Carter James - A Birth Story

Saturday, September 3 - We were really hoping to have had a baby by now, but since we didn't we were thankful for one more Saturday to sleep in and enjoy a big breakfast.  I'd been having Braxton Hicks contractions since 20 weeks with this pregnancy, but this morning they came every 5 minutes.  Still very mild and I was easily able to walk and talk through them, but still persistent.  I wanted to believe it was real labor but I knew better.  Just more warm-ups for the real thing.  In fact I was so convinced that nothing would come of them, that I let Chris go to Lifelight that afternoon to hear his brother's band play.

Brooks and I just hung around the house and played.  Contractions still 5 minutes apart, but no stronger at all.  I was getting kind of annoyed.  Either do something or go away.  When Chris got home around 4pm, I decided to take the dog for a walk and see if anything would come of these things.  We walked for about 45 minutes and although they increased in strength a little during our walk, as soon as I arrived back home they fizzled out again.  I took a nap around 6pm and they stopped altogether.  Fantastic.  This could go on for days.

Around 7:30 Chris' brother JD and his wife Pamela came over for supper and we enjoyed spending time out with them.  I had noticed my contractions were picking up a little (and I mean just a little) during that time where it felt better to pause for about 20 seconds at the peak of them but still didn't require any relaxation or even the need to close my eyes.  JD and Pamela left around 8:30pm and we put Brooks to bed.  I texted our friend EdithEllen (our babysitter) to tell her to keep her phone close by.  I was still convinced I wasn't in labor and wouldn't be for a long time, but I thought I'd give her a heads up .... just in case.

Around 9pm Chris, the ever planner, suggested going to bed.  If this did turn into labor, we both should rest now while we could.  I agreed but wasn't really tired so I quick checked e-mails and facebook and made it to bed around 9:15.  Contractions were still about 5 minutes apart, but as soon as I laid down they really picked up in strength.  Chris was laying next to me just timing contractions but I informed him I needed his coaching now.  I actually had to work to relax through these.  Contractions were only about 45 seconds long, but each one was much stronger and harder than the previous one.  Now I knew this was labor.  By 9:30 I realized things were moving faster than either of us expected.  Chris called EdithEllen to tell her we'd leave for the hospital in about half an hour.  He quickly grabbed the last few things for our hospital bag.

In about 10 minutes time, contractions went from 5 minutes apart and lasting 45 seconds to 2-3 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute 15 seconds.  Chris called EE and told her we'd leave as soon as she could get here.  He was now running, putting bags in the car and getting his shoes on.  In the meantime I starting shaking and feeling very nauseous!  I was hitting transition.  And I was in my bed at home!!!  I wasn't ready to have this baby here!

Chris saw what was happening and helped get me to the car.  We were ready to leave before EdithEllen arrived (figuring Brooks would be ok alone for a few minutes - he was sleeping), but thankfully she pulled up just as Chris was backing out of the driveway.  He gave her a few quick instructions and we were off.  Fortunately the hospital is only about 5 minutes away but it was the longest 5 minute drive of my life.  We were about 3 blocks from home and pulling onto Minnesota Ave (which is still very busy at 10 o'clock at night by the way) when a contraction came and I demanded that Chris stop the car.  I just couldn't do it with the bumpy roads.  He quickly pulled into the turning lane and stopped the car.  He held my hand through the contraction, and then informed me that we couldn't stop anymore.  We HAD to get to the hospital. 

I couldn't believe how strong and fast these contractions were coming.  I didn't have any urges to push so I knew this baby wouldn't be born in the car, but each contraction was still harder than the previous one.  I was a bit scared at how intense this could get. 

Chris called our midwife, Teri, while driving to tell her what was going on.  She said she'd meet us at the hospital.  We pulled up to the Emergency Entrance around 10:15pm.  There was a lot of pressure from this baby so I hobbled inside and they quickly got me a wheelchair.  We were there about 5 minutes before a nurse came down and wheeled me up to labor and delivery.  In the short walk we had to stop two or three times for a contraction.  Oh, they were so strong!

When we arrived on the labor and delivery floor they initially were going to take me to an exam room.  Not because they needed to make sure I was really in labor (clearly, I was) but because there wasn't a regular room ready.  I told them to just leave me in the hall .... I could have this baby anywhere!

Within a few minutes, they said the room was clean and ready.  They wheeled me in and the floors were still wet from mopping.  Guess I couldn't question if it was really clean.  I stood up from the wheelchair and Chris and I labored standing next to the bed.  Contractions were still coming every two minutes and lasting at least a minute.  The nurse was very accomodating and simply worked around us as she checked the baby with the EFM.  Oh yeah, the baby.  Honestly, because I was so focused on these intense contractions I forgot why they were happening in the first place.  Baby sounded good.  I changed into a gown and declined a vaginal exam.  I was having this baby whether I was a 4 or 7 ... it didn't really matter.

We labored in the room for a while and then I had to use the bathroom.  It felt good to pee, but contractions were coming even stronger and harder now.  In fact, if I had 30 seconds between them that was a long time.  And they didn't seem to have a gradual start, a peak and then taper off.  They just peaked and stayed there for the duration of the contraction.  I continued sitting on the toilet.  It didn't feel very good, but I was pretty sure these contractions would be painful in any position.  Chris put a pillow behind my back and supported my head.  The only way I could cope was to moan through each contraction.  The stronger the contraction, the louder I moaned.  So needless to say, it was pretty noisy in our room.  After laboring on the toilet for some time,  I told Chris I couldn't do this anymore.  I just couldn't.  He and Teri both reassured me I was doing great and that I could do it, but it was so hard!  If only I could get a break.  If only I had a bit more time between contractions.  But by the time I could utter "I need a break" another contraction hit.

Chris suggested standing back up - perhaps that would feel better.  I stood up & gravity seemd to take over.  After a few minutes my water broke.  Then I started pushing at the peaks (or what would have been the peaks) of contractions.  Soon enough I was pushing during the entire contraction.  I was still standing and it was quite uncomfortable pushing in this position.  I didn't feel like there was enough room for baby to come out.  Teri asked if I wanted to go back to the bed (I'm still in the bathroom, remember) and I told her I wouldn't make it. 

During my whole pregnancy I was determined to push this baby out squatting.  If Brazillian women could do it, darn it, so could I!!  So I squatted down and well ... that was even more uncomfortable than standing.  Then Teri said squatting puts a lot of pressure on the perineum and suggested hands and knees instead.  So on my knees I went.  I leaned forward into Chris' lap and pushed!!  I still didn't get a break in between contractions and they were still quite painful, even when pushing.  Since there wasn't a gradual start to them, I didn't have a chance to take the two cleansing breaths that I teach my students.  In fact I was thinking, I don't teach ANY of this!  All I could do was listen to my body and make it up as we went.  Just goes to show that you can't always script your birth.

Teri did a quick check and found a cervical lip, which she moved out of the way.  And then this baby came fast.  I mean, really fast!  I literally felt him slide down the birth canal.  The pressure was overwhelming.  Teri told me to do "little pushes" and I did my best to comply, but he really wanted to be born.  Within a minute or so, at 11:30pm our baby's head emerged.  Tremendous release!  (I believe there was a total of five minutes of pushing!)  I sat back up on my knees and grabbed my baby.  Oh how sweet to be holding this miracle in my arms.  Chris checked and announed it was a boy! 

I was in shock!  I couldn't believe how fast this labor went.  (just hours earlier I was having dinner with my brother & sister in law!)  I couldn't believe it was over and he was in my arms.  I couldn't believe it was a boy!  But he was perfect.  He looked just like Brooks.  And he was screaming.  A beautiful newborn cry that told me everything was ok.

Teri told me that since I was bleeding quite a bit (later I found out due to a partial placental abruption) she wanted to give me a shot of pitocin in my arm to avoid starting an IV.  I agreed and then we all walked to the bed, my beautiful baby boy in my arms.  We were able to leave his cord intact and have skin to skin time right away.  It was perfect.  The rest of the room just faded away as I laid there holding my baby boy.  He eventually stopped crying and I was fascinated as I looked into his eyes, so bright and so full of wonder.  Within the hour he latched on and nursed like a champ.  We didn't have a name for him since we sincerely thought this was a girl, but that didn't matter.  Not now, anyway.  Later we decided to call him Carter James.  It fits him well :)

I was so thankful for Chris who helped and supported me through the whole crazy labor.  I was so thankful for Teri for being such a calm presence and allowing us to have the birth we wanted.  And I couldn't stop thanking God for giving us such a precious new life, healthy and whole.  My heart was full.  It still is.  I loved being pregnant.  I loved giving birth.  And I love being a mama to my two wonderful boys.

A Family of Four

Welcome to our family Carter James Anderson

Born September 3, 2011 @ 11:30pm

8lbs 9oz

20.5" long

He's perfect and we're thrilled!!

"I Need Help"

These have to be the three hardest words I've ever uttered in my whole life.  And lately, I've been saying them a lot.  Yes, I know I'm 39 weeks pregnant and yes I know I should want people to help me.  But for this self-sufficient, independent girl ..... that's a hard thing to do.  Here's what complicates things.

Last Thursday after sweeping & mopping the downstairs floors (see? independant and stubborn!) my back was really achy.  No big deal.  I worked hard so now I deserve to kick my feet up, read my latest birth book and let my back rest and heal.  Well, rest I did.  Heal I did not.  Throughout the evening that "ache" in my back turned to sharp, shooting pains in my lower back and right hip.  Well, thank goodness for my chiropractor who can fix this, right?  WRONG!  This was Thursday night and I found out via Facebook that their office was closed on Friday.  CLOSED!!!  Now is not the time for them to be closed.  This means I have to wait until Monday!

So Chris massaged my back, we prayed and went to bed.  Friday the ache was still there but not the shooting pain.  And Saturday was more of the same.  Ok ... maybe I can make it 'till Monday.  Oh, so wrong again.  Saturday night we attended a BBQ at a friend's house and because we forgot to bring chairs along (thank you pregnancy brain), I ended up sitting on their picnic bench for a few hours.  A hard, wooden, non-forgiving picnic bench.  Re-enter sharp, shooting pain.  Except this time it was worse!  Way way worse!  I informed Chris we needed to leave and as I literally limped to the van I prayed one prayer.  "Dear Lord, please don't let me go into labor!"

Chris again massaged my back, applied heat, we prayed and went to bed in hopes that it would again feel better in the morning.  But apparently I'd really done it this time and those delightful shooting pains were still present Sunday morning, reminding me again and again that I should NEVER mop the floor when I'm 38 weeks pregnant!  Hear that pregnant mamas??  DON'T MOP THE FLOOR!!!  You can live with the dirt!

So I limped through the house eating what breakfast I could and getting myself ready for church.  And the whole drive there I'm just praying no one asks me "How are you feeling?" because they definitely would have gotten a whole sob story they never wanted to hear!  Fortunately we made it through the morning without any comments on how big I was was or questions on how I felt.  This is rare, my friends.  Rare.

I limped back to the van, drove home and pretty much sat on my rump the whole rest of the day.  And here's where the whole "I need help" thing comes in.  I asked for help with everything from cooking meals, to caring for my son to getting out of the chair.  And I asked not because I wanted to.  I NEEDED to.  I physically couldn't do the tasks that I so commonly do every day.  Very very frustrating.  But I am so thankful for an amazing husband who willingly changes diapers, cooks supper and rubs my back.  I seriously couldn't do this without him!!

So today I went to see my chiropractor.  He scolded me for mopping the floor.  I scolded him for being closed on Friday.  And he half-adjusted me.  Because my back has been so "jacked up" for this many days, it barely budged.  Fantastic.  So although I feel somewhat better, my lower back is still achy and sore.  I go back in later this week to have him work on it again.  And I'm still praying I don't go into labor until this is resolved.

Big Boy and a Baby

A few weeks ago we got together with our very talented friend Brent from BK Photography and took some 2 year pictures of my big boy and a few maternity shots too.  Enjoy!

You know you're 9 months pregnant when ....

First of all, I just have to say that I LOVE being pregnant.  This is by no means a pity-party, poor pregnant me post.  But at this stage in pregnancy, there are some things that just make me laugh ... or cry ... or just shake my head.  Here's a few of my observations.

You know you're 9 months pregnant when .....

• Rolling over in bed is something you no longer take for granted.
• You can locate the nearest restroom from wherever you are standing ... at anytime!
• You can't trust a sneeze ... ever.
• People stop looking at you with the "oh, she's so beautiful carrying new life" look. Instead you get the wide-eyed look of panic. As in "Holy cow, she's huge!" or "Dear God, I hope she doesn't have that baby here".
• You have the baby's routine almost memorized.  Early morning: stretches.  Afternoon: A few good jabs to the bladder.  Evening: hiccups.  Always hiccups.
• You don't have to have a reason for being tired and/or sweaty. Overall this summer hasn't been bad with the heat, but when everyone else in my house is comfortable, I'm stripping off clothes and sweating like I just came out of a sauna! And going to the zoo for a hour or two in the morning is enough to warrant a nap for the rest of the afternoon.
• You are now becoming best friends with your chiropractor.  I seriously don't know how pregnant women make it 9 months without chiropractic care.  I would be a laid-up, whining, serisouly in pain mess by now if it weren't for Dr. Marsh.
• Wearing clothes is totally annoying and no longer a necessity when at home.  Although I'll add that it is handy to have a pair of pants nearby, just in case your neighbor girl decides to knock on your door and return your casserole dish while you're in your non-clothes-wearing mood.  You know, hypothetically speaking.  It could happen.
• You actually having nothing to wear.  So you wear .... wait for it .... nothing (see previous point).  I'm down to 1 pair of shorts and 1 pair of capris and just a handful of shirts that fit this ever expanding belly.  So to those of you who see me on a regular basis, I apologize for the monotony in my wardrobe.  But these are the days that I'm glad I'm not working where I would feel the need to wear something cute, appropriate & different for work every day.  Now I just sport my one pair of shorts and rotate between the four shirts that fit.  It's functional and that's all that matters!

I'm 37 weeks now, so knowing there's an end in sight makes all of these little pregnancy quirks a bit easier to handle.  But it's really a small price to pay to have the privilege and honor and carrying this new little life.  And even though strangers at the grocery store see my giant belly as a ticking time bomb, I still see it as beautiful and I love it!!

Baby Bump - 35 weeks

Whew, that baby is sure getting big.  And believe me, I am fully aware of my size every time I *try* to roll over in bed, or attempt to get up off the floor after playing cars with Brooks.  I can honestly say that I love being pregnant though - even though I'm in my last month of pregnancy and it's been crazy hot here the last few weeks.  I figure I'm only going to be pregnant for a short time in my life and I better enjoy it while I can. 

Here are some pregnancy related highlights to catch you up on what's going on:

•  This baby really doesn't have a nickname.  Once upon a time we called him/her "guy", but that seemed to confuse people.  "Oh, so you're having a boy?"  Um, no we just picked the name at random - we don't know what we're having.  And since Brooks just refers to my growing bump as "baby", that's what we do too.
• This baby has been sitting WAY lower than Brooks ever did.  In fact, at this point in my pregnancy with Brooks I was icing my ribs after work everyday because he decided that shoving his butt under my rib cage was grand ol' fun.  Not this kiddo.  He's made a comfy little nest right on top of my bladder and pressing against my lower back/hips.
• Because of baby's position, I have had persistent lower back & hip pain.  All I can say is THANK YOU Dr. Marsh!!!  My chiropractor has allowed me to sleep well at night, sit & stand without constant pain and pretty much allowed me to enjoy this summer with my boy!  And with just a few weeks left until D-day, I'm seeing him on a weekly basis.
• Probably the most interesting thing about this kiddo is how much he/she moves.  And I'm not just talking about kicks and stretches.  Oh no.  This baby will start breach, flip to transverse and land head down .... all in the same day!!  Only to repeat this pattern the next day.  And the day after that.  And the day after that.  This has been going on for weeks ... probably months.  Even my midwife and chiropractor are amazed at how much this kiddo is still (literally) flipping around inside.  I'm just praying real hard that baby decides to end this gymnastics routine soon and will eventually land in the head down position - oh and not tangled up in the umbilical cord!
• We're working harder on preparing for birth now.  We're doing relaxation on a regular basis and have even done a labor rehearsal in our living room.  And I'm so impressed by my husband because he's been the one to initiate most of these preparations.  I teach this stuff for a living, but he's still reminding me to eat my eggs every day (because I totally forget otherwise), and practice relaxation and to keep doing my kegels and pelvic rocks.  He's such a fantastic husband and labor coach and the best daddy our kids could ever hope for!!! 

That's about it.  I have a feeling these last five weeks or so are going to go by really fast and really slow at the same time.  I'm just tyring to enjoy my last few days being pregnant before we become a family of four!!!

Picture a Day - May 31

27 weeks

Well, these weeks just keep truckin' on by.  I wouldn't say this pregnancy is going by quickly, but since I have more to keep my time occupied, it just seems to be going quicker. 

This kiddo is moving moving moving all over.  I could tell on Friday the he/she was in a breech position (which is really no big deal at this point) since I felt all the "not so little" flutters way down low.  But on Saturday morning it felt like this kiddo was doing some serious jumping jacks for about 5 minutes.  Then, whaddya know, he's head down.  It's weird to feel such BIG movements.  I attribute the move to all the pelvic rocking I've been doing :)

Other than that, things have been going really smoothly.  Probably the biggest adjustment is that Brooks has to sit next to my lap instead of on my lap during story time.  So really, no big deal.  With 13 weeks (or so) left to go, Chris is also getting prepared for his coaching role in labor.  "Will you give me a refresher course so I remember what to do?" he asks me.  Of course!!  So each week after I teach my class, we'll sit down and go through the Bradley® workbook together and review.  I love my husband and I can't wait to have another baby with him!!

Picture a day - May 17

So I know these pictures have been too far and few between, but here's a bump shot for you.  I actually was up and ready before Chris left for work this morning and was able to get a picture before tonight (when I usually look like a frumpy, tired mommy in stained clothing)

I am 25 weeks today.  These weeks seem to be just speeding by.  September will be here before I know it.  But trust me, I can wait.  I'm looking forward to enjoying every day this short summer brings.  We had a unusally warm day last week (85 degrees) and I realized that all my maternity clothes are not only all work clothes, but all winter clothes.  That's not going to work for this stay at home mom in the summer.  So I put a plea out on facebook, and my wonderful friend Bethany came to the rescue, and loaned me all her super cute summer maternity outfits!!  Hooray for sharing clothes!!

This kiddo has been sitting much lower than Brooks ever did.  Brooks lived in my lungs.  This one has taken up residence right on top of my bladder.  So needless to say I'm never too far from a bathroom.  And baby's been moving a lot lately too.  The last few morning between 7 and 7:30am, the kiddo finds his/her legs.  Chris loves to feel the baby too.  The other morning, Chris put his cheek to my belly and said "hello".  The baby said hello back by giving Daddy a good swift kick!  It was pretty funny.

20 weeks & an Anniversary!

Well folks, we're half way through this pregnancy!!  HALF WAY!  Where has this time gone??  I mean, D-day still seems like forever away, but to think we're halfway through already seems kinda crazy.  And with summer coming, I'm sure the second half will go just as fast.  Yesterday we had temps in the low 70's and I thought "summer is finally here!"  But alas, today was back down in the thirties with rain and plenty of wind to accompany it.  Oh, the joys of living in South Dakota.

Ok, enough whining.  On to baby news.  Shortly after my last post, I finally felt the baby move.  In fact, it was on Friday, March 25th to be exact.  Yeah, I wrote it down :)  The kiddo is still pretty small and so are his/her movements, but I LOVE feeling them just the same!  Now this pregnancy is starting to become more real to me.

We have decided to keep this kiddo's gender a suprise!  How exciting, right?  But like I said before, we're not even going in for an ultrasound, so we can't know anyway.  I get mixed reactions when people hear that we're not finding out, but even more so when we tell them we're not getting an ultrasound. 

"Why no ultrasound?" 

"Are they not safe?" 

"How can you plan without knowing the gender?"

"Don't you want to see your baby?" 

"Is something wrong with you??" 

Ok, I haven't been asked that last question, but the reason is simple.  This is a low risk pregnancy, and there's nothing to check out.  So we're not doing an ultrasound.  Makes sense, right?  Good.  Glad we're all agreed on that. 

Now the only trouble is that we'll have to think of TWO names.  And I have all sorts of lovely girl names swirling around in my head (seriously, we could be having quadruplet girls - and we're not by the way - and I'd have them all named) but absolutely no boy names.  Which according to Murphy's Law means .... we're having a boy.  Ok, I don't know that but I'm just guessing it to be true.  But keeping with my gut instinct we've decided to nickname the baby "Guy".  Yep, just Guy.  Little Guy is fine.  Baby Guy works too.  But this is our Guy.  And well, if it happens to be a girl ... she'll never know the difference :)

Oh ... I almost forgot to write about the Anniversary!!  It truly was a big day in our house.  April 12th marks the 1 year anniversary of when I began my new job as a full time mom!!  Hooray!!!!  Again, this year has gone so fast, but I wouldn't have traded it for anything.  Brooks is growing up way too fast already and I'm so glad I was around this last year to see all of it!  And I'm excited for this year to come. Brooks will turn 2, we'll add another kiddo to the family (making us a family of four - eek!), I will continue teaching my Bradley classes.  I love life and my family and I only have God to thank for it all :)

17 weeks

Well, I'm a few days late but here's the first bump picture for baby #2.  (This kiddo still needs a nickname, so I'm currently taking suggestions)  I had planned to start taking pictures earlier in this pregnancy, since the kiddo "popped" out around 12 weeks or so.  But my bump hasn't changed size since then, convincing me it was more of my "maternal stores" than actual baby.  No one needs to see a bumch of belly fat, so I waited until now to post.  (no need to thank me :)

This pregnancy has been right on track compared to being pregnant with Brooks.  I went through the usual "I'm starving and exhausted" phase for about 6 weeks and now I feel great.  No really, I feel awesome!!  The only difference is that I had to pull out my bella band and maternity clothes sooner with this one.  But to be honest, I'm so busy chasing around a toddler all day that I sometimes forget I'm pregnant. 

We've heard the baby's heartbeat twice now, but I'm still waiting for that first movement.  That's the best part.  Well, until the baby gets so big that he's kicking me in the ribs constantly.  But even that's ok.

Our biggest decision coming up is whether or not to find out if we're having a boy or girl.  We found out with Brooks since I'm a super over-planner.  But this time around I'm leaning toward waiting until the baby's born.  I've always been slightly jealous of those who can wait.  The suprise seems like so much fun!!  And since we don't even have an ultrasound scheduled (and won't unless it's absolutely necessary), we won't be able to find out anyway.  Just feels more natural to me.

A New Bump

Well it's official.  Our second little blessing is in the process of growing growing growing inside my tummy right now. (well, "uterus" if you want to be specific, but for the sake of *trying* to explain it to a 18 month old, we'll stick with "tummy") 

Tuesday, December 21st was the day of the positive pregnancy test.  I was thrilled!!!  We'd been trying for a few months and after many disappointing negative tests, I was plesantly suprised by this one.  But now what do I do?  How do I tell Chris?  "oh hey, but the way.  We're pregnant".  Didn't really seem to cut it.  So I made a plan.

The next day I was planning on dropping of Charlie (the dog) to my good friend Edith Ellen's house while we were away for Christmas.  But then I also asked if she'd be willing to watch Brooks for a few hours while Chris and I went out.  And because she's like my second mom (therefore Brooks' extra Grandma) she was delighted.  Perfect.  So on Wednesday, after nap and snack I brought both the dog and the boy over to Grandma Gale's house.  I didn't leave the Gale's until a little after 5pm, so Chris arrived home before I did.  But it was ok.  He knew I was dropping off the dog so the suprise was still intact.  Hehehehehe.

Oh and I have mentioned that I had been aware of this new baby for over 24 hours and the suspense was killilng me!!  But I remained calm.  When I got home Chris (obviously) asked "Where's Brooks"?  I kept a straight face (mostly) and said "Grab your coat, let's go".  Oooooh, and my husband loves suprises so this was GREAT!!

From there we went to Olive Garden for dinner.  We made casual conversation about life and Brooks and Christmas and stuff.  Then right before our food arrived I asked if he wanted to see a picture.  I always have lovely little pics of our sweet boy on my phone from throughout the day.  When he said yes (what was he going to say ... no?), I slid my phone across the table with the picture of a very obvious positive pregnancy test showing on the screen. 

He looked at me.  I grinned.  He looked at the picture.  I giggled.  He looked at me again, this time he was grinning .... ear to ear folks.  "Really???"  "Really", I said.  "We're having a baby".  Oh and the moments from there were wonderful.  We smiled and giggled.  Then he hugged me.  Our family was growing!  And we couldn't be happier!!!!  We spent the rest of the evening talking about the future and the new baby and the little boy we're already blessed with (because it just doesn't seem like I can call him my baby anymore).  Then after dinner we drove to Falls Park and walked through the wonderland of Christmas lights.  It was fantastic.  It was quiet.  And suprisingly warm for December.  I love evenings where Chris and I can just stroll and talk and enjoy each other's company.  It's one of my favorite things in the whole world.  Except this time it wasn't just us.  This time, we were accompanied by our new little bump :)  And life is good.  So so good.