The last Quarter

It's now beginning to feel a little like the beginning of Spring quarter, and after a long year you're just about ready to throw in the towel because you're so tired and unsure if you'll be able to withstand another 10 weeks. With any luck she'll be like most Summit county babies and come a tad early (3 weeks is the norm up here), but we'll see as inevitably she decides when she wants to come and not me.

On Monday I'll go down to Denver for another doctor's appointment. We're now in the stretch where we go down to see the doctor every other week. Which is to say that every other week I go down for my ritual embarrassment. For now the belly has grown big enough that my feet are becoming an endangered species and seeing them becomes more and more of a rarity, but this also means a few more humiliating factors. (1) At the doctors office at the beginning of each visit I am asked to urinate in a small cup, which is fine under normal circumstances, but when you can't see the cup anymore... well let's just say that aiming is outright impossible and more often than not it takes me a few shots--honestly I feel like one of those fuel jets trying to line up the damn hose mid-flight with a fighter jet. Then (2) after peeing on my own hand, I am asked to stand on a scale. The numbers blink back now like a neon sign proclaiming "big, Big, BIG, BIGGER" and the weight gain continues even though Holly's really only about 4 pounds. Now after peeing on myself, and being yelled at by the scale, (3) I am to lift my shirt while the doctor takes out a measuring tape to see just how far along the spherical expansion I'm coming. "Oh yes, you're just about your own orb, we expect any day now that you'll begin to feel your own gravitational pull" the measuring tape mocks at me. After all of this, cold jelly is splattered onto the beach ball that has become my stomach and we listen for split second to the heart rate of the ever present parasite.

Sioux is also getting accustomed to all of the baby stuff that seems to have become accumulating in the house. In revenge for the changing table/dresser taking her once sleeping place in our bedroom, she devoured 4 diapers, 3 of Holly's toys, 2 bottles, 2 diaper bags, and just for good measure Mommy's favorite Le Creuset butter bell. Hopefully she won't eat Holly too when she comes. Nothing like a little sibling rivalry to make a family bond. Reed is working now roughly 6 days a week, so time spent together is a rarity at best, but a temporary means to an end. And I know that once Holly arrives we will likely see even less of each other. C'est Le Vie.

I promised some more photos, so here's a photo of one of the last times you'll see my feet.

Growth...?

Well we're now well into the third trimester. It's hard to believe that we've only got another 80 days or so of this and then we're going to have a new member announcing her presence into this world. But until her arrival we're satiating ourselves on her ever present kicks, stretches, punch and otherwise pronounced movements from my belly. Most of the time she loves to tap dance on my pelvic bones which occasionally sends little nerve zingers down to my toes when she kicks me just right. She has also discovered that mommy's rib cages do not move despite wiggling hands and feet under them in a great effort to get more space, and that if she kicks my diaphragm in such a fashion that I hick-up. She also gets the hick-ups which feels like being somewhere between being amped up on coffee without any food and having a stomach ache literally hit you back... usually if she has the hick-ups she's kicking/hitting/moving at round 30-50 kicks per minute. And every now and then, if she's sitting high up in my belly, we'll see a flash of a little foot or hand stretch across.

The glucose tests and all other pregnancy tests have gone well, despite some phlebotomists missing my rather large veins and having to drink a concoction that tasted like the bottom of a snow cone and a sprite. To my great displeasure the medical field has not yet moved on recent studies that show that drinking the gag syrup is the equivalent to eating a bag of M&Ms. I would have paid a lot of money to just have eaten a bag of M&Ms instead. Holly continues her growth as is evident by my spherical expansion. Not only do I seem to be growing in the front and back, but I've also taken to expanding my horizons too. All the better to take up more of the bed I suppose.

The summer has been spent fishing together when we've got time off, preparing for nursing school, working, cleaning up after Sioux panic attacks, and watching Holly move around in the shoebox apartment of my belly. I promise I'll post more photos when I take them, I haven't been terribly vigilant about doing so, but there'll be some more coming I promise.

Belly Shot....oh yeah

Ok, so here are some long awaited belly shots. These are especially for you Tiff, because we know this will make your week. The last couple weeks have been quite interesting for the young Ryan couple, but we think we are doing rather well. We have Sioux to thank for being the glue that binds us together. Taiga's finally starting to show, but its hard to believe she's 6 months already! The hard truth here is that its May 16 and still snowing. I bet we've had 50" since mid April.

Anyway, we're leaving the idyllic 2nd trimester and entering the discomfort and fuss of the 3rd. Wish us luck!

Peanut...It's a Girl!

So yesterday was a big day for the Ryan's. We had our 21 week ultrasound appointment in which we finally got our first glimpse of the parasite we have been calling "the Peanut". Lucky for us there was no snowstorm (that two foot event ended yesterday), no giant traffic jam, and no accident obstructing our way to Denver. We got to the doctor's office and the ultrasound technician wasted no time in determining that we are going to have a girl. WOW! Taiga's dad, Ben, was lucky enough to be able to join us and enjoy the first glimpse of our daughter.

In all, the technician, who used to work up here in Summit County, took 65 photos, and we're glad to announce that as of yet, we haven't dismembered, killed, or otherwise upset her. We're unsure from the photos, and we're currently taking bets on the attributes of her physical traits. Taiga

thinks she has a Ryan nose and lips. I'm not sold on it. What do you all think? I think the technician got a little annoyed with us because we kept asking if there were any skis attached to our daughter's feet. Not so much. It's ok though, Holly (yep that's her name--if you don't like it, tough luck) got back at the accommodating technician. I guess Holly had her whole hand in her mouth while she was trying to get a photo of her hands. So the technician shook the ultrasound wand and as a reaction, Holly punched back. That kind of reactionary behavior doesn't sound familiar at all.

The Knocked Up Party

So Sunday was the Knocked UP party and I feel inclined to tell you guys how it went. It seems to me that a lot build up occured around the party and for good reason. Our whole reasoning behind thinking of throwing a "Knocked Up" party was to poke fun at ourselves and have a night to celebrate with family and close friends before we get too pregnant. I mean, it's no secret that peanut took us by surprise and if you can't make fun of yourself, you are bound to take yourself too seriously. And that is never a good idea.

The party was a great success and for several reasons. Taiga's best good friend, Tiff, flew into town on Friday from Nebraska and I had the pleasure of meeting the other pea in the pod. Tiff was a great help around the house and instrumental in setting up our photo montage in the stairwell as well as preventing Taiga from cooking too much. Left to her vices, she will prepare all courses in a pot luck dinner. My best good friend, Tido came into town on Saturday from College Station, TX. Yeah, that's right, he drove from Texas just for this party! The Tido Package came complete with a DJ (some assembly required) and so Peanut got a beautiful soundtrack mixture of soulful R&B and reggae for the weekend.

The menu for the party was a Thanksgiving Turkey, butternut squash soup, spinach salad with vanilla balsamic dressing, Mimi's Mexican salad, Mooie's mashed potatoes, and Brenda's Chili. For dessert, strawberry shortcake (it was delicious). All the food was delicious and there was just enough food for everyone. The soup, I think, was the favorite of the night. Tido said he saw several folks slink back for thirds.

Thanks to Taiga's family for coming to the party. Ben, Louisa, and Erin arrived and were kind enough to gift us a beautiful wok (which I have instructions not to touch until properly seasoned by Mrs. Ryan) and a wonderfully prickly aloe plant. Even though we asked folks not to bring gifts, many felt the urge to and we thank them for that. Surprisingly, the most common gift was... beer. Now our garage has a nice selection of domestic and foreign drafts. I guess I'm drinking for two now. Will Borg, international ski patroller and purveyor of salt, brought a camoflauge limited edition Duck's Unlimited diaper bag (filled with beer) that doubles as a duck bag. The best part is the removable plastic liner for soiled diapers. Way to go Will! I'll be the coolest dad around. Erin and Jo brought some cool books, one entitled "Babies and other Hazards of Sex". Jill and Mooie got us a one-piece for Peanut with a photo of Bob Marley and a caption: "B is for Bob". Very cute.

We set out some cards and asked those who felt compelled to write their wishes for our new Family. I'll share them here.

You all will be great. You know how I know? Because you're the coolest people I have met. Well...not quite the coolest. I know this guy that has jet-skis. That's pretty cool.
Love,
Cuyler

Best Wishes to you new family!
Love,
Heather and Bill

Health, smiles, and good humor-- remember to laugh!

Salud, Amor, & tiempo para gacarlo.

I wish for you a baby who sleeps through the night. And a loving, supportive helpful family...

Love and Laughter, our wishes for your baby.

If Sioux-ee poos on my stuff, I'll poo on her. I'm excited to meet the other "roommate" Har. Har. Yay! for fun times to come!
Love,
Jill

"That Baby Will Hunt."

That everyone is healthy, happy, and full of powder days.

"Don't gain the world and lose your soul. Wisdom is better than silver and gold."
Bob Marley

What if it has webbed feet?

Start him or her out with a .410

Love to you all and Peanut and Sioux.

I would like to thank my family for coming up from Denver. I know it was a long drive, but your support really meant a lot to us. Mimi, Pete, and Brenda--thanks for coming!

The partygoers dwindled and then there were only 4 or 5 of us sitting around the fire, reflecting.
Thanks for all the toasts to Reed, Taiga, Peanut, and Sioux! Some pictures to come shortly.

The Ryans...

16 weeks in now, and the weeks seem to fly by. Often I'm struck in awe that already we find ourselves going into April, and before I know it, we're going to be finding ourselves with a small, screaming, monster we lovingly and affectionately know as Peanut. But to catch up on the past few weeks...

Earlier this past month we went in for our 12 week appointment--an overall worthless appointment excepting that we know that the Parasite still has a heartbeat, I (Taiga) am O+ in my blood type, and while I am seemingly unhappy that I'm now 25lbs heavier than I have EVER been, my OB continues her endless rant on how the weight gain is a necessary side effect. For those of you who are not familiar with my history, the weight gain has proved the hardest part of the entire pregnancy, that or struggling to keep up on my skis with the rest of the family. The rest of the month has been spent working, studying, sleeping, and awaiting for March 26th--for a date night that Reed had given to me as a present on Christmas.

Date night, as mentioned before, had been a gift that Reed had given me for Christmas per my great obsession with food. The evening was to be spent at a culinary school in Boulder cooking a fixed menu under the supervision of a professional chef; learning, eating, cooking, drinking, and more eating. Perfection in an evening if you were to ask me, and an amazing gift. I left work early to pick up Reed and get to Boulder in time. Reed was, what appeared to me to be curt and grumpy--likely due to having a late night dinner with my family the evening before, and running an injury down to the clinic right when I was supposed to pick him up (he knows I hate running late), but seemed to relax once we got to Boulder and had a shower at the little B & B we were staying at.

The date night dinner was precisely what I had hoped for--an apron on Reed and a menu full of things I've never cooked before. The courses were divided amongst the couples there and we were chosen to prepare the French Onion Soup. Reed used a tool known as a mandolin, where as I sliced with a knife 10 lbs of onions. And after about an hour and a half of cooking we sat down to a family style table lit with candles and devoured the toils of the evening. Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with almonds and fontina, french onion soup with floating guerre croutons, chicken saltimbucca with lemon scented brocolini, and finished with dried cherry and chocolate chunk cookies.

About half way through the soup course Reed started fidgeting in what looked like he had lost his contact. As it would turn out, Reed had not lost his contact, but rather was surprising me with a PROPOSAL. "I hadn't planned on doing this in front of a bunch of people, but I suppose it's fitting. I hope that tonight is one of many to come in our lives together of great food and great company. I hope to spend the rest of my life with you, if you will marry me. Will you marry me?" is pretty much how the whole proposal went, all the while with me sitting there dumbstruck and repeating, "oh my, REED what are you doing? oh my!" and answering with an "of course I'll marry you," rather than the traditional "yes". But what's a girl to do.

Champagne was passed all around, stories of how Reed and I met were told, and delicious cookies were consumed. The ring that he presented me with was an heirloom passed down from his grandfather. When his grandfather asked his grandmother to marry him, he did so with a beautiful diamond shaped gold ring with a small diamond in the center, explaining that when he had the funds he would get her a real diamond. I now wear the "temporary" ring on my finger and the "real diamond" that was given later awaits to be placed in a setting that both Reed and I like. And with that I join the Ryans--Peanut and Sioux in tow.

On the Peanut front, Reed and I are planning a get together--celebration of life's crazy surprises--with friends and family on April 11th. Below you'll see the invites, and the invite extends to anyone who wants to come celebrate with us. We hope to see everyone there. That's really about it for now, no crazy cravings, no obscure aversions, just a little sleepy.

13 Weeks

Hello everyone, welcome to the Belly Blog. Sorry we didn't start it sooner, but we heard that you're not supposed to tell people until right about now... so let me get everyone up to date. Some of these are excerpts from our diaries.

So here's how it went. Right about the day Mom and Dad Ryan (soon to be grandpappies) rolled into town, Taiga decided that the dull pain in her boobs may not be from falling on her avalanche beacon while skiing, but from a burgeoning peanut in her uterus. Turns out she was right, or so said the pregnancy tests (all 7). She tried calling me at work but I answered while on a control route. Taiga deemed it best to wait until I was finished playing with explosives. Later that night, Taiga got to meet my parents. Two days later, we celebrated my mother's 60th birthday and had the great pleasure of the whole Colorado clan coming up to Frisco for the night. Nothing like a little secret to grease the family wheels.

We chose to go to the doctor and get some information before we told our immediate family. The first doctor's appointment, was a bit of a watershed moment for various reasons. Taiga's OB doc is in Denver and after enduring 2 months of relentless high pressure in the mountains, it decided to snow a foot when we were driving down to Denver for our first appointment. So instead of taking 1 hour to get there, it took 2 1/2. Luckily we left early and were relatively on time. But as a precaution, we called the doctor's office to let them know that on our drive down from the mountains, we encountered heavy snow and traffic and would be a little late. They said that they would excuse us given the circumstances. 2 minutes later, they called back saying that if we didn't make it there in 15 minutes, we would have to reschedule. So imagine the situation. Taiga's already high BP was rising, and now we were probably taking risks we shouldn't have on the road. So we get to the office, Taiga (the asthmatic) ran upstairs and I parked the car. I got up to the doctor's office and we got a "NO". I was upset and probably should have bitten my lip, but I think a mild freakout got us in. Probably not, because Taiga's dad works across the street.

"Even though the circumstances leading up to the pregnancy weren't necessarily normal, I am nevertheless experiencing what I deem to be normal expectant-father emotions. One day, inexplicably stressed and the next, filled with love for the Peanut (yeah, that's right, we're calling it Peanut) inside Taiga and of course, for my beautiful woman herself. It's hard for me to know what to do right now since none of the changes are happening to me. I mean, I guess I'm ok with not being the one puking up every meal, but it's hard to know how to help. After all, I don't have a human growing inside me. But I know that the most important thing I can do is love Taiga. And guess what--that's the easy part." Reed 2/1

Let's see, what else has happened....oh, Taiga had about a 5 week bout of morning sickness. The most noteable period occured when I got rather sick and happened to kindly pass it on to her. It turned from a flu with me to brochitis and sinusitis with Taiga. The real bummer was the constant coughing turned on the puke button, which was especially miserable. The kicker happened at work when they made her wear a mask and following a rather productive cough that made its way to her eye, causing conjunctivitis. Yeah, Pink Eye.

Interesting cravings? Salmon Meatloaf, pickles (always), crunchy fruits and veggies, oreos, and that's about it.