Ryleigh

MEET RYLEIGH...our firstborn

aka: Munchkin

We found out we were expecting in the middle of our move to Greensboro.  She wasn't a surprise, because we were trying to get pregnant, BUT after having 6 negative pregnancy tests over the span of 2 weeks...the positive number 7 was indeed a surprise.

So, we moved and I grew...and grew...and grew....

I pretty much had the easiest pregnancy ever and I'm sure there are a lot of Moms out there who are going to hate me after this, but the only bad thing I experienced in my whole 40 weeks was heartburn.  Every so often I'd experience some back pain, but I mean look at me!  I gained 50 pounds and I'm pretty sure it all went to my belly!  At 34 weeks we documented my enormous belly with maternity pictures taken by an amazing local photographer, Jody Gall.  You can check them out, as well as her blog HERE. 

I went into labor 6 days early on October 15, 2010, 7:23 a.m. I experienced my first contraction. I'd never had any Braxton Hicks contractions, so I really had nothing to compare it to...but I checked the clock anyways and made note of the time.  10 minutes go by, the pain is back, hangs around for a little bit, then goes away.  I was still laying in bed, so I figured I just needed to get up and move around, I mean, at this point, no one position stays comfortable for very long.  I kissed my husband goodbye for the day and proceeded to tell my Mom (who had arrived into town 3 days earlier in preparation for this momentous occasion) about my pain.  A few more pains go by and  ALAS, a revelation!  I'm in labor!! 

We began documenting contractions...10 minutes apart, 8 minutes apart, 6 minutes apart...wait a second, these are progressing really fast.  I better call Steve and get him home.  We're having a baby today!  An hour later, we were on our way to the hospital, with contractions coming every 3 mintues.

Contractions = Not fun!

We made it to the hospital (after what seemed like the longest drive ever), got into a room by 11:30 a.m. and within minutes I was getting my highly anticipated epidural.  From there on, it was smooth sailing.  I pretty much progressed 1cm. every hour.   At 6:10 p.m. I pushed for the first time and by 6:50 p.m. our little (but not really little) Ryleigh was here!  

Ryleigh Abigail- 9lbs. 21inches

all ready to go home

Ryleigh's adorableness has been documented numerous times.  You can check out her newborn photo shoot HERE.  Her One year pictures are just as cute and those are HERE.  She also made a few appearances in her brother's maternity and newborn sessions HERE.

Ryleigh is amazing and ever since she came into our lives everyday has been a new adventure.  She is caring, polite, loving, stubborn, adventurous, funny...everything I wished she would be.  She loves reading books, being a Mommy to her babydolls, and playing with (or tormenting) her best friend, Lucy.  Right now, her favorite cartoons are Mickey Mouse, Bubble Guppies, Olivia & Team UmiZoomi.  Everyday we discover something new about our little girl and there is no stopping her!