Doodlebops

This last weekend, while Cary was at camp with our youth, my mom and I took Carson to see Doodlebops. My aunt, who works for a radio station here got us the tickets, but it really was a great (and actually impressive) show, and I would have gladly paid for them. Carson, although VERY tired (the show was at 1 PM on Sunday) was totally enamored with them and didn't blink for the first 45 minutes of the show. He had tears running down his cheeks to prove it. He was so funny. He would get so excited and then shake his booty to the music with a totally straight face. It was serious business! I was surprised to see that the actual actors did the show, and they really sang, and sang well! It was a great show for kids and parents alike. :) We had a great time and Carson didn't sit for the entire show.

Day 5

Today was my first day on my own with the boys, and I have to say it went considerably well! Granted, my hair didn't get fixed until well after 3 and I still don't have any makeup on, but I showered, and dishes got done and laundry got started. I even followed up on some things for youth that Cary asked me to. I got to spend some time playing with Carson while Caden slept, and then Caden slept while I got Carson down for his nap, and I even got to rest for a bit in between it all. I'm feeling pretty accomplished right now! :) AND!!! We're still getting good sleep at night! Caden is such a good baby!

Here are some fun pictures from this morning...

Hospital Pictures

I forgot to say that you can see Caden's hospital pictures here:

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=2J7F1U7G5H

and here:

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=9E4Q0L8G9O

If it asks for a password, it's our last name... Happy viewing! :)

PICTURES!!

Sorry I've taken so long to do this!! :) Things have been busy, and so much fun here! Carson is adjusting really well so far, and adores Caden, and Caden is such a mellow baby! He really only cries when he needs something, and so far is easily appeased. He is sweet as can be. I have to say that, so far at least, things are easier the second time around, and I am so thankful for that! Especially since the first time was fairly easy as well! Cary has been super helpful with the boys and with helping me get some rest and juggling the boys' needs, and last night we actually got 6 hours of sleep! That is just crazy with a 4 day old baby! :)

Thank you all for all of your prayers and well wishes, and for celebrating with us! We are so happy!!

Here are some pictures for you all! I promise to try not to take so long next time...













This picture cracks me up:

Caden Gary has arrived!!!

Caden made his appearance early this morning on February 15th at 12:29 a.m.! He is 7 lbs., 13.7 ounces, and is 20 inches long. He is sweet as can be and SO cute! I'm biased, of course! :)

Here's the story... Contractions started sporadically and kind of randomly at 4:30 p.m. on Valentine's Day, and at about 5:30, they suddenly became SUPER regular and changed to 2-3 minutes apart. Since it was snowing here and the roads were bad and we're an hour away, we decided to head to the hospital, rather than waiting to see if they would continue like that. Well, by the time we got to the hospital, I was pretty sure I was leaking fluid, and the contractions were still consistently close. They monitored me for about 30 minutes or so, and checked to see if I was indeed leaking - which was surprisingly painful - and sure enough, I was, so we were checked in, and things started moving quickly!! Within about an hour, I went from a 3-4 to a 6-7! We continued laboring, and the doctor fully broke my water around 11:30. I was still a 6-7 at that point, but 75% effaced, and then things really got going. Anyway, at 12:28 I told them I needed to push, and the doctor confirmed that I was ready and Caden was born 1 minute later! The doctor had one glove on, and no gown or anything...poor guy didn't believe me when I said it would be fast! :) Caden scored an 8 and 9 on his apgars, and aside from some light bruising on his face from being delivered so fast, he is absolutely perfect!! I'm doing well too, and didn't tear or anything...yay!! :) Carson loves his baby brother, and was the first to meet him. Even though it was VERY late for him, he wanted to hold Caden and hugged and kissed him. It was SO sweet! I'm so excited for Carson to get to see him again today.

They say we'll be discharged from the hospital on Saturday morning. The hospital internet blocks data hosting sites, so I promise I'll get pictures on here for you all to see once we're home. If you're desperate though, just email me and I'll send you a pic or two! :)

3 Days out and still here...

Well, I thought yesterday (the 13th) might have been it... I started contracting regularly at 2 p.m., and had an OB appt at 3:20. That appointment ended with, "well, looks like you'll have a baby tonight..." Needless to say, we were very excited and I was nervous. We kept up with our V-day dinner plans, which was very fun, and the contractions continued. It seems to have just been a teaser though, because it is now 2:50 a.m., the contractions have all but quit as of 1 a.m., and I'm awake and frustrated. If I can't be in labor, can't I at least sleep????? Oh well...I know he can't stay in forever...

10 days out & an awesome check up!!!

We had another check up today, and it was by far the best one I've ever had!! First, it was with the nurse practitioner - who I LOVE!! Then, I've lost another 2 lbs. Can't beat that... Then she checked me and in just 7 days, I went from high and closed to 50% effaced and dialated to a 3!!!! Can you believe that! Talk about fast progress!! THEN!!! She said that Caden is still floating high, so she wanted to do an ultrasound to confirm that he really is head down, so I got to see our little guy! :) SO fun! It was just a fantastic appointment! She said she could be wrong, but based on the fact that I progressed so much all at once, she doesn't think we'll go over due at all, so we'll see!

I plan on taking a belly picture before we leave for the hospital, but just to appease all of my "fans" :) Here are a couple of pictures that a friend of ours took for us at 37 weeks...







edit: The house is coming along great! Cary said today that if he could just get 3 good days of work, we'd be done...unfortunately, he does have to work, so it's coming in a few good hours here and there every day, but we're so close!! :) I still haven't seen it and cannot wait! :)