I am 2 weeks old and way too cute!

Yes, he is partly Canadian! Yes, he is sleeping with his hand against his cheek. So adorable. He loves his hands.

Grandma trying to get a burp, Carter just hanging out.

Carter's first bath! He was not to sure about it!

Momma just looking at her little peanut. He is so small and cute.

This is how we found his diaper....half off. We had to switch to preemie diapers so they wouldn't come off his skinny butt. At his two week appointment we found out he is back up to his birth weight. So we are supplementing him trying to fatten him up. I hate not being a good enough cow. What can you do.....nursing maids are a thing of the past, so spitting up formula is what we have to deal with.

His stylish hair!

Some quality time with dad, while watching sports. Jim is so great with him. My two amazing men!

Look closely....both legs are in the same leg of the PJ's. He crosses them, or gets them stuck when he pulls his knees up to his chest. Once again, the pains of being too skinny.

He likes his swing.

We bought a wedge, so he could sleep at angle to try to help him not spit up. He rolled down and turned sideways and was sleeping at the bottom of it. Less helpful.

That is our cute little man. We are loving him and getting used to less sleep.....sort of!

Carter James Hickman

Our baby boy is a week old. I went into the hospital on Thursday, got my water broken, started on the pit, after 4-5 hours of intense labor and no dilation I decided it was time for the epidural. He came a few hours after that at 1:18am after an hour and 20 mins of pushing. He weighed 7 lbs 3 ounces and was 20 inches long with lots of dark hair. His first week has not been without trauma. He had blood sugar issues in the hospital, had to be on a jaundice light bed for the first week home, got circumcised, along with trying to figure out his little system and sleep. He probably handled most of the trauma better than his mother. Let's just say I feel a little overwhelmed and am not sure what I would do without my amazing husband and mother that are by my side. How do people do this on their own or more than once. Honestly.....he is pretty darn cute though. Especially when he is sleeping, haha. He has long fingers and big feet, doesn't like to get changed, but loves the sun and light and car rides. He covers his eyes with his hands when he sleeps and he did that in the womb as well.

Greeting his mom with big eyes.

Dad is amazing with him. He takes the 11pm feeding shift so mom can try to sleep for a few hours. I really married the best guy ever!

His first car ride. Leaving the hospital and coming home.

Grandpa taking his turn babysitting. They are both sleeping, classic.

First family picture!

Carter has already graduated from the napper to his crib, mostly because he had to sleep in it with the bilirubin bed. He is already growing up.

Grandma is a life saver. She is there at all hours of the day or night to help out with Carter. I couldn't do this without her and am so grateful that I don't have to. Carter loves his grandma.

Big wide eyes wondering what mommy is doing.

Sleeping in his bilirubin bed. The blue light special. We tried to make him as comfortable as possible. He was a trooper.

He has had a few visitor, some close friends and some uncles and aunts. Jim's parents came over for dinner, but baby boy was having a hard night that night. Some days are better than others....but we are doing good. We sure are glad Carter is here and that he is part of our family. Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, calls, gifts, and love you have offered us.

Grandma Hickman with Carter.

His little jailbird pjs. He still pulls his feet up to his chest in them. He also scratches his face with his long fingers and nails. He is pretty stinkin cute.

We love you Carter!

Baby Moon

It has taken me a few months to get this trip documented....laziness. But in October Jim took me to Ireland for our last big vacation before the baby comes. It was a combo anniversary/ birthday + a little nagging vacation.  It is our baby moon, last big trip before our lives change forever. Some of our favorite traveling companions came with us, Heather and Don (Jim's sister and her husband). To start this trip off we were blessed to get upgraded on some of our flights. Thank you business class, for reclining seats so I could elevate my legs. Heather and Don were very gracious, even though they didn't get upgraded, sorry guys.
The weather was better than we expected, which left Jim feeling bitter cause he never experienced that kind of weather the other times he has visited. We only had a few days of chilly and overcast, most of the time it was clear and warmish.
We had a fabulous time sightseeing and having Jim as our tour guide. We ate dinner with a family that he knew from his mission. We started off our trip by going to a soccer game. Talk about fans, the energy is crazy.

We also went to the Waterford Crystal factory. Beautiful stuff but not baby friendly! No crystal for us!

We ate a LOT of chips (french fries) and chocolate. Chips are served with everything, even Italian food. And well, the chocolate is so good over there so we always had a stash for car rides or walking tours. We might have gained a few pounds...but what can you do. (Work it off when you get home, or blame it on pregnancy) We saw lots of amazing castles! Here I am kissing the blarney stone for the gift of eloquence. Not sure it worked.

Here we are in Kinsale checking out the forts. Grass grows on everything, cool.

A stop on our drive through the countrysides of Ireland.

The Giants Causeway. Amazing what nature can do. Kind of reminded me of the Superman scene when they are in the ice cave talking to Superman's dad.

The Cliffs of Mohr. You can't tell from this picture but they are gorgeous. Jim was mad that they have put up fences so people can't go close to the edge of the cliffs like they once could. Apparently some people have been blown off, but Jim's theory is "Survival of the fittest!" I told him guidelines to keep us safe are not a bad thing. But he likes to live on the edge, so we hopped the fences and walked the path by the edge.

Ireland sights were amazing. We had a great trip and the only snag we had was when we (not mentioning any names) put the wrong kind of gas in the car. Had to take a 2 hour detour to drain the tank and refuel. The most amazing thing was the mechanic didn't charge us for the service cause he said we paid enough in wasted gas. So NICE! It's always a good reminder to be a giving and Christlike person.

Stolen

Just stole this from a friends blog, cause it fits. It's a lesson I continue to be taught, that our lives are in God's hands. He has so many amazing things in store for us, if we just trust him. I do, and I am glad he is going to be trusting me with a little boy soon. I can't wait!

It's a Boy!

After all my talk about wanting a girl, we are excited for the news of a boy! I must explain my desire for a girl, I actually don't care about what order boys or girls come in, and I have nothing against boys....I just always knew I would get boys and I want to make sure I also get a girl. So I wanted a girl so I wouldn't have to stress about what else came. But apparently, I will have to sweat it out down the road. But I am happy that so far everything looks good and I swear just today the little guy started to pop out.  So I guess now I will start thinking about getting some maternity clothes and I can start looking for cute boy things. It will start being more real, cause we haven't discussed anything so far.
They gave us a DVD of everything they saw today, with the baby moving around....actually he wasn't moving much, we had to push him around to even see what he was. He was hanging out with his feet over his head most of the time. Just picking up my moves from pilates. It was a relief to me that everything looks good. I just like to worry, but so far so good. Can't believe I am half way done. This half was the easy part.
I think my husband is a little disappointed, I haven't had any cravings yet, or really nothing to complain about. It has been nice....does that mean he will be a disaster when he comes out? Oh dear!

News to Some

For some of you this will not be new news. But to all that don't know, I am pregnant. Hooray, thank heavens, finally, it's about time....yes, all of those things. Everything is looking good and that is such a relief. I am 15 weeks. Everyone asks, are you going to find out and what do you want to have? We are definitely finding out in 5 weeks!!!!! So excited. I am hoping for a girl but will be happy with a healthy baby.
No pictures, cause honestly there is nothing to show, except me being a little thicker with no real visible baby bump. Just bigger in places that aren't even baby, like the butt and thighs, under the arms, and chest (guess that is related or will be at some point) Most people probably don't notice, but I definitely do. And I fit into most of my clothes, but let's just say they're getting a little too tight. I am glad I had some that were loose before, cause they aren't anymore. I am feeling good, haven't been sick, which I am so thankful for. So really not much has changed, but don't think I don't know that it will in February. Our world will be changed forever....but we can't wait. We are very excited!

My husbandimony

I knew at the time that I was happy and lucky and had found the perfect man for me. 3 years ago today we sealed the deal and I feel happier, luckier, and even more sure of my choice. Jim couldn't be more perfect for me and I am so glad I waited 32 years to find him because he was worth every minute. Someone recently asked me if marriage was an adjustment or if Jim has a habit that drives me crazy and I can honestly answer NO to both of those questions.

He treats me with love and respect and kindness.

He is positive and optimistic and lets things that don't matter go.

He is always willing to help others, whether it is an inconvenience to him or not.

He makes me laugh and we can joke around and be silly.

He likes to breakout into any song that fits the moment.

He tries so hard to make me happy and does what he can to make things right.

He is a hard worker and puts everything he has into his company.

He loves being active and is always up for anything.

He works out hard to be the hunk that I get to cuddle up to every night.(which I love)

He loves the Lord and has a sensitive heart.

He would take care of all the less fortunate people in the world, if he could.

He loves his family, even when they don't appreciate him.

He loves kids and is a great uncle and will be a great dad someday!

He is a man of integrity and honor.

He is my best friend and I love being around him.

He can make a mean egg salad sandwich.

He cooks and cleans and helps out around the house when I need him to.

He makes me want to be a better person.

He is one of the best men I know and I am so blessed that he is mine!

I love you babe!

Happy Anniversary!