CHRISTMAS!!!

This year for Christmas was one of the most exciting for my family and me. Cody and I were so excited for Carter's Christmas, Santa had gotten him a gift we knew he was going to LOVE! We had already gotten our presents (Cody got a Lap Top, and I got a new bed). I was really nervous about going into labor on Christmas Eve because I had been dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced (meaning that the latent part of my labor was over and the active part could start any time) for over a week. But I made to through Christmas morning and I got to see Carter open his gifts which he LOVES! It is so amazing to see the excitement on a 1 year old's face. We read the Christmas Story (the REAL one from the Bible) before we let him get his gifts which he sat for REALLY well. Here is a video of our morning, it's long, but we just figured out our camera so....deal with it! :)

Not too long after contractions started, and some other "labor signs" and of course labor on Christmas wasn't ideal, so we stayed home for as long as possible. Around 4:30 we realized that it was happening on Christmas wheather we wanted it to or not, so to the hospital we headed. Apparently my contractions weren't hard enough to make too much happen very quickly, so on the Pit Drip I went (OUCH!). About 5 hours after heading to the hospital our beautiful baby boy was born. He was 7lbs. 14oz. and 21 inches long. We named him Toby Ray, he has dark hair and a hearty appetite. He's very mild tempered, but VERY hungry all the time so my chest hurts and I'm up all night, but it is SO worth it!

Labor was really hard, but Cody ROCKED as a coach. I don't think I could have done it with out his support. While we were at the hospital Cody and Carter came home (the 26th) and took Christmas down so I wouldn't have to worry about it when I got home. He also got our twin sized bed set up (so our moms can have some where to sleep) and our new kitchen table set up. I have said it many times, but I couldn't have asked for a better husband. He is better to me than I deserve! It was SO nice to come home and be able to relax. He has kept the house clean and Cater occupied, he is the best dad and husband and I don't know what I would do with out him! I LOVE MY BOYS!!!!!

Carter isn't quite sure what to think of him, he get a little jealous while I nurse the baby, but other than that he is quite good with him.

I am so greatful to not be pregnant any more. My boys are more than I have the right to ask for, and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be their mom.

Sledding!! (It didn't work......)

So when I woke up this morning, after not sleeping well AGAIN, and sore, and grumpy, and annoyed with pregnancy I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands.....So we went sledding! And it was so fun....very very cold and windy, but fun any way. Too bad it didn't put me into labor...bummer! Here are pictures of our adventure (none of Cody unfortunately he was playing photographer).

Carter wasn't exactly impressed with snow flying in his face, or just the snow in general......And I'm making a funny face, so feel free to laugh! :)
My niece Kelsey, she's an animal! She went down more than anyone!
All of us but Cody. Kelsey up the hill, Porter, Me, then Dan and Carter

Dan and Porter going down on the cool snow tube! That was my favorite!

Carter with Uncle Dee (That's what he calls Dan).

So I have 16 days left until my scheduled induction....but I'm hoping that he will come sooner, I couldn't be more ready to have him living in our home rather than my tummy. Any suggestion for getting my labor going? I'm up for anything right about now!!!!

News!

Well it's been a while since my last update. We are still truckin' along! It seem that pregnancy goes slower the last few weeks, but I'm almost done! Due to certain circumstances in my family (I'll post more about that later), I have asked to be induced a little early, so the 30th is the day if I don't go into labor early, and I'm not holding my breath for that. So YAY! We get to have a little bit more back on our tax return, right before Cody starts his rotations, so that will be nice! I'm very excited to get my very wiggily little boy out of my tummy and into my arms.

Cody is in the all too busy week of finals, and we are missing him a lot this week! He has one left, so thats VERY nice! He has done very well this semester, all A's and B's (Mostly A's) I'm so proud of him. We are both ready for a break though, Carter too. He's turned into a Daddy's boy and misses him and askes about him all day long.

Carter is growing like a weed! It makes me very sad to see how big he is getting, and how fast it all went by. He loves to make animal noises, and can make most of them. He loves to sit on the potty, and get a ball if he puts anything into it. We aren't pushing the potty training, but just getting a jump on it.

We are all looking forward to Christmas this year. It's going to be a quiet one here at home in Laramie. We didn't have a lot to spend on Christmas gifts, so we got some that we knew Carter would love, plus some clothes. Cody and I aren't getting much mostly because I got a bed recently, and Cody got a new computer for school. We didn't put up very may decorations, only the tree and a few ornaments, and only my favorite nativities. Less work when it comes to taking it all down.

Dan and Laura are staying behind this year too all for us so they can take Carter when I go to the hospital. It is SO nice having them here, I'm really going to miss them when they move to Riverton in May-ish.

Lately I've started having second thoughts on naming the baby Toby. I have had a re-occurring dream where we are at the hospital and I keep telling people "Oh we didn't end up naming him Toby" but I never say what we did name him in my dream, so I've been racking my brain to think of a name Cody and I would rather give him. I guess we'll see when it all comes down to it.

This might be the last post until after the baby comes. So until then, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

Love you,

US!