Houston We Have a Roller!

Ry has been SO close to rolling from her back to her tummy for a couple of weeks now. It finally happened yesterday and both J and I were home to see it. John has been traveling a whole lot for work these past few months (boo!), and he was so worried that he would miss it. He was gone all last week, and every time Ry got close, I would roll her back onto her back-sorry baby! I didn't want John to miss it since I knew how much he wanted to be able to see this little milestone. Funny how something like your baby rolling from back to tum becomes so important to you! Well, yesterday afternoon she did it, and John happened to be sitting right next to her when it happened. I caught the tail end of the action because I was getting a work call on my cell phone right as it was happening. Thank goodness it was just a co-worker calling me, because as soon as I answered the phone, she completed her roll and I shouted as loud as can be "Yay!! You did it!!". Then I realized I had already answered the phone, and I had to awkwardly say "This is Tracie". Good thing it was just Uncle Ryan calling and not a customer!

We took some video of Ry doing her thing. It was funny because she would roll, then realize that rolling made her end up on her stomach, which she hates, and then she would get stuck and start crying. I would turn her back over, and then she would proceed to roll back onto her tummy then start crying again. Haha Now she needs to learn how to go from tummy to back so she can complete the roll.

J and I were talking this morning that we are so fortunate that I can stay home with her, and that he gets to work from home so we don't miss these moments. I know every parent does what they have to to support their families, but I am so thankful that I don't have to hand her off to someone else all day. Adult conversation and non-pj attire is great, but I wouldn't trade being with my girl all day for anything!

Here's our rolly polly in action!

My First Mother's Day!

Where to begin! This was one of the best days my little family has had since bringing Miss Ryleigh home. The day began with me waking up next to my two loves, and lots of precious baby smiles. "Ryleigh" was very excited to give me her present, and couldn't wait any longer, so as soon as I woke up, I got showered with my beautiful Mother's Day gift.

 Beautiful, Beautiful ring with my baby girl's birthstone!

After getting completely spoiled with my gorgeous gift, John went out to get my daily Starbucks order and he came home with a dozen donuts. I can't remember the last time I had a donut, but we went to town on those bad boys. We got showered and dressed and headed to the Vellano club house for brunch. It was delish and we ran into a few friends!

Hi Auntie Ash!

G-Ma Poppins and Ry

Ry and I with Ash and baby Caira

The Halls and the Cairas

Ry and I with the BEST Mama and Grandma. We are lucky girls!

Friends Pic!

After stuffing ourselves at brunch (mind you we had just devoured a box of donuts), we headed back to my parents house for some pool time. My inlaws and BILs came over for some swimming and an early evening BBQ. Since this would be Ry's first time in the pool, all the cameras, video cameras, and camera phones were out, which also meant that there's lots o footage of me in my bikini floating around. As much as I wanted to document my baby girl's first time in the pool, I wasn't to happy about all the cameras on me as I took her in!  Here's a little video that one of the grandparents captured of Ry's 1st time in the pool!

It was a fabulous day with my favorite people. Here are some shots my dad snapped of Ry and I. 

Evolution of the Belly

I wish I had been more diligent about taking pictures throughout my pregnancy. I thought I would be one of those girls who poses in her garden for those cute week by week pictures of her growing belly, but I ended up being one of those girls who took iPhone pics in her work bathroom whenever it randomly occurred to her. I didn't take too many in the beginning because there wasn't much of a difference each week, but here they are, forever documented on the interwebs. 

7 Weeks 5 Days

13 Weeks 4 Days. I think I may actually be smaller here compared to the first pic what with all the  vomiting!

13 Weeks 4 Days

17 Weeks 4 Days

17 Weeks 4 Days

25 Weeks 3 Days

25 Weeks 3 Days

29 Weeks 0 Days

30 Weeks 6 Days

30 Weeks 6 Days

30 Weeks 6 Days

33 Weeks 6 Days

34 Weeks 3 Days

34 Weeks 3 Days

35 Weeks 3 Days

35 Weeks 3 Days

38 Weeks 1 Day: Baby Time

Baby Fat is Only Cute on the Baby

Now that Ryleigh is approaching 3 months old, my self imposed deadline for getting back into pre-preg (or better) shape is also fast approaching. I want no indication that I had a baby by summertime. I think that's reasonable. Maybe. I gained about 23 lbs during my pregnancy, and lost all but 2.5 lbs within the first two weeks (although it doesn't look the same when it all goes back!). I was a true believe in the miracle of breastfeeding. The lbs were falling off with no effort on my part. I got a little cocky. Yes, I'll have that brownie. I'm breastfeeding. Sure, I'll take fries. I'm breastfeeding. To add to it, we had endless amounts of meals and goodies brought to us all day, everyday for the first month or so. I think my mom made me a berry cobbler (my fav) at least once a week for about 6 weeks. Once the meals stopped, I found myself picking up dinner almost every night instead of cooking. I tried to make dinners, but I would have to either stop 1/2 through cooking to feed Ry, and instruct John on what do to with the chicken, pasta, oven, etc, OR I would make it through cooking the meal just to have Ry demand her dinner right as we were sitting down to eat. Needless to say, those lbs crept back on. I had to tell my mom that as much as it pained me, no more cobblers! I am now up 7 lbs away from pre-preg weight, but it feels like more because it's all concentrated in the same area. I started working out the day I got the ok from my doc at my 6 week check up, but I haven't been able to maintain a consistent workout routine. It's hard when no one else can feed little Miss but me. Over the past couple of weeks, we've worked out a fairly reliable feeding schedule for Ryleigh, and starting this week, I am committing to working out at least 4 days and cooking at least 4 days. Hopefully my good intentions become reality!
One nice thing about being pregnant is that people feel compelled to tell you how great you look, even if they are lying through their teeth. They may see a little extra poundage in the face area, but then they see that belly and there's the excuse. Once you have the baby, though, no one knows to attribute the extra weight to the babe unless it's with you. I know this is completely vain, but I've been out running errands sans baby, and joked that I want to wear a sign that reads "I just had a kid, not a burrito". Oh well. This little face makes it all worth it. = )