O.MI.GOD.

I so suck at blogging! But then again, I never claimed to be good at this stuff. :)

So, my sweet, chubby baby boy is knocking on the door of SIX....yes, SIX months old. WHEN IN THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN? He is still as equally awesome as he was the last time I checked in. He really wants to sit unassisted and does fairly well until he lurches for a toy in front of him and topples over. He is eating solids these days too! Oatmeal and fruit for breakfast and rice, veggie and fruit for dinner. We haven't started the lunch solids yet - mainly because I just don't feel like it. :) Probably will start after his 6 month appointment on April 9th.

If I had to wager a guess, I would say Noah is weighing somewhere around 20 lbs. He is huge! We went to the neighborhood spring fling this past Saturday and he is twice the size of some nine months old. I mean he is long and he is just solid....like a brick. I am seeing an NFL star in my future. :))

He loves his exersaucer and his doorway jump n go! He is a trip to watch. I mean how lucky am I that I get to sit and watch him and just giggle at all the cute things he does!? Incredibly lucky.

Well, that is about it for now! Moral of the story....my kid is freaking awesome. :))

Lovin'

• Non-screaming baby during tummy time
• Baby toes
• Comfy sweats and hoodies
• Tomato and mozzarella salads
• Cooing and sweet smiles
• Fat, pudgy legs and bellies (not mine :))
• Sleeping for 8 hour stretches
• Trying new recipes
• Planning for Noah boo's baptism
• Catching up with Bruce when the boo goes to bed
• Hearing great news from wonderful friends

Three Months

Noah is growing bigger and bigger everyday! He is such a cutie and I could not be in anymore love if I tried.

He smiles and coos all the time. He knows his mommy and daddy's voice and already has us pretty well figured out. For instance, he knows that if he raises his voice just a little more while up in his crib that we will come running and as soon as he sees your face, he smiles huge and laughs as to say "SUCKERS!" I live for those moments.

He has been sleeping pretty well. He teased us one day by sleeping from about 7:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. the next morning. We couldn't believe it! We haven't been so lucky since then, but he does sleep 8 - 9 hours stretches every night. So, I will take that any day of the week.

I love our days together and my new full time job is wonderful.

Just look at that sweet angel..........

Ringing in 2010!

Wow, 2009 has come and gone and what a wonderful year it was. Just to recap some of the more amazing things that happened to us this year:

The first of February I woke up, decided to "waste" one more pregnancy test and saw this:

Yes! I was finally pregnant after 11 months of trying and one miscarriage later. We were so ready and anxious to take this journey, we could not wait!

I had an amazing pregnancy and I enjoyed every second of it. I felt good, I looked pretty good and the best part was that my baby was growing and was 100% healthy.

October 1st was an exciting day. My water broke around 4:45 p.m. and at 4:44 a.m. on October 2, 2009, we welcomed our beautiful son, Noah Allen Calkins to the world and our lives would be forever changed for the better.We began this wonderful journey into parenthood and I can honestly say that it has changed Bruce and I and made our relationship stronger and we have cherished every moment of the past 3 months with our son.

Shortly after going on maternity leave I was laid off from my job. My former company obviously saw my becoming a new mom as an opportunity to save on my income by splitting up my work and basically telling me a bunch of lies. But I digress.

After wasting a week being sad, shocked and upset over what they did to me, Bruce and I reevaluated our priorities and came to the conclusion that there were things we could do without, if it meant that I got to stay home with our son for at least a year, rather than shipping him off to daycare. It was the most fulfilling and liberating decision we were able to make together.

So, as I sit here typing this entry and my baby boy takes a nap, I am reminded of how lucky I am and how everything happens for a reason and with a purpose. Today I would have been sitting at my desk, upset that my baby was in the hands of a stranger and instead, I get to wake up and watch this sweet angel grow and share in all of his special moments. And for that I am grateful for all that 2009 gave us.

May 2010 be even better.

My baby is 2 months old ALREADY?!

How is it possible? It is all so surreal and so amazing at the same time. He is everything and more that we could've ever hoped for or dreamed of.

Things are going really well. He is on a pretty good schedule already and with the exception of a few bad nights and days - he is a wonderful baby. We struggle during the day with naps and most of the time I walk in his room to see him staring at me with a huge smile and I cannot help but pick him up and snuggle with him. He goes down around 8 - 8:30p for his bedtime and normally sleeps for about 6 - 6 1/2 hours before he is ready for a little food. Then he sleeps until about 7a - i cannot complain about that at all!

He had his 2 month shots this past Friday and he handled them fairly well. He only cried for about a minute after getting them, but that night he was up every hour on the hour. And the next day he was crabby from the time he woke up until the time he finally went to bed. Mommy and daddy were exhausted by Sunday!

We are getting excited for Christmas! I have been shopping a little online and every now and then me and Noah venture out to see what we can get done. Santa is going to be very good to our little man this year!

Being a stay-at-home-mom takes some getting used to. It is definitely a lot harder than I thought to get out and about with a newborn in tow. And plus, once you get a schedule down, you hate to mess it up by him not taking a good nap or something. I said I'd never be one of "those" moms, but I am teetering dangerously on the edge. :)

Life is good. We are very lucky and enjoying every minute of our sweet boy.

Noah Allen's Announcment

The Birth Story

I figured that I better get this down before it all becomes a distant memory!

On Thursday, October 1st, 2009, I did not go into the office because basically I was miserable and tired of sitting at a desk for 8 hours. I worked from home and chatted with Heather on instant messenger and complained of my baby's awkward movements that day and my more than usual braxton hicks contractions. She joked that I would not make it through the weekend without having my baby. "Yeah right", I thought. Around noon, I left our house to meet Melissa for lunch at my favorite local mexican restaurant. After I finished eating, the braxton hicks contractions seemed to subside, so I did get a little bummed and figured at this point, I wouldn't have a baby until after 40 weeks.

I came home and relaxed on the couch until Bruce got home from work around 4:00 p.m. He asked me if I wanted to go for a walk and I agreed, so around 4:40 we went upstairs to change clothes. I bent over and Gasped! Bruce said, "what's wrong?" "I think my water just broke...that certainly wasn't normal." Bruce just stared at me as I hustled into the bathroom. Yup, this was definitely not normal. We hung around and waited to see if it continued to happen and also if any contractions would start. Two hours later, I continued to leak and the contractions kicked in, so I called the on call doctor, who told me to get to the hospital immediately. So, we packed up some last minute things, said goodbye to the dogs and we headed to the hospital.

We checked into the Northside around 7:30 p.m. and they hooked me up to all the proper monitors, started an IV and confirmed that my water did break and we'd be having a baby within 24 hours! YIPPEE!! Shortly after, the nurse checked me to see if I was at all dilated. That would be a negative...maybe a fingertip, but not much more than that. CRAP! My doctor came in and told me that that were going to start me on Cervadil that would start the process of "softening" my cervix and they would then give me some Ambien and Morphine so I could get some sleep and then the next morning at 7 a.m. they would start me on Pitocin. Sounds like a plan to me...but things don't always go to plan. :)

Around 10 p.m., my contractions were coming faster and stronger and I was literally climbing the walls. Holy Hell do they hurt! The nurse came in, took one look at me and said "Honey, that Morphine isn't helping with those contractions?" UMMM, NO, it is NOT helping! She decided to check me again for dilation and surprise, surprise I was already dilated to 3 almost 4 cms! The nurse said, "I better get you an epidural." PRAISE JESUS! The anesthesiologist a.k.a. my new best friend, showed up about 40 minutes later and stabbed me in the back with the best drug in the world! About 10 minutes later I was completely relaxed and able to get some rest. Phew!

A little before 4:00 a.m. I woke up to my nurse and doctor standing over me and my doctor said to me "Carrie, we have a choice to make. It seems as though your baby's heart rate has been elevated in the 180's and 190's for quite sometime and we are not sure what is causing it. Right now, I am leaning towards having an emergency c-section because I do not want to have you labor for a long time and put your baby in anymore unnecessary distress. I am going to check you one more time to see if you have dilated anymore and then I will make a decision." She checked me and I was dilated to 10 cms and our baby was ready for me to start pushing. My doctor left the room and came back minutes later and said "we're having a baby via c-section tonight." I asked, how much time we had until we went to the OR and she answered "30 minutes". Oh hell! We made 2 phone calls, one to my parents and one to Bruce' and they started wheeling me down the hall.

I was prepped in the OR around 4:30 a.m. and 14 minutes later I heard Bruce say, "It's a BOY!" and I got the first glimpse of my beautiful baby boy. He was just splendid, wonderful, PERFECT.

Noah Allen Calkins born October 2, 2009 at 4:44 a.m. weighing 8 lbs 0 oz and measuring 20.5 inches.

The c-section wasn't all that bad! I recovered nicely and my doctor did an amazing job with the incision. We are all healthy and happy and completely enamored.

Noah Allen Calkins

Born October 2, 2009 at 4:44 a.m. via c-section after laboring for over 9 hours and reaching 10 cms. He weighed 8 lbs and was 20 1/2 inches long. Our sweet boys heart rate climbed into the 180's and 190's and I was told at 4:00 a.m. that they would not take the chance of me trying to push and putting him in anymore distress. So, I was wheeled to the OR at 4:30 and 14 minutes later I heard the words from my husband's lips "It's a Boy!" I can now say with absolute certainty that it was totally worth it to not find out what we were having ahead of time! Nothing beats that moment.

So here he is...and he is as perfect as I ever could have imagined. He is amazing.

Eggplant Parmesan from Scallini's = FAIL

No Scallini's baby for me. Although the dinner was delicious and the company wasn't too shabby either. :-)

12 days until our due date. Maybe the doctor will have a plan at Wednesday's appointment!

*fingers crossed*

Almost 38 Week Belly picture

We are ready for you baby Calkins!! Even Mia is ready... :)

We are even going tonight to Scallini's for the eggplant parmesan! We'll see if that shit works!

(Excuse how tired I look...eesh!)

"Any Time Now, Really."

35 week belly shot with Mia-dog!

That is what my doctor kept saying at yesterday's appointment! Bruce and I just kept looking at each other with blank stares. They checked to see if I was dilated and the answer was no, but according to our doctor, "the baby is low and has already started navigating his/or her way down and out." :)

He also thinks that we will have a "healthy baby"...meaning he or she will be around 8 - 8 1/2 lbs. Hahaha - craziness!

We are now just in a holding pattern! We cannot wait to meet him or her and also see if we have a September baby instead of an October baby!

So Wonderfully Spoiled....

That is what I keep saying in my head, over and over again. This baby, myself and Bruce are all so spoiled by our family and our friends that it is really surreal.

A shower was hosted in our honor this past Sunday by my best girlfriends in the world. I really hit the jackpot to have all these ladies in my life. The shower was held at my friend Tiffany's beautiful house and was also hosted by my 3 sister-in laws -Maria Mehok, Kimia Mehok and Kristina Mehok - and my beautiful friends - Heather Thompson, Joanna Odom, Melissa Bollins and Tiffany Parker.

(me with all my hostesses!)

I walked into a beautifully decorated house and the dining room table covered in really some of the cutest baby related things I have ever seen at a shower! Heather keeps telling me that she stole all the wonderful ideas...but I think she is being modest! She had the most adorable boxes of favors with my name and the shower date on them and they were filled with candy fishes! (my nursery decor is a fish theme) She also had mini diapers that were filled with almond candies! Yum! There was the cutest green fish piggy bank too with a note that read, "A penny saved is a penny earned, it's true! Let's start baby Calkins college fund long before it becomes due!"

She also had midnight diapers, where all my best wrote cute and funny notes for Bruce and I to read when we are changing those diapers in the middle of the night! :) She also framed a picture of our last ultrasound and had the shower invitation matted and everyone that came to the shower signed it too! So cute!


Tiffany made a precious diaper cake for us! I hate to even think about taking it apart! And all the girls gave us a book for baby Calkins! I cannot wait to read them all!

The shower hasn't even started and already we've gotten all of these things!

Next comes the amazing spread of food...chicken salad, pasta salad, pigs in the blanket, fruit salad, spinach dip, cheese/crackers, bacon wrapped water chestnuts and of course a yummy and precious cake!

So many of my girlfriends were able to come and share in this special day with me too. I was overwhelmed by every one's generosity and I left there in absolute awe of the whole day.

Thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts! It really was everything and so much more than I ever expected!

Baby and I are still doing really well! We had an ultrasound last Friday and s/he is already measuring at 6 lbs. 4 oz.! Holy Crap! They are estimating that if I make it to my October 10th due date that I will have an 8 or 8 1/2 pounder! I can handle either one of those 2 options, but let's not get any bigger than that...mmmkay? ;)

Here is another and the last close up profile shot of our baby until we get to meet him or her in person....
So, now we just wait until she or he decides to make their grand entrance into our lives! To say the anticipation is killing us would be the understatement of the year. We are so ready to meet you...whenever you are ready, of course! ;)

30 Weeks, 3 Days

67 days left...that can't be right???

It is just craziness. We are really in the final stretch of this pregnancy - it is truly unbelievable. Had my 30 week ultrasound this past Friday and everything is still looking great! Baby is measuring at 4 lbs already...or so they tell me. I have to go back in 4 weeks so they can take another look and just make sure that I am not going to have an enormous baby, but I am not rushing to schedule a c-section anytime soon. I'd rather only have a c-section when and if it is absolutely necessary, so we will just wait and see what baby Calkins decides is best for him or her! But I am totally psyched that I get to see my sweet baby again at the end of this month!

30 week profile

I am feeling pretty good still. I am uncomfortable at night, especially when I am trying to "relax" and watch TV. Aside from that, I really cannot complain. I am definitely feeling the extra weight in my belly (see Exhibit A below) and tire easily, but I make up for it with naps and sleeping pretty soundly through the night!

Bruce and I got back from Akron, OH last week where I had another wonderful shower! I will post pictures and updates from that soon!

30 week belly shot (with Mia sneaking around the corner)

Eeeesh...maybe I can believe my baby weighs 4 lbs already....YIKES!

Belly Shot time!!

I need to keep up with this better, so here is one taken with the camera phone this morning!

27 weeks - 6 days pregnant

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

~ Carrie

Would you like some sugar with your baby?

Passed the 1 hour glucose test! Thank Jesus! No gestational diabetes for me! Woot! The experience itself was not too terrible - the drink tastes like flat orange Fanta and the worst side effect was trying to keep my eyes open!

The only thing that came back off was that I showed slight anemia, but that is nothing some iron supplements can't handle! Going to pick those up after work!

Thanks for being nice to your mom, baby. :)

Time keeps on passing me by...

Where is the time going? Bruce and I sat on the couch last night staring at our calendars and wondering where all of our time is going. Got got home from Michigan this past Sunday (more on that trip in a minute) and we are home this weekend, but the next we fly to Ohio and then the following week we were taking off to have some "us" time. Ha! Not so much! The whole week is now filled with doctor's appointments, hospital tour and a visit from life insurance exam people. So, much for relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Ugh.

The best part of all of our time going bye-bye is all the fun showers that are being thrown in Baby C's honor! We had our first in Michigan last weekend and it was A LOT of fun! It was a very laid back cookout hosted at Mom and Dad Calkins and almost all of the Aunts, Uncles and cousins were there! It was so great seeing everyone and catching up! We got lots of great things and we cannot wait to put them to good use come October! Here are some pictures from the festivities!

How cute is this cake made by Bruce's cousin, Holly?

Us with Holly and the precious cake!

Us with Aunt Rhoda and the adorable handmade blankets they gave us!

Us with Grandpa Calkins the next day!

I wish we had taken more pictures, but that is what I get for putting Bruce in charge! ;) It really was a wonderful time and so nice to have all of the Calkins together in one place.

So, we had to Ohio the weekend after this and visit with all the Conways, Mehoks, Tavoliers, etc from my side of the family! We cannot wait to see everyone.

I have less than 12 weeks and 2 days left, if baby decides to make an appearance on his/her due date! Craziness! Still feel great and cannot complain one bit about any of it. We are both very lucky and blessed.

Double Digits?!?!

Yup, we are in double digits. 96 days until our baby is finally in our arms. We couldn't be more excited if we tried!

Here is a picture of me last week - 25 weeks, 5 days pregnant.

Also, here are some pictures of the nursery so far. The glider/rocker came in over the weekend! It is so comfortable and I am very happy with the way it turned out!

Aside from getting ready for our trip to Michigan this week, we are finalizing daycare, pediatricians and child birth classes this week! Exciting and scary shit, I tell ya! ;) ;)

23 Weeks 5 Days

I am still in shock how fast this pregnancy is going by! Yesterday we had a regularly scheduled OB appointment and everything is still looking great. Blood pressure was normal and I am now up 10 lbs in weight gain. I am actually back to my starting weight before getting pregnant - I actually lost 9 lbs. when i first became pregnant and sadly I attribute this to not drinking beer and wine anymore. *sigh*

Baby Calk is moving A LOT and I love it. S/he is in the breech position currently and makes that very obvious by kicking me in my bladder regularly.

Next OB appointment I am scheduled for my 1 hour glucose test and I am praying that I pass that without any issue. I also need to schedule my 30 week ultrasound in the next week or two!

Beginning in July we start getting really busy! July 4th weekend Bruce, my sister-in-law Maria, my brother-in-law Robbie and Maria's 72 year old father are running in the Peachtree Road Race here in Atlanta. There are 2 people listed above that have been training regularly for this race and the other two...not so much. Let's just say that the 72 year old will be smoking Maria and Bruce in this race. :) Him and Robbie will be running together, while Maria and Bruce bring up the rear. They are crazy! Bruce has train a whole one day...yep, one day. Thank God they have medics working the race. ;)

The weekend of July 11th we are heading to Michigan where my in-laws are throwing our first baby shower for us! We are too excited!

The weekend of July 24th we are heading to Akron where my relatives are hosting a second shower for us. It has been too long since I have been to Akron and cannot wait to see all my aunts, uncles and cousins!

When we return, Bruce and I will be taking a week off of work to be with each other. Probably go to the pool a lot and working on these nasty tan lines that tennis has given me and enjoy yummy dinners around Atlanta.

At the end of August, my favorite girls are hosting a shower for me in Atlanta. And in September, my mom's friends are hosting another shower for me. I am a lucky girl. And from the looks of it - Baby Calk will not be without everything s/he needs.

I think that is it for now! XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I love...

feeling this baby of mine kick and tap dance all over my tummy. Best.Feeling.Ever.

The Latest and Greatest!

We had another ultrasound on Friday at 20 weeks 6 days! I sound like a broken record, but everything is still going great! Baby Calkins is measuring right on schedule and weighs a whole pound!

Here are some pics from the ultrasound:

Baby's face arm and tummy!

Whole Bunch of pics of the babe!

Baby flexing his or her muscles

We are working on the nursery right now too! It is looking so cute, in my opinion! :) I will take some good pictures and post them soon! I want to buy the rocker soon and get some decorations up!

I feel great too. My stomach is starting to get hard and bending over is getting challenging, but that is about the most of my complaints!

If you want to make a guess on the gender, weight, date of birth, etc. click here:

http://www.expectnet.com/games/BabyCalkins

xoxoxoxoxoxo