one fine day

After my doctor's appointment on Wednesday morning, we elected to go ahead with the induction on Wednesday night. My blood pressure was fine, but if Carson didn't make his debut by Sunday, I would be heading in for an induction Sunday night anyway. We checked into the hospital at 7:30 pm on Wednesday night. Around 8 pm, I was given Cervidil and told to get a good night's rest. Don't you just love hospitals? Well, this photo was taken around midnight, so I am guessing that we didn't get much shut eye.

I think they attempted my IV three times. After the nurse tried the second time, I sent in my threats, and they called the anesthesiologist. He got it on his first try. They also needed a blood draw, and weren't able to use the IV, so I was stuck again. They hooked me up to both the fetal heartrate and contraction monitors.

This photo was taken by me at 4:45 am. We were both up and ready to go! We were told the pitocin would start at 5:30 am, but for some reason, they were running behind. They removed the cervidil, and the pitocin was started at 6:15 am. At 7:30 am, I was 1-2 cm and 40% effaced.

At 7:45 am, my doctor made a visit to break my water. They checked me again at 9:50 am, and I was 3 cm. The pain was increasing, and I began to worry that I wasn't progressing fast enough...pretty ironic. You'll see why later on.

Emma was at home with my sisters, and my mom was at the hospital with us. It was obvious that Emma was having a tough day, so I sent my mom home to check on her. The three of them took her to Chick-fil-a for lunch, and a lot happened while they were gone.

I called for my epidural and received it around 11:15 am. Rob was the only one at the hospital with me at this point. Right after I got the epidural, he ran to the restroom...big mistake.

Carson's heartrate dropped, a random nurse ran in to check on me. She was moving the monitors around on my belly frantically-trying to locate his heartrate. They called for oxygen and made me roll to my left side. I am still by myself. I was beginning to panic.

His heartrate climbed back up...thank the Lord. I realized after all of the drama that my epidural wasn't working. While still wearing the oxygen mask, I continued to labor and breathe through my contractions. I was in severe pain.

The nurse checked me again at 11:35 am, and I was 5 cm. Feeling everything and only half way there, I was exhausted.

At 12:05, they called the anesthesiologist back. The epidural still wasn't working. My nurse kept telling me, "you'll feel pressure." I felt nothing with Emma, but knew that this wasn't just pressure. The anesthesiologist bolstered my epidural. He told me "15-20 minutes" to feel the effects. I remember watching the clock, waiting for it to be 12:20 or 12:25.

12:20 pm rolled around. I was about to come off the table...I called the nurse again. She checked me...9 cm.

I went from 5 cm to 9 cm in less than 45 minutes.

Rob was calling my mom...she was racing down the highway trying to make it in time. She was trying to be there for both Emma and me. I was wondering if it would work. They rolled in the "labor and delivery cart." The doctor ran in. Mom and Lindsey made it.

My doctor pricked me with a needle, and asked if I could feel it. The answer was YES. YES. I. COULD. FEEL. IT.

He called the anesthesiologist for a local anesthetic. Didn't happen-he was in a c-section.

I think I started pushing about 12:35 pm. I didn't expect for it to turn out this way, but this was only one way out. I had no choice.

Rob scrubbed up, and the work began. He wanted to help deliver Carson.

Thank God he came fast...

At 12:43 pm, Carson Chiles Douglas made his grand entrance into our world.

7 pounds, 12 ounces

20 inches long

perfect in every way...

To say that I was thankful it was all over, is an absolute understatement.

I was still in pain...can you tell?

We immediately though he looked like Emma.

I love that he has a head full of dark hair.

Mama C. got to hold our newest member to the family.

He was so alert, and his head was already so strong.

I was so excited to meet the little fellow.

Rob and I were thrilled!

He's going to have so much fun with this little guy...

I am still the picky Momma...I made this sign to put in his bed.

Around 6:15 pm, my mom brought Emma to meet her new little brother. She had a "big sister party" complete with presents, balloons, and cake.

She met him for the very first time...

After keeping Emma for the afternoon, Aunt Ashley got to meet Carson too.

He was so sweet...

We all enjoyed the cookie cake. Thanks to Aunt Lindy and Aunt Ash for picking it up.

Love him...

so much...

What a blessing. We were thanking the good Lord that day...

Aunt Lindy took all of the photos for me. Thank goodness she was there.

My sisters picked up Johnny Carino's for us for dinner. I was starving to say the least...We couldn't have done it without the help from my mom and my sisters. Thanks to all three of you for taking care of Emma, running errands, and breaking the speed limits.

It was one fine day for sure. One amazing, fine day.

It's a Beautiful Day

We welcome with great joy and relief, the newest addition to our family!

Carson Chiles Douglas
February 18 at 12:43 p.m.
7 pounds, 14 ounces
20.5 inches long

He's a healthy baby boy, and we are thrilled!

Despite lack of pain management, I had a successful delivery...free of c-section! Yay!

We are still in the hospital, but just wanted to share the great news.

Emma hasn't met him yet, but the big sister is on her way with Mama C.

It was a beautiful day to say the least. I am thanking the good Lord for everything right now. We are truly blessed!

The Baby Bump Diaries: Chapter 12

In case you missed Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, or Chapter 11.

It's me and I'm still here. Rob and I are heading into the hospital tonight to be induced. The plan is to start pitocin at 5 am Thursday (tomorrow) morning, so we appreciate all of the prayers we can get. Y'all know me, and I am truly scared.

I am praying that my next post is a photo of a healthy baby boy, posted by a healthy momma, of course.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days. We could use them all.

I will leave you with a photo of my belly...and please keep on praying...please!

Happy Valentine's Day & The Baby Bump Diaries: Chapter 11

I made it to 39 weeks!

In case you missed Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, or Chapter 10.

The day that I turned 39 weeks, just happened to be the night Rob and I went out for Valentine's Day. We celebrated by getting a sitter and heading to dinner at Pappadeaux's.

Rob got me a prenatal massage for Valentine's Day, and I must say it was the best massage I have ever had! I enjoyed it so much and felt so much better afterwards. After dinner, we ended up at the movies, and we saw Valentine's Day. The movie was okay, but I was miserable the entire time. My feet were swelling, it was difficult to put them up, Carson was all in my ribs, my feet were super restless, and I just couldn't get comfortable. I watched the last 15 minutes of the movie~standing up in the theatre!

We had a great night out by ourselves, and I am so thankful to have such a wonderful hubby. He is the best! My parents celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary and my dad's birthday~all in the same day! So Happy Birthday Dad and Happy Anniversary to them both. Your cards are in the mail, but I think they may be a little late. Needless to say, Valentine's Day isn't just a day for flowers in our family. It is an anniversary and birthday too!

This post is dated Saturday night, because that's when the photos were taken. But, it is currently Sunday night and still no baby! I will keep you posted!

still here & The Baby Bump Diaries: Chapter 10

and still pregnant. I promise!

In case you missed Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, or Chapter 9.

This photo was taken of Emma and me, when I was around seven months pregnant. Trust me, I am a lot bigger now....my face and feet included.

I have been up since about 4 am, so Good Morning! I am supposed to be in line, in the freezing cold & rain, signing Emma up for preschool. This is nuts, I know. But, it's how they do it around here. My sweet hubby got up at 4:15 am to do this for me. He didn't want me to get sick right before delivery. I am so thankful!

My last doctor's appointment was this past Monday (I was 38 weeks and 2 days). My blood pressure was a little high. Not too high....just higher than my normal almost dead blood pressure of 100/60.

My doctor is out of town until this coming Tuesday night, so needless to say, I am not hoping for a baby over the weekend!

My next doctor's appointment is Wednesday (I will be 39 weeks and 4 days then).

I am feeling very anxious (imagine that!). We (especially ME) would appreciate your prayers over the next week or two. Excited just isn't the word. If you've ever had a baby before and display any resemblance to a type A personality, you should understand this. I will be excited after it's all over and

a. The delivery went as planned.
b. I am checked-out of the wretched hospital.
c. And most importantly, I am holding my baby, healthy and free of complications.

Our phones have been ringing off the wall...to the point that I can't return all of the phone calls. My husband does work for a cell phone company, but quite honestly, the ringing of the phones makes me crazy! It's a little ironic, right?

I guess I could return all of the calls, but that would leave me on the phone all day! This would be okay, except for that I have a really sweet three year old at home, that I am trying to spend time with before the big day. We have been busy making Valentine cards, complete with paint & glitter, going to Chick-fil-a, snuggling, and reading lots of stories. I love her so much!

I am doing my best to keep up with all of the phone calls. We appreciate all of your thoughts and well wishes! Just bear with me. We plan to have a quiet weekend at home, just the three of us...

I promise to keep you posted-to the best of my ability!

Thank you all for your wishes and prayers! We can't wait to introduce him to you!

We're on lock-down!

As I mentioned over a week ago, I locked the baby stats poll. Voting is now over! I did this to be fair...some of your guesses are just around the corner....yikes!

If you voted in the original poll, before we found out the sex, but forgot to vote in the new poll, I took the liberty of adding your original guess to the new poll. Make sense?

There are 21 guesses...I wonder who the winner will be?



Time will tell....

let's build...

We headed here over the weekend with Emma. Have y'all been here yet?

We got there before the doors opened, so she was patiently waiting...

Very patiently...

It is build a bear, but there were other options too.

Lots of options! The deal was...she got to build one animal for herself and one for Carson. It didn't take her long to choose...

She went for the horse, of course!

She got to stuff her. She picked for the horse's stuffing to be "medium."

Not too hard and not too soft, please.

After that, she got to pick out a heart for her horse.

Once she made the heart come to life, they placed the heart inside.

She repeated the process for Carson. Emma chose a puppy for him, stuffed him "very soft" and gave him a heart too. I had coupons for free custom sounds, so Emma recorded, "I love you Carson, Love, Emma" for Carson's puppy...so sweet! And, Emma's custom sound was a message from both Rob and I. After they were both "real," she gave them a bath.

Then, we headed over to the birth certificate station. She named her horse, Sally, and named Carson's puppy, Patches. She was so excited! It was a fun outing for all of us. All along, I was wishing that I was three :)

Sally was our Valentine's gift to Emma this year, and Patches will be Emma's gift to Carson in the hospital. Not bad, right?

The Baby Bump Diaries: Chapter 9

38 weeks and still growing...

In case you missed Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, or Chapter 8.

And here's the proof...

Emma: Mommy you like you have a ball in your belly
Me: Thanks, Memms!
Emma (still thinking): A beach ball
Me: Oh thanks!



I guess "ball" wasn't quite big enough. It had to be a beach ball! She's such a stinker!

Oh, and before I forget, don't forget to vote. I am closing the polls very soon...

I had my weekly check up this past Tuesday. I am 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. We'll see if that changes over the next week...

Since this blog serves as my family scrapbook, I just wanted to mention a few things for my benefit. I do look back at Emma's original baby website (I have it on CD) from time to time to help me remember. And, since us girls seem to remember little to nothing about previous pregnancies...here we go.

Rob and I have been having this conversation a lot lately...

Me: I don't remember this symptom with Emma
Rob: I do. You had that...
Me: Are you sure? I really don't remember.
Rob: Yes, I'm sure.
Me: I leave the room feeling like I smoke crack on a regular basis....

That was joke by the way.

So, in an effort to help me remember, here are all of the things that I can recall from this pregnancy...

I am going to leave out the first four to five months when I feel like I am going to die, and move on to the rest of the pregnancy.

*headaches
*dizziness
*occasional blurred vision~don't freak out~it's from migraines, not high blood pressure
*stuffy nose
*bloody nose
*swelling of the hands and feet
*heartburn
*indigestion
*back pain
*sciatica
*tail bone pain~this one was new for me. I was miserable for a week. I couldn't sit or anything.
*trouble sleeping
*being SO tired
*leg cramps in the middle of the night
*forgetfulness or "pregnancy brain"
*spicy food seeming more spicy when I'm pregnant

That's all that I can think of now. I am sure there's more...

I am still amazed by how many symptoms can be pregnancy related. Aren't you?

The good news is that this will all be over soon, right? Over, yes, but replaced with a long list of postpartum issues.

I'll keep y'all posted...

guess again!

I had a previous baby stats poll, but that was before we knew that this little monkey was a boy.

So, do you want to guess again? I am locking the poll exactly one week from today, so get your guesses in soon.

The winner will be based on closest date, time, weight, and length. Gender is out.

I will post the winner after his arrival...

Click here to play...



In case you were wondering here are Emma's stats. They just might help you make your decision! Happy Voting!