One Month Already?!?

Where has the last month gone?  When people say your children grow up before your eyes--they are not kidding.  I cannot believe one month has come and gone.  Craig and I's life has quickly changed into diaper changes, feedings, and getting home before "bedtime."  It's amazing how your life can change in just a matter of a moment but it has been one change Craig and I have fallen in love with.

Liam was one month old on May 7th!  We still can't believe how much he has changed in just 4 short weeks!  In the last month he has started to smile at us when we talk to him.  It's such a joy to see your little one smile at you when he hears your voice.  Liam is also trying to hold his head up for a little bit at a time.  He has not fully mastered it but he's getting close!  Just in the past few days he has learned he can make a few noises and at times will give us a little "coo" here and there! 

We also ventured out one beautiful day in the last month to go to the zoo.  Liam's first trip to the zoo was wonderful.  It was nice for me to get out and walk around somewhere other than our neighborhood--it was a great change of scenery for us!  Liam slept the whole time! 

We sure are enjoying our little bundle of joy (especially because he sleeps 5-6 hours at a time during the night)!  We are so blessed!  It still amazes us how "perfect" he is and he's already brought so much joy and love into our lives.  I have a feeling his daddy may spoil him rotten.  I hope to blog more of our family happenings but wow--I do not have as much time as I thought I would have.  I guess I should have not been nervous about "being bored" -- there's never a dull moment!  Until next time, I'll leave you with a few newborn pictures we had done!  

..And Baby Makes Three

Liam Aaron finally made his appearance after 17 long hours of labor.  Liam Aaron arrived on April 7, 2013 at 1:45 am in the morning via C-Section.  He was 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 21.5 inches long.  Craig and I waited very patiently for his arrival and we were both thrilled that he was such a healthy little man and we fell in love the moment we set eyes on him.

Our first family photo.

We have been home a week now and we couldn't be happier with our new bundle of joy.  We've definitely had to adjust to a whole NEW lifestyle but it's totally worth it.  Our life has changed drastically and we must say we are loving it.

Liam has already been to his first doctors appointment and he was GREAT!  Liam also has already been on his first road trip to Lake Gaston to see family--we must say it was interesting getting everything ready to go somewhere with a new baby but it was so nice to get away.

Ready to hit the roaddd.

Needless to say we are all doing great and enjoying our time as a new family of three.  Craig is back to work and I am adjusting to doing the mommy thing all by myself--so far so good!  We look forward to Craig getting off work each and every day and well...rest whenever we can!!!!  

Thanks for all the congrats and wonderful things you all have done for us! We cannot thank you enough for everything!!! Stay tuned for more updates on our growing little one!

Hello April!

Goodbye March...Hello April!  I cannot believe that we are already into April..with no baby!  A lot has happened in the past week and needless to say- Craig and I are still waiting for our little Liam to arrive! (I was not prepared to be large and in charge after 40 weeks....but we are still chugging along!)

I'll start with the BABY UPDATE:  We had a doctors appointment yesterday for 40 1/2 weeks and well..I have progressed but not enough to have put me into labor yet.  The doctor decided to go ahead and schedule an induction for Saturday morning--if he does not come before then.  Liam could still come on his own in the next few days but if not, Liam will be here by Saturday afternoon/evening!  We would love for him to come on his own but are also excited we have an end in sight and know we'll be meeting our little one in just a matter of days!  We are getting so excited!

We made it....and then some!

I made it to the end of time teaching this school year!  It was touch and go for a little while; wondering if I would make it to the end or not but Liam decided to hold on until I made it through the end of the nine weeks.  Friday was my last day at Green Run Elementary for the school year and Thursday was my last day with my kinderbabies;  it was a bittersweet feeling.  I sure will miss them but I know they are in good hands! Now it's time to get ready for little Liam and get ready to spend the next few months enjoying my little one!

Easter was wonderful and very laid back.  We were not sure whether or not we'd be in the hospital having a baby so we did very little planning for Easter this year.  The Easter Bunny did make a visit to our house and left Liam a basket but--Liam was not here to enjoy it!   I guess he'll enjoy all his goodies once he arrives!  We went to church and had lunch with my family.  After our delicious lunch made by my mom we came home, relaxed, and watched a movie on the couch!

The Easter Bunny Came!

Our Family!

And last but not least...we can finally share that my sister is having baby number two!  We are super excited for the arrival of another niece/nephew in October 2013!  Liam is going to have two amazing cousins and one very close in age!  It's going to be awesome watching them grow up together and become such good friends. Sooo...CONGRATS to Heather and Kyle!  We can't wait to find out if Baby Roemmich will be a boy or a girl! 

Big Belly and Little Belly!

Needless to say we have a VERY exciting 2013 and I cannot wait to share Liam with you all when he arrives in just a few days!

Happy April!

Two Days & Counting...

Wow!  40 weeks seemed SO far away 39 weeks ago but we are now 2 days from 40 weeks and I cannot believe we will be meeting our precious little one in a matter of days!  We are super excited and can't wait to meet our little one!

Can you tell I'm getting exhausted?

We have been doing well here in the Carlton Household--staying on top of keeping the house picked up and preparing the hospital bag!  I, at times, find time to clean the windows and organize closets.  I guess  you can say I'm nesting--Craig says there is nothing left to do but I always find something to keep my evenings busy!  Nothing ever seems "clean enough" or "perfect enough" for Liam to come home to.  Our hospital bag is packed and ready to go so I guess it's now just a waiting game!

As far as doctor visits go....I had another visit today with the doctor and well--WE HAVE PROGRESSED! Yay!  I am now a "good" 2 cm according to the doctor and having some slight contractions.  Hopefully, this is the beginning of the process--we're keeping our fingers crossed!

Work is continuing to keep us both busy!  Craig finished his first job as a mechanic! I am so proud of him and he has just begun his second one!  It's keeping him busy and exhausted.  As for me, I have my last day with my Kinderbabies tomorrow!  Can't believe my maternity leave is here and i'll be off until September!

As for the pup--Can you tell how excited he is to meet Liam?!?

Stay tuned for the next blog post as we hope it is to announce the arrival of Liam Aaron! 

36 Weeks and Waddling

It's hard to believe we have reached week 36 and have less that 4 weeks to go.  I am still not sure where the time has gone but man, I still have lots to prepare.  Needless to say--I've got the waddle!

Craig and I were able to go to Raleigh for a hockey game to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning play (they used to be the NHL team for the Norfolk Admirals) and we were able to see some of the old Admirals players play!  We had a blast and it was a nice, quick last get away before Liam makes his grand debut!  We did a quick day trip which was exhausting but we ended up having a blast and it was worth the tiredness we felt!

I went for my first weekly doctors visit on Monday and found out some shocking news.  Liam has already dropped really low and needless to say I was progressing quicker than we expected.  I guess he's ready to come out and meet everyone!  It's been a nerve racking week filled with laying on the couch, propping up my feet, and well...doing nothing!  Craig's been busy cooking dinner, washing baby clothes, and doing the dishes--he's been such a great help with his attempt to have me do nothing over the top!  

We were both so excited yet not ready at the same time.  My first thought-- I still have SO much to do!  We're hoping he stays in a little longer to "cook" -- making sure his lungs are fully ready!  With lots of prayers and relaxation we're continuing to truck right along and still cannot wait to meet our little one!  We've made it to week 36 and are so excited for what will come in the next four weeks!

Time Flies...

Time sure does fly when you're having fun--that saying is 100% true.  I can't believe Craig and I have now reached 34 weeks--6 weeks and we'll be able to hold our little bundle of joy and we cannot wait!  It's been a busy but FUN past month which leads to my "excuse" for not blogging in quite a while.  A lot has happened since our last post so I'll fill you in on the Carlton happenings.

We had our first shower on February 9th!  My sister and my mom put on a wonderful shower and WOW...Baby Liam is already quite a spoiled one.  We had so many friends and family come to help celebrate the soon arrival of Liam and I was taken back at how spoiled this little nugget is already!  We received so many goodies and i was overwhelmed with where to put all his things.  Needless to say, it took a few hours but we got everything put away.  Here are just a few pictures from the big event.

Check facebook for more pictures of the shower! 

Heather, Mom and Me before the shower!

Loveeee this cake!

Precious favors made my BFF!

My sorority sisters from near and far!

Grandparents to be!

I was also able to visit with my sorority sisters since they came in town for the shower and it was great to see them all! 

Since the shower we have been busy with doctors appointments--they are getting closer and closer together.  Reality really set in when we made our doctors appointments through March! WOW..can't believe our little man will be here in a little less than six weeks! 

Craig and I had a very relaxing Valentine's Day--we had a home cooked meal and watched a movie on the couch.  We are trying to enjoy our last little bit of quiet evenings and relaxation before our little man gets here.

As for the upcoming month--we have a lot to look forward to and keep us busy!  We are going to see the Tampa Bay Lightning play next weekend, baby shower #2, and birthing class.  Before we know it baby Liam will be ready to make his grand appearance and I can't wait for all of you to meet our little man!  I'll keep you updated as much as possible as the time grows sooner and sooner!  

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year...a little late!  Needless to say I am little behind on welcoming in the new year!  At the rate things are going, I can tell 2013 is going to be a busy one for the Carlton household!  2013 is going to be a year Craig and I never forget with having a little one on the way!  We are so excited and well....he's already keeping us busy!

We spent New Year's Eve with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.  My nephew had more energy than me at midnight--guess that's what happens when you're pregnant on New Year's Eve!  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Texas Roadhouse followed by games and snacks at my sister's house!  We had a blast--no better way to ring in the new year than with family!

Hello 2013!

Since then, we've been busy with getting Liam's nursery ready and preparing for his arrival.  It's hard to believe we only have 9.5 weeks left!  Where has the time gone?!?  When we found out at the end of July it seemed so far away--now we can't figure out where the time has gone!  Craig worked really hard to get it all together!  We only have a few more decorations to get!

As for everything else--work is keeping us both busy!  Craig is busy with his own job and it sure has been a stressful one!  It's hard to believe it's report card time for me already--and to think I only have to do them one more time before Liam's arrival!  Craig is trying to get as much snowboarding in as possible and i'm trying to rest as much as I can!  Things with Liam seem to be going great--he sure is an active one!  It's hard to believe we're just around the corner from our 32 week appointment! 

I hope you all have had a great start to 2013!  Stay warm and keep checking back for baby updates!