Photo Shoot With My Babe

When Carter was only a week old I took him to get pictures taken.  I took him to "A Piece of Lisa" here in Hinton and once again she did a fabulous job.  She's the same lady that took Jimmer's newborn shots and our family photos.

18 Months and Counting

My little man is 18 months old today.  I love him more and more every day and love watching him grow.  I could literally sit and watch him play for hours as he has such an entertaining personality.  He is such a little chatter box and I'm picking up on more and more words.  His latest is "tickle, tickle" as he is tickling his own feet or someone else's.  As rough and tough as he can be he is also very kind hearted.  Yesterday after his baby brother pee'd through his sleeper, Jimmer went to his room and got him a pair of his pants from his drawer.  Some other fun things that he's been doing...

• Loves to play with his big sister and they make each other laugh so hard
• He claps at just about everything
• Whenever he messes his pants he goes to get his wipes, powder and a diaper
• He loves to talk on the phone and whenever the phone rings he says "dad"
• Lately he has to watch cartoons all the time, especially Bubble Guppies.  He loves to sit on our bed and watch toons
• He still only has 5 teeth...we may have to invest in dentures at a young age
• Whenever he gets his football he says "dad"
• When watching football on TV with his daddy he usually ends up yelling at the TV
• He has to climb on everything that he can.  He'll get up on the chairs and climb on the table
• His favorite foods are rice pudding, cheese, pepperoni and smoothies
• He loves his little brother.  When we first brought Carter home he didn't want a whole lot to do with him, but he is warming up more and more.  He likes to hold him, give him kisses on the head and tickle his feet
• The other day he took his pants and diaper off and thought he was super funny
• Every time he see's bears he lifts is hands in the air and growls, but won't go anywhere near it
• He loves to read books and just recently he'll sit down by himself and read
• Every time he see's an electronic device he automatically thinks it's his.  If he see's his reflection in it he kisses it
• He'll let you know if he wants something by taking your hand and leading the way
• He has to walk up and down the stairs instead of crawling.  Allysha has also taught him to jump into her arms on the stairs.  
• He likes to copy everything other people do
• Gives great Eskimo kisses
• He loves to sing and dance and is always wanting us to turn on the music
• When he's tired he'll grab his blankets and head for his bedroom 

I guess the truth is I could go on and on, so I'll stop now.  We sure think the world of this little guy and look forward to more and more fun!! 

The Arrival of Baby Carter

Carter Justin Reay joined our family unexpectedly on January 9th, 2013.  It was unexpected, but we were still thrilled to have him join our family earlier than planned.  Luckily I had washed his clothes a few days before, but I did not have a hospital bag packed and was not through my nesting phase.  There were still several things that I would have liked to accomplish.

January 8th I went about my regular routine.  Took Ava to school, went grocery shopping, took Ava to skating lessons after school.  When I was at skating one of the moms said to me, "you haven't had that baby yet?"  She must have jinxed me because after returning home for the evening everything was OK until the kids were in bed and I was ready to relax.  It was then that my water broke.  I wasn't sure if this was what was happening as my water didn't break with Jimmer.  I jokingly said to Shane that we had to go to the hospital as my water broke...not thinking that this could actually be the case.  I had to call my mom to confirm that this is what was actually happening.  She said to get to the ER.  We got there at about 9pm and because I was less than 36 weeks pregnant the doctor sent me to Edmonton.  We have a really good hospital out here in Hinton, but they are not equipped to deliver premature babies.  Luckily Shane had enough time to rush home to grab some things for our trip to Edmonton.  I rode in the ambulance while Shane followed behind.  This was the longest trip I have ever had as there are no shocks in the ambulance therefore I felt every bump while contracting every 3 minutes.  I was grateful to arrive safely and without delivering in the ambulance.  I was very well taken care of at the Grey Nun's hospital.  After receiving the epidural everything was great and it was just a matter of waiting for Carter to let us know he was ready to arrive.  When arriving in Edmonton they let me know that I was only 3cm dilated.  By 10:30 I knew that things had progressed and I was anxious for the nurse to check me again.  She wasn't going to check me for a while, but then decided the last minute to check.  At 10:35am I was 10cm and the head was right there.  1 push and 5 minutes later...10:40am...Carter Justin Reay joined the world and I couldn't have been happier.  I was quite emotional as everything happened so quickly.  The recess team was there to make sure that he was healthy and breathing properly.  He was healthy and a whopping 5 pounds 12 ounces...18.5 inches long.  I didn't think that it was possible for a Nilsson and a Reay to have a baby that small.  Only when he's a month early I guess.  My due date was February 9th, so he was one month early to the day.  We are so happy to have our little Carter with us and enjoy our growing family.  We only had to stay in the hospital one night which was a relief as I was anxious to get home to my other baby.  Jimmer was a little apprehensive at first, but now loves to give his baby brother hugs and kisses and tickle his feet.

Getting ready to go home.

So happy to be home.

Jimmer unsure what to think of this new little addition.

Ava was loving every minute of it.

First morning home with the family. 

First bath at home.  The popcorn bowl wasn't the most comfortable spot, but he didn't make a peep.

Jimmer was happy to be helping daddy bath his little brother. 

I love my boys!!

Christmas is Over

Now that Christmas is over and a New Year has begun we have a lot to look forward to in 2013.  We have birthday's to celebrate and the anticipation of a new baby arriving in just a little over a month.  I'm hoping for a early arrival, but I won't get my hopes up too high.

We had such a great Christmas with Shane's sister and her family in Kamloops this year.  All the kids were happy to be together to go sledding and enjoy the holiday together.  Ava got to go ice fishing with her Uncle Randy, which she was thrilled about.  Shane took the kids to see Rise of the Guardians and Allysha, Theresa and myself got to see Les Miserables which was absolutely amazing.  All in all it was the perfect getaway although it is nice to be at home where I can sleep in my own bed with the little sleep that I've been getting.  

Driving to Kamloops

Watching Bubble Guppies...his favorite show!!

Heading to church

Decorating the gingerbread house. 

Jimmer loved to help vacuum. 

Playing with Uncle Randy's hat.

Christmas Eve...opening Christmas jammies.

Christmas morning...before raising downstairs.

He wasn't too sure about his new horse.

She loved her easy bake oven from Santa.

He had to kiss his new puppy and still continues to give it multiple kisses.

A little unsure about how to walk in his new cowboy boots from Grandma.

Trying to ride his new puppy.

Ava opening the best present of all.  She's going to DISNEYLAND!!  I got her a duffle bag and filled it with everything disney...an Ariel pillow, t-shirts, Christmas ornaments.  I then printed pictures of Mickey Mouse, the Princesses, an airplane and the Disney castle and put them on each gift.