He's Here!

We are so proud to welcome

Photo courtesy of Grandpop

RORY ANDREW PEDDLE

March 20, 2012 at 5:28pm

7lbs 8oz, 20.25in long

Virtua Voorhees Hospital




More to come as we adjust to life as a family of four!

38 Weeks... Game on!

Appointment Follow-Up


How far along? 38 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: 18lbs.
Fundal Height: he didn't give me an exact number but was happy with current growth
Sleep:  falling asleep is still a challenge and trying to stay asleep past 3am is an uphill battle
Best moment this week: the beautiful spring weather & having Ryan home for spring break
Worst moment this week: besides 9.5months pregnant pains, no complaints just happy to have all of us home together
Movement: lots of elbows in my hips and feet in my ribs
Food cravings: ice chips (can't get enough of them)
Labor Signs: uterine & back contractions that are thankfully starting to do their job.... 3-4cm with 50% effacement, so could be soon or could be two weeks (blah)
Weekly Wisdom: just trying to make it through the day
Looking forward to next week: hopefully holding my baby boy


So my appointment with the OB today was successful in terms that the contractions I've been having more regularly are finally doing their job and getting things ready for the baby to arrive.  At last check, there was absolutely nothing happening in terms of the baby's arrival and now today I'm 3-4cm and 50% effaced.  Being that I've been in this boat before, I know that it doesn't mean much... he could come tonight or in a couple weeks.  The only bright thought I'm going to keep in my head is that the doctor seems hopeful that it could be sooner than later, so we'll just work with those happy thoughts.  With Reagan, I was 1-2cm literally for 9 weeks, then was 3-4cm for a couple of days and then was admitted at 5cm and delivered the little monkey 6 hours later after just a few pushes :) 


I'm pretty open to a St. Patty's Day baby :)  It was my grandmother's birthday also!

The Countdown is ON!

I had my 36 week OB appointment today and finally feel like the end is in sight with this pregnancy.  For those of you that know me well, you already know that I freely admit that I do not enjoy being pregnant.  Thankfully I don't gain a lot of weight but I still find it so uncomfortable to have a growing human being inside of me that is intruding on my short torso.  Enough complaining, baby boy will be here soon enough and I can quit my hypochondriac worrying. 


Onto the details from today...


How far along? 36 weeks, 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: 15lbs, 1 pound gained from last appointment.
Fundal Height: he didn't give me an exact number but was happy with current growth
Sleep:  falling asleep is now a challenge and trying to stay asleep past 3am is an uphill battle
Best moment this week: getting together with friends to celebrate Jeanine's birthday & finally finishing the baby's nursery
Worst moment this week: Reagan's bedtime after quittingthe bottle cold turkey
Movement: after an extremely quiet Wednesday last week where he had me pretty worried, he's back to normal.  His stretches completely protrude out of my skin and I'm able to decipher where an elbow is
Food cravings: ice chips (can't get enough of them)
Labor Signs: uterine & back contractions
Weekly Wisdom: just trying to make it through the day
Looking forward to next week: touring the maternity ward of the new Virtua Voorhees hospital (nothing like waiting until the last minute)

Because I've been having more frequent contractions the Dr decided to do an exam and said that everything is "progressing" for the good so thankfully these contractions are starting to do their business!  We also got have a quick sneak peak at the little baby boy because I asked the doctor to check my fluid levels since this is about the time with Reagan that they started to get low... thankfully all was good there too.  He also made note that the largest pockets of fluid are down by the baby's head and said that if my water breaks on its own (which it didn't with Reagan), there's "going to be a big gush"... great... good luck cleaning that up, Ryan.  

Until next week..

Sprinkling a Baby Boy

I was surprised today with a SpRiNkLe for Baby Boy Peddle by my wonderful friends and family.  I was planning to go to Jeanine's under the rouse of our typical Sunday.... get the kids together, get friend time in, and have a nice homemade Italian dinner courtesy of Jeanine's homemade meatballs and gravy.  However, when we pulled onto her street and were turning into her driveway I noticed a bunch of cars I recognized (wink, wink) and was immediately flattered and in awe that everyone was here to celebrate my little man soon to arrive.  The house was decked out in very chic & classy blues and whites, and the lunch was catered by Cosi (my favorite!!!!!!).

We received lots of wonderful gifts to help us prepare for the baby!  Lots of clothes (phew!  otherwise he'd have a lot of pink mixed into his wardrobe), super cute baby boy shoes (I mean seriously, could they be any cuter?), gift cards for those final purchases, bedding accessories to complete his nursery decor, and another monitor so I can big brother both of my kids!  Katelyn used her DIY craft lady skills to make a super cute diaper cake that I have on display in his room for the time being :)

I have to send a big THANK YOU to everyone for attending and for your wonderful gifts for Baby Boy Peddle.  I had such a wonderful afternoon with a very special group of women, and am so lucky to have each and every one of you in my life.  We are so blessed to have such a close group of friends and family to celebrate this special time with.

Photos from the day!

PS - I can't wait to reciprocate the love... 2012 is the YEAR OF THE BABY among our friends!

So Close, Yet Still So Far Away

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 14 lbs

Fundal Height: 31.5 weeks 

Sleep:  Waking up a couple times a night to go to the bathroom, tossing & turning has begun
Best moment this week: My weekend with friends and family :)
Worst moment this week: Nothing to complain about!
Movement: He moves a ton and is always trying to get comfortable, which means I'm extremely uncomfortable as he pushes into my ribs and hip-bones.
Food cravings: French fries
Labor Signs: Same as always... lots of Braxton Hicks.  I've been on  a weekly OB schedule since 28 weeks and thankfully no cervical changes yet!
Weekly Wisdom: None.  Just learning that I can't get everything accomplished that I want to.    

Looking forward to next week: Going to Jelly Bean Jungle in Marlton on Wednesday with Reagan for our first playdate with a local Moms group I recently joined.   

30 Down, 10 To Go

How far along? 30 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: 12lbs, lost 2 pounds from last week.
Fundal Height: 28 weeks (OB isn't worried yet because of the position of the baby he feels it may be an inaccurate measurement of my uterus)
Sleep:  never a problem for this girl... especially since Reagan wears me out!
Best moment this week: Finally getting a start on the baby's nursery... thank you, Ryan and Dad!
Worst moment this week: Dropping Reagan off at school this morning, she was hysterically crying and attached to me :(
Movement: He's a fairly tame monkey, except when I'm trying to lay down and relax then he moves.  Unfortunately, he's lying transverse right now and his kicks go into my hip bones.  
Food cravings: B&W milkshake courtesy of Nifty Fifty's
Labor Signs: Lots of cramping (not BH contractions) and some back pain.  With Reagan, I was a "back laborer" so it makes me think twice about doing too much activity.  
Weekly Wisdom: Don't google concerns regarding health.  
Looking forward to next week: Trying to get The Peddle Family 2011 Yearbook completed and finalize Reagan's baby book... my personal goals before Baby Boy Peddle arrives.  

*Thanks, Jen, for the above snapshot of questions!!*

So last week at my OB appointment, Dr. R and I discussed the minor issues of cramping I've been experiencing.  For the most part, this are after a long day of up/down, in/out, and running around like a psycho.  We came to a few conclusions to try to ease the burden and keep this baby in me as long as possible, especially with the history of complications I faced with Reagan starting at about the same time in my pregnancy with her.  


First, slow it take and take it easy, as much as possible, knowing I work full-time and have a miniature toddler.  With this discussion, came the mutual decision to go out of work early since that's a controllable in my life and taking care of Reagan is non-negotiable.  Making the decision to exit early doesn't impact my time off once the baby does come, but it does impact my pay, however it's a decision Ryan and I are both comfortable with if it means everything is safe & sound with our Baby Boy.  


Second, the dreaded weekly appointments started last week as opposed to at 36 weeks (typical to a normal pregnancy).  This is mostly due in part to my history with Reagan - dilating at 28 weeks, preterm labor scare at 31 weeks, etc - as well as the factors of regular cramping with this pregnancy.  Thankfully, through both checks so far my cervix hasn't changed and let's hope it stays that way with staying at home during the day.  


All in all, at least I seem to be fairing better than I did with Reagan at this point.  The weight gain is similar (I gained 19 total with her over 39 weeks), his size is a little smaller than hers so far but I'm going to trust the doctor (until I see what he's measuring next week).  On the plus side, I haven't dilated yet and if I can make it past 32 weeks then I pass the timing of my pre-term labor scare with Reagan!  

Breaking News

We are so happy to announce that Baby Peddle is a precious baby boy! He is healthy and measuring in size just the way he should! We can't wait to meet the little guy & introduce him to his big sister :)

We've Been Keeping a Secret

We've all been keeping a secret around here.... Reagan is going to be a BIG SISTER!!  We recently found out that I'm expecting another baby and am due on March 25, 2012.  We're all very excited and can't wait for all of the changes to come with having two kinds under two :)  x

(Please pray for our sanity.  And of course, a healthy baby #2)