Lillian Kay

She is here! 

Lillian Kay Carter

born 

3-22-11

4:14pm

weight 7 lb. 14 oz

20.5 in. long

After a little convincing, I finally got Dr. Murphy to agree to induce me.  He made me wait longer than with the boys, but it was well worth the wait.  

This was a strange delivery to me.  Not having Grandma Carter here made things super complicated.  I am so grateful for such wonderful friends that helped make this day as easy as possible.

My great friend Bonnie showed up at my hotel at 5:50 on Tuesday morning to take me to Sutter to get things started.  With the three boys, it didn't seem worth it to have Steve wake everyone up and take them somewhere at that horrible hour.  So Bonnie not only took me to the hospital, but stayed with me until around 9:30 just chatting and making sure I wasn't alone.

Grey didn't sleep much that night, so Steve let him sleep in and then took them to Jen's house and she watched them all day until Steve came to get them after Lily was born.  

I started the labor with gusto.  I progressed quickly from a 1 to a 3, but after that, it was slow going.  The cord was wrapped around Lillian's neck and each time my contractions got too hard, her heart rate dropped.  I had an amazing nurse that didn't panic and made sure I knew everything would be ok.  I didn't progress much until around 1:30 and then everything went super fast from there.  They had to turn off the pitocin because she wasn't handling it, but my body was doing fine on its own and less than 3 hours later, and 3 pushes later, she was here.  

Steve was so sweet and got her the most beautiful necklace and bracelet.  Tiffany's, of course.   He says he wanted it to be something she could have her whole life.  He wrote her an amazing letter and explained the lock and key and what they meant to him and to their relationship.  It was amazing!  He is so great with his words and he always thinks of things that will hold meaning forever.

We were in and out of the hospital in less than 24 hours after her birth.  I was ready to get home and share her with the boys.  Things were so crazy the day she was born, Steve didn't even get a chance to hold her until 9'oclock that night.  I hated feeling like he wasn't getting the chance to be with her and so I pushed them to let me go as soon as I could.

She has been an amazing blessing and the boys all love her so much.  I was really worried about Grey since he seems to have jealous bones, but he has been so sweet with her.

Landon, of course, wants to hold her the most.  Cohen loves her and holds her often, but his world doesn't light up the way it does for Landon when he holds her.  He could sit for hours with her.  Grey holds her about 20 seconds and always says, "Lily no cry, no???", while shaking his head.  He is mostly asking like he wants to make sure she is ok.  It is super sweet. 

She is sleeping all day long and awake occasionally for 10 minute stretches.  She is an amazing eater and of course a great pooper!  She hasn't been spitting up like all the boys did, which is SOOOO nice!  It is still amazing every time I change her diaper and see that there are girl parts instead of boy parts.  Cracks me up.  The first few nights were a bit rough with more wakeful time and holding, but the last 3 nights she is doing better about waking to eat and for a quick diaper change and then settling back into a good sleep.  She loves her room, which I am hoping to take pictures of as soon as I finish the stenciling I started.  She slept in the pack n' play in my room the first few nights, but she likes her room better.  Go figure!

We all love to dress her and see all the pink things everywhere.  This has been an amazing last week and I am so grateful that everything has gone so smoothly.    

 The night before going to the hospital to deliver.  I felt huge and thought for sure this was going to be a 9 lb. baby!!

 Her official weight.

Northstar, Feb 2010

In February, we were able to spend almost a week up in Lake Tahoe.  I was super nervous about going due to being so far along in the pregnancy.  We were using hotel points and were only getting one room, which meant we were going to have a lot of time in the room with naptime and early bedtimes.  I had tried to get Steve to just go for a couple of days, but it was the same number of points for 5 nights as it was for 3.  

I am SO glad we stayed as long as we did!  It was an amazing vacation.  The kids slept well at night, Grey took amazing naps, I was able to rest while Grey did, the kids had an amazing experience snowboarding and skiing and they all loved to sled.  Steve and I were able to get some great time together while the older boys did ski school.  It was so fun just hanging out with Grey and enjoying being together.  

Sledding was the most fun for everyone.  I loved watching the boys.  Grey was so cute.  Steve would run and throw the sled as fast as he could and Grey loved the thrill of the speed down the hill.  I thought for sure he would fall off, or let go, but he didn't and he would run and grab Steve's hand and say "mo please, daddy!"  We did that almost every night from 4-5 after the mountain was closed, right in front of our hotel.  And every night, everyone pouted when it was time to be done.

Grey LOVED his beanie, gloves and snow boots.  Every time we left the room he had to have all 3 on.  He would scream if we forgot anything or tried to put on regular shoes.  And, of course, he HATED having any sort of jacket on.  The easiest thing was a pullover that didn't zip all the way down.  That way he couldn't get it off.

Cohen decided he would try to ski this year instead of snowboard since he and Landon would be in different groups anyway because of their age.  The first day went ok, but the second day seemed a bit disastrous.  The first time I went to check on him he was in a complete meltdown.  Not only were they making him go down a hill way too steep for his comfort, he was lost when I got there.  He had no idea where his teacher was!  I decided it was worth complaining after we spent the money, because he wanted to be done and I had already paid for 3 more hours.  Instead of quitting, they gave him a free 3 hour private lesson.  That was awesome!

Landon did amazing this year at snowboarding.  We did ski school 2 days with him and much to my opposition, Steve pushed for a 3rd day with a private lesson.  He did amazing and even got to spend the last half of the 3rd day snowboarding with Steve.  It was a proud moment for both Steve and I.  I am so excited to have a sport that I love that I can do with the kids.  I have always loved skiing and look forward to a day when the whole family can do it together.  Those are some of my best memories as a kid.

I am so glad that we have been fortunate enough to get to experience a snow vacation each of the last 3 years.  We have decided it is worth just about any sacrifice because I think they almost have more fun there than Disneyland!

Landon slipped while trying to hop on the sled and scraped his face all up.  

Out of control, going down the hill, just before trying to quit ski school. 

Landon and Daddy on their first day riding together.

Grey in his usual attire.  Boots, hat and gloves!  I love that they ALL have loved the snow right from the start.

Grey gets a hair cut

Grey has been asking for a hair cut.  Bummer!  We decided it might be time.  His hair was getting so long again and it was hard to manage.  I could tell the texture was changing and it was starting to come in courser under his baby fine hair.  He is trying so hard to become a big boy before his sister gets here.  

Before

After

It took me a few days, but I love it.  The older boys told him he was ugly after his hair cut.  It was a big adjustment, but he is adorable. And everyone says he looks just like Co now.

Garth in Vegas

  Sometime during Steve's weeks away, I decided that I wanted to watch some of Oprah's last season.  On one show, she featured Garth and talked a little about his concert in Vegas.  We had some friends that went, but they had made it sound like we wouldn't be able to get tickets.  EVER!  They said it was sold out and so did Oprah.  It was nearing Christmas time and I thought, well, I just want to see when at how much tickets would be if we could ever get some.  Somehow, there were tickets available for the very next week, and in the 3rd row no less.  I looked at all the shows and most had a ticket in the very back of the auditorium, but all tickets were the same price.  How could I pass it up?  I called and asked my beloved friend who is always up for watching my kids, and a week later we got on a plane and took a 24 hour trip to Vegas.  The concert was amazing.  We had a blast just hanging out the 2 of us for a day and night.  And now, if Garth really never does another concert, at least we can say we saw him this once.  He is an amazing entertainer and his sweet wife Trisha performed 2 songs as well.  We ate at our favorite crepe place, Jean Phillilpe, and stayed in the new City Center, Aria hotel (featured last week on my favorite show!).  

I always hated Vegas.  I felt the same as so many about it being a dirty city, both in looks and content.  But, after my 30th birthday, when Steve sent me to Vegas to enjoy all it had to offer, I fell in love.  I love the shows, the shopping, the unique things to do, and of course, it has great food.  I would hate to go with no plan, but if you know where you are going and plan it out, you don't have to be a part of the filth.  I will forever love this city for the fun it has to offer!

 NO cameras during the show, but this is with my iphone just before he started.

 The crepes and cakes are amazing at the Jean Phillipe pastry place.  I thought this castle would be perfect for my little girls' first birthday.  It couldn't be more than $35, could it?

Cohen turns 5

It seems like forever ago now, but I guess 2 months is kindof a long time.  Cohen turned 5 and since we had moved, he requested going back to Lincoln to celebrate with his friends.  We went to Epic Indoor Skatepark and it was an absolute blast.  Papa Carter came in town for the party.  Cohen loved riding his scooter and sliding down the big ramps.  All the kids seemed to have a blast, especially Grey.  He rode his scooter everywhere and after a little pleading, Steve even rode his skateboard and pulled Grey along side him.  It is hard to believe that Cohen is 5 and that he will be starting Kindergarten next year.  Here are a few things that I want to remember about him at 5:

Still the sweetest kid.

Loves hugs and kisses.

Has turned into quite a big helper with Grey.

Has the loudest cry I've ever heard. (it's more of a wail!)

Has serious oral fixation issues.  He always has something in his mouth.

Bites his nails.

Can write his name and knows almost all his letters by sight.

Loves electronics, TV, and video games.

Still loves his barefoot dreams blankets for sleeping.

Adjusts very easily to new things.

Makes friends very easily and is loved by all kids!

Loves sports, and has a mean spiral on the football.

Still loves his rest and naps daily.

Super picky eater, but tries really hard to be good about trying new things.

He is still off the height charts, but is super skinny.

Really loves dogs and misses having a pet.

Loves soda, and any flavored drink.  Still claims water makes him sick.

He really is a sweet kid and has such a good nature about him.  He is so fun to have around.

The Move..

Well, it's been almost 2 months since I last posted.  Mostly, because I got a new camera and I have no idea how to get pictures uploaded to my computer yet.  So, I guess I will just update what we have been up to since we moved.
The first month feels like a blur for the most part.  The chaos of unpacking, planning a birthday party for my sweet 5 year old boy and having company, seem to have blurred the weeks together.  The process of having your whole life packed into boxes, no matter how smoothly things seem to go, always proves to be a bit unnerving.
We did survive the crazy week after Christmas.  The packers came and went and it seems that there were no big hiccups along the way.  The next week was the worst.  Steve was back to work, the house was in disarray, and the boys were going through quite an adjustment with their new life.  Mostly Landon, but everyone seemed to be in a funk.  Grey wasn't napping, Landon cried every morning, everything seemed like it was just a bit too much.
Papa Carter came to the rescue the third week and things seemed to slowly but surely get put away.  The birthday party was a success, (pictures soon to come) the boxes were down to a minimum and then I got to head to AZ to hang with my bestest friend in the world (Landon came with me as well, but more just for the dentistry).  I wish I could somehow make her my sister, but I'll take friend over nothing!  We shopped for our sweet little girls, had great food and great conversation.  I came home ready to face the rest of the craziness.
Each day things seem to get to more of a 'normal' for us.  The drop-off/pick-up schedule still isn't my favorite, but I seem to be surviving it now.  I am enjoying seeing my husband every night, and we even snuck a crazy and unpleasant trip to Arizona as a family in, and a dreamy and wonderful trip to Northstar at Tahoe in this last month (again, pictures still to come).
We are loving the new house and neighborhood.  The boys have friends to play with on our street, they are adjusting to their schools, and they seem to be surviving sharing a room.  I know that we are in this home, in the city and in this phase of our life for a reason.  We have felt so peaceful about the move since we accepted the job.  I am just ready for a little drier and warmer weather now, so we can enjoy our beautiful yard.
As for being ready for the baby, well that's a whole other story.  I am super excited to see the bedding I am having made.  I am probably driving the lady crazy that is making it.  Hopefully it will be done mid week next week.  I think that I am holding off on a few things for that to be done and for my shower this weekend.  There is still a part of me that doesn't want to wash any clothing yet because I still fear that somehow they were wrong and it really is a boy.  Wouldn't that be a bummer?  He would have to LOVE pink!  I did finally start a few of my sewing projects for her, which I will hopefully finish next week.  All in all, we are doing well.  I am ready to be done being pregnant.  I hurt all over and am feeling quite big, but I know that things will be crazy once she is here, so I'm trying to be patient.  Only 3 weeks to go, so long as things go according to plan.  Oh, how I do love a great plan.  Now I just hope things follow it.
I hope to be up an running for pictures soon, because if I don't get caught up on my blog posts, it may be a while with a new baby!

In love...

From the moment that we finally got Grey his very own skateboard, he has been in love.  The other night, I turned on the shower for the boys and went to call them to get in.  When I got back, I found Grey, soaking wet, with the skateboard, so pleased that he was in the shower as I had asked.  He was so upset when I made him give me the skateboard.  He even tried to take it to bed with him the other night.  Boy did he have a complete meltdown when I told him no.  We think it is adorable how much he loves it.

 At Toys R Us the day he got it.

 In the shower, fully clothed, skateboard and all!

 On his way upstairs for bed.