Christmas Photo Shoot

I can't believe Christmas is almost here!  This is going by so fast!!!!

I also can't believe that Ryder is already 8 days old!!!  What the heck?!!!



I love Caden's expression in the 2nd one.  Mid-blink!








Reading one of Mommy's books from when she was little.  'Twas the Night Before Christmas











Cutie Pie.

Pictures with Santa

Our 2nd Annual visit to Santa's house!

Caden did really well.  Told Santa he wanted a monkey & a banana for Christmas.  Ryder just wanted to eat Santa's beard










High 5's & Hugs!

So cute!!!!

Let's Go Home!

So I decided that all of my kids will come home in this outfit:


Wow! That's a huge difference!




Caden loves his little brother







I love how he holds his head up



"DAHHHH Please no more pictures"



He hasn't found it again since then.  Hopefully soon.  A self-soothing baby is a happy baby!



Aunt Kim and her godson!

Baby Ryder is born!

Went in at 1 AM to be induced.  I "woke up" at 4:30 with horrible contractions lasting 2 minutes long.  Also my water broke! Yay!  Jimmy was asleep while all of this was happening.  I told him, "thanks for sleeping through the hardest part of this."  Haha.  On my bracelet it said 30Y  and I thought it stood for 3-OY!  or maybe I was having a BOY and part of the "B" was missing.





Ooohh!  another contraction.  haha

7AM  5cm dilated 80% effaced stationed at -1.  And it's epidural time!  :)





Kim walked in at 9:25AM.  I was telling her about Caden's birth and how the doctor woke up me to tell me that the baby was coming out.  As I was telling her this, my doctor was checking me for any progress.  He said, "Well the same thing in happening.  Are you ready to have this baby?  Bc it's go time!"  Oh GEEZ!  My body started to shake uncontrollably.  The nurse said that is part of labor.  I just figured it was because I was anxious & nervous that this was happening!!!!


I pushed through 3 contractions and 20 minutes later:









Ryder Hudson was born!

10:21 AM

8 lbs  14 oz (holy shit)

21 in




He's a brute!


With His Daddy & Mommy



His big bro meeting him for the first time!  So precious!






Me & my boys!



Uncle Michael & Grandma



Grandpap, Grandma & Aunt Whitney


(My dad, Uncle Scott, & Aunt Kim had to work)

the boy is obessed

Letters to Santa

I asked Caden what he wants for Christmas.  He keeps saying banana.  Then he recently added a monkey to that list.

So we wrote up his list for Santa and took it down to the North Pole mailbox.















Cute.



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After that we did some walking to get this baby out.  My due date was today.  : /   Nothing....is.....HAPPENINGGGGGGGG!!!!!


Hopefully the walking did the trick and the baby will want to come out tomorrow!  Fingers Crossed.  Really tight.  Ha.

Our Elf...

December 1st!  Our Elf made his first appearance today! He was found sitting nicely on my hospital bag.  I read Caden his story and explained why he was here.  I asked Caden if he was going to be good & he said, "uh huh!" while nodding his head yes.  Ha! He has no clue!





So we'll see how that goes.



We didn't name him yet, bc if it was up to Caden, his name would be Banana.



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I haven't slept well the past two nights.  Getting anxious!  Ready to have the baby!!  Not feeling like it's going to happen anytime soon though.  I went for a little walk today, but I doubt it did anything.  Still hoping for the 4th!  So I'm not upset about it!  :)

Sit Toddler Sit.

We celebrated the Leffler Thanksgiving at Dan & Amanda's house this year.  There house is perfect for the family!  There are a lot people and they have this awesomely massive split level.

Here is a picture of Abby & Caden.  I think they are a year apart.  Abby is actually Jimmy's cousin & Caden's 2nd cousin.  They look like they could be siblings.  Haha!  They are going to have fun growing up together!

I can totally see them getting in mischief like me & my cousins.  Good times!

More Nursery Pix

Since there is no baby yet, I just keep taking pictures of the same damn stuff in the nursery.  Haha




I made the pinwheel backdrop above the crib.  That was a bitch.  Never, ever will I make one of those again!  My mom made the adorable diaper cake.  I had to take apart the golf club bag, bc it had Newborn sized diapers in it.







Of course with a yellow & gray themed nursery- - I had to have the lyrics to this jam hanging up.  So I made these as well.  They were super easy, just time consuming.

After the baby is born, I will add more decorations.  I just need to know the gender.  Kim also painted a really cute giraffe painting that will go perfect.  That is going up after the baby is born as well!

Full Moon

It's November 28th, I had a feeling that this baby would probably want to enter this world on this day.  This was a prediction awhile back.  Then I was reading some forums and ppl were talking about how babies are most likely to be born on full moons.  I never really believe in "full moon" things.  Well I had at least 6 people write me today asking if the baby was coming.  That is sort of ironic.  Plus my parents' neighbor said the baby may come today, bc of the full moon.

Well I have about 3.5 hours until this day is over, so I'm pretty sure the 28th is out.

I also have had what I think, might be some little contractions today.  They aren't horrible and I remember the last time I was pregnant, the contractions were really painful.  So I'm pretty sure they are nothing to get excited over.

I did, however, have a dream that they baby was coming out, and I didn't know. HAHAHA  ew.

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I can't wait to get over with this though, bc the heartburn & acid reflux is unbearable!  I want some popcorn so badly right now, but I can't eat this late.  I will have HB & AR anyway, but I don't want to make it any worse.

uh oh....

We were in the doctor's office and Jimmy and I made a bet on whether I dilated more since last week.  He guessed that I would, I said no.  

Turns out, Jimmy is the winner.  I went from a 1.5cm 60% effaced to almost 3 cm 60% effaced.  

When I went into labor with Caden, I was dilated at 2 cm.  I have a feeling this baby might not make it to December!  I'm going to have to keep my legs crossed for a week to hold this baby in!  Haha!

Dangit.

And here is a little picture of Caden watching Santa stumble out of our house.  Too much nog before Christmas!

3 cm!  AHHHHH!!!!  

The doctor also told me to rest.  I guess putting the Christmas stuff up in the attic by myself was not a great idea.  I can't just sit around though!  I have a house to take care of and a hospital bag to pack.  Oh yeah, it's still not complete.  I mean, it's just little things like toiletries.  But I use those everyday, so I can't really pack them!  How am I supposed to see if my contacts are in my hospital bag.

p.s. Anyone want a cute little kitty named Oakley?

Baby #2 Update

How far along: 39 weeks

Maternity clothes: Yeah. wearing some. 

Sleep: Last night I got about 2 hours of sleep total.  all broken up of course.  Anxious about the baby + having acid reflux = shitty night's sleep  

Best moment this week: sleeping on the floor with caden.  Last night I was soooo tired so after we read books, I laid down on the floor hoping that the would follow suit.  Sure enough he did.  He even snuggled as close as he could to be & while still holding onto one of his books he laid there next to me.  We weren't asleep, but I bet we could have fallen asleep like that.

Movement: Still moving a lot!  I don't know how!  There can't be ANYMORE room in there for that giant baby.

Food cravings/aversions: I haven't really been that hungry to where I can say I am craving something. It's almost like, if you put it in front of me, I'll eat it.  But if you ask me what I want- you'll get nothing.

Gender: so confused.  I still feel like it's a girl.  But I have had little hints along the way that it's a boy.  So like I said before, if it is a boy- he may be a tad bit feminine.  hehe

What I miss: Being able to wear shorts, no heartburn, flatter stomach, sleeping comfortably- - Yes ALL OF THAT!!!  Also being able to take my own shoes off.  I had my rainboots on yesterday to look for Daisy and then when I got into the house, I realized that I can't take these off.  I was home alone, so I had to do it by myself.  It took way longer that it needed to. 

What I am looking forward to: The holidays and spending them with my Man & our two little nuggets! - - Still that!  Also looking forward to no heartburn or acid reflux!!!!  seriously excited for the christmas though!  Plus my Aunt Sue is going to be here! Getting to see her will be awesome!  And the bonus: she'll get to meet the little nug! I have a doctor's appt this morning, so hopefully I will have some good news that the baby will most likely be born on December 4th! haha

What I have learned: A few things that I shouldn't discuss here.  Things are going to be different this time around though.  Haha  Probably not.  Whatever.  

Milestones: I think I have finally figured out the curtain situation!  Ok, so if it's a girl I will use the yellow curtains (only have 2- - need 2 more- - Target was out of them)  If it's a boy I will use the dark gray curtains (don't have any- - Walmart was all out of them).  But I also don't know how the gray will look, so if I don't like them, we at least have green ones for back-up!  

Oh wow!  This baby is NEVER coming out!  I do want it to wait until December, but I'm also nervous that I am going to have to have a C-section because there are no signs of imminent labor!


We put the Christmas tree up last night.  Caden really likes to look at the ornaments.  He stands there and points all of them out.

Baby #2 Update

Holy CRAP! That thing is REALLY out there!!!!

How far along: 38 weeks

Maternity clothes: Not wearing any at this moment!  Just regular people clothes.  

Sleep: Woke up with really bad heartburn this morning.  I hope I get some sleep tonight, but I had spicy tacos for dinner, so I probably won't   

Best moment this week: Hearing the doctor say we have some progress!  The baby has dropped a little.  I've dilated to 1.5cm and I'm 60% effaced!

Movement: The baby is literally rolling around right this second and punching my bladder.

Food cravings/aversions: So thirsty!!!!! Been craving frozen yogurt for a few days and Jimmy took me to get some tonight!  :) mmmm

Gender: No clue.  But we have narrowed down the names a little, so I feel a little better about that.

What I miss: Being able to wear shorts, no heartburn, flatter stomach, sleeping comfortably 

What I am looking forward to: The holidays and spending them with my Man & our two little nuggets!

What I have learned:  That I need to stop being such a pushover and speak my mind sometimes.  Also that I need to work faster at making this baby blanket.  The kid will be 16 before I get it done!  And now that Jimmy is home for awhile, the last thing I want to do is crochet!  

Milestones: Dilating and thinning out!  This baby is making its way down!  Can't wait!!!  But still hoping for a December 4th baby!  


Here are the progression pix of this pregnancy!

O' Christmas Tree

Fixin' his car before he takes off!

Mini Photo Shoot

These boots were mine when I was little.  I'm glad they fit it perfectly at this time of the year!



Having a blast while his Daddy pushes him on the swing!















He loves going down the slide!  He even knows how to get to the park and says, "down!" when he sees it!



Watching the Falls before they freeze over.

Baby #2 Update

How far along: 37.4 weeks

Maternity clothes: Still can get away without them.  Thanks to bulky sweaters!   I am wearing maternity jeans though.  My leggings aren't though.  My belly is HUGE though!

Sleep: I have been getting sleep, but last night- - I was NOT tired.  Hard time trying to fall asleep  

Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move around- - getting more stuff done for the baby is always a good feeling as well

Movement: Yes, this kid is insanely active!  We had our ultrasound this week, and it wouldn't hold still so they could measure it.

Food cravings/aversions: Water! fruit, DARK chocolate, potato chips, constantly hungry.  Not a huge fan of coming up with something to eat though, bc meat doesn't sound that great

Gender: Still don't know.  The ultrasound tech/nurse said she didn't see anything, so she doesn't even know.  Only 16 more days until my due date.  We will all find out soon enough!

What I miss: My body

What I am looking forward to: Enjoying time with friends tomorrow at the Diaper Party!!

What I have learned:  Second babies are big.  Also the name my cousin is going to name her baby is super similar to one of our top names.  Kinda funny!  Great minds think alike!  There really is only one letter different.  Theirs ends in an A ours an N.  Haha  

Milestones: None to report.  No change in dilation.  But I don't mind bc I want this abby to be born on Dec 4th!  

Post coming soon!

Less than 20 days to go!!!!

Working on a lot of little last minute projects before the baby arrives!

ugh

So the heartburn wasn't horrible last night.  But I still woke up at 4AM.  This time, bc I couldn't breathe!  This head cold SUCKS!  I just want to lay down on the couch and cuddle under a nice warm blanket while sipping tea and watching a good movie.

Too bad that ain't gonna happen!  haha

I'm going to pack my hospital bag today!  {at least try to get it done}  I keep putting it off, thinking that this really isn't happening.  I'm not really pregnant with my SECOND kid.  Yes, still in disbelief.  I guess I better start believing since my due date is almost 20 days away!

Oh and in the morning, my belly looks so small and I can't believe that I'm already this far along.  But by the end of the day, reality sets in.  It's kinda funny.  {Caden is looking through the Toy'R'Us Christmas Catalog while I'm blogging}  So cute.

Too bad his Christmas list is at Target.  Haha.  OH...MY.... GOD!  I can't breathe!  Maybe I should try the netti-pot.  Ha! NO.

Baby #2 Update

How far along: 36.1 weeks

Maternity clothes: Today, I wore a Non-Maternity summer dress, leggings, leg warmers and tall boots. So no maternity clothes today.  I do want to look for a nightgown that I can wear in the hospital.  I'll have to check Destination Maternity next week.  

Sleep: Not sleeping that great, heartburn is REALLY bad.  I have it ALL DAY LONG!  All day!  Are you kidding me!??!  

Best moment this week: finding out that the head is down and where it should be! 

Movement: Lots of movement. This kid is more active than Caden was.....uh oh. Lots of big jabs and moving across my belly

Food cravings/aversions: dark chocolate, water, fruit, oatmeal raisin cookies, more chocolate, fizzy water, apple juice.  Meat kind of grosses me out right now.

Gender: Still sure it's a boy. I guess I should say 99%, but I really have no idea.  I do have 3 boy & 3 girl names though!  :)

What I miss: NO HEARTBURN PROBLEMS! Not having this gigantic stomach in the way.

What I am looking forward to: next week's ultrasound!  Can't wait to see the baby!!!!!!

What I have learned:  Sometimes the 2nd doesn't come early.  Someone told me their 5th was a little over a week late!  The 5th!  I do hope this baby is born in December now, though.  The birthstone is turquoise!  How cool is that?

Milestones: dilated a fingertip.  Haha