We are so glad for the safe arrival of Carter James Bernard to our little family. Carter came into this world with a bang on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 5:29 a.m. To say it was a surprise would be to put it mildly. We had set up an appointment for me to be induced (due to Tristan's work schedule) on Monday, September 19. Knowing that, I had grand designs in mind for our weekend with lots of errands and loose ends to tie up. I picked Tristan up from the airport on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. We decided to "divide and conquer" (as we often call it) on Friday, with me running around to stock up on groceries and run a few shopping errands and Tristan manning the toddler. I pushed it on Friday and knew it. By the end of the day I had a minor backache (not the first time) and was beat! But we managed to squeeze out the last bit of energy and enjoy an impromtu dinner with our friends, Rich and Allisha on Friday night. They left around 8 or so and we got busy doing bedtime routines and clean up.
When we went to bed around 11, I started having contractions. This was no big deal, since I battled intense Braxton-Hicks contractions all through my pregnancy (Ethan, too) and I knew I had pushed myself. I decided to drink some extra water and take some Tylenol. By around 2 a.m., my back was really hurting. I decided to go lay on the couch, which is a little firmer for better support for my back. By 3 a.m., the contractions hadn't gotten any better, my back still really hurt and I started to think maybe I should time the contractions. I also started gathering the last few things that needed to go in my hospital bag "just in case"--not really thinking anything was happening. I was having a hard time timing them because the back pain blurred right into the contractions so I didn't know when to start and stop timing them. Generally they were about 4 minutes apart and lasting over a minute each. Another problem I had was that I kept falling asleep in between them, so I wasn't sure I was getting an accurate time.
Around 4 I woke up with a start to a HORRIBLE contraction. The minute I felt it, I remembered being in labor with Ethan and knew something was going on. Around 4:30 I told Tristan to call the hospital and find out if we should come in. Half way through his phone call I decided we were going whether they thought we should or not and started calling our phone tree to get someone to our apartment. I was in horrible pain and having a hard time sitting or laying down and felt like I had to go to the bathroom every few minutes. Finally I noticed some slight bleeding and told Tristan we had to get in the car right that minute. We called my parents again to see where they were and waited in the parking lot in our car for them to arrive.
We left our apartment at 5 a.m. It is a short drive to the hospital from our apartment (about 8 minutes) and I could barely stay in my seat the whole way there because of the pain. I kept telling Tristan to run the red lights to just get there. We parked in the ER driveway and went in to check in. Now keep in mind, I had pre-registered with the hospital, however we were still in the ER for about 10 minutes with me pacing around with each contraction. The guy kept asking me to come over and sign things and I was thinking, "SERIOUSLY??!!" Around this time I started bleeding a lot more and was getting a little frantic. Finally he let Tristan finish signing for me and got us a wheelchair while he went to buzz us in the door (stopping on the way to make some copies of my info first--SERIOUSLY?!) We had to walk, literally, about a quarter mile to the elevator (I couldn't sit at first and then HAD to sit). We couldn't find it at first and when we did find it had to ride it up to the 4th floor. We got out to a room that was locked and had to wait to be buzzed in.
They got me into a room and had me change and noticed a lot of bleeding, at which point I asked if the baby was o.k. The nurse told me she though so and sometimes the bleeding can come from rapid cervical changes. I laid on the bed, she checked me and told me I was complete and she hooked me up to the fetal monitor. My next contraction I told her I had to push to which she replied, "Please don't." At that point my body took over and the next thing I knew, Carter was here! From the time I got onto the bed to the time he was born was only 4 minutes. The nurse said that beat her record for fastest birth. I just kept thinking, "What if my parents had taken a little longer or we had been stuck at more lights?" We arrived with only 4 minutes to spare! That's a close call, if you ask me! I never had an IV the whole time I was in the hospital because they didn't have time to put one in...My doctor didn't even make it for his delivery, arriving a few minutes after Carter was born.
But, even with all the craziness, he arrived safe and sound and perfect in his own little way.
Carter James Bernard
September 17, 2011, 5:29 a.m.
8 lbs., 19 1/2 in.
Dad cleaning up our little man
Kelly arrived with breakfast a little later in the day (after she got, what I'm sure was a shocking text message).
My parents brought Ethan by to meet his new little brother. He was a little weirded out by the fact that I was at "the doctors" (which he still talks about) and didn't stay for long.
Ethan holding his present from his little brother (he loves Curious George, so we thought it might be a good way for him to warm up to Carter).
Me and my new little guy
Ethan measuring his little brother for me
Grandma Bernard showed up later in the day with Aunt Tennille and Aunt Desiree and maple bars!!!
Sweet little face
We stayed overnight and were cleared for release the next morning. We were there for a little more than 24 hours and anxious to get home to Ethan. Like I told the nurse, I'd rather not get any sleep in my own bed!
Getting ready to bust out of there!
Grandma Bernard had come to stay the night with Ethan and was there waiting for us when we arrived home on Sunday morning. Ethan was glad to see us, but uncertain about why that little baby came, too. We did manage to get him to hold Carter, though!
Carter's arrival was definitely not as planned, but we are just thankful that he made it here safely and are so glad to have him as a part of our family. Thanks to our many family members and friends who have helped to fill in the holes for us as we adjust to a life as a family of four!!
We had an early lunch, since our appointment fell right at lunch time. Yummy mummy dogs were on the menu!
Carter was flashing lots of cute smiles despite the fact that he had to be feeling yucky!
Our trip to the doctor's office revealed that both Ethan and Carter had an ear infection and Ethan also had a sinus infection...so we were off to Target to pick up antibiotics. I was already on antibiotics due to mastitis, so it was truly a scary Halloween around our house--especially since Tristan was out of town so I was on my own! By the time we got home, we were all exhausted. Ethan looked so pitiful curled up in this chair!
Carter was passed out, too!
By the evening, we all had a little more energy. I got the boys into their costumes and ready to make the rounds! Ethan was a construction worker, but wouldn't wear his plaid shirt, tool belt or goggles...I'm glad I didn't spend a lot of money on a costume for him this year! Carter wore Ethan's giraffe costume from when he was a baby.
First stop was Grandma Bernard's house. Aunt Desiree was on her way out the door but we snapped a quick picture with her before she left. Notice Ethan's costume is already off!
Grandma Bernard made a Halloween feast including this Pizza-filled snake...
and a goblin cheese ball with chips.
This was the best we could do for a picture...Ethan was running wild! He went out to visit a few neighbors and get some loot with Grandma Bernard...I didn't get to go with him so I don't have any pictures of it, but I heard he had a great time!
Next stop was to Grandpa and Grandma Walker's house. Ethan did a little better for the picture there. Maybe it's because he was a little more tired!
My sweet little pumpkin ready to head home after a busy day
We were sad Tristan wasn't here to celebrate with us, but we made the most of the day despite him being gone and all of the illnesses running wild at our house. It's crazy to think that next year I will have two crazy boys running around!
