Newborn Photo Shoot #2

Our extremely talented neighbor came to pay us a visit on Tuesday.  She photographed Lily right in our living room.  Check out some of the shots she got  http://erincobb.com/Blog/.  I can't wait to see the rest.  Will even participated in the shoot.  I'm excited to see our family pictures.  I'm sure with Erin's talent, she got at least one keeper.

Lily's Hospital Pics

Huntsville Hospital has really stepped it up with their hospital pictures of their newborns.  Here are a few from Lily's photo shoot....

Lily Ryan

Lily is here and we couldn't be more happy!  I went in Wednesday, December 14 for my 40 week appt.   I was dilated 4 cm and measuring 36 weeks (which Dr. Kakani said meant the baby had dropped and that I would probably be in labor in the next few days).  Since I wanted her to deliver, she recommended that we induce Thursday morning.   I was really bummed that Lily wasn't going to get the chance to come on her own, but I REALLY wanted my doctor to deliver since Will was not the easiest to bring into the world!

Lily couldn't have been any different.  Around 2 am I started having some pretty good contractions that got closer and closer as the  hours went by.  My dad showed up around 5:15 to stay with Will and Pat and I headed to the hospital.  By the time we arrived and got into a room, my contractions were coming every 5-10 minutes and I was well on my way to having Lily.  I got my IV in one try (it took the nurse 3x with Will) and had a wonderful anesthesiologist that was able to give me my epidural the first time around (2x with Will).  I had about 1.5 hours of epidural before the nurse indicated I was ready to push and see my baby!  Dr. Kakani arrived just in time and Lily Ryan was born at 10:39 am with just about 10 minutes of pushing.  It was a breeze compared to Will and a great experience!   In fact, I had to call and hurry my parents along so that Will, Grandma, and Pop could be at the hospital when she was born.  

Monday, Dec. 12

About to leave for the Hospital.  I'm just realizing that  it looks like Lily is about to fall out!

Some light reading before Lily.  

Lily Ryan Clark
December 15, 2011
10:39 am
7lbs 7oz and 20 in long

Big Brother, Will, meets Lily for the first time.

Our family of four!  Will is not so sure what to think of his little sister.

Our sweet nurse, Anne.  She was wonderful.

Getting cleaned up in the nursery.

What do I think of Lily????

See Will, she's not so bad.

39 weeks

For all of you keeping up, my stats at 39 weeks are:

• Lost 2 lbs!!!!  That is awesome.
• Baby's HR was 148
• I'm measuring 37 weeks, so hopefully this baby will be smaller than Will.  He was born at 39 weeks and weighed 8 lbs.
• Dilated 3 cm, still 50% effaced.
• Feeling Great
• No Swelling

My due date is one week from today.  I'm really hoping this baby will come on its own.  I induced with Will and would prefer to not do that again.  BUT...if it gets to be Dec 19 and still no baby, I will reconsider.  My doctor told me she wouldn't let me go past 41 weeks, but 41 weeks is Dec 23....Don't think that's the best idea.  Thanks for all your prayers!  

Check back for updates........

38 weeks and 21 months

I went in for my 38 week appointment today.  Everything is looking good.  I had an ultrasound that confirmed the baby is head down.  I am dilated 2 cm and about 50% effaced.  My doctor will be out of town Monday - Wednesday, so I hope Baby Clark doesn't decided to make his or her appearance then.  The baby's HR was 175 (that's the highest it's been since my 8 week appointment).  I gained about 3 lbs!  Can't wait to start losing.  Won't be long now!

On another note, Will is 21 months old today.   He has been pretty sick this week with a fever and cold.  He was finally able to go back to school today.  I'm so glad he's feeling better.  As far as milestones, not much has changed since 20 months.  Will is saying new words daily and has actually started to say animal's actual names instead of just dawg and meow.  He's called Bitsy by name and his Grandpa's dog, Riley, by name.  He loves to bring you things and say "here ya go."  Usually it's stuff he's not supposed to move.  All food is "hot" and usually lands in Remy's mouth.  He loves to share with Remy and Remy is none to happy to oblige.  We've had a hard time getting Will to go to bed lately.   He, usually, will fall right asleep about 7 o'clock, but lately we have had to force him to go to bed at 8 or later and we've had to let him cry it out.  He's probably cried it out more in the last week and a half than he has his whole life.  Thankfully, he does stay in his bed instead of trying to climb down and the last few days have been a little better.

Pat and I are feeling  incredibly blessed and thankful for all that is happening in our lives right now.  We are excited to expand our family and give Will a sibling.  Please keep us in your prayers in the coming days and weeks.

37 Weeks

This past week I celebrated 37 weeks of pregnancy!  I use that word "celebrated" loosely.  I am so thankful that this baby has made it this far, but I would definitely be okay if he/she decided to make its appearance sooner than later!  I AM READY!

I learned nothing new at this appointment (except that my doctor will be out of town the 5th-9th of December), which means this baby will come then :).   All of the stats from 36 weeks were exactly the same this week.  I sure was glad to hear that I hadn't gained any weight!

So, now we wait.  I'm headed back to the doctor on Thursday so maybe there will be some change, but if not, we'll wait some more.

Baby Clark #2 we are so excited to meet you.  You are already loved by so many, come and meet us!

It's Christmas Time in the City

Thanksgiving is officially over and the Christmas season is upon us!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, celebrating with my family and with Pat's.   Pat and I were able to get our Christmas Tree put up Friday, hang our stockings, and decorate our house.  We are ready for December to bring us a new baby and lots of family time!

Friday night we took advantage of the nice weather and took Will to Santa's Village at Constitution Hall Park.  They have so many activities for kids and Will had a blast.  We didn't get to see Santa, because the line was ridiculously long and if you know Will, you know he's NOT going to wait in line!  That's okay because we were able to see Santa a few weeks ago with some of our friends.


Here's Will with Santa from a few weeks ago!  He loved him.  Will wasn't scared of Santa last year either.  He went right up to him, told him hi, and sat in his lap.  We will definitely go see Santa again before Christmas comes!

Will and some of his sweet friends.......Peyton is not so happy :)

Pat and I were blessed to have my parents go with us to Santa's Village to help keep an eye on Will and to take some pictures for us.  

Our attempt at a family picture.......

Will also really loved the toy trains....

AND....This is how we ended the night...Will was less that thrilled about leaving.

36 Weeks

At 36 weeks:

• Gained 1 lb.
• Dilated 1.5 cm
• HR of baby was 146
• Baby is head down

We are just about ready for this baby!  I'm almost finished with my Christmas shopping.  Just need a few more small things.  I've wrapped almost all of my presents, addressed all of my Christmas cards, and all the newborn clothes are washed and hung up.  I'm hoping to pack my hospital bag this week and decorate for Christmas on Friday.  So, baby, we need one more week, then we're ready, COME ON!

34 weeks

I went to the doctor about a week ago for my 34 week appointment.  Everything is looking good and we'll find out if I'm progressing any at our appointment next week.  I gained "about a pound" according to the nurse.  I would have been okay if she had said, we'll just say you haven't gained any since the scale was teetering back and forth, but NO...she gave me that pound.  That being said, I've gained 23 lbs.  The baby's HR was 149.  I got a major stomach bug several days after this appointment that put me under for most of the weekend.  Having the stomach bug at 34 weeks pregnant is not great.  I felt so bad for this little one!  On another note, I finally took a belly shot......

I'm still feeling great and exercising.  Will is keeping me busy so I don't have time to think about how tired I really am!  I joke that I will get better sleep when this baby is born as opposed to the quality of sleep I am getting now.  Won't be long now.......

HALLOWEEN

Will's favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and I just so happened to find a great Mickey costume at a consignment sale, so Will was Mickey for Halloween.  He had plenty of opportunities to show off his costume; two parties at school, our church's trunk-or-treat, and Halloween night.  Unfortunately, the memory card to the camera was in the computer on each of those occasions except Halloween night.

On Halloween we headed over to Grayson's house for some white chicken chili, playing with friends, and trick-or-treating.  We had a great time hanging out with our friends and enjoying Halloween with our toddlers.  I can't believe how much has changed in a year.  We've gone from this......

To this......

Luke and his mommy and daddy!  Jesse, Woody, and Buzz

Just playing with Brooks before Trick-or-Treating!

There was a "big dog" on the other side of this fence....and Will loves "big dogs."

Let the fun begin!  Will wasn't so sure about trick-or-treating at first and needed Daddy to assist.

He got the hang of it after a while and loved getting all the candy.   He didn't have the full concept of putting your candy in your own basket so you can get more.  Will held on to his candy most of the night and at one house even put the candy that he was holding  into the candy basket so he could get more!  Not to fear, Pat rescued the candy!

Even our good friend, Alice, came all the way from New York to trick-or-treat with us.  Alice's mommy and I have been good friends since middle school and we can't wait for them to move closer.

End of the night....not to fear, Will got to enjoy that Kit Kat when he got home, thanks to a little help from Remy.....

Mommy was super tired after this event!  We got home around 7:30 and I think I was in bed right after!