It's JULY! How did I let the last six months get away from me? We're only a few weeks away from Carver's first birthday. I blinked! That's all I did, and BAM, my little squirt is turning one! This time last year we were getting ready to go camping and I was bummed I could only go for the day because I had been put on bed rest. Now we're getting ready to take Carver camping for the first time. Riley was only four months old on his first camping trip and could walk by the time the next year rolled around. We'll see how camping goes with a crawler. There is so much going on in our lives right now and some days I feel like I should be carrying around a video camera everywhere so I don't miss anything. I feel blessed to have been able to stay home for the last year and have been here for every little milestone. I can't imagine missing out on these things. Summer is making me so glad I have a nice big yard for the boys to run wild in. Riley is a ball of energy and tends to bounce off the walls with his friends if they can't go outside. He is loving the kiddie pool, baseball, soccer, and right now we're getting ready to spruce up the old swingset so the kids will have even more to do in the backyard. Yesterday was the fouth of July and we went up to Washington to watch my uncle and cousin set off very loud, and bright fireworks. My sweet little baby seemed only mildly interested in them and fell asleep in the midst of all the noise and slept soundly til morning. He amazes me daily, if not hourly. He has such a fun personality and a sweet demeanor. I'm hoping to start updating more often so I can look back years from now and remember all the things I'm likely to forget. Oh, if only life would slow down for a moment so I could take it all in!

5 months already!

Oh what a wonderful 5 months it has been! Carver is such an amazing addition to our family. Last month he started eating solids and is loving the variety. He is still nursing and growing like crazy. There is too much to cover in one entry and I have been so busy I forget this blog even exists. Carver is one of the happiest babies I know. He recently decided it's hilarious any time I yell or use my "mean mom" voice with Riley or daddy. He also thinks it's funny to bite me while nursing because it makes me yell. There is so much joy inside this little guy that he makes my heart melt every time he smiles (and that is a lot). Riley is really enjoying Carver these days. He's a lot more fun than that lump we brought home from the hospital and Riley thinks being a big brother is a pretty awesome job. I'm so proud of the concern and care he shows when it comes to his baby brother. I still can't believe it's been almost half a year since we met our youngest son! I forgot how quickly time flies. Riley is preparing to go to kindergarten next year and it seems like just yesterday we were getting anxious to meet him! I wouldn't mind at all if time slowed down a little so I could enjoy them this little just a tiny bit longer.

Welcome to the world Carver Elliott!

On Wednesday, July 27th at 7:47 am Carver made his grand entrance into the world via a c section. It isn't what I originally had wanted but it went well and I am happy with the choice I made. Riley stayed at my parents house the night before and Jeromy took me to the hospital at 5:15am the morning of the 27th. Once Carver had arrived he waited til I was out of recovery and went to pick up Riley to come and meet his new baby brother. They both spent two of my three nights in the hospital with me, and I was thankful to have them both so close. Saturday afternoon we all made the trip home and Jeromy was able to take Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday off to help me at home. He's been amazing and it's made this transition so much easier than I expected. Riley loves spending time with Carver, talking to him and snuggling with him. Carver is a pretty good sleeper and eats like a champ. I am looking forward to be taking off restrictions so I can start walking with the boys and some other moms. Carver is 13 days old today and such a sweet little guy. We all feel so blessed to have him here after all these months of waiting. I know this time is going to fly by and I am doing my best to enjoy it while it lasts. Getting no sleep can be hard, but in no time at all he'll be sleeping through the night and I'll miss his tiny face greeting me during the wee hours of the morning so I am thankful for every moment we spend together.

Sometimes plans change

Yesterday at my 36 week appointment I had an ultrasound. It was wonderful seeing our little man again. The tech pointed out some hair on his sweet giant head, and he slept through the whole thing. She estimated his weight to be 7lbs 7 ounces and he was measuring about 2 weeks ahead in growth. My doctor and I spoke in length about him being larger than average (92nd percentile) and we decided to schedule a c section for July 27th if Carver does not come on his own beore then. I would love to get my VBAC, but I also know the risks go up as Carver gets bigger and this will probably be the safest way if he doesn't arrive on his own before then. I am excited and nervous and really hope my body does things on it's own before the 27th but if not I feel I'm making the right choice for me and baby. During my appointment yesterday they measured my blood pressure 3 times and it was too high. I was sent to birthplace to be monitored for an hour and luckily it came down. This weekend was our annual camping trip but doc told me I'm on bedrest til at least Monday when she can see me again and check on my blood pressure. I will make a day trip, at least, with a friend but other than that I will be staying in bed growing our newest addition. Ri and Jeromy will hopefully have a great time up in the hills enjoying some bonding time. Right now, each day is one more day closer to meeting Carver. We are all so excited and grateful that right now he's safe and healthy. 19 days or less and we will finally meet the little man we've been dreaming about for so long.

Even the bad days aren't so bad.

Tomorrow I'll be 34 weeks pregnant. I'm tired, I'm sore all over, work is getting harder to deal with every day, and walking is a challenge in itself. I feel blessed. All these pains and difficulties are getting me closer each day to meeting Carver. I could whine all day about this stuff, but why? Soon I'll be holding him and introducing him to his daddy and big brother and our lives will never be the same. Sometimes I wonder if Riley really expects a baby to come from all this. To a 4 year old it must seem like I've been pregnant half his life. Lately I've had a lot of contractions and other discomforts and my doctor is happy to see I'm 50% effaced because it's a good sign that my body is prepping for the big day and gives me a better chance for a VBAC. Today when she measuring my belly it was measuring 37 weeks. Since baby has been measuring ahead a couple weeks and I have extra amniotic fluid this is to be expected and could mean I deliver a bit before my due date, but that's not a sure thing.  Except for a few small items we are pretty much set for Carver whenever he decides to make his grand entrance. I can't wait for him to meet all the amazing people in my life who have loved him from the first day they knew he existed. I feel like we were waiting for him even before he had been created, he was just waiting for the right time to bless us with his existence.

"Maybe it's because you like me this time."

     That is the comment Jeromy made when he realized how quickly this pregnancy is flying by. I have to admit, I DO like him more now than I did then. We were young, scared, and new at being in a relationship when I was pregnant with Riley. This time around we are older, wiser, married, and our lives are so much more stable. Becoming a mom again is still scary, but I know that no matter what we will make it through and come out stronger.
     On 5/26/11 we went in for a 30 week ultrasound because my belly was measuring 36 weeks and our doctor wanted to check on Carver's growth. I am happy to report that carver is healthy and growing strong measuring 32 weeks. Doctor estimates he is nearing 4 lbs and we will have one nice plump little man by the end of this pregnancy.

I was amazed at how detailed and beatuful the ultrasound pictures turned out. Jeromy and I wee both surprised (pleasantly) at how much our little guy looks like a baby now, complete with chubby cheeks. I have just under 10 weeks until my due date and wouldn't mind if he decided to come a week or two before that. I'm just so anxious and excited to meet the newest member of our family and start this new journey with all my boys. Tomorrow if all goes well we will be bringing home a beatuful bassinet, swing, and crib from a friend and will be getting our room all ready for Carver's arrival. If you asked me 5 years ago if I thought I would ever be this happy, I probably would have said, "Not in my wildest dreams."

The Belly!

24.5 weeks!