Riley's Birth Story

A week ago Monday morning, I woke up feeling the same as every other morning the past month - optimistic and hopeful that Riley would make her big debut that day.  And every day at about 10AM, I give up that hope.  I know that every pregnancy and labor is different, but my only other experience is with Alli.  With Al, my water broke around 9AM, followed by my first contractions.  I delivered her at 8:38 that same night.  So I couldn't help but expect Riley to follow suit, especially given I had zero contractions and was only 2cm dilated at that point.

So anyway, this Monday I hopped (okay, groaned and rolled) out of bed and made my way to the bathroom.  It was around 7:30AM, and I thought I might have felt my water break.  It wasn't much, but I thought to myself excitedly Maybe today's the day!!  Not that I hadn't thought it several other mornings...but I was pretty anxious to go into labor without an induction, and at 40 weeks and 2 days, time was running out.  So Ryan got up shortly after I did, and I told him that my water might have broken, but I wanted to keep an eye on it.  He went on to work and I laid back down.  Around 8:30AM, I got up again and took a few steps towards the bathroom - but there was no mistaking.  My water had broken!!  I decided to go ahead and make breakfast for Alli and I before I let anyone know.  I knew as soon as I got to the hospital, there'd be no eating.  So I whipped up blueberry muffins and then called Ryan to let him know.  About that time, the contractions started.  They were very mild and hard to time, but they were definitely something.  So I texted my mom and told her I was going to go to the hospital to get checked for my water breaking.  I told her not to head up before I got confirmation, but she said "Your water broke.  You're having contractions.  I'm on my way."

So Lindsey came over to sit with Alli at our house, and Ryan and I headed to the ER.  They tested me for amniotic fluid, which came back positive.  Woohoo - it was baby day!!  Then they began the admission process.  I had one great ER nurse and one that was awful.  She couldn't get my IV in, and when I told her I was woozy about needles, she kept talking about valves and veins.  She also kept telling the other nurse that Riley's heart rate was dropping during my contractions, which the better nurse assured me was normal and because her heart rate came back up afterwards, everything was fine.  Then bad nurse forgot to take my blood, which I found out later had to happen before I got an epidural.  Pretty sure it was her mission in life to make labor and delivery as painful as possible for me - as if I needed help.

Anyway, the labor and delivery nurses came down and wheeled me into my room.  Ryan and I didn't take a hospital tour before delivery, so we were pleasantly surprised to see a huge room with a couch, table and chairs, and a rocking chair.  I was going to labor, deliver, and recover in the same room.  We waited a while on the epidural before we all figured out that they were waiting on bloodwork that hadn't actually been drawn yet.  Talk about frustrated!  My contractions were really picking up at that time.  Finally the bloodwork was complete, but the nurse said that my platelets were low and she wasn't sure if they could even give me an epidural.  I got pretty worried at that time, but the anesthesiologist came in and said they were just high enough that he would feel comfortable proceeding.  He sent in another anesthesiologist to actually put it in, and that's where the story gets painful.  He could not get the epidural in - he tried about five times.  I was in a lot of pain, with tears streaming down my face.  Finally, 45 minutes later, he got it done and I felt the relief.  About that time, my mom, sister, and Alli showed up.   As the epidural kicked in, I had fun chatting with all of them (and my mother in law who showed up a little later).  They checked me again, and I was only 4cm, so I figured we were in for a long haul.

But then, just about 2 hours later, my mom, Alli and mother-in-law went out to get some snacks and the nurses came in to check me.  The student nurse checked first and looked up at the other nurse - "I think she's complete."  The other nurse checked and agreed.  Lindsey hustled out of the room to tell the grandmothers and big sister.  Alli poked her head in one more time to tell me she loved me, and then it was go time!

At that time, Riley was still a little high, so while the room started getting prepped for delivery (think runway lights and a table full of frightening looking tools), they had me push through contractions to get her in position to call the doctor.  Her heart rate started dropping a little, but as soon as my doctor came in, she was fine.  He left again, waiting on her to get into a better position, and the nurse and I worked on getting her lower.  At one point, the nurse commented "She has a head full of hair!!"  And then we pushed one more time, and she said "If I tell you to stop, stop.  She's really close."  So I took a deep breath and pushed while she counted - she only made it to 4 (we'd been going to 10) when she said "Stop! STOP!!" and then called Dr. Hurt in.  He got suited up and we pushed one more time - and baby Riley was born!!

They immediately laid her on my chest and I was SHOCKED at her long dark hair!  Seriously, if they hadn't put her on my chest immediately, I would have thought they had pulled a baby swap on me.  But she was so so gorgeous and so perfect that I couldn't believe it - that's the second time I've had that experience, and there's nothing less special about it the second time.  Ryan cut the cord and then followed the nurse over to where they were cleaning up Riley.  While the doctor worked on me, Ryan was snapping pictures and helping to clean her up - totally not fair.

She weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs, 6 oz. and was 21 inches long - a whole pound and 3/4 inch bigger than her sister.  We've joked that those 6 oz must be hair.  I think my mom almost had a heart attack waiting - Ryan was so caught up in everything that he completely forgot to text her that everyone was okay!  But finally in Alli came to meet her little sissy for the first time, followed by both of her grandmas and her aunt.  Seeing them together for the first time was such a wonderful feeling that I won't forget - and seeing Ryan become a daddy all over again was wonderful too.  It made me so happy that he was able to be a complete part of this pregnancy and birth.  He has proven to me again (as if I needed a reminder) of what a wonderful husband, daddy, and man he is.

Sorry this post is so late - I can't believe she's already eight days old!  We've been adjusting here at home and trying to get as much sleep as possible, so I'll update again when I have a chance.  I'd forgotten what a full time job mothering a newborn is.  I consider it a victory when I brush my teeth and hair - and a shower?  That's heaven on earth.  But I seriously wouldn't trade it.

Pregnancy Update - 40 Weeks

How far along: 40 weeks - Are we going to have to go to a daily update now?

Size of baby: According to The Bump, Miss Riley is the size of a jackfruit, weighing 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measuring 18.9 to 20.9 inches long.  I've never seen a jackfruit to my knowledge, FYI.

Maternity clothes: PJ pants, Ryan's shirts, and a Piko when I have to look nice.  Which is almost never.  I'm dressed up above for Alli's 2nd grade awards ceremony.  I thought I'd do my hair for her on her last day of school.

Gender: Obviously a very patient girl who is very happy where she is right now.

Movement:  Still crazy at night and pretty calm during the day.  I had an NST this week because of my blood pressure and my being concerned about her movement that day.  Turns out, all she needed was a little goading from the monitors being hooked up to her.  She passed with flying colors.

Sleep: Sleep has been fine.  We've had storms and rain the past few nights, and that hasn't hurt anything.

Symptoms: Heartburn, swelling, back pain.  I was a little crampy last night, so let's hope that means something is happening!

What I miss: Fluidly getting up and down.  Every time I roll over it's a three point turn.  I need help out of chairs, couches, and off the floor.  And coffee.  And wine.  Still.

Cravings: Sweets - Riley's additional "birthday cake" is almost gone.  She's going to miss it like she missed last week's if she doesn't get a move on!

Food aversions: Not much.  I love it all.

Best moment this week: Alli's 2nd grade awards ceremony and knowing Riley was fine after the NST.

What I am looking forward to: Riley's arrival.  The doctor won't let me go much past 41 weeks, which is this coming Thursday, so at least we know we'll have her within a week's time.  I really don't want to be induced though, so I am really hoping that she decides to debut soon!!

Pregnancy Update - 39 Weeks

How far along: 39 weeks - I'm laughing but I'm dying of anticipation.

Size of baby: According to The Bump, Miss Riley is the size of a watermelon, weighing 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measuring 18.9 to 20.9 inches long.  These foods just keep sounding more and more painful.

Maternity clothes: It's my own version of maternity - Pikos, stretchy pants, Ryan's soft t-shirts, and reindeer pajama pants.

Gender: A sweet but obviously very stubborn girl named Riley Rachelle

Movement:  This girl is cray.  Every night around 8PM and then again at 10PM (and then again at 12AM...) she gets totally wild.  Like rolling, kicking, and punching all over the place!  If you're running out of room, Riley, I have a solution for you...

Sleep: Sleep is okay.  I've been staying up late over this holiday weekend watching movies.  I know I need to sleep while I can, but I am so impatient for her to show up that I have to have something keep my mind off of it!

Symptoms: Heartburn, swelling, some back pain - nothing new, just the usual.

What I miss: Laying out at the pool on my stomach and fitting into my swimsuits.  That's been a new challenge this Memorial Day weekend.  Also having a jaw line, having outfits I can wear for any occasion, and wine.  And coffee.

Cravings: Sweets - I baked a yellow cake with chocolate icing and called it Riley's birthday cake.  She did not seem to be motivated by it, because it's long gone.  I just made another one last night.  Maybe this one will make it until her birth?

Food aversions: I pretty much love all food right now.  I hate it when something gives me heartburn, but I just load up on the Tums.

Best moment this week: Alli's horse show - watching her overcome the adversity she faced was incredible (more on that in the next post).  And spending all of this three day weekend with my little family of three - at the pool, at the barn, playing Yahtzee.  Maybe Riley was giving me one more weekend to savor total focus on Alli.  

What I am looking forward to: She's registered for daycare.  Her newborn photoshoot is scheduled.  Her clothes are washed.  Come on, Riley!!

Pregnancy Update - 37 Weeks

How far along: 37 weeks

Size of baby: According to The Bump, Miss Riley is the size of a winter melon (??), weighing 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measuring 18.9 to 20.9 inches long

Maternity clothes: If Pikos, stretchy pants, pj pants, and Ryan's shirts are maternity clothes, then yes.  This week, Alli asked me in front of her teachers if I was wearing the same shirt I wore to bed the night before.  The answer was yes.

Gender: Still a sweet girl named Riley Rachelle

Movement:  Still lots of strong jabs.  She's far more active in the evenings than during the day, but I mostly have her little patterns figured out, so I try not to worry about it too much.  I did find out at our last appointment that she's head down, so I have pushed her little hiney out of my ribs more than once!

Sleep: Sleep is off and on.  I'm having a lot of cray cray dreams (Dad coaching the Razorbacks, my childhood pony Hopper is stuck at the old house, I'm at a rodeo...), and I have to get up a lot to go to the bathroom.  And I'm snoring.  Isn't that terrible?  I actually woke myself up snoring the other day.

Symptoms: Swollen feet and ankles (I went in to work Friday for my review and to see my coworkers, and I came home to stumps!), some back aches and cramps.

What I miss: Sound sleep - I guess I better get used to it!  Margaritas - went to a happy hour with the coworkers Friday and sipped water on the patio.  And wine & coffee, coffee & wine.

Cravings: Sweets - Alli, Ryan, and I are making s'mores later at Alli's request, and I can barely contain myself.

Food aversions: Not much - I am still not interested in red meat and am having to avoid red sauces, which includes pizza and my beloved Mama Z's.  I think that's what I'll have for my post-birth meal.  Ryan, are you listening?

Best moment this week: We got to see Riley again this week.  I asked if he could tell if she was head down, and he decided to do a quick ultrasound.  Her little face was all smooshed, so I know she's running out of room.  But it's always so fun to see her.  And my mother's day (see previous post) was pretty rad as well.

What I am looking forward to: RILEY.  She's all that's missing now!!

Pregnancy Update - 36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: According to The Bump, Miss Riley is the size of a honeydew, weighing 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measuring 17.2 to 18.7 inches long (same as 34 weeks, but continuing to beef up!)

Maternity clothes: ...sure.  Nothing fits right.  Now that I'm working from home full time until she gets here, I am spending my days in Ryan's shirts and my pj pants.  I can't complain.

Gender: A precious little girl named Riley Rachelle.

Movement:  A ton at night, not a ton during the day.  She has about 4 weeks to get that all straightened out!

Sleep: Sleep has been much better!  I finally got on antibiotics for that sinus infection, and I feel a million times better.  I'm only waking up a few times at night and am able to fall back asleep really quickly.

Symptoms: Swollen feet and ankles (which have improved a ton since I started working from home), a little heartburn (not nearly as bad as it was), and back pain.

What I miss: Rolling over in bed not being a tremendous effort!  Not feeling like an invalid - I have to have help with almost everything!  And wine.  And coffee.  And brownie dough.

Cravings: Sweets!!  Ryan has had to run to Shake's three times this week!!

Food aversions: Whatever gives me heartburn - but sometimes I just can't resist.

Best moment this week: We did our 35 week appointment early this week because I was having some pain, but my blood pressure was way too high.  He asked me about working from home, and my boss obliged - I am so lucky!  He also checked my cervix - nothing going on there.  I am guessing she is going to take her sweet time.  So while we went in because we were concerned and left concerned about my blood pressure, I just love hearing that little heart beat at 145 bpm.  And if I'm honest, I didn't want to work from home, but it's actually been really good for me physically.

What I am looking forward to: What's left?  I guess packing my hospital bag, which Ryan is insisting I get done this weekend (guessing he doesn't want to go searching for everything on the list).  But mostly just seeing our sweet baby girl!

Riley's Room Reveal!

Well, we just recently celebrated being 35 weeks pregnant (like Thursday), and so I am really feeling like the crunch is on!  We are so hopeful that Miss Riley will wait until the end of May (or very early June) to make her big debut, but we all know babies don't really worry too much about plans (although my babies should at least be more aware of them than most, given that I am such a planner).

So anyway, I told Ryan this morning it was time to get the basket o' stuff cleared out (it's our last little holdout from the shower, full of bottles and passies and other random knickknacks that don't really have a place until there's a baby around).  I was ready to get everything as cleared out as possible so that I can officially debut her room and call it done.

Don't worry, I had to move the swing, bouncy seat, floor play mat, and exersaucer around while I took pictures.  One day they will go in her closet - probably the same day that the carseat, extra base, and stroller leave her closet and find their way into the car.  But I refuse to put the seats in until we are full term, so in the closet they hide until the princess arrives.  Also, for the bazillionth time, I had to pick up all of her toys and put them back in her bench.  Let's just say big sister is really enjoying a real live nursery set up with brand new toys to practice playing mommy on.

So, without further ado, I present to you - Riley's room!

This is probably my favorite section.  The chair is huge and super comfy - I can just see us snuggling in it.  I had the pink chevron pillow made, and then custom matched the wall color to it.  The pillow has her little name on it!  The quilt over the chair was made by my very talented aunt - isn't is beautiful?  And as you well know, I snagged the dresser from an antique store in Prairie Grove right out from under some other pregnant mamas for a mere $195.  I had the horse print made at an Etsy shop - as usual, she's going to have to be able to talk and tell me she doesn't like horses before I'll back off on that!  I also threw the teal lamp in there to break up the pink and grey, and to pay a little homage to Alli's teal room.

How obsessed am I with this crib?  We got this and the chair at The Baby's Room in Rogers.  It's so sturdy and beautiful, and it actually converts to a toddler and a full sized bed.  How handy is that?  After a lot of stressing about bedding, I walked into Kids Furniture in Little Rock and found this perfect set that had no bumper pads - finally!  I did not want to pay for bumper pads that we won't use (and you shouldn't use them either.  Did you know they are actually illegal in some states??  No pretty bed is worth the risk!!).  The basket next to the crib is from the shower, and there are some gorgeous blankets wrapped up in it.  I made the letters over her bed with scrapbook paper, plain letters, and Mod Podge from Hobby Lobby - click here for more on that.

I think this little nook is fun too - we got the bench, drawers, and pillows from Target.  I had the frames and spray painted them gray last weekend.  They are blank right now, but soon they are going to be filled with pictures - I can't wait!

I had these curtains made at an Etsy shop as well - Etsy is the decorating mama's friend!  Anything you can possibly imagine can be customized there.  It's awesome!  Alli, Ryan, and I painted the abstract art on the wall - more Alli than anyone, but we all took a swipe with the brush.  I had to really do some convincing to keep her from painting Ninja Turtles, so the next day I headed back to Hob Lob for canvasses for her room that most definitely now have Ninja Turtles all over them.

So there you have it, a little room reveal and as thorough a source list as I could muster on this rainy Saturday.  If there are any questions about which Etsy shop I used or where I got anything that I didn't cover, please ask!  I'm off to make a hospital packing list and Ryan's boiling bottle parts.  Happy Saturday!

Pregnancy Update - 34 Weeks

How far along: 34 weeks

Size of baby: According to The Bump, Miss Riley is the size of a butternut squash, weighing 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measuring 17.2 to 18.7 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Do you see the picture above?  Next question.

Gender: A precious little girl named Riley Rachelle.

Movement:  Still a wiggle worm!  She and Alli played a game the other night where she would stick her foot out and Alli pressed it back in.  Alli could not stop giggling.

Sleep: Sleep has been okay.  I have a sinus infection, so this stuffy nose is not helping.

Symptoms: Lower back pain and huge swollen feet and ankles at the end of the day.  I mean seriously,  I look like I am walking on stumps some days.

What I miss: Wine, coffee, not being stared at when I climb to the top of Razorback Stadium.

Cravings: Sweets.  This week it's brownies.  One day, I'll tell her I didn't lick the brownie bowl when I was pregnant with her, and she'll know just how much I really love her.

Food aversions: Nada.

Best moment this week: Always getting a good checkup at the doctor.  Alli and Riley interacting.  The massage I got a week ago - my first ever!  And getting her room almost done, thanks to some major deliveries.

What I am looking forward to: Wrapping the room up this weekend, and making our final preparations for her.  She's almost here!!!!!  I cannot wait to kiss and hold her!!!

Birthday Extravaganza and Baby Shower

I got so behind updating everyone on our March!  March is always one of my most favorite months, even though this year the weather didn't change over to 65 and sunny like it does sometimes.  Why do I love March?  Why the best non-Thanksgiving holiday of the year (my birthday) and the best party you'll never be invited to (Birthday Extravaganza).  And this March got even better when my sweet friends Kim and Kerri decided to throw me a baby shower!

I wasn't really expecting a baby shower because this is our second little sweetie, but Kim and Kerri were adamant that I should have one - it's been eight years afterall!  Most of Alli's old stuff is recalled by now.  I'm not kidding.  Drop side cribs are sooo out, kids.  Like illegal.  Who knew?  Me, after I went into a baby furniture store.  I burst into tears when we left and questioned all of my parenting skills.

But I digress.  Two of the hottest parties of the year were set to occur the same weekend!  I could barely contain my excitement!!  First, Birthday Extravaganza commenced Saturday night.  We started out with the crowning ceremony followed by the traditional dinner of chicken and dumplings, green beans, and rolls.  Nom nom.

Then we opened presents - I got some moolah, a scarf, a new painting, and some sah-weeeeeet Beats by Dre.  Hot pink of course.  How do parents just know?

Afterwards, we had our cake and ate it too.  Lindsey got a very pretty cake from Ricks, but nothing can beat my grandmother's chocolate sheath cake.  I mean seriously.  Yum.

The next day was shower day!!  I was too excited.  The shower was at Kim's beautiful new house, and so many of my great friends and family were there.  Alli insisted on going and opened the presents for me.  You should have seen the confusion when she opened the breast pump.  Nice.  That's a conversation I still owe her.

The Rachel sisters - I seriously love this picture.

Ryan, Alli, Riley and I are so happy and fortunate to be surrounded by so many loving and supportive people - thanks to everyone who came or sent gifts.  We are totally set up and completely "pinked" out.  You know that makes Mama happy.  And a very special thanks to Kim & Kerri for throwing the whole thing.  I wish we had gotten a picture together, but I don't think I would want to stand next to either of you teeny girls with this round belly and face!!

Pregnancy Update - 32 Weeks

How far along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: According to The Bump, Riley Roo is the size of a squash, weighing 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and measuring 15.2 to 16.7 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Same old same old.  Are we at the point yet where I can just admit to you I'm not going to buy any more maternity clothes?  Deal with the Pikos and the same five shirts over and over.

Gender: A precious little girl named Riley Rachelle.

Movement:  This girl is a mover!  She rolls around all the time, but she's especially active at night when I lay down for bed.  Sometimes she makes me jump - she's getting really strong!

Sleep: Sleep has been terrible lately.  I'm up and down all night, and I wake up every morning with a headache.

Symptoms: Headaches, back pain & swollen feet at the end of the day, overall tiredness.  I miss the blissful energy of the second trimester!  And waddling, I'm afraid.

What I miss: Still wine & coffee.  Red sauce.  Getting in and out of my car and my bed without looking awkward and making an awful face. 

Cravings: I pretty much think about a cookie dough concrete from Shake's 24 hours a day, but I only let myself get one once a week.  

Food aversions: Nothing.  I wish I had an aversion to cookies, cakes, and ice cream...

Best moment this week: Hearing that we are measuring right on track (if not just a little bigger) and hearing her little heart thump at 154 bpm.  Also, I really love her moving, even if it makes my stomach look like a scene from the movie Alien.  We got the carseat and stroller in this week, so that was a blast.  And I'll go back a few weeks and just let you know that I loved my baby shower!  I owe you a blog update on that soon.

What I am looking forward to: Getting her crib and chair in around the end of April so that I can call her room done!  Holding her sweet little self!!!

Pregnancy Update - 28 Weeks

Disclaimer - I currently hate all pictures of myself.  I look swollen!  Like I got stung by a bee!  But I am going to press on with documenting this journey, hoping one day I will look back on these pictures and laugh about how fat I look instead of wishing I were this size...

How far along: 28 weeks

Size of baby: According to The Bump, baby Riley is the size of an eggplant, weighing 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measuring 13.6 to 14.8 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Clearly.  I need more tops.  I'm starting to bare belly under my normal ones.

Gender: A precious little girl named Riley Rachelle.

Movement:  Regularly.  I feel her in my ribs, I feel her flip and roll around.  The kicks are getting really strong - sometimes they even hurt!!

Sleep: Sleep lately has been pretty great.  I don't know if daylight savings time helped or if I'm just finding ways to get more comfy, but I haven't had too much of a problem, which is a blessing.

Symptoms: Fatness!  Heartburn hasn't been as bad as it was because I am learning what triggers it and can avoid it.  I get a lot of pain in my shoulders right now, I think from sitting up at work all day.

What I miss: Still wine & coffee.  Red sauce.  Not looking like a pot-bellied pig!  

Cravings: Not too much lately.  I still drink more sweet tea than I should.

Food aversions: Nada.

Best moment this week: I'll go back to last week when we saw her precious precious precious face on our 3D ultrasound.  It was an AMAZING experience.  I cannot wait to meet this little lady!  Also passing my glucose test.  I was nervous about that for some reason.

What I am looking forward to: My baby shower next weekend!  Getting her crib and chair in around the end of April.

Pregnancy Update - 25 Weeks

How far along: 25 weeks

Size of baby: According to The Bump, baby Riley is the size of a cauliflower, weighing 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measuring 13.6 to 14.8 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Yes, please.  Still most obsessed with the Citizen maternity jeans Ryan bought me. Talking me out of those in a few months may prove impossible.

Gender: A precious little girl named Riley Rachelle.

Movement:  Like crazy!  The kicks are getting a lot stronger, and the other night it felt like she was doing somersaults.  We have a little gymnast on our hands.

Sleep: Sleep is not so hot.  I wake up multiple times at night, and I have a hard time getting comfy.

Symptoms: Heartburn, some back aches.  Today my heart started racing out of the blue, but I read that it's really common.

What I miss: Wine.  Coffee.  Not bumping into things with my belly.

Cravings: Anything sweet!  Also, lately, terrible fast food.

Food aversions: I try to avoid anything I know will give me heartburn, but it's really hard!

Best moment this week: Her really strong kicks, painting her room, and hearing her heart beat at the doctor today.

What I am looking forward to: Holding her sweet little self!  My baby shower in March.  Our 3D ultrasound in 2 weeks.

Pregnancy Update - 23 Weeks

How far along: 23 weeks

Size of baby: According to The Bump, baby Lowe is the size of a grapefruit, weighing 12.7 to 20.8 ounces and measuring 10.5 to 11.8 inches long.

Maternity clothes: All I wear in the pants department.  I bought my first maternity top at Target on Thursday (shown above).  I can still get into about half the shirts in my closet though.

Gender: A precious little girl named Riley Rachelle.

Movement:  Again, up and down.  She moves like a madwoman for several days, and then other days I barely feel her at all.  I can actually see my stomach move though - pretty amazing and weird all at the same time.

Sleep: Sleep is up and down.  I'm used to waking up at least once in the middle of the night.  I just have to stay off my phone or ten minutes turns into 2 hours.

Symptoms: Back pain and heartburn!!  I am also not wearing my rings because my hands swell in the evenings some and one time (pre-pregnancy) I got a ring stuck on my finger.  Never again.

What I miss: Wine and coffee.  Not second guessing every bite of food I put in my mouth.  Eating tomato sauce without regretting it for two days.

Cravings: A meatball sub.  Which I regretted for two days while I paid for it with heartburn.  Also, chocolate cake.

Food aversions: Not much - I've hit the hungry phase.  Some textures can make me gag though.

Best moment this week: Feeling her move, as always.  And popping out.  Alli says she can finally tell I'm pregnant.

What I am looking forward to: Having her - in due time!  My shower in March.  I'm slowly gaining things for her nursery, but I really look forward to her furniture coming in and getting everything painted.

Name Game

When we had our little Allison Bryanne eight years ago, we were so in love with our sweet baby girl that we talked and talked about having another one.  Due to college, deployments to Iraq, and careers, our second baby dreams were put on hold for a long time, but I had this little sweet girl's name picked out then.

We love to use family-type names.  Alli's name came from my grandfathers' names - Alfred and Alan.  As a "Lauren," I grew up without a nickname, so I loved the idea of her having a nickname.  I didn't want a name that was too out there, but I wanted one that gave her her own identity.  In a generation of Addisons, Ellas, and Olivias, I hoped Allison would be common enough to not be strange 30 years from now, but not so common that there were five others in her class.  So far, so good.  Her middle name, Bryanne, has Ryan's name in it, which was extremely special at the time because he was in Iraq for his first tour.  She's actually lucky enough to have two nicknames - Bryanne has been shortened to "Bree" and "Breezy" over the years, which she loves.

My goal with Alli was for the world to call her Allison with her close family members being the only ones who called her Alli.  But our little sweetie took on the full personality of being an Alli, and it's all she'll answer to from anyone.  The only issue we run into sometimes is spelling, but she's so quick to correct people now that it's really not a problem.

Anyway, I've had little girl #2's name picked out for about seven years now, and I'm so thrilled that I have the opportunity to use it!  So, without further ado, our second daughter's name is going to be...

Riley Rachelle Lowe

I grew up riding horses with a girl named Riley, and I've always been a huge fan of the name.  It's seen a popularity surge in recent years, but was #29 on the Baby Center names list for 2012 (Allison was #37 in 2004).  So I'm hopeful there won't be 10 Rileys in her kindergarten class, but it's not a name that makes people say....what?  Rachelle is my amazing mother's middle name, and it's taken from my grandmother's maiden name Rachel (which happens to be my middle name!), so we're able to introduce a new name into the fold, but keep it in the family too.

We've been calling her Riley since the day we found out she was coming, so we're completely used to it and comfortable with it.  I can't wait to hold her in about 18 weeks and get to call her Riley in person!!  And if you're wondering if Alli approves of her little sister's name, check out her work at a local baby store while we were crib shopping a few weeks ago...

Mid-Pregnancy Ultrasound

On Thursday of this week when I was 21 weeks and 5 days, we had our mid-pregnancy ultrasound.  Ryan and I debated whether or not to take Alli, and decided last week that it would be best if we left her at school in case anything was wrong.  But fate intervened, and Alli was home from school that day making sure she was 24 hours fever free after a low-grade fever with no other symptoms.  I was determined not to miss this very important appointment, and I was absolutely sure Ryan needed to be there.  So we took Alli (who had been fever free for a while, but we were extra careful and the waiting room was empty).

I was extremely nervous for this ultrasound, because I knew it was very important as far as measuring our baby's growth and development.  People focus on the gender-reveal portion, but that's really the least important thing the tech is going to check.  By the time we got called back, my heart was pounding.  I went back alone first, and they said they'd called Ryan and Alli back later.  The tech asked if she could bring a student in with her to observe, which was fine with me.  I laid down, they put the warm goo on my stomach, and off we went.

The ultrasound tech examined the baby's heart and she started exclaiming over how clear the picture was.  She commented that everyone should wait until they were almost 22 weeks, because you could tell such a difference between 18 weeks and 22.  She showed the student all of the chambers of the heart, checked out all of the organs and spine. Over and over, they both said "Oh my gosh, this scan is so clear.  This baby is as close to perfect as you can get!" That really made me relax and enjoy the process.

Finally, they called Alli and Ryan in.  The tech turned the screen so we all could see, and she started pointing out body parts - feet, legs, arms, lips.  Then she got a great profile shot, which made Alli declare "I can see her nose!"  So she finally understood what she was looking at.  It was a really neat moment.

Then it was the moment of truth.  The tech asked Alli what she preferred - a brother or a sister.  Alli answered "Sister!!" immediately.  In her mind, there's never been any other option.  So the tech took a look (I'm pretty sure she already knew before she acted like she was looking...) and confirmed, "You're getting a sister!!"  We were all thrilled, even Ryan who had halfway been hoping for a boy.  Ultimately, all any of us wanted was the glowing ultrasound report.

The tech then said that I was scanning so well that she just had to flip on the 3D to give us a look at what we'd see in 6 weeks for our full-blown 3D ultrasound.  She said sometimes she won't do this at our stage because the babies look so skinny, but she felt like ours would scan so well.  We were in awe!  How can you not be??  Look at that little face!!

I even got to do a fun gender reveal at work - we had Ricks cupcakes delivered, and my friends opened the box for the surprise.

We are so happy and blessed to be welcoming another little lady into our life, and I'm so relieved that she got such a wonderful report.  I can finally feel good about painting that nursery!!!