NEW HOUSE!!!

We finally bought our new home and need I say more? WE FINALLY BOUGHT OUR NEW HOME!!!!! :)

Growing like a weed...

SO I have been completely MIA for some time... I guess the stress and time consuming job of having 7 kids, packing, moving, unpacking/organizing, going back to work, and keeping everyone alive and happy leaves little time for luxuries like blogging. But before you think I've fallen off the face of the earth, here is a quick update of baby Ryder with pictures!

10 days old.

Happy Mother's Day. 2 1/2 weeks old.

Night owl. 3 weeks old.

6 weeks old.

We called his sock-hands "paws". 7 weeks old.

Happy Father's Day. 7 weeks old.

2 months old.

2 months old. 10 pounds 10 ounces. 3 shots.

Just chillin'. 10 weeks.

Loves to suck on his fingers/hands. 10 weeks.

Pictures from hospital

Birth Story

Today was my due date. I'm so incredibly happy to be holding my 8 day old son in my arms rather than waiting for this day and possibly longer to arrive. I've had scheduled inductions for my last 3 kids because my body doesn't go into labor on it's own and my babies get too big for me to handle if I wait... So on Friday, April 22nd we went in to labor and delivery at 7:30 am for an elective induction.

We arrived at the hospital a little late and by the time I was changed into a gown and settled in my bed, it was close to 8:30. I was checked then and only dialated to almost a 3, 80% effaced, and baby was still pretty high. My doctor stopped by and said once the pitocin was started and my contractions were going, she'd be back to break my water to we could really get things moving. The nurse had a hard time getting my IV inserted, so the anesthesiologist was called in to do it. We decided he'd come back and get my epidural going before my water was broken. So... IV in at 9, pitocin started shortly after, Epidural in at 10 and water broken at 10:30. Then, finally some time to relax and let my body do it's thing. About 12 I was checked again and was only at a 4. Kinda bummed, but was thinking from my previous inductions, this would be an all day laboring event. I was wrong....

I slept for a little bit and Spencer got some much needed lunch. My epidural was working great and I could see my contractions getting pretty big on the monitor. Around 2:30 pm, I started feeling some pain in my side and realized I could feel my contractions coming and going. I changed positions, but with every contraction I was feeling more intense pain and it was spreading to my entire belly and my uh, girl parts. My epidural was failing and I was in a lot of pain. The nurse decided it was time to check my progress and to everyone's surprise I was at a 9. Crap, no time to fix the epidural and most important no time to really wrap my head around THIS WAS IT! I felt like I was swimming in pain. I couldn't talk during the contractions and was oblivious to everything happening around me. Spencer later told me it was a mad scramble to get everything set up and my doctor was paged for delivery. Next thing I realized, my legs were being pulled back and I was told to start pushing with the next contraction. The pain was so intense I could hardly stand it. And I was confused because I could feel it so much it my lower back and butt (TMI). I pushed and I admit, screamed for 10 minutes before I finally told myself the only way out of this pain was to get this baby out of my body. So the next contraction I gave it everything I had... I now know what it means to push through the pain. Baby's head was out and with one more push his body came too. I laid back in complete grateful relief. Ryder was born face up which explained the backside pressure and the difficulty getting him out. Spencer cut the cord and my son was placed on my chest. Wow. How do you explain falling in love with someone so tiny in an instant. I loved him before he was born, but seeing him just melted my heart. He was SO beautiful. He never cried, just looked around taking everything in. We got to spend a long time just staring at him and loving him.

After I got to my room they gave him his first bath and I spent a long time having skin to skin contact time with him... I love that. I felt so good and he was doing well so we were discharged the next day. This first week home with him has been great. His siblings love him and we feel so blessed to have him in our lives. I can't imagine life without my sweet baby Ryder.

He's arrived...

Ryder Mason Black

Friday, April 22, 2011

3:19 pm

6 pounds 8 ounces

19 inches

(more info to come later... I'm tired)

end in sight...

I am amazed at how much pain I can be in and still not be in labor. Ugh... today is already miserable. I am having low abdominal pain. I think it's pressure from baby's head pushing my cervix, which is good since we need to dialate, but it's bringing me to tears... I've never felt pain like this with my previous 3 pregnancies. All I can say is this better be doing something to get things moving... Regardless, I have at the most 9 days left. I'm scheduled for an induction a week from Friday. SO hoping I go a little sooner on my own, but at least I can finally see an end to this! It's what's keeping me going at this point. This little boy has by far been my most difficult pregnancy. Not sure if it's because it's the first boy I've ever been pregnant with, or that I'm just older. Probably a combo of both. Just ready to be done and hold his warm little body in my arms and kiss his fuzzy little head. That's my motivation! Hopefully my next post will be his birth story... stay tuned.

Baby Progress...

We are moving ever closer to having this baby... Today's Doctor Appointment Stats:

• 1 cm dialated


• 50% effaced


• Baby has turned into head-down position (not fully engaged, but at least he's finally going the right direction)


• Belly measuring right on at 35 cm


• Baby's heart rate at 135 bpm


• Induction set for 4/22 at 7:30am


• Doctor will also strip my membranes at my appointment on 4/18 to see if I start labor on my own....

It's getting close... can't wait!

the ABC's of me...

• A. Age: 37


• B. Bed size: King… I love being able to stretch out without kicking my husband in the shins. LOVE our bed.


• C. Chore you dislike: Mopping the floor, scrubbing the shower… and I HATE stopping to fill my car up with gas.


• D. Dogs: none right now, but we promised our kids a dog when we finally move.


• E. Essential start to your day: Ice water… especially being pregnant, I am SO thirsty when I wake up.


• F. Favorite color: turquoise


• G. Gold or silver: silver – except for the gold college ring my dad gave me when I graduated. It’s sentimental and I wear it every day.


• H. Height: 5’3


• I. Instruments you play(ed): piano and violin when I was younger.


• J. Job title: HIV Supportive Services Program Administrator


• K. Kids: almost 7: Kesley (17), Ashley (14), Dallin (11), Max (10), Hallie (6), Audrey (4) and baby Ryder due in 3 weeks.


• L. Live: in Farmington, UT in a townhome that is too small for us. WE NEED TO MOVE!


• M. Mom’s name: Diana


• N. Nicknames: Rach, Princess


• O. Overnight hospital stays: having babies, kidney stones, hyper-stimulation from IVF.


• P. Pet peeves: Ignorant/oblivious people


• Q. Quote from a movie: “Shut your mouth when you’re talking to me!” (wedding crashers)


• R. Righty or lefty: right


• S. Siblings: just one, my younger brother Jared


• T. Time you wake up: depends… for work about 6:30ish, on days off… whenever.


• U. Underwear: I love underwear… Victoria’s Secret gets a lot of business from me. I love their sales…..


• V. Vegetables you don’t like: broccoli (I actually like it, but my body hates it… makes me sick), lima beans, tomatoes.


• W. What makes you run late: the snooze button, my little girls refusing to cooperate and hurry.


• X. X-rays you’ve had: head, wrist, abdomen, lungs


• Y. Yummy food you make: cookies, chicken soup, poppy seed chicken casserole, cheesecake


• Z. Zoo animal favorites: tigers, wolves

Getting ready to POP

I will be 35 weeks this Saturday... countdown to D-day is in full swing. Since I will be having an induction at 39 weeks, I only have 4 weeks left ~ that's about 30 days according to MY plan... of course we all know babies often have their own plans...

My baby has been lying sideways (transverse) for several months now. He's perfectly content to stay that way it seems, so unless he turns head down on his own within the next 2 weeks, we're looking at a "version", which is where my doctor manually tries to turn the baby from the outside. Painful? YES! Worth it to avoid a c-section? Double YES!!!

So the possibility of a c-section is very real this time. I really want to do this MY way, but I realize the most important thing is a healthy baby... and I will do anything for that. If he doesn't turn and/or the version isn't successful, I'll deal with the c-section. But hoping like mad I can give birth to him on my own...

I have an appointment on Monday with my OB. She'll check to see if I have stared to progress yet... hoping for that as well since my induction will go much smoother and quicker if my body has already started to dialate and efface.

Sorry if this is all TMI. It makes me feel better to write it out and deal with it this way. And SO many of my friends and family are also expecting right now, so I know I have a lot of empathy and support from these girls. Hoping all of your pregnancies are also going well. Can't wait until we all start having our babies. ♥

Here is a photo from this past weekend. I'm now classified as ginormous... and I can't see my feet anymore.

You've got a what in there?

So for weeks I've been pretty convinced I'm pregnant with an octopus. This baby is ALL arms and legs, with some elbows and knees thrown in there as well. He kicks, punches, pokes, stretches, and MOVES constantly. Either he's super healthy (and I'm very grateful to be feeling all this healthy movement) or he's the most hyper baby I've ever been pregnant with.

Lately I also have toyed with the idea I'm going to give birth to an elephant. He's getting so heavy and I'm feeling lots more pressure, uh... down there. I feel ginormous.

And the past day or so, I'm fairly sure that he's a pinball machine. Who knew a baby could poke and kick you so hard it looks like your stomach is going to burst open. Sitting in a meeting today, I had to hold my belly with both hands because it was visibly shaking and rolling as I was sitting there.

Since I'm being induced a week before my due date, I'm down to 7 more weeks (that's 49 days if your counting... I know I am). I am very anxious to be done with this whole thing. I'm excited to welcome Ryder into our family and put pregnancy behind me for good! For now... it's seriously ONE day at a time.

Week 30 Survey

I stole this idea from another blog....

• How far along: 29w6d
• Total weight gain/loss to date: +23 pounds total (hopefully not much more… I usually gain next to nothing in the last 2 months)
• Maternity clothes: Mostly since week 14, there are still a few non-pregnancy shirts I can wear, and I sleep in regular t-shirts. But sadly, even one pair of my maternity jeans is getting snug… I know it won’t make it to 9 months.
• Stretch marks: A few, but nothing more than the usual. Light marks on hips and chest.
• Sleep: I wake up every few hours… I can’t remember the last time I slept through the entire night. I’m always tired.
• Movement: YES!!! He is always moving and kicking and poking. Sometimes I wonder if he’s really an octopus!
• Cravings: Ice cold water, sometimes sweets, not anything real specific though.
• Aversions: I can’t stand pizza or anything with red marinara sauce. And I hate most veggies right now.
• Gender: BOY!!!
• Symptoms: Tons of movement, backache, BH contractions, shortness of breath, slight swelling in feet, dizzy, nausea, SO tired!!!
• What I miss: pants that button, my regular sized bras, my innie belly button, being able to see the lower half of my body.
• What I look forward to: Holding this baby in my arms!
• Moods: No huge mood swings… I am tired, which makes me impatient. And I’ve had a few crying spells that in the end made me feel much better.
• Milestones: Every week is a milestone for me… I’m on the countdown!
• Medical Concerns: Hoping to avoid a C section… crossing fingers he turns head down, isn’t too big to deliver and my induction progresses and doesn’t stall out.
• Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy this time and don’t rush things… it will be chaos soon enough with a new baby and 6 kids…
• Worst moment this week: I passed 2 kidney stones over the weekend… don’t wish that kind of pain on my worst enemy. Just horrible.
• Best moment this week: Baby keeps getting hiccups and the rhythmic jumping low in my belly is so cute. Makes me smile.

Holiday Pictures & More... finally

Finally got some pictures from Christmas and such uploaded on our computer... sheesh, you'd think we have a billion things going on or something. So here goes...

Dallin, Hallie & Audrey with my nephew Ricky and niece Jenna

Christmas Eve at grandma Fullmer's house

Kesley passed out on the couch on Christmas Eve

Spence and I (5 months pregnant) on Christmas Eve

Kids waiting to see what Santa brought Christmas morning

Santa couldn't get it all under the tree... we have a ton of kids!

Tearing into stockings from Santa

Opening Santa gifts

Christmas pretty much exploded in our living room

Hallie's 6th birthday

Thrilled she got a wedding barbie... just what she wanted

Life moves fast!

So here we are a month after Christmas and I STILL haven't posted my holiday pictures. I haven't even downloaded them off my camera! Guess I'm pretty distracted with 9 million other things going on in my life. (((just breathe)))

We are on the countdown to baby... Twelve and a half weeks until I get induced. I am busily making blankets and burp cloths and other fun things for him (will post pictures when they are finished). The baby is getting much bigger and his kicks and punches are starting to hurt! It's becoming harder to get comfortable at night; I can't remember the last time I actually slept the entire night all the way through... guess I'm once again getting prepped for those middle of the night feedings.

Our town home is still for sale and we are SO anxious to get it sold and move on with things. It's been such a frustrating situation, but hopefully spring will bring on some motivated buyers and we can get it done. We have NO idea what to do after it sells. The plan was always to build, but we are thinking that moving right into a house would be great for all of us, so if we can find the right home at the right time at the right price, we would try to go that route. Just have to wait and see and hope the stars align I guess.

I'm rambling... which is boring. I will post pictures about our lives very soon. Just wanted the 3-4 people who actually read my blog to know I am still alive.