First 24 hours...

We hope to see lots of this!

Carter gets a tour of the hospital halls from dad on his way to the nursery...Practice paid off... It ain't Snoopy (see below) but we made it through.

Carter William Shepherd is home!

Carter William was born on August 3rd at 12:28 pm.

He was a hefty 8 pounds 13 ounces and 21 inches long.

A few minutes after birth.

24 hours old.

Mommy and Daddy ready to go home.

Stay tuned, baby on the way!

Is 3am an actual time? I thought time stopped at midnight and started at 6am. We are about to discover what happens in those little known hours, called mornite. (Is it morning, or night?)
Of course Sunrise Hospital is only a few streets down from Las Vegas Blvd, so I'm certain we won't be alone.
I'm also fairly certain that we will not longer be strangers to 3am, and will probably spend alot of time in the mornite hours.

We will try to keep everyone as up to date as possible on the arrival of Cubby, and of course will post baby's first photos as soon as possible. Check back Thursday evening as I will try get a little info up for everyone. We are very anxious to meet our lil guy, thanks for all the thoughts and good wishes!

another update, but no change....

I got called in early for my Dr. appt today. He said I have made slight progress since Friday but we will probably end up needing to be induced. I was originally scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00pm. My Dr. goes on call at the hospital at 7:00am the following morning. He thought if they started the Pitocin at 8:00pm then he would be there in time for the birth 12 hours later. However, he now thinks I will progress quicker so he doesn't want me to go to the hospital until 3:30am on Thursday so that he will be there when Cubby makes his entrance. I understand the thought process but that just added 7.5 hours to my countdown. He said if we start the Pitocin at 3:30am Thursday we should meet Cubby no later than between 12-3 that afternoon. . . . but he also was the one who predicted we'd have a baby by Monday. So we will wait and see . . .

. . . the countdown continues.

We had our appointment at the hospital yesterday for fetal assessment. First, they hooked me up to a machine that monitors the baby's heartbeat and my contractions. It shows his oxygen levels when he moves, whether they increase or decrease tells the Dr. if Cubby is healthy. He wasn't very active but his heart rate was great and the chart showed I am having contractions every 3 minutes, I don't feel them and they only last about 15 seconds so nothing to be admitted for. Dr. said when the contractions last a bit longer I am pretty much ready to go, I shouldn't be in labor for too long. (Hope she's right.)
Then they did an ultrasound which was great since we haven't had one since week 22. He is all scrunched up, running out of room. The Dr. has to get him to move a lot so she kept buzzing at him with this little tool and when she scanned over his face he was frowning at us like " leave me alone." She said he looks like Jeff. He has Jeff's chin, my nose and a very cute scowl. He also has very cute chubby cheeks. All is very healthy in there she said, he could stay in for another 2 weeks and be perfectly fine. At that moment I think she realized where Cubby got his scowl. I think I shot daggers at her until I remembered they will induce me tomorrow night. I am lucky, if this had been 20 years ago they probably would've just let me be 3 weeks overdue.
Today's schedule:
Sleep
Sleep
Rest
Rest
Go to Dr. at 3:30 for another check.
Come home, rest, sleep, repeat.

Monday a.m. huh?

On a recent post, Jeff let everyone know the Dr. had predicted I would most likely have Cubby by Monday am. Well for those who are keeping track, it IS Monday 11:30am and NOTHING is happening. We are going to go to the hospital for some fetal monitoring tonight. (This is standard when a high risk pregnancy is overdue. They check movement, contractions and amniotic fluid levels.) They will most likely just send me home after about an hour. Then we will see Dr. Rhee tomorrow to go over all the induction info. Wednesday we will go to the hospital at 7:30 pm to get started. Thanks for all the warm wishes!

Wednesday night, this message was left on the chalkboard in our front room by Amy Foss.
As of 1:30 pm Sunday, Cubby hasn't answered yet . . .

Diaper Practice

Jeff was slightly nervous at the thought of diaper changes, having never done anything like this before. I gave him Snoopy and a diaper. He's a natural. Granted Snoopy didn't move, pee on him, or cry while Jeff practiced, but he has the basics down.

Just checking . . .


Proud Papa . . . Now, if Cubby would just get here Jeff could see what it will REALLY be like.

Still waiting...

Renee hanging in there on due date plus four. Doc says he has a hunch that we'll see baby by monday a.m.
We have a hunch that Cubby is just finishing up his remodel project on Renee's ribs so he can hang out a couple more months.When you check out our site be sure to leave a comment so we know you've visited us!!
Click on the small comment link at the bottom of each post, type in your comment in the big empty box, check "other" if you are not a blogger member and just enter your name! Then click publish! Cubby will love to hear how cute he is once he arrives and his pictures take over the blog!

"No news is NOT good news"

Just thought I would keep every one posted on the fact that I am still VERY pregnant and according to the Dr. I saw Monday it could be awhile. If nothing happens by Friday when I see him again they will set me up to be induced August 2nd. Only 1 week to go! Needless to say, sleeping has become impossible as there is no comfortable position when you have a huge basketball attached to you. Poor Jeff isn't sleeping either, . . . how can he? I sound like an old folks clinic every time I attempt to turn over or get up to go to the bathroom at night. Which right now is every hour or so. I guess we are getting used to the probable feeding times. Cubby is still very active, must be building a permanent room in there cause he doesn't have any plans for coming out yet. Thanks for all the thoughts and warm wishes. I love to hear all the old wives tales too. Here are some the have NOT worked . . .
1.) Running up and down the stairs . . . only hurts my feet, and makes Cubby run up and down my ribs.
2.) Split Pea soup . . . tastes gross when it's 116 outside.
3) Squats . . . yeah, and then who helps me get back up?
4.) Scrubbing the floor . . . been there, done that. . . scrubbed the fridge, and bathrooms too.
5.) Dr. gave Jeff a Rx for another one, I won't be specific as most of you know what it is, Dr. Rhee is now Jeff's best friend. I will have to clarify with Dr. Rhee if when he said "as needed" just who's "needs" he was referring to.
6.) Drinking gallons of water . . . I might as well move my bed into the bathroom.
Thanks anyhow, we will keep you posted.

IT'S A B...Ba...basketball???

So I guess everyone was right after all, that's not really a baby in there.

Renee has been carrying around this basketball under her shirt the whole time!

No that's not a real basketball...

Yes Renee's belly is just that round and

Yes Jeff is just that good of an artist.

Renee demonstrates how to properly protect the basketball, trust me on this...

No one is taking that thing away from her!

Of course we can't forget about the baseball fans out there...

For the fans back home in Seattle...

And the California connections...

Cubby's gonna be a lil slugger!

We think it's time for him to come out of the clubhouse and

Play Ball!

NOPE, Not yet....

I know many have been wondering about the arrival of Cubby . . . He's not here yet. I went to the Dr. Yesterday and as the woman in the room next to me went into labor I thought, "Okay, I'm ready too. Take us both to the hospital." Needless to say, she was wheeled off, I was left to be examined and told he could come tonight or 2 weeks from now. Don't you love the accuracy. I mean I've got Mom and Erin needing to book flights to come visit, Karen and Lyle moving into a new house on Saturday and all I get is, "sometime in the next 2 weeks!" I asked Cubby when he thinks he will make his appearance but he didn't give me a definite either. I told him 1 kick meant 1 week and 2 kicks meant 2 weeks, he kicked 5 times. He's planning to be stubborn already I can tell. Back at the Dr. Office he hooked me up to some fetal monitors to get a better reading of Cubby's heart and it looked great. He's happy and comfortable it sounds like. Next Monday I have another appointment and if he hasn't arrived by then they will set up my appointment to be induced the following Wednesday, Aug 2nd. We will keep you posted with more news or no news.

False Alarm #1 . . . many more to follow we're sure.

So, for some who may have heard through the grape vine, I went to the hospital yesterday . . . just for fun. At about 3:30pm I was sitting at my desk at work and was sure my water broke. . . . . I called Jeff's office calmly. Trish at the front desk asked, "Is this a baby thing?" I told her yes not expecting she would page the ENTIRE office and 70,000 sq ft warehouse with "JEFF, BABY ALERT LINE 1." But she did as she was trained by Jeff and he left the office right away. He beat me home by a good 10 minutes, already had the car packed with the diaper bag, and car seat. I got home and lazily finished a couple things around the house, he politely asked why before we left I had to fold the laundry I had taken out of the dryer that morning? I knew I wasn't in active labor so I was just taking my time. I was instructed by the Dr. that if I even THOUGHT my water broke I was to go to the hospital immediately. I did as I was told but I think I made Jeff a little anxious with my lack of urgency. He was READY to go! So off we went, 22 minutes in 5 o'clock Monday traffic to the hospital. Pretty good timing and Jeff didn't speed once. I was checked in and checked out in about 1 hour. The nurse said my water had not broken, I was having contractions but they weren't very noticeable to me and not close enough together to admit me. They sent me home as I thought they would. I feel fine. It was a nice test run . . . .

Cubby's Room

For those who have been asking to see, this is where Cubby will be..... (in a couple weeks). One of our guest rooms has officially become a permanent Cub den.

Grammy and Grampy Klock gave Cubby his 1st bed and changing table. Auntie Erin got us a rocking chair for those late nights ahead. Renee painted the farm animals on the walls and Amanda helped Renee finish the linens. You would think having 9 months to get this room ready would've been long enough, but it was only finished in the last couple weeks. Good thing Cubby wasn't early.

Car seat in the far right corner, from Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd, is all ready for the trip to the hospital. Diaper bag packed.... with more cute outfits than diapers.

4th of July fun!!!

4th of July at the pool! Bryan (new camera and all, is filming Kevin in the pool rather than his cutie pie daughter splashing with her cup), Renee (getting larger by the minute), Cubby (at 37 1/2 weeks), Bree (almost 8 months old already), and Kari (keeping a tight grip on the ever active Bree.)

Bree seems very intent on getting that whole cup in her mouth. . . . and talking at the same time


Errol, Kari, Lyle, and Kevin play Bocchi (sp?) ball. Kari and Kevin make a huge comeback, only to lose in the last round.

As you can tell, the rest of us were very interested in the game. Grandma, Jessica, Karen and Glenna chat in the background and Renee melts poolside.

Baby's new ride!

Jeff assembles the stroller. He needs more practice.
Renee supervises. She does well.
















Success!

Jeff will attempt to assemble bicycles in a few years.
Renee will supervise. She will do well.

Baby Shower!

Mama and Cubby were spoiled by family and friends all weekend. The nursery is well stocked with essentials and then some, Jeff is working on an addition to the house to fit it all in!! Special delivery, Cubby arrives early!
Proud mom and mom-to-be with the yummy cake!
Family traveled from far and wide to attend the special day! From left to Right;
Cousin Sara, a.k.a. Cubby #1, Aunt Sandy, Sister Erin, Renee and Cubby#2!
Grandma Jane had the crowd roaring with her baby shower game antics! How do you hang laundry on the line while talking on the phone and holding the "stuffed gorilla" baby? Put the caller on hold with the baby!

Happy Birthday!

Today we celebrated Grandma's 85th, Renee's 25th,

and Bryanna did her best to spread the news!

People exclusive, Baby's first photos!

Renee has a hunch she is really carrying a cow, which wouldn't be too bad would it? This guy is kinda cute!

Cubby's first Tonka Truck!

It appears Jeff has found a new baby hauler, look at the room for baby gear in this thing!
After a two hour plane trip, 7 hours in the car and 1200 miles from home, we finally found some things to compete with The Belly. The largest truck in the world in Sparwood, BC definately won the battle, but I say we gave the John Deere in Pincher Creek, Alberta a run for it's money...

I promise!!!!

Sorry it has been so long since our last post. We have tons of pictures to post and I promise I will get to it shortly. We have been busy busy busy. Jeff has been installing sprinklers in the yard for grass in the fall. I've been working on the nursery linens and folding and refolding all the cute clothes we keep acquiring. We also went to Kevin's wedding June 3rd in Canada. Very fun! Kevin is the last of the Shepherd boys to be snatched up!. That leaves Kari but we will give her some time on that. The belly continues to grow. We found out yesterday that Cubby is just under 5 pounds at this point. (33.5 weeks along.....6.5 to go) So, if he is only 5 pounds, why have I gained 30!!!!!! (I say that as I sit here with my frosty from Wendy's)
That's it for now, Pictures to come soon.

POOL TIME!!!

Two Saturday's ago it hit 100 for the first time this year. The Shepherd and Anderson family settled for the only thing that seemed logical..... we hit the pool.

But this time we had 2 new additions. Dane (who loves water) and Cubby (who seems to be content just floatin' in mommy's tummy for now.)

Getting bigger by the minute . . . yep, both Cubby and Dane are growing.
Isn't Dane sooooo cute?

29 weeks down, forever to go....

We went to our first "childbirth education" class today. I think they should use the video they showed us in classes to PREVENT women from becoming pregnant. While I was sure Jeff would pass out, he was great. No problem. I, on the other hand, now think I will just stay pregnant for the rest of my life! No delivery here, sorry Cubby.

Is This Weird or What?

So, for the past couple weeks, Jeff and I have noticed that the kitties keep trying to cuddle with my belly. It's like they know someone's in there. Picassa especially likes to squeeze right between Jeff and I to sleep next to Cubby. Well, at least they'll be well aquainted when Cubby gets here.

Our Cutie Pie Niece (wearing Cubby's hat)

Jeff and I got this "trucker" hat at Old Navy. It was so cute Jeff just had to see it on Bree. It fit her perfectly and she didn't seem to mind being our model.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFFREY....28 and counting!

We had a BBQ to celebrate Jeff's 28th birthday. We had his family over for dinner and cake. Good weather, good company, good times.

Shannon, Bree, Bryan, Jeff and Sara (taking a picture of me, taking a picture of her.)

Very yummy chocolate cake, of course at this point anything chocolate is yummy.