The Love of Our Lives!

He's finally here and he's precious!! He was born on March 25 at 5:49pm; he was 9lbs 13oz and 21 inches long...oh and he's PERFECT!!




Our first family portrait taken in the Operating Room by the Anesthesiologist



We love you Ryder!

ay yi yi!

My appointment today was...interesting. We had an ultrasound and the baby is happy and healthy and cute as a button. Oh...and he's ALREADY 9 pounds 3 ounces! EEK! I'm not dilated at all still so the doc wants me to give it another week. If I haven't had him yet she's inducing me on the evening of the 24th and I'll have the little man on the 25th! I have an appointment on the 20th to see if I've made any progress at all, but the doc thinks maybe I'm not dilating because the baby is too big to fit through my pelvis. He hasn't dropped down into position and one reason may be that his head it too big to fit! Please keep us in your prayers for a healthy delivery! We've got a big boy here!!

No news...

My appointment on the 6th confirmed that Ryder is not ready to budge yet. I'm still not dilated at all and he hasn't dropped. The doc estimates his weight at 7.5 pounds right now and hopes to confirm that he is only 8 pounds next Thursday at my ultrasound. I was 37.5 weeks and I measured 39. My blood pressure and overall health is great and so is his! That's all I can ask for!

And this was taken yesterday, March 8, 2008.

In the words of my doctor...

"Well Jamie, you can kiss a 6 lb. baby goodbye because you've got a big boy in there!"

I saw the doctor on Thursday and she was really happy with how everything is coming along! I was 36.5 weeks along and I measured 38 so the baby is growing at a rapid pace! I hadn't gained any weight since my last appointment two weeks ago so my growth has slowed down, while his has taken off!

Dr. Cave said she thinks I'll go all the way to my due date at this point, but she scheduled an ultrasound for March 13th just to get some actual measurements and make sure the baby isn't TOO humongous! I wasn't dilated at all and my cervix was 20% thinned. I go back this thursday so we'll see if there's any more progress!

Now I'm far enough along that if I do go into labor, our baby will be considered full term. He's all developed and safe to come out...he's just laying around in there fattening up I suppose!

Baby Stuff

Here are some of the awesome gifts we received from our family and friends at my baby shower on 2/9/08. We are so thankful!!

Gorgeous bassinet and high chair from Matt's parents and brothers and sisters

Our hamper from the Metzger's and diaper bags from Aunt Darlene and family, and my seester Pam

The baskets we wanted! These will eventually go on the changing table, once we get one!

And a closer shot of the desk area

For Ryder's Room, I'm feeling crafty again!

And lots more, but I didn't think you'd want to see pictures of the diaper genie and the butt paste, haha. Only 4 more weeks! Woot!

Belly Update Time!

OK, it's that time again! I haven't had a belly update since November! Here is the last post in case you want to refresh your memory on the progress...

http://mrscartyscreations.blogspot.com/2007/11/belly-update.html

And here's my update! This was taken January 11, 2008.

And this was taken today February 17, 2008. Only 34 more days!!

The Transformation!

Finally, the nursery is ready! We are so excited! It's amazing what a few decorative items and some paint can do for a room! The room was yellow with wood trim and the first thing Matt did was paint the trim white. I don't have any pictures of the dark trim but it was very outdated.

Here it is with the bright white trim:

And, of course, the blue painters tape. Matt is the taper and I'm the painter. This is a little cubby hole desk thing that we are going to keep the baby's books on.

The next step was to choose the paint colors. What a decision! We went back and forth, bringing home sample colors from Lowe's and finally decided on Taupe and a blue shade called Sterling Silver.

And finally....

The curtains, the wall hangings, the border and the gorgeous crib! My parents bought us our crib and we love, love, love it! It's so adorable!

And my grandma's rocking chair that we've moved from house to house, knowing someday we would need it!! It goes so perfectly in the room!

Here's a closer shot of the crib and the blankie that Tonya bought for the baby. She didn't even know what our colors were or anything, and she couldn't have found anything more PERFECT!

We don't have our changing table yet or any of our storage baskets so there are a still a few things missing. Once we get it all setup I'll take more pictures. We also don't have bedding for the crib yet (or the mattress), but I just wanted to show you all the progress so far! It's all starting to seem so real. We feel so much better now that we at least have a space dedicated to the baby!