Worth the Wait

 I am pleased to announce the arrival of Elliot Noelle Rammelsberg!

Born June 10 at 10:43 a.m.

8 lbs. 7.5 oz.

21.5 inches 

And as the title suggests, she was definitely worth the wait :).

This is just going to be a short blurb, with a few pictures because, well, I had a baby 5 days ago.  I am quite tired and frankly would rather spend time with my itty bitty bundle of joy than my computer.  I promise to do a bigger photo dump at a later date.

To make a long story short, my water broke Saturday morning and we were pretty sure a baby was coming right away.  God had other plans.  After being in labor for 26 hours, fully dilated for most of them, the doctor determined baby's head was too big for my pelvis and would not be able to pass through.  So, devastated, I went through with the c-section.  I say devastated because illogically I felt like a failure for being unable to do it naturally.  This is silly because the c-section went extremely well and since I was completely exhausted after such a long labor it was a relief to have someone else do the work for me in a procedure that seemed to only take minutes (I'm sure it was longer, but it didn't feel that way).  As it turns out, it didn't matter in the end how she got here, just that she did safely and healthily.  She is perfect and I am healing up remarkably well considering I had abdominal surgery five days ago and have been caring for a newborn since then :).

Here is a brief glimpse of what we have been up to:

Bonding

Meeting our grandparents and great grandparents (Grandma and Grandpa Rammelsberg not pictured even though they have met.  I just couldn't find the pictures for some reason.)

Making our first best friend

Becoming daddy's little girl

and learning what it is to be a lady of leisure

As you can see, we have been quite busy.  Now please excuse me while I get back to figuring out how to be a mommy.

Hello Due Date!

And good-bye due date!  Thanks for stopping by.

Well, the impossible has happened.  Not only have I made it to my due date, even if I went into labor right this second she likely would not be born until tomorrow.  I was so sure she was going to be early!  And when she wasn't I figured she was going to be exactly on time.  Wishful thinking... Apparently, she is like her mama and has a tendency to run a little late.  Not only is she not here yet, she has not made any indication whatsoever of her intentions to come out today.  Last Thursday we had a dress rehearsal (false alarm or dress rehearsal? Jury's still out...) because I had contractions 4-7 minutes apart for over an hour, only to discover that I wasn't even dilated (until right before we left the hospital when I was at a 1!), and since then I have been having them on and off, usually in the middle of the night.  But today, nothing!  We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so hopefully by then we will know a little more.

So what have I been doing all this time you ask?  Being SOOO bored.  It turns out waiting for a baby is the most boring thing a girl can do because a) you are so excited for the baby to come it is hard to focus on other things and b) even when you can focus on other things you either do not have the energy to do them or your feet get too swollen right in the middle of doing them and you have to stop.  So I have been spending my days reading, taking naps, working on the baby book, watching Netflix, and playing old school Nintendo.  Erik and I just discovered Yoshi's Cookie and it is good for at least a few hours of entertainment per day.  Erik has been studying for his nursing test and applying for jobs, so during those times I have to find ways to entertain myself.  Today, in an effort to relieve my boredom, my Mom took me out to lunch and then on some errands.  It was preggo's choice, so we went to Zips.  I had a hankering for some fried food, don't judge.  Then, in an effort to get labor going, Erik and I took Toast on a long walk.  So far it hasn't worked and now my back is killing me and my feet are huge!!

That is what I have been up to.  And I know what all of you hard-working blog readers are thinking: "I would love to have that kind of free time!  Why is she complaining?!"  You are absolutely right.  And although I complain, I am also incredibly grateful to have all this time to rest and hang out with Erik before our little couple becomes a family of three.  I also really enjoy all the sleeping in!  But I am just really excited to meet her, and let's face it, there is a maximum capacity in this belly and we have reached it!  I am now too big for even Erik's t-shirts...which is why I will save you all from the shameless belly shot.

Hopefully you all are having a lovely Baby Ramm due date day.  Hopefully next time we talk I will be showing you pictures of my sweet baby girl!

Extreme Makeover: Baby Edition

Well it is my third day of maternity leave and I have already done everything I can think of to do to prepare for baby, so I thought I would update the blog.  No, baby has not arrived yet.  At today's doctor appointment he said he has doubts that I will make it to my due date (woohoo!!!) which is next Wednesday.  So it could really be any time now.  And while I am a bit apprehensive about the actual birth part (random freak-outs, waking up in a cold sweat thinking about it, etc.) I am quite ready to be done being a preggo.  I am dying to have control of my body again!  And while I am aware it will not be quite the same as it was before (the doctor dropped a "well you have gained quite a bit of weight, yet all signs show the baby to be of average size" for no apparent reason today), it will be nice to wear shoes that are not flip flops and be able to paint my own toe nails again.

But in the mean time, I thought y'all would like to see what we have done with the baby's room!  I know, many of you have seen it in-person already, but some of you live far away and might be curious.  We put a lot of work into it so we have to show it off as much as possible.  

First, the before pics:

Obviously, it was a baby boy's room before.

Here's one of Daddy putting some things together:

Toast was being a good helper, as usual.

And finally, I give you the finished product:

As you can see, she's going to need more books to fill out her book shelf!  Hint, hint...

Girlfriend has more clothes than she knows what to do with...and don't get me started on the shoes!

Alright Baby Girl, ready when you are.  See you soon!

The Waiting Game

This morning I had a heart to heart with Baby Girl, letting her know I would really appreciate it if she made an effort to come on out today.  Her response: "Don't rush me, Mom!" and then she punched me square in the bladder.  Unfortunately, the doctor confirmed Baby's sentiments.  Apparently, I am not even a little bit dialated yet.  I guess her head is right there, locked and loaded, but other than that, it doesn't look like it will be this week.  "Maybe next week though!" says the doctor cheerily as she is bounding out the door.  Poo.

I know what you are thinking.  Yes, it is still early.  As of yesterday I am officially "full term" though, so that means she could come any time.  And I would like it to be this time.  I now know what all those mommies in the last weeks complain about.  This is literally the most uncomfortable I have ever been.  And there is no relief!  I could probably deal with it ok if it were just the difficulty sleeping, the achy hips, heartburn, and having to pee constantly.  But the swelling...it is just too much.  It is, by far, the worst symptom I have.  And for whatever reason I have it worse than the average prego.  I have it from my toes all the way up my thighs.  Oh, and let's not forget my other limbs.  I haven't been able to wear my wedding ring in a month, I have a hard time bending my wrists, and my upper arms are about the size of an average person's legs.  I've tried everything.  I even went swimming last night, which was formerly my "miracle cure."  Nothing.

So, since there is nothing to do about it and I am likely not going to get my wishes to meet the bambina today, I have decided to focus on the following GREAT things about being pregnant:

1. People always want to buy you food.  Not only that, they are willing to go out of their way to get whatever it is that you are currently craving.

2.  If you arrive to some kind of function late (as I often do...oops!) and there are no seats left someone is always willing to give up their chair for you.

3.  This may not apply to all pregos, but for me at least I have a "get out of grocery shopping free" card.  I had one particularly bad grocery shopping experience a couple months ago that left me physically and emotionally drained and ever since then Erik has taken on that chore!

4.  The Grandmas (my mom and my mother-in-law) are always fussing over me, making sure I am comfortable and not over-doing it.  I suspect this is more out of concern for their precious grandbaby, but I'll take it!

5.  You can indulge in things like pedicures without feeling guilty over the cost because really, what else are you going to do?  You can't reach your toes!

6.  You get fabulous hair and nails.

7. And perhaps the best perk:  When you announce you are going to take a nap, no one looks at you like you are some kind of lazy hobo.  In fact, they applaud you for making such a great decision for your baby.

Ok, now I feel a little better about my situation.  Although, I won't be sad if she changes her mind and decides she is ready to come tonight!

This Guy

This past weekend was all about celebrating Nurse Erik.  And celebrate we did!  After two years of hard work and dedication, he is the proud owner of a fancy new degree and we are both officially done with school!  Friday marked the arrival of Erik's family and the graduation.  Now it's time for me to brag a little.  Erik was chosen by the College of Nursing to lead in the procession of nursing grads and carry the nursing banner at the ceremony.  Following the graduation we had a fantastic BBQ with all our family and friends.  On Saturday, we went to his Convocation, which is a much more intimate ceremony steeped in tradition, so he could be "pinned."  Afterwards we had a Rammelsberg family dinner at Tagaris Winery.  The weather was perfect and it was an all-around lovely weekend.  However, it also made me tired!  So since I am still recovering you are about to get a little less conversation and a little more action.  Enjoy the photos!

Leading the nursing students into graduation!

On the stage with the Hogwarts crew...

Mama Ramm, the Graduate, Papa Ramm, and Seester Ramm

With his very proud (and very preggo) wife :).

My pride and joy of the BBQ...

Saturday: Convocation day

Me pinning Erik with his nursing pin.

Erik and his ladies...he was the only male nursing student in his program :)

The proud sister

And finally resting it up at Tagaris with the parents.  What a long, delightful weekend!

You're Gonna Miss This...

Last night I went swimming at the gym.  It is a miracle cure for the swelling and makes me feel light as air, a feeling that I relish these days.  Afterwards, I could not resist a nice, hot shower, especially since I am not allowed to use the hot tub.  I do some of my best thinking in the shower.  This weekend we are moving from our tiny, 1-bedroom apartment to a rental house in Kennewick, so I was thinking of things like finishing the packing, and what to unpack first, and how to arrange furniture at the new place and, suddenly, I just started sobbing right there in the Gold's Gym shower.  It dawned on me that life as we know it is about it get a lot different.  And while we are sooooo excited about the change, there is definitely a part of me that is going to miss this.  Oh, there I go again!  Only this time I am crying at work!  At least I am on my lunch break.  Don't be alarmed, in normal life I am not this weepy. 

We could barely afford our apartment in Richland when we moved in 2 years ago.  What am I saying?  We could not even afford it!  Erik's parents were paying our bills and my parents were keeping us in groceries.  It was a rough time between my graduating from law school and finding that first job!  It was the only place we could find that was available, under $1000/month, and allowed dogs.  It is so small we decided to forego having a kitchen table, instead using the "dining room" space (around 5' square) as an office and eating at our coffee table every night.  It was a tight fit for two grown adults and a little dog, but it worked for us.  Soon the sound of each other coming in and out of the bathroom while the other was showering, the jingle of Toast's collar as he followed us around, and the delicate (and yes, sometimes irritating) dance in the kitchen as one of us cooked and the other put last night's dishes away became the rhythm of our lives.  My favorite ritual is that every night we make dinner, bring it out to the coffee table, say grace, and then have a little kiss followed by the person who did not cook thanking the person who cooked.  It sounds so Hitler the way I just described it, but really, it flows quite naturally.  I am not even sure how it started.

My anxiety in leaving all that behind is this: I know things are going to change, but what if it is not all good change?  What if I lose my dinner-time ritual?  What if Erik works nights and I never get to see him?  What if we are so tired from taking care of Baby Girl we start to care less about little things like pre-dinner kisses?  I absolutely know that when she comes we will be filled with joy and she will enhance our family.  But for right now it is all unknown.  I think it is normal to have these feelings, right?  I just know I love my life, and I have the best husband and sometimes change is just hard.  It is a weird feeling, being so unbelieveably excited on one hand, and on the other being anxious about the future.  Believe me, the excitement definitely trumps the anxiety and I know we will adapt as necessary.  I think we are ready for our next great adventure!

Thus ends this chapter of the Rammelsberg Fammelsberg.  On to the next...Parenthood!

April Showers Bring May...Babies?

It won't be long now!  According to the "Countdown to My Birth" calendar we are at 33 weeks and 2 days, which means only 46 days until my due date, June 6.  However, my doctor has informed me that I am technically full term at 38 weeks, which means she could come as early as May 23!  I kind of wish he had not told me, because now I am sitting here expecting her to get here at the end of May.  He also told us she could go as far as 42 weeks and still be completely healthy :(.  I choose to ignore this because the thought of staying pregnant until June 20 makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry.  And then I remember I cannot curl up in a ball anymore.  I know, I know...I should just be enjoying the experience and all that.  I really am trying.  And, of course, I am not going to try to force her to come out until she is good and ready.  I am just getting SO big and uncomfortable.  But you guys don't want to hear about that, so moving on to the real reason for this post: my fabulous cousins threw me a baby shower last weekend and it was so lovely and fun it deserved a photo dump on el blogo (for my English speaking friends, that's the blog).

 Note the pretty puffy flowers hanging from the ceiling.  I am trying to incorporate the pink ones into the nursery decor.

 Of course, I was a huge fan of the food table.  The coconut brownies were a particular favorite.

Guest gifts: the envelopes had flower seeds in them.  Adorable.

Games were played:

 I had to choose the best rendition of a baby made out of play dough.  These were the two finalists.  I ended up going with the blue one because it showed extra creativity (sucking her thumb).  Props to the runner-up though.  It was very cute, although somewhat turtle-like.

Baby Girl was spoiled rotten!  Look at all these gifts!

Then of course, the obligatory family shots:

 The Yadaos... and

 The Rammelsbergs.  A slightly smaller group :).  Baby Ramm was lucky to have her Grandma and Aunt come all the way to the Tri-Cities for the shower.

It was all around a great time.  The Bambina is extremely spoiled.  I can't wait for her to come out and meet her amazing family.  Thanks so much to Michelle and Lesley (and the Aunties and Grandma) for putting on such a fun event.