Carter Jameson Allen finally joined our family on August 22, 2012 at 3:59 pm. He was 6 lbs 11 oz and 18.5 inches long. He is the sweetest baby and we are all completely in love with him.
Here's the story of how Carter came into this world:
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Isaac and Trevor with the belly
The loved watching it grow and feeling their baby brother kick and squirm. |
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On the way to the hospital
I was going to be induced because I'd been in labor off and on for a week. Things just weren't happening on their own and it was time for him to come! |
We went in at 8:00 and I was dilated to a 4 and completely effaced, so they started Pitocin around 9:30. Things progressed gradually until just before 11, when the contractions started coming hard and fast. At noon, my doctor broke my water, which kicked things into high gear! Ouch! :) I got my epidural soon after and then it was smooth sailing. We relaxed, visited with our parents, and waited patiently for our little guy to arrive.
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On Skype with my mom and dad, who are on a mission in Africa.
This was such a miracle, to have internet and Skype cooperate on both sides of the world.
They were even able to be on at the moment when Carter was born.
I was so grateful to have my parents with us for this important day. |
Around 3:30, I started feeling some intense pressure and the nurse came in because the baby was doing "something funky." She checked me and found that I was complete and it was time for baby to come! She rushed out to call the doctor. I was so relieved when I saw him because I knew this baby was on his way! I did two pushes while the doctor got "suited up" and then he told me to stop pushing. He sat down, pulled out the baby's head shoulders and then told me to reach down and pull him out. I grabbed my little baby and put him on my chest. I was instantly in tears, overwhelmed by how relieved I was that he was here safely and by how much I loved him already.
Side note: In Africa, they are 8 hours ahead of us. My mom kept teasing me that I needed to have him before 4:00 (midnight in Africa), so he would have the same birthday here and in Africa. I wasn't sure that would happen, but sure enough, Carter was born at 3:59...one minute before midnight in Africa! :)
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| The first look at my sweet baby boy |
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| Getting all checked out...he's perfect! |
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Mama and Baby Carter
There is nothing like these first few moments together. |
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| Getting acquainted with Daddy |
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| A very lucky mom and dad :) |
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| with Grandma and Grandpa Allen |
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| He was so alert...just taking it all in. :) |
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| Perfect little toes |
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My sister brought our boys to the hospital to meet their new brother.
It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen...watching how much my boys loved this little guy. |
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| Look at those faces! So excited! |
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Biggest brother, Isaac
So proud of his new brother. |
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Big brother, Trevor
Loving his new role! :) |
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My THREE handsome boys.
I feel like the luckiest mama in the world. |
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| Love these boys! |
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| Opening gifts from Mommy and Baby Carter |
This sweet baby is the answer to so many prayers.
He is such a little miracle
and we couldn't be any happier.
