Carter's Birthday in Pictures

No words right now, just these pictures... which tell the story beautifully.

Last day as a family of 3

This is me 31/2 years ago on the day I delivered Caroline. Don't know what else to say, but WOW...I was big. Here I sit 31/2 years later, with the same outfit set out to wear, and so much more nervous than the first go round. Yes, I have decided to go forward with the induction tomorrow morning. Even though I am nervous and have been an emotional basket case, I do feel at peace with the decision.

I'm not sure what it is that I'm so worked up about this time. Labor wasn't bad with Caroline, and although the adjustment to life with a baby was tough, I did okay. Maybe I just know what to expect....I know that although labor can be pain free (as it was with my first) it is long and tiresome, and recovery can be rough. I know that as soon as this little guy enters the world, our lives are forever changed. I know that after today, Caroline's life as she knows it will be completely altered. Of course the addition is a gift to Caroline, nothing is better than siblings, but I can see that understanding taking a while to settle in with her. Caroline, my Mom, and I spent our final day without baby on an outing to Six Flags. My little wild child Caroline loves the place and can't wait to be tall enough to ride everything! Taking her today provided us fun times and made some lasting memories of the final day before Carter!
Finally, here is a picture of my sweet first born 3 1/2 years ago. My prayers is that we see a similar pink, plump, precious, and perfectly healthy baby tomorrow afternoon.

38 weeks

Here I am before church on Sunday at exactly 38 weeks. I really can't complain, my pregnancy has been complication free, I am still feeling fine and on my feet most of the day working. My only true discomfort is awful heartburn and reflux when I recline at all....which as you can imagine causes me to be up most of the night. I am tired, but I guess adrenaline and natural motherly instincts are kicking in to keep me going. I won't lie....I've wanted to avoid induction and wait until my body does its thing naturally this entire pregnancy, but now the anticipation is killing me. I can't wait for baby Carter to be here and I am excited for the entire birth experience again. The day I had Caroline was the best day of my life to this point.

My doctor got me thinking even heavier about induction today when he told me he is leaving town Wednesday and won't be back until that following Tuesday, which is past my due date. I love my doctor and really want him to deliver. (If you live in the Mansfield area, I highly recommend Dr. Krombach!) He said he would induce Tuesday the 11th, so I am thinking and praying on that right now. I am still not 100% at peace with it, but am seriously considering it. One thing that is cool is Carter's birthday would be 10-11-11 and Caroline's is 7-08-08.
Maybe if I do induce and don't get the whole rushing to the hospital in labor experience this time, I can convince Justin into having a third and finally get that experience! ;-)
As for now, I'm off to enjoy possibly the last weekend of being a family of three. We've got some fun stuff planned with Caroline and I'm looking forward to some leisure before life gets really busy!