Introducing Lucy Danger Speed

You all have seen many pictures of Lucy and some have even met her in person but I have to update our blog with a proper introduction.

Miss Lucy Danger arrived 13 days early on 11/6/11 and wasted no time in her arrival. My water broke around 6:00pm. I figured I had time to take a shower, freshen up, labor at home, etc. I figured this was my 1st labor/delivery I have a TON of time right... WRONG!

My contractions started immediately after my water broke. They seemed pretty close together and I thought for sure I was 'feeling' it wrong. I called my mom, Midwife, and doula. I made Ryan a sandwich and was walking around the house making sure all our stuff was together. I got in the shower, you have to shave your legs before you head to the hospital, duh! By the time I got out (we have about 10-15 minutes of hot water in our very small tank) my contractions were about 5 mins apart. I had to hold onto the table during them and sway back and forth but I was able to talk thru them. At this point my doula had stopped over to check on me and to see how things were going. Based on how fast the contractions were progressing she thought we should head to the hospital. Good Call!

We got in the car, called the midwives and let them know we were on our way. We have about a 45 minute drive to Nashville and my contractions are now so intense I can't speak and I can no longer sit. I swear we hit every traffic light coming off the highway. When we arrived at the hospital we had to come through the ER which meant a security check. I am barely able to stand, can't sit and am holding onto Ryan. The guard could have cared less. I started to cry!

Fast forward to delivery, we got to the hospital a few minutes after 9pm. Once on the proper floor I immediately asked for an epidural and Ryan kindly reminded me of our birth plan and asked me to try the Nitrous first. We had to beg the anesthesiologist to allow me to have it since I was not in the bed. It's self administered and you have to be in bed to get it incase you get dizzy. Thanks to Ryan and Christina (my doula) they helped the kind anesthesiologist see the light and they hooked me up. I was to far along for anything else other than pain meds via IV and we didn't want that. I used the nitrous to help me relax after the contractions. This was a life saver.  After about 30 mins of pushing our daughter was born @ 11:37pm.

Weighing in at 6.6 lbs
Length 19 1/2 inches long

 A lot has happened between now and this above picture. There is a video below of her now, along with a picture taken today. I will go back into the photo archives and post some other pics such as her first bath and other cute pictures we have but I wanted to get this out now - you all have waited long enough and have been so patient. Thank you and enjoy.

We named the musical giraffe she is watching, Randy. Thank you Jill and Gretchen - she loves watching and listening to Randy. (yes that is her tooting you hear as I pan down her body. she is a tooting machine)

Sleeping on Mommy and Daddy's bed:

Stay tuned. There is more to post and I will do my best to keep this updated.

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.

I don't get it!

This post has nothing to do with the baby - sorry but I have to get this off my chest.

I have seen a lot of people on Facebook and Twitter use the acronym "FML". For those who aren't familiar with the meaning  - It's, Fu*k My Life.

If you are reading this and you are one of those people who use this or have used it - please don't take offense to what I am about to say - I am just trying to offer a little more perspective and maybe something to think about the next time you think your life is beyond manageable.

I am pretty sure none of my FB friends are homeless (If they are they have not been broadcasting it). They have a roof over their heads. They all have a computer at least. If not, they have a cell phone, most have smart phones, or an IPad. They have, TV's, cable, cars, etc.  Most have a list of friends on FB in the hundreds. They have clothes to wear and food to eat. That's a long list of things that some people don't have, wished they had, dream about having one day. I know I don't have some of those things on the list. With that said - most of them also have the usual downs in life. Finances, medical hurdles, romantic issues, disagreements with friends, etc.

My point - in an effort not to rant because that is not my intention - no one is without their problems. Not one person in your life isn't dealing with an issue or concern of their own. For those that use the FML,  are your issues or concerns that dire that it dictates a FML? From what I have read - I would say no.

Look around you, take stock in what you have. Focus on that and not what you feel you are without! I bet you will be surprised to find that you have more in your life to appreciate. It's easy to focus on what you don't have and lose site of what you do have. My intention for this post is to encourage those people to refocus their efforts on the positive.

There is a saying, "You get what you give" and that's not strictly referring to what you physically give, such as time, clothing, food, monetary donations... it also includes attitude. If you are giving off a negative attitude you can count on being met with negativity (think about it, there is also a saying "when it rains it pours" - could that have come about because those people are only seeing the current storm, and nothing else). Try meeting difficult situations with positivity and see what happens. We all fall, get blind sided, and feel like we get dealt a sh!ty hand at times.

You cannot control what happens to you but you can control, 100%, how you react to what happens to you. 

Shower me with LOVE!

I am still recouping from my travels this weekend and all the excitement. Ryan and I traveled back to TN Monday morning after a weekend of visiting with friends and family, celebrating and catching up.


I flew into Cleveland Friday afternoon and was happy to be back with Ryan after almost 2 weeks of being apart. Even though he was late picking me up from the airport, I couldn't be upset, I was happy to see him and show him this belly that 'popped' out over the last two weeks. He was surprised to hear that no one at the airport or with SW Airlines asked if I was allowed to fly. I had my letter just in case but no one even made mention. As we drove to my parents house he tells me that he signed up to run a trail half marathon in the morning. The man is crazy! He had just gotten done running on the trails for 2 hours and then signs up for a 1/2 marathon, complete spur of the moment. FREAK! The only thing I was concerned with was making sure he was back at my parents house in time to thank everyone who came to the shower. He made sure he arrived in time and had a Chai tea for me as well. YUM!

The shower was given by my sisters Kate, Kim, and Dina, my Mom and my bestest friend Sonya - who surprised me when she walked in the door carrying balloons. The party planners thought it would be fun to lie to the mother to be and tell her that her dearest friend from high school could not make the shower and then have her show up. There were tears, some obscenities spoken and lots of hugs. I was so happy to see her! I cannot thank these ladies enough. Everything was perfect and I had a nice time. It was low key, everyone visited, good food, and all the right people were there. My soon to be sister in law Dina made the cake, from scratch... I think I have some competition in the baking department. It was sooo delicious and looked too good to cut into.

The hardest part of the shower was opening presents in front of everyone. It makes me sweat when all eyes are on me. Especially when I have a hard time bending at the waist. Ryan and I received a lot of nice things for our new addition and we are truly grateful to have such generous people in our lives. One of the gifts was priceless. We have a family heirloom, a bassinet. This bassinet started with my Mom. My grandmother used this bassinet for all 6 of her kids, I believe most, if not all of the grandchildren have slept in it and a few of the great grandchildren have slept in it. It will be 59 years old on 11/15 (our due date is 11/19 for those who may not know) and needed a new mattress and sheets. My Mom took this to a lady she works with and asked her if she could make a new mattress (since it's so old the new mattresses wont fit) and possibly make a few sheets to go with it. I was blown away at this woman's talent and care she put into this project. I am honored that our baby will get to sleep where Grandma once laid her head - along with many other babies in our family.

We are quickly approaching the 10 week count down. Saturday will mark 30 weeks! I can't believe it. There are clothes and blankets, and towels to wash. I'm a planner so I am doing all this labours work now before I am to tired, big, and achy to do it all. We will have more frequent visits to the midwife and still an ever growing belly. The baby continues to "dance" when the late, great Michael Jackson is played and just last night he/she danced the ipod right off my belly. With each passing day we are closer and closer to meeting our new addition to this family and grow ever more excited and anxious.

100 DAYS

I woke up this morning feeling tired and un-rested. Sleeping comfortably has been a challenge as of late but it hasn't been too bad. With each passing day the baby gets stronger, more active (longer periods of time, more times throughout the day), and my belly gets bigger. Ryan measured my belly the other night (I forgot to ask what the measurement was at my last midwife appointment) and it's measuring right on point. 25cm. I will be 26 weeks along this Saturday.

Which Means:

Today marks only 100 more days until the due date. Now I know the baby could come before or after the due date but still... 100 days. In any other situation, 100 days may seem like a ways away - some how now, the 100 days seems like it will be here in a blink of an eye. I am growing anxious. I just want to meet this little baby. I am also thinking a lot about labor and delivery. I have a great partner who I know will be supportive and kind. I have a Douala as well which I am grateful for her experience and coaching. She has 5 kids so she has done this a time or two. Having these two people in the room to encourage, support, comfort and help me through is a great gift. My only worry is that I will have a long labor and have nothing left in the tank when it's time to deliver.

My year and half of CrossFit training has taught me that when I think there is nothing left, dig a little deeper and I will find more. I am stronger than I think I am and my body was meant to do these things. Those thoughts/learnings can certainly apply to labor and delivery - I just need to remember them when I am in the moment. I have never been the most self confident person so I am hoping this experience will help me learn how to trust in myself, my skills, my instincts, and my abilities.

So there are my deep thoughts for this post. The more I prepare and think/weigh options and plan for labor and delivery the better I will feel. So am researching and asking and taking notes every step of the way.

The fun facts:
* My belly measures 25cm - right on target
* I have gained a total of 20lbs -while I am grateful that it is all up front (boobs and belly) my lower back is not so grateful.
* Sleeping comfortably has become a challenge for both me and Ryan (poor guy)
* Baby shower is in a few weeks, I can't wait - my sisters (to include D) and Mom are the best!
* Next Midwife appt is 9/9

Thanks for checking in!

This is a pic taken last week of Ruby resting her head against the baby bump.

Family Visit

This past week my parents came to stay with us for a week long visit. With them they brought Tyler to stay for 3 weeks. It was so good to have them here, hug them, kiss them, talk to them and just be in their company. Tyler is touring MTSU with her Dad today. Fingers crossed, with no pressure, she comes here for College. It was sad to have the rents leave this morning but we will see them next weekend when we bring Tyler home. Hopefully this this past week starts the new trend of seeing each other more often.

The next time they come to TN they will be meeting their next Grandchild for the 1st time. I can't believe how fast this is going. Baby Speed is growing stronger with each little kick.

At 21 Weeks:

1. Basketball belly already - Ryan says this kid will be like me, needs extra space!
2. Ryan has been able to feel the baby kick, along with the big sister Tyler and Grandma. Strong little bugger, always on the move.
3. I have been feeling really good. Aside from my daily dosage of TUMS, my appetite is back. It's good to look at food with desire again instead of disgust and disdain.
4. I have been following the workouts on the CrossFit Mom website- I do this one day a week and walk for 30 mins the other days around the block on my lunch hour. I would like to do more of the CrossFit but it just doesn't fit during the week. By the time I get home, I am hungry and tired... I know if I wait to eat after the workout I will end up getting sick. It's just to long to wait.

Those are the biggest updates so far. Oh, other than my Mom is convinced it's a boy based on how I look. My Dad refers to the baby as "his grandson"... lets hope they are right, with all the 'he' references. This baby is set in the name department, the names are locked in and finalized. As a hint, a celebrity who gave birth to a baby girl recently stole one of our names... the nerve! : ) It took Ryan and I a long time to agree on names so we are not changing it based on the recent events.

Thank you to all that ask and check up on us. I will continue to keep you posted. Sorry this post doesn't contain much excitement.

3 Years Ago Today

I promise to love you with all my heart and mind and strength. I vow to be your best friend and do everything in my power to make you as happy as I am today. I will trust you with my dreams and support you in yours. I don’t know what challenges lie ahead, but I do know this, we will face them together.