"Sneak Peek" of Connor's newborn photos!

When Connor was 9 days old, we had his newborn photos taken by Karen Kulin. He did great and she is an amazing photographer. I am so happy with her work! Mom and I had a hard time picking which to order.

I couldn't figure out how to link the website so just copy and paste the following:

http://www.karenkulin.com/blog/?p=381

Connor is here!

Connor was born on Wednesday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m.!

We went to the hospital (Providence) at 6:30 a.m. to be induced. They started me on pitocin around 7:30 a.m. and contractions slowly started to begin. At first, they weren't bad at all. Around 11 a.m., my doctor (Dr. Counts) came in and broke my water and checked me. I was dilated to a 3.5! Contractions continued throughout the day. They went from ok, to kind of bad, to terrible, to making me cry...then around 3 p.m. I asked for an epidural! My Anaesthesiologist (Dr. Lunoe) was great and it wasn't painful at all.

After I got the epidural, I felt much better! I was ready to get some rest and continue to dilate. That wasn't the case at all. My blood pressure started to drop and the nurse ordered ephedrine to bring it back up. She would give me ephedrine, it would come back up and then it would drop again. This happened six times! After the sixth dose, Connor's heart rate began to speed up and then three doctors entered my room! Dr. Counts checked me again and I was still only dilated to 3.5 and Connor's head was backing up out of the birth canal. He was physically ready to come out, just not mentally! I was then prepped for a C-section and Connor arrived at 6:30 p.m.

He is absolutely perfect! We couldn't be happier. So many prayers were answered.



Connor's first picture immediately after they removed him from my stomach.


Ron cutting the cord.














Mommy meeting Connor for the first time.


Proud daddy!


Connor in the nursery. He looks so huge!


My sweet baby!







I finally got to hold my baby after about an hour and a half!



Dr. Counts & Connor!

Alaska Baby Shower - 1/22/11

Jill (Ron's sister), Emily (Ron's sister-in-law) and Sheryl (Grandma) hosted a fabulous shower for us at Emily's home. It was going to be a surprise, but worried I might go into labor, they told me in advance. They all made a spread of Mexican food that was absolutely delicious! I've craved Mexican food my entire pregnancy, especially cheese enchiladas. Uncle Chris (Ron's youngest brother) even made chicken enchiladas for all the ladies. Aunt Mary, Fay, Andrea Garrod and Victoria, Nicole Hartley and Wyatt, Cousin Shannon and Krista Anderson were all in attendance. We received a lot of great gifts and very much appreciate them all! Thank you all for everything!


Jill, Landon and me.


Table that displayed our baby pictures and baby books. Jill had my mom send my baby book up from Texas.


Beautiful flowers that match the colors in Connor's room.


Predicting Connor's birth day game. Aunt Mary predicted February 14th, she lost. Fay predicted my birthday, February 23rd. I'm hoping she is wrong. If I'm induced on the 2nd, Andrea will win since she predicted Connor would arrive on March 3rd!


The loot!

Inducing on March 2nd!

I just had a visit with Dr. Counts and if Connor doesn't come before March 2nd, we will induce early that morning. March 2nd is also my dad's birthday. This works great for Ron's slope schedule and getting my mom to Alaska from Texas in time. I hope he's ready to meet us!

Connor's room thus far...

I am almost finished decorating Connor's room. We kind of went with an "everything" theme, but mostly airplanes.




The rug is between his dresser and crib.


This wall still needs work. I'm thinking more shelves...and definitely a floor lamp.

Last ultrasound...we think!

Since my belly measured 37 weeks at my 33 week appointment, we had an ultrasound to determine if it is a big baby or lots of fluid. It's a big baby! Per his measurements, he weights 5 lbs. and 14 oz. He is the size of an average 35 week and 4 day fetus. He's only 33 weeks and 6 days! The ultrasound machine moved my due date up to February 25th. I will talk with Dr. Counts on the 1st to decide if we will induce early because of his size. His heart rate was 149 bpm which is perfect. He is head down and still shy. He did not want to show his face...again. The ultrasound pics weren't as clear this time since he's running out of room!

Arkansas Baby Shower - 11/26/10

While we were visiting family in Arkansas over Thanksgiving, my mom (Meme), her long-time friend Sherry Fix and my sister-in-law Natalie threw us a baby shower. It was at Sherry's beautiful log cabin home on Lake Hamilton. My fabulous college friends were all in attendance, including Matt Hawk's mother, Donna Kent and sister, Natalie Kindt and my friend Whitney all the way from NYC! My Aunt Loretta and cousins Lisa, Carley and Paige were also there to celebrate the new addition to our family. It was great seeing them all and we received a ton of adorable gifts! Thank you all for your thoughtfulness!! We really appreciate it!




Connor's cake...it was delish!


From left to right: Lauren McGinnis Sisson, Natalie Hawk Kindt, me, Whitney Miller, Mandy Keaton Piechocki and Erin Leahy Box


Donna holding sweet baby Madeline Grace (Mandy's daughter)


Madeline Grace - Mandy and I are certain Connor and Madeline will date while attending the University of Arkansas together!


Erin and Madeline




Sherry (hostess) and Connor's Meme


Ron was able to come by boat for the end of the shower and meet everyone. Special thanks to Tim (Sherry's husband) for taking Ron on a tour of the lake by boat and decorating his home for Christmas!





While my friend Mary Lee Welch was not able to make the shower because she was in Mississippi, Connor and I were able to have lunch with her the following Monday! Mandy and Madeline also joined us.