Pregnancy
What I’ve Learned: Labor & Delivery
I’m a little sad to say that this is the close to my “What I’ve Learned” series. Thanks for hanging in there and reading over the past 40′ish weeks of the pregnancy.
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- The last two weeks of pregnancy felt as long the previous 8 1/2 months. How 2 weeks could feel that long I’ll never understand.
- I was lucky enough not to get swollen during the last few weeks. However, I was told that I looked like I’d be in labor any day with a follow up of how I had “pregnancy face”. Helpful Tip: don’t tell that to a pregnant woman. K? Ok, good!!
- When they finally brought Sarah to me I was shaking bad from the medications and was too nervous to hold her. My nurse told me if you bite your tongue you won’t shake. It worked & I FINALLY got to hold my baby. Delivery nurses are amazing!
- Having a lot of visitors at the hospital was great, but I had no idea just how tired I’d be. Plus, trying to coordinate and work around a feeding schedule was really difficult. I looked forward to and loved any and all private moments I got with our girl.
- I gained a total of 40 pounds over the pregnancy. When we left the hospital I had lost around 15 pounds. That was encouraging news.
- While ‘on her way out’ the Doctor announced “we’ve got a head full of hair”! I’ve never been so excited about a baby having hair as I was at that moment. I was extra excited because I so want Sarah to have her daddy’s dark thick locks.
- I have an awesome new-mom trick… I can fall asleep within 15 seconds. Sometimes I blink & it turns into a “mini nap”.
- When you check into the hospital be sure to check your IV-Stand and make sure it rolls smoothly. Otherwise you may get stuck with the one I got and when you try to roll/push it you know you got one like the ghetto cart people leave in the aisle at Walmart.
- I didn’t want to send Sarah to the nursery, even at night, because I wanted to stare at her and watch her sleep. Do yourself a favor and let them take her, even if just for a few hours, otherwise you won’t get any sleep then, or for the next 2+ weeks.
- Eat on your way to the hospital, even if you are in heavy intense labor. Otherwise you are stuck with ice chips from the moment you check-in until the baby arrives. By the time I got to eat it had been over 32 hours since my last meal.
- I have gotten a major case of ‘pregnancy brain’. It took me over a week from Sarah’s birth to check my phone voicemail, and I don’t think I remember a single one of them. Trying to keep track of feeding times, wet diapers, when I last ate, and what day it is, is next to impossible.
- I wish I had enjoyed the leisureliness of a simple shower the past few months. Now I’m lucky if I can grab a shower in 2-3 days time, and when I do I am rushing and listening to see if I hear Sarah getting upset. And bubble baths… I can only dream of the day that that will happen again.
- Because I was sure we were going to have a chunker of a baby I packed normal 0-6 month outfits for the hospital. Be sure you pack a premie outfit, just in case. Nothing I had packed fit Sarah, and still only about 4 outfits do.
- Last, a shout out to my amazing husband. He has been my rock throughout all of this and he continues to amaze me with his compassion and love for me, and now for Sarah as well. I’ve never seen a man look so handsome as when I watch Stephen with our daughter. God is good friends, and my patient and comedic husband still continues to surprise me with his endless love and growing heart. I have never been happier.
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This is what new moms do: Stay home and stare at our new additions doing absolutely nothing…
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It’s A Wonderful Life
I wanted to give you a few snapshots of the past 5 days in the life of the Ringls.
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Our first family photo
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Sarah’s Welcoming Party
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Mommy-Daughter Time
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One Proud Dad :)
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Having a feeding lesson with our sweet nurse
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Heading Home with our baby girl
(it was Mardi Gras so the nurses gave me beads)
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Our bundle of joy
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There you have it. A few shots of our first week as a family of three. I wanted to give you a few pictures while she is napping. Turns out having a newborn keeps you busy 24/7. We are adjusting and I’m getting used to getting sleep in 2 hour spurts every now and again. We have had a lot of wonderful help from family and friends and I can’t stop thanking the Lord for this sweet child. It’s been a long journey, and I could not be happier with His timing and new creation of life.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Today (it’s still Friday in our house) we celebrated ‘Happy Due-Date Day’ with Sarah. Celebrating now involves passing our sweet girl back and forth to cuddle with. It’s the best celebrating method ever!!
Maternity Shoot
I have been one lucky pregnant lady. With all the lovely prayers and gifts we’ve received over these past 9 months, this weekend a sweet friend took some maternity pictures for me. I had been wanting to get some done, but financially it just wasn’t in the cards for us. This is just another unexpected surprise that has shown us just how wonderfully giving our friends and family are. I am continually amazed at peoples generosity. You’d think my mind would be blown to full capacity, but it keeps happening.
I stayed with my parents this past weekend while Stephen led a Disciple Now group for our old church, Olive Baptist. Natalie came over on Saturday and took some sweet photos of me and my pregnant self. She did a fantastic job! The weather was absolutely perfect, 75 with clear skies.
Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.
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Natalie was amazingly patient with my slow-moving self throughout the process. I couldn’t be more thrilled with how the pictures turned out and this beautiful time she captured. I know before we know it Sarah will be here and I will miss having her so close and safe. I will always treasure these photo’s. Moments captured during the last days before our family changes forever.
If you are reading this, thank you for all of the thoughts, prayers, and love. I can’t wait until I get to start sharing pictures of our new addition.
{37 Weeks}
I can’t skimp out on you too much.
Here is our 37 week belly shot.
Yes, she is large and in charge! Definitely building my back muscles with how much I have to balance myself from toppling forward. That, and trying not to feel like a complete bafoon when I ‘waddle’ from place to place.
We are almost there friends. We’ve got 2 weeks and 5 days max until we met our new addition. Of course I’m voting for tomorrow, but since when do kids listen to their parents?!? ;)
A [late] Weekly Photo
I’ve been falling behind on showing you a ‘weekly bump’ picture and decided I’d give you one, even if it’s not the most current.
Here we are, 36 weeks along (aka: 2 weeks ago).
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I’ve got tomorrow’s post almost complete, so be on the lookout 
Also, since we are starting week 38 tomorrow keep your eyes peeled for a few more ‘belly pop’ shots!
Happy Friday-eve,
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A Love Letter
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Dear baby girl,
You are almost 38 weeks old. We are so ready to finally meet you. Your daddy was telling you last night that he is ready for you to come join us. I think he is growing impatient, which is really cute to watch. Your grandparents are also more than ready for you to join us.
You should know, as much as I want to hold you in my arms I will really miss our moments together. Feeling you squirm around to get comfortable, being completely safe in my tummy. I will finally have to share you with everyone else. Is it okay to admit that I want to be your favorite?
I’m so excited to see your face. I can’t help but wonder what you look like. Will you have dark hair like your dad, or light hair like me? Will it be straight or curly?! Your grandpa Ringl had a dream about you and you had a head full of curls. I’m jealous he got to see you, even if it was a dream. When I dream about you it’s always really weird. One time you were born an egg and I had to keep you under a heating lamp. Yes, you have been giving mommy really weird dreams. I know whatever you look like you are going to be absolutely beautiful.
Last night I thought you were trying to kick your way out of my belly. It’s so fun to watch you move around and make my stomach look like a big bowl of Jello. I have a feeling you are going to have some powerful lungs, getting the hiccups twice a day must be building them nice and strong! Loud or quiet, we are ready to hear you.
I’ve been told that the moment we lay eyes on you we will understand an entirely new form of love. Which is hard to understand because we already love you so very much. I can’t wait to kiss you and count all your tiny fingers and toes. I wonder how big you’re going to be? The Doctor said she thinks you’ll be about 7 pounds. Of course I know there is no way to really know until you get here. I bet you will look so tiny in your daddy’s arms. He set your car seat up in the car for you. We even have your diaper bag packed and ready.
Feel free to knock when you are ready to come join us. There are a ton of people waiting to answer.
I love you,
Mommy
Weekend Highlights
In case I haven’t told you, I’m a lucky lady. The past two weekends I was blessed to have been given 2 lovely baby showers. One by my family in Biloxi, and the other from my sister & mom-in-law. Both were amazing and so overly generous of the friends and family that attended. Baby Sarah is one lucky girl, and other than some last minute things, she is free to enter the world at anytime, with a nursery close to complete for her!
Here are some pictures from my shower in Biloxi.
Mom & I
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Cousin Angie & Myself
(I have her to thank for my new hairdo)
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with my Aunt Patty
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Angie’s girls: Paige & Kaley helping me open gifts
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The sweet diaper cake
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The whole gang!
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Then, the following weekend we had a shower at our church…
the decorated fellowship hall
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This picture makes me smile – can you see why?
ya, the funny guy in the background is my awesome hubs!
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My sister, Val, and 2nd mom
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My family that came: Sister, Mom, Aunt Vicci & Judy
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The Sweet Cake
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We have some very amazing friends and family. We know that so many people have been praying for us, and for this baby, during and before this pregnancy. We are so excited about getting to meet this child and share the love of Christ with her. I pray that she will yearn to get to know Him and love Him as much as her father and I, and that we can be the examples He wants us to be.
We’ve got a little over 4 weeks people. Well, that is if we hit on or before our due date. I would like to encourage you all to pray that she comes on or before March 11th, I don’t think I can wait any longer than that 
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34 Weeks: What I’ve Learned
- We may not quite have everything ready at the house, but I’m officially ready when she’s ready ;)
- At 33 weeks I had my first “oh my gosh, that hurts, please stop moving” moment. While it was painful, it was also very soothing to know she is in there healthily moving and getting comfortable.
- I can wake up in the morning and know if it’s humid, raining, or nice and dry outside. My fingers have turned into weather meters. Wet/Humid=puffy with tight rings. Dry=smooth and normal.
- I know 2 ladies that both had their first babies this past Saturday. They were both a few weeks early. While I know it isn’t up to me, I’d be perfectly okay with holding our baby girl earlier than March 11th!
- I washed all the baby clothes this week. One load was all pink materials and when I cleaned the lint trap it was the cutest pure pink fluffy lint strip I’ve ever seen.
- I wake up almost every morning in a panic when I think the wrinkles the sheets leave on my skin are stretchmarks.
- Zantac 150 has become my heartburn night-in-shining armor. It has joined the ranks with my daily vitamin/pill regimen.
- I was asked by a friend how many times I pee in a day. I decided to do a random count yesterday and the total= 14 visits. It was a light day for me!
- For our 3rd wedding anniversary we were gifted a Chili’s giftcard & 2 movie tickets. That may be our last date as “only the two of us”.
- Just then writing out that we are fixing to go from a house of 2, to a house of 3, makes me even more excited!
- I recently found my first “love-marks” from baby Ringl. I was surprised how well I handled it. Of course they aren’t so much stretch marks as they are purple star-looking marks on my leg. I don’t think any body changes could really upset me at this point. Do I want to get to my beginning weight, yes. Do I expect my body to be exactly the same as it was pre-pregnancy, of course not.
- I’ve been freezing Stephen out of the house all winter. He comes home from work and changes into jeans, a shirt, a hoodie, and keeps socks on. I’m usually wearing a cotton skirt and tanktop and still get overheated.
- Riding in the car is rather uncomfortable. 30 minutes I can handle. An hour or plus is just not cool. I now travel with a pillow for my back.
- I’ve been reading Ina May’s “Guide to Childbirth”, and I’ve gone from being kind of scared of giving birth to really excited and comforted. It’s an experience I know I will never forget, as well as one I don’t ever want to forget.
- I’m eating smaller meals, more often. When I’m full, I’m horribly uncomfortable.
- While writing this baby Ringl is busy squirming around. While I can’t wait to hold her I know I’m really going to miss feeling her every move, twitch, and especially those sweet hiccups.
- Charlie Horse = Painful!
- While sleeping through the night isn’t happening, I woke up twice last night to baby Ringl adjusting and swapping positions. I love waking up in the morning to Stephen putting his hand on my stomach asking me ‘why isn’t she moving yet’. Definitely one of my favorite things in the world!
- While I do occasionally complain to Stephen about my growing body, I still feel amazing about myself because he constantly tells me how attractive (his words: Hot) I am, even with these extra 32 pounds. I wish/hope every woman has it as good as I do.
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My previous learnings:
30 Weeks
25 Weeks
Naming Baby Ringl
20 Weeks
16 Weeks
The Pretty in the Details
We had a doctors appointment this morning and it went really well. I think we were in the room with the doctor for about 90 seconds total. Just long enough to hear a solid & strong heartbeat, which is always music to my ears! My friend Sara actually let me borrow her fetal heart monitor, so I have listened to Sarah’s heart quite a few times in the past 2 weeks!
I shared with you the other day about the wonderful baby shower my sister threw for me this past weekend. I showed you pictures of some of the fabulous ladies that were able to attend, but didn’t share many details. There is so much that goes into throwing a shower, and I didn’t want any of the pretty & fun elements to go unnoticed. The shower pretties:
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Walking in the front door:
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The cute mantel
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A Name Banner
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A sweet name plaque
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The Snack Table
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The Cute Cupcakes my sister and Leah made
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Diaper Cake made by Amanda
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All the hanging banners were real simple and fun to make. Such an easy DIY project that can be transfered to the nursery for wall decor Miriah also gave me the black frame to use in Sarah’s room.
We had some yummy snacks and played some cute games. One of them was that the girls each cut a piece of yarn to the length that they thought would measure around my stomach. Thankfully I’m not crazy sensitive because DANG they were far off! It was really humorous. I can imagine it’s hard to cut a piece of string like that, I guess you have to think ‘belt’ length, but you can’t wear belts when preggo, so… ya.
You did a great job Ri, thank you so much for such a memorable day.
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Loving The Weekend
Before I spend the rest of my day in baby Ringl’s room sorting through things I thought I would share some photos from my weekend.
My sister, with the help of some great friends, threw me a baby shower on Saturday. I had such a fun time, and I loved getting to have my friends together and catching up with them. You are all so sweet to have come, and the gifts you gave are so appreciated. I just can’t wait for Sarah to get here so she can be loved by all of you
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~ A Group Photo ~
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Thank you again to everyone who came and celebrated with us. I had such a wonderful time, and my sister did a great job of throwing a shower for her soon-to-be-here niece
