~ Welcoming Karter Kaye ~

We welcomed Karter on the morning of Dec 30 as planned.  Jared, his brother Justin, and I headed to the hospital at 5:15 on Thursday morning, filled with anticipation, excitement, fear, joy, anxiety, and about every other emotion you could think of.  

39 wks 1 day, 12/30/10
Mommy is ready to head to the hospital!

Things went smoothly, until the walk into the hospital when Justin fell on the ice and bumped his head.

From there, things went smoothly, until 2 senior RNs and a anesthesiologist spent an hour and 25 minutes piercing my back for the spinal.

From there, things went PERFECTLY! 

Jordan gets in a last minute prediction that Karter will be so big!

Jared was beside the surgeon as he lifted our 9 lb 13 oz blessing from above into the world (impressing every doctor and RN in the room with her large and perfect proportions).

Daddy is ready to take his spot in the operating room with Mommy!

By the time I made it from the operating room to the recovery room, Karter was ready to enjoy her first 59 mL of goodness from the bottle that Daddy fed her (impressing the nurse who had never seen a baby eat a whole bottle at birth before). 

I was up walking without any help within 12 hours from the start of my surgery (impressing even myself, after it took 2 days to walk assisted after my first surgery).

We are happy to have been joined by friends and family, making Karter's birth day a day that we will always remember with joy.

 

Karter is a big, healthy, beautiful, brown haired, blue eyed bundle of Baby Rinker.

Today is New Years Eve.  Jared and I look forward to ringing in the new year in our hospital room with the newest addition while Jordan parties it up back at the house with her Mima and Mipa!

Toasting 8p on New Years Eve with a couple special Rinker guests!

Daddy celebrating his special holiday delivery and the new year with his bro.

The party has already started back home in North Canton!

Karter is resting up for a wonderful 2011!

HAPPY NEW YEARS from our family to yours!  We toast you, our friends and family who have helped us overcome the lows and enjoy the highs of 2010: May the most memorable moments (and miracles) of 2010 shine in our hearts forever, as we make new memories in 2011!

Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3 to Go!

It is safe to say that I've fallen behind!  Yet another plan off course, but I will offer you a few excuses:

(1) Christmas was on Saturday!  Merry Christmas everyone!!
(2) We have a baby coming in 3 days!  Tick-Tick-Boom!!
(3) Our computer crashed!  Like a 2 year old driving a car for the first time!!

Here's a quick update (I'll offer more detail and pictures once I get the Christmas presents put away and the kitchen picked up and the hospital bag packed and the spare bed made and the bathroom cleaned and perhaps a quick nap in...)! 

Christmas Eve Highlights:
- Making cookies as a family!
- Wrapping presents with one special helper!
- My parents' and sister, Sue's surprise early arrival!

Christmas Day Highlights:
- Celebrating a special baby boy and our 2 special little girls!
- Homemade Christmas dinner with family... with lots of stuffing for Mama and mashed potatoes for Jordan!
- Toys from Santa!  Jordan received everything that she asked for (and everything she didn't know that she needed)!  Even the train, which she didn't say she wanted until after 9p on Christmas Eve!
- Speeding down the street at 5-6mph in a flashy pink convertible!

Merry Christmas all! 

... 7 Days ...

I haven't received all of my maternity pictures back from Roxxi Photo yet, and given the timing with the holidays, I don't think the big reveal I've been planning is likely before Karter's entry... so... new plan! 

(Yes, Jared, there must always be a plan and I love you.)

So the new plan is... I will countdown the days with a new picture a day! 

(Perhaps this is more exciting for me than you, but if you're reading, I'm assuming that you're fully prepared to share in my excitement... no matter how silly :)

And as the creepy spinning baby on the right indicates, one week from today, we will be kissing our newest blessing from above.

The Next 9 Days

Today is Tuesday, Dec 21.  In just 9 days, our little family of 3 will become a family of 4.  There is plenty left to do, but we cannot waste our last 9 days worrying about unfufilled plans!  There is so much fun already on the schedule!

Tuesday, Dec 21: Work; Appointment with Dr. Davis at 2:15p for a follow up consultation.
Wednesday, Dec 22: Work; Appointment with our attorney at 9a; Call with my doctor to discuss. consultation with Dr. Davis and finalize birthing plans.
Thursday, Dec 23: Work; Wrap presents and prepare for Christmas!
Friday, Dec 24: Make cookies; Focus on Christmas!
Saturday, Dec 25: Christmas!; Enjoy time with Jared, Jordan, my Mom, my Dad, and my sister, Sue.
Sunday, Dec 26: Play with Christmas presents; Find a home for Christmas presents.
Monday, Dec 27: Work; Prepare home for baby Karter (set-up Pack 'n Play and swing, install carseat, rearrange closet and dresser space); Play with Christmas presents!
Tuesday, Dec 28: Work; Prepare home for baby Karter (set-up Pack 'n Play and swing, install carseat, rearrange closet and dresser space); Play with Christmas presents!

Wednesday, Dec 29: Work; Welcome visitors from WV, IN and PA; Enjoy time with Jared, Jordan, my Mom, Steve, Dee Dee, Brittney, Mel & Justin
Thursday, Dec 30: Welcome Karter Kaye Rinker at 7:30a!!!!
Friday, Dec 31: Welcome big sister, Sue; Breathe!!    

Week 37.5 Update

We had the 37 week ultrasound on Friday, and there likely isn't much surprise to the news.  Karter is BIG!  But between her mama and her big sis, that's the trend with the gals in this family, so what else could we expect?  Jordan weighed in at 8 lb 13 oz when she was born at 40 weeks and 5 days; Mama weighed 9 lb when she was born at 39 weeks.  According to Friday's +/- 1.5 lb (aka: less than accurate) ultrasound calculation, Karter is already 8 lb 14 oz!!  Her head measured at 42 weeks!  Now that is some massive brain potential!!  But hey, is that not also the trend with the gals in this family?

I'll be back at the doctor tomorrow morning for a follow-up and will have yet another consultation with the surgeon on Tuesday, but one thing is for certain.  The "options" have depleted, and we WILL be having a c-section on or before Dec 30 at 7:30a.

Here are a couple of pictures from Friday's session:

Karter seems to be keeping pretty cozy in these tight quarters.  There's no sign of her trying to make any sort of escape!  Daddy says that with this cold Ohio weather, she must be using that big head of hers!

Yep, that picture is correctly labeled.  Her foot is indeed at her nose!  Where else is she suppose to put it?  She is one big gal, and she's running out of room!!

Week 37 Update

We are in to week 37, which is a nice place to be.  I know, you never thought I'd say that, did you?  But, week 37 is a huge milestone.  Karter is now considered "full term," even though the actual "due date" is three weeks away.  If I go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

I only measured to 1cm on Monday, but I'm still hopeful that there could be some natural progress this time around.  We are going in for an ultrasound tomorrow at 4p to get a good gage of Karter's size.  Our plan remains intact.  If she is large, we will most definitely repeat the c-section, but if she's small to medium and things progress nicely prior to Dec 30, it's on!  I am excited to see what the little girl looks like!  Based on early pictures, I'd say she's likely to look like her Daddy. 

Tomorrow is also a big day for Jordan.  We'll be touring her new preschool, which she'll transition to in March.  She may even get to ride the bus!  And this is one little girl who LOVES public transportation, so *that* would be a dream come true! 

It will also be a big day for this mama.  I intend to pack the bag!  As of today, we are exactly 14 days (2 weeks) or less from delivery, so I expect that it's probably time to start preparing, at least a little.

Things just got busy!  Next week is Christmas; no, we're not done shopping or even decorating.  The following week, we welcome a new member to the family and ring in the New Year; no, we haven't set things up at the house or packed our bags.  But, that doesn't mean we're not excited!  The next chapter of our lives is about to begin; sure we're anxious and a bit frightened, but we were born to live this life and we are ready for the challenges, the tears, the laughter, and that irreplaceable feeling of becoming parents all over again.

The countdown continues...

And as we countdown the days until the arrival of St. Nick, we are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of another very special gift.  Karter will be here in 17 days or less.  After my appointment this morning, I'm thinking that the "or less" part is merely a dream.  The doctor said that I am soft, but still very high with only 1 cm dialation.  (De ja vu?)

Things are otherwise super.  The heartbeat remains strong and clear.  The baby is measuring on track with size.  My weight gain has slowed.  And we have an ultrasound on Friday.

All Aboard the Polar Express

Saturday night was a day of pure excitement for one little gal!  It was Jordan's first ride on the Polar Express!  From the moment that she saw her new flannel Christmas pajamas (bought especially for the big event), the excitement couldn't be contained!  As we sang Christmas songs, looked at lights, listened to a Christmas story, and enjoyed a visit from St. Nick himself, no one could deny that the happiest gal on the train was one squealling, giggling, Jordan Rose! 

Mommy and Jordan wait to board the Polar Express!

One golden ticket to the North Pole!

The North Pole?  Ha!  That's silly; Santa lives at the Mall!

Checking out the Christmas lights...

 

and more lights!

While the elves shared the story of the Polar Express, Jordan shared a little story of her own with Matt.

The kiddos huddled around Santa Clause, a special guest that we picked up at the North Pole!

Jordan speaks of Santa fondly.  Throughout the day, she rings her bell and sings the first three lines to "Jingle Bells", and at night, she clenches it in her hand while she sleeps. 
Jordan is counting down the days until he comes to her house and puts presents under her tree.  I am counting down the days until I see the joy that his visit will bring!

Mark your calendars!

We're on the schedule for Thursday, Dec 30 at 7:30a.  So unless she gets anxious, Dec 30 at 7:30a it is!!

She may miss Christmas (and spoil our ornament tradition), but she'll be here to help us ring in the New Year!  I hope they do it up big at Akron General, because it looks like we'll be watching the ball drop from our hospital room!  But what's important is that we'll be doing it together... as a new family of 4!  Hopefully I can convince Mama Hamilton to join us with some pork and sauerkraut.  I hate the stuff, but she always promises me that I'll have a year of misfortune if I don't have my pork and sauerkraut on New Years!! 

Coming soon to a city near you: The Rinker family of 4 - Jared, Crystal, Jordan and Karter!

All we can ask for...

I believe that when we have a really bad day, sometimes the best thing to do is admit defeat and ask for a better day tomorrow.  That is exactly what I did yesterday!  On a side note, that's what Jordan did too.  She fell asleep eating dinner at 6:30 and didn't make a peep until 7:15 this morning.

Today is already better.  Nothing of note has happened really, but when I woke up this morning, I realized that I had survived what was probably my worst day of this pregnancy (thus far, I know). 

What's more, I woke up to a loving husband and the chitter-chatter and laughter from our shared hero coming through the baby monitor. 

Work hasn't been quite as painful this morning, and although we have no clue where life is taking us and can't seem to answer a single unknown without introducing 2 or 3 more, we are finding that the juice really is worth the squeeze.  And for Jared's Aunt Jen and anyone else who isn't familiar with the quote, it comes from a 2004 release called The Girl Next Door.  Consider the hard work that goes in to making enough fresh squeezed lemonade to quench your thirst, and if the enjoyment of the drink is enough to out weigh the time and energy spent on making the drink in the first place, then the juice is worth the squeeze.

Matthew: Moral fiber. So, what is moral fiber? It's funny, I used to think it was always telling the truth, doing good deeds, basically being a [bad language removed] boy scout. But lately I've been seeing it differently. Now I think moral fiber's about finding that one thing you really care about. That one special thing that means more to you than anything else in the world. And when you find her, you fight for her. You risk it all, you put her in front of everything, your life, all of it. And maybe the stuff you do to help her isn't so clean. You know what? It doesn't matter. Because in your heart you know, that the juice is worth the squeeze. That's what moral fiber's all about.

Urbandictionary.com offers the following explanation:
 
Make sure that what you are doing and striving for is going to be worth any sacrifices you will have to make along the way. If it's a relationship, job, anything in life.

If you love someone more than life itself and will do anything to have her and shes perfect for you, yet you have to move far away and start a new life, the juice is worth the squeeze.

36 Week Update!

I'm feeling a bit winy today... be warned.

This has been what I would call our first big snow of the season.  It started on Saturday, while we were at Jared's annual Christmas party for work and still hasn't stopped.  The ground is white, but the snow isn't super thick yet.  And it's COLD outside!!

So of all mornings to have a doctor's appointment, I had one today.  I am about 20 miles from the doctor's office, and it usually takes me about 20 minutes to get there.  Today, it took an hour!  No, I didn't prepare for that.  Yes, I was late.

The doctor's appointment went okay.  They still were able to see me pretty quickly, but between the actual appointment, test, and trip to the lab, it took forever.  We did my strep test that we didn't do last week.

On the way home, I stopped at the grocery to pick up a few items.  Primarily, food for Jordan.  That trip also took longer than it needed to; and then by the time I got home, the bags had shifted just enough for her jarred food to fall out onto the driveway and bust everywhere.  I managed to salvage a few, but that only partially helps.

I've tried working today, but I'm pretty run down.  I just sent a note to my boss and will be shutting down for a few hours to try to get ahead of this feeling of ick that's coming on.

Wish me a nice nap and that I will wake up far less winy and ready to post something fun to read!

Ready for a Vacation!

I just scheduled my final 2 1/2 days of vacation for 2010!  No, I won't be able to head South to hit the beaches or visit my out of town family for the holidays, but I will have be able to finish any last minute Christmas shopping or wrapping, get the house cleaned up and ready for the new baby, knock out any necessary grocery shopping, pack my hospital bag and maybe even relax!!

When are these bless'ed days?  Dec 15, the afternoon of Dec 16, and Dec 17!  Which means... next week is my last five day work week in 2010!  In fact, if Karter comes on Dec 29, I am down to 13.5 total work days left this year!!  (My office is closed Dec 24, and Dec 27).

If Karter comes on the evening of Dec 17, as I hope she does, I would only have 8.5 total days of work left this year!!

35 Wk Appointment Update

Yesterday's appointment was... good.  It was my first appointment that I didn't have my regular doctor; but it was for a good reason, since she was delivering a baby.  I really liked the doctor I met with, which is good news since the reality with any practice is that it may or may not be your own doctor who is available when you need them most.

Baby Karter continues to do well.  Her heartbeat is strong and clear, and she has "assumed the position" since my last appointment.  She continues to measure on track for size and appears to be doing everything she needs to be doing to prepare herself for what lies ahead. 

I weighed in 1 pound under my last appointment 2 weeks ago.  There are three good reasons for no concern: (1) my weight had previously jumped up for my last 2 appointments (2) I wasn't wearing jeans (3) I had a snack attack when I got home last night and weighed a pound heavier this morning!

We decided to hold on my strep test until my doctor is back next week; but this doctor did strongly recommend that I get a flu shot with the H1N1 vaccine.  So of course, I am already experiencing "flu like symptoms".

Jordan was invited to a girls' night decorating party at her nanny's house last night, so Jared and I used the time to ensure that Santa got the right doll baby for Jordan for Christmas.  This was easy enough since the doll baby was in a store at the mall, and per Jordan, Santa lives at the mall.  (Give her a break, she's 2!)

I can't wait to see her face when she sees the presents that Santa brings her... especially the doll baby that she is so excited to bathe!