The Birth of Our Baby Boy

I know I've already posted pics of Ryan, but I just downloaded the pics from our camera which was in use moments after his birth. Every time I look at his pictures I am moved to tears with joy and delight over the gift of our baby boy. He's such a blessing and I love looking at him with his eyes wide open as he bobs his head around trying to control where he looks. Ryan did have "boy surgery" today, so he's not too happy. I've never hated changing diapers more - there's no heartbreak like hearing your newborn scream in pain and discomfort. It makes me want to cry with him. Anyway, enjoy the pics!

Ryan is One Week Old

Here are a few pictures of Ryan we took yesterday at JC Penny. I'm glad we got some formal newborn photos. Enjoy!

One weeks ago today Ryan joined us in this world! I can't believe it's already been a week. Today he weighed in at 7lbs 9oz at the lactation consultation today. All is well in that department, however I wanted reassurance that things were going well and correctly. Right now he has his days and nights mixed up and this makes things exhausting for the both of us. His feeding pattern is very unpredictable right now, so I never know when he's going to be hungry. It's a joy to have this little boy, but it is work as well.

My recovery is going well. Today was the first time I started feeling normal again. Healing isn't complete, but it's well underway. I'm glad it only lasted a few days - the unbearable pain, that is. Now there's new pains as my muscles that haven't had to work start to work again.

Welcome Baby Ryan!

Years before I was married, even while I wasn't dating anyone, I prayed for my future children. I prayed for the blessing of children and for their little heart(s). After I got married I couldn't wait to start a family. Being able to look an answered prayer in the eyes is the greatest feeling and it brings tears to my eyes.

On Wednesday July 15, 2009, Tom and I welcomed our little baby boy into the world. Ryan Thomas Wassmer was born at 8:34pm, weighed 7lbs 10oz and measured 21 inches. He is the sweetest thing! We love his little cry, it is the sweetest, and I know it won't stay like that, but we enjoy it for now. Becoming a mom hasn't seemed to really hit me yet. I'm sure it will, but after all the exhaustion from labor, I kind of feel like I'm still just a babysitter. I can't wait to bond with Ryan even more, day by day.

Labor was...well, labor. I went in on Tuesday evening to be induced. After waiting 3 hours for a room I was finally admitted. For the night they used "Cervadil" which is a ripening agent. Most of the time it only serves to prepare the "areas" for labor, it is not used to induce contractions. In the morning they would put me on Pitocin, which is what starts contractions. Well, at about 2a.m. my contractions started so they didn't need to put me on Pitocin right away. I let the contractions last until about noon before I asked for the epidural. They got too close for my comfort and I wasn't able to relax in between. Once the epidural was in, I was golden! Tom got to see his real wife again! At about 6:30pm my midwife Renee came in and broke my water. She told me to rest for a 2 hours and then we'll start pushing. Well, at about 7:30pm I knew I needed to push! There was no one in the room and my delivery nurse was with another patient. It grew more and more intense until I sent Tom out of the room 3 or 4 times to find anyone that could catch this baby - he was coming! Finally my nurse came in and we started pushing at 8pm. I had heard that pushing can last for hours, so I wasn't enjoying every moment of this. But around 8:20 the nurse called for my midwife because it was time to deliver him. Ryan wasn't recovering as well as they hoped in between contractions and they determined it was because the cord was wrapped around him and cutting off his oxygen. So one quick episiotomy and few pushes later, out came Ryan! I hope I never forget what it felt like to see him for the first time, to see Tom hold him and to hear his first cry. I was crying, and it was great. I was glad I to be done and have Ryan in the world.

I am now on the road to recovery, which will take a few weeks. I was looking forward to recovery while pregnant because there were so many discomforts. Tom and I are in love with our baby boy. We look forward to many days of joys and many nights of wishing we were asleep. We know it won't be like this for long. I can't wait to share more stories and pictures with you!

Due Date

Today is my due date! Although, they say only 5% of women actually have their baby's on the given due date. It's just a time frame. I have no baby yet. My parents are here and Tom's parents come in tomorrow night as I head to the hospital for an induction (unless little Ryan comes today or early tomorrow morning). We were hoping not to induce - I really want the "labor" experience - but we'll see. Either way, he'll be here by Wednesday.

We're excited as we await Ryan's arrival. Grampa Mike has painted an nice oil-on-canvas scene as a gift, and he's drawn up the birth announcement. All we need is a little picture of Ryan so we can attach it. Nana Nancy has been taking me on walks, giving Payton a lot of love and helping keep the house clean. It's been nice. The next update will be from the otherside of the motherside! Stay tuned for pictures of our new baby!

Awaiting...

My parents made it into town this past Friday. We've been making ourselves busy by assembling baby items, cleaning and shopping. And now there's not much left to do but wait, which makes it hard to not be anxious. I am still having many Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing worth being concerned over. I am waiting for that first contraction that "hurts." I say that now, and I know I will regret it later, but at least with every painful contraction I am one step closer to welcoming Ryan into the world. Tom and I are ready and are excited to meet our little man.

My tailbone still hurts from my fall last week. It makes it really hard to walk, in all seriousness! At my appointment last week I was 70% effaced and 1 cm dialated. I find out tomorrow if there is any more progression. I will also discuss induction with my midwife because my parents are in town and could quite possibly miss out if I am really late. Tom and I are praying that I don't have to induce - I really don't want to, but I am willing. On top of that, I am truly ready for this baby to come on out! There are many pains associated with being pregnant, and until I have the baby they will remain. I know there are new pains with childbirth, but at least that's the road to recovery!

Our prayers are concentrated on our little one. We are praying for an early arrival, a healthy baby and safe labor. We are also praying for Ryan's little heart - that it would be a heart that comes to know Christ at a young age, a heart of strength and integrity. I have full confidence that Tom will instill many excellent traits into our son, but more importantly we are praying that Ryan's heart would have Christ as number one! We have quite the journey ahead of us with our child, and other future children, but we feel that the Lord has prepared us for this time in our lives.

I look forward to the next post being one of a couple things: my progression from my doctor's appointment, a scheduled induction date, or the birth of our son!