"These are a few of his favorite things..."

This Cloud B Giraffe from PBK quickly turned into Carter's "can't live without" sleep friend!  The giraffe plays soothing sounds for 25 or 45 minutes and can hook to the car seat, outside of the crib or just lay bedside him! Thanks to one of my Grandma's friends for giving this treasure to CTB!

He loves a paci but these are the BEST for car rides because mommy can easily "grab and get".  His Twinie gave him the monkey and "cupid" delivered the other on Valentine's Day!

His Granny gave him this toy, Bob the builder.  He loves to lay on his activity mat and listen to his cute little sayings and has even grabbed the red part to make the chainsaw move. Thanks Granny!

This is his activity mat! He likes to look at himself in the mirror and is grabbing and hitting the dangling animals. He gets quite a kick out of himself.

His final and most favorite thing is his daddy! Carter can't seem to get enough of RTB.  Anytime he walks in the room Carter follows him and loves to talk and play with daddy.  It definitely helps that RTB is so hands on and interactive with CTB. They are two peas in a pod!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We had an eventful day followed by an eventful night! We woke up on Saturday morning and got ready for a fun day!  We decided to run errands before RTB's birthday celebration that night.  First we went to Batteries Plus to find a car adapter. We have found that we always need a bottle warmed up while we are running around and our other adapter wouldn't hold the voltage needed to run our regular bottle warmed from the car.  We bought a car warmer but that was a COMPLETE FAIL! It did not even warm the bottle up to room temperature after having it plugged in and warming for over 20 minutes so this was our next option. RTB went in and got one that we were told would run two desktop computers and a refrigerator! So we were confident it would warm CTB's bottles up no problem!  FAIL!  We have yet to find an adapter that works with CTB's bottle warmer in the car.  Next, we headed to Babies'R'Us to hit up their deal on diapers.  I saw my mom's best friend and her daughter who is pregnant (Congrats!) and had a little mommy convo then we were onto the next and probably most important stop...Casa Grande. We had a delicious lunch that CTB slept through and then since it was such a beautiful day decided to stroll around Short Pump. We went in our regular stores....The Limited, LOFT, Gymboree, Crazy 8s, and Pottery Barn Kids.  While in PBK, CTB let out one of his "man sounds" and I knew we had to change him before he ruined his cute little onesie that MiMi had bought him!  I spotted the bathrooms...a mens and womens.  I told RT that he should try out changing a diaper in public.  He looked nervous and said "Well they don't have changing tables in the men's bathrooms!" I laughed and told him to go check.  He peaked his head in and said "Nope! No changing table...looks like it's mommy's turn!"  Just then an employee ran by and said "For your convenience we have changing tables in the mens and womens bathrooms."  BAHAHA!! RTB had been ratted out by the meak PBK employee!! So funny!

  That night we celebrated RTB's birthday with a group of friends and had a BLAST!  CTB stayed with my aunt and cousin and did a great job! A HUGE thanks to my Sissy (aunt) and Lexi (cousin)!! CTB was worn out when we got home and loved getting to spend some QT time with them!

Back to Work

The only thing that got me through today.........

Dear Carter....... Dear God........

Dear Carter,
     I am sitting beside your crib crying while watching and listening to you sleep. I can't believe that it has been 9 weeks since you came into this world and brought me and your daddy so much joy and happiness! I have been so lucky to spend the last 63 days with you but tomorrow starts a new routine. Mommy has to go back to work and you get to spend your days with an amazing woman and two new friends! Mama Sherry is mommy's co-teacher's mommy and she is a very fun lady! You have been visiting your new friends T and J over there these past few weeks and they are really excited to start seeing you every day!
   It is so difficult to think about not spending all day with you...just Carter and mommy.  I'm so sad to leave you and know that it is going to be one of the hardest things I've had to do so far. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me...well tied with your daddy. I love you with all of my heart.

Love,

Mommy

Dear God,

   Thank you for blessing me with the most perfect baby boy. Please give me strength and peace these next 24 hours. Also, please grant my husband tolerance and the right words to comfort me when I am a total and complete mess.

Love,

Courtney 

CTB is quite the Ladies' Man

  Being on maternity leave is a FABULOUS thing!  CTB and I have gotten to spend every day bonding and cuddling together!  As much as I LOVE maternity leave I started to go a little crazy after I got the "pep back in my step" from the C-section. I like to stay on-the-go and have been known to have "ants in my pants". I decided that each day of the week CTB and I would do or go somewhere, whether is was just Target or the grocery store. And so we did, every single day since CTB was 3 weeks old we have gone at least one place (usually more than one) each day with the exception of 2 days (that will be for another post).

   In making this little "deal" with myself and CTB, we have gotten to hang out with some pretty cool people.  Of course we have visited MiMi (my mom) and Granny (RTB's mom) at work, gone to the mall and other favorite stores, and even went on our first road trip to Virginia Beach.  CTB has also had a few "dates"..... he is quite cute if I do say so myself!

CTB (4 1/2 weeks), Molly (2 years), & Will (5 months)

CTB(7 1/2 weeks) & Addi (5 months)

{their first date}

CTB (7 weeks) & Chaylie (3 months)

{their second date}

   I can't wait for more play[dates] and to watch CTB and all of these other cuties grow-up! RTB & I will definitely have our hands full when it is time for CTB to start taking girls out on dates! As far as I'm concerned though he can just steer clear of girls until he is 25....they are just trouble!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Valentine's Day 2012 was an exciting day for the Bevan Family.  It was RTB and I's first Valentine's Day as husband and wife and of course it was CTB's first Valentine's EVER!!  CTB and I made a yummy dinner for daddy and CTB even got a little gift from cupid! Love is definitely not something that is lacking in our house these days!

 Homemade Valentine's made by mommy and CTB

 HEARTS Pizza

 Cupcakes for Daddy

 CTB got a new paci

 Waiting for Daddy to get home!

Good thing I took a picture of CTB in this outfit early in the day because by 2pm he had a blowout and we had to completely strip down and change!

Going Back....Coming Home

 January 14, 2012..WAHOO!! After our 3 night stay at HDH it was finally time to try out this parenthood thing at home! I could hardly wait to get home with my own bed and all of MY stuff! That morning the nurse came in and asked me "What time do you want to go?"  Of course I said ASAP! She said "Ok, I will start getting your discharge papers started, pull out your staples, and let the nursery know!"  YAY!! I was so excited that within a matter of hours we were going to be going home!  I showered, got ready, packed up the room, and sat like a little girl on Christmas morning on my bed waiting for them to bring CTB to me with all of his bracelets cut off like a free man!  Well a few hours passed and I started to get antsy and impatient.  The nurse came in with CTB and told me that we were just waiting on the Pediatrician to come and discharge CTB.  Lucky us...it was a Saturday! So of course the doctor's don't come in bright and early.  So it wasn't until around 2pm that we got the all clear for both of us to go!  I thought it would never get here! I dressed CTB in his cute monogrammed onesie, khaki's, and cute monogrammed jacket. RTB and I both got him situated in his car seat. RTB went to get the car and a nurse escorted me downstairs with CTB and we were off!

 I think that RTB drove about 10 MPH on the way home.  I sat in the back with CTB and just stared at him! Finally, we pulled into the driveway and were HOME!! Luckily, my mom met us at the house to take the first pictures at home of all of us.

 Just out of the car!

 Welcome home little man!

 Finally inside and out of the car seat!

Sleeping soundly in his bassinet after a LONG, HARD day!

Now begins the real fun of parenthood where we are left to our own devices to figure everything out! SOO EXCITING and FRIGHTENING at the same time!!

Going Back....Hospital Stay

There is not much to report about our hospital stay.  I have heard horror stories of postpartum stays but we got extremely lucky.  We had great nurses and CTB had no complications so our 3 day stay in Room  478 was pretty non-eventful.  Of course we had lots of visitors and lots of presents for the little man!

Our "Suite".... Room 478

CTB with Nan (my paternal grandmother)

CTB with Grandma (my maternal grandmother)

Thanks for the John Deere Onesie!

CTB with Beth (RTB's aunt)

Thanks Steve, Beth, Nikki, & Justin for the box of Baby Goodies!

CTB with RTB's dad

CTB with Tina (RTB's aunt)

Thanks Chris and Tina for the yummy Cheesecake Factory cheesecake!

CTB with Kate (my roommate from college and best friend)

CTB with Sissy (my aunt) and Lexi (my cousin)

Thanks for the monogrammed blankie!

Check out Exclusively at Kathryn's for more of her personalized goodies!

  Again, we felt the love and generosity of our family and friends for CTB and our family! Thank you again to everyone! CTB is so loved <3

Going Back....Delivery

The nurse came in the room and gave RTB scrubs to put on.  It was quite humorous watching him put them on so that helped lighten the mood a little bit.  He had barely gotten them on and they were wheeling me out of the room.  I gave a hug and kiss to my parents and off to the OR we went.  We got to the door and RTB had to wait outside while they got everything prepped.  They said they would come and get him when it was time.
    Once in the OR, they needed to switch beds....HAHA! If you've ever had a c-section OR had your body numbed from the chest down you know why I laugh.  I could not move anything and everything they moved for me felt like it weighed 1 million pounds.  Well the nurses did the ole "heave hoe" and I found myself flat backed on the OR table.  They put the sheet up, layed my arms beside me, and began talking about the donuts that were in the employee lounge.  ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS?!?  I hadn't eaten in 24 hours and you are about to cut my insides out and you are talking about donuts...anyway I digress.
   It seemed like an hour before they called RTB into the room. Finally, he was there and I had someone to talk to and comfort me.  The nurses explained that I might feel some tugging or pulling but I should not feel any pain.  Dr. M came in and before we knew it he had begun.  Funny thing is that I didn't feel anything at all.  I kept asking RTB what was going on because it just felt like I was laying there to take a nap or something.  I didn't feel anything until...... one of the nurses practically sat on my ribcage to push CTB down and man did I feel that.
   Soon after the push from the nurse I heard Dr. M say he was here! HOW EXCITING!! But wait? I didn't hear anything.  I can remember saying to RTB "Why isn't he crying? Why isn't he crying?" I couldn't say anything else then I demanded that RTB leave me and go see the baby.  As soon as he stood up I heard CTB cry for the first time and of course I cried.  They held him up for me to see and then took his weight, length, and got him all handsome. RTB brought him over to me and I got to kiss him and watch him while they sewed me back up.  Watching RTB hold him for the first time made me so excited for our new life together.....as a family of 3. RTB was so natural and so in love with CTB and it beamed from his face as he watched the first movements of his son.
  It seemed like I had just entered the OR when they were wheeling us back into the L&D room where my parents were waiting patiently to meet their grandson. My dad had brought a baseball glove to the hospital for CTB and I will never forget the look on my mom and dad's face when they each held him for the first time. I could tell that they fell in love with CTB as instantly as I did.  Soon after, RTB's youngest sister and Rusty's girlfriend arrived and then RTB's mom. CTB was so alert and was already sucking on his fingers. Everyone got a chance to hold CTB and then it was time for him to go upstairs to the nursery.  And when CTB left the room so did everyone else.
    Soon after I was taken up to a Postpartum Room and they brought CTB back with me.  That night it was just me, RTB, and CTB.

 CTB 

9lbs 2oz. 21 1/2 inches

 The first of many Bevan Family pictures

 PaPa & CTB

 MiMi & CTB

 Aunt Kelly & CTB

 Kaitlyn & CTB

 Granny & CTB

CTB in the nursery

Going Back....Labor

 I woke up at 4:20am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 preparing for my last couple of hours of life without baby.  I took a LONG shower and got ready.  I think I may have spent more time getting ready that morning than I did the day of my wedding!  I'm not exactly sure why I did but I just felt like Carter deserved a mommy who was well put together and at least did her best to look pretty...haha!  After my shower and packing the last few essentials in the bag, RTB and I made use of the video camera he got me for my birthday!  We shot video of the time, belly shot, and a little message from each of us before leaving the house.  RTB packed up the car and at 6:10am on the dot we were in the car headed to the hospital.  We arrived in the packing deck at 6:29am (just on schedule..well the one I had made in my head).  RTB grabbed my "labor bag" with the essentials..chapstick, hair ties, head band, tablet and charger, cell phone chargers, LOTS of snacks, and both cameras.  We walked into Labor and Delivery and buzzed the nurses station.  The nurse came to the door and escorted us into our room...OMG this is really happening!
   Once in our L&D room I undressed out of the cute outfit I had planned in my "put together" frenzy that morning.  I got situated in the hospital bed and began to prepare for the day ahead. RTB was already anxious but excited. The nurse came in and said she needed to start an IV to get me hydrated.  Well let's just say it took 3 sticks and blood all over her, me, and the floor and she STILL wasn't able to get a vein.  GEESH! I thought if this was a sign of how the day was going to go I was in for it!  She called another nurse to try and get an IV started.  I was trying to hold back from crying from the bruises the previous nurse left as well as maintain a pleasant demeanor when nurse #2 came in. Nurse #2 came in and I prayed a silent prayer that she would have more luck.  She looked at my arms confused then quickly and easily got me all hooked up. WHEW! Thank goodness!  She explained that they would wait until Dr. M came to check me to start pitocin.  So there we were in the room watching the clock tick by...minutes passed like hours.
  Around 8:30am, Dr. M waltzed in with his coffee and said "I can't believe you are STILL pregnant!" I laughed and said "Hopefully not for much longer!"  Dr. M checked me and I got the same old "Well his head is still up in Charlottesville!"  He said that they would get the pitocin started and he would be back in a few hours to break my water if that hadn't happened yet. Alright, here we go!! Ladies and gentlemen start your engines!
   The nurse started me on pitocin and hooked me up to monitors to monitor my contractions and the baby's heart rate.  Well I began feeling the contractions but it wasn't that bad.  I would cringe a little bit but nothing that took my breath away and made me want to scream.  Around 11am, Dr. M came back and decided it was time to break my water.  HOLY MOLY.... I think that was the worst part!  No details necessary but needless to say my water had been broken.  Dr. M said he would be back around 2pm to check on my progress.  Well I started to feel the contractions coming.  I didn't scream because I didn't want to be "that pregnant lady" so I just breathed deeply, closed my eyes, and tried to relax through it.  Around 1:30pm I was really feeling it and decided it was time for an epidural.  As my mom says "We don't need a super hero".  I was totally not going to be a super hero and wanted to not feel what I was feeling.  So the epidural went in without a hitch and I was laying comfortably in the bed watching TV and responding to emails and RTB was playing Angry Birds on the tablet. Well 2pm came and went and no Dr. M... I was getting increasingly frustrated because he was NOT doing what he said! The nurse did come in and check me and no progress.....<insert MORE FRUSTRATION>  Around 4:30pm Dr. M came in and checked me again..still not much progress and the baby's head was still in Charlottesville.
   Dr. M referenced the little comment he had made the day before and asked if I had digested it and I said yes.  He said well you can keep laboring if you want and see what happens or we can prepare you for a C-section.
   Mind you, I had never planned for a c-section and did not want one but something told me that Dr. M was right.  If I kept laboring I would still be in the same place tomorrow that I am in today...not much progress and still laboring. So Dr. M called for a nurse and said "Let's get her on the runway!"  Apparently there were 2-3 C-sections in front of me so he said I would be taxi-ing on the runway for a little while until it was my turn.  He explained that if my progress changed before it was time to go in that we would keep laboring.
  So I called my parents and sister and told them what was going on. Within 30 minutes my parents were at the hospital and sitting in the L&D room with us.  The time got closer and closer..... I became increasingly more anxious.  The nurse finally came in and said it would probably be another 30 minutes.  I was checked one more time just on the off chance that something had changed....no such luck.  There we all were in the room....RTB, mom, dad, and me.  I sat mostly in silence because I was scared if I talked too much I would start crying.  I was shaking and trying not to think about them cutting my stomach in half but instead think about the outcome of a beautiful and healthy baby boy.
  Finally.... it was go time!

 I like setting goals and having a plan!

 RTB...soon to be daddy

 CGB.... soon to be mommy

 Last picture as Bevan party of 2

In between contractions and feeling good!