My sweet baby...

Look at that sweet face......

You know we have to own some camo.

Riley, two days old @ SkyRidge Hospital

Riley made his first trip to Chatt town today. We met Beth and Kaylee for lunch and shopping at the mall. He became a bit fussy from time to time when the stoller wasn't moving or he was in his seat too long. All in all, we had a good day. I found the lotion I've been searching all of Cleveland for!!! Riley is sleeping now in his bouncy seat. As you know already, that is one of his favorite places to be and we seem to get a lot of pictures there. We are going tomorrow for our first family photos. I can't wait! He is growing so fast, but I can't remember what our lives were like before him. It all is like a blur still, the things that seemed so important then are merely minor concerns now. Now we worry about illness, feedings and if we're being good parents and so on...

Riley is changing every day in some way. He is so alert and is awake a lot more during the day. He is so sweet when he sleeps though. He just doesn't have a care in the world and you realize how much trust he has in you to make sure everything is okay while he is dreaming. I love when he sleeps because when he wakes up and looks at me he has this look like "You're still here!!" and he just kicks and wiggles. I just know he has something to say, but can't yet! He is starting to like his baths more now. He doesn't cry the whole time now, but does when we wash his hair. Oh gosh, I lay in the bed at night thinking all these thoughts and worrying of course. I do this as I listen to the baby monitor and put myself to sleep. I can be so exhausted from the day, but the moment I go to bed I have to listen to the monitor until I just fall asleep. Call me crazy or just plain paranoid.

He truly is a blessing from God and I thank Him every day for Riley and Jeremy. Without all 3 of them, I would be nothing. We all have our moments in life when we are weaker, but we learn from them and move on. Becoming parents has been a true test for us. It has been the best test of patience and unconditional love. I hope that we remember these moments when we are at our witz end and very frustrated.

The Shaw Visit

Going to see my work aunts....

So sleepy & Mommy just keeps taking pictures!!

I took Riley to visit the folks at work today. I went to pick up my W-2 and since it was such a pretty day, I thought Riley would like to get out. He did so great! He did get a little fussy after a bit, but all went well. He got to see his work Aunts: Julie, Ashley and Dacia and also Moma Linda! He was a hit with everyone...like I don't know how beautiful and precious he is. Okay, I'm his mother I have to gloat and be partial to him. His true colors came out on the ride home when he started crying. He was hungry and was making sure I knew he was mad we were late for lunch for him and with Daddy. Next week we're going to get my eyebrows waxed and have lunch with Daddy at work. I hope you enjoy the photos!!

Pictures from Granny's

Here are some of the pics from our journey to Granny & Popa's this weekend.
Great-Great Uncle Donnie

Mammy(my Mom), Pappy (my Dad), Jeremy, Riley and me

Pappy, Riley and me

Popa, Jeremy, Riley and a very jealous Jake

Pappy & Riley

Wendy, Riley & Me

Bryan, Marie & Riley

On the road to Granny's

Riley & Mommy getting ready to go to Granny's

Mommy's favorite picture yet!!

Resting at Granny's

Our Toughest Week Yet

Well, what can I say?? This week has been a task. We had our first outing last weekend to Granny and Popa's. I packed enough diapers and milk for the day, but then we got there and decided since it was supposed to snow we would stay. Graciously, Uncle Mike went off of the mountain to get Riley some extra diapers and milk. Thank Goodness! He had so many visitors this weekend at Granny's that Mommy and Daddy barely had any time with him. We came home on Sunday and Bryan and Marie came over for a little visit. That afternoon Riley had a small fever. I wasn't too worried because that night it had went down to normal. He slept for about 5 hours straight and then Monday morning about 3AM it all started....

On Monday and Tuesday, the only way I could get him to sleep and not cry was to actually hold him in our chair and let him sleep. I didn't mind because I could tell he didn't feel well, but Mommy is exhausted this week. Tuesday night was much better. He slept in his crib again, but was up more then usual. Last night was better too...we're getting back to normal I hope. Our schedule has been thrown out the door this week. He eats at different times and well sleep is few and far between for Mommy.

It was so sweet how needy he was and I can see how easy it would be to transition him right on into the bed with us. Jeremy even suggested that if he didn't feel well Tuesday to let him sleep with us in the bed. Mommy toughed it out though with him up and down in his crib. Yesterday my mom and sister came over for the day. I was so glad! It was nice to have two extra set of hands besides mine. Moma even cooked dinner for us and I got to take a nap... well two small naps that lasted about 20 or 30 minutes, but it was nice. Tonight is Thursday so Daddy is off tomorrow!! We don't have any really big plans this weekend. Granny and Popa are coming over on Saturday for dinner. Hopefully by then Riley will be somewhat back on schedule. I guess this is how it can take weeks for a schedule to get developed with a newborn. They don't understand the need for a schedule.

Riley has gone through a growth spirt this week. He is eating more and some of the clothes that were too big are now getting a little more fitting. I can't believe it. He will never be two weeks old again or as of today 17 days old again...before I know it he will be 17 years old and driving around with girls!! What will I do?? He is developing his own little personality every day. He makes the cutest mean faces when he is disturbed. I can tell he has gained some weight too, but I have no idea how much. Before I know it, it will be March 22nd and I will be getting him ready for bed to go back to work. I can just imagine how hard that is going to be for me wondering all the cute things I will miss. Or will I miss the big things like sitting up or crawling, those things that make Mommy's and Daddy's so proud of their little beings. I guess we shouldn't dwell on it right now, we still have lots of time before I go back to work.

Refreshed!!

We have been home from the hospital a week yesterday. I haven't even been out of the house except but for a few seconds at a time...I'm getting cabin fever!! We are going to the doctor this afternoon. Originally we were to go next Wednesday, but little Riley has a poop problem. He didn't poop yesterday and hasn't yet today. He is such a good sport and hasn't been too fussy for Mommy and Daddy. Our "routine" is in the works. He is feeding about every 3-4 hours, but doesn't hesitate to let me know if he is hungry at 2 1/2. I'm so excited because I actually have on pre-pregnancy jeans!! American Eagle!! I'm weighing in at about 6 pounds less then when I got pregnant, which is great. I hope I can keep it off.

Riley hopefully is getting out of the fighting sleep stage, it comes and goes. He loves his bouncy seat and likes the swing okay. Jeremy is off tomorrow thank goodness...we've missed him so much this week. It continues to amaze me the bond that he and I share with Riley. We bond with him in such different ways and they all seem right. I thought after Riley was born our relationship would change drastically and was fearing we would be irritable towards each other or pull apart because of the first-time parenting frustration, but the opposite has taken place. He is like a whole different person and I never realized how lucky I really am until this experience.

Riley doesn't like to be covered up...he kicks the blankets off of him, but can't stand to be naked. I don't get that. We're trying to learn what cry means what, which is the most difficult thing yet. He circ hasn't healed yet, so they are going to look at it today. It could be up to 10 days after, but just want to make sure. My new favorite thing he does is when I burp him he likes to nestle in my neck and go to sleep afterwards.

Today is the first day I have "fixed" my hair since we've been home and he didn't know what to think with it being down and curly. He looked at me with amazement and reached for my hair. It was so cute!! We may try to venture to Granny and Popa's this weekend depending on today's doctor visit and the weather.

1 week old today!

Riley is 1 week old today. This past week has flown by! This time last week I was just getting to my room while my sweet little man was getting all cleaned up with this bath in the nursery. Our first days at home have been very eventful with lots and lots of company. Mommy and Daddy are exhausted from it all and the phone calls. We know how loved he is, but were very appreciative for yesterday's peace and quite. Jeremy had to go back to work today so we took advantage of just a day with the three of us. Of course, Riley slept most of the day!

We've mastered the task of getting him to eat a full meal at one time. His appetite is growing. Two ounces no longer contain him until his next feeding, so we have increased to 2.5 ounces. He is becoming a little piglet! He is so sweet though, he will hold his hand up to my fingers when I am feeding him or just try to put them on the bottle. It is so cute!! On Thursday, he had his first bath at home and continues to hate being naked or having his diaper changed. It's so funny to me because Jeremy rarely wears a shirt if the weather is warm.

I was an emotional case yesterday fearing my first day home alone with Riley. Just the thought of Jeremy going to work today made me cry. We've made it just fine this morning! We do miss him though and can't wait to see him this afternoon. I cannot express how great he is. If I ever doubted his devotion to me or that he wouldn't help with Riley, I was so wrong.

Riley has been in his crib for 3 nights and has slept until around 4 in the morning without waking up. Jeremy gets up every time to help me change the diaper and feed. This morning was difficult for him. He kept saying he didn't want to do to work and I realized how lucky I am to get to stay home with Riley. Jeremy assured me that Riley and I would be okay. He said that he knew it because of how great Riley and I did during his delivery. Just that remark made me feel so brave about today. It is just going to take me time to get used to it all.

Riley has fought naps and sleep since yesterday. I hope this doesn't last long. After breakfast this morning he just kept crying and crying. It took me after a diaper change and making sure he was full and was burped enough to realize he was just sleepy. Trying to explain to a one week old that Mommy is learning is not very easy. But he finally dozed off to sleep. I've talked to Jeremy twice today and sent him a ton of I Miss You Daddy! pics on his phone...I just can't help myself.

Tomorrow we're going to start working on a schedule for Mr. Riley now that we know he has an appetite and will sleep alone in his crib. We didn't want to have too many task going on for Riley at a time. We go to his first doctor visit on the 21st and anticipate things will go well. After the visit to the doctor, we've planned to surprise Daddy at work with lunch!

Riley is here!!

Most of you already know and have met my sweet little man. He was born on January 5, 2009 at 9:27 AM. It was the most amazing experience. We went in at 7 Sunday. They gave me the pill at 8:30 and at around 10:30 we walked around the hospital and then I took a bath in the jacuzzi tub. The nurse had told me that LeeAnn had written for me to take an Ambien to help me sleep if I needed to. I took it at about 11:30 and then around 2:30 they gave me another pill for my cervix. She had it written to do twice at 6 hours apart. If it didn't work after the 2nd time, we were going to be put on the Pitocin drip at around 9 Monday morning. Well....I woke up about 3:30-3:40 and felt and heard this swoosh sound....water had broke!!! I was so excited and thankful because I did not want to be induced by the Pitocin drip.

Jeremy was asleep and so the nurse and I did our thing for a few minutes before I woke him. I was at 3 cm then. I woke Jeremy and we kinda slept on and off until around 5 when I was having more severe contractions and was in pain. I still was determined not to get an epidural so they have me a shot of pain meds and told me I was dilated to 5 cm. I was still so sleepy from the Ambien and then with the pain meds...I felt so helpless because I just wanted to sleep and couldn't. Jeremy called our parents and my grandparents to let them know we were at 5 and they might want to head our way, but that the nurse said we still had a few hours yet. The contractions came faster and harder from that point. Around 7 I told the nurse I was hurting and asked what my options were instead of the epidural. Luckily LeeAnn had just pulled into the parking lot and was on her way to see me. They checked me and I was 6cm.

When LeeAnn came in, she basically told me that I was at the hardest part of labor and other then an epidural, I was just going to hurt. She understood I didn't want one, but she recommended that I get it so I could try to rest. I agreed, but kept telling the nurse I just felt like I needed to push. It wasn't a pain....but tons of pressure. It was around 7:30 when they came to do the epidural, which they had to do twice because the guy pulled it out taking the tape off of me the first time. When they finished, I still told them...it was not pain, but pressure and we needed to push....so they checked me again at 8 and the nurse said, "Honey, we can't wait for the epidural to take...the baby is on the way and you are ready to push..." I told Jeremy, I knew it!!!

We started pushing and only pushed for about an hour and ten minutes. I then realized that my legs were going numb and asked LeeAnn what was going on. She told me that the epidural was starting to work....too little too late. I also didn't know that Riley's cord was wrapped around his neck twice, but everything turned out okay. So after 6 very exciting hours, my beautiful son arrived and the feeling that I had....well....I just can't describe.

I wondered often during my pregnancy how I could love someone so much that I had never met, but now I wonder how I ever lived without him in my life and how just looking at him I can cry because Jeremy and I made him out of nothing but love and how he just captured my heart.

We're noticing slight changes in him daily. He lifts his head a little now and just will sit and look at us when he is awake. I wonder what is going through his mind. My favorite thing is when I am feeding him; he just watches me and gazes at me. That is the time I usually shed a few tears because I am so amazed at him. The bond that took place instantly between him and us and then with the three of us is unremarkable. People tell you that there is nothing like childbirth, but it is more than childbirth. There is nothing like becoming a family. It's the three of us now and now matter what happens we will take it head on as a team.

The first two nights at home he was in his Pack N Play in our room. Last night he was in his bed...I didn't sleep a wink!!! Hercules has been okay towards him, but I was so afraid I would go to sleep and not hear him or that Hercules would get in the bed with him. I felt so helpless because he was sleeping away and didn't need me and I was just being paranoid. I then realized that if I can't stand him being a wall away at night, how will I ever stand him being in daycare with a stranger all day....ugh!! It's only week one and I already don't want to leave him....what will I do in March????

It's D Day!!!

We have about 3 and half hours or so until we head to the hospital. The last couple of days have been real emotional for me. I have cried at the drop of a hat and my nerves are completely gone. I'm so anxious about this. I can't say I'm scared yet.
Last night, Jeremy and I watched a movie in bed for the last time just the two of us...of course Hercules was right there. So when I woke at a little before 8 this morning, I just kep laying there listening to the hum of our ceiling fan thinking this is it...today is the day our life changes forever. So I snuggled up to Jeremy and instantly he knew what I was thinking and told me everything would be alright and I could do this that he would be right there with me....YEP I cried like a baby! He got up and I asked him to close the bedroom door so I could try to sleep some more. Hercules curled up next to me and we slept until almost 11. I'm glad because I don't think I will be able to take a nap this afternoon as much as I would like to. My hair is ready. Ashley graciously braided it for me earlier today. I'm just waiting for time to go.
I hope that when we get to the hospital I have dilated more and things can just move right along and also hope that my blood pressure is alright. This has been the most enjoyable experience of my life. I have been blessed with not being sick or in too much pain. Until my blood pressure became an issue, I felt great. I've had good days and bad days but honestly have loved being pregnant. It's been so fun and memorable going through this. Jeremy has been great and I can't wait for his reaction when he sees Riley for the first time.

So the next blog I make, I will be officially Riley's Mommy. Thank you all for your support and encouragement as well as all the fun during this.