Ryan and I had our first solo adventure on Wed. We went to Dr.’s office, Lactation Nurse appt. and Washington Hospital to visit his nurses (and drop off Krispy Kremes for each shift!) all by ourselves. Of course, I started getting ready an hour and a half early to make sure I had everything. I recently read something to that effect – “Mommies never leave the house on the spur of the moment” or something like that. Again, more appreciation for every woman out there that is a mom, especially my mommy! But we did great. Everything went smoothly, Ryan is doing so well that we are moving to every other week baby appointments, and it was so sweet to see some of his nurses at the hospital.

Notable Quotables – why did the doc say that I needed to change Ry’s diaper. I’m like, is it wet? I didn’t think it was …. she says no, he needs to go up a size. He’s got the bikinis on, and he needs the full coverage. Oh gosh. She is too much. This is also the woman who during my litany of is-this-ok-what-about-that endless stream of questions, says yes – babies heads to get flattened from laying on them day after day. We call it toaster head. Laughing, LOL laughing.

On being a mom – still, makes me laugh to think about it, although with the progressive lack of sleep its not quite as funny as before. On the whole it’s fine, but oooooooh get me in that 2:35 am gotta get up and feed baby, but I just laid down at 2:20 from the last feeding …. Reaaaaauhhhhhhrrrrwww. Enough said. It’s totally worth it, and meeting with the Lactation Nurse (highly reccomend for all preggers) solidified my desire to breastfeed. Oh gosh, today is tiring, but just like bedrest these days will fly by and next thing you’ll know baby Ry will be in California, driving around in his too-dark tinted Jetta calling me at 9 pm. Oh wait no, that’s not my son, that’s Aunt Kathy’s baby boy. hee hee.

But seriously, being a mommy takes more than the physical stamina to do everything – which is already a lot of stuff! This is when that always multi-tasking brain of yours is fully engaged. You have to think about baby’s well being right now at this moment, what you will need for him in the next ten minutes, two hours, two years…. Then what you have going on for the day for yourself, the house, and your husband. Then add trying to remember anything outside of your domestic bubble, and forget it. You can’t even remember if you ate last night, most TV has little appeal (except, of course for all 4 daily episodes of West Wing reruns on Bravo – even if you’ve seen then 3 times in a row) …. and holidays barely register.

Today is Halloween. I remember, I forget. I should buy candy, but didn’t. Think about making plans, but didn’t. Well, as long as baby is all good…..Again, with Ryan’s good party timing…..so now he gets to celebrate all of the fall holidays as well. I love it, my friends love it and most especially my chili-pepper-costume buying mum loves it. Will post pics of Ry’s Multiple Halloween ‘Fits soon. He wore his little rasta-spider beanie and matching socks out on Wed and the nurses were dying laughing over him. This kid is gonna cringe when he sees what kinds of getups his mommy is gonna be putting him in for the first year of his life. But I promise, I think, to stop with the crazy-cuteness by the time he can dress himself. I hope I can still find the ivory velour with multi-hued turkey and embroidered “My First Thanksgiving” jumper. Woo Hoo for the holidays.

Note to self, stop whining and start wondering and waundering. This is life as it should be. And be nicer to your husband!

I blog to remember…. my old friends know that I have decent short term recall, but lousy long term memory especially when it comes to playing the “remember when” game. So my blogging is two parts, one to empty my brain so I can sleep, another so that I can remember these fantastic (and sleepless) days …

Quack Ryan Update (that’s a typo made, and specifically left there – since my son for his first 26 days (today is day 27 I think) didn’t cry much) – he generally emits this quack like sound – it’s like a quack without the “qu” part – more ahhhhk, ahhhhk which at first will startle you and then make you laugh every single time you hear it – unless its for the 10th time at 3:45 am… has been so much fun. Even though our lives revolve around the every 3 hour diaper change/strip/feed/burp/feed/re-dress/re-burrito wrap/back to sleep cycle it’s amazing.

On the gosh, let me get teary I’m a mom front – I really really get choked up sometimes looking down at this fuzzy little guy who not only was in my tummy and made it out healthy and whole, but depends on us for everything, and rewards us constantly with big gummy smiles, or lifting his enormous head up to survey the scene, or providing us with full (diaper) indications that his plumbing is working as it should. No wonder new parents can’t talk about anything else but their kid. It’s endlessly fascinating and scary and funny and humbling that this little baby is their to keep and watch over and teach and grow.

Ryan is growing stronger and healthier everyday as specifically evidenced this morning as he let out the loudest wail to date because he woke up STARVING and he wanted to make sure we knew about it. Usually he doesn’t wake up his daddy during our nighttime cycles, but he was loud and proud this morning. Woo hoo. On the one hand I miss the quiet easily soothed preemie we had for the first 3 weeks, but on the other hand – boy has lungs and he ain’t afraid to use them. You Grow!

So the other thing I wanted to do was put some reminder laughing points about the various showers Ryan was blessed with. OK we have a lot of friends and family, I don’t know why I feel a bit defensive about having so many parties, but it was just easier to handle (and fit) everyone in sections. As it was, there were 4 and a half parties. Highlights to remember:

Oct 5 – Family and Renee’s Bridal Party Shower
This was the all filipino extravaganza. My favorite filipino foods – kare kare, lumpia and beefsteak courtesy of the fabulous Auntie Amie, Edna’s fruit salad, Auntie Toni’s (Grandma P’s original) baked ham and sauce that thickens on its own, white rice of course, and a ton of other yummies. Except for the fact that my mum was over an hour late with most of the food, the party was a success. Lu and Edna really pulled the party outta their behinds cuz we were so busy trying to get the house ready for RYAN let alone his party, that everything was a bit scattered. But the guests came in shifts, so the house wasn’t too full at any one time and games were played, gifts opened and food eaten and/or taken home in to-go containers. Yes, that’s how filipino a party it was that there were actual styrofoam to-go boxes there. Yeah! Two highlights – one when Auntie Toni was working on the name game – why did she add an “s” to Ryan’s name. Why was it Robert Ryan SHMARMIJO? or Robert RYANS Armijo or ROBERTS Ryan Armijo? Ahhhh to be filipino. The other was Uncle Alex and Auntie Meng coming late – even for this party – but bearing a ton of new food as well as the much anticipated Jeep playpen/changing station? Ahhhhh since my co sleeper hadn’t come in yet, we could actually put Ryan to sleep in that thing if we had to. But we use it every day now as a changing station and general supply holder, although I have to kneel on the ground to be at the right height to save my back. But it’s a nifty nifty thing. We adjust and make things work!

Oct 8 – The Bible Study Gals
Ryan came home earlier than anticipated. And thanks to the Gals we were actually able to take him home courtesy of the car seat that they got for us. We thought he would be home on the Friday (10/10) but ended up coming home on the Monday before this party. So we actually picked up the carseat from Traci before the party – first the kid before the party, and now the gifts too – but they understood and came on Wed bearing a huge chocolate cake and the most amazing Heather-homemade-chocolate-caramel-you wanna stuff them all in your mouth-brownies ever. Ahhhhhh. Those girls spoil us. There were still more gifts too! So generous and sweet. They truly are my FCC family.

Ooooh it was so good to see everyone, especially Sandy who make me feel all warm and fuzzy whenever I see her, as well as Traci and Heather’s little chunky monkeys. Love them! Can’t wait for Ryan to be as big as them! And Jonnie was able to come, so we could catch up with her after Logan’s bout in the hospital. The best part was, as always, the sharing. Everyone is a mom in that group from as young as Sue’s month old Samantha to Kim’s already in college Elizabeth with Sandy a Grandma too and I received much needed perspective and advice. Loooove them! Can’t wait for Cezanne’s shower on the 14th (why does she get to still look stylish and sweet in her cutie shorts and flowy top at 7 months preggers??) What a blessing they all are. The best moment for me was in opening the gifts, being so appreciative of those gifts but each package unwrapped or bag opened, just reminded me again and again that these women supported us through the entire pregnancy with their gifts of prayer. How blessed we are. EVERY TIME, every time I think about this, it makes me cry. And yes I’m tearing up again right now . . .

Oct 18 – the party and a half
The friends shower was a blast. I had a fantastic time, all the Edna and Jing prepared food was so good I ate it for 4 days in a row. I finally gave up on the bbq chicken drumsticks (that was from the after party) but yeeeee-uuum. Big big big props out to Jing-A-Ling and her amazing Fry Daddy (the deep fry machine – not John) This was another revolving door shower with people coming and going throughout the shower, but why did the gifts keep coming nonstop? Again, the generosity of people amaze and humble you as a parent. Veronica was the first one to show up – and she thought she was late – I shoulda warned her about filipino time …. but that was nice cuz we were able to chitter chatter as I like, and she got to see the “Brest Friend” in action as I fed Ryan while we visited. After everyone chowed down multiple times on the carb fest, we finally settled into a core group of a couple gals and were getting ready to play games – after an intensive revisiting of the entire Nick and Jessica season – come on, you gotta love “The Simpsons” you know it’s all about Jess and her craziness – and yes she’s dumb but I LOVE HER it was a riot. In between my ramblings of the absurdities of being a new mom who knows not a lot about babies we played the games courtesy of Lu’s great crowd control. OK I know – now – we got pretty bunk baby food for the game, but why weren’t people giving up the taste testing? Of course, Rommie ended up winning as she was brave enough to taste most of them – but why oh why did she think there was one that tasted like Argentinian food. Lu kept repeating they were all American type food. Makes me laugh to think about it. Cute moment when Daisy and Franny came bearing their adorable, almost-matching baby boys and we had to laugh when I said I’d come over to their place and we could sit around talking about our mestizo (half filipino/half white) babies. Ahhhhh. Ohhhhkay and I have to give Cyndi props not only for the gift but for the packaging. Why was everyone so amazed at the box that Cyn’s gift came in that I had to close it and open it again to another chorus of oooohhhs and ahhhs (BEFORE we ever saw what was in it!) Too funny. And trooper award goes to Grace and Gia who stayed for the whole party and mingled successfully with Chika in the early part of the party, Mel and the gals during the games, and Lu and Rommie during the after party? Big ups to the “socialites” I love people who can party with strangers. And Lu, two words – CUP CAKES. Bobby may be the mix master (he, of the soft and fluffy baking skills), but you’re the frosting-est bomb.

The after party was chill for me, and still a total surprise for Bob even AFTER Rex pulled up, his moster truck full with a bbq pit and a cooler full of coronas, pulled up IN OUR BACKYARD. Oh geez. If it wasn’t for Rex that party wouldn’t have happened and it really was a great gift for Bob. Na marinated the pork bbq, but Rex got the chicken and beef and ran around all afternoon picking up supplies and the nifty photo cake and then bbq’d through the night. My brother really rocks. The best, as always, when the boys are all together. Seeing Chris and Aaron cozy on the couch watching (I think) Game 1 of the World Series, Greg and Bob out by the BBQ pit – with Gabe toddling through the NEW screen door to kick it with them, makes my heart happy. Cutiest moment was when Miss Ava started dancing to Justin on SNL (Lu taped last week’s episode) and it was waaaaay past her bedtime. Way past mine too! But Bob kept the party going, he even went to see Kill Bill with Rudy after the after party. Woo hoo for him. I’m so glad he had a grand time. And Mr. Ryan made a few appearances throughout the night. And if you were lucky – and washed your hands – you could perhaps, touch Lil Ry’s blanket as he passed by …. Lu and Paulie kept me company after the crew had left and I was poured on the couch in exhaustion – wait I just remembered – big props out to Piia who is a total mom and gave me the best gift ever – a clean kitchen before she left the party a SECOND time!! oh so back to me, my son (you’ll be hearing that nonstop as long as you read this blog from now on!!) …and Lu and Paulie. They scrubbed to a new layer of skin and each got to hold him. Paulie, held him for almost an hour as I drowsed on the couch and Lu got to snuggle up to him as the ultimate thank you for all the work she had done for multi-showers. But wait there’s ONE MORE TO GO ….

Oct 19 – Los Armijo’s
A small and cozy shower to be had at la casa Armijo. Which was exactly what I needed after Saturday’s massive festivitas. Why did I eat two sandwiches and two helpings of everything at the table? Ah the simple joys of life. Although I missed the tamales. But that’s OK, there’s always Christmas. Lu added a new game to the shower repertoire – the playdoh make a baby. Those were too cutie. There were far more gifts than guests again, and we really were showerd with gifts. It’s amazing how much gear one little being can acquire. YIKES! My personal high point – I was wearing regular clothes, granted they were my sister’s, but still. No stretch pants and no flumpy polos or bell shaped t-shirts. Ahhhhh, what a feeling. RyRy made a visit to the house and hung out with the guys and watched football. He’s so funny. Bobby came late with him after giving him a sponge bath and washing his ducky hair. When he came to the house,his hair was all ruffled like the little duck he is. Tina did remind us that there is baby hair gel available. She makes me laugh. The best of course, was the yummy yummy cake custom baked and sweetly decorated by Aunt Rhonda. So yummy I ate that for three days too. After a visit to Maria and Miro’s to drop off some of that cake, we finally drew to a close the ultimate party weekend. So Baby Ryan is destined to be a socializer himself. He targeted his arrival perfectly so that he could attend a wedding (well, he stayed at the resort in the upgrade room) and 3 and a half parties. Talk about timing!

Speaking of, it’s a good thing it’s Daylight’s Saving Time. As Bobby just reminded me the clocks may go back an hour, but your son doesn’t. If I hurry I can get in a half hour nap before he wakes up again. Woo Hoo! Wouldn’t trade this for the world, or even a full night of sleep.

Pre-Labor…
I was admitted late Friday night (9/26) to the hospital after one of my bags of water (yes, there are two) starting trickling out. Talk about God’s timing, Bob had gone out that night for the first time in forever for Paulie’s birthday at the Tonga Room. We had even discussed him staying out late since I would definitely be asleep after chowing down on a double cheeseburger, baked potato and sourcream AND chili, chips and cheese from Wendy’s. (Not to mention the fruit punch I had to slyly pull away from the papa-to-be less he finish it before I had a sip) Once my water broke, I called Rex since he was close by to see if he could take me to the hospital since Bobby was up in SF. As I was getting dressed I heard someone come in, turned around and it was Bob. The minute dinner was over, he had a pang in his tummy that wouldn’t go away, begged off of the bar hopping and headed home to arrive exactly the minute that I needed to go.

The weekend was spent first wondering if my waters had broken (yes), pulling out the cerclage (which the attending doc was happy to wave around and showing me – ewwwwww), and taking triple shots of terbuteline to stop contractions and double shots of steroids to help develop the baby’s lungs, and a continuous drip of magnesium sulfate (no side effects thank goodness! – it really pays to have high tolerance) …. The weekend was all about stopping contractions, keeping me strapped to the bed – complete with many barbie-goes-to-the hospital (IV, multi bag drips, catheter and the ever-present pink water jug) and praying praying that the baby would stay in until he was big enough to be delivered.

Bobby and I were set on thinking that I was in for more bedrest, in the hospital, for another few weeks. So it was an utter shock when my doctor (who was on duty that Monday) came in bright and early at 7:30 am and said hey …. it’s a great day to have a baby.

After reviewing the monitoring strips, she had detected that every time I had a contraction, though they were mild for me, the baby’s heartbeat would dip alarmingly. So after an ultrasound that reminded me of the little red booths (like outside of Payless, something like the horsey rides) where for a quarter you could watch Woody Woodpecker cartoons, it was determined that the baby was somewhere in the 5lb range which gave him a good chance at surviving without things like a ventilator, or additional oxygen, we decided to proceed with the labor.

The fun begins …
At noon, I was put on pitocin to START the labor. And nothing happened for 4 hours. We watched the monitor for contractions, watched cable and hung out. Pastor Kevin came by, we laughed and prayed and watchted the monitor some more. I sent my family home, thinking it would be hours yet and around 4, Paulie and Lu went to get something to eat, Mama Mijo took off and Bob and I were alone together. A jaunt to the bathroom started real teddy bear crushing contractions, but we rode the waves together with Bobby coaching and me clenching til almost 6 pm.

Nurse Laura comes in and says that she wishes she could stay for the birth but she got off at 7, and it seemed like it would be a while. Not 5 minutes after she left, I had a tearing contraction along both sides of my tummy (before they had just been on the left side) and we called her back. She decided to check for dilation and I was at an 8! She jams outta the room to get Dr. Burrs, she has to double check the dilation and the circus begins. Within 10 minutes the entire delivery team is in my room except for the pediatrician who had gone to dinner. By this time, I’m beginning to go outta my head with the pain and the need to push. Dr. Burrs takes one look at me and says incredulously – Are you pushing?? Stop! Stop pushing right now. Hello, what am I supposed to be doing?? She says – Blow out the birthday candles. Whaaaaat?!?! Bobby and I look at each other and look and her and yell – We didn’t take that class! We don’t know what you’re talking about. Nurse Laura comes to the rescue with puff puff blow.

I can’t believe that I’m waiting for the pediatrician to finish her manicotti when there is something trying to come outta my body. Finally Dr. Scobel arrives and everyone is primed for labor. I look around and Carla, my midwife is there too. Thank goodness someone called her in. It’s like having every member of your dream team with you at the crucial three pointer of your life.

Now everyone’s a coach and giving me non-stop directions, lift this, move that, grab these, push here, breathe here. So one big push, and it’s fierce. Another big push and everyone’s cheering and coaching ….. So now everyone in the room is primed for the next big push and it’s like slow clap with a life of it’s own – except I’m the only one who can get this baby outta me. STOP. So I take a big breathe and tell everyone to RELAX, that it’s gonna be a minute. The whole room stops, looks up at me and bursts into laughter. I guess usually they have to tell the mother-to-be to relax and here I am telling them. After our little rest period, I bear down and push like there’s no tomorrow. When you feel that slip and slide of something coming it’s awe-ing. I don’t have words. But obviously I have lungs as I screamed nonstop until Ryan pops out – and it was caught on video tape courtesy of the digital daddy.

So no epidural, no c-section, total active labor time 1 hour and 44 minutes. Robert Ryan makes his way into the world on Monday, September 29, 2003 at 6:44 PM weighing an amazing 6 lbs, 7 oz at 19 inches long needing no oxygen, no ventilator (amazing stats for a “32-weeker” – 8 weeks premature) This kid comes screaming into the world with a loud cry and a full, full head of hair. He’s perfect.

Not only did I have a short short labor (guess it’s a trade off for the hours and hours of bedrest and incompetent cervix) my nurses went home on time. I’m still in shock, and keep asking Carla if that’s it, that’s all there is to it. She says, yup – it’s all beginning now.

And it’s a blast.

To complete the Wongzales wedding story …. Luis, Sr. made me wanna cry with his toast to his son, his firstborn, the one that has made him so proud not just on the day of his wedding but throughout his life. And I was teary and amazed that one day Bobby and I will be at Ryan’s wedding saying – our son, our first born, the pride and joy of our lives.

Ryan is such a trooper. Not only was he born in time for me to boogie at Renee’s wedding all night, he scored us an upgrade at our hotel. Not only a room with a view (of the cutie lagoon waterfall pool and olive and grape groves) but also a fourposter bed with fireplace. He is definitely on the travel list – until he starts walking at least!

I may sound a little flippant with the birth of my son, but I’m not. Speaking of, I’ll post his labor story in a sec…. But Ryan really is a miracle baby, all babies are, but he proves that prayer works. And he’s a blessing, and a bonus, that we appreciate in silly things like the hotel upgrade, and in serious things, like our responsibility to him. He rocks!

Blessed Birth, Blessed Matrimony …

I know you wanna hear the labor story and it’s a good one …. but I have to live in the now for a moment and bask in the warm and cheery afterglow of a wedding gone well. Renee got married over the weekend to her wonderful fantastic man – Luis Gonzales. Rudy’s Val said it best when she said that every detail was so unique and thoughtful. I had two favorite things – Pastor Matty giving a rousing and educational sermon filled with love but breaking it down for folks. I really appreciate people who are able to share God’s love and teaching without being pushy or preachy. Matt is so warm and real that Scripture is simple, and part of everyday life. I love that and it was sooooo appropriate for Nay and Luis. They are the total embodiment of good and growing Christians, real people following the Lord. That rocked!

The other thing that tickled me where the cutie flower table numbers. I told you already Nay, but those were SO worth the time and no sleep! Sweet. And it was the best to see all our friends in one place again. Wow how far we’ve come – Joyce has two beyond adorable kids – how blonde and beautiful is Alyssa?!? and Nathan is a big guy …. and Rose’s Josua is a huge chunk of 4 month old. Who would have ever known he was a preemie either?? I wanted to carry around a life size color pic of Ryan with me, but settled for snuggling with Josh for a bit. And the best is Shy and her very very Catherine Zeta Jones pregnancy. She is just a beautiful girl. And her family is amazing. Mommy Cynthia looks like one of the sisters and Auntie Fely got her slide on as the night drew to a close. Ahhhhhhh…..

So many happy moments, just watching all the Jubilee girls getting their groove on at the reception like it was City Nights ( okay, you know I’m hecka old already), Seeing Grandma Gonzales and Mommy Wong dancing nonstop and everyone filling the entire gorgeous hall with fun and laughter and good times. All of it, all of trials and tantrums, the emotion and effort was worth it. It was perfect.

And I totally felt like it was definitely a celebration party for me too! Since Ryan has been born, I have had boundless energy and seem to surprise everyone whenever I show up anywhere. And we danced all night and chatted with all the friends and family throughout the reception. The best was talking to Luis and Grace and really really feeling like part of their family. Luis really made me wanna cry again (after bawling at the opening of the ceremony nonstop and quite audibly – sorry bridesmaids!)

Below’s a general update of the baby … will recount amusing labor stories and highlights of the family fun shower soon… my love and thanks to Paulie and Rex for their big help in getting the nursery ready – Paulie with his straight line drawing wallpaper border skills and Rex for his 2 plus hours putting together the drawers …. Na and Lu for their superior nursery and crib assembly as well as pulling together a crazy family shower with food, folks and fun in a house that was not quite ready for prime time.

It was definitely easier worrying about envelopes than worrying about a baby. Coming home with you. To stay. At your house and in your heart forever ….

—– Original Message —–
From: ellen@drchango.com

Hello Everyone!

It’s been a truly amazing time with the sudden birth of Robert Ryan, the biggest preemie at the Special Care Nursery. Thanks to your prayers everything has gone beyond perfect, at every turn it’s been God’s grace shining down on us and we wanted to say how much we appreciate your support. A few highlights:

- my actual ob/gyn was on duty on monday at the hospital and was able to deliver the baby
- my labor went active at 5 pm, and the baby was delivered at 6:44 pm, with only three pushes and no epidural!
- at 8 weeks premature, Ryan was a whopping 6 lbs, 7 ounces and 19″ long
- although he is a certified preemie, Ryan has shown all the skills of a term baby and has been able to take all of his feedings with no problems, was able to breathe on his own from birth and was able to maintain his body temp with the help of an isolette for a few days. He graduated to an open air crib today and has been great.
- he’s doing so well that his doc has had to revise her prognosis every time she sees him. He went from a potential 3 week stay, to 10 days to going home tomorrow pending his final checkup and a last jaundice check.

Needless to say we are overwhelmed but looking forward to him coming home. It’s been a whirlwind couple of days but with lots and lots of help from family and friends the house is ready for Ryan. I’m not sure I am though, as I realize how little I actually know about babies, but I’m sure it’ll all work out for this blessed little guy.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Lu is a crazy paper-cutting paragon of efficiency. After a jaunt to Esmerelda’s Taco Truck (although why Rex didn’t tell me it was a roach coach when I asked him for directions one wonders) for the best carnitas and chicharrones burritos EVER, we ended up at the Union City Kinko’s (BTW closes at 8 pm) and then Office Max where Lu proceeded to slice and dice baby shower invites at will. In less than 25 minutes she had hacked up over 100 sheets of cardstock and vellum and broken a mild sweat over it. But we were done by 8:55 pm. Amazing, just amazing.

The amusing saga of the invites continues with the odd shaped envelopes. My much beloved “petal” envelopes caused us mass concern as we had to glue everything to each other to make the blessed things work. This is what happens when a bored mom-to-be sticks her head into planning parties. Oh well, I really like them and Lu and Paulie put up with my crazy preggers needs.

Envelopes that are misshappen — anything outside of the #10 env. are MORE postage as Paulie found out in multi-trips to the post office. Told you they were trouble. But after a frenzy of stamping and almost throwing blows with loud ladies in line, the invites are off in the world. Now if they don’t explode or disintegrate before they get to your house, we’re good to go.

Life is so much easier to deal with in thinking about fixing up a house, or planning a party, but today both Bobby and I started really planning for baby. Uhhhh, diapers? disposable or cloth? daycare? part time, full time, home care, day care center …. YIKES! I have to sign up for classes, but can’t go to regular birthing classes because of my “special” status. Uhhhhhh, boy.

Luckily, Veronica called to help alleviate and exacerbate the problem. More in giving me reassurance that we have time to make these decisions. After all when the baby comes, eating, sleeping and pooping are his major concerns. But then giving me mucho to think about concerning the daycare concept and idealogy. Ai ya!

Great news is, both Bob and I are getting enough sleep and baby Ryan is getting his full share of meals. Snug as a bug. A little worry, a little wear, but we are doing well.

I couldn’t resist a sneaky trip to our 25-plex to see Underworld, the vampy movie starring Kate Beckinsale and – HELLO – directed by my former Thornton Junior High classmate, Len Wiseman (see June 19 archive for rad 80′s pic of me and Len)

We went as an homage to thunderbolt power! Mel (of course) arranged it and we met up with Chel and Rhoneil, Cynd and Mel and Bim. Bob was happy as a clam, dunno if it was cuz we were seeing a movie after at least 8 months of not seeing any, or the fact that he got almost 7 hours of sleep last night …

And amazingly – it was a GREAT movie!

I was completely freaked by the too scary, too gory movie PREVIEWS: Texas Chainsaw Murder, scary crazy Halle Berry movie, even Eddie Murphy in Disney’s Haunted Mansion had my heart palpitating ….. I looked at Mel from between my fingers and she started laughing from behind the hand covering her eyes ….

So Underworld rocked, despite mass carnage. Here’s a few random noted and quoteds: Kate does well in the Matrixy-speak little and shoot alot Keanu-type role…. and uhhhhh, yeah Lichan (like-an) sounds better than “werewolf” but let’s call a spade a spade here. Lichan is actually a moss, botanically speaking…. Kate spends most of the movie saving the slubby looking Scott Speedman …. yes, Felicity’s boyfriend …. until the end where he ends up looking like a very thin, very grey, not-so Incredible Hulk ….

One of my favorite parts was when Slubby Speedman asks what all the medical tools are for and Kate says to take the silver bullets outta werewolves (excuse me, LICHANS) so they don’t die before being questioned — then what happens, he asks between his shaggy bangs. She says stoically – We put them back in. Smirkety smirk smirk….

And I’m so glad that Mel called later in the day so we could rehash. And we were both kinda amazed that there wasn’t anything to critique in that “even though he’s my friend, that part of the movie was retarded” kinda way. I wish we coulda stayed after the movie but Ryan was pretty tired from the excitement. And Chel had to go as they were on the lookout for the perfect dinette for their new swanky casa. Wow!

One of the best pre-movie stories was Cynd’s recent trip to NYC and meeting fellow swanky hotel-mates OutKast, and then on the corner of 57th and Broadway (!!) met and chatted with Pharrel from the Neptunes while crossing the street. Alas, no camera to be had…

And then today I get a giddy call from Mel, coming back from the Now and Zen, Alice radio sponsored concert with headliners Duran Duran – her super duper all time favorito 80′s band. Ahhhh we carried our DD folders with pride in the 7th and 8th grades …. I won’t tell you that Mel’s hair bore a striking resemblance to Simon LeBons …. oh my where did that come from?!? Anyway – due to the detours that bladders cause, somehow Mel and Bim ended up tailing Roger Taylor (my favorite Durany) and John T after the concert. She said that they looked waaaaay better in person than at the MTV awards. Mel makes me laugh sooooo much.

My friends and their famous sightings…..

The best part of the entire weekend was just reconnecting with the girls, it’s been ages. I am so lucky to have great friends.

So, by the way – - – I AM PREGNANT.

I, uh, somehow let it slip my mind as I was prepping the house, sneaking out for all you can eat Olive Garden pasta bowl and a kicken french pedicure. As always, Mr. Ryan made his presence known in what I thought was some minor discomfort which was diagnosed on Monday as more pre-term contractions, and not the teaser braxton hicks kind. Needless to say, I am now on an every 4 hour nefedrine prescription …

We are at 30 weeks, 3 days. – which means at minimum another 5 more weeks to go or another 10 weeks for “full” full term.

It’s been a hard adjustment in my head that I am now on “real” bedrest again… After all this time, now is definitely not the time to jepordize the health of the kid. Ahhhhhghg. But Nay gave me good perspective on the situation as she was like you know you don’t have to be in pain all this time. You can pray for healing and claim it. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I just figured I had to suffer through the aches and pains and itchiness of these next couple of weeks. But hey if you think of it, put in a prayer for me that the next few weeks will fly by and that my sanity and Ryan’s healthy development continue…..

I haven’t blogged about my persistent dreams about working out. Like miles and miles of running, and weight lifting and getting on a elliptical machine. Ai ya. Seriously, I have these fabulous dreams at night where I am working out like a fiend and loving every minute of it. It’s all about the control and structure and routine of my life when I was working out regularly. And now I am wondering how all of that will fit into our new lives once baby makes his way into the world…

It’s really finally dawning on me that we will be having a baby sometime in the near future. Uh, how wow is that?? I can’t quite grasp the concept. That at the end of the remodeling, the endless hours in bed, the many trips to the garbage dumps for Bob, a million and a half doctor appts., that we will be bringing home a lil bambino to call our own.

How are you ever prepared for this?

Hey a big shout out to Nay by the way for her great assistance in dumping half a ton of my junk at St. Vincent de Pauls, after sifting thru the clutter that is my garage. Couldn’t have done it without you!! In case you haven’t seen it, here’s a link to Nay’s wedding website. We had a ball putting it together. Her wedding is only 3 weeks away. I can’t believe how much time has gone by. Ch-ch-ch-changes ….

We laugh all the time about how much both of our lives are changing right now and what a cool blessing it is that we are both off at the same time to support each other through the baby and bedrest and the wedding and her work stuff. It’s another way that God hooks it up. Actually all my friends have been fabulous through this time for me – so hey THANKS!!

I’m off to roll around the bed for a few more hours. Bedrest, the sleepy frontier.

Have you ever heard of making a pregnant gal fast? Not as in running the mile in under 6 minutes, or in terms of “fast and loose”, but fast as in NO EATING??? What new tortures will doctors think of next …. Note to all future preggers gals — Do Not – DO NOT – fail your first gestational diabetes test.

What happens next is that you will have to perform the 3 hour test – which consists of first eating more food than you already do for 3 days (hey that’s not bad) but then stopping the gluttony at 10 pm the 3rd night and going in for a blood test the next morning, drinking some flat sugar syrup like substance and taking THREE MORE blood tests every hour on the hour. Which means at minimum you will not be eating for 14 HOURS …

Or if you’re like me, you’ll wake up at 1:30 in the morning, the night before your blood tests – starving – and can’t go back to sleep until 6 am with 3 12 oz glasses of water in you and then don’t wake up until 9:30 am and not starting the tests until almost 11 am, adding an additional 3 hours of NON-EATING time to your fast.

Yes, many of my waking thoughts do consist of what did I eat last, what will I eat next, and is that the kid kicking me or am I in actual pain???

Seriously, it wasn’t so bad. I love everyone at my medical center – I see more of them than I do anyone else except for Bob and Belle, so it made it bearable. And we were able to pop over to our church, FCC, to visit with Pastor Kevin and Kim in the sunshine for a few minutes. That felt great to chat with them.

Lunch at Elephant Bar with Bob and my mama fulfilled my rumbly tummy and a little target shopping finished off the day. Boy was I pooped!!

Saturday – I have no recollection of. Except to say sorry to the hubby for some uncommunication … oh and a big thanks to Rex for his cable-fixin…

Sunday – What was the Sunday morning donut stop turned into a carpet/rug shop and coffee klatch at the ever busy Casa Armijo, Sr. Godson Alex, with his WWE (why is wrestling with an “e” not an “f”, didn’t it used to be WWF?) wrestling ring complete with coffee table size cage, Papa Armijo with his 100% all american leather hat and penchant for some of that ‘real’ coffee that Bobby drinks, and Mama “Mijo patient as ever with everyone – including me, dripping donut crumbs all over her couches – it’s the busiest house ever. Very homey and family. Love it.

Bobby and I slip away to the DWR super furniture blowout and get a fabulously huge 9×12 charcoal grey rug for a steal. Missed the last charcoal grey designer couch though. I sat on it as the people were purchasing it ….. Ah well, it was fun…

The home furnishing doesn’t stop…. After I took a lengthy nap, woke up and sent Na and Bob out into yet another Target expedition for the on sale, gotta buy it before they sell out, bathroom armoire and perfect nursery–sized set of drawers for Baby Armijo.
tbc . . .

After prompting from V, Lu and Na – I’ve got a new project – party for the little CC bambino! I’m in a little bit of awe that we’ve made it this far and the bebe has been so healthy throughout. How sweet it is to plan a celebration for his upcoming arrival ….. wait, ok, I’m not planning it – JUST HELPING OUT (like in Friendsta)…..

….. Although the petal envelopes were all my idea. I don’t know why they make me so unaccountably happy, but they do. And this is how much my honey rocks – he didn’t mind (much) yet another errand and expense for envelopes – yes, just envelopes. Ahhhhhh to be a spoiled preggers girl.

Lately, I’ve been an emotional rollercoaster – usually associated with the lack of a decent night’s sleep (maybe that’s why Bobby keeps spoiling me….. either that or he just doesn’t wanna hear it anymore and it’s easier to say yes). For the last two weeks, me and baby Ryan have had a date (at his insistence) at 2 or 3 am every single night. He’s gonna be a determined little man just like his papa.

Speaking of, not to toot his horn any more than I already do, but don’t you think REA’s posts have been really good lately? I find myself laughing cuz I learn more stuff about him thru his blog than I do sometimes when we talk face to face. The most notable being his communication with one of our favorite “bloggers”

Cyn totally rocks, and though we started reading her blog before she became preggers, talk about coincidence – our due dates are fairly close …. It’s been so entertaining to read about her experiences and thoughts on being pregnant. She’s quite eloquent on how it feels to have something bumping around inside of you, and not in a fun and sexy way either. Sometimes I laugh at how similar we are…. fruit cravings: hers – cherries, mine – mangos; nesting instinct: new wood floors, furniture, not to mention baby gear! woo hoo…

And speaking of baby gear, of which I have none, my baby sis and I went on covert registry mission yesterday. I am not as enamored of Babies R Us as some mommies but they do have a plethora of paraphernalia …. After pages and pages of registry though, I don’t know that we have all the gear that bebe ‘Mijo’s really going to need. Oh boy oh boy. Maybe it just has to do with my wonder if I myself am preparado for his grand entrance. Oh well, celebrate each day and keep on praying, that’s all we can do. Oh yeah, and check out the registries (new link at the top)

Did ya know I’m gonna be a Mama ‘Mijo one of these days? Uhhhhh-mazing.

This weekend saw the completion of our bedroom closet – our clothes are hanging prettily on new racks, yay Bob! Just need the closet doors and it’s all set. That boy Bob is a wonder. The house (not to mention the lawns) looks better everyday due to him (oh okay, and my midnight fits of cleaning and arranging…)

Sunday was a bout of eating and sleeping. Brunch buffet at Marie Callendars with the Arroy’s – complete with a wailing Ava, and a nonchalant Aaron, looking around like hey – who’s kid is making all that racket?? But mama Karen handled it all with grace in between bites of her custom made omelet. Me, I feasted on salmon, quiche, a full salad bar and french toast and waffles – all on the same plate. Ye-uuuum! Ryan loooooved it, he was thumping around after that meal like he was auditioning for River Dance. Both of us fell asleep for 2 hours after that, them we cruised to the Armijo, Sr. house and hung out with la familia. Batches and batches of potato salad, Bob Sr’s fancy burgers and a case of the missing Coronas. Where did 22 Coronas actually go?? dum, de dum dum duh …..

Thank goodness I got out for a while. Been a bit stir crazy …. need a new little project to keep me amused. The house is coming along, slowly but surely. I am going thru another blah period. But not quite enough to get off my duff and do something. Poor Bob. He gets to live this with me. Feeling more and more heavy, and waddling is the mode of transportation, so uh ….. yeah.

No more than 80 days to go, maybe as few as 60 days … Can’t wait to meet this little guy.

An impromptu Sunday dinner turned into a full social occassion this weekend, complete with a pre-party =) Sunday dinner became barbeque bonanza with Bob’s new bbq grill, a ton of Tres Colores meat, and lots of yummies from Shy, Nay and Piia. A total community effort with lots of help from the gang, and the entertainment of the night provided by the lovely JLo Junior, Miss Ava, and the usually-not-so-feisty, feisty Gabriel Ramirez.

A visit from Chris, wedding pics, mommy tips, and a little Corona made the night fly by, capped off with some outrageous 310 calorie-a-slice (that’s right girls, I looked at the label) Apple-cinnamon streusel-sour cream-costco bundt cake. Yeeeee-uuum! =pics here=
once inside – click the big pic again to get the full/print pic.

Noted and Quoted: Victor spending quality time with the corn dip….. “Well Ava, mommy ate all the cake, No More!!” and Ava sashays away unperturbed … “Is it okay if I take a shower now???”…. “I usually don’t bring the albums, as I can’t carry them by myself” …. “Huuuuuuhhhhh – yaaaaay (Nay, making Gabe scream in laughter, 20x in a row – BEFORE he threw the strawberry magnet at her nose….) and the crash boom bam of the screen falling off for the third time, and Mrs. Ramirez saying “Is that my baby or my husband??” Of course, it was …. Luis!

A good time had by all, and a tired but pleased Armijo family retires to the air conditioning. Thanks gang – I needed that! Doc gave me a clean bill of health and said the kid is doing fantastic. Yippee!

Pre-Party
Saturday night started out with Lu coming over, and progressed to Paul plus appetizers plus a visit from Val and sickly Rudy and video camera. Our get togethers seem to expand exponentially without effort. And I love it, love to see everyone. After snazzy spinach dip and baguettes, two kinds of taquitos and chicken wings, brie and crackers and a mess of fruit, I was stuffed and highly entertained by Lu’s unending scrapbook and a new episode of Big Brother. All in all a fabulous weekend ….

Watching others work is a lot of work!

It’s been wood floor guys, crazy outside house painty guys, and our talented family (Rex, Paulie, Beth and Boyfriend Matt) armed with scrapers, sprayers, rollers, and a mess of paint this week to get Casa Armijo shiny and happy for our new arrival. Not to mention the REA Daddy going nonstop, from the previously mentioned John Lennon nursery border and coordinating paint search, to the ceiling scrape, to the great junk exodus to the garage, including but not limited to the complete dismantle of our closet organizer!! Baby Ryan is a lucky ducky!

I now feel like I live in the prettiest of the Ikea showroooms. sigh. It really makes the heart happy, although it took me all day yesterday to recover. I don’t think I left my new-to-us craigslist IKEA king bed but 4 times (for meals of course) I was pooped from watching everyone work =)

And we’re back to the 3 am wakeup calls as Master Ryan is feeling a bit peckish… We’ve been drinking juice and munching cookies, like a pre-school snack, and contemplating the pretty pretty house and sneaking a few decorating/cleaning binges in.

The best part of all of this? Knowing again, how blessed we are to have fantastic friends who keep calling cuz they know I have dialing issues, and family who instead of saying hello, start every conversation with “How much water have you had??” That’s love.

So thanks folks. Couldn’t do it without you, am more grateful than you know, and have 1.5 liters of H2O under my belt =)

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. ~Psalm 52:8

Follow up appt. today w/ Dr. Burrs after our dehydrated contraction scare on Mon ….. Ryan is a dance dance dancin’ machine. He’s kicking and moving and thumping like he’s putting on a show, so she gives him a clean bill o’ health. As for me, it is what it is.

Most women’s cervix are shaped like a cork for the uterus. This holds the baby in. Because I have an incomplete (we’ll use that term instead of incompetent) cervix, I don’t have that. All that’s standing between Ryan’s head and the great big world are the little stitches holding my cervix shut. Wow, pretty graphic.

Hence the heaviness and she said I can now look forward to more cramping too. Uhhhhh, ok. As long as he’s healthy, I’l do my part to keep him where he belongs. But we did get props for “growing him right” he’s a good size Doc says and is pretty responsive and has a pair of working and happy lungs. Yay for fetal development!

This is kinda scary and miraculous stuff.

The cutest thing yesterday? Bob listening to a Beatles song as he’s painting a bright sage-y green on the walls of the nursery. Which matches perfectly with the palm leaves of the John Lennon wallpaper border … it just makes a preggers girl teary eyed for her guy.

And a big thank you to my style savants, Lu and Piia, who helped me make the final, and very cute, border decision!

Yesterday was a fun day, started off with the mad nursery paint color hunt (thanks again so much honey!!) and then Renee’s visit with her bee-uty-full wedding invites (ordered at Tri-City Engravers – shameless plug) and then a visit from Auntie, Christian and my mama bearing all manner of filipino food. That’s right, I ate a whole (little) fish and an entire mango – how very filipino of me….

But I managed to take it easy through it all, laying down through paint chip sorting, polishing off a litre of water while Nay was here and being good for most of the day. I know, I know I’m s’posed to take it REALLY easy, and I am, I will. Got the call from Bob, Sr. to be a good girly!! Yikes … I’ve scaled back all social visits after this, I really have.

Lest I forget, I always have my honey looking out for us… I don’t know how to thank him – feeding me, fixing the nursery, and working tirelessly day and night and watching out for me when I don’t think to.

In case you don’t know it honey, I love you unendingly. . .

Paulie: The last name is Armijo
Clerk: No, there is no one here with that name
Paulie: No, she’s here, it’s A-R-M-I-J-O
Clerk: Go inside there and find out how to spell the name correctly
Paulie: No, that’s how you spell it, IT’S MY LAST NAME TOO… do you want to see my ID?
Clerk: We don’t need YOUR name, we need the patient’s name …..

Finally Beth and Paul’s name badges are approved, and they run upstairs to the second floor to visit me, where I am ensconced in a pretty turquoise room at Washington Hospital.

Rx to prevent unexpected hospital trips for fetal monitoring:
1) Don’t wear a dress to your regular doc appointment.
2) Don’t try to rush your usually 15 min. appt, as you will invariably end up with a 2 hour appt and a trip to the hospital
3) 3 liters of water everyday, drink it even if you don’t wanna get up in the middle of the night to pee.

With a little help from Beth practicing her future Doctor (okay, not that kind of doctor but still) self, and a couple photo ops we got thru a couple hours of monitoring contractions brought on by dehydration and probably too much activity by my pregnant self. My parents came and amused me too as Bob ran around getting my things in case I had to spend the night. That was sweet…

Anyway, again, all’s well that ends well.

Since to doc-on-duty had to deliver two babies last night, she was able to check my dehydrated, contracting self and determine that I was okay and sent me home. Thank goodness as being in the bed for only 2 hours already gave me a back spasm…

So I am bedrest, real bedresting today and through the week … all activities curtailed. I did realize, again, that I am the only one who can bring the heir into the world, no one else is gonna do it for me. So in the meantime, things will have to wait. Such a bummer too as my bible study group was coming over tonight and Mel and the gals were s’posed to come on Sunday ….. But we have reset our priorities and focus, and remembered to endure with patience ….

Thanks friends and family for the love and support. And thank God for good medical support.

…That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened … so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father. ~ Colossians 1:10 – 12

Thump, thump thump… Obviously Mr. Ryan is in good spirits and/or hungry as he’s thumping away in utero… As for me, happy Leyla is here visiting. Gosh, I miss the Lil Lamb being around and kickin it with us. And it’s so funny how she’s friends with each of us in our own unique ways. I’m getting spoiled cuz she brings me the loveliest flowers. This visit is a snifty mix of purple-bells (like bluebells?) and my favorite stargazer lilies. My favorite thing is that she was so comfy on the recliner last night she looked like she melted onto it and barely made it off the chair to go out with the kids to D&B’s for too much fried food. Good thing Lu and Rachel picked her up so they could make sure that Paulie and Bob escaped the pleasure that is City Beach. No one told me if Victor actually played or not …..

I, uh, subliminated my desire to consume quantities of fun foods and loud arcade noises with intense ebay shopping for King Size sheets for our up and coming craigslist-bargain-IKEA-matress and headboard. Ahhhhh, nothing like bargains galore to entertain you into the wee hours.

I realized that I didn’t finish a post but am too lazy to do it. Here are snippets from the last coupla lazy writing weeks:

– Bob and I had such a good time at Piia and Greg’s for dinner last Sunday. It was so amusing to watch Gabe and his baby einstein videos. Seriously I could watch those videos at any age, under any influence. Note to self, get a $1.99 golf set as soon Baby ‘Mijo can walk. Oodles and oodles of fun to watch. And even funner to hang with Piia and chit chat, free dinner and excellent company. It’s good to know we can share in all aspects of family life and realize we all have stuff going on. Brothers rock!

- Renee and her wedding bonanza. Loooooove when she’s here. Learning and growing with every decision and every choice. And now we’re on a roll – invitations, veils, makeup (or not, Maybelline here we come!) rsvp’s and we’re getting good to go. Each day brings us closer to the real fun!!

- Digging on the Asian persuasion wave on reality TV. Dat Phan (Christian, I’m almost sure) Last Comic Standing, Harlemm Lee (winning song “Over the Rainbow” or some sappy thing) and currently the secret alliance – Jun and Jee on Big Bro 4.

- My house being cleaner than it’s ever been. And nice fire restoration people. This fire is a blessing. Sigh.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD ~ Joshua 24:15

I know, I know, it’s good practice for when the baby is born.

But the kid wakes up at 9 pm and likes to hang out thru the night. Like 11:30 pm – 5 am, night time. And heartburn is boo boo. Trying to keep positive attitude, and be quite thankful for many things. Here’s a few things that make me smile:

* Dana is gone from Big Bro 4
* Talking live to Mel
* Great emails from friends
* Bob’s can do attitude
* Renee ordered her invites!
* Tran, Tran the haircut man, is back in town
* Realizing my parents are cool folks….
* Dat Phan won Last Comic Standing
* Na’s 15 lb weight loss and her cutey pink shirt
* Awesome dinner at Piia and Greg’s. P – see tomorrow’s posts for the recipe =)

Yaaaaawwwwwwnnnnn… Life is good, just sleepy.

110 days to go …..

So I’ve left the Friday Fivers off for a coupla weeks due to a bad attitude and an even lazier disposition. But it’s a nice way to recap events I haven’t blogged for a while:

Favorite Visits a la Casa “Mijo
1. Renee’s visit and re-visit while we debated, designed, and found her ultimate wedding invite courtesy of Lu’s internet endeavors. Ahhhh, if only the sample would show up in the mail!!
2. Miss Leanne and Rebecca Witham (and mama, my buddy Veronica) Visit includes the new hopping on one foot skills of “Leelee” and ballet moves by the budding ballerina, Miss Rebecca and culminates in a full round of “Where is Thumbkin?”
3. Gabe and his mama, Piia, Friday night for girl talk and mommy basics. It’s really great when a friendship grows roots and gets stronger. So happy that we can share more than just holiday get togethers ….
4. My Bible study gals for fellowship and all things “blue” *blueberry muffins and blueberry juice, cheesecake and “boys”inberries in celebration of our upcoming “heir”. Sooooo good to see the gals and then really catch up with Karen. We are so alike and became newbie Christians roughly the same time…. She just bought a house, is kicking butt at her job and totally rocks. The neatest thing about her is that she’s really attained a sense of peace and tranquility over her life thru living in Christ. It’s amazing to see the changes.
5. A five minute visit from the Arroys. I didn’t get to see them, but I was the proud recipient of the new Ava Arroy pic. It’s the funniest pic I’ve seen in ages. That girl was a born photo-op. Obviously, taking after mama Karen !!

Advantages of Having a Fire in your House
1. Friends (Mel) that you usually communicate electronically with are strangely compelled to call you on the phone. And then the two of you laugh like it was the 8th grade again and you just snuck out of Mr. Vargas class for no good reason
2. You didn’t really like that red striped sweater anyway
3. The carpets had to go, and now they’re gone. If only the smell will go with them ….
4. Relieves the boredom of a long pregnancy and even longer seeming bedrest
5. Makes you appreciate yet again, your husband, your dog, and your family that really, no matter what they say to others, actually do care about you

Favorite FoodTV Recipes that Bob has cooked. These have been tried and tasted, and appreciated. Piia – the corn dip recipe is for you!

1. Emeril’s (I hate the BAMM phenom, but it’s quite tasty dish)
2.
3.
4.
5.