Carter's birth story

First family picture of the 4 of us

9 lbs 5 oz

I loved my midwife she had a nice soothing voice. She was a student though and my only complaint is that when the baby came out and instead of gradually letting the head come out, section the nose and letting the shoulders come out slowly, she just grabbed his head and pulled him out fast so I tore a lot.

Nurse

Right before this picture I was squatted down having a contraction. I stood up smiled and headed in to have him.

Where do I begin? It's been almost a week since I had Carter and I've played the moment he was born over and over in my mind. It's hard to believe a week ago he was in my tummy, upside down, all warm and cozy. I looked forward to giving birth to him and what it would be like. It was amazing!

Contractions started weeks before he was born. They were mild pains that would come and go but nothing consistent. Monday, 4 days before my due date, I went to my dr appointment and I was 2.5 cm dilated. Tuesday before Carter was born I asked Jocelynn when Carter would be born she said confidently that it would be Friday morning. Thursday my due date came and although I felt it was close, I was discouraged that nothing was happening. My friends were being sealed in the temple to their daughter on my due date in Newport beach. My mom said she would take me and we drove out that way. Once we got there I got really nervous. What if I went into labor on the way home in traffic or in the temple? I was glad I was able to attend and be in a place so close to the spirit one last time before he was born. Once we got home, James, Jocelynn and I went for a long walk and up the hills. That night was when it all started. Carter was finally ready to make his entrance into this world.

I woke up at 1:30am and 2:30am to use the restroom, which wasn't a surprise. I woke up again at 3:30am to a mild pain but fell back asleep and was woken again at 4am. I got up and needed to walk around. I started stretching and the pain was pretty long and then would go away. I finally woke up James and decided to take a warm bath. In the bath I was still having pains and decided to call my mom. I couldn't time the contractions because the pain was long and not consistent. When I got out of the bath, my mom came and as I sat on the couch, I thought "Where did the pain go?" It started to go away. I called the hospital and they said to come in when the contractions were 4-5 minutes apart. We sat in the car to see if we could time them, I couldn't. I wanted to cry. I was so discouraged. I woke everyone up and now we weren't heading to the hospital. We decided at 5am to go for a walk up the street. The pains weren't coming so I just said let's just go back to bed. My mom left we got into bed. I lay awake for about 20 minutes and then the pain started again. I was watching the clock and it was every 5 minutes. I decided not to wake James until it had been awhile. Finally after 45 minutes I told him I think it's time. He looked at me and smiled and I called my mom and he took a shower. I could tell by the way he was taking his time that he didn't think it was going to happen. Jocelynn walked in our room at 7am and lay with us. I cuddled her and thought, during a contraction, you're about to have a brother. She was right, Friday morning he was coming. When my mom came the contractions were now 4 minutes apart. I had 2 contractions in the car and by the time we got to the hospital, they were 3-4 minutes apart. I had to stop every time a contraction came. James found a wheelchair and we headed to labor and delivery. I told them I was having contractions. I was having a contraction and she said "yes you are in labor." She checked me and I was dilated to a 4. It was going so fast. The contractions were getting stronger and closer together. She got me admitted and I said I wanted an epidural. She hooked me to an IV and I couldn't get an epidural until I had the fluids in me. I didn't think I would get it in time. The midwife came in and checked me and I was a 6. I started to panic a little thinking I wasn't able to get an epidural. The anesthesiologist walked in the room I thought, yes!! He looked at me with a worried look and said I'll be right back! That's not what a woman in labor wants to hear. He was called to an emergency c section. I kept saying things like "I can do this!" I was also telling James that I was scared and it's going so fast and it hurts. I'm sure it was hard for him to see me in so much pain and there was nothing he could do. The pain was getting intense and I was hitting James chest because it felt good to let out the pain I was feeling. I would try to breathe through them. The midwife checked me again and I was a 7. I started to yell through the contractions. The nurse kept telling me to breathe or I'll hyperventilate. Finally I yelled, How?? I couldn't think straight, I needed someone to show me how to breathe. James started doing hee hee hoo. I felt like it was a movie. Finally, my hero walked in and I was able to get an epidural. I kept wanting him to wait during a contraction because I couldn't sit still while he was doing it because the contractions were so close together. He said I need to do it or you won't be able to get one and you have to sit still. Finally I got one and instant relief!! I got the epidural at 930am and had him at 11am. I was still feeling pain in my left side when a contraction would come but it was nothing compared to what I was feeling!! With Jocelynn I think they had me push too early. I pushed for almost 2 hours with her. With Carter they waited awhile and it was finally time to push! The midwife checked me and he pooped in me so they had to have a special team there when he was born. The pressure was so strong and did not feel good. I was ready to push. I wanted him out so bad. The final push was the hardest and what a relief when he came out. They said "wow he's a big one!" They were all trying to guess his weight. I remember laying there thinking "look at those rolls! Did he really come out of me?" I tore a lot because he was so big. I was able to hold him and the experience was amazing! He was perfect.

Carter James Ward has arrived

Born Friday July 30, 2010

Weigh: 9 lbs. 5 oz

20 1/2 inches

Time : 11am

More pictures and birth story coming soon!

Orange County Fair

We parked in free parking. The park opens at 10am and we got there at 930am and took the shuttle provided to the fair grounds. It was a big yellow bus. Jocelynn was so excited!! Her first time not in a car seat. She was like I sit here mom? She had the biggest smile, it was so cute.

We had a great time walking around and seeing everything. Jocelynn loved the animals. She was going to ride the elephant but chickened out last minute.

We decided to get cotton candy and that was fun.

We took Jocelynn on 3 rides and just had a great day. I would get pains every now and then and was a little concerned we'd be too far away from home. We left after a couple hours. Our last outing as a family of three.

Saturday we went to the OC Fair. This is our 5th year and we couldn't miss it. I thought all the walking would be a good way to get Carter here also. The past 2 years we went with my sister and her husband and they live in Utah now so they were definitely missed. Here are a few pics.

39 weeks

For family night James and Jocelynn painted my belly. Jocelynn loved it and actually so did Carter and I. The brush felt good on my belly :) Carter was moving all around, it must have tickled him too. It was fun!

39 weeks. I still can't grasp the fact that I'll have a baby any day now. Still doesn't seem real that I'll have two kids to look after, that will always be on my mind for the rest of my life. Yesterday I had contractions, probably because I was cleaning my carpets again. I somehow always find something to do. I do nap when Jocelynn naps and it's wonderful.

James asked me last night as we were lying in bed if I've gone over different breathing techniques. He's so cute. I haven't but am planning to do that now. I hope to labor on my own and if I want, get an epidural. Can't wait to experience it again. Plan to watch "The Business of Being Born" tomorrow night, maybe tonight. I love the anticipation. This baby continues to grow though and along with that, my belly. Jocelynn will be staying at Grandma and Papa Kirk's house. I'm so excited to meet him. Next posts should be pictures of our little man.

Here's an even better belly shot. I wore this swimsuit a ton this summer. We went in the pool a lot.

38 weeks

The final weeks of my pregnancy with Carter. So bittersweet. There are hard and good moments of being pregnant but overall I enjoy being pregnant. This pregnancy was harder the first couple of months, probably because I was using my energy to entertain a toddler. The second and third trimester flew by and I'm sad that the time is almost near but of course, excited to meet him and have him join our family. Here are some pros and cons of my pregnancy with Carter

Pros:

Love feeling him move

Love how he'd move every time Jocelynn would talk to him

Loved seeing how attached Joce is already to him

Loved watching Joce talk to my belly (shirt had to be up every time)

Loved going to appointments with Jocelynn

Loved seeing him on ultrasound and hearing his heartbeat

Love how it forces me to eat healthy and drink lots of water because I know he's receiving it

Love every time James and I would be kissing he'd interrupt and kick James :)

Loved finding out we were having a boy

Love the anticipation of how the delivery will be

Loved the last 3-4 months compared to the first 6

Loved taking a nap when Jocelynn did (worked with Joce so never did that)

Cons:

Feeling sick and tired the first couple months

Heartburn the first 4-5 months (Had to change my diet, thanks Melinda)

Bloated and sick if I ate certain foods

Walking up 3 flights of stairs 2-3 times a day

Getting up every couple hours to go to the bathroom

Waking up to cramps in my legs

sleeping on my side

needing help to get out of bed

Bladder infection

Hips turning

Packing

Having my house clean so people can look at it (we are selling)

I look forward to giving birth to him. I feel more prepared this time. I'm kind of bummed because I have to be on antibiotics for 4 hours before he comes and was hoping to not have to be attached to anything and just go through labor. Oh well. Although I can't wait to meet him I know the time will go by fast the next couple of weeks and he will come when he is ready. I've gotten a lot accomplished at home, including meals made, scrapbooks completed and his started, carpets cleaned, and got a sewing machine so can always keep busy with projects before he comes. I'm so excited to meet him! Can't believe the time has come.

28 Years old

My birthday was Monday and it was a wonderful birthday! It started out with my mom picking up Jocelynn at 9am. I went back to bed and she brought her back at 11:20am. She went to bed when she got home till 2pm so I was able to get things done.

James came home early from work and brought home beautiful flowers! We went to Moores to look at sewing machines. I didn't get one at the time but I got one today and I'm super excited!

After Moores, James wanted to take Jocelynn to "Paint a Memory" to paint me something for my birthday. He was going to take her alone but thought I may want to be there to watch her. I loved it! It was such a cute idea. They picked out a bowl for me and I will treasure this bowl. She picked out her colors, pink, yellow, purple, green and blue. She paints a lot at home so she was so excited and went right to work. When they put a gloss on the bowl the colors get brighter. She put her handprints on it and painted me a smily face. Whenever I eat ice cream or cereal in this bowl I will be so happy!

She started with the paint brush but then was not messing around and went for her hands :)

Afterwards, we ate at Panera Bread and I dropped Jocelynn and James off. He bathed her and put her to bed and I was able to go to Joannes Super store and Michaels. I could spend forever in those stores and I did! It was a great birthday and one I'll never forget!

35 weeks

I was able to watch Jocelynn's friend, Olivia twice last week and this was them dressing up. They are just too cute, I had to share.

Time just never slows down. I say that all the time but it's true. This pregnancy has flown by. James and I went out to dinner last week and Jocelynn had a babysitter. It was nice to be alone and it's hard to believe we'll be having a baby around again. I forgot what it's like, although in a way it seems like just yesterday. Around this time when I was pregnant with Jocelynn I was feeling more nervous and not ready. I learned a lot from Jocelynn though, mainly patience and how important it is to slow down. I worked with Jocelynn up to 38 weeks. I was always so busy. This time around I've enjoyed being prepared and relaxing. The funny thing is I haven't bought much for Carter. I'm excited to hold him, and enjoy every moment.

Please excuse the white belly. James captured this moment and I love it. Jocelynn loves my belly. She wants to look at it all the time but she says "I want to see him mom and lifts up my shirt." She can't see him but maybe she feels closer to him. She talks to him every morning and kisses my tummy constantly and can't go to sleep without saying goodnight to Carter. I just know she'll be a great big sister. I've enjoyed taking her to doctors appointments and having her involved in the whole experience. I will miss this but they'll be memories I'll have forever!