Houston We Have a Roller!

Ry has been SO close to rolling from her back to her tummy for a couple of weeks now. It finally happened yesterday and both J and I were home to see it. John has been traveling a whole lot for work these past few months (boo!), and he was so worried that he would miss it. He was gone all last week, and every time Ry got close, I would roll her back onto her back-sorry baby! I didn't want John to miss it since I knew how much he wanted to be able to see this little milestone. Funny how something like your baby rolling from back to tum becomes so important to you! Well, yesterday afternoon she did it, and John happened to be sitting right next to her when it happened. I caught the tail end of the action because I was getting a work call on my cell phone right as it was happening. Thank goodness it was just a co-worker calling me, because as soon as I answered the phone, she completed her roll and I shouted as loud as can be "Yay!! You did it!!". Then I realized I had already answered the phone, and I had to awkwardly say "This is Tracie". Good thing it was just Uncle Ryan calling and not a customer!

We took some video of Ry doing her thing. It was funny because she would roll, then realize that rolling made her end up on her stomach, which she hates, and then she would get stuck and start crying. I would turn her back over, and then she would proceed to roll back onto her tummy then start crying again. Haha Now she needs to learn how to go from tummy to back so she can complete the roll.

J and I were talking this morning that we are so fortunate that I can stay home with her, and that he gets to work from home so we don't miss these moments. I know every parent does what they have to to support their families, but I am so thankful that I don't have to hand her off to someone else all day. Adult conversation and non-pj attire is great, but I wouldn't trade being with my girl all day for anything!

Here's our rolly polly in action!

My First Mother's Day!

Where to begin! This was one of the best days my little family has had since bringing Miss Ryleigh home. The day began with me waking up next to my two loves, and lots of precious baby smiles. "Ryleigh" was very excited to give me her present, and couldn't wait any longer, so as soon as I woke up, I got showered with my beautiful Mother's Day gift.

 Beautiful, Beautiful ring with my baby girl's birthstone!

After getting completely spoiled with my gorgeous gift, John went out to get my daily Starbucks order and he came home with a dozen donuts. I can't remember the last time I had a donut, but we went to town on those bad boys. We got showered and dressed and headed to the Vellano club house for brunch. It was delish and we ran into a few friends!

Hi Auntie Ash!

G-Ma Poppins and Ry

Ry and I with Ash and baby Caira

The Halls and the Cairas

Ry and I with the BEST Mama and Grandma. We are lucky girls!

Friends Pic!

After stuffing ourselves at brunch (mind you we had just devoured a box of donuts), we headed back to my parents house for some pool time. My inlaws and BILs came over for some swimming and an early evening BBQ. Since this would be Ry's first time in the pool, all the cameras, video cameras, and camera phones were out, which also meant that there's lots o footage of me in my bikini floating around. As much as I wanted to document my baby girl's first time in the pool, I wasn't to happy about all the cameras on me as I took her in!  Here's a little video that one of the grandparents captured of Ry's 1st time in the pool!

It was a fabulous day with my favorite people. Here are some shots my dad snapped of Ry and I. 

Evolution of the Belly

I wish I had been more diligent about taking pictures throughout my pregnancy. I thought I would be one of those girls who poses in her garden for those cute week by week pictures of her growing belly, but I ended up being one of those girls who took iPhone pics in her work bathroom whenever it randomly occurred to her. I didn't take too many in the beginning because there wasn't much of a difference each week, but here they are, forever documented on the interwebs. 

7 Weeks 5 Days

13 Weeks 4 Days. I think I may actually be smaller here compared to the first pic what with all the  vomiting!

13 Weeks 4 Days

17 Weeks 4 Days

17 Weeks 4 Days

25 Weeks 3 Days

25 Weeks 3 Days

29 Weeks 0 Days

30 Weeks 6 Days

30 Weeks 6 Days

30 Weeks 6 Days

33 Weeks 6 Days

34 Weeks 3 Days

34 Weeks 3 Days

35 Weeks 3 Days

35 Weeks 3 Days

38 Weeks 1 Day: Baby Time

Baby Fat is Only Cute on the Baby

Now that Ryleigh is approaching 3 months old, my self imposed deadline for getting back into pre-preg (or better) shape is also fast approaching. I want no indication that I had a baby by summertime. I think that's reasonable. Maybe. I gained about 23 lbs during my pregnancy, and lost all but 2.5 lbs within the first two weeks (although it doesn't look the same when it all goes back!). I was a true believe in the miracle of breastfeeding. The lbs were falling off with no effort on my part. I got a little cocky. Yes, I'll have that brownie. I'm breastfeeding. Sure, I'll take fries. I'm breastfeeding. To add to it, we had endless amounts of meals and goodies brought to us all day, everyday for the first month or so. I think my mom made me a berry cobbler (my fav) at least once a week for about 6 weeks. Once the meals stopped, I found myself picking up dinner almost every night instead of cooking. I tried to make dinners, but I would have to either stop 1/2 through cooking to feed Ry, and instruct John on what do to with the chicken, pasta, oven, etc, OR I would make it through cooking the meal just to have Ry demand her dinner right as we were sitting down to eat. Needless to say, those lbs crept back on. I had to tell my mom that as much as it pained me, no more cobblers! I am now up 7 lbs away from pre-preg weight, but it feels like more because it's all concentrated in the same area. I started working out the day I got the ok from my doc at my 6 week check up, but I haven't been able to maintain a consistent workout routine. It's hard when no one else can feed little Miss but me. Over the past couple of weeks, we've worked out a fairly reliable feeding schedule for Ryleigh, and starting this week, I am committing to working out at least 4 days and cooking at least 4 days. Hopefully my good intentions become reality!
One nice thing about being pregnant is that people feel compelled to tell you how great you look, even if they are lying through their teeth. They may see a little extra poundage in the face area, but then they see that belly and there's the excuse. Once you have the baby, though, no one knows to attribute the extra weight to the babe unless it's with you. I know this is completely vain, but I've been out running errands sans baby, and joked that I want to wear a sign that reads "I just had a kid, not a burrito". Oh well. This little face makes it all worth it. = )

Old Wives Tales

My dear friend Ashlee played this fun game at her gender reveal party based on all the old wives tales about baby gender prediction. Her sister asked her a bunch of questions and based on her response, a sticker got placed in either the boy or girl column. Cute idea for a gender reveal party or a baby shower where the gender is unknown. Based on the wives tales, it was predicted that Ash would be having a girl, which she is. I was playing along in my head, and the wives tales predicted girl for me, too, which was obviously the case. Here's a list of some of the questions: mamas out there-check it out and see if it was accurate for you, too!

Heart Rate 
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.

Prediction: Girl-Ryleigh's heart rate was a steady 150 bpm at every appt, so this was right on.

Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.

Prediction: Boy -My belly was definitely small and lower. In fact, the cutest little Armenian lady at the jewelry district in downtown LA informed me (when I was about 8.5 mo pregnant) that my ultrasounds HAD to be wrong, because she was certain I was carrying a boy b/c of my belly size and shape, so this one was wrong for me.

Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.

Prediction: Girl-Every time I did this, it would swing back and forth, so this one was right for me.

Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.

Prediction: Boy-I never had acne during pregnancy. In fact, my skin was probably the best it's been, so wrong-o.

Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.

Prediction: Girl-This one was right on. I have NEVER had a sweet tooth and would rarely order dessert. I don't even really like ice cream (gasp). I am all about salty foods, but during my pregnancy I could not get enough sweets. I ordered dessert after almost every meal. It's amazing that I didn't gain 100 lbs.

Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.

Prediction: Girl-As far as I could tell, my legs stayed the same size as before. The weight that I did gain was right around my mid section.

Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.

Prediction: Boy-Well, 90% accuracy huh? According to the Chinese, Ry should have been a boy...

Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.

Prediction: Girl-The sheer fact that I didn't fall down the stairs or slip off my high heels during my pregnancy was nothing short of a miracle, because I do this on a regular basis. So, I suppose this prediction was right for me. Now that she's here, though, all bets are off-the bruises on my legs speak for themselves!

Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.

Prediction: Girl-I have to be careful here, but I'll say this one was right only b/c John joked that he was putting on sympathy weight....but this probably has more to do with the said sweet tooth-I was constantly bringing sweet treats home for us to eat! That and the sheer sight of most foods made me want to puke, so cooking was out and John lived on take out for about 6 months, which isn't always the healthiest...

What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.

Prediction: Boy-I would have bet my right arm that this babe was a boy. Good thing I didn't.

Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.

Prediction: Girl-Ha. We all know the answer to this one. I was sick enough during my pregnancy that the thought of doing it again is like free birth control.

Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.

Prediction: Girl-Meat disgusted me while I was pregnant. If my baby turns out to be a vegan hippy, that's my bad.

Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.

Prediction: Girl-No headaches. Just stomachaches

IntelliGender Test
Ok, this is not a wives tale, just a public service announcement to save your money, folks! This $35 test claims to predict gender with 85% accuracy. You pee into a cup and the pee mixes with a chemical and if it turns bright yellow/orange, that's positive for a girl, and if it turns dark green, that's positive for a boy. The test I took turned dark green instantly. I knew that that didn't mean I should run out and paint the nursery blue, but since I already thought there was a little dude in there, this made me more certain. Wrong! Next time around I'll be patient enough to wait for the early U/S @ 14 wks = )

So, 9 out of the 13 wives tales were right on for me. Coincidence, or is there some truth to these crazy old ladies' tales? Either way, they make an entertaining guessing game while you await the big day.

Precious Moments

Ryleigh was a bit fussy the other day. I think she was just plain bored of sitting in her rocker. I went out of the room to do something and came back to this preciousness. I love how she is just staring at John.

2 Months...and Other Happenings

I'm a little late on the two month post since the little lady is fast approaching 10 weeks. Here's what we've been up to around these parts.


Let's start with Easter weekend.


The Friday before Easter, John and I had our first real night out since she was born. We met up with friends at a new Irish bar that just opened by our house. We had dinner, drinks, and socialized until about midnight. It was so great to be OUT and be able to have a few drinks with friends. I haven't really been able to enjoy a night out since before I was pregnant. By the time I stopped feeling sick, I started getting achy and uncomfortable, so I really never had a pleasurable night out the entire pregnancy. When we got home, my parents delivered our kiddo back to us, and our friends came back to our place to finish out the night. We didn't go to bed until after 3am, but it was great to be up that late for a reason other than feeding a baby or changing a diaper! I can't wait to do it again, but it takes so much planning since I have to pump for days ahead of time so little Miss has enough food to keep her going.

My parents kept sending proof of life photos. Here's a cute one of her enjoying her bath!

Fast forward to Easter Sunday. I had 4 different Easter outfits to choose from (yes, I have a problem). Luckily the decision was an easy one since only one of them fit her. The others are just a tad to big still. We got all dressed up and headed to the inlaws for an Easter brunch with the entire fam. Ry got a lot of cute things in her Easter basket and was looking darling in her dress. Afterwards, we headed back to my parents' house for a BBQ. It was a great day, but I am really looking forward to next year when Ry can run around and collect eggs.

Just Chillin' in my Easter Basket

Looking Pretty with Daddy

On her 8 week b-day, Ryleigh had her first doc appointment with her new pediatrician, and got her shots-all three of them. I debated on spacing them out, but decided to just get them over with. I never understood how heart breaking it was until I experienced it myself. She had an expression of pure horror on her face as she encountered her first experience of pain. Poor baby. Luckily she stopped crying the moment we picked her up, and she slept for hours afterwards. She woke up in some pain, but nothing a little medicine couldn't cure. Here are her stats from her appt at 8 wks exactly: 9 lbs 10 oz, 22.5". So, she's gained a little over 3 lbs and has grown 3" since her birthday. She was weighed on a completely empty stomach since she had a little projectile incident right before we left and I didn't have time to feed her again, so I think her weight would have been around 10 lbs had she not thrown up the entire contents of her tummy ; )


Here is her 2 month pic compared to her one month pic

Later that day, Ry got to meet her Great Grandma Hall and Great Auntie Amy, and cousin Allison. They flew in from Texas to meet her, and it was a wonderful weekend. Our plan was to take her swimming for the first time, but it was cold and rainy, so that didn't happen, but we still had a great day with the entire Hall fam.

Snuggling with cousin Allison

That same weekend, my gf's and I held a little surprise "sprinkle" for our best friend Megan. Megan's little man is scheduled to arrive in June, and is the FIRST boy to join this bunch of baby girls. Since my group of gf's has all been having babies for the last 2 years, Brooke and I realized that the two of us haven't had a drink together since 2009! Between her two pregnancies and mine, we had some catching up to do!

Cheers!!

Can't wait to meet you Hudson!

Speaking of baby girls, my bestie Ashlee found out that she will be adding another little girl to the group! That is the 6th girl to join our little group of ladies. Here is the video of their reveal party where they found out that a little girl was on the way. I missed a bit of the reveal b/c when I saw those pink balloons float out, I started jumping up and down! Everyone was convinced that this kid had to be a boy, but I had a feeling there was a little lady brewing in there! So happy for Ryleigh to grow up with all my best friends' babes!

I love how you can hear Joe's dad yell "what the hell" in the background at the end. See-everyone thought this little babe would be a boy!

This weekend was our first weekend in ages without plans or obligations. John also just got home from being out of town all week, so we spent the wknd with just the three of us. We took Ry to South Coast for the first time, and it was really the first time we've been out with her as a family. I've taken her all over the place, but this was the first time it was just the three of us. It was nice, and I must say Ry knows her way around Nordstrom. It was her 4th visit in 2 months, so that's an average of every other week since birth. Her dad pointed that out to me. Got to train this girl early! It was also the first time I left the mall without a single thing for her, which is a feat.

Looking Pretty at SCP

Shopping can be Exhausting!

OK, there's one last update, and it's the best one yet. Baby Girl has been sleeping through the night!!She would have a long stretch once or twice over the past couple weeks, but for the last 4 nights in a row, she has gone to bed btwn 9-10, and slept until 5:15-6am. She then will eat and go back to sleep until around 9 or 9:30. It has been glorious!!! She has always been pretty easy at night. She would wake up every 2.5-3 hours, but she would just eat then go back to bed right away. But, I forgot what a full night of sleep felt like. I woke up that first morning and it was light out and I had to check her to make sure she was still alive! Pure gloriousness!


Finally, here are some pics of general cuteness from this past month!

Trying Sophie Out. She doesn't really get the concept of sucking on something and not having it produce food, so she isn't the biggest fan of Sophie for the moment. 

Shopping with Grandma!

Snuggle time with Daddy

Headed out to dinner on this stormy night

Enjoying her ocean adventures at Grandma and Grandpa's House

General Merriment