Introducing Rayleigh Marie Leutwyler

Rayleigh Marie Leutwyler made her debut on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 6:41am. She was a little bitty thing weighing in at 7 lbs even and 18 1/2 inches long.
We went into the Hospital Thursday night, close to midnight, after having contractions from my appointment on. We were admitted right away and I was dilated to a "strechy" 5 almost a 6. They put me on oxygen right away and I had to lay on my side. They said her heart rate was really fast, between 170-185 and didnt have much variability. It pretty much ran in a straight line on the monitor instead of jumping around a bit. Not a big concern. By 2:30 I was ready for my epidural, pain was getting pretty rough and I was super tired. By 3 I was at an 8, but my water had not broke yet. It was super bulgy and the nurse thought it would break at any moment and then the baby would be here so she cut down my epidural drip to basically nothing. Well, my water would not break and it was about 5:45 and I felt everything. She checked me again about 6:15 and I was complete so she called the doctor, who took his time coming. Finally, I was given the okay to push around 6:35 and my water broke and then with the next contraction I pushed and out came sweet Rayleigh in one fail swoop. We are home now and the boys are totally enamored by her, they will not leave her side and want to do everything for her. She is already on the path of spoiled little sister.

This is it!!!!

Okay, so I went to the doctor this afternoon and Rayleigh will be here tomorrow!!! I went in and was 4cm dialated. He asked about my contractions so I informed him of how many and often I have been having them. We decided to strip my membranes to try to give my body a little help. He told me I could have contractions right away and if I didnt have her tonight I could go to the ER at anytime as they would not turn me away. By the time I got home the doctor had called my house and told my mom if I did not have her tonight that I need to come in tomorrow morning after 7am and L&D would be waiting for me. He doesnt think it would take much of anything for me to have her, if he had to he would break my water and that is all it would take. So, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, Rayleigh will be here by tomorrow!!! Yeah, I am so ready and so excited!

Halloween pictures....finally

Our proud hunter

After seeing Logan's gear Kaleb realllllly wanted to be a cowboy. He is so cute!

Not the best picture of our crew, but here is our cowboy, construction worker and hunter.

They walked down the block and to the church (about 2 blocks away) for trunk or treat. Dusty was willing to stay out longer with them but they had there fill.

Our book worm

Logan loves to read, he just cannot get enough of it. He does such a great job with it too. At school he is already where they want the kids to be at the end of first grade. He has moved up two reading groups so far this year. They take AR tests and he is always ready to take his test. His teacher said if all her kids were like Logan she would have a very easy day. He will pull a book out whenever the opportunity arrises. When at school and they have a water and potty break, he does what he needs and then pulls out his book and reads until class begins again. When he gets home, other than playing outside it is his favorite thing to do. He will pull any book he can find and read it. One day he pulled out the bible and started reading Genesis. Not sure how much he understood, but he was doing it. That made us very proud to say the least. The other boys even go to him to read them a story before them come to us at times. If you can't tell, we are very proud of our little boy.

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A quick update on me and baby, no change. I am 3 cm dialated and 85% effaced. I had contractions every 5-10 minutes last night, hoping it would be the night, but they faded away, again. No matter what happens we will have our little girl next Tuesday. I am still hoping and praying she comes naturally on her own before that time.

Leutwyler Stubbornness

Leutwyler stubbornness, that is what this little girl has. I think she is enjoying causing me to be miserable. I am still having contractions, late this afternoon and tonight they have been between 10-15 minutes apart still. My stomach muscles hurt so bad, my back hurts and my calf muscles hurt from all of the charlie horses I have been having and I am exhausted. I am so ready to be through with this part of things. A lot of my family is saying she is waiting to be born on my birthday, which is Friday. I hope she comes very very soon, even if that means we end up sharing a birthday. I don't think I can handle this for two more weeks when my induction is scheduled. Sorry for the whine fest, anyone have some cheese they can spare??? So, anyway, still no baby, please keep us in your prayers, I could use some right about now.

Qucik update

Just wanted all to know there is still no baby. I am still having contractions but they had tapered off a bit. Dusty wouldn't let me walk or do things to keep them going and strengthen them because he was afraid of the wrath of Nana if I had the baby before she arrived. She is here now so he says I can do whatever I want, and I have been. I have been staying super busy today doing things I probably shouldn't but am ready to meet her and get my body back. I will try and get on before we head to the hospital, whenever that may be.

Will this be the weekend Rayleigh makes her debut?

So, I just wanted to write a quick update. I went to the doctor yesterday and I dialated just a little more, now at 2.5 cm, but my cervix has ripened quite a bit, went from 0 to 80% in a week and she is engaged. I have had contractions about 10-15 minutes apart all day and they are begining to become a little stronger. Rayleigh may just decide to make her grand appearance this weekend. If this is the case, I am more than ready. I will try to keep you updated and write a note before we head to the hospital if I can.
Also, pics of the boys halloween will be coming soon. I need Dusty's help and he has been working crazy hours this week. Love to you all!