It's the last 30 days (or so)

Today marks 30 days until the baby is due. One more month! My belly is looking more and more like a torpedo than a baby belly. I am asked at least once a day "when's that baby due" (add the southern accent) and "do you think you will go full term". I feel huge and look huge but according to the midwives my belly is measuring right on target. I think my absent ass is making my belly look way bigger than it actually is. Our next appointment is Tuesday and then we go every week after that. We get to tour the labor and delivery floor of the hospital next week as well. Things are getting busy. We are getting the house ready, setting up the bassinet and nursery stuff in our room, getting rid of the boxes left over from the move and making room for baby stuff. This helps to keep my mind off the waiting game. I hate waiting for things, I am not very patient when it comes to things like this. So staying busy takes my mind off waiting.

I have been thinking a lot about the arrival of this little baby and what it means to me, Ryan and I, our family, and to Logan and Tyler. I have to remind or inform people that while this baby is my 1st baby it is not my 1st child. I consider Logan and Tyler my kids. I share them with their Mom and Dad but I have helped raise them. Through the teen years I might add. Me, Logan, and Tyler came together during the most confusing time in their lives. A time when they are trying to figure out who they are, what they want to be, and who they want to become. While it wasn't easy being the outsider to this family, I don't think it was that hard either. I let them guide our relationship (within reason) and dictate how involved they wanted me to be. Ryan and I worked together to build a family bond between the 4/5 of us. We supported each other, asked each other for advice and always approached each hurdle/issue together. Ryan never left me out of decisions, conversations, and family events. We grew as a unit as the kids had big things happen, good and bad, they wanted me there. So, as I said while this is my 1st baby, he/she is certainly not my 1st child. I have parented through teen heartbreak, boundary testing, coming of age changes, teaching of life skills, trips to the ER/Dr., school dances, band performances in the rain, soccer games, band concerts, graduation, plays/musicals, parent teacher conferences, detentions, rock concerts, vacations, birthdays and much more.

I know Logan and Tyler are just as excited as Ryan and I to welcome this new addition. Tyler will be a big sister, what a change for her. She is really looking forward to it and I couldn't ask for a better big sister for this baby. Logan has always been the trailblazer for his younger sister so being the oldest is 'old hat' to him, but he's about to turn 20. No longer a teenager. How weird it must be to have a sibling 20 years younger than you. I can't imagine what that must feel like. Logan has always been a good big brother. He has a huge heart and I know he will continue to be a good big brother. It will be good to have Logan and Tyler as an outlet for this new addition. When Ryan and I are getting on this kids nerves he/she can call Logan or Tyler and bend their ear. I think that is a pretty unique thing to have as a kid.

As the days tick away and I watch my belly stretch and jump (which weird’s me out each time) I grow anxious and excited. I can't wait for the baby to come. I can't wait to see Ryan, Logan, and Tyler hold the baby. Logan and Tyler taught me so much about myself and being a parent. They made me fall in love with being a Mom. With them being in OH it has really been hard not having them around to fuss over. Tyler does a great job in keeping Ryan and I in the loop of what is going on with her. Logan, not so much. He is like his father that way. Not really good with the communication and phone thing. So Logan, if you are reading this let us know how you are every once in a while : ).

Updates on Tyler:
Her senior year is going really well. She has one of the leads in the school play. She will be playing Martha in "Arsenic and Old Lace". The play is the weekend that the baby is due so unfortunately Ryan and I will miss it but her directors are working on getting it videotaped! Looking forward to watching her kill innocent old men! She was also nominated for Homecoming Queen. This was very exciting and she seemed to really enjoy the hoopla around the nomination. Her grades at the interim were one "B" away from straight "A's". She does all this plus has a part time job. If she would only get her license! ; )

Updates on Logan:

Logan is working, not sure where but Ryan tells me has a job. He is with a new band and from what I can see on facebook he has been doing a lot of song writing. Music makes him happy and I am glad he is finding a way to hone and develop his craft. We keep telling him to come visit us here in Music City - we think he would love it here. Maybe one day he will come visit. It's crazy to think that he will no longer be a teenager in a few short weeks. He has grown up so fast. In fact - he is grown up!



Updates on Ryan:
It looks like the tattoo shop is finally moving to Murfreesboro. He has been working with the owner on building walls and such for the new shop along with creating banners announcing their "coming soon". He has been drawing a lot and really getting back into creating art. He is working on getting back into the tattoo circuit and will be doing more conventions and guest spotting across the states. He continues to work out, run and train as this will always be a part of him. He plans to run more ultra's next year and finally tackle Grindstone! We will need crew members and pacers for this trip, next Oct. Please let me know if you are available for a weekend of camping, driving around the mountains, and hanging out with the crazy running people.

All in all the family is doing well. We will be back in OH for Christmas. Right now our travel dates are, arriving on 12/23 and staying until 12/30. I know Ryan plans on working some of those days tattooing so the dates may change but we will keep everyone updated.
I will be sure to post another update after next week’s appointment. I am sure there won’t be much to report but for those who want to know I will keep you posted. Take care and thanks for following.