Happy Birthday Riley!

Yesterday morning we welcomed Riley Elizabeth to the world after months of anticipation (and some inpatience on my part). This pregnancy seemed to last forever; however, it only appeared that way because it ran together with Jax's. I have been pregnant for 18 of the past 22 months! These morning my uterus is relieved although sore.

Riley was certainly not an easy pregnancy although there weren't any complications (well, major medical ones). She spent most of her time breach and transverse so when I was standing up it felt like she was going to fall out at any moment. After 35 weeks she decided to get into the proper position. This put her right up under my ribcage. The past week and half I was uncomfortable to sit and lean forward even the slightest amount. I felt dizzy, light-headed, and as though I was going to pass out. Now I'm just doing the "old lady shuffle" as I move about the room.



It was very frustrating to go into labor the night of my scheduled c-section! I labored for seven hours until it was bumped up an hour. Not only do my abs hurt, but my back, sides, and shoulders do also. Yesterday my jaw hurt from gritting my teeth that last hour. There were times I forgot to breathe the pain was so intense. Having had two previous c-sections, the worst labor I could have had was back labor and lower uternine contractions. Well, that's what I had, and with every contraction my uterus felt like it was going to explode.



They finally gave me something for pain, but I was carted off to the OR about 15 minutes later. Now I was drugged off my butt. I tried really hard to concentrate on what everyone was telling me and to participate in the conversation while at least trying to sound like I had some intelligence. My eye lids felt like dead weights. I managed to stay awake until Danny took Riley to the nursery. I dosed in and out why they cleaned me up and put me back together.

All in all everything was great to be unexpected and unplanned- just the way our family likes.

Famous Last Words...

Jessica and I went to visit one of my dearest neighbors from my childhood yesterday, as she made us a beautiful quilt for Riley. As we were leaving, Jessica and she were discussing labor, and Jessica said, and I quote...

"I'm not going into labor. I could take off and head to California tonight, and I'd be fine."

We came home and prepped the house and went to bed. Around 1:15, I was awakened by Jessica moaning softly. Now, it's not been unusual for Jessica to be moaning with reflux or other assorted maladies recently. I sleepingly said, "Jessica, go to sleep... Have to be at hospital... four hours."

Imagine how awake I was when she said, "I've been contracting every 2-3 minutes for one and a half hours." No more dreams for me! Over the next coulple of hours, she began to have some bloody show and continued to contract, with increasing pain. Needless to say, we came to the hospital sooner than we were scheduled to arrive!

Long story short.... Jessica progressed through the first stage of labor and lost her mucus plug when the MD decided to bump up the C-section start time. Therefore, at 7:46 AM, Riley Elizabeth arrived!

Riley Elizabeth Lewis

Oct 27, 2008 at 7:46 AM

7 lb 13 oz

20 1/4 inches

Mother and baby are doing great, and Big Brother #1 and #2 couldn't be prouder...

"See, Jackson? You do it like this..." "Wow! She's smaller than me!"

Riley Elizabeth and Big Brother #2

The New and Improved Lewis Family

More pics to come as I get them loaded...

Waiting with Bated Breath...

After months of anticipation, the day is almost upon us... At 5:30 AM, Mommy and I will depart for the hospital, and, if all goes well, will welcome you into the world a couple of hours later. It seems like only yesterday that we were undergoing the same preparations for your older brother. Of course, it doesn't seem to be that long ago that we were sitting in the doctor's office being told that we were going to the hospital to welcome your eldest brother. My, how the almost six years since have flown by... your brothers are both awaiting your appearance, as are a multitude of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and curious friends and family. Of course, your wonderful Mommy, who has undergone more struggles than any of us in awaiting your presentations, will be the most joyous Mother in the hospital, I'm sure...

I'm thankful for the gift that God is going to bestow upon us with your presence, particularly given the struggles that we went through while waiting for Jackson. There is no doubt that God has a plan for each and every one of us, and that we must be patient and prayerfully await His promises. While I am sure there will be difficulties in raising two siblings 13 months apart, I'm even more sure that the blessings and benefits will far outweigh the burdens.

Your oldest brother helping to prepare your room

Your new crib...

Miss Riley Elizabeth, I can't wait to meet you!

Love, Daddy

Miscellaneous Musings

You know, we should work more at blogging on a more regular schedule, rather than in bursts of activity. Oh well... I thought I'd catch everyone up on a few things that have happened recently. I'm sure that they'll be several blogs dedicated to Riley (including one in the next few minutes...), so I thought I'd dedicate this one to the other two lights of our life.

Calen and I attended a Father-Son Campout with our Sunday School class a few weekends ago. We were camping at Paint Creek, which is on the fringe of Greene County. Turns out that, between the foilage, distance, and the weather, Daddy couldn't get his pages, even though he was on call- Uh oh! Thankfully, we were able to drive out and get one of my partners to agree to cover for the rest of the night. It was rainy and a little cold; however, we had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Speaking of Calen...

He just finished his first organized sports season, as he played on the rowdy Red Rockets soccer team in the YMCA Fall Soccer League. His team was the youngest one in the league, and, at times, it showed. There are seven boys in the picture above, which was our average attendance even with a team of 10 or 12 kids overall. I was pressed into service as a volunteer coach most games, in spite of my not even knowing the positions on the field. Turns out it was ok-- none of the kids knew where to go either! The Red Rockets won once, tied once, and had lots of fun the other eight games.... no one kept score, but yet, somehow, everyone knew who won or lost.... Calen scored one goal and spent quite a bit of time at goalie, which he seems to love. Looks like the Indoor Winter League is next...

We also recently, as a family, went to Myers Pumpkin Patch here in Greeneville. Just a tip to all the guys-- don't trust your wife's directions if she's pregnant. Jessica diligently wrote down directions to the Patch-- but forgot to put mileage. Approximately 20 miles out of our way, we realized we'd passed the road we needed to turn on.... oh well. We made it and had a great time going through the Easy and Moderate corn mazes (only got turned around really good once!), taking a hay ride, and then roasting hot dogs and Smores over a campfire...

As for Jax, he's either climbing anywhere or everywhere, or he's....

Eating. This boy, for the last few months, could outeat his brother- seriously. He seems to have slowed down some recently... good thing, or I don't know if we'd have been able to keep him fed. Here he is reating a Chicken Wing on the left, and enjoying his first taste of Kool Whip below....

A Memorable Milestone

We've done it!!! Calen and I just completed the first quarter of our first year of homeschooling. It is hard to believe that it has been nine weeks so we began this amazing and awesome journey. We were so excited as his read the last story in his reader, and we were all smiles as we packed up all our books to put away for his two week break.

Not a minute after putting the books into the cabinet, Calen said, "I can't wait 'til we start our new books next." YAY! Neither can I! We've had such a great time learning together.

Let me just say that Calen is not only a wonderful son, but a fantastic student. He makes the job easy for me (unless that "Y" chromosome is acting up). Calen is also a kinestic learner, although we're not sure where it comes from because Danny nor I am not. Anyway, on those days he needs to have his hands busy to listen so play-doh, clay, blocks, or even a pen can help him focus. Although, it drives me secretly crazy (well, maybe the craziness isn't much of secret...but whatever).

We will be starting back on November 10th for our second quarter and even more homeschooling adventures as this time I'll two little ones to work with!