete.  They did and it was AWESOME.  I've also had three different Paul's Pastry king cakes at my house within the past 2 weeks.

Week 14 Round two

The month of December was very busy and very fun for all of us.  Fortunately, I never got too sick during my 1st trimester so I was able to enjoy our activities.  I did sleep a lot.  Complete exhaustion has been my main symptom, along with a few food aversions that are still happening, and a little nausea.
We started the Christmas season off by going to the Columbia Christmas Train.  I wasn't very impressed by the train or the event but Luke had a good time which was what was important. We went to several Christmas parties where the baby and I enjoyed lots of party food.  Cheesy dips and breads have been right up my alley lately.  I've indulged a good bit.

We celebrated Christmas with my family about two weeks early.  My mom already picked up an outfit for the new baby.  I assumed it would be a gender neutral item but no, it was a little boy outfit.  She already has her guesses about what this baby is going to be. (My guess is the same as hers but we'll see).
This year we spent Christmas in NJ with Steve's family.  We actually drove all the way up there.  Fortunately, I'm so tired these days, I can sleep anywhere so Luke and I spent most of the time sleeping while Steve listened to his books on tape.  Unfortunately, I did make us make more stops than needed for bathroom breaks.

We had such a great time doing pretty much nothing but hanging out for a week and a half.  We lounged in our pj's and watched Mickey Mouse everyday until almost lunch time.  The baby and I got a lot of much needed sleep and maybe more than needed NJ pizza.  Fortunately, we stayed active since we knew we were going to run a race on New Year's day. 

The baby and I ran our second (and maybe last until it's on the outside) race together.  I didn't think I would be able to run the entire thing but Steve, baby and I all ran 7.5 miles (we beat Steve) while Luke got some time with his Nana.  That was about all we did for the day though.

Week 10 Round 2

I haven't been as consistent with taking belly pictures this go round but there also hasn't been much change.  Of course with the first pregnancy I swore each day that my belly was growing a little more.  This time I realize it's very unlikely to see a true baby bump until at least the end of the first trimester.  It's just bloat which I'm feeling all the time.  I think it's a combination of the pregnancy hormones and the fact that all I really want to eat is processed carbs.  Just like last time, I have an aversion for coffee and most things healthy.  No more salads, fruits, or greek yogurt.  Give me french fries and bread.  Unlike last time, I also have an aversion to meat.  I wanted meat all the time (which is strange for me) when I was pregnant with Luke.  This time it's all about the breads.  Other pregnancy symptoms include a constant nauseated feeling, going to the bathroom every 5 minutes, and exhaustion.  I just want to sleep.

Even though I don't have any belly pictures, I did get to see the baby again at the 10wk apt. on Dr. Kot's portable ultrasound machine.  The tiny little heart was beating at 150 bpm.  It's amazing how developed someone so tiny already is.

We have been able to take the baby on a few adventures so far. We went to the Superdome to watch the Saints and 49ers play (unfortunately they lost in overtime).  Baby also ran his/her first race - the Hobble and Gobble 10k on Thanksgiving day.  We even won 1st place in my age group.  We enjoyed fueling up on lots of carbs on Thanksgiving and sharing the news with family we haven't told yet.

Just the 3 of us at the Saints game

Luke and I went to fulfill my Bops craving

Hobbling with friends before we gobbled.