So, we have a kid... !!!!!!!!!

Yay!! We are beyond happy and grateful to be parents of the best little munchkin EVER! I figured I better post details of "delivery day" mostly for myself before I forget what all happened! I apologize in advance for the length and detail, but like I said, this is mostly so I don't forget! =)

Monday morning, Sept 21, we got called in to be induced around 8:30am. There was no real emergency - my due date was the Friday before (18th), and my doctor was on call that Monday, so we decided to just go for it on Monday when he would be there!

We got to the hospital around 9:30, and by 11am, I was all set up with IVs, monitors, and pitocin. I pretty much started feeling contractions right away, but they weren't bad at all until around 3-4. My parents, sisters-Tonia & Teirsa, and John's brothers-Reed & Matt all stopped by somewhere around there! (I'm sorry, I probably wasn't very pleasant!) But it was great to have the company!

Around 5pm, they checked me and I was only dilated to 2 =(.

Around 6:30, I started feeling pretty woozy! Got sick..... (and just for you Sooz, totally made it to the bathroom, lol!)

At 7pm, I decided to get an epidural. The contractions weren't totally unmanageable, but between Tonia, Teirsa, & my doctor, they convinced me that if I was going to get one anyway, I might as well do it now - then he could also break my water and hopefully get things moving!

HEAVEN!!! Getting the epidural wasn't awful. I did get the shivers and couldn't stop shaking, but I more felt bad for John - who watched the whole procedure and had to hold my squeezing hand for quite a while! Did I mention HEAVEN!!! That epidural was absolutely fantastic! Every time I felt "a little more than I wanted to", I had a little "magic button" that I could push and "magically" get more numb!

After that, my doctor broke my water.

At 9pm, I was 4 1/2 - 5cm. At 11pm, same.

At 1:30am, nothing had changed. At that point, we decided that I was having very strong contractions that should have been working, but nothing was happening. We decided a c-section would be the best thing for James.

By 2, I was in the OR - and FREEZING! I've never had any sort of surgery, so this was a whole new experience! Poor John, I was shaking again, sick again, and come to find out, I wasn't nearly as numb as I should have been so I could feel... ALOT. I think I may have done some permanent damage to John's hand in those few minutes!

Our little James Ryan Carruthers was officially born at 2:28am, Tuesday, Sept 22. He was 7lb, 6oz, and 19 3/4" long...


... with ALOT of hair! My mom says I had that much hair and that exact color - so hopefully his will grow out of being red too! ;-)



John and James look great! I, on the other hand, just got cut open - that's my excuse!



Our stay at the hospital was great! It was an awesome few days to be totally by ourselves and get to hang out with our new little man without all the distractions of "life"! The nurses and staff were absolutely awesome too!

This is how he slept alot of the time in the hospital - I still just want to eat him up!


I was able to get all the IVs and junk taken out Tuesday night. Such a freeing feeling! We had lots of visitors and it was really fun to see everyone!

I love when James' eyes are open - such a little man!

This was also how he slept most of the time in the hospital.... Also my view from the bed =). You can't beat that!

We left the hospital around 7pm Thursday night. It was good to get home, but also strange to be back to the real world! This is James in his coming home outfit from Grandma Carruthers. I actually took 3 or 4 different outfits (thinking he would be a 9 pounder like John & I), but this was the only one that fit!

Looking back, I think for ME, I had the best labor/delivery ever. The day was planned, but I didn't know how the day would progress. I got to feel painful contractions, but was never overwhelmed by the pain. I had a c-section, but I never had to push! Then because of the surgery, we were able to spend a few extra days relaxing in the hospital and enjoying our new little James!

John and I keep looking at eachother wondering how we got such a great son! I can't believe he's finally here!

Update:

Nothing to update on. Amy is napping and seems reasonably comfortable. Expect progress in the morning.

Thanks,

John

Vomit, epidural, now feeling better, you know the drill......

Probably still hours out.

Providence medical staff are great btw.

At the hospital

So, this is John, and will probably be the only time you'll catch me blogging online. Regardless, we're at the hospital and Amy is doing well. ETA is later tonight. Thanks for the prayers, comments, etc.

Just for Keri...

I really want to get this for Kenley!

Due Date - 9/18/09

Well, today SHOULD have been baby day, but I am very content to wait a few more days!

I had my last Dr. appointment this morning and nothing has changed since Monday! Still 1c dialated and 60-70% effaced. I just barely make the cut to be induced on Monday, but since it's not a "medically necessary" induction, there is still a SMALL chance I'll have to wait til later in the week.

Since I'm a "go-with-the-flow-planner", I really like the idea of knowing exactly when to show up at the hospital (planning) and then letting the rest be a surprise (go-with-the-flow)!

This weekend, I'm going to find the "perfect" balance of keeping very active, relaxing, and hanging out with my man! So far today, I've done lots of yard/garden/dog work... so I think it's about relaxing time!

Happy Anniversary...

... to Brian and Keri! We love you guys!

I love that the only picture I have of you together is Christmas. Ha!

9/16/09

Happy Retirement to me!!

{ I know, I know. It's not true retirement, it's just getting a different (more difficult and rewarding) job. But I'm SO pumped to be done for now with BOA! Yay! }

Baby Man's New Wardrobe...

9/14/09

Sorry these are quite boring posts!

Another doctor's appointment this morning... I guess now I'm 60-70% effaced and still 1c dilated. I go in again on Friday to be checked and I guess if I don't have the baby by then, I can basically be induced anytime we want! I'm kind of relieved to hear he'll probably be late - I work until Wednesday, so a few days at home would be nice before he decides to show up!

Thanks for every one's concern and prayers!

9/9/09

This would be a cool birthday, huh? Maybe I'll get 9/19/09??

Sorry this is kinda boring, but I wanted to keep everyone "up to date"! I had another Dr. appointment this morning and everything still looks good. I am still 1 centimeter dilated and 50% effaced. (I had to wikipedia it when I got home, but it sounds like a good thing!)

I think the whole nesting thing has kicked in too. Suddenly, all the windows, baseboards, and cupboards need to be washed even though I haven't noticed the dirt in 2 years! My mom was making fun of me for washing and folding all the baby clothes too... I thought that's just what you're supposed to do!

Anyway, just wanted to keep everyone up to date! I still work until the 16th, so the time is going very quickly! We're super excited for this little guy to make his grand appearance! (Ok, I'm not so excited for the "grand appearance" part, more excited for the coming home, being a family part!) ;-)

Another mom question

Is there anything you wish you would have done before baby came - or that you would suggest doing before the little man arrives?

Latest Dr. Appointment - 8/26

An update from the last Dr. appointment (to recap: breech baby, need c-section, yay!)... Somewhere between Monday morning and this morning, Baby James has decided to fully cooperate and he is now in the perfect launching position.

Head down, face back, (confirmed male), feet firmly marching upwards.

So, I guess that's good news! I was a LITTLE disappointed because I was really beginning to like the idea of scheduled birth: no chaotic confusion, no big messes to clean up... but I suppose a normal birth is a good thing too! And after all, I'm pretty sure God has the whole thing planned out anyway!!

Church Shower - 8/24

I had an absolute blast at our church shower Monday night! It was so much fun, and I am still totally overwhelmed with the graciousness of everyone and all the cute things mr. baby will get to wear and play with! Thank you to everyone who was there, or tried to be there!!

Here's a side shot if you want that - 36wks/3days (and ginormous!):

This is a fuzzy picture, but this is the quilt Martha Dorcas group made for baby! A little John Deere blanket! Thanks Kimmy for the fabric - totally made for a child of John!

And the pregos: LaurieAnne 4/2, Beth 12/16, Amy 9/18, April 11/11.

And yes, I really am just that short, thanks for checking!

Chelan Camping 8/22-23

36 Weeks prego - we went boat camping! These pictures are awful, but they're the only ones I took, so they'll have to work as proof that I was there! We went with our good friends Will & Devon, and thankfully, Will just finished his firefighter training, so he was prepared to deliver the baby if necessary - haha!

We actually had a really fun time! Only 2 major setbacks....

1. We thought we left to go back to the campsite with plenty of light left in the day. Not so. About halfway between Manson Bay and our boat camping spot, it seemed like any glimmer of sunlight was GONE. With the sunlight gone, the wind picked up and waves were CRAZY on the lake. Chelan is known for its fantastic assortment of sticks and logs and floating debris... Oh yes, we all know where this is going... We hit a log. The engine lost all its power and John got his "serious voice". He was afraid it had taken the motor right off and we were taking on water. Thankfully, we are all still here and my amazing husband knew exactly what to do! They managed to adjust some things and the log came out on its own. We all put on life jackets and somehow made it to the camping spot!

2. We had a great camping set-up: nice big tent, sleeping bags, air mattress, the works. I'm not sleeping great these days anyway, and it was super loud with the wind and waves next to us, so I tried sleeping with my ipod. When I rolled over around 1:30 (after not sleeping), my hip immediately hit the ground. Crap. Finally around 3am (after not sleeping), all the air was gone from the air mattress and we were on straight ground. Crap. John was incredibly nice about everything and even went to the boat to get a floatie for me to sleep on, but... it was a long, LONG night!

Overall, we had a blast and I'm so glad we went! You can't beat hanging out on a boat for 2 days - just relaxing in the sun!

It wasn't funny at the time...

A few weeks ago, we came home to this face:

And this mess:

And NOW it's funny!

35 1/2 Weeks

Wow... where have these weeks gone?! I guess I have exactly one month today until the presumptive due date for our mystery man (on a rather large, evil sounding, pipe organ: "dun dun duuunn")!

We had a Dr appt today where we got to do an ultrasound to see our little guy! He's looking quite healthy at about 6 lbs and 13" long! Ok, we really have no idea how long he is, but my guess may not be far from accurate with the Carruthers/Ronk genes!

In other news, sometime between 11:30-1 last night, baby man decided to do a loopty-loop and do the breech thing for a while! (John suggested that this indicates he's going to be the kid in first grade that decides to give himself a haircut or something the night before picture day - just because he can!) I'll have another ultrasound next week to see if he's moved back into launching position, and if he hasn't, we'll schedule a c-section or try to turn the little bugger (ouch)!

The ironic part about this is that I have said from day one if I could schedule a c-section right now, I would do it in a heartbeat... and now that it's an option, I'm kind of torn! There are definite pluses and minuses for both choices! I guess we'll wait and see what this little man does in the next week!

If you haven't heard...

We have a name!

James Ryan Carruthers

I was really hung up on choosing a name because he's not named after anyone... but neither am I, and I turned out kind of ok! So it's official! We've called him baby-man for so long now that I can't change it until he makes his grand appearance, but good to know he'll have a real name whenever he does get here!

Any moms?

In anticipation for mr. baby man's great escape (that's what I like to call birth):

Is there anything you couldn't live without in having a kid? (Besides a stash of diapers and ear plugs) ;-)

Or anything you thought you really needed, but ended up not using?

Just curious.... and thanks in advance!

Kenley June Ronk

My latest niece - and for a month and a half, the cutest baby I've ever seen!

33 Weeks

Seriously.

I really, really can't believe it! I think as these weeks progress, the bad parts get worse, but the good parts get better x2 - so it makes up for everything!

On the bad parts - I am pretty much huge. I have to laugh at myself specifically when I'm sitting down and try to reach something on the floor! Lots of fantastic heartburn pretty much every night. I'm really missing running and oddly sense a twinge of jealousy watching joggers run down the Centennial trail every morning. (Yeah, I know. If I wasn't el largo, I wouldn't even think about running!)

On the good parts - We love love love our baby! It's at the point where I don't really feel kicks anymore, I feel every little adjustment and squirm from this guy. We can feel little knees or elbows sticking out, my belly moves around like crazy on it's own (ask Jolie Hall - lol!), and if we push, he'll push back! I'm definitely hoping he sleeps more than he does now when he's born, because it feels like he's awake all the time!

We can't wait for him to get here... well, actually we can. He has no room, no furniture, no name - but I'm sure it'll come together (slightly worried and hopeful smiley face)!

July 24-29

Yay!!! Finally! Tomorrow morning I leave bright and early (and I'm SUCH a smiling morning person) to fly to Burbank and meet Sooz (and munchkin) - then drive to TAHOE!!! We are going to be fantastic prego ladies waddling around the greater south lake being sick (susi) and just being big in general (amy). Maybe I'll take pictures of our awesome weekend!

Craigslist

Up to this point in my life, time has seemed more valuable than money. I don't like to spend hours trying to find the "best deal" or comb through mind-numbing piles of junk to find a priceless treasure. This said, I have found Craigslist (let the angelic "aahhhs" begin).

I have now spent countless hours combing through mind-numbing LISTS of junk to find little treasures and I'm hooked!

Sunday, John and I picked up a hotslings - retail $39+shipping - for $20

A baby einstein playmat - retail $60 - for $10 And a boppy - retail $30 - for $5!

Yay for Craigslist!

July 1!!

4 years ago today, I married my best friend...

Happy Anniversary my love!

27 Weeks

So holy cow! In the last week or so I have *finally* really felt pregnant. My belly is starting to noticably get in the way and most of my non-maternity clothes are DONE! I guess 27 weeks is the beginning of the THIRD trimester too... how did that sneak up on me? Suddenly there's a slight sense of urgency to maybe think about a baby room or a name for this little bugger.

Everything is well and good though. He's kicking like crazy and it is still so exciting every time!

27 Weeks 2 Days:

Snip Snip

My poor buddy had to be neutered this last week. It was quite dramatizing and I realized I won't do well when he gets old and I have to help prop him up to use the facilities or be "emotionally avaliable" for him. Then again, I probably won't be fantastic with old people in general... sorry mom and dad!

And for Angus fans everywhere, fear not, he doesn't even know anything happened now!

If you haven't

been to Susi's blog, go there!

http://mrspecadillo.blogspot.com/

Drum Roll Please... 25 Weeks!

Since I've had all this time to kill this morning, I decided to cave from the pressure and take pictures (and the crowd goes wild)!


25 Weeks 3 Days:



Sorry it's blurry. And just in case you were wondering: Yes, I purposefully cut out my face. No, I did not purposefully get Angus' bum!


However, if you find yourself tearing up right now because you are lonely and in need of a friendly Amy "hello"...


"HELLO!!!"

Interesting Morning

I SO wish I could have captured the picture of when I opened the garage door this morning to go to work. Since I couldn't, I'll try to describe it to you:

Imagine directly in front of our entire driveway, a big yellow asphalt paving machine inches away from the back of my (newly washed) car.

Directly infront of the machine is a very large dump truck full of dusty, smelly, black asphalt dumping the black, dusty mess into the big yellow asphalt bucket. Billows of dust and grime are coming from the dumpy mess as I slowly make my way outside. I stand there for a few seconds before I catch the attention of one of the drivers of the machine who gives me a look as though to say, "oh no you di-in't". I then reply with a look that says, "please sir, pity me". I guess they are paving our entire neighborhood this week and I have the worst timing trying to leave for work EVER!

Now, it's been an hour and a half and I'm scared to venture back to the driveway to see if I can leave. One of these guys are still rolling around... probably doing something, but looks more like a someone who is overpaid just enjoying life in the sun!

How do you even know when asphalt is dry? Do I go stick a toothpick in it and see if the middle is still gooey? Should I just send Angus across the street to test how dry it is - at least then they couln't blame poor, innocent me. Should I just be risky and drive on it? I know, I'll Google it, and hopefully make it to work sometime this afternoon!

My Ring Story

This is a story about a ring. A ring I loved very much. I've already told this story to a million people, but if you have not been a chosen one as of yet, stick around... this is a good one =).

So last Thursday, the day started out super normal. Usual routine: work, run a few errands, home for lunch, work, etc. When I got home for lunch, I realized my wedding ring wasn't on my finger. I usually play with it alot so I tried not to panic thinking maybe I forgot to put it on in the morning or I took it off at work to put lotion on or something.

With as much time as I had left, I searched my bathroom and car before heading back to work. The rest of the afternoon I tried to replay every step I took that morning. Went to work, got some lunch at Top, dry cleaners, Kohls, home. I called all the stores and left my name and number just in case anything turned up.

At that point, I called John and he totally passed the "world's greatest husband" test, encouraging me not to worry about it, that a ring was just a possession, and if we couldn't find it, we would just get a new one. I think that made it even harder because I really did deserve to be chewed out for loosing something so expensive and meaningful!

That night I retraced my steps home and scoured the parking lots just in case I dropped it somewhere. I seriously felt like a real life reenactment of the parable of the lost coin! (For those of you in Joint Heirs, MacArthur could have taped me and made a video on the whole parable, then sold it for millions!) When John got home later, we went out again to retrace my steps and found nothing.

By Friday, I had pretty much given up on finding my ring (that by the way is much too tight to just "fall off" my finger!). Friday night we went to Grady and Aisha's wedding rehersal dinner and afterwards I needed to pick up Aisha's breakfast for the next day. Grilled Chicken Cesar Salad. That's right my friends, she wanted a Grilled Chicken Cesar Salad for BREAKFAST! But, she's the bride (weirdo - love you Aisha!)! We stopped at Top Foods to pick stuff up and on our way back out to the car, without even looking, John noticed a silver looking ring near the curb of the parking lot. It took a few minutes to convince me that it was 1. real and 2. mine. But alas, it was my engagement band. No diamond, completely crushed, driven over, flattened. Ugh.

There was just enough light out to search the parking lot for the rest of my wedding set and about 3 feet away, in a little crack, I found my diamond!! It had been sitting there for a day and a half completely unharmed! Amazing!! We looked for about 20 more minutes until it was too dark to see anything, but I am so thrilled and thankful for my diamond!

I still can't really believe the circumstances around finding what we did of my ring, but it is so totally obvious this was a crazy miracle God did just because He likes us alot! I still can't get over the details that fit together perfectly to find the pieces:

- Silly Aisha wanting cesar salad for breakfast!

- John and I drove seperately to the dinner and he decided last minute to go to Top with me

- John actually seeing my white gold ring in a sea of grey pavement

- It being just light enough still to find my diamond, unharmed!

Craziness! We still haven't found the wedding band, but the diamond is the part that John chose so it definitely has the most sentimental value to me! We're going in tomorrow to choose a new setting for my rock... Yay!!

Anyway, sorry that story was so long, but I'm kinda like a certain woman who found a lost coin then decided to throw a party! (BBQ anyone?)

More of our first born...

Women's Retreat 2009

I'm super late in posting these pictures, but these are from the Women's Retreat about a month ago. It was so much fun to have Tonia and Teirsa there, and I really enjoyed the whole weekend! Yay for retreats!




It's Beth and baby! Yay!

And for all those "belly picture wanterers" the above pictures would have been about 19 weeks! Haha!

Sorry Keri...

Like my title ;-). Sorry I haven't really posted recently. Life is pretty boring, but somehow busy (I know everyone can relate to that!). John and I just got back from a few days over at Leavenworth. It was a blast! We went to bed late, slept in, went for drives, 4 wheeled my jeep (nails on a chalkboard face), watched movies, ate out, and in general just relaxed. OH! And dad would be so proud. I finished a whole puzzle by myself. Yay! Now you're all caught up on the last 4 days of my life haha!

In other exciting news, John's business seems to be rockin! He's had the 2 biggest sales weeks ever the last couple weeks and in fact he's downstairs right now working on another product! I'm really proud of him and how hard he's working to make it happen!

And last but not least, in baby news, I'm totally feeling mr. baby kicking. Alot. No more "flutters" it's full on martial arts in there! It's definitely the most unnaturally awesomely fantastic feeling ever haha! AND, John has been able to feel the kicking a few times this last week. It's cool to be able to feel it on the inside and the outside! I'll try to get pictures up... someday!

20 1/2 Weeks

I just had another appointment this afternoon and happily, there is nothing to report! My Dr. said everything in the ultrasound looked great and baby's heartbeat was between 140-150. (I MAY HAVE had a small coke slurpee before the appointment, so he was doing jumping jacks and it was a little hard to track the little man! - that would be the baby doing jumping jacks, not the doctor)

I've been feeling baby move alot now, and I'm understanding how COOL everyone says it is! The little movements are slowly going from feeling like random goldfish swimming around, to actually being able to feel punches or kicks (we'll either need to work on anger management, or soccer moves early on with this child... and seeing how athletic John and I are, I think we all know what that means!). I'm looking forward to John being able to feel baby and see how awesome it is too!