Reunited!!

Ahhh.. It's over. All that stress for nothing!

Ya see, back in January when I returned from my Ohio trip and John from the mission trip to Ghana, Riley did not take too kindly to being away from daddy for those 1o days. Not too kindly at all!! It took almost two weeks for Riley to stop running away crying from daddy. He was extremely needy on me and it was rough for everyone. That was only 10 days... this time it was 2 months- and I was worried!! I imagined a repeat of that little boy attached to my hip, only this time I'd have a brand new, totally dependent baby when daddy arrived home. It might have kept me up on some nights, worrying about how that reunion would go.

Well- no more worries! It went AWESOME!!! Of course I was thrilled to see my loving husband's face as our eyes met and he strutted toward us through the airport. And turns out I wasn't the only one bursting with excitement!!! Riley didn't skip a beat! We got him out of the stroller and he ran, not walked, but ran over to daddy to get a great big hug!!!

The anticipation...

Two happy boys!Daddy meeting his daughter for the first time!

Looks like the daddy story time and skyping helped out a lot! Daddy was always in Riley's conversations and on his mind! Phhhhew!


Once home, the play began and they picked up right where they left off!

After the exhausting play (not to mention the jet lag that John had), it was time for a much needed nap. John swooped Ri up in his blanket and laid down with him on the couch. Let me tell you that our son does NOT sit still. The only time that he has really spent time cuddling with me (or anyone) for more than minute increments was when he broke his collar bone. It doesn't happen. However, my little busy body must have made an exception for daddy. He laid on daddy for 20 minutes, eyes open and just enjoying the moment then finally even nodded off.

Pure Bliss!Needless to say, we are so happy that daddy's home! We are now a complete family again and boy does it feel good!!!

Round 1- Ding ding!

Almost a week old... and in my restful state I've been playing with pictures. Needless to say, this baby is going to be well documented via photography! Here are my favorites!!

There is actually a HUGE sibling resemblance... Check out these pictures of Riley I had taken when he was a month old. Sometimes Scarlett makes faces that make me feel like it's actually little infant Riley that I'm looking at!

Anyway- all is well. John is home! And life is perfect!!!

Did we make it to the Hospital?

After weeks of feeling like it could really happen any day, sheeeeeeeee's HERE!!

So after my facebook post, I got alot of questions whether we made it to the hospital this time. After all, 24 minutes from the time my water broke to delivery doesn't quite work with the 40 minute hospital drive we had to take. What a bad combo for me... short labors, long hospital drive. But there was no alternative since my awesome doctor only delivers at Thunderbird Hospital and I was not about to find a new doc- he's like family to me.

Let's go back to Monday, May 10th. (cue dreamy harp music and fog)

While Labor Coach, Judi (my mom) and I were out to Kohls spending her mothers day gift card, I couldn't help but notice a change in my normal status. Instead of the normal tightening braxton hicks contractions, I was feeling a little more crampy that day- nothing big or painful but just crampy. Trying to be totally in tune with my body as not to miss any signs of labor, I carefully monitored the cramps all day which were not subsiding. Dinner came and went and the cramps were still there, not really painful but just different from what I had been experiencing. After discussing with my mom, John (I kept him in the loop via email and he was calling periodically to check in on me) and my Bradley Instructor, I decided to try to catch some "ZZZZ's" figuring that if that was the real deal, I could use the rest and if it's strong enough to capture my attention during sleep that I should take it more seriously. I laid in bed restless for 2 hours and at midnight got up to go further discuss with my mom.

With so many moving parts (Riley's care, making to the hospital, my doc being there to deliver me, etc), I had a lot to consider... I decided that instead of just waiting for something more to happen at home, risking a repeat of last time that we'd go to the hospital then and if need be, I could always just try to jump start my labor by walking/squatting. And with Riley's somewhat fragile state (he's been very clingy to mommy since daddy's been away and even dropping him off in the church nursery is an ordeal), I figured it was a perfect time to go since he was sound asleep in bed, none the wiser. I called my friend, Tiffany and asked her to come over and sleep at my place as my mom and I left for the hospital and Tiff being the great and generous friend she is, was at my door in minutes. On the way to the hospital, Mom and I said a little prayer for God to work out all the unknowns and details and to calm my anxiety of actually going to the hospital this time!! OK- cue time line:

• 1:36 am- Arrived at Banner Thunderbird Hospital
• 1:51 am- Checked in with OB Triage to determine whether I should be admitted or sent home. I was having contractions 5 mins apart lasting 40-60 seconds.
• 2:11 am- Got a 10 minute explanation how doctors aren't really coming in on nights and weekends and those cases are covered by the on-call docs. My hopes of having my doctor deliver me were dashed... I was scared... I'm one of those "birth plan" ladies (which I am sure is a nuisance to doctors) and my doctor and I had worked hard to come to an agreement with those plans.
• 2:21 am- Triage nurse left to get on-call doc.
• 2:27 am- MY Doctor walked through the door!!! YAY!!! Praise God!!!
• 2:38 am-3:10am- Moved up to L&D room and got hooked up to moniters and getting a dose of antibiotics b/c of testing positive for GBS
• 3:12 am- My doc came in and checked me (6cm) and broke my water
• 3:36 am- Good Morning and Happy Birthday Scarlett!!! (I'll spare you the details of the most violent 24 minutes of my life)

In the end, it's all worth the pain!!! For those of you who are jealous of my fast and easy labors... I'll give you fast but I assure you that they are NOT easy!!!!

More pictures to come- of course!!

Patiently Awaiting

No news here (or at least the news I do have may not be appropriate to share quite so publicly).. We're just here. My body is further than many woman are after hours of labor so I fully anticipate that this time will be just as fast and furious as last time.. Don't worry. I intend on leaving for the hospital the moment I am sure I'm in labor. I'd be lying if I said it hasn't crossed my mind to set up a tent on hospital grounds. This time, going overdue has not been as stressful as it was when Riley was past due. I've mentally prepared for it this time.. makes a BIG difference. So sometime in the next week or so, I should have a new little gal but until then life has been happening.I've actually got quite a bit to post about. Boy have I been busy this past month. My brother and family were here for almost a month since Easter and everyday was full of trips to target, splash pads, zoo, and just toddler play(/fight) time. I don't have my camera card up here so that post will have to be reserved for another time and so I'll reserve the commentary too.

Here's just something that keeps me busy and keeps my heart happy.. Pictures- of course.

And here I am... 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant.