Ryker Jake Bird

He has arrived!

Ryker Jake Bird
September 24, 2009
11:23 a.m.
8 lbs. 5 oz. 21" long



It was quite the experience to get him here! It's kind of a long story, but hang in there! There are some great pictures! =)



The clock on the wall says 6:40. This is Wednesday, September 23, 2009 @ 6:40 a.m. This is when I was started. I was only a 1+. Everyone said I was in for a long haul... but I had no idea that it was going to be as long as it was!

I wasn't far enough dilated to have Pitosen, you have to be a 3, so they had to give me these little pills to help me get there. These pills weren't taken orally! =( After 3 of them, they decided that I wasn't progressing fast enough. (Story of my life, or at least the next 30 hours!) They stuck a balloon in there and blew it up... Yep it hurt, a lot! This got me going though. I was finally a 4! (Only after 12 hours).

They started me on Pitosen. They call it Pit... Everyone says it's because it's the pits when you have to have it! I believe them! I decided to eat after that. They told me that as soon as I got the epidural, I wasn't allowed to eat, so I stuffed myself. =) I got up and walked around quite a bit, trying to move things along. That still didn't work! I finally had contractions bad enough to get the epidural. It really wasn't that bad! I heard all of these horror stories about it, but that's all they were. I had no problem with it! Actually, the blood pressure cuff hurt worse than any part of the epidural! ha ha! It took my blood pressure right when I was getting stuck. They say it should feel like a bee sting, but I didn't feel anything but my damn arm being squeezed to death! Sweet! There were no problems for Jake either. He didn't mind a thing! Nice!

I didn't really like the numbness. My legs flailed around uncontrollably. I've realized that I don't like to lose control! It sucked, but the alternative was just not an option for me! I found this out the hard way. A doctor came in and broke my water at about 1:00 a.m. The nurses did great all night with turning me. Every 15 minutes on the dot, they'd come in and turn me over like a rotisserie chicken. At about the 24 hour mark (6:00 a.m. Thursday), I wasn't turned quick enough and I got a "hot spot" in my epidural. All of the pain killer settled in to my right side, so I could feel everything on my left side. BOO! To top it off, I was having a back labor, so Ryker was sitting right on my sciatic nerve. OUCHY!!! I don't think I've felt any pain like this before! The kidney stone was the closest comparison, and that was a real close second! Just as a contraction would end, another one would start. I had to live through this for 40 minutes... I didn't think I was going to make it. Finally the medicine became more even throughout my lower half... I made it! WHEW!

Thursday, September 24th @ 10:00 a.m. I received a call from my doctor. He had been in at 8:00 that morning and I was only a 6.5. He said that the nurse told him that I hadn't progressed at all since then and little Ryker was trying to come faster than I was ready for. His poor little head was swelling and they were worried about skull fractures... Not good news! He asked me if it would be okay to do a C-Section. HELL YES!!! I was so worried about Ryker being safe, I didn't even think about myself. Who cared that they were going to cut me open? Get my little man out as quickly and safely as possible! I wanted him here already, so the worry could be over! (Who knew that the worry would never stop? Ha ha!) We were immediately prepared for the C-Section.



Jake was so amazing through it all! I don't think I would have survived without him! He kept everything so calm and cool! He was so relaxed on the outside. I'm sure he was freaking out on the inside, but he never showed one sign of that to me! It really helped with all that was going on. He stayed positive and right by my side the whole time! (Except when he had to go get his red bulls and food! ha ha!) I took this picture right before we went in to the operating room.

Everything was going so smoothly! They did a poke test to make sure the 2 extra doses in my epidural were working. Yep, no feeling what-so-ever! I just sat there. The sheet between my face and my guts on the table was all I could see when I looked down. Jake sat right next to my head and stood up to see my insides on occasion. He said it was way cool. I'm glad he enjoyed it, and I just got to take his word for it! =) We were having a great time in the O.R. I had the oxygen tube in my nose and it made me sound like Willy Nelson, so I sang some of On the Road Again. We were all joking around, even the doctors. I asked them to give me a tummy tuck while they were down there. They just laughed and said they'd work on it. They told me that I had no belly fat. AWESOME!!! My macaroni and cheese, and chocolate milk diet worked! Ha Ha! I thought that was SUPER! Everything was going so well! Then, I felt someone push on my belly right between my rib cage, and then the feeling of something popping out of somewhere. Jake was standing up watching at this point. Then I heard the cutest cry I have ever heard! Jake looked down and said he's here, he's perfect, and he's definitely a boy! =) They popped him up over the sheet for me to see and Jake was right! He was perfect! Then, before I knew it, he was gone. Jake asked me if I would be okay while he went to help with Ryker. I, of course, said yes! Daddy, Son time was a must! =) A few minutes later, Jake was back with my handsome boy in his arms. They sat right next to me while I was being sewn up. I almost didn't realize that I could feel something on the other side of the sheet. I was too stoked about my baby boy! Then it got my attention. I could feel that! I told the anesthesiologist I felt it. He said that it was just pressure. I said NO, I can feel it! He gave me another dose of crap in my epidural. I could still feel it. Then another dose of crap. Still, I feel it!!! They kept telling me I was almost done. They were on the last layer. "I feel it" was all I could say... Then the pain took over. No more control, just pain! I barely remember rolling down the hall to my room. My mom told me later that she could hear me coming. The poor ladies in the rooms around mine. I'll bet it scared the crap out of them! Ah, who cares? I didn't! I heard someone tell Jake to get the baby in the room and that was the only time he could carry him without having him in the crib. I barely remember the nurses kicking out Jake's mom, grandma, and sister, and telling my mom to talk to me. I barely remember her trying to help me find a happy place. I definitely remember someone laying Ryker next to my face. He was so cute! My perfect boy looking just like his daddy! I barely remember Jake next to me holding my hand. If there was any sign of him being freaked out, that would have been the time to see it, but I can't remember it. I remember asking him to take the pain away. I barely remember hearing my dad on the other end of a phone someone was holding for me. He wasn't doing too well! I think I asked him to take my pain away too, but I'm not sure. I remember him calling me his baby girl and telling me that he would take my pain away if he could. I tried to tell him that I was okay, but I can't remember if I could get the words out. I remember someone saying to give me more of something. I remember my head was going crazy and the pain was still taking control. I wanted to give up! Then it stopped. I'm not sure when, or how, but it stopped. Jake said it took 3 hours. I thought it was more like 300 hours! The pain from the hot spot didn't even touch this pain! The morphine they were giving me finally caught the pain, and I slept.



This was taken the day after he was born.

Jake decided not to let visitors come up to see us that night, except for our parents. He kept visitors to a minimum the whole time we were in the hospital. After everything we did to get Ryker here, he wanted to be selfish with him. No problems for me! My cousin, Amy, was the first visitor we had the next day. She loved baby Ryker! Then Jake's grandma Maggie, and Holly. Matt, Amber and Berlyn came later that afternoon. Berlyn was so cute with him! It took her a minute to realize that my belly's name wasn't Ryker anymore, and Ryker was the baby we were holding. She held him and kissed him and just loved him to pieces! She even made me and Amber tear up! It was awesome! Junior, Erica, and Landon came that night along with Lex, Denice, Kaylee, Kendra Mikayla and Colleen. They each took turns holding Ryker.




Mikayla and Kendra absolutely loved Ryker! Mikayla was so worried about me, but when she got to the hospital and made sure I was okay, she felt a lot better! My mom and dad came up that night to sit with me while Jake went home and showered and got more clothes. I had to laugh at Jake when he got back to the hospital. He just missed his little man too much. He said it's like nothing he's ever felt before! He never thought he could miss something that much and in that way. He was only gone for a couple hours. =) He's such a great daddy!

Ryker wouldn't really latch on until Friday night at about 10. My mom helped me and we finally got him to latch the right way. Luckily we didn't have to finger feed him any more. That was a pain, and the poor little guy wasn't getting much that way. When he finally latched on, he stayed there for about 45 minutes! He was a happy boy after that!



Ryker sleeping with mama right after a big breakfast!

We came home on Sunday. It was great to be home! Because I had the C-Section, I really wasn't able to move much. I found it easier to sleep in my chair in the nursery than in my bed. Ryker was fine with that. He loves his crib and really isn't a big fan of the pack-n-play. Good thing we didn't make him sleep in the pack-n-play in our room. I don't think he would be sleeping as well as he is now if we did. He sleeps through the night most nights giving me a good 7-9 hours of sleep. It's been great! I'm so lucky to have such a sweet little boy! I just love him so much!



This is Ryker's first nap in his crib.



Poor Jake had to sleep on the dinky couch. I told him to pull out the hide-a-bed, but he wouldn't. I didn't hear him complain once! =)



Daddy loves to snuggle his little man! This is the cure for Jake's morning grouchies!



This is right after breakfast one morning. The sun was shining through the window on Ryker's face just perfectly. I had to take a picture. He's my little angel!




I was bored one day, so I had a photo shoot with Ryker in my favorite outfit. My cousin Amy gave this to him. He looks super cute in it! I would have been sad when he grew out of it, but my friend Erica gave me this same outfit in the next size up! Woo Hoo! =)




Ryker loves his swing!



This is one of my favorite pictures! I was just messing around with my iphone! =)



Ryker's WHAT THE HELL face! =)



My handsome little man in his camo. He's all ready to go hunting! He was exactly 3 weeks old this day. I can't believe how time flies! He's getting too big! I just have to sit back, relax and enjoy every second with my baby boy!

I am so lucky to have Jake and Ryker in my life! Not sure what I'd ever do without them.

Can I Pop Yet?

Since my last blog, I've had some exciting things happen... Well maybe not exciting... More like CRAZY!!!

Since about my 30Th week being pregnant my doctor has told me that I have more fluid than I'm suppose to. I started out measuring 4 weeks more than I was suppose to. So at 30 weeks, I was measuring like I was 34 weeks. Then, at 34 weeks, I was measuring like I was 35 weeks. Only 1 week bigger, which was a lot better! Ryker was right on target, it was just my fluid throwing my measurements off. The doctor ran tests and everything looked great, but with me measuring big, there was a great chance that I would have Ryker early. So, Jake and I busted our butts to try to get everything ready for Ryker to come early. We succeeded with what felt like plenty of time to spare... If I had only known! If you look at my baby ticker it has a big fat 0 on how many days I have left... Yep, today is my due date and NO RYKER!!! So much for coming early!

I almost went in to labor on Labor Day, which would have been great if it weren't for the wonderful sprained ankles I got that day. I was on my way out the door to go to the Hooper Tomato Days dog race. (My dogs are awesome by the way! They love to run in the dog races and every one I've entered them in, they've won!) I had my purse over my right shoulder, and Newt's leash in my left hand. I stepped out the garage door on to the first step and "OUCH", I rolled my right ankle. I tried to catch myself with my left foot and "OUCH" I rolled the left ankle too. The only thing I could do after that was fall. As I fell down the 4 stairs left, I turned trying not to land on my belly. I ended up landing on my right side and catching myself with my hands and arms before I could roll on to my belly. Jake had been outside helping our neighbor so I tried to yell his name... It came out more like a blood curdling scream though. Of course that put Jake in to a panic and when he ran in to the garage, he was all freaked out! He asked what happened, but I wasn't doing so well... If you know me, you know that pain and I don't mix and I can't stay conscious. I tried to stay awake, and think I might have succeeded (not sure ha ha). I told him I fell and that my ankles hurt. Lucky for me, I have a pack horse for a husband! =) I'm still not sure how he did it, but he lifted my huge prego dead weight body in to the house and put me on the couch. I had Jake get me some ice. My ankles were the last thing on my mind. The ice was for my belly. I had to feel Ryker move. After a couple minutes of putting ice cubes on my belly, I felt him and my panic started to ease up a little. Jake carried me up 17 stairs to my room so I could lay down in bed. About a half hour later, I had to go to the bathroom. I tried to get up by myself, but couldn't put any pressure on either ankle. I called Jake and again he had to help me. I'm not sure if it was the stress or pain or what, but I became really cold and started shaking and was as pale as a ghost. (again, if you know me, you know that I don't get cold!) Jake was afraid that I was going in to shock so he called the doctor and let him know what happened. He told us to get to labor and deliver immediately. So, back down the 17 stairs Jake had just carried me up and in to the truck. When we got to the hospital, Jake ran in to get a wheelchair. The nurse asked him why and he said that his 38 week along wife had fallen down the stairs. Jake said that all the nurses looked at him like he was a freak and he felt that they all were thinking that he pushed me down the stairs... He was way uncomfortable, poor guy! No matter how much he wants Ryker to be here, he'd never throw me down the stairs! ha ha! Of course they all had to investigate. I had about 6 or 7 nurses helping me when I got there. After they seen how Jake took care of me, they relaxed and they no longer hated him... They actually loved him! One older nurse actually told me that if I didn't keep my eye on him, she'd snatch him and take him home with her! They were all impressed at how he would just pick me up and put me wherever they needed me to be. He was amazing! They put me on monitors so we could hear Ryker's heartbeat and see where my contractions were at. The heartbeat was always great, and my contractions started out being only 3-5 minutes apart. My doctor said if they were to continue that far apart, he'd come in and we'd have Ryker in no time. With a fall like the one I took, it is standard to monitor the baby for at least 12 hours. They wanted to monitor him for at least 4 hours before they checked out my ankles. They gave me a pain killer and some ice, and we just sat there and waited. Finally they took me to x-ray and discovered that nothing was broken, just sprained really bad. So back to the room for more monitoring. My doctor showed up at about midnight that night. He had just delivered a baby and decided to pop in and check up on me. By that time, my contractions were 7-10 minutes apart, so I didn't get lucky enough to have him that night. With 2 sprained ankles, I was worried about having a newborn to take care of, so it was kind of a good thing that he didn't come. (now I'm feeling like he'll never come!) I don't think Jake slept much in the hospital. Poor thing had to sleep in a crappy recliner! I got an ambian, so there were no problems with sleep for me! I don't think the 4 red bulls helped put him to sleep either. He didn't want to sleep there. He just wanted to make sure I was okay all night. Sweet thing! I got to go home at about 2:00 p.m. the next day. My doctor ordered me a wheelchair and a walker so I would be able to get around without having Jake carry me everywhere. I love Jake so very much! He is such an amazing person! Every morning I wake up to my breakfast on the counter so I can reach it easily. He's made dinner every night and has done all of the laundry. I've had clean pajamas set out for me while I'm in the shower. He put a chair in the shower too! He set me up a mattress and TV in the empty office room on the main floor so I don't have to crawl up and down the stairs to our bedroom. He's slept in his chair every night since we've been home, just in case I need him. I keep telling him to sleep in bed and that I'll be fine, but he's just not having any of that! He doesn't leave my side much other than going to work. I never thought he could do more for me than he already has for the past 9 months, but I was wrong. He does everything with the best attitude ever! I'm not sure how I was lucky enough to find such an amazing husband, but I'm so so so thankful that I did!

These are pictures I took of my ankles last night. One week later! OUCH!!!

The right one is definitely worse than the left, but they both still suck!

It's been a long time!

It's been a while! Wow how time flies! We've been super busy trying to get ready for the big day when Ryker arrives. Since my last post, I've quit my job and become a stay at home mom (with no kids yet). Ha Ha! It's been great! I've had so much time to prepare for our little guy! The bags are packed and all we're waiting for is Ryker to decide he'd like to join us in this big ol' world! I'm completely miserable, uncomfortable and every inch of my body hurts... That must mean it's any day now! =)

Here are some pictures of Ryker's room. My best friend Amber helped with the paint, My mom made all of his bedding and Jake picked out all the wall decorations. I think it turned out perfect!

It's About Time!

Yesterday, we were FINALLY able to get an ultra sound that showed us the flavor of Baby Bird. The nurse rolled the little jelly rolled contraption over my belly and sure enough, we found a little boy part! =) IT'S A BOY! IT'S A BOY! Jake and I were completely shocked. I had thought it was going to be a girl since the day I found out I was prego, and Jake did too, but hid it from me, and everyone else. =) When the little dingy was revealed, Jake said, "YEP! IT'S A BOY!" before the nurse even said it. The smile on Jake's face was priceless! He is super excited and so am I. He's been wanting a boy first since we started talking about having kids. We both really didn't care what flavor the baby was, as long as it was healthy. The doctor said everything looks great, no problems at all! FANTASTIC! Our only problem now is picking a name. We had many girl names we liked, but zero boy names (of course). =) If any one has any suggestions, PLEASE, let us know!
Profile
His cute little Feet!
Yep! It's a BOY! =)

Aliyah Marie Mann

I just wanted to introduce my new Niece.

Aliyah Marie Mann
Born April 22, 2009
7 lbs., 3 oz., 20" Long

She is so beautiful! Congratulations Bryan and Chera! We love you all so much and are so excited that Baby Bird will have a cousin so close in age!

San Diego

Jake and I flew to San Diego last Thursday for a getaway weekend with Matt, Amber and Berlyn. It was so beautiful there! It felt great to get away! Jake and I both needed a vacation. It was the perfect time to go too. The weather there was in the mid 70's, which was nice because it was extremely stormy here!

Jake and Matt went golfing twice while we were there. Jake really deserved a relaxing game of golf, and luckily he got 2! =) Amber, Berlyn, Ed, Bryan and I went to Sea World. It was great! I haven't been there for 15 years. It was still, just as I remembered it... Fun, and amazing!

We played at La Jolla beach on Friday. Berlyn had a blast crawling on the sand and in the water. The water was cold, but that didn't even bother her, she was laughing the whole time! Jake and I played with some crabs we found on the rocks. They reminded us of the Karate crab that is on Finding Nemo. They would put their pinchers in the air, and blow bubbles out of their mouth, then jump in the water and crawl under a rock. The beaches there were so awesome!

We ate at some great places. Being prego, I was worried when it came to the food department, but it turned out well. I didn't have too much of a problem. I think the best thing I had was the ice cream at the Del Coronado Hotel. MMM cheesecake ice cream with strawberries and gram crackers in a fresh waffle cone. The Fish Market was excellent too. Jake and Matt had the Swordfish. At first I thought gross, but I ended up trying it and it put my Halibut to shame! =) It was awesome!

The flight home wasn't as fun as the flight there. I was worn out and not really feeling well. The landing in to Salt Lake on Sunday was not a smooth one. I almost lost the taco salad I had for lunch that day.

We did have a great time, but it also felt nice to be home. I missed my puppies and being able to soak in my giant tub!

Thanks Matt, Amber, and little Lynie Lou for the fun time!

La Jolla Beach

La Jolla Beach

Karate Crabs

The view from Ed and Bryan's back yard.

Hubby Tag

1. What is your husband's name? Jacob Adam Bird

2. How long have you been married? 3 Years on May 26th

3. How long did you date? 3 Years, 8 Months before we got married.

4. How old is he? 25

5. Who is taller? Jake for sure!

6. Who can sing best? Tough Question! Jake can sing when ever, where ever... I have a hard time singing around people unless I'm comfortable. We can both hold a tune though! Jake reminds me of a punk version of Johnny Cash! =)

7. Who pays the bills? I handle the responsibility of making sure all of our bills are paid on time. Jake and I both contribute to the making money part.

8. Who does the laundry? Usually we both do the laundry, but lately Jake has done it all! What a great hubby to take care of his sick prego wife!

9. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jake... Well, he sleeps on the right side, the middle and a little bit of the left side... We definitely need a bigger bed!

10. Who mows the lawn? We share, it just depends on who has time. I did it most last year cuz Jake worked so much. I guess we'll see what happens this year.

11. Who cooks dinner? I use to cook most of the time but lately (again), Jake has done ALL of the cooking.

12. Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? We both pretty much suck at it! Good thing we rarely fight! We just always let each other get our own way. =)

13. Who kissed who first? I'm pretty sure we kissed each other at the same time...

14. Who wears the pants? We both do... (It's more fun when neither of us do!) =) LOL

I TAG ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PLAY

So I went to my 2nd doctor appointment last week. It was awesome! Jake was able to get away from work to go with me this time so I was super excited! The doctor, who by the way, I love, let me have another ultrasound. When he put the jelly on my belly it was extremely warm, it was freezing last time! When Jake looked at Baby Bird on the monitor his eyes lit up! Then we heard the heartbeat. Jake just beamed with a smile from ear to ear! Later, while walking to the truck, I asked Jake what he thought. He just smiled and said, it just feels real now. I laughed. The horrible sickness and the fact that I've been hibernating for the past 2 months didn't make it real enough I guess. =) It's true though, as soon as you hear that heartbeat and see the little thing moving, it all just comes to be reality! This is not a dream! =) Our next appointment is on April 1st. I will be 16 weeks along then. That day we will schedule an Ultrasound for 18-20 weeks along to find out if we're having a boy or girl. Only 6-8 weeks to go and then I can start working on the nursery!

Happy Valentine's Day!

So I'm a little late, but HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Friday, Jake brought me home these beautiful roses! I took a picture of individual roses too, they just seemed so perfect to me. Not a flaw could be found! =)

Jake and I had a pretty good day, Saturday. I felt like crap for the most part, so I sent Jake fishing. He was trying so hard to stay home with me! I could tell by about Noon that he was going nuts. I kept telling him that it was okay to go, but he was bound and determined to stay with me. It was so funny, but so sweet too! He can't sit still for very long, so after the whole house was completely spotless and he had nothing else to keep him busy (there was just no way he would sit through another movie! ha ha!) he finally gave in and went fishing. I just watched a couple more movies and tried not to move too much hoping the sickness would finally pass. By about 6 I was feeling a little better, so I decided to take Shawn up on his offer and go bowling with his family. Jake got home at about 6:15 and we left at about 7:00. It was great to get out of the house and do something fun for a change! I really enjoyed it and I think Jake did too. He told me that it was nice that I could come out of hibernation for the night! =) ha ha! I am so very grateful that Jake is (and always will be) MY Valentine! =)

9 Weeks

I've been wanting to post a picture of the belly bump since it started sticking out a little bit, but I felt so crappy lately I haven't had the chance to. I have felt awful all day today too, but decided that I needed to get pictures before this stage was over, so don't mind my half-assed smile, my "beautiful" hairdo or the lack of makeup on my face. =) I've gained 3 lbs. It has all been in my mid section though. It looks more like a muffin top than a Baby bump! ha ha! =)

How Lucky?

I'm finally getting around to posting a little more about the little bundle of joy that is coming our way. I haven't felt well at all which is to be expected. Blogging has been the farthest thing from my mind.



We had our first Doctor appointment on Monday, the 2nd. It went very well. My doctor is awesome and I feel that I made the right choice when I picked him. The little one is in a great position and from the looks of things is doing well. Not sure how the Doc can tell though because Baby Bird is only the size of a Lima bean... =)

This picture is hard to see, but it is the first Ultrasound. Baby Bird is circled in yellow in the top picture, and you can see the movement of Baby Bird's heartbeat in the bottom picture. I know it's not much yet, but Jake and I are extremely excited! =)





Speaking of Jake. I think I have the greatest husband in the whole world! Like I mentioned above, I haven't been feeling well at all. Last week I had to make a trip to the Chiropractor to get my Jaw adjusted. I'd been clinching and grinding my teeth so bad while I was sleeping that it threw my jaw out of place and caused a lot of bruising and inflammation. With the morning (all day) sickness, that pretty much did me in! I've only missed 2 days of work which I feel is pretty lucky, but by the end of the work day, I just want to die! I know it could be worse, like my sister-in-law, Chera who not only was in the 1% of pregnant women to get deathly ill, but also in the 2% of pregnant women who get kidney stones, but I still can't help but wish that I was one of the lucky few that never gets sick. At least I have Jake. I haven't had to do anything at home besides sleep and throw up! =) He has cooked all the meals, done all the dishes, and the laundry, he's even folded it and put it away! Of course he has always helped with everything before, but "help" is the key word. We've always helped each other do what has needed to be done, but right now he won't let me help with anything. I'm not really putting up too big of a fight though. Jake is so awesome! I'm not exactly sure of what I did to deserve such a wonderful husband, but believe me, I thank my lucky stars every day that I have him in my life! So to answer the question of the title, I'm still SO Lucky! =)

The Cat is out of the Bag!

Surprise! We're prego! =)