November 2008

Practicing sitting in his bumbo! He absolutely loves this chair - whether it is watching Brad and I cook dinner or watch the Colts on Sunday!

A couple pictures of Carter playing -

Carter Rolled Over Today

Carter just turned 12 weeks yesterday (Monday, October 20th) and he has already conquered the task of rolling over. Brad picked Carter up from the babysitter today and she told him that he rolled over a couple times that day. As soon as I got home from work Brad and I tested Carter out for ourselves. Sure enough, the little guy is a rolling fool! As soon as we put him on his tummy he rolled right over onto his back!! Brad and I were so excited, we automatically began to clap and praise him - which he loved and began to smile. I think we had him roll-over four more times (and we were equally pleased/excited each time!).

A few more pictures... of just lounging around!!

Trying Out My Exersaucer

Although Carter is not wide enough to sit in the exersaucer by himself (dad had to place a blanket in the seat with him to fill-in the space), he could stand on his own, hold his head up and look around!! It only lasted a few minutes, but it was exciting while it lasted!!

Such a Big Boy

Another Saturday, another Michigan game, another outfit!!

Such a big boy sitting up on his own!!

Two-month Check-up

Carter had his two month check-up today. He weighs 12.7 lbs and is 25 inches long. He is in the 75-percentile for his height, 50-percentile for weight and 50-percentile for head-size. Carter had to receive 5 shots - poor thing did okay for the first three, but the last two were tramatic... We had the silent cry going on, bottom-lip flipped out and tears were flowing. I don't know who it was worse for - mom, dad or Carter!! But he (we) quickly regrouped and he took a nap on the way home!

Carter and Dad - Looking So Cute!

Smile Carter!

Watching Michigan Football

Just getting some Tummy-time while watching Michigan play football!! Look how cute my outfit is (the pocket reads, "Football")!!
Tummy-time is exhausting!!

Youngest Colts Fan to Visit Lucas Oil Stadium

Brad and I took Carter (along with Uncle Brian) to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Season Ticket Holder Tour - not even three weeks old and already cheering on the Colts!! Relax everyone - we took Carter in his sling so he was not exposed to the crowd. Brad and Carter were exhausted after the tour so they decided to rest-up and take a nap. Look at Carter - doesn't he look relaxed...too funny!!

Carter's First Bath

Carter did pretty well - he only cried when we took him out of the warm bath into the cool air to dry him off.

Doesn't he look adorable in this cookie monster towel!!

Carter Has Bounced Back!!

Grandma Judy and I took Carter to Dr. Asdell's office today for his follow-up one week appointment. Carter has gained almost all his weight back - we now weighs 7lbs 6ozs. Dr. Asdell was amazed!! Thank goodness my milk finally came in Saturday - apparently it has enough nutrients!! Since I am expressing my milk and giving Carter it in a bottle (thus able to monitor his intake) Dr. Asdell said he does not need to see him again until 2 months. Carter's appointment is scheduled for Friday, October 3rd.

One Week Check-up

Carter went to the see Dr. Asdell today for his one-week check-up. My milk still has not come in so Carter is not too happy at the time being... poor thing is so tired of crying. According to the scales, Carter has lost over a pound since birth (birth weight was 7 lbs 8 ounces, today he weighs 6lbs 6ozs). Dr. Asdell is concerned because this is more than average so he had advised us to supplement Carter with formula until my milk comes in. Dr. Asdell gave us a 2oz bottle of formula to try-out - Carter drank the whole thing in 3 minutes and then dozzed right off. Other than weight, Carter is doing awesome! Dr. Asdell has asked Brad and I to bring Carter back on Monday (August 4th) to weigh him again to see if he is gaining weight back.

I'm Home

Thursday, July 31st 2008 - Carter and I were released from the St. Francis today!! Carter looks SO tiny in his car seat!! Brad and I swaddled him as soon as we got home and let him try out his new swing! He really seems to like it! Now that we are home, Brad and I are trying to figure out what we are to do now!!

The stork has left the building!!

On Monday, July 28th at 7:42pm, Carter Thomas Stahley came into this world weighing 7lbs 8.2ozs and was 19" long!! We are SO excited to have him in our lives!! Doctors say he is doing great!! In Brad and my opinion, he is absolutely perfect!! He has his dad's hair (brown with natural curls), long eyelashes, dad's chin, and mom's nose. His eyes??? They are blue for the time being (matching mom's), but they might turn brown to match his dads!! Raleigh, THANK YOU so much for the welcome diaper wreath - everyone knows where to find us!! All the nurses and doctors have told us they absolutely love the idea!! Thank you EVERYONE for your love and support!! We are truly blessed!

We're at the Hospital again, but this time....WE'RE STAYING!!

Shannon's water broke at 1:38am this (Monday) morning. After speaking to the doctor and packing a few last minute items, we checked into our hospital room at 3am. Shannon and Carter are hooked up to all kinds of things.... Shannon's blood pressure it still high (since her doctor's appointment on Tuesday), so the nurses and doctors are keeping a close eye on the both of them. Things are starting to happen!!! It's baby time!!

38 Weeks

Had my doctor's appointment with Dr. Booth this morning. My blood pressure was a little high so they ran some tests to make sure I do not have preeclampsia, but other than that, Carter and I are doing great! Dr. Booth stripped the membranes today in an attempt to encourage active labor (as of this morning, I am still dilated to 2 centimeters) and his heart rate is around 125 beats per minute. My next doctor's appointment is scheduled for Friday, August 1st - unless something happens between now and then!!

37 Weeks

Brad and I met with Dr. Booth this morning - he was SO kind, he sat up on the counter in the examining room and allowed Brad and I to fire all kinds of questions off at him. After answering all our questions, he performed a cervical exam on me and determined that I am now 90-95% effaced and dilated to 1-to-2 centimeters. He said he does not think Carter will arrive this week, but said he has been wrong in the past! According to Booth, I am simply experiencing training-pains preparing me for the big-day at this time. My next appointment is scheduled for Tuesday morning (July 22nd at 8:50am). Dr. Booth said at that appointment, if things have not progressed substantially on their own, he is going to strip my membranes to encourage labor (a natural way to encourage contraction intensity and thus dilation). Stay tuned - will the full moon this Thursday and Friday impact Carter's arrival? Or will Dr. Booth's procedure on Tuesday do the trick?

More Contractions and Labor Symptoms...

So it is Sunday morning and Brad and I have been monitoring my contractions (pain level, frequency, duration) and taking note of "other" labor symptoms all weekend, but still no Carter! Although I experienced a few contractions that were more intense (but not strong enough to stop me in my tracks) on Saturday, things are pretty much the same as they were on Friday. Brad and I have a scheduled doctor's appointment tomorrow morning (Monday, July 14th) with Dr. Booth at 10:30am - it will be nice to hear if his take on things and see if I have progressed at all since Friday's exam.

False Alarm

So Brad and I had a practice run this past Friday (July 11th). After speaking with my doctor's nurse (about my symptoms) at 11:30am, Brad and I were strongly encouraged to head to the hospital to have an outpatient exam performed to assess if I was on the cusp of active labor. Brad and I rushed home from work, loaded our bags into my car and headed to McDonalds (no - not the hospital yet!!) - it was 12:45pm and neither one of us had had an official lunch. Nothing like a strawberry milkshake and a box of chicken nuggets to get you ready for a potentially long day at the hospital!! Once checked into the hospital we were escorted into a pre-labor room and I was strapped to two monitors - one to monitor Carter's heart beat and another to monitor the frequency and intensity of my contractions. After 2 1/2 hours and two cervical exams, Brad and I were released from the hospital. According to the nurse, I was having contractions every 3 to 7 minutes but the intensity was not progressing nor was my cervix (dilation), so they released us so I could "labor" in a more comfortable environment.

So what did Brad and I do with the rest of our Friday? We took a nap, went to Sam's Club, ate at Buffalo Wild Wings, went to Walmart and came home to clean the house, mow the grass and walk Murphy - anything to keep our minds busy and see if my contractions progressed any further. Needless to say - nothing progressed. Shortly after 10pm on Friday my contractions had diminished and I was left with a sore tummy and an anxious/disappointed husband - but a clean house and a freshly-cut yard!!

Bags Are Packed...

Boppy-pillow, extra blanket, yoga ball, pillow, camera, video camera, sweatshirt for dad-to-be, etc. is all packed and ready for the big-day! Carter even has his own little bag with a few comfortable onesies, socks, hats, blankets and his womb-bear (a stuffed-bear that simulates the sound of a mother's womb and heart beat). Brad even put the rear-facing car-seat in my car. We are anxiously standing by!!

36 Weeks...Only A Few More To Go....

Brad went with me to the doctor's appointment this morning (today was my first exam and Brad knew I was a little nervous!!). Together we got to meet Dr. Booth. He was very energetic and incredibly nice - it did not take Brad and I long to decide to ask Dr. Booth to be our doctor for the remainder of the pregnancy (however there is no guarantee that he will deliver Carter - that depends on who is on call that day/night). My tummy is now measuring 36, almost 37, centimeters and Carter's heart beat is around 132 - it will continue to slow until birth (it has typically been 138). According to Dr. Booth, I am 80% effaced and starting to dilate - SO it could be sooner than August 4th folks!! According to smartmomma.com, at 36 weeks Carter and I are considered "full-term". The only organ that still needs some time to mature is the lungs, but his immune system is up-and-running and could protect him should he be born prior to his due date! My next appointment is Monday, July 14th.

35 Weeks

I am now going to the doctor's office once a week. Today I met Doctor Lupton (thank you Amy Sloan for the recommendation) - he was very nice. According to Lupton's nurse, I gain 1lb since last week's appointment (I am now up to 22 lbs total weight gain) - this is great news! Carter is plumping-up for his upcoming birthday! Lupton did the typical - measured my stomach (which now measures 33 centimeters) and listened to Carter's heart beat. He confirmed that Carter is still head-down and showed me how he thinks Carter is laying - he described where he believes his back, butt and legs are (with the assistance of my recollection of where I am seeing/feeling large bulges and constant kicks/punches)! Next week I am to meet Dr. Booth - I have been informed he is very ethusiatic and caring!

Baby Month (June) Is Complete

In the month of June, we had several baby showers (thank you everyone for your generosity and support) and completed our Childbirth Education class, Newborn Care class and Breastfeeding class - it was a busy month! Now it is time to relax before Mr. Carter arrives.

Look At Carter's Room!!

Thanks to our family and friends,
Carter's room is brimming with toys, clothes,
blankets, diapers and stuffed animals. Look at
how great it looks!! You could almost say it is
baby-ready!!

34 Weeks and Counting...

Had another doctor's appointment this morning. Bantz said Carter's heart beat is strong and consistent with prior appointments (approximately 138). My tummy now measures 32 centimeters and according to Dr. Bantz's estimate, Carter might weigh 5 1/2+ lbs (according to what to expect when expecting.com, Carter should weigh almost four pounds and could be up to 19 inches long - so he may be a little bigger than average at this time!). Bantz also informed me that Carter is head-down and is pretty far down in my pelvis - this prompted Bantz and Brad to place bets on when Carter may arrive. Brad has his money on July 14th-17th, while Bantz said she thinks he will arrive the last week of July (24th-27th). But, only Carter knows when the true d-day is!! Anyway, today is our last appointment with Bantz. She and her husband are moving to Wisconsin this week so I will begin meeting the other doctors in the Southside OBGYN next appointment. Stay tuned!!

Only 9 weeks Left!!

I had another doctor's appointment this morning - According to the doctor, Carter measures (approximately) 16 inches long and weighs about 3.3 pounds AND is gearing up for a growth spurt (I know my appetite has definitely returned!!). He should gain approximately 1/2 lb per week until his due date.

The little guy moves a lot during the morning (while I am getting ready for work and after I eat breakfast) and makes consistent movements throughtout the day - but by 9pm he calms down. I might feel a movement every once in awhile, but nothing that keeps me up at night or wakes me up - YEAH!! According to the doctor, all this moving is a sign that Carter is active and healthy!

My appointments are now only 2 weeks apart (as opposed to the previous "normal" of once a month). My next appointment is scheduled for Monday, June 9th.

26 weeks complete, 14 more to go!!

Today's appointment went well - I arrived for my 9am appointment to drink the glucola concoction (which tasted like orange soda) and then waited to see doctor Bantz for my monthly routine appointment. According to the doctor, Carter is "right on target" and I am in "great health." His heart rate continues to be around 140 and my tummy now measures 26 inches (an inch for every week I was told!). In regards to the Gestational Diabetes results, the doctor's office will contact me Monday, May 5th IF there are any concerns (no news is good news!). My next appointment is scheduled for May 29th.

Tummy Picture

Thanks to Raleigh Bledsoe, we have a tummy picture to post!

While visiting her in Phoenix last week, she persistently requested a tummy shot. Although I fought her hard, she obviously won!!

5 1/2 Months Down!!

I had my most recent check-up this morning - everything went well. The appointment was at 8:30am and I was in my car heading to work at 9:05am – quick and painless (for now). Dr. Bantz says everything is great (with me and the babe) and that he is "very active." His heart rate is still in the high 140’s (approximately 146) and that is where it should be (between 120-160). My next appointment is May 1st – I get to take the blood sugar test (where you drink the nasty glucola mixture and have blood drawn an hour later to test for Gestational Diabetes).

We Found a Babysitter!!

We met the babysitter last night. She is VERY nice. Her house is immaculate. She says she does not put up any buffers (to protect her stuff), so she said the children learn, from a very young age, what is allowed to be touched and what is not (too funny!!). She says she will let the children watch some educational t.v. but she only allows them to watch a certain amount - she prefers for them to play with one another and to be loved on by her ("just like they were at home" she said). When it is nice outside, she takes them on walks and plays with them outside. She only babysits a maximum of 5 children (ages infant to kindergarten) and presently only has two full time children to watch. Another HUGE benefit is that she will allow us to pay for 1 day to 5 days a week (i.e. she will babysit full time or part time and charge accordingly) AND she takes 2 weeks of vacation a year (in which she does not charge us for) and she gives us a week free (for us to take a vacation)!! Brad and I are VERY excited!!

We Decided Upon a Name - Finally!!

Drumroll please...
Our baby boy will be named, Carter Thomas Stahley.

The Baby's Room

Brad and I finished painting the baby's room a couple weeks ago - it turned out better than we expected!! The color scheme is baby blue, blue and Belgium chocolate with white trim. We picked out a crib and combo unit (changing table/dresser) - if you want to take a peak, please go to http://www.babiesrus.com/ to check out our registry (it is under Shannon Stahley). Thanks to Mom & Dad, the rocking chair and matching ottoman will be ready to be picked up in a few weeks!!

Mom and I are starting to gather the needed fabric to make the baby comforter, bumper, and curtains - it will be a mixture of blues, polka-dot brown fabric and white accents. Fortunately for me, mom has volunteered to do the sewing (I have not touched a sewing machine since 7th grade - needless to say, my skills are a little lacking).

Ultrasound Pictures

We had our Anatomy Scan today - It's a boy!! The technician determined that our little boy weighs approximately 7 ounces and is 5 1/2 inches long. The technician pointed out the baby’s heart, including the ventricles and chambers, his brain, spine, kidneys, and lungs. We also got to hear his heart beat again (146 per minute)!! It was an awesome experience to be able to watch his movements (back-bends, waving his hands, and kicking my bladder!!) and to see this little thing in action.