Our baby girl is here!

The day finally came, and our new little baby girl is here. She seems healthy and happy and Alissa is feeling better by the hour. For now we've posted a few pictures at ryanandalissa.com. We'll have much more in the next day or two, but this should give the grandmas and great-grandmas something to see for the time being.

Nesting, with help

My mother-in-law, Janet, has been here this week in anticipation of the new baby (tomorrow!!!), and she has helped me get my house in order. "Helped" may not be the right term, though, as I did little more than point out what could stay and what could go.

Here's to neat closets, organized drawers and clean cupboards! (If I had before and after pictures this would be even more impressive.)

The newest Mr. and Mrs. Packer!!!

Brad got married this weekend, and a good time was had by all. It was a great wedding; I don't think I have ever seen two bigger smiles in the sealing room. Congrats Brad and Alisha! A bonus for us was that we got to see Greg and Lauren and the twins. Kate and Ethan are pretty darn cute, and good babies to boot!

She's a stubborn one...

We gave it the old college try. In fact, we gave it three tries. But the girl likes her home as it is. After the three version attempts her head had moved from my right upper quadrant to my left upper quadrant, but wasn't going any farther. Before we had even left the hospital she had slid back into her happy place. So, that leaves us with a C-section on August 29th at 3 pm. The more I've learned about c-sections, the less excited I am. But on the bright side, here are few of the bonuses:

1) Breech babies don't sit on your bladder, so you can hold it almost like a normal person

2) You get to pick her birthday, and think about things like whether or not she will be the oldest or youngest in her grade

3) No middle of the night awakenings and rushing to the hospital

4) You can't lift anything over 10 pounds for six weeks (who knew it took so long to heal???) so you get to ask your husband to help you with all kinds of things

5) You only have to be pregnant for 38 weeks and 6 days

6) No labor, no tearing. Just nice and neat incisions (think positively, think positively)

In other news, on Saturday I got to see my friends Megan and Amber from med school. Megan flew in from LA to throw me a fantastic baby shower. Hats off to Megan, Amber and Keri who went all out to make this a memorable day. And extra props to Keri who hosted it at her house despite an unexpected family emergency. You guys are the best. I got all kinds of great practical
things off my registry that I have been wanting--a diaper gene, car mirror, baby soap, a swaddler and a robe just to name a few. Plus some great books, outfits and music. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Celebrating the "bun in the oven"

Alissa and Alyssa

Megan, Amber and Kami

Keri, looking amazingly calm

Full Term

Yes, that's right. Despite all my worrying we have made it to 37 weeks! So, the baby can come any time now.

We are almost ready for her...things left to do:

1) a name
2) finishing touches on the nursery (this is taking WAY longer than we anticipated, but I think we are very close)
3) pack the hospital bags
4) install the car seat
5) get her to flip!!!

She is still breech, so tomorrow we go in for a procedure called a version, which as far as I can tell means that my OB mashes on my belly and tries to get her head down. If it works, great. If it doesn't, we'll schedule the c-section for the end of August. Either way, she's coming soon.


Last week I had a wonderful shower from my friends in my ward. It was the perfect evening, and everything was beautiful. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera! I feel so badly, because I would have loved to post some pics. But thanks to everyone who put the shower together--I had a really great time.

Hodge Podge

Here's a collection of photos from the past few weeks, plus some pictures from the ultrasound. She is getting bigger, so the ultrasound isn't as good as the last time. The little one has decided she likes to be close to the action, and is still breech. We're hoping she'll flip before it gets too late.