Can you stand it?!!

I can't take it!! Is he not just too cute?!!

Two of my good friends here in Pittsburgh take fabulous pictures. And since I just had a baby, I thought I would take them up on getting some shots of little Carson. And I am so glad I did. I absolutely love them!!

Libby took these pics and did a great job. I love all of them and am having a very hard time deciding which ones to frame. It was hard enough picking out only 5 to post on my blog. Is framing all of them a bit much? :)

Thanks Libby for taking the time and having the patience!!

Pleased to announce. . .

CARSON BRADLEY SMYTHE

Carson was born last Wednesday, March 18th at 9:01pm. He weighed 8lbs 4oz. My smallest BY FAR!! And was 20 inches long. I finally went to the hospital that afternoon around 1pm, thinking I wasn't actually going to get induced. But everything worked out great. Getting the IV was of course a total mess. You all know me and my pathetic attempt at not passing out. It did not work. As I knew it wouldn't. I warned the nurses, told them to wait and let me take the anti anxiety pill I had prescribed for me, but they are all the same. "Oh, trust me. You will be fine. I have been doing this for 30 years." Blah Blah Blah. I wanted to say, "Yeah, so have I." So, I passed out, one of the nurses almost called a "code" (how's that for special treatment?) and then I woke up.

Then the pitocin kicked in and I asked for the epidural. Mmmmm, who doesn't love modern medicine?!!!

After a couple of hours, my water broke, and I went from a 4 to a full blown 10 in an hour. Then it was time to get little Carson here. My mom arrived just in time. Literally, right for the moment. Everything went perfectly. I couldn't be happier.
For those that don't know, I use midwives. And I really do love it. I love all the meds, mixed with a really great midwife that is so helpful and understanding. This delivery was with Tanya and she was awesome. She was there for all of it. Just talking and helping.

Carson came fast. And he is perfect. I love every last inch of him. He has already added something to our family that I never knew we needed so bad. He helps make us feel complete. I say "helps" because you never know if I might just have more. Carson spent much of his first night in the NICU because of some blue coloring on his lips and had to have a blood work up done, but everything is fine. Thankfully. Poor little guy.

So, I am good. Just the normal recovery. We came home from the hospital yesterday and as I knew it would happen, last night was hard. He was up until 5am and nursing around the clock. Jason took him for me and I got to sleep from 5-7:30 this morning. Not like that is enough, but it felt good after holding him and nursing him from 11pm-4am. I knew it would happen, but I always hope it won't. :) Now I have to get adjusted to all sorts of new things. There are so many kids around now. :) Thank goodness my mom is here for another week and Jason doesn't have to go back to work until Thursday. Ahhhhh. . . . Plus, my dad came and helped with the kids while I was in labor and in the hospital. I don't know how I would have done it if my mom and dad didn't come before the birth. My poor friends would have had to take 3 extra kids and that is never ideal. :) Now that it is almost 2pm, I need to go take a shower. And then put my pj's right back on. Cute. The fair compensation for having babies would be to get super skinny right away. I mean, we had to get all huge over the course of a year and then we get to stay all juicy for practically another year. Where's the justice!?

Still waiting.

This is a quick little update. I keep getting calls and emails asking about the baby so this will be my way of letting everyone know that I think I might have imagined this pregnancy.

I am still pregnant. I am "supposed" to be induced today, but the hospital still hasn't called me to tell me what time to come in. They said it would be between 8-12, but no word yet. So things are not looking too promising for today.

I was due last Tuesday so needless to say, I am more than ready to have this baby and NOT be pregnant. I guess we will see what happens.