Ryder's Birth Story

Ryder Anthony was born August 23, 2018 at 11:22am, two weeks before his actual due date. He joined us weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20 inches long.  That’s a pound heavier than his brother who was a week late! I knew from the very beginning that Ryder was going to be a big baby and that he was going to come before his due date. I just felt it and like they always say, mama knows best.

​At 37 weeks, I started to lose amniotic fluid. My water didn’t break but it was a high leak, which means that the amniotic sac was punctured from up top and was leaking slowly. By 38 weeks, my fluid was so low they decided to induce me. I was a little nervous at first but I knew in my heart he was going to be just fine. 38 is full term but I would have liked to have gone into labor on my own like I did with Richie. The nice thing about being induced is that we were able to plan, set up everything for Richie and take our time getting to the hospital. It was a bit of a blessing really because we were able to officially say goodbye to Richie. We weren’t rushing to the hospital at 2am like we were the first time around. AND we were able to get these cute photos of him.  

That evening before we left, we stocked the fridge, took our time getting dressed and most importantly said goodbye to our sweet Richie before he went to sleep. We cuddled, watched TV and told him how much we loved him before putting him in his crib and saying goodbye. He really didn’t understand what was going on but we did and it was important for us to have that moment before we would become a family of four and everything would change. For all of us!
 
I cry as I type this because it’s nearly impossible for me to put into words what that moment was like. My heart was so heavy because I was so sad that it wouldn’t just be Richie anymore but also so full because I knew we were coming back with his best friend for life. Those emotions all at once are indescribable.

As soon as we got to the hospital, they gave me Cervidil to loosen my cervix, which worked slowly overnight. While it was working, Rich and I watched TV and talked about how excited we were to meet this little man. As I became more and more dilated, I used a medicine ball to help with the contractions and to bring the baby down. I highly recommend it. It helped so much. 

This photo was taken just after they induced me. 

By 8am, my water officially broke and two hours later, Ryder was born. I pushed for just 10 minutes this time. It was a breeze but I felt everything. I got a small dose of an epidural when my water broke that nearly wore off by the time I had to push.  And when they took Ryder out to hand him to me/lay him on my belly, he put his little arms out to hug me. My boy embraced me within seconds of his life on earth. That image of his little arms reaching out is one that will forever be ingrained in my mind. 
 
Ryder nursed within minutes of being born, just like his brother. He came out hungry and ready to eat. He didn’t poop on everyone like Richie did but he did pee all over the nurses once they took him from me for his first wash. What can I say, my boys like to eat and go to the bathroom. Ha.

My husband went home to take care of Richie after Ryder was born and the next day, he brought him to the hospital to meet his brother. I didn’t think I could be in the hospital alone without my husband who was there the entire time when Richie was born but it was so beautiful to be there alone with Ryder for the first few days so that we could bond. I also felt so much better knowing my husband was taking care of Richie and no one else. They have such a great time together and Richie was in his own home so it was perfect.

The boys meeting for the first time. Richie was so eager to hold him. It was seriously the sweetest . ​

Richie was born August 7, 2016 so my boys are almost exactly two years apart. You can read Richie’s birth story here. The best thing about Ryder’s Birthday is that the 23rd of August is the first day of Virgo. Richie is a Leo so even though their Birthdays are just two weeks apart, they are both different signs. Rich and I were happy about that but even happier that Ryder ended up being an August baby (Instead of September. His official due date was the 8th) because we can have joined birthday parties for them.

And then there was four!

Welcome to the world sweet Ryder. Our hearts are so very full.