More Pictures...

We were scheduled to have a photographer (friend of a friend) come over and take pictures of Carter when he was 6 days old, but she ended up coming down with a stomach bug.  The 2 big kids were at a birthday party with dad and little J was napping away, so I took my camera out and attempted a few fun pictures to remember his itty bitty features and expressions that grow and change so quickly.  You will have to excuse my long display of pictures, you certainly can not expect a mom to pick her favorites... Anyway, who can resist a newborn picture?

 

Welcome Carter!

Our anticipated day finally came, three days late that is!  While our home front was a bit bumpy a few days leading up to the celebrated day (with the kids getting sick & an unexpected scare of my dad going to the hospital to get a couple of stints put into his heart), everything ended up working out and the end result of our newest baby was perfect!  My dad seems to be doing good and our older kids were healthy by the time we took little guy home.  God really does have a place in time for everything!

We made it to the hospital with plenty of time and were welcomed with open arms by the staff as I was the only patient currently checked in the maternity ward... He was the 3rd baby to be born there, the first boy!  We walked the halls for about an hour, got an epidural and waited/rested a couple of hours until it was time to push.  Three contractions (~12min) later we had our beautiful baby boy in our arms... I really LOVE epidurals!!!  Welcome to our family, Carter!

Carter Andrew 7lbs 9oz, born on Sunday Feb 20, 2011 @ 11:08AM

He is perfect & looks JUST like Joshua!

Lots of family and friends came to visit. G&G B...

...And G&G R!

The hospital was really nice and new- They even fixed me a steak and lobster tail dinner the evening that Carter was born.  The desert was my favorite! 

Mike was as proud as ever!

So was I!

The whole process is just as amazing the fourth time around as it is the first time! 

We finally got to see what he looked like!

Proud brothers all around!

We found him with his hands folded in his lap.

After our 48 hour hospital vacation, he was ready to go see his real home!

3 days old, we were able to catch him with his eyes open.

I think he likes his new home!

Krispy Kreme

I will share a little secret... The summer after college I was a weight loss resident camp counselor for kids in San Diego and on Tues nights Krispy Kreme had a buy one box get one free, so what do you think us counselors would sneak into our staff lobby?  You betcha, we would have a weekly binge of these super indulgent donuts!  We certainly made sure none of our campers ever knew about it, but it was the first time I had ever experienced a Krispy Kreme donut in my life and I was hooked... For the summer at least.  As counselors, we typically taught 3 exercise classes per day, dealt with the emotional and physical needs of our 12-13 year old campers and ate the same food (weight loss food) as the kids (we were allowed to go back for seconds), but you can imagine that by the end of the day we wanted and needed more.

Since that summer, 8 years ago (gulping as I am counting years!) I have rarely had another Krispy Kreme, but every time I have, it brought me right back to that summer.  When I saw a field trip posted for Krispy Kreme in our Mom's group newsletter, I was super excited except for the fact that it was on the day before my due date- I thought there was no chance I would be able to go.  Guess what?... We made it!

 Trying to patiently wait for their turn at the tour!

 Hummm, not sure he should be allowed to eat a donut, he looks ornery enough without the sugar!

 Little J was just happy to have a hat!

 Yay, it is our turn... Look at all the 'donut factory' equipment!

 Yum, it smelled good in there!

 Here is the dough mixer, big J wanted to lick the beaters...

 The fun stuff... Chocolate & Sprinkles!

 They were able to give a spin at dipping and sprinkling...

 K really liked the big bowl of sprinkles.



At least we have some fun things to do while patiently waiting for new little guy :).  

Twins! ...And Happy Valentine's Day

No we did not have twins, but at only 15months apart K & little J are at a point that I get asked if they are twins all the time.  They share a room and do just about everything together these days.  They have quite the conversations when they are trying to fall asleep...

"Jakey, say Baa Baa"
"BAA, BAA"
hysterical belly laughs...

"Jakey stop screaming, I need to go to sleep"
"AAAAAHHHHHHH"
"STOP, IT- AHHHHHH"

"Love you, Jakey"
"Wovver"

Even though Kyle is quickly becoming a 'Big Boy', they have always been grouped as the 'babies', I wonder how the new baby will change this dynamic?!  They seem to get along so far and share well with each other.  Here they are at bath time-

Post-bath time, who is bigger?

 K may be longer, but J is definitely stockier!

 Splashy fun

Happy Valentine's Day!  We went to cookie decorating party and it was just too fun to watch a 2 year old decorate and eat his own creation! 

"You mean, I get to put as much frosting on as I want?!"...

 "If that is the case, I will just lick the knife- so much easier!"

 "Yum!"

Indoor Fun and Dog Pile

Previous to the recent warming weather trend, we had been stuck inside for most of the days during the past 2 weeks because of the cold weather.  The kids and I went stir crazy... I was psycho-cleaning lady and the boys were their active selves constantly looking for something fun to do.  We did manage to come up with a few fun ideas along the way-

 Fort building is quite common in our house, but this day we made our biggest fort ever... 

 We used most of the blankets in the house and it took up half our family room!

 After a trip to Costco, boxes became anything the kids cared to make them into... This train was a big hit.

 After cleaning out the activity closet, I found last years Easter eggs and we had many 'indoor egg hunts'.  The kids had fun finding toys from around the house that fit inside the eggs so that they would get a prize after searching for the eggs. 

 Kyle took claim over this Jack-O-Lantern bucket also found in the closet.

 Jackpot... They won their own toys!  By the way, did you notice our new red wall in the kitchen... That was a last minute nesting project, we love it!

 My favorite indoor moments were the cuddles, book readings & occasional movies on the couch. 

 Awe, everyone wants to sit next to little J, his is so cuddly.

 And kissable too!

 Visitors are always nice when you are cooped up.  The kids played dress up all evening... They turned one bedroom into a fire station and one into a hospital, they collaborated a big stuffed animal rescue. 

 And this was the surprise first thing in the morning dog pile... They haven't ALL done this in a long time- they must sense what is coming!  Boys are wonderful :)!

Lazy Jakey

So the count down is really on... We took a tour of the new hospital and it is gorgeous and still only 7 minutes away (that means only 1 contraction in the car :)  We can deliver there if baby doesn't try to get out before Monday morning, please hold off baby! The weather was perfect and made me want to get out for a walk, but I resisted and just sat in the back yard basking in the sun watching the boys and Mike play- It was one of those moments that you wish you could freeze and remember forever... I think everyone enjoyed the fresh air and warm sunshine! 

We set up the swing about a week ago and guess who immediately took claim over it?  Little J... He is such a lounger.  He gives the best hugs and love to cuddle, he just couldn't help himself when he saw the big soft papasan swing sitting there looking at him.  He climbs in a few time a day to rest his weary head, I hope he is willing to share when new guy comes!  This particular picture was taken during Super Bowl Sunday and this is where he would stop to catch up on the game every so often. 

I think he could fall asleep in here if we let him.

 He technically does not exceed the weight limit!

 We love you Jakey... It seems he has grown up so much just in the last month, it is hard to believe he will be a big brother within the week! 

Hospital Hopes...

OPEN, OPEN, OPEN... hands winking open & closed! 

I never thought I would be saying this so close to my due date, but we are hoping and praying that I can keep this baby inside for a few more days...  Why you may ask?  A hospital renovation is taking place literally down the street from us (7 minutes of residential driving, I timed it on my way to my apt on Tues & that was @7:45AM and I hit both red traffic lights that were on the way!).  They are scheduled to open next Monday and they will now feature a maternity ward!  The other option I have is about a 30-40 minute city drive (possibly a lot more if it is rush hour traffic).  Little J, came so quickly my biggest fear is to have a roadside baby. 

Big J took ~8 hours of labor, K took ~6 hours and little J was in my arms in just under 1 hour of strong regular contractions.  What time frame does that leave for littlest guy?!  Similar to Jakey's later pregnancy, I currently experience many Braxton hicks throughout the day, which will make it hard to gage which ones are the real contractions. 

So while my nesting is in full fledged mode to get every corner of the house cleaned, organized & simplified and my mommy guilt is driving me to spend as much one on one time with each child before the chaos begins, I am trying to stay relaxed and rested to keep baby inside... No labor walks for me until Sunday afternoon! 

A common nickname for each of our boys has been 'Love Man'... This little guy could be true to his future name if he is born on Valentine's Day (opening day :)), maybe we could even have the first baby born there and maybe they would even pay for it as a celebration- ha, ha?!  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN! 

This baby will come when he is ready... Ha, he will probably be 2 weeks late just to rub it in our face that we can't technically plan this out perfectly! But, this is our hospital hope.