A smiling boy began at 2 months

 

Weight & Height:
10lbs 12oz and 22.5 inches  30%/25% (this appointment was actually 8 days before you were actually 2 months)


Sleeping patterns:
4-5 hours and it feels so good!

Eating habits:
Every 3 hours during the day unless you are napping and then 4-5 at night.  You still have one big spit up a day, but it does seem to be getting better.

Discoveries and accomplishments:
You have started smiling and it helps reassure mom that she is doing a good job.  You are really moving those feet all the time and kicking like a wild man.  Bath time is your favorite thing right now.  If you are fussing you immediately stop once in the tub.

Highlights:
This month at your checkup you had your first shots which your mom was DREADING!!!  You only cried for a few minutes and stopped once in mom's arms.  Mom held it together pretty well with only watery eyes.  You will come to find out about her big fear of needles.  Your smiles are the best thing in the world.  We are very blessed with a happy boy.  We have so far made two trips to Tennessee which your Mimi and Papaw love.  You are starting to get on somewhat of a schedule during the day which is nice.  You continue to be talking more everyday.  When I look at this picture of you as compared to last months' I can see our little boy coming to life.  Everyday it seems you do something new.  We love you so much!!

Happy First Father's Day!!!

 Mike dove head first into the whole dad thing.  Since I had a C-section I could not do anything for Mac in the hospital so he took over.  He had the nurses show him how to swaddle and changed all those super nasty diapers that first day (Mac had 5 poops in less than 12 hours).  I remember Mike teasing me about things at our birth class, but that all changed once Mac appeared into this world.  At our discharge meeting he was the dad taking notes.  ;o) He works so hard for our family which has allowed me to stay home with Mac.  As we prepare to move again people have asked how I just go with flow as we move for his career.  I would go around the world and back for this man.  He is the love of my life and my best friend.  Now to add to his resume an amazing father!  Mike,Mac is such a lucky boy!  I will never forget when they placed him in your arms and he immediately stopped crying.  I mean how could he not recognize that sexy deep voice. ;o)  I cannot wait to see Mac look up to and follow in his daddy's footsteps.  I feel we have done a great job at balancing parenthood and us!  Happy Father's Day Babe!

We Love You!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Malcolm's Birth Story

It all began Friday afternoon about 3:00pm I began to notice Braxton Hicks which were nothing new at this point.  Mike arrived home after five and it dawned on me that they had not slowed down.  We kept timing them throughout the evening.  (sorry sort of graphic)  Later the "bloody show" had begun and the phone calls were made to family because we were pretty positive this was the real deal.  I was puzzled though because it wasn't painful uncomfortable yes, but not painful.  Mike and I went and got BBQ sandwiches and sat underneath the most beautiful moon and timed contractions.  We were both so excited because we felt pretty confident our son would be here on Saturday.  

The contractions kept coming and were beginning to be uncomfortable at 12:30am I called the doctor because the contractions were five minutes apart for an hour.  When I called I found out that my doctor was on call all weekend!!! YAY!!!  I let her know about my contractions and that I did not think they were as painful as they should be.  She let me know since we live literally five minutes from the hospital that I could come in and get checked and if I was not to far dilated I could go back home.  I wanted to make sure he was doing okay and that I had not dilated to far to where I would wake up and it would be to late for the epidural. ;o)  Mike and I decided to go in and be evaluated.

I am going to go back alittle bit because now that I have been through real labor this makes me laugh.  Before we went to the hospital I took a shower and did my hair and makeup and dressed cute.  I know the nurses probably laughed after I went into my room because clearly I was not inreal deal labor yet.

We get to the hospital and check into our room.  My wonderful Dr. McClendon came in to check me and I was dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced.  Mac was doing good, so we packed up and returned home.  At 4:30am I woke up to painful contractions!!!  I took a bath and Mike distracted me until about 9:00am.  I knew this was real labor because I did not care about my outfit, hair, or makeup.  I sat on the couch waiting for a contraction to end and then I was going to make a mad dash to the car.  Our ancient old home has locks like Fort Knox.  I jump up to go to the car and Mike was not far behind me and all he could here was click click click of the STUPID LOCKS!!! 
(I am not one to ever use bad language) Mike hears me yell "I can't get the damn door OPEN!!"  He was trying not to laugh and came to my rescue.  So much for trying to get to the car fast.  I cried telling our dogs goodbye and we headed to the hospital.  This time around I am practically laying on the counter checking in.  One question they asked was "Have I ever abused drugs?"  I told them not until today and I needed the epidural stat!!!  We get into our labor and delivery room and the nurse informs me that she is going to check to see if I could stay... "what surely to goodness I can stay with this much pain."  Good news I was dilated to 4 and 80% effaced and my doctor was admitting me. 

Now it was time to be brave and face my fears!  Fear number one the IV which did hurt way worse than the epidural.  Mike had claw marks when they stuck that sucker in my hand.  Mike was so amazing through all of this.  He helped me focus on my breathing and remained so calm and positive which is exactly what I needed.  Fear number two the epidural which was a breeze.  I hope no one takes offense to this, but I was fully prepared to tell a nurse anesthetist to go and get an anesthesiologist.  With the fear I have of needles I felt much more comfortable with an MD doing it.  They had my epidural ready to go in less than 45 minutes after checking in ;o)!!  The anesthesiologist came in and was a very cool guy.  At this point my contractions were less than two minutes apart and some were on top of each other.  I told him you have two minutes when I say go.  He was such a pro and all I felt was a bee sting from the initial numbing shot.  After that was done it was WONDERFUL!!!!  Mike and I were hanging out and just so excited about meeting our little man.  Mike went out to lunch with his dad and his mom stayed with me.  My mom's flight was supposed to get in around 5:00pm.  Around 1:00 pm my water was broke (strange feeling) and I was at a 6 and 86% effaced!  I was so excited that labor was going as I had hoped, well that changed soon.  Once my water broke mega contractions started.  I even had to juice up my epidural.  Dr (Dr. M) came back in shortly after my last check and informed us that baby Mac's heart rate was dropping after each contraction and then going back up.  She wanted me to try different positions and oxygen to see if it would help the little guy out.  She said they were closely monitoring it and I knew in my gut how this probably going to turn out.  Mike had her show him exactly what the problem was on the monitor.  This made me very proud of my non medical husband. Well, not even 30 minutes later the doctor came back in and said it had become a consistent pattern.  She did not feel good about it and thought it may have been related to his two vessel cord.  She checked to see if the cord was around his neck and that was not the issue.  She told me there was no way to know if I would quickly progress to a 10 or not.  If I had been at a 9 she would give me an opportunity, but with the risk of labor lasting a couple more hours she was not sure if he could take it.  Mike and I had already decided when she had left the first time that we would go ahead and do the c section if his heart rate continued to drop.  My biggest fear of pushing time was losing his heart rate and having to rush to an emergency  c section.  With all that said at 2:35pm we all made a collaborative decision to go ahead with the c section. 



My Rock



The team was so organized with the process Mike had his scrubs on and they were rolling me down to the OR in less than 10 minutes.  I did not even have time to call my family.  I think I sent some quick texts.  On the way to the OR I said "oh lord I am about to be a parent in a few minutes." Once in the OR the nurse anethesis (NA) came in and began juicing up my epidural and numbed me from my shoulders down.  She was great and began talking to me to distract me from the strange feeling room.  The doctors began testing my sensation and I could feel them.  I told them "PLEASE do not let me feel you cut my body open!!"  Mike was brought in to be by my side and the incision was made.  A c-section with an epidural is so strange.  I could feel them moving organs around, but could not feel sharp pain.  The NA talked me through each step, so I knew what was going on.  Suddenly Dr. M said you are going to feel lots of pressure and boy did I.  It felt like tons of people were pressing on my chest.  They announced there is his head and waterworks started for Mike and I. 

 We looked at each other going on my gosh this is it and then the Dr. M said it's definitely a boy and the most beautiful cries began.  Malcolm was brought into this world at 3:11pm.  Dad was not sure what to do because he did not want to leave my side, but was dying to see his son.  I had to tell him I was okay and he was up and taking about 100 pictures.  Once they were through checking Mac and giving him his awesome scores of 9/9.  He was swaddled up and given to his daddy which is when Mac immediately stopped crying.  All I could see was his head full of curly hair and at that point I actually thought it was strawberry blonde. LOL 

Mac you have already made your daddy and I better people.  We are madly in love with you! When you came into the world is was such a life changing indescribable moment.  It was like the moment we heard you cry and were waiting to see that precious face I couldn't breathe. 

Welcome to our crazy spontaneous world!!

24 hours old

XOXO,

Mom and Dad

Malcolm Raylynn Rigby has arrived!!

At 3:11pm on March 19, 2011 Malcolm Raylynn Rigby came into this world at 7lbs 10 oz!!!! 
Meet our little miracle!

 Hello World!!! Apgar score 9/9 (the doctors said they don't give tens) and he came out screaming, so I am sure he will be a singer like his mom! ;o)

If you only knew what was in my hair....

Meet my rock!! If delivery day is a testiment of the kind of father M will be then Mac is one lucky boy!  More to come on that in the birth story!

Thank you for all the prayers and kind words! We are so thankful to be surrounded by so many loving friends and family!

Love,

The Rigby"s

DC Baby Shower "Sweet new baby coming aboard!"



March 5, 2011

I know I say it a lot, but I am one lucky gal. 

I have been here a little over a year and have been blessed with amazing friends.  They hosted a lovely shower this past weekend.  The food was delicious and my favorite thing was the CUPCAKES!!!  I may or may not have eaten two a day since Saturday.....  They were the best cupcakes I have had in this area.  My sister in law Jamie and niece Mae came down from New York and two of my best friends Ashley Brown and Jessica Hopkins came in from TN and NC.  I have been touched through this whole pregnancy with kindness and generosity by many wonderful people. 

Mac is one lucky boy!

Ashley and Jessica

Mums for the new "mum" as said by my New England gals and of course the CUPCAKES!!

My mother in law and Hillary had these adorable thank you notes made with my maternity pictures!

This was to funny to watch!  The girls had to race drinking out of a baby bottle.

My mother in law Suzanne and I

Jodi and Lia my former work besties!

The perfect Hostesses!

Thank you ladies!

Love you all!!

I can't wait for Mac to be touched by each of you!

Good Boy

Mac gave me my Valentine's Day present today!!! He let us get a sneak preview of his face.  I think it is a good sign of how well he is going to mind his momma. 

Mac weighed 5lbs 11oz and his heart rate was 149 today.  I am still having irregular contractions.  Mac has hair on his head.  I think he is less active and hopefully sleeping at night because I am not waking up near as hungry as before. 

 Look at those chubby cheeks!!!

Can't wait to hold you sweet boy in 5 weeks or less!!!!

Stay tuned for nursery pictures.....

Happy Love Day!

This is our last V-Day without kids! 

We do not really make a big deal out of Valentine's day.  I told Mac this morning that all I wanted from him was to let me see his precious face tomorrow at our last ultrasound.

Mike surprised me early with the Iphone 4

picture from:  http://themaclawyer.typepad.com/

and I baked him a homemade Apple Pie!  I even made my own crust! 

Apple Pie is Mike's FAVORITE dessert. 

At our wedding we had these

Mini Apple Pies instead of a groom's cake because at the time that was the only dessert he liked.

This is the pie in the making.  Most of you know I am not the most domestic wife on the block which is why this meant even more to Mike.  Everything was going perfect until I needed a rolling pin.  Can you guess what I used instead??? HAHA  This also gives you a good idea of how small kitchens are in the big city. ;o)

Oh and the pie turned out GREAT!!

I can't wait to have two Valentines next year!!!

Love you baby daddy!!!

Updates on Life

• Mac looked great at our Non-stress test (NST) and Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) on Tuesday!  We have been having those weekly since 32 weeks leaving each time with a good report.
• His head is way down and they let me know small CONTRACTIONS have started!!!!  I havn't noticed them, but I was very excited to hear my body is starting the process on it's own.
• Still working out about 3 days a week and weight gain total as of last week 17 lbs!! (healthy range for normal BMI is 25-35lbs)  I was hoping for the low end of that range and as of right now I should reach my goal.  I am very pleased with my 17!  Mac should be weighing almost 5 lbs now.  I have noticed some first trimester symptoms returning at times.  We have our last big ultrasound next Tuesday. 
• Work mess breakdown-  I found out two weeks ago that the rehab companies where I work are changing.  The building wants to keep our entire rehab team and the new company led us to believe they were going to make the switch easy effective March 1st.  I immediately had such a sick feeling come over me.  This would happen a month or so before I am due with our first child. The past 9 months I have planned my maternity leave, insurance, and PTO all to spend precious time with Mac.  The new company did none of the above.  They low balled "me only" an offer and asked for a two year commitment with no maternity leave.  To be honest I was devastated at first about the possibility of them messing up my time I had planned with our little boy and second at the principal of it all.  How did he make that offer to 8 1/2 months pregnant woman and sleep that night????  They did knowing I would not accept it and they would not have to pay my benefits while I am off.  It is 100% discrimination and I have since found out this type of thing happens frequently to women in the workplace.  It just makes me SICK!!  So no corporate America I will never accept such an offer in my industry!!
• Mike to the rescue- Thank God for my amazing husband!!!  I cannot explain the level our marriage has gone to during this pregnancy.  I cannot wait to see how even more in love we will be once our little boy is here.  Mike has our insurance figured out and finances for me to be off for 6 months.  If you know me there is no way I will be able to not work for even two months.  I love what I do that much.  I am going to do PRN work until I deliver.  Once Mac is here we will see where life takes the Rigbys!!!

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Showered with *LOVE*

This past weekend I flew home to Tennessee and had a huge baby shower in my hometown Bolivar.  The airport was interesting I had lots of comments (congrats, should you be flying?, I can't believe you are 8 months, etc).  TSA did not even pay attention to me in security because they were to interested in my baby belly.  I will really miss the perks of pregnancy!  

Anyways back to the shower it was at one of my best friends from high school's shop Greenberry Bright.  The shower was perfect and I was overwhelmed with all thoughtfulness of all these people that helped shaped me throughout my early years.  I am so blessed and I try to not go a day without realizing it.  I had friends drive from all over just to see my belly and spend time with me.  We talked every night until at least midnight and woke up the next morning and talked some more.  It was the PERFECT grown up girl's weekend.  Mac was well taken care of with all his gifts and we feel much more prepared. 

Leaving my parents was emotional and exciting.  It is really hard to explain, but I think it has alot to do with me being the baby in the family.  I have always been the young cool wild and free Aunt.  The next time I am home I will have a family of my own.  I am very ready and excited, but that other chapter in my life is about to end.  My dad got me with these words "You will always be my little girl."  Wow tear jerker!

These beautiful pictures were done by my bestie Amy Love!!! ENJOY!!

My Sweet Mom (MiMi) and I

8 months!

"No little boy will keep me from my heels!"

Mariellen Rigby

Pa paw and Haley Grace

Thank you to all of the hostess!!! It was such a wonderful event! I love you all!

7 weeks or less until Baby Mac is here!!!   

Already a stinker!

We had another ultrasound this past Monday.  Mac weighs 3 1/2 lbs at 31 weeks and is measuring right on time!  We wanted a 3d picture of his sweet face, but he had his arm and foot covering it.  While the lady was trying to get a picture he punched the ultrasound device over and over.  It was very cute!  Another funny at this ultrasound the first thing the lady pulled up to measure was his head.  She said "Wow that is a big head."  You can imagine what I am thinking.  Well, she kept saying this over and over and I was about to say I get the point.  Then she asked "When is your due date?"  I said March 23 and then she said "oh okay they had May 23, so his head is a normal size."  What a relief for me on d-day! LOL  She was right his head would have been massive for that age.  At this point I have one more two week appointment and then we are down to the weekly appointments.  I will also have one more ultrasound and starting this week a non-stress test every week.  I am going to be on a first name basis at the hospital.  I am pretty excited I will get to see Mac every week until he is in my arms.  This weekend I am flying to home sweet home for our first baby shower in Bolivar.  I cannot wait to see all of my sweet friends and family.  Leaving home will be an emotional one knowing the next time I walk through my parents door I will be holding our little boy. Wow that made me tear up just writing it.  I have girlfriends that are driving from all parts of TN and other states.  We are having a big sleepover and much need reminiscing.  2011 is filled full of new babies and weddings!!  At this point I have 6 to attend and could not be happier for each one of you guys and gals.  I cannot wait to post pictures of the outfit Mac will be wearing to the summer weddings. OMG it is so cute!! Have a great week everyone!!

Top 10 from 2010

2010 how life changing you have been!

Experiencing my first blizzard in our new city with 3 feet of snow!

Moving to our new home Washington, D.C.

Mike and I celebrated two years with a trip back to Nashville for my first Jimmy Buffett concert and along with it came the 1,000 year Nashville flood

Our annual NYC girl's trip!

First and not last trip to Boston

It's July and SURPRISE we are having a baby!

I have made wonderful new friends!

Miami and West Palm trip to Lindsey's house while preggo!

It's a boy!! Malcolm Raylyn Rigby "Mac"

I became and Aunt again to sweet Haley Grace Cherry!

Praise God for all the wonderful blessings from 2010!