Could He Be Any More Like His Daddy??

Most people can't figure out who he looks more like: mommy or daddy. I say he looks like his daddy. He definately sleeps just like daddy and this picture is proof of that. He is just to cute and I honestly can't stop staring at him. Obsession definately has a new meaning.

Daddy's Boy

So Sleepy

Such a little sleepyhead! But he couldn't look any more precious than when he's sleeping and making all his little faces.

A Week Old!

Ryan is a week old today already! There has already been noticeable changes in him from the first day. He is keeping his eyes open more and more everyday and is very interested in looking around. When somebody is talking, he will look in their direction. It's amazing how in just a week he can change so much!

Ryan William McAfee Has Arrived!

So it finally happened. I had a baby. Yes me-the one who doesn't like hospitals, needles or anything similar to those. I always knew someday I would want to be a mother but then the thought of all the pain and pricks of needles I would be enduring among many other things I would always question if it was something I really wanted. But truthfully, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is one of the most amazing experiences a person can go through. They say you haven't truly experienced life until you have brought one into it- it's cliché, but seriously so true. I cannot stop staring!! Honestly the whole experience was an adventure and honestly worth every pound of extra weight and every hour of sleep I will never see again!

After having an ultrasound done to try to determine how big he would be since I was measuring smaller than what I should have, the doctor determined it would be best to induce when I was 39 weeks along. We were told he would be about 6 lbs and the doctor was worried there might be something wrong with the placenta not giving him enough nutrients and oxygen causing him to be small and putting him in the 23rd percentile of growth causing both of us to have worries. Little did we know we were in for a big shock.

We arrived at the hospital at 12:30am 11/15/08 to be induced. After what seemed like forever of filling out the admission paperwork and answering their much unneeded questions we were finally placed in the induction room. After being hooked up to all the monitors to keep an eye on me and him, it was time to receive the gel to start moving things along. In just a few hours I had gone from 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced at the doctors office to 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced before the gel was even administered. The nurse said I most likely would have gone in labor on my own in a couple more days. After an hour, I was 3 cm dilated. The contractions were getting closer together and since things were moving along faster than expected for a first-time labor I was moved into the delivery room after only a couple hours. Since things were moving so fast, I was only given one dose of the gel instead of the normal three. At 5:30am I was given the epidural. Within 5 minutes, I was in heaven. I couldn't feel a single contraction. Now was the time to just relax and wait it out.

Finally, at about 12:45pm I was dilated to 10. It was finally time. There was no turning back now. It was happening whether we were ready or not. After pushing for about two hours with not much luck, I was given a dose of Pitocin to help make the contractions stronger and closer together, since the contractions seemed to be getting weaker. At 2:42pm our lives were completey changed. He was perfect. 7 lbs. 9 oz and 21" long. Shocking us all, even the doctor. He definately looks like his daddy but he does have my calmness and easy going personality, at least for now. It was definately worth it all though. Let the good times begin...

Let The Countdown Begin!!

Yikes!! We are officially two days away from our lil mans arrival! While we do have everything in place and ready (I think) I still keep saying I am not ready. Now that I know exactly when he will be here is scary. I had wanted to be "surprised" but because of doctor's orders we will need to be induced.
For anyone who does not know on Halloween we had an ultrasound to try to determine how big Ryan was since I had been measuring small. It was determined he was just an ounce short of 6 lbs. The following Friday at the doctors, we were told that November 15 I would be induced. The ultrasound showed the placenta isn't giving him enough nutrients and oxygen causing him to be in the 23rd percentile of growth. We went to the hospital yesterday for a non-stress test to make sure everything was ok. Less than 10 minutes into the test he had already moved more than they expect them to during the whole test (probably because he does not like ANYTHING touching my belly and ALWAYS kicks the heartbeat doppler at the doctors office) and his heartrate was good. A couple contractions but nothing major or close enough yet. They also did an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid and that was still good. We'll go to the doctor tomorrow to see what she says about the results and if she'll still want to induce on Saturday.

Time For A Change!

So a friend of mine introduced me to blogging and I love the idea. I used to love writing and would write every chance I could get. Since I've been out of school though my writing has stopped. I've been myspacin it for a few years now and I have to admit it's getting kind of old. It was time for a change and a chance for me to "try" to get back into writing again. I figured this would be a good chance to start with the upcoming arrival of our lil boy Ryan William. I will try to keep this updated as much as I can with updates and pictures for all of our family and friends who live out of state or country and can't see him all the time. Let the countdown to Ryan William's arrival begin...