Our Baby Boy!

Kevin Jackson Carter

July 30, 2007, 8:40 am

7 lbs 14 oz, 20 inches

Kevin's birth story is definitely not what I anticipated... He was born 6 days early. We checked into the hospital at 9:15 p.m. on July 29 and pulled an all-nighter!! It's a cruel joke that people (including the doctors) tell you to expect your second labor to take half the time!! Kevin took 4 hours, 4 very long hours, longer than Ellie did to enter the world!

He is a beautiful, healthy baby boy. He did suffer some injury during his birth. He has a broken (or fractured) right clavicle. This injury usually only occurs during difficult deliveries, so the doctor and nurse were very shocked to hear the diagnosis. He was born with just 2 contractions after full dilation, and he didn't have a difficult delivery. So, we aren't sure how he broke his clavicle, but it doesn't seem to bother him much anyway! Other than that small item, he seems perfectly healthy and happy!

Ellie is excited about her new brother. We hope this excitement lasts after we bring him home tomorrow!!


We've had lots of friends and family come to visit us. We feel truly blessed. Thanks to everyone for your kinds words and prayers for our family!!

Our Final "Mommy and Ellie Only" Days

Ellie and I spent the last few weekdays before Kevin was born just enjoying our special time together. We bought new painting supplies, and Ellie listened to the baby with her toy stethoscope (Thanks Tim and Jodi! She LOVES playing with her doctor kit!). We also watched cartoons, played dress-up, and went to Gymboree Play THREE times in one week!

Eddie or ELLLL-ee?

No new photos, now. The camera is in my trunk waiting for the baby to arrive!! My mom and nephew came to visit on Tuesday, so hopefully she will share some photos with me soon so that I can share with you!

One story I have been wanting to tell... Last month, we started trying to teach Ellie how to say her name. When she said it, it always sounded like Eddie! So, we started teasing her by calling her Eddie. She would say, "Noooooo, I'm not Eddie. I'm Eddie (trying to say Ellie the second time but still sounding like Eddie)!" I wish I would have gotten it on camera. Oh well! So, we taught her to annunciate the "L" more. So, for a while, she said her name was "ELLLL - ee". Now, she just barely over annunciates the "El" sound. But I still smile every time she says it because it still reminds me of the "ELLLL - ee" days.

38 Weeks!

Here's the 38 weeks photo! My old habit of blinking came back! Chris refused to take any more pics, so we have a half-open pic! But it's not my face we're trying to show you anyway! We celebrated the evening with a nice, relaxing dinner date!

Sleepover with Cousins!

Ellie and her cousins, Molly and Catherine, had a sleepover at Granny's house on Friday night. In the two photos above, Chris was "trying on apparel at the store". Catherine was the belt. Molly and Ellie were the shoes! He has way more energy than I do these days!!

We celebrated Grandpa's birthday (sorry no pics to share)! Happy 74th!!

Ellie's Clothing Size: 0-3 months or 4T

Ellie decided to try on the baby's clothes today. I didn't think there was a chance they'd fit! But once we got them on, she didn't want to take them off!!

First Day of School...

Ellie went to Vacation Bible School today! I think it was really just play time, though, because VBS doesnt really start until you are around Kindergarten. But she will go all week this week. For some crazy reason, I volunteered to be a group leader for vacation bible school this week. At the time I volunteered, I didn't think about the fact that I would be at least 38 weeks pregnant by the time VBS is over!! Oh well! The fact that my niece, Molly, is coincidentally in my class makes it worth the effort!

Ellie didn't want to take this picture, as usual! She doesn't really like the camera! She wanted to wear her tennis shoes because I was wearing mine! So cute! Too bad she won't always want to be like me!

Twinkies!

Chris was wearing his "Stanford shirt" and Ellie wanted to match Daddy! Her shirt used to be mine. I got it at Admit Weekend with Chris last year, but mine shrunk so much that it has become Ellie's nightgown!!

Family Visits!

We had a full house last week with Mimi (Amy), Grandma, Jared, and Jessica visiting! We packed in lots of fun with Schlitterbahn, the Houston Zoo, Diego LIVE, and a visit to Katy to see Aunt Connie! I only have pics from the zoo, but hopefully Grandma will send me more soon so that I can share them on the blog!

Ellie Sending an Email

Ellie loves her computer. It teaches her the ABCs, and she loves to "send emails". Here, she wanted me to move my computer from it's typical spot so that she could put hers in it's place. Then she started to "send emails"!

35.5 weeks

Still growing!!

A Night Away...

A night at the hospital 4.5 weeks before her due date isn't exactly what a pregnant woman would call a welcome night away! Monday night, we went to the hospital for some complications. We were able to get everything under control, and I was released Tuesday morning! But I'm sad to miss our trip to Tahoe for Tim and Jodi's wedding. Eat some cake for me! Chocolate is my favorite!

Sleeping Beauty

Cooking with Granny

Ellie helped Granny make some Amish Friendship Bread last week. As usual, Ellie loved helping and loved eating flour!

She also spent plenty of time looking for Midnight - Granny and Grandpa's dog!