Welcome To The Family Little Ricky!

He is here!! He is finally here. Well, after a long 9 months and years before that of waiting and wanting this little guy to arrive, Richard Jennings Shumway (that will be known as Little Ricky) finally outgrew his mommy. He was delivered 6/7/09 at 10:49am and weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 9oz. See, I was huge!!!!

I was praying on Saturday that Ricky would come within hours of Rick and Jakie getting back from Utah, as I was huge, miserable and in quite a lot of pain. I guessed it was the full moon that did it, but in retrospect it may have been my walking through Sam's and WalMart for hours shopping and trying to get labor started that did it.

My water broke at 3am and we got everyone up, took Jakie to a friends house and headed strait to the hospital. My doctor wanted me there immediately because he knew that this was a big baby and wanted to have the option of a c-section (I suspect). I got to the hospital at about 3:45am and that was almost exactly when the real contractions hit. I was dying as they got me admitted and by the time I was in my delivery room I was miserable. I thought I would be able to handle them better considering I did it for 11 hours with Jakie before an epidural, but nope. I was in full labor and though it took another 6 hours to deliver, the labor moved pretty quick. I got the epidural just in time and thank the lord for medicine. I bow to the ladies that do kids natural. I wish I had the strength but I didn't think that anyone blamed me since the little guy turned out to be not so little.

My doctor took me through the delivery with trepidation fearing that Ricky may not be deliverable without a c-section, but my body did it. I am amazed that I was able to do it now that I know that he was as large as they thought. I figured maybe 9lbs, 5oz. or so. Wrong!! There were some funny/scary moments when the doctor had the head delivered and the shoulders got stuck. He screamed at me to push and then with hysteria screamed for the nurse to get on me and push with me, and said push damn it!!! Yep, he said damn it. I had amazing doctors and I am so glad that we are with his practice. We were famous on the labor unit because we had the largest baby in months and the nurses said that they could pick Ricky out of a crowd because he was by far the larges there.

We got home on the 9th and I have just been recovering. There is a huge difference between delivering a 9lb baby and a 10.9oz baby! I am on the mend though and am actually more comfortable right post delivery than I have been since about month 6. I feel better and aside from minor aches and pains, the joy of having Jakie and Ricky in my arms is overwhelming! I am so grateful for the lord giving us another beautiful, funny, loving and healthy little boy.

I was afraid that after Jacob no one could compare but little Ricky is so much like his big brother in every wonderful way. He eats like a champ, he is calm and sweet, he loves to snuggle, and he seems content to let his big brother kiss and hug him all day. We will see what energy he has as he grows. Jacob got his energy going right at about 6 months and truthfully, I sure hope Ricky is a bundle of energy too. We will take him however he comes though.

Well, Jacob seems happy despite a few moments of concern for the attention shifting, but as we have gotten home and things are a little more normal, and mommy and daddy still hug and kiss him, he seems content and happy that Ricky is part of the family for good.

We feel so blessed and wish we were around to show him off so I will post tons of pictures to the blog often so that no one misses any of the growth of either of the boys. Thanks for the messages and calls, etc. from everyone that has heard already. We sent out picture texts to everyone in our roster on our phones so we hope they got through. If they did not, we will call soon and love you all!

Such a good Husband!

Well, I have to blog this so Rick still believes that I love him! I have been a bit of a beast this last few days. I feel horrible, but I have just been feeling so freaking miserable. I hate being pregnant and I hate being in pain. I am swelling now and having joint pain so I am wondering what the DR will tell me at the next appointment on Tuesday.
I tell ya, if I were not sure that this beautiful baby inside of me was totally worth it and if I did not love him with all of my heart I would have broken down a lot sooner.
Last night was one of many sleepless nights but definitely the worst. I seriously think the baby wants to come and he lets me know daily. I bet at this point he is over 7+ lbs and just so crammed in there. I have a body pillow that I sleep with, a pillow for my back, a pillow for my head and if one of those moves even a bit, I am in pain. Poor Rick has to rub my back every night so that I can just get to sleep, but with all the bathroom trips at this point, I get maybe an hour at a time. I hear about women that have great pregnancy's and are sad when it is over and they sound like aliens to me! I have already practiced my happy jig I am going to dance when I can get up after delivery. So the baby should be here in about 3.5 weeks, but I am sure hoping for about 2 weeks. He is already breathing with his lungs and circulating the amniotic fluid so his lungs are in great shape, he is big enough and by the feeling of his kicks, he is strong enough. I say, get here little guy (if it is safe!!!).
In the mean time, I am just preparing for our court case on Monday with our bum land lord. He tried to deffer the case for a week or two but the clerk remembered me and how hugely pregnant I am and knew that I was due soon. She spoke to the judge and he denied the continuance for the Jerk and said if I could get there hugely pregnant, no emergency for him should be harder! I love when people see through the bull and shoot strait. I am excited to face him in court and see what this judge says.
Aside from that, I am slowly, very slowly working on the house. Craigslist is my best friend. I have sold so much stuff that is just extra trying to get more room in the apartment. I am sewing curtains, crib stuff, doing laundry, matting photos, organizing our junk, etc. I am definitely in the nesting mode! Unfortunately for me I am slow and tired and I cant even get 1/4 of what I want done finished during the day. This weekend will have to be setting up the crib, putting out the clothes, etc. I am kinda excited for that. It makes it feel real and soon.
Rick leaves for 3 days at the end of the month for work so I sure hope that I am done with what needs finishing by then. I so don't want to have to wait until the baby is here to feel organized. I just want to rest and enjoy family and the baby once he gets here.
Wish me luck on the endeavors over the next few days. I cant wait to hold my children near and adore them with Rick! We love many things in our lives, but I definitely think that our children are the best parts of us and our lives!

Little Ricky Update

So, for everyone wondering how the baby is baking well, he is doing just fine. Actually, he is doing really fine. We went in for our 32 week appointment a few weeks ago and were immediately sent for an ultrasound. The Dr. said that I was 32 weeks and measuring 37 weeks. Yikes! I knew I was huge but I did not think I was 5 weeks larger than normal. The Dr. said he wanted to be sure that our dates were not off, that there was only one and also to check the baby's size. Well, we went in a week later for the ultrasound and Ricky looks good. He is HUGE, but he is good. At 33 weeks the Dr. that did the ultrasound said that Ricky measured 6.5 lbs. Holy crap! He is huge. Most babies are 5.5 lbs at 35 weeks or so. This little guy is probably about 7lbs already and looks super healthy. I get miserably sick and hate life while I am pregnant, but I sure can bake them cant I! At our 34 week appointment on Tuesday our Dr. said that Ricky is in the 90+ percentile. He is probably going to be over 10lbs if I make it to 39 weeks. They said that they would not induce before 39 weeks unless it was becoming unsafe for him to be inside, but so far, things look great. Jakie was 8.15oz a week early so I figured that Ricky was going to be about that size or a bit bigger. Well, I figured right. He is kicking me a lot harder than I remember with Jacob too. Man, I am curious to meet this little fella. He moves all day, loves to sit on my bladder, is quite irritated when I am hungry, kicks me in the ribs when I am sitting still and moves every time he hears Ricks voice. I love that part. (I hope he is like Jake that way. Jacob is a 50/50 mama, daddy's boy. He does not favor either of us more than the other. He wants to be with Rick as much as me and I think it is because Rick has been so hands on. Rick takes him out with him and has since he was an infant. He gets the same shake with either of us. We are hard on some things and softies on others so he cant really play us against each other. I hope we keep that up for Ricky because I love to see our little ones love their dad that way. Rick is such a wonderful example and I want the kids to learn his best qualities. I think exposure to Rick all of the time with be the key on that one).

Well, for now, it is just a waiting game. I just have to keep doing, eating, and thinking well. I still get quite sick, cant sleep anymore, I am huge and my belly hurts from all of the movement. That all sucks, but the swelling is the worst. I just feel huge! I told Rick that I feel like the mama goats at the petting zoos. You know, the poor goat that has her belly so full of baby that you can see the baby moving inside of her and actually tell where the hoofs are as the baby thrashes. Yep, that is me! They have a face they make that I remember thinking, yep, I hear ya sister! I don't want to be a goat anymore!!!! I am ready for this little one to be done already. I am putting my money on the 1st week of June though he is due in the second. I just don't think that there is enough room for this rough and tumble baby to stay for the full 40. I guess we will see.

P.S. that baby bump is a dead ringer for me! Man, I cant wait to get back on track and swim, eat lettuce and not hurt all day! It is all worth it though. I know when I see his little face that I will be madly in love for the third time in my life.

Rick's New Job!!

So, Rick is pretty modest and would not tell about his fantastic opportunity he has received unless asked so I thought I would announce it to our friends and family. Rick completed his first year of the fellowship with was a rotation between all of the major Administrative departments (finance, operations, executive, etc.) He spent a few months in each area doing projects, working with executives, etc for a total of about a year and then each fellow gets to work on a 2nd year job. They actually get to step into a varying level of leadership in the organization that allows them further experience and offers them the chance to do it for a full year as opposed to just a few months. The job opportunity depend on your contacts made, experience, and what is open when you finish the first year. It is something that is offered to them, but definitely something that the fellow can design or negotiate with his superiors so that they get to work in areas that are of interest and hopefully will give them the experience and leadership they desire. Well, Rick has had the opportunity to work closely with many fantastically talented executives and directors at UPMC and was really hoping for something that would stretch him and allow him to gain a higher level of exposure in the organization. Needless to say, that true to form for Rick, he aimed high and was a great achiever. I have been amazed at how Rick is so motivated, hard working, personable to work with and love hearing the positive feed back that is offered to him. I have to prod it out of him, but he lets me read the e mails sent to him by his superiors and they are nothing short of impressive. He will die when he reads this, but I can brag cant I. I am as invested in his career as he is and I am not quite as modest. J/K. Well, when his second year opportunity came up it was as a administrator in the GI lab over 2 hospitals (I think. I cant remember these titles exactly). If I got that wrong I a sorry babe. Essentially, he gets to oversee everything in that department, hire, fire, run the budget, he is currently overseeing a multimillion dollar renovation for a lab, he works directly with a mentor leader that he really respects, he deals with the extremely talented doctors that are quite renowned in his department. It is very challenging but UPMC had really given him room to work on this project and instilled full confidence/authority to him. I think it is on of the larger jobs offered to a 2nd year fellow in the fellowship history so I am so proud of him. What I love best is that he has not only received the support of the upper administration, he is getting offers for help from every level of admin that he has worked with. Many of the directing nurses, directing doctors, and others in similar level positions are offering their expertise to him as he should need it. I just love to see him thrive in is chosen profession and love to see it fulfill him. I am constantly shocked that he is so capable (not that I ever thought otherwise) on such a professional level and feel proud to be the wife of a man that works so hard for our family and future. I have had a many rough times while here in Pittsburgh with the sickness from pregnancy, missing family, missing the beach, missing friends, missing road signs that you can read, but I know that this was the right place to have come. I know that the lord guided us here to allow Rick the opportunities that we need to move ahead in his career and our stability. I am grateful every day that he steps up and does all that he does. Plus, he looks great in a suit, so I love seeing him off every morning. I work hard at home, do the bills, suffer for these babies to get here, and fill in any gaps needed as does he (rides, groceries, cleaning, calling etc) but I am so grateful that he was willing to take on the work/financial burden on his own. We have very different approaches, but I am grateful that the goal of our home is our family, children, and our stability so that we can just enjoy each other when we are together. Anyway, I just thought I would let you all know that he is doing just great since he will not boast or go into detail on things.

Update & "Uh Huh, Oh Yeah Song."

Sorry family & friends! I have been such a loser at blogging lately. I have missed out on lots of fun story sharing and hysterical antics as they go in the Shum fam here in Pittsburgh. I am about 7 months now (a week or so shy) and getting HUGE! Hate it!!!!!!!! Anyway, as I get more and more pregnant I get more and more tired & cranky about it. I never ever took naps before and now I live for them. I cant wait to be functional again! However, with the complaining out there, I must say, it sure is fun to get to know little Ricky. He is very active, likes to wake up around 8am then around 12pm and again at about 10pm or so. He will go for hours each time changing positions, thumping on me, and rolling into my bladder. TMI, I know, but it is true. I seriously hate that one. It sure is feeling a lot like Jakie was. I can"t wait to meet him.
So, speaking of Jakie, here is the Uh Huh, Oh Yeah Song, Enjoy:

We are not sure where he learned it, but he sure loves to sing it. He does it every time he beats me or Rick at the Wii. Yep, you heard me right, he plays the Wii. He can turn it on himself, maneuver through the menus, and select the games he wants. He gets onto the green in golf every time, he beats us at bowling too often and is awesome at the fishing game. This kid never ceases to amaze me. Well that is it for now. Lots more to update but I think I will do a few more entries before we head out to UT for a week. We Can't wait to see the family and enjoy the time with Dad. I will upload and blog from there too. Ciao!

We Found Out What The Baby Will Be:

So, after much anxiety and excitement, we have received the news about the baby.... It is a very healthy little...........BOY! Yeah! We could not be more thrilled. Check out the proof:












I feel confident that we would have felt the same way if it was a girl too. I just wanted a healthy little one. No matter what the gender was. But, now that we know, we can start calling him by his name.... Rick (Rickie). Actually, his full name will be Richard Jennings Shumway after Ricks dad, but we will call him Rickie, and then when he is old enough, Rick. I figured, why mess with a name if it is already so tried and true.

So, now it is time to just wait and grow. I am not huge yet, but it is definitely on the horizon. I am finally not sick all day every day so I am hoping to have the chance to swim each day to help myself feel better. I have been so sick and drained that doing anything killed. I cant wait to see him and hold him. The ultrasound pictures looked so similar to Jake's to me, so I think we could have another cutie on our hands! I just wonder if the hair will be red too! Oh man, I am in for it if it is. I am just sure that is the source of Jakie's spit fire personality that I love so much. Let me know if you see the similarities:






























All in all, we are thrilled. I will see if we can scan the pictures from the ultrasound and upload them into the blog for everyone to see. The little one is a mover so they were pretty clear but not crystal. Hopefully everyone can see them okay. They will be coming soon.

Where Have I Been In The Last 3 Weeks??

Hey everyone,

So, the last 3 weeks just got away from me! I spent January and the first week of Feb in El Paso, Texas helping my mom through surgery. She had bariatric (gastric bypass) surgery to help her control if not eliminate her severe diabetes. I was anticipating so much work but was just amazed at her resilience and ability to cope with things. Sure there were hard moments, but I expected so much worse. Never fails, when I expect the worst, I get the best. Mom did great and I was super excited to see her progress. She went in a few days after I got there and we stayed in the hospital for 4 days. I slept on a cot and my dad watched my son Jacob. Thanks Dad! He still talks about you every day. My brothers helped with the little guy and pulled together to get it all done. Mom got home on a Saturday and we just sat around and talked for days and days, working though feelings, memories, and talking about her future. Within a week she lost 15 lbs and by the time I left a week later she was down a total of 25+ pounds. How is that for results huh?

So much happened so I think I will fill this out further as the days go by and I remember funny stories, etc. Anyway, it was really fun to spend time with family and see everyone. I was sad to leave as always but ready to get back to life in Pittsburgh with Rick. He was very generous with Jakie and I so I wanted to get back, but sure miss the EPSO gang! Miss you guys tons and cant wait to see you all again soon.