Liam's First Days

Getting his footprint taken by nurse Jane


First bath


Getting cuddles from cousin Karsyn


Getting ready to go home


The big arrival

Liam Brooks Ragan's Birthday

I will write a more detailed post about Liam's arrival soon, but in the mean time, wanted to post some pictures from his birthday. We are so enamored with our little man, and can't wait to introduce him to you all.

All the Best,

Bryant, Becca, and Brooks

The End is in Sight...

Today we had another appointment to check on my blood pressure. It was still borderline high, so the doctor suggested we schedule an induction for early next week. We are scheduled to go into the hospital Monday at 7:30am. Ideally, we will go into labor naturally over the weekend, and I, along with Bryant and many others will be praying earnestly for that to happen. We know the Lord has a perfect plan for our little one, and we find peace in that.

As always, I will do my best to keep the blog and facebook updated with any news.

Thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers and support! We truly can't wait to introduce you to our little guy!

Love,

Bryant, Becca, Brooks, and Big Sis, Mali

The Weekly Update

We had another check up today. The bad news is, I am back to 1cm dilated (the midwife kind of pushed me to a three last week), the good news (sort of) is that the doctor said she really doesn't want me to go past my due date due to my blood pressure. So, that means we should be parents within the week (my due date is Thursday, April 23rd). We are praying that labor happens spontaneously, before induction is even considered or scheduled.

I have to go in on Friday to have my blood pressure re-checked and the doctor will probably make the call in that appointment.

The best news is that our little one is looking great. His movement, size and heart beat are all perfect and he is in great position for delivery. I can't tell you how excited I am to squeeze his little toes and smooch on his yummy cheeks.

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. We love you all and can't wait to introduce you to little Liam Brooks.

Love,

Becca, Bryant, Brooks, and Mali Burger

Still Preggo

Thank goodness for Facebook. With out the little update line, it would be so much harder to keep you all posted on any progress with our labor, or lack there of in our case.

After trying pretty much every trick in the book yesterday...yes, every trick, I had a few contractions, but nothing notable enough to call the midwife. I went to bed with an uncomfortable stomach (probably from the caster oil), and woke up around 1:00am with 2 big contractions, and nothing more.

Today, I stayed home from work and met Amy Jo for coffee in Basalt, then drove to Carbondale to meet my Acupuncturist at his house. Nancy, our midwife, said to try this, and if it doesn't work, we are going to take a break for a few days because, LB is obviously not ready to come out yet.

So, here I am, at home with 8 needles in my accupressure points, which include my ankels, feet and two on my hands. They are tiny and look like the wart removal bandaids. I have again, had a few contractions, went on a walk with my friend Emily, and will see where we go from here.

It was hard to start doing all of these "tricks" because I am an all or nothing kind of gal. I knew once the ball started rolling, I wouldn't want to stop until the goal was met (meeting our son), but I am also reminded regularly, that God is in control, and has his birthday already picked out. So, despite the full moon and major barometric change tonight, if he doesn't come tonight, he wasn't meant to.

Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, calls and comments. They all mean so muh to us.

The Ragans

Waiting Game...

Today we had a great check up with our midwife. I went into the doctor's office and was still at a one and 50% effaced. The doctors and my midwife are all borderline concerned about my blood pressure. I walked out of the office at three cm dialated, and the baby is at negative one station, which means he has started his descent into the birth canal. We are really praying things continue to progress and we get to meet him sometime tonight or tomorrow.

We will update the blog with any exciting news.

All the best,

The Ragans

A Little Excitement

On Friday, Bryant and my brother, Trevor stopped by my office to join me for lunch. Before I knew it, the guys, including my boss, were placing bets that I would deliver by Sunday...and over the weekend, I thought they might just be right.

Friday night Bryant and I laid low, watched a movie and went to bed semi early. Saturday we woke up early and went to the gym. I hopped on the treadmill, and then swam for a while. Afterwards we went into Aspen and Bryant dropped me off for an appointment with my dear friend, Autumn. Around 3:30, we headed home to watch the final four (Bryant is a HUGE Carolina fan, as you can imagine). Throughout the game, I started to feel some contractions, but they weren't painful, so I got up and took the dogs for a short walk to see if I could get them to pattern out. When I got back to the house, I sat on our fit ball for a while, and sure enough, the contractions started coming at a regular pace. Bryant started writing them down and before we knew it, they had continued for nearly 4.5 hours at 3-5 minutes apart! Despite the textbook advice on calling the doctor when contractions are five minutes apart, we didn't have our hopes up, and having some experience working with laboring moms in the past, and with the constant advice of my sister-in-law/doula, we waited to see if anything progressed...and I hoped things would continue.

I eventually went to bed around 11:30, and was pretty uncomfortable all night, but nothing. Yesterday, I had a few contractions during church. I went to get my fingers and toes polished at Remede Spa, and asked the nail lady to rub my ankles (accupressure points to start labor). I had a few contractions, but only one that stopped me in my tracks.

Amy Jo met us at our house, and she and I walked about six brisk miles last night in hopes to get things going again, and again, a few contractions and...nothing. Bryant and I went to Mexican last night in hopes the spicy food would irritate things...the only thing it irritated was my heart burn.

So, I am back at work this morning...sitting on a fit ball, and praying for God's timing and not our own. I know he has our baby's birthday already planned out, and I rest in that...

For more babyville news, my friend from college, Katie had her little man on Saturday (she was one week ahead of me), and another great friend from college is going in to be induced this morning. So many babies due this month!!!

Until something else exciting happens,

Becca & Baby

Sympathy...Am I Really That Big?!

Today I went on a walk to run some errands in town. At this point, it is impossible for me to button my winter jacket, so I usually just let my belly hang out the front and fasten the one button that reaches around my chest (barely). I have a bright red sweater and jeans on, and my jacket is camel color, so my belly might be highlighted a little.

I had so many people give me, "that poor lady" look and several random people ask me when I am due and even reach out and grab my belly. It made me realize that I am severely pregnant, to the point that people make no reservations about touching my belly or commenting on its size, which I am positive they would never do to a non pregnant person.

What a crazy season in our lives...


Until the next adventure,

Becca