My Day For Boys

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Baby Carter

Carter Jameson Allen finally joined our family on August 22, 2012 at 3:59 pm. He was 6 lbs 11 oz and 18.5 inches long. He is the sweetest baby and we are all completely in love with him.

Here's the story of how Carter came into this world:

Isaac and Trevor with the belly
The loved watching it grow and feeling their baby brother kick and squirm.

On the way to the hospital
I was going to be induced because I'd been in labor off and on for a week. Things just weren't happening on their own and it was time for him to come!

We went in at 8:00 and I was dilated to a 4 and completely effaced, so they started Pitocin around 9:30. Things progressed gradually until just before 11, when the contractions started coming hard and fast. At noon, my doctor broke my water, which kicked things into high gear! Ouch! :) I got my epidural soon after and then it was smooth sailing. We relaxed, visited with our parents, and waited patiently for our little guy to arrive.

On Skype with my mom and dad, who are on a mission in Africa.
This was such a miracle, to have internet and Skype cooperate on both sides of the world.
They were even able to be on at the moment when Carter was born.
I was so grateful to have my parents with us for this important day.

Around 3:30, I started feeling some intense pressure and the nurse came in because the baby was doing "something funky." She checked me and found that I was complete and it was time for baby to come! She rushed out to call the doctor. I was so relieved when I saw him because I knew this baby was on his way! I did two pushes while the doctor got "suited up" and then he told me to stop pushing. He sat down, pulled out the baby's head shoulders and then told me to reach down and pull him out. I grabbed my little baby and put him on my chest. I was instantly in tears, overwhelmed by how relieved I was that he was here safely and by how much I loved him already.

Side note: In Africa, they are 8 hours ahead of us. My mom kept teasing me that I needed to have him before 4:00 (midnight in Africa), so he would have the same birthday here and in Africa. I wasn't sure that would happen, but sure enough, Carter was born at 3:59...one minute before midnight in Africa! :)

The first look at my sweet baby boy

Getting all checked out...he's perfect!

Mama and Baby Carter
There is nothing like these first few moments together.

Getting acquainted with Daddy

A very lucky mom and dad :)

with Grandma and Grandpa Allen

He was so alert...just taking it all in. :)

Perfect little toes

My sister brought our boys to the hospital to meet their new brother.
It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen...watching how much my boys loved this little guy.

Look at those faces! So excited!

Biggest brother, Isaac
So proud of his new brother.

Big brother, Trevor
Loving his new role! :)

My THREE handsome boys.
I feel like the luckiest mama in the world.

Love these boys!

Opening gifts from Mommy and Baby Carter

This sweet baby is the answer to so many prayers.

He is such a little miracle
and we couldn't be any happier.

Monday, August 20, 2012

He's Coming...

Well, my due date has come and gone and baby boy is still not here. It's been a long, exhausting week! Between contractions, lack of sleep, a trip to the hospital, and the mental strain that comes from seeing your due date pass you by, I'm pretty worn out. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The doctor thinks that I'm very close and says it may happen today or tomorrow. We also made an appointment to be induced on Wednesday morning, just in case. I know being induced isn't for everyone, but I feel strongly that this is the right call for us this time. So, by Wednesday I should have this sweet boy in my arms...finally!

Can't wait to meet him!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Off to Kindergarten!

I can't believe this day is here, but my sweet Isaac is offically a KINDERGARTENER! We're really excited about the school he's going to and so far he's loving it. But I have to admit...it's been a pretty huge adjustment for me. I knew it would be hard to let him go, but I was not prepared for what it would be like to walk away that first day. Ugh...so hard! I was pretty much a mess the whole first week, but it's gotten a little better because I've seen how much he's enjoying it. He's such a smart little guy and I know he will have a great year!

He looks so grown-up!

Complete with Avengers backpack :)

Handsome boy

My boy (with his very pregnant mama!)

A sweet goodbye to his little brother/best buddy

This was a picture I took as I left him at his class. I know...he looks so happy. So why was I so hysterical?!

My cute boy on Day 2 of kindergarten...still ALL SMILES!

His "Friday outfit"

I am so proud of Isaac.
He's such an amazing little boy.

Escape to Grandma's Mountain

I had some complications with this pregnancy, so the doctor restricted my activity this summer. I was not allowed to travel, which meant no trips to our beloved "Grandma's Mountain." We were pretty bummed about it, but we all knew it was worth it. As I got closer to my due date, things with the baby were looking better and the doctor said I could make one trip to the mountain, as long as I was "careful not to overdue it." And thanks to Grandma and Grandpa we were able to make it work. They let the boys and I ride up with them at the beginning of the week and they took such good care of us until Derek joined us on Friday night. It was SO nice to get away from the heat and spend some time in one of our very favorite places! And these boys adore their grandparents, so they were in heaven! :)


We were able to go to the Show Low 4th of July parade. Here are the boys, just waiting for the action to start! :)

They love this parade!

My patriotic little Isaac :)

We decided to skip the big fireworks show, so we did sparklers at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Trevor LOVES sparklers!

As you can see...Isaac does NOT love sparklers! :)

Here is Grandma, trying to help Isaac conquer his fear.

Happy 4th of July!

Isaac decided to let Trevor hold his sparkler. :)

My cute boys

The boys decided they wanted to take some nets and go "fishing" at the lake.

Grandma was such a good sport. She waded in the water and caught them some slimy crawdads and minnows. (Thanks for not making me do that, Grandma!) :)

The boys had so much fun just "being boys" in the woods. They built a little fire pit out of rocks and leaves.

They also built this little "fort" so they could have a secret place to eat their snacks. :)

On the weekend, we were joined by Derek, as well as 2 of his sisters and their kids. We decided to do more sparklers with the cousins.

He may enjoy fire a little too much... :)

Look at how brave Isaac was on the 2nd attempt! He was so proud of himself.

My boys with their cousins, Kade and Kohlton


I just love their smiles!

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for saving us from the heat and for a great trip!
It was just what we all needed!

Summer Fun!

We had a great summer...despite the awful heat and the very pregnant mom! :) These boys are so much fun to be around. They are both at such great ages and are the very best of friends. I absolutely cherish the time we had together this summer.

Here's a little look at what we've been up to: