Introducing Ruby Meghan White

Well our little lady finally made her grand entrance!  She sure made us wait until she was good and ready - that's for sure.  We are so excited she is here though - she couldn't be more perfect.
On January 11th we were schedule to head into the hospital for me to be induced.  We headed in after getting ready and Ross pranced off to his best little buddy, Wesley's to play for the morning and our friends, the Vosses, watched him until my mom came the next day.  

Ready to go!

My coach and me. :)

Trying to get going

The hospital was wonderful - another nice experience for us.  We got started around 9 with a small dose of pitocin and Steve and I hung out rewatching some psych episodes and How to Train Your Dragon waiting for when the contractions got more intense.  Like I said - Ruby wasn't interested in coming on our terms - just hers.  Contractions were mild and I was pretty much a happy camper all morning long.  By about 3 the doctor came in and broke my water - that got Ruby going for sure, because within about 15 minutes I was already at my wits end and calling for my best friend, the anesthetist, Marilyn.  She came right in and put me at ease - it was another fabulous epidural - I fully endorse those, and have no idea how women did it without them...and think other women who choose to do it without are nuts!  Steve of course wanted to observe the doctors and nurses doing EVERYTHING (just like when he was entranced watching my c-section with Ross - such a medical nerd - who I love).
Things started moving along, but a bit slowly.  I was reminded again and again that this could very easily end up in another c-section seeing as I was high risk for a VBAC and I wasn't progressing quite fast enough.  Ruby did really well throughout the whole labor however - just a few drops in heart rate here and there, but she's a fighter. :)  By around 8 I was dilated to a 6+ and my new nurse, Alison (British AND a midwife who I ADORED) and Dr. Rotberg were hmmming about what they thought the labor would turn in to.  They let me go until 11 and by then my nurse was pretty much prepping me mentally for a c-section.  My doctor was a little more positive and let me go a bit longer to see if I could get any better as I was at about a 7 or 8 by then.  Steve and I talked and felt good about letting it go longer if it was safe to do.  
Just after midnight, I still wasn't completely ready to go, but they thought I could try pushing to see what would happen.  In my mind I thought they were just going to let me have a little bit of experience pushing for the sake of going through it before they called a c-section since they said if Ruby was distressed in the slightest they were going to call for a c-section.  I pushed for about 15 minutes before they started getting more serious with me pushing.  Steve was an amazing support.  I found cheering me on (yes totally self-centered) was what was the best motivation for me to stay consistent with the pushing.  He was fabulous doing whatever I needed him to do.    

Ruby taking her sweet time

The info

A happy camper with my epidural and ice chips

I will say pushing vs. a c-section was a whole different experience.  My epidural wore off just enough for me to feel a bit of what was going on - though I had no pain.  Somehow I thought there would be some serious pain with pushing but it was pain free (obviously until after everything when the epidural wore off).  
When Ross was born - I suppose he felt he needed to wait to come until the next day since he was born at 1:30AM after I went into labor.  I think Ruby wanted to follow suit because she made her grand entrance at 2:08AM.  She came out sideways - which explained the extremely long process of 17 hours of labor, but she was perfect.  She had a slight fever, as did I from all the laboring, but that soon went away. 

Our 8lb darling

Getting situated to her new environment

We did it!

So happy!  And tired. :)

One happy daddy.

Recouping - yes - the hair has been disregarded - you would disregard too if you had labored for 17 hours. :)

Alison - my nurse - LOVED her.

Getting warm

Ruby weighed 8 lbs. even - we were all a bit shocked.  I was sure she would be in the 7 range, but again - all on her terms!  She was 20 inches long - just like Ross.  She has dark, dark hair - like her daddy's - with the same widow's peak hairline - like her daddy's.  Her look is her own - she has really long fingers and toes (we have no idea where those came from) and her nose is also similar to Steve's.  I hope she gets his dark eyes as well.  She's a gem - a Ruby actually. :)  When she scrunches up her face, she looks like a little raisin - thus Steve giving her her first nickname of Raisin. :) 
They layed her on my tummy (another different experience that having a c-section - getting to hold her right off the bat) and wiped her down while Steve and I completely adored her.  I looked at his face while they were stitching me up and sorting everything, and he had tears in his eyes - I'm so glad he's the father of our children - he totally understands the beauty and purpose of fatherhood.  LOVE that he's my husband.  Ruby just layed there and looked at us - sizing us up to be her parents I'm sure - but it was such a sweet moment in that room for me.  The hospital is small and fairly quiet so it was nice and serene.  I got to keep Ruby with me all the way until it was time for her to get bathed and me to get some sleep.  It was beautiful!
The rest of my experience was great.  I was worried I would have high blood pressure since I did with Ross, but I stayed consistent and progressed well.  We stayed for 2 1/2 days and I felt like I bounced back (so far) MUCH MUCH better than the first time I went through the whole labor/birth process.  I think maybe since I knew what I was in for and knew the routine a bit more with nursing and knowing what to look for with little newborns.  
Ross and my mom came the next day to visit and Ross instantly wanted to hold Ruby saying "Hold you!" "Ruby!"  He has thought he was interesting to look at in between playing with toys, but I noticed his real interest in her yesterday when I had laid her down and went upstairs for a minute.  She started to cry and my mom had picked her up.  Ross ran and came up half the stairs calling "Mommy help! Mommy help!"  When I started back down he looked at me and said "Ruby - mommy help!"  He was very concerned she was crying and I wasn't there to help her.  He had tried to put the binky in her mouth - though she didn't want it - and came to me for help.  He was relieved when I got back.  SUCH a sweet boy.  He loves her and likes to say her name and point out all her features.  When she cries he looks at me and says "Sad" waiting for me to fix it.  

Ross is trying to figure out what this baby is crying for. :)  Already concerned...or maybe just wondering what this baby is doing with us.

Observing the new sister. ;)

He approves. :)  Yes - I'm still tired here.

Happy Grandma!

Some nice volunteers crochet baby blankets and hats for us to take home with us!  SO beautiful.

Getting ready to go home.

A happy mama - and a bit more put together. 

Daddy holding his little Raisin.

Some adorable booties my friend Kim made for Ruby.  SO cute!

I forget how tiny newborns look in their car seats! 

Precious!

My mom has been a rockstar helping here at home - it has been a DREAM.  She make delicious meals, cleans my house, and gives Ross all the attention he could hope for.  She can't leave!  Ross LOVES playing with his grandma and prefers playing "Ashes Ashes" and when they fall down he says "Feet up!" and puts his feet in the air and waits for my mom to do it too.  
Steve has started his internship and loves it.  It's nice having him close to home too.  He has been a GREAT support (at night when it's hard too) and is completely adorable with his little daughter.  I feel like I'm starting to heal better and hopefully can get moving more without feeling like an old grandma when I walk.  

Having a happy dream. :)

Her good side. :)

Daddy and Ross having some boy time

Ross finding a new place to sit.  He LOVES his crocks that he can slip on his feet on his own. :)

Ruby is a VERY sleepy little baby (so nice right now).  She wasn't too great our first night home, but the second night went MUCH better.  Her little digestive system is getting going and I'm sure it's uncomfortable getting used to what her body is doing.  She likes to snuggle and sometimes has a hard time deciding if she likes her binky or not.  She is definitely a sleep nurser which is tricky to keep her going, but hopefully that will get sorted soon as she gets more alert.  She is definitely a girl and likes one position one moment and then can't stand it the next - until she's asleep.  We love having her - our little Ruby. :)

Ruby's first bath was today...she liked the warm wash cloth but not when it was taken away.  Her umbilical cord fell off today already too!  Ross had a pic in this towel too.

She's over getting her picture taken - and wants some clothes.

A bit warmer now and happy. :)

SO cute!

Our little Ruby. :)

Another Waiting Game

I've decided my children are quite stubborn.  Ross was born five days late.  He was pretty determined not to come out until my doctor told me he couldn't get me in to be induced because it was too busy.  Apparently that bothered Ross as my water broke two hours later sending me to the hospital whether they had room for me or not.  We've been waiting around a while for Ruby now too.  Yes, she's not due technically till Sunday, but seriously folks, I have no idea what she's waiting for.  
I've resorted to stuffing myself full of spicy, garlicky foods, entire pineapples, lots of walking, working out more at the gym - you name it.  She's just as stubborn as Ross.  What am I in for?  
We've been keeping busy lately with Steve starting his internship that got switched (due to miscommunications) to Hillsboro (which is actually much nicer for our family since it's so close) and Ross and I battling during his naps.  Grandpa Don ruined him with their stay during Christmas.  Ross has it in his head he needs to be rocked to sleep or have his hand held until he's fully asleep.  (Grandpa Don is the king of rocking in rocking chairs and Ross was spoiled rotten with it!) :) I am in the process of breaking him from this as our little addition is coming soon (we'd like to keep thinking that anyway) and I am pretty sure there will be zero energy to rock or hold a hand for 30 minutes before each nap.  I think I may be slowly wearing him down as he's recognizing our regular routine now that Steve's gone during the day again.  I can't confirm that Ross has actually gone to sleep during nap time this past week, but I can say he hasn't been wailing the entire time anymore either.  Putting him to bed at night is a cinch - it's just the darn naps that give us trouble.  And he used to be SUCH a good sleeper!
Funny Ross story.  So we've been trying to make scripture study time at night more interesting for Ross (since he not so subtly has showed us he thinks it's boring by trying to close our scriptures every time we get them out and handing us a different book).  We've been using a Gospel Art book we have and telling the stories to Ross more to keep his interest.  His favorite one is when Jesus calms the storm - mostly because there's a boat in it.  We talk about how there was a big storm, making our arms big and making whooshing sounds as the boat is tossed about - Ross loves this and does it too.  Then Jesus calms it - we make our arms go still and say that Jesus said "Peace" to the sea to calm the waters.  Ross will also say "peace" at that part.  Totally adorable.
Well we were having Ross show and tell Grandpa and Grandma White the story.  He did the storm sounds and actions and when we got to the part where Jesus calms the sea I asked him, "What did Jesus say?" and Ross says "Dadgum!"  Yes....just like Mater from Cars.  You can see how we're doing as parents can't you?  That and the fact that when Ross sees Noah he calls him Santa.  We've really got our priorities straight don't we...ahem...We're trying!  Redeeming factor - Ross does recognized pictures of Jesus and calls him by name.
Yes Ross keeps us laughing regularly.  He thinks he's a real clown in front of the mirror and loves to dance around watching himself and making faces in it.  He still likes vacuuming the floor with his popper and prefers to make his little cars crash together now.  He adores pretzels and marshmallows and is still creating wars during dinner.  We're super excited for him to be a big brother.  He'll be a hoot. :)
Anyway - there you have it...we're just waiting around for something exciting to happen - just like you! :)

Here's our little Batman - his cute cape needs a little adjusting...and convincing him to wear it. ;)

We stopped at the Visitor's Center at the Portland Temple that had just been built last year.  Very quaint - but they sure used the space well!  There was a wonderful little film they showed about the family and The Plan of Salvation.  Ross LOVED it too. :)  Also - yes, thanks for asking, I do feel like I'm ready to pop.

Ross couldn't take his eyes off the fountain - it was the coolest looking bathtub ever! :)

He LOVED it - even though it was FREEZING outside and windy.  Just look at his face!

Also - Ross LOVES his firetruck jacket.  He'll be really sad when he outgrows it I think.  He's so adorable.

We love the Temple too - I'm so glad that we can be an eternal family!

      

Did You Get a Little Artichoke With That?

Well Ruby has decided to sit out New Year's as well.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed still for a before-the-due-date debut.  We've pretty much just been managing the house lately and keeping Ross entertained these last few days.  The sun decided to welcome the new year in today by showing itself here in Oregon.  Unfortunately, however, the temperature hasn't cooperated with the sun.  But the rule in Oregon is when the sun is out - everything else gets put on hold so you can go out in it.  We put on some jackets and headed to the park...and lasted all of 15 minutes before deciding it wasn't worth it.  Ross didn't even complain when we headed back home.  

Having The White Grand Prix to ring in the New Year.  Tractors aren't that fast.

To ring in the new year we invited our friends, the Jepsons, over for an array of appetizers and games.  Ross threw in the towel early by about 8:30 with a little help from mom and dad, but little 9 month old Paige managed to outlast all of us!  We celebrated the new year about 11:30 (yes we're old) after finishing our games of Trivia for Dummies and Hand and Foot.  We toasted to Martinelli's sparkling cider and called it a night.  

Cheers with our Martinelli's! :)

Yes we're tired :) Happy New Year!

We had some rousing games for sure.

The Jepson Clan

Carl forgot that you're not supposed to down the whole glass after just one toast until everyone gets a turn...oh well - more Martinelli's for him!

A cute New Year's baby. :)

When Steve and I were cleaning up we noticed it was midnight so I turned to give him his first 2013 kiss only to find he had just taken a big spinach and artichoke dip bite....yum.  And the first thing he said to me in 2013 was "Did you get a little artichoke with that?"  That statement has now been christened the theme of the year...however you want to take that!  Haha - considering last year's new year complete with fireworks, I would definitely say we're not in the newly wed phase of marriage anymore. :)  And we're both okay with that.  Here's to a year of more new adventures and fun in Oregon!  Happy New Year!