...the carters...

More pics

2010-03-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Life is busy. Crazy busy. Avery is growing up and getting bigger (we've had to put some clothes away in the garage. That was a sentimental moment.)

Here's a few pictures from the last several weeks.

Avery looking a little sassy during her bath. She's not really

sure what she thinks of us.

Sometimes, her pants magically get stuck on her head

and i like to laugh at her. She didn't seem to mind.

Todd (brother-in-law's dad) dedicating Avery at church.

I love all of the hands. She didn't even puke or cry or

anything that morning. She was great!

wow, it's been awhile

2010-02-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

i don't know who reads this, so i may be apologizing to myself, but it's been over a month since i've updated this. avery is bigger, looks different, laughs, and sleeps a lot!

I'll shut up and show you some pictures

This was on a trip to Winco. Rachel was pushing the cart with Avery in it, and when they got outside it was raining, so Avery just stared up into the sky.

This is her starting to smile. This used to be a rare occurrence, now it's constant. Just this morning, she puked everywhere, and immediately looked up at us and just giggled. It's hard to stay mad at her!

...well hello there...

2009-12-31T09:24:00.000-08:00

My apologies for the amount of time between posts. Life has been a bit busy at the Carter house!

Avery is 26 days old, and life as we know it will never be the same. We're still trying to get her on a schedule (since she likes to sometimes sleep at night, and sometimes be awake all night!) We're both super tired, but we wouldn't trade it for anything. She's such a blessing and she made 2009 into a killer year.

We're going to try and take her to church this weekend and see how she does. She didn't' mind the Christmas Eve service too much. She got a little fussy when the music stopped (maybe she's already got aspirations as a musician!)

This is a short post, but i'll leave you with a couple pictures. One of the fam (that sounds weird to say) at Christmas, and another of Avery and I after bath time (thanks for the robe Kira!)

Note my awesome Alabama shirt (ROLL TIDE!)

Avery looks like she really wants to get away from me in this picture, but what little girl doesn't think her dad is a huge nerd?

she's here!

2009-12-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

She's here! Avery Taylor Carter would love to say hello to you all. She was born yesterday, December 5th, @ 3:47PM. She weighed 7 lbs. and was 20.5 inches long. Rachel was amazing, and both mom and baby are completely healthy.

Men, dont' ever let anybody tell you that watching the birth of your child is something you shouldn't do. It was hands down the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed in my life. God has really kept us safe and blessed us and we could not be happier.

There are a ton more pictures, but we're a little busy right now:)

the eviction noticed has been posted

2009-12-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

She has until Sunday. If she can't get her act together, we're gonna have to remove her from the premises. we'll head to the hospital Sunday evening, and Monday morning she's getting moved on into the real world! so, if all goes as planned, Monday afternoon/evening, Avery will be here.

It's so surreal to think that this little thing that, 30 weeks ago was a little peanut looking thing on an ultrasound, is now a full-fledged person, and is ready to change our lives forever. We're so blessed, God really has protected Rachel and Avery during this pregnancy, and provided for us in ways we never could have imagined. My family moved back to Portland, finances worked themselves out, and although I'm a little nervous (rightfully so!), I'm so ready to start this next phase of life.

Thanks to everybody who gave encouraging words, prayers, and has been there for us over the last year. It's going to be an amazing Christmas for sure!

Look for pictures of her soon!

less than a week!

2009-11-22T20:37:00.000-08:00

alright, so we've hit the "less than a week" mark. rachel is super uncomfortable, so we're praying literally for this baby to show up at any moment! she doesn't even really care where she is anymore (grocery store, church, wherever)....we're just ready for this little bundle to get here! hopefully before thursday, so we can actually eat thanksgiving food instead of hospital food!

everything is ready....nursery, bags, etc.

here's to hoping she comes quickly!

5 days and counting!

pictures

2009-11-15T20:53:00.000-08:00

closing in...

2009-11-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

we've passed the 38 week mark, and this daughter is holding strong. she's super happy in there and apparently does not want to come! so pray that she decides that this is the week to make her debut.

nursery is ready, curtains are hung, the drawer is full of diapers and such. here we go!

12 days and counting!

Avery is officially ready

2009-11-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

So Rachel is 37 weeks today (which is officially full term!) So Avery could make her debut any day now. We're praying and hoping that it's sooner rather than later. Rachel is getting pretty uncomfortable with this whole pregnancy thing.

So let's see: diapers, bottles, burp cloths, pack 'n play, more clothes than she'll ever know what to do with....I think we're pretty much ready (materially at least!)

We're seeing the doctor today, so let's hope for the best!

3 weeks to go!

Let the countdown begin

2009-10-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

So we're pretty sure Avery is coming early. Rachel has a feeling (and trust me guys, when the woman has a feeling about this kinda stuff, it's probably best to just listen to and agree with her.)

Watched some labor classes on DVD last night, and they were super helpful. Answered a lot of my questions as a partner (or labor coach, or whatever i am!) and my role in the whole thing.

This weekend (provided little Avery hasn't decided she's had enough of the womb) consists of making sure the nursery is ready (cleaning up, hanging shelves) and getting the house clean (cuz i'm pretty sure that's the last thing Rachel is gonna wanna have to worry about when we get home from the hospital.)

Getting stoked,

4 weeks and 2 days to go!

Time is ticking

2009-10-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

So this weekend, we realized that we were logistically unprepared. In a big way.

So this weekend we installed car seats, got them checked, packed a hospital bag, bought bottles, wipes, a pack 'n play, more onesies, and organized everything in her room. Put away clothes, cleared out closet space, everything. Hopefully now, we're a touch more prepared.

4 weeks, 4 days and counting...

Here we go!

2009-10-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

Hey,
So Avery's set to show up in just under 6 weeks! We're still working on getting her room all set up, but here's a preview. This is hanging just above her crib.

More to come,

Stephen