Welcome Meghan Rhea Carson!

One week ago tonight we welcomed Meghan Rhea Carson into the world at 8:01 pm on Monday, October 17, 2011. She was 9 lbs, 2 oz and 21 inches long.

At 1 pm I felt my first contraction while driving home from lunch. From there things slowly progressed until around 5:45 pm when my water broke during a particularly strong contraction. After that things became much more intense, and upon Nay-nay's arrival at our house we left for the hospital at 6:45 pm. We arrived there at 7 and were shown to the registration area. It quickly became apparent that we needed to be in a room. I was in no condition to fill out the "birth certificate worksheet" that they handed me. When we finally got into a room, the nurse proceeded to attempt to monitor the baby. I say attempt because I could really only stand to be doubled over on the bed and that was no position for her to get a reading. After a few minutes she decided that maybe the midwife should just go ahead and check me... that meant I had to climb onto the bed, something that at the time seemed an impossible task. I eventually made it and then following the internal exam was told that I was fully dilated but not to push because they weren't ready yet! After a few minutes it became apparent that baby had other ideas, and at 8:01 pm Meghan made her way into the world!

Trying to survive the monitoring, apparently in transition.


Baby Girl Carson! (Now of course Baby Meghan Carson!)




Feeling much better now.


One of the neatest things about her coming so fast was that Nay-nay was able to bring Clara over to the hospital that night to meet her new baby sister. She was ecstatic.


First feeding & greeting her big sister all at once.


V. excited big sister.


Clara and Nay-nay visited until about 9 at which time, they went home and I cleaned up a bit. Then we made the journey from labor & delivery to our post-partum room. I actually walked!

Brec snuggling with Meghan.


Busting out of the blankets.


At her bath later in the night: She did not enjoy being disrobed and cleaned.


What a day! Happy Birthday Meghan.

Extreme Nesting /40 Weeks

Not sure things that have been in the works for almost a year count as nesting, but there's no better motivator than the impending birth of a little one.

Here's a shot of the baby's room that I painted this summer when the kids stayed with Nay-nay & Pop-pop for a week. A much more calming "iced honey dew melon" than the day-glo yellow that previously occupied the walls.


A spur of the moment improvement that was spawned by the breakdown of our Roku box that allowed us to stream Netflix. Rather than replace the box, we opted to get a Netflix ready tv and then got rid of everything else.


And lastly our bathroom that really did have four different blue paint splotches on the wall that had been there since last November. Of course the new fancy blue paint required a new medicine cabinet, mirror, and light fixture.


In the process of getting the house fixed up, we've spent a lot of time at Home Depot. Here are the kids riding around in an orange cart!


40 weeks, otherwise known as uncharted territory. No comparison shots because I never made it this far, though if you look back to the 38 week picture, maybe my belly is slightly lower.

Back to Reality/End of September

After returning from the beach, we had to reacclimate to life, over were the carefree days of summer. Clara was excited to go to school 3 days a week this year. Meanwhile Jack and I have enjoyed spending time together around the house. He likes to help with the laundry whether it be keeping the clothes conveniently flattened for me,

or serenading me while I fold the clothes. Here he is singing "Blue Shadows" followed by "All Around the Mulberry Bush".


The doctor is in checking out the vacuum cleaner. His favorite discovery has been the cord rewind button. You can imagine how fun it is when that is pressed in the middle of vacuuming.


My little thinker


Showing off new Fall duds as we head out to pick up Clara from school - one of Jack's favorite times of the day. As soon as she comes out, he rushes over to her and grabs her bag to carry.


The arrival of Fall has brought on full baby-preparedness mode. Obtaining various items from friends has really helped our budget and of course provided the kids with hours of entertainment.




Cuddle time with Daddy.




Out on a morning drive


Who knew maternity shirts would make such good ghost costumes?


Checking out Clara's dancing from Clara's Broadway Debut on the computer, excited to see how the production turned out. :)


Rockin' with Daddy's headphones


Bathtime facial hair! Bubble bath saved the day - 5 min prior to this picture was meltdown central.


On the greenway


Last weekend in September we traveled to Richmond to see cousin Annabeth in from Seattle and celebrate Nay-nay's 49th birthday! ;)

Clara and Jack were teaching Annabeth some tricks that I'm sure Jo will regret. They introduced her to the fun of the trampoline.


Jack and Daddy waiting for Nay-nay's cake.


Not taking her eye off the cake!

Emerald Isle 2011

The first weekend of September we were back on the vacation trail. This time, however, the journey was much shorter, and we had the kids & dog in tow. It was beach time! at Emerald Isle with Gramby and Su-su. Because of a hurricane off the coast for much of the week, the ocean was pretty rough and high tide came up so far that the beach was unusable for large stretches of time. But we still managed to have lots of fun.

New shovel for tunnel digging.


Reading while the tide comes in


At the NC aquarium


Red Tail hawk at a bird show at the aquarium


The rain clouds are moving out!


Lots of rest time after a fun morning of play be it sleeping,


watching tv,


or playing Angry Birds (Grambles was always happy to oblige).


Showing off her hair adornment - an empty grape stem.


Checking out the starfish we found!




Who needs to build a bridge when you can be one yourself?


Enjoying a light goldfish snack on the beach.


It's wash-down time for the engines.


Clara had lots of fun making Sodor in the sand.


Post-swim




Getting warmy dormy.


Hanging out inside the cottage.