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.