Weeks 3-4

Well friends, the first month has flown by (I'm sure none of you are surprised!) While it's been tough, we've been so blessed by our family and friend's support and prayers!!

The biggest event during week 3 was Carson's Baptism! (11/29/09)

Below are some pictures from weeks 3 and 4...

Carson's first Thanksgiving!!

Auntie Ashley and Uncle Brett were able to fly in after

Thankgiving to be with us for the baptism!!

Grandma Johnson holding Carson after his baptism.

(He never made a sound DURING the baptism...but he told the

world, afterwards, how hungry he was!!)

Carson's God-Parents: Cheynne and Cindy Kue and Uncle Brett!

We are so blessed to have these people in our son's life!

(**Carson wore the same outfit that

Uncle Brett wore on his baptism 26 years ago!)

GREAT-Grandma Johnson was able to make the trip to Texas to hold her 3 week old Great-Grandson, and observe his baptism...what a special memory!

FOUR GENERATIONS OF FAMILY

Grandpa Johnson, Great-Grandma Johnson, Mom, & Carson

December quickly arrived...

Carson LOVES to take naps with his Daddy in the easy-chair!

We celebrated Christmas with the Pates/Porters last night.
Our happy little family...a not-so-thrilled Santa-Carson :-)

"Who need Santa when I have GRANDMA?"

Grandma Pate

We're off to the mid-west on Thursday...

we can't wait to see everyone!!!

HE'S HERE!! (Sunday & Monday)

Welcome to the world, Carson!!

Carson David Pate

Monday, November 9th, 2009

11:38PM
7lbs 1oz
21 Inches

Sunday night, we left for the hospital to check in at 8PM...

I spent all of Sunday night into Monday morning hooked up to an IV that slowly gave me petocin to begin inducing...





Monday morning, when my doctor checked, there had hardly been any progression...and so, she broke my water...


Later that morning I received my epidural and it was slow progressing all day long. FINALLY, around 9:00PM (over 24 hours later!) my nurse told me that it was time to start...and 2 and a half hours later, Carson was born...

We are so happy that he's here....

39 Weeks...

39 weeks!! (Most likely the last picture I'll add to the progression...)

Hopefully we'll be posting some good news very soon!

38 weeks and we're SO ready!!!

This weekend marks the end of 38 weeks...


We spent Saturday morning and afternoon with some good friends, the Quinces & Scotts, and took a few pictures at the park down the street.

Here's a couple of the Pates:

And a couple of my favorites of the Quinces:

Gyasi and Amare

Missy and the twins: Adrian and Julius (in that order!!--I'm that good)

And a couple of my favorites of the Scott Twins, Grace and Ava (SO beautiful!!):

We've worked hard to get the house and baby room completely ready....

We bought the cutest cube shelving unit at Target...it holds all of Carson's books and toys!

We also purchased one for the closet! It has all of the essentials
from medicine, burp cloths, bibs, and more!


The pack & play is set up near our bed...



...and the baby swing is ready in the living room...

While we're very excited and ready, we're also heeding the advice to:

-REST

-SLEEP

-enjoy the quiet time together

-etc.

Believe me, we've heard it all...I just want to remind everyone that no matter how many times you tell use to enjoy __________, or that things are going to be SO HARD, we're so excited and ready to begin this adventure that it's not going to sink in.

Just be excited with us and pray for a safe delivery!

Many of you have heard me say (or seen written) that we have 14 or less days left...

My OB, last appointment, mentioned that she would be on call the 9th of November (the day after my due date) and that she would be willing to induce that day, if I hadn't already begun my labor. We will seriously consider it on 11/4 when I go in for my (almost)40 week visit...

There IS a light at the end of the tunnel!

34 weeks...but really, it's 35 :-)

OK...this Sunday I'll be 35 weeks along...

The baby's room is ready. We have all of the necessities if he decides to make an appearance in the next few weeks. I've met with both women who will be subbing for me during my maternity leave (one for art and one for PE)--both are super!

Now, it's just time for me to stare at the clock and wait...and wait...and wait. I'M SO READY!

Luckily, school and coaching are still around to help pass the time.

This past month has shown dramatic change--not only in my size, but in my level of energy. 1 month ago, I was full of energy and able to do so many things. I've progressively gotten slower and less energetic. Sometimes it's because of pain (round ligament? or stretching?). I can't always move the way I want...and I need to sit down more.

The worst is making myself sit when I am teaching or coaching. I am one who likes to move around in both of those situations...so I have to force myself.

Time out to brag on my husband: he rocks. He works 12 hour shifts at work, he teaches boys' PE on his off days, and he takes his extra time to (basically) take over coaching practices and games. He's been such a good sport about letting me relax and take it easy when I'm hurting--doing a lot of the laundry ,and dishes, and cleaning, and so much more. Pat him on the back the next time you see him (or a least give him a complement or two).

And now it's time to wait...until 38 weeks...

(I can't get my progression picture to get any bigger...I'll work on it)

She keeps growing, growing, growing...

Last Sunday (8/30) was 30 week. (But, of course, it took me a while to get this stuff posted). I'll tell you, I never feel like I've grown very much since the last time...until I look at my picture progressions. Today marks 7 months!! Only 2 to go!

As we say that I have only 9 weeks go to (in theory) I realize how quickly it will fly by. Are we ready? Yes and no.

Yes we have the room, some clothes and essentials. Yes we're ready to hold him and get this party started...

No--we're still missing a lot of baby "things!" No, I still need to deal with our insurance company! No, I still have too much at school to take care of!

And then there's that pile of books I still want to read: Breastfeeding for New Moms, "On Becoming Babywise," "What to Expect the First Year," (and so many more :-))

Fear not, it's not the end of the world for me, if I do not finish those books...or at least start them. I just want to have some information in front of me, if I can.

We took a tour of the hospital last weekend (Harris Southwest). I love it and think that they have an excellent set-up. Each room as a "homey, decorated feel." Next up, our birthing class...

Until week 34...enjoy the pictures below. (PS--check out our new polls...---->)

26 Weeks...and growing?

Just wanted to post the latest picture in the "Pregnancy Progression."

Other than that, there isn't much news around here. Volleyball Camp this week and school meetings starting next week...the end of summer has come :-)

Baby room and Pregnancy Progression....

Ok....So now it's time for me to brag about my husband for a moment (JUST a moment!!) Those of you who really know him, know that his head will get really big over the following:

As a surprise for me, when I returned home from my trip to the mid-west, Tony surprised me with a finished baby room!! Before I left, we had agreed on a Dallas Cowboy themed baby room. Little did I know the workings of my husband's mind.

The day after I left, he changed the front room from the guest room into the office (AND painted it, I might add). MOVED all of the furniture. Painted the baby room Dallas Cowboy Silver (gray), Navy and White. and put together the furniture that we received. (This includes a crib generously given to us by my brother and his girlfriend, Ashley).

When I first walked in, I was blown away! I really thought that the star on the wall was a decal that he had purchased! In reality, he spent hours making the star BY HAND.

I guess you could say that he's a little excited. You can also say that he's amazing! :-)

OK...I'm done.





The hand-painted Dallas Cowboy star. WOW



Complete with autographed picture of #9 Tony Romo (who, by the way, will be leading us to the Super Bowl this year, thanks to his break-up with Jessica Simpson!!)



Baby room complete with name, and bean-bag football chair!!

Below is my 4 week progression over the past five months. Unfortunately, the last picture was taken at 22 weeks, because somehow the correct one was deleted from my parent's camera! Mysterious disappearance!!

"Long time gone..."

All of June and Early July were full of travel for me! By the time school meetings were going, I had some visitors. My friend Megan, and her boyfriend, Ted, came to visit. While they were here, Ted proposed and Megan said yes!! They did a lot of sight-seeing while I was in my meetings. The three of us were also able to go to a Fort Worth Cats Game (minor league).

Next, the three of us piled into the car and took off to visit our friends, Jen and Nathan in Harlingen, TX. (Near South Padre Island). We had a blast!!! We enjoyed their house and cats and all five of us were able to head to South Padre Island, too. Jen and Nathan have friends that own a condo on the island that we were able to stay in. We got to go on a dolphin watch cruise, sit at the beach, and eat dinner at some fun island restaurants. Finally we went to a place called "Winks" for some country dancing and fun!!

(Jen, Megan, and Julie)---"We are all FREMS!!!" :-)

We had a blast that weekend! Love you girls!!

________________________________________

After Megan and Ted headed out on their plane back north, Tony and I had some excitement of our own. A series of severe thunderstorms passed through Fort Worth. These included high winds, tornados, and hail. Around, 2am that night night, I woke up to the sound of the wind outside and we heard a "bang." The wind began to pick up even more and Tony, Angus, and I headed into the bathroom to hide out. After a few minutes the wind seemed to settle and we went back to bed.

The next morning, we awoke to sever damage to our back yard fences. It turns out that the wind hit up to 80mph that night.

That weekend, I left to head North to the (COOL) Midwest!

Yes, I drove alone. Most of you are probably appalled at the thought of driving 16 hours alone, but I really don't mind it. I rent a book on cd (usually John Grisham) and time flies for me!

My first stop was 10 hours of driving to St. Louis for two days to see 2 of my best friends and their daughter (my God-daughter) Matia! Michelle took the train to St. Louis and spent time with us, also. We had a blast!

Then, Michelle and I drove about 3 hours to Bloomington to see our bestest college room mate ever, Dre.

My tour would not be complete with our stopping in Yorkville, Il to see my brother, Brett and his awesome girlfriend, Shley!! (Ashley :-)) We had a blast meeting her nephew, Tyler!!

Finally I went to Chicago to sample the wonderful delicacies: Johnnies hot dogs & lemon ice, Oberweise Ice Cream (Peanut Butter and Chocolate), and later, Garrett Popcorn!!

I made it home to St. Joseph, Michigan after a week of Travel.

I had a blast with my mom and dad. We visited the bluff, saw a couple of sun sets, and relaxed by the pool.

There were also 2 wonderful showers hosted by my aunts (Mary and Joan) & also my mom, and a "church family shower" hosted by "auntie Kaye" and long-time family friend, Cathy Siemans.

Tony and I received MANY wonderful items so generously given by those we love!!!!! Thank you!!!

As you can see, we do have a name for "Baby Boy Pate." He is officially: Carson David Pate. Tony loves the name Carson, and David is after my Father (and grandfather, for that matter)!!

So many more things happened while I was home, including Christina's wedding. The Bahrs are one of my 2nd families and I wouldn't have missed it if at all possible...

Mama-Julie (showing!!), Steph, Dre, and Michelle (The best Maid of Honor EVER!!)

I love and miss these girls so much.

In total, I was gone almost a month from Texas.

_______________________________________

Up next, my "20" week picture added to the progression and the completed baby room!!!