Carter's Birth Story

The last few weeks and months before your arrival left me a very anxious mama. I was very hopeful you’d come early since I had a work event on September 17^th and wanted as much time as possible with you beforehand. I knew your sister came early and really hoped you would too. Your due date was August 16^th and I spent the week or two beforehand trying all sorts of ideas to get labor going-I even did acupuncture for the first time! As of Monday the 5^th, I was already dilated to 4 cm and having Braxton-Hicks contractions all the time.
I really wanted you to come only when you were ready but I had even penciled in an induction for August 12^th in case you hadn’t arrived yet. Actually, we had first scheduled an elective induction on the 11^th, but we rescheduled it for the 12^th because B-Bo and Mammy had a big Bethel reunion party at their house that day.
On the 11^th, at 4:17 am, I woke up with a contraction that was definitely uncomfortable. After that, I couldn’t fall back asleep. Contractions were 4-10 minutes apart for a few hours as I sat and tracked them (while watching Downton Abbey on TV). I still didn’t know if this was false labor or the real thing.
Meanwhile, Laura Agaba had been texting me the night before that she was in early labor and then that morning she wasn’t responding to texts, a clear sign that she was busy delivering a baby. I was so hopeful that you might arrive on the same day as Eden!
Once Daddy and Avery got up, we continued on to get ready to go to church. The contractions stayed steady but didn’t grow much in intensity or frequency. We went for a quick walk that morning but decided to go ahead and go to church since it still wasn’t certain that this was real labor.
I continued on through church service, quietly counting contractions as Pastor Kevin preached on The Jesus Stories, and went out to lunch afterwards at Chandler’s Crabhouse with Poppy and Grammy. By this point the contractions were definitely growing in strength, but I still didn’t want to get my hopes up too high. I had been hoping and praying for true contractions and labor so much, so I was probably a little extra skeptical about whether this was the real thing.
After lunch I called in to the on-call doctor at the hospital, Dr. Bohmke. She suggested I come in to the hospital to check on any progress. We took Avery home, put her down for a nap, packed up some bags just in case, and headed in to triage at the hospital.
We arrived shortly after 3 pm to the hospital. Our good friend, Leia Brown, was working in triage so she got us all checked in. Dr. Bohmke checked me and found that I was dilated to a 6, so we would be able to stay! A wave of relief washed over me as I realized I would be meeting you soon! It was such an answer to prayer and perfect timing for your arrival. 
Around 5 pm, after getting checked into a room, Leia sent us to go walk around the hospital for an hour. We had been walking around the hospital for about 10 minutes or so when we passed through the lobby and (pop!) my water broke. I couldn’t hold in nonstop giggles as Daddy and I rushed back up to our delivery room. I found it so hilarious that I had basically involuntarily wet myself in the middle of a public place.
We returned to the room and soon after, Jill and Mammy and Baby Kate arrived at the hospital. We chatted with them in the delivery room as my labor progressed. Right as I entered transition, I decided it was time to get an epidural. Many of my contractions were right on top of each other at that point. I definitely handled them better than I remember having done with Avery, but the 15-30 minutes before the epidural were like torture.
It was a couple hours more and I still had only progressed to a 7. Dr. Bohmke came in and felt that your head was turned sunny side up, which was stalling labor. She then turned me into a sideways position and dropped in a little bit of Pitocin to get you moving. Within about 5 minutes, I started feeling an intense amount of pressure. I mentioned it casually, but within 10-15 minutes I was a little more emphatic about this intense pressure I felt. Dr. Bohmke then came back in to check and found that I was at a 10 and you were on your way out! The doctor and our nurse, Leah, moved quickly into position for delivery.  Before you knew it, we were all set up to push.
My epidural was much lighter than it had been with your sister, so I felt every push and cut (albeit somewhat muted because of the epidural). It was 21 minutes of pushing to get you out. These were very intense, very painful, and super hard work, but I was thrilled to have it over so much quicker than with Avery. You then arrived at 9:41 pm.
The moment they brought you up on my chest right after you came out was full of joy and a natural comfort. I didn’t feel the overwhelming mind shift like I had with Avery, I just felt like I was so your mom and you were mine. I knew what I was doing this time. I also then had the thought that you felt much heavier than I expected! I later learned that this was because you were 9 pounds, 7 ounces-2 pounds heavier than your sister!
After giving birth, I almost immediately felt so much physical relief. Carrying you around was not very easy on mommy’s body! The week after you arrived, though, Daddy took work off and I felt awesome so we did so many fun activities. We went to the park, walked to Molly Moon’s, went shopping at University Village, took the ferry to the Whidbey Island Fair, went to Woodland Park Zoo with the Overfields, and had visits with family and friends.

Homeward Stretch

I'm now officially full term (as of 3 days ago) and getting very excited to meet our little guy.

It still could be weeks before his arrival, or it could be hours. I'm remembering this stage well when I feel like a ticking time bomb-so eager yet trying to be realistic about timing. It's both wonderful and frustrating. Last Wednesday I wasn't dilated or effaced at all, and today (Monday) I was so excited to learn that I'm about 80% effaced and dilated to a loose 2 (I'm at 3 at the opening of my cervix and more like a 2 where Carter's head is, in case we want to get detailed about it). With baby #2, it's common for your body to begin prepping earlier. So, while this is where my body was at 24 hours before I went into labor with Avery, I'm trying not to get too excited since things will likely go differently this time.

Getting ready for a baby the second time around seems so much easier! I feel very very little, if any, anxiety about the labor process and I feel so much more ready for the newborn stage. The tricky part, of course, will be balancing that out with taking care of a busy toddler at the same time.

I can't say I've slowed down in preparation for Carter until maybe just recently. June was a very busy work month, with prep for WFC's fiscal year end and annual conference being intense, a new rental house that we bought, fixed up, and rented out, annual meeting for Project Hope Northwest that I coordinated, and still doing Beza Jewelry stuff on the side. Then, late June and most of July was a very busy and fun social month-Bodine trip to Mt. Rainier, 4th of July, 10 year reunion & festivities (big success!), Amanda and Brian's wedding (Jacob was a groomsman, Avery was an amazing flower girl, and Frank was the officiant), a week in Sunriver, baby shower for Carter (a wonderful afternoon from Cousin Katie), 60th birthday party for Frank & Jan (hosted by us and McClungs at the McClung's house).

As of Friday when I officially hit full term, I've decided to switch into work-only-at-home mode. This gives me more time with Avery before Carter's arrival and it avoids the risk of going into labor in the middle of a work meeting. It also seems more necessary this time because I'm so much more uncomfortable at this stage than I was with Avery. One day last week when I was in the office, Carter was in a position that made it dreadfully painful to even walk. I'm pretty much constantly in a notable amount of discomfort, and at times terribly exhausted or uncomfortable. I don't remember it being that extreme at all with Avery. We also have cleared our calendar as much as possible-even sold our tickets to the JT & Jay-Z concert in Vancouver :( Finally starting to get some downtime though and it feels fantastic....although, I have a weird sickness where I feel almost guilty when I'm enjoying downtime without doing. I'm working on getting over that.

Jacob and I went on a date night to Al Boccalino last week, which is where we had one of our last nights alone before Avery arrived. This is the picture we snapped right after dinner.

I had originally planned on doing maternity pictures again, but decided to save our time, energy and money to do some after Carter's arrival instead. However, when we were on vacation in Sunriver this month, I asked Cousin Kristina if she might take a few for us. I realized that it would be fun to have some belly pics with Avery in them, and that my Carter belly has turned out to be much larger than my Avery belly was. So we took maybe 10 minutes to snap a few pictures in the middle of family hangout time (after family group photo and before a trip to Goody's for ice cream). Kristina did a beautiful job of capturing this stage in our family's life.

Almost time to meet Carter

Wow, all of a sudden I am nearing the end of pregnancy! Technically he's not due until August 16th so I have almost 2 months left but I'm pretty convinced he'll come at least several days early (wishful thinking maybe?)
There are certain things that are so similar about my 2 babies during pregnancy, but mostly it's so different. I haven't been sick in a couple months now, whereas with Aves I was still on Zofran even in the 3rd trimester. I've even had an appetite and enjoyed food often, which I don't remember ever happening until immediately after I delivered Avery. As a result, Carter feels much bigger and stronger than Avery did. His movements seem to be stretching out into whole new areas of my body. I'm also really easily winded because he is up in my lung space. I definitely am much more uncomfortable and sore this time around.
Carter's position, however, seems to be pretty similar to his sister's. In this blog I noted that Avery's legs hung out way on my left side and her head rested in my right hip for much of the 3rd trimester, and Carter has been doing the exact same thing.
All in all, though, pregnancy the second time around is much easier. Mostly the mental part of having been here before makes the process much easier. The main thing that has been more difficult is managing what feels like a much busier life during this stage of pregnancy. We recently purchased a second rental home, so I've been working on full-time work (WFC), part-time job (Project Hope NW), management of 2 rental houses, very part-time job (Beza Jewelry), nearly full-time mom with a toddler, and plenty of events (including a few that I'm hosting) and social stuff going on. I'm finally nearing somewhat of a lull in a couple of these areas, so I can breathe a little easier, but it was really hard and really overwhelming for a few weeks there. Especially with the hormones mixed in to intensify it all.
Tonight I worked on some organizing and decorating in Carter's room. Jacob put the crib back together for a baby (we had it converted to a toddler bed for Avery). I have another shower come up so I'm holding off on some bedding and other essentials, but the room is nearly ready for him! I also got a wonderful hand-me-down bassinet from Jill so he'll hopefully be happily resting in that in our room for up to a month after his arrival anyway.

32+ weeks with baby Carter

8 days ago we welcomed our new niece, Reagan Ann Mailelani, into the world. That means Carter is next for babies in the family! Hanging out through the birthing process for Reagan (which got pretty complicated and ended in a C section) got me really pumped for when the time comes to deliver Carter. I remember really enjoying the excitement of that process with Avery, and hopefully I feel the same this time around.

Halfway

20 weeks. Halfway there!

Got to meet our sweet niece Kate a little earlier than expected too. Love her!

Hey Mr. Carter

Today we found out our baby is a BOY!
Within practically a few seconds of the technician starting the ultrasound she pointed out that it was clearly a boy. "Without a doubt" as she said. That was a different experience than when we had to spend time looking around and checking to ensure Avery was a girl.

Most importantly, we learned today that our baby is healthy and growing right on track. During the ultrasound, he would rest for a couple months here and there but mostly spend his time flipping around and stretching out his little arms and legs. He was very active. I drank a huge cup of orange juice right before the ultrasound because I had heard that may supposedly help them get wiggly, so I'm not sure if that was the cause of it.

We went with the same plan that we did for the reveal with Avery. We found out around noon that we were having a boy, but then we turned our phones off mostly and did shopping and alone time. Then at 5 it was the plan to have dinner at either Pink Door (if it's a girl) or BluWater Bistro (if it's a boy). We took pictures at BluWater and then sent them to family and friends, as well as posting them online. We happened to have both of our phones freeze up right at 5 so we didn't get them sent until close to 5:05 and had our family dying of curiosity by then! We spent time at dinner playing 'tennis' going back and forth with all the reasons that it's so fun to be having a boy. I won our tennis game, but who's keeping track? ;)

Even before I was pregnant with Avery, we knew that we had our boy named picked out: Carter. We still stuck with it in full agreement this time around. We mostly just like the sound of it. However, it doesn't hurt that Jacob's favorite artist is Sean Carter (Jay Z) and one of his favorite basketball players is Vince Carter. And, Wayne Carter (Li'l Wayne) also has a song we really like called "Hey Mr. Carter". It's unfortunately pretty explicit in a few parts but you can hear it here.
The meaning of Carter doesn't amaze me ("one who pulls a cart") but I'm over it. And it's moving up in popularity (#17 ranking for baby names in 2013) but that's fine too.

Pregnancy the second time around really is easier, but I also can't help but be suspicious that it's been overall easier on me because I have a boy in there this time around.
Alright, time to get some boy gear and get our nursery re-decorated!

Photos from our baby gender day:

Sweet little face, toes, arm and leg

The official 'reveal' photo

Me and baby at 18.5 weeks 

Photos and reflections from when we found out Avery was a girl here: http://ourwashburnfamily.blogspot.com/2011/01/its-girl.html 

Almost Halfway

Ok, that title might be a little bit of a stretch, but not much!

I'm almost 17 weeks so we're nearing the halfway point. Still feeling lots of baby flutters but nothing on the outside yet and no distinctive kicks. March 19th is the date for our ultrasound when we find out the gender, and we can't wait. We both feel like it's a boy, but not as strongly as we knew it was a girl with Avery.

If it's a boy: the name is Carter Kaapana (Jacob's middle name and his grandma's maiden name).
If it's a girl: the name is either Harper or Kennedy...most likely. Middle name is almost for sure Lokini Lola (Jacob's grandma's middle name).

Took a quick belly pic just because I felt bad for not doing this often. With Avery I did it every 2 weeks, but this is just my second official one with baby #2.

Don't be deceived, I never actually work out. This just looks more tasteful than staying in my pajamas.

Here's me at the same stage in pregnancy back in 2010 with Avery:

I'm continuing to feel better little by little. Today is my first day on only one zofran pill (knock on wood...hope I make it until bedtime without needing another).

Also, having a toddler and working full time while being pregnant is crazy and so busy. But it's awesome. Avery is so much fun right now. Work is also very rewarding and flexible so all in all, I'm feeling relaxed and balanced. Jacob is amazing at doing whatever he can to help out with my tiredness and taking care of Avery when he's home.

Here We Go Again!

I am now almost 14 weeks into my second pregnancy!

We are so thrilled to meet another Washburn baby. I (obviously) am not as diligent about recording everything on this pregnancy, but I'm still just as excited. Parenthood has certainly been a lot of work, but Avery has been a total dream as a baby and into her toddler stage. I can't wait for her to have a constant buddy and to grow this love in our family.

Here's some photos from the night we found out our family was expanding:

Avery helped us reveal our pregnancy to a bunch of family and friends:

Pros about this pregnancy:

• Zofran. This time I filled my prescription before I even started to feel sick and it has made a world of a difference (read here to learn how I suffered through 1st trimester and beyond without it last time). I still have had plenty of 'yuckiness', tons of moments of exhaustion, but I haven't spent hours huddled over the toilet which has been amazing (who has time for that with a full time job and a toddler!??!).
• Second time is way easier. I know what to expect, how to manage worry, and just feel so comfortable with the whole process.
• I'm even more excited to have a baby now that I know how amazing Avery is.
• Jacob is even better at taking amazing care of me and Avery when I feel nasty. He is more experienced at this whole thing too.
• Being pregnant at the same time as my sister and Jacob's sister! Kate Overfield is due mid-April and Reagan McClung is due mid-June!
• Feeling baby flutters at 10 weeks this time. With my first pregnancy, I didn't feel any flutters until 18 weeks (read about that experience here).

Cons about this pregnancy:

• Typical list of symptoms, but again they aren't as bad as last time.
• Not much else! So far it's been nice and smooth. Sometimes I feel like I'm tricking people when I tell them I'm pregnant because I have many moments where I still feel 'normal'.

We will find out if we are having a boy or girl on March 19th!

Here's my first official belly shot at 13 weeks: