And Then There Was Jonah

I am so blessed. I am so lucky. I am fortunate.

Jonah Matthew Rios came on Saturday October 27th, at 8:28pm. He was 9.9lbs, 21.5 inches long and practically climbed and crawled his way out into this world. His demeanor so far is strong and sweet. He seems to have this thoughtfulness behind his eyes like he's saying "yes I know you've been waiting for me, but you had things to do and so did I before I came."

His coming into this world was a true test of my physical endurance, my mental will power and honestly my trust in a power way higher than myself.

I love my husband more now than I ever thought humanly possible. He is so loving and selfless. He is so supportive and amazing. He is my other half.

God definitely does not disappoint in the not giving you more than you can handle department right now in our household. He gave my husband and I the thrill and scare of a lifetime within hours of Jonah's birth. We were humbled to ashes by him with a quick change in my body a couple hours after delivery and I was close to leaving my husband with a new baby on this Earth alone.

 From elated to scared in seconds, his power is so strong. He saved me within those next minutes/hours and continues to show me second to second how much Mr. Big Dog, little Jonah and I can handle together now as a family.

I'm physically weaker than I've ever been, but stronger spiritually than ever. I am grateful for my life, my husband and of course my new little man.

I had heard a baby really makes you stop to smell the roses......I couldn't agree more:)

Continue Reading

Overdue by 1 Long Day

Little Baby,

I don't know what to say. You must like it in there. You do seemed crammed, but at the same time you are able to stretch and move around from mommy's ribs to her hips so it must still feel good to you. Daddy and I can see you move from across the room in my tummy, so I know you are getting big in there. I never thought you'd be late with all the doctor appts we've had and all the progress you've made, not to mention the way my body seems so ready for you to come:)

So since your Daddy and I have been waiting for you over the past 3 long weeks we have done several things to try to get you to hurry up and also just to pass the time. 

1. We've eaten out at a nice restaurant and had a great date night, since we thought it might be the last time for awhile ( you were giving mommy so many contractions at the time). 

2. Daddy has done fall/winter yard clean up, gone to the dump, cleaned the gutters, you name it outside so he'll have time to just spend with you.

3. We cleaned out closets and cleaned the whole house.

4. Your grandparents have been in town for 2 weeks waiting for you:)

5. We even painted a room, ripped up carpet and took more cleaned out stuff to Goodwill.

6. We've walked, walked, walked, and walked some more....we're talking miles.

7. Spicy food has been eaten, pineapple by the pounds and so many relaxing hot baths I think I could chalk it up to several hours.

So this test of patience for us has been hard, but when you want to come we'll be here waiting (along with many many many other people who can't wait to see you and love you).

We can't wait:)
Love,
Mommy and Daddy xoxoxox

Continue Reading

Saying goodbye is always tough

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

Ms. Ella Thomas passed away today just a month shy of turning 99 years old. She was a definitely a spitfire. She was kind, giving, thoughtful, and most importantly a dear friend of mine. She was definitely in my life for a reason, she taught me so much. We met when she was my neighbor in college, and she even became the subject of my geriatric project in nursing school:) She showed me how one person can have an impact on many many peoples lives and yet how much you are here on this earth to just live your own life:) 

I'll miss her. I already do. 

I'll miss our conversations about how much she experienced in her long lifetime....running water, electricity, cars (she told me once cars scared her at first and she would hide from them in the bushes off the road when they would come by)....but then how we could relate to each other over a milkshake just talking about our days triumphs and pitfalls and just life. 

I'm so appreciative she was in my life....even if it was for just a season.

PS The picture is and oldie but a goodie:) 

Continue Reading

When is this timer going to go off?

I'm kind of in the waiting "for the pot of water on the stove to boil" phase I guess.
This is probably the worst time due to my pure impatience. I don't think I've ever felt this impatient in my entire life.
I've had some pre-labor stuff or false labor..(which I really don't like to call it) about 3 times, and it is getting really old. Like God is just saying...."hmmmmm maybe now"....."wait, wait, no I changed my mind:) not yet."

So here I am. I am walking my 3 mile loop almost daily, continuing to nest with cleaning my house, and then sleeping very little (the baby likes to wake up at 4:12 like clock work, only after I've gotten up to use the bathroom a couple times).
 I am really ready for this adventure to start...it's like I'm being held back at the starting line waiting for the gun to go off. Not only that, but it's almost like I'm waiting in a rainstorm or heatwave.....I just want to get started so I can get my be at the end and get my medal:) At least that's how it feels.

Mr. Big Dog is just as impatient as me, if not more:) Which is the only life lesson I can really take from this right now.
Patience.
I think I must need more of it, so I am not given a choice at the moment. I just have to wait for this gift to come in his/her own sweet perfect time. Wait for God to give the full green light and not try to anticipate or push it, it is in his time that it will all happen.

This may also be a foreshadowing of our child's personality:) Stubborn and liking to do things at his/her own special pace? Maybe indecisive about what he/she wants and when he/she wants it?

But really I think it's just a lesson for me, breathe....relax....and everyone keeps saying to take advantage of the ability to take a nap now:) For very soon, I will have a little boss to answer to every second of my day. I can't wait!!!

Continue Reading

The Final Countdown

I start to sing this song in my head as I write this post.....and I actually get a little motivated and pumped up. I just started 36 weeks yesterday.....so hopefully within the month I will be holding our baby in my arms.
I keep telling Mr. Big Dog that is my last 10 miles of my 100 miler:) It especially feels that way lately.
I have to admit it's getting harder and harder just to move around. I think most women forget this part due to the awesome prize at the end...which erases all memory of the bad stuff.
 I am blessed and grateful for this pregnancy, however the sleepless nights are becoming nightly and the "lightning crotch" (why don't they warn you about that?) is a little shocking at times. Like take your breath away little jabs of pain, which my doctor assures me is completely normal for SOME women....lucky me. Not to mention, and unmentionable little skin eruption that lead to meeting a  dermatologist and now little scar I will tell my child is a birthmark he/she blessed me with as well:)
But really overall, I know I am given as much as I can handle by the big man in the sky and currently my complaints are really pathetic and nothing in comparison to others who have traveled my path.

This month-ish is the anniversary of my first date with Mr. Big Dog 2 years ago. Seriously crazy. Crazy we met, fell in love, got engaged, then married and now are expecting our little sweet baby in October all within 2 years.

It's crazy to think we MET two years ago and now we are so intertwined and share the same last name. I think about how people on the outside probably see us. I know I would think we were crazy:) And now about to be a parent I wonder how our children will see our story? Mom and Dad were crazy in love and had to have me too:) ....but then I know it just shows how everything works out as it's meant to and should be.

Everyone says the first year of marriage is challenging and a huge time for growth as well. But at the same time, it just feels so good and right. Even the toughest parts are not really all that tough....and with each hill we overcome I feel like we are more ready for next one which could be taller and more difficult.

I have had a couple little bumps and bruises but overall this pregnancy has been pretty smooth for my body....our home is ready, stocked and prepared for baby. Our schedules are packed full with last minute need to do's and things to finish so we can be fully ready to be knocked upside down by the introduction of our baby into our lives....but you are never really truly ready I'm told.

As the end of this journey is coming closer and closer, I'm more at peace than I have been. I know everything will happen as he wishes it to. Everything will be as it should and I will be forever changed by the end.

I just can't believe it's almost here:)

Continue Reading

Taking a walk in others women's shoes

These pictures kind of say a lot but not enough. I see my friends who have been pregnant at work in a totally different light. They are tough cookies to put it mildly. Being pregnant is hard on your body in just daily life.....and any job, but as a nurse in our unit I can now personally say it is really really hard sometimes.
Our job is so physically demanding and we are on our feet for 12 hour shifts. Mr. Big Dog keeps sweetly asking and supporting me quitting any day I feel like it.....but I feel like I'm on that last 20 miles of my 100 mile bike ride. I want to finish strong for myself. I want to know I have done 100% till the end.
Now don't get me wrong, if at any point I thought I was overdoing it or pushing my body too hard for the baby I would stop. And I am not raising my hand in report for the hardest assignments or the most stressful patients:) My coworkers are great about me still pulling my weight without really pushing me over the edge:) And of course most of them have been in my shoes so they lend an extra hand throughout the day.
But with all of that being said, again I have a new respect for my friends who have been pregnant at my job. It's hard stuff and I am actually hopeful it is going to help with my delivery:) Most of them delivered at 38 weeks;)
I can't wait to tell my little one that he/she went to work with me, 3 days a week 12 hour shifts as a nurse....from week 1 to whenever it ends.....

Continue Reading

I'm an auntie again:)

My sissy had her beautiful new little man yesterday:) He's just precious:) Sweet Keaton Hayes Roberts.
I'm sure more pictures will come soon......

Continue Reading