James Daniel Rich

Sweet Pea

We are so excited to introduce our new little guy to the world - James Daniel Rich! At what ended up being my very last prenatal exam my OB decided that I should go ahead and be induced since the amniotic fluids were even lower than the previous visit. Approximately 1 hour before this news Brian got a call from Ritenour (a school district which he had applied for as an Assistant Principal) and he found out that he had gotten the job! We were elated with the news and this just totally made his day as he was really bummed to be going back to the classroom next year. He found out that he would begin the new job on Tuesday, July 28. Flash forward 1 hour and we find out that my Dr. has scheduled me to be induced that SAME day! Oh no! We had to tell her that this just wasn't going to work with Brian's job. (You got to love how we can "schedule" delivery). So, she left the room to look at other openings and the only slot open was the very next morning. WHAT??? I couldn't wrap my mind around this news...that I would be having the baby in less than 24 hours really sent a shock to my system. It was a day of BIG news. We left the appointment in total shock and excitement and went on a mission to get last minute things in order (like Brian scrubbing the bathroom floor as you can see in our photos and grocery shopping). I didn't sleep hardly at all that night. We knew we'd be getting a call between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday to come in for the induction. The hospital called at 7:30 a.m. and we jumped into action as fast as humanly possible. I was surprisingly peaceful at this point, but Brian was on pins and needles. When we got the hospital it took a little while for us to get checked in. On a funny side note, one of my delivery nurses ended up being a parent of one of my third graders next year (hello awkward!) Actually she was really amazing. The hospital staff was so nice and made us completely secure and comfortable. They started the pitocin drip around 11:30 a.m. within hours I was on my way to being more and more dilated. I can't remember the exact time (some time later afternoon) my OB came in and broke my water. No big deal at first, but then the "real" contractions kicked in. Ouch! It was a tough 45 minutes or so, but Brian helped me through it with breathing and relaxation. Finally, I threw in the towel and asked for the epidural. The anesthetist was awesome. He had this calming voice that just made you think PAIN RELIEF! The epidural went in painlessly and within 30 minutes or so it kicked in. I felt tingly in my legs and the contractions became less and less noticeable. The best part was the "euphoric" feeling it gave me. I felt a little drunk and suddenly had the munchies. We had some visitors come in and it was fantastic visiting with the Riches and my family all the while having some pretty major contractions. Everyone left the room eventually and Brian and I turned on the TV around 7 p.m. to watch the Daily Show. A nurse came in around 7:15 to see how dilated I was and I found out I was at a 10 and it was time to start pushing! I became shaky learning this news because I had no idea at all I was ready for go time. I thought I'd be laying there well into the a.m. hours. They got me and the room ready, but my Dr. wasn't there yet so we had to wait. In the mean time the delivery nurse decided Brian could help out with a "test push" to show me how it's done. Well, the test push led to the baby's head coming out several inches and they decided no more test pushes because this baby was going to slide right out!!! Brian was enthralled and such a champ. When the doctor got there I ended up pushing through two contractions and baby James came right out! I felt nothing at all and it couldn't have gone smoother. All I can says is - EPIDURALS ROCK!

James weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. He was born on July 24, 2009 at 7:37 p.m. He is absolutely perfect and adorable. He has a clean bill of health and is already eating, peeing, pooping and sleeping like a little champ. We are so blessed to have this little angel in our lives! Thanks to everyone for all of the support you have given to us throughout the last few days. We are blessed in so many ways. I will be uploading some pics very soon...but for now, got to get some rest.

Also, Brian started his new job and is loving it...except for going into work each day totally sleep deprived! Life is crazy!

Tic-Toc-Tic-Toc

Today I went in for my 38 week check up and found out my amniotic fluids are looking a little low. My doctor wants me to come back in this Thursday to check the fluids again. She said if they continue to stay low or drop lower she may go ahead and induce next week. I'm due next Friday, but still the idea of being induced isn't my favorite. Of course I will do whatever is best for the baby, but I'm really hoping he can come "naturally." Everyone I've talked to about being induced says that it makes for a longer, much more challenging delivery. I guess the plus side would be that we could know exactly when he is going to be born. I'm a fan of planning and this would normally be pretty awesome, but still I'm a little worried about the use of drugs to make me go into labor.

During my ultrasound the tech did a 3D view and I was able to see some pretty distinct features. Unfortunately the little guy is smooshed right up against my placenta so his face looked kinda funny, but he looks pretty cute despite being packed in like a sardine. So for now, we wait!

Gravity in Full Effect

So I just wanted to share a picture of my oddly shaped belly. The baby has recently dropped a lot. The good part is that I can finally breathe a little easier and I can definitely eat more without feeling doubled over in pain. The bad part is that I'm constantly in search of a restroom because he is resting right on top of my bladder!!! Check out the pics below of our new nursery glider. It is so soft and plush. Brian enjoyed sitting in it for some time yesterday. Thanks Sandy and Bill for the awesome gift.

The New Glider!

3 Weeks to Go!

I had my 37 week check up today along with an ultrasound and things are looking good for the little guy. He's roughly (give or take a pound they say) 5 pounds, 4 ounces and measuring up just fine. At this rate he will most likely be around 7 pounds. Brian came along today for the ultrasound. We both agreed that the pics are a little too "abstract" for posting. At this point he is so smooshed in there that he looks more like a cabbage patch kid and his hand was in the way of his face the entire time! My doctor did an exam and said that he has dropped considerably and I'm now 1 cm dilated. She thinks that I will most likely go right up to my due date, but not any later. The waiting game has begun. I'm still trying to cross things off of my endless to-do list before go time. One of the major things that I need to do is finalize my sub plans and classroom since I'll be missing quite a bit at the beginning of the school year. I'm also taking a grad class at Webster and have 2 projects to do. The class goes right up to my due date so I think I'll try to get those turned in before they are due.

In other news, we just found out that our friends, The Leonards, just had their healthy baby boy named George! Baby Rich is going to have lots of friends. Brian and I celebrated our 6th anniversary this past Sunday. It was a fun day of movies, eating and relaxing. He has one more week after this one of summer school and then he'll be on summer vacay with me. Summer is flying by! I'll post another belly shot soon because it is definitely getting HUGE!