Always Remember

Dear Camden,

Always remember how lucky you are to have such a wonderful Daddy. He loves you so very much and will always do whatever he can for you. Someday, when you are a teen, you may not feel so lucky because he might tell you no sometimes (although I doubt it), but he is a rarity-so I hope you cherish him as I do.

Love, Mommy

Happy One Week Birthday!

So, Jamie and I have decided to start a new tradition. Why should Baby Boy just get a birthday cake for his first year on this earth? Why not every week for the first month, then every month for the first year after that? It's a lot of work bringing a little one into the world, and I think we should celebrate every little step. So, happy one week little guy. We are really enjoying getting to know you!

One Week Old

Here he is...in his rocking chair. We have decided to follow this idea from one of the bloggers we both follow. She takes a picture of her little one in the same chair every month to show her little one's growth. What a great idea, huh? So, here is picture one, at one week old. (He looks so silly in this chair, all hunched over!)

Welcome Home Baby Boy!

Ahhh! Finally! After spending 5 1/2 days in the hospital, we get to come home. (And this time with him OUT of my belly!) We bought the baby a special little outfit to wear home, we had his car seat all ready to go, and we were all packed. We were so ready for bringing him home and getting to focus on the 3 of us together as a family.

As soon as we got in the door the kitties were very excited to see us (they had not seen their mommy in almost 6 days!). And the kitties were also very interested to see what this new little creature was in their house. Ranger went right up to the baby and sniffed his head...and for a long time. After they spent a little time checking out the baby, they were back to life as usual. ...Not at all what we expected! But they have been accepting since day one, and we are so relieved about that!

The first night home was interesting. I was so sore and tired. I think we went to bed at 8pm. How much sleep did we get? Well, not a lot. Every time the baby would lose his binky, he would fuss and Jamie would have to lean over into the bassinet to give it back to him. And I could hardly get in and out of the bed to care for the baby since my incision was so sore. But we did it. We worked together how we could to get it all done. Now looking back at the beginning, I am so glad it is over!

You Know I Am Your Mommy

How does a little newborn baby know his mommy is his mommy? I picked you up and you looked right at me and started making these little noises. You knew it was me. It blew my mind and melted my heart all at the same time.

* Photos taken while you were in the nursery. I was brought in to finally

see you and spend some time with you after being away from you for the

whole night while you were being monitored.

A Few Pictures

More to come . . .

Welcome To The World Little One!

What a long road this was, and here you are! You were not just 9 months in the making, you were 5 years in the wanting!!! Mommy was not so sure about having a boy at first, but once I saw your sweet face for the first time I knew it happened the way it was supposed to.

So, after induction #1 failed May 10Th and we were sent home, we set up another induction date of May 22. Well, the day before that you still had not arrived on your own, and Mommy was starting to get sick. Bad sick-with chills and a fever. I spent all day of the 21ST on the couch. And after a rough night of no sleep and not being able to keep my fever down, I called the hospital at 6 am on the morning of the 22ND. They told me to come in as soon as possible. This would not have been a big deal, except that I did not pack the day before since I was sick. So, we both ran around to get ready and said bye to the kitties and we were off.

We arrived at the hospital and they started an iv on me to keep me hydrated, watched my fever, and let me rest. We then started the pitocin the next morning, Sunday, May 23RD (cousin Hudson's birthday). Contractions start, they break my water, contractions get worse, I get an epidural. Everything feels better. But I am still sick, still have a fever, and you are starting to feel the effects of it all. Every time I had a contraction, your heart rate would drop. So, after several hours of contractions and not much happening, we decided with the doctor that the best thing for you would be to deliver by cesarean. They got me ready and you were literally born within half an hour.

So, welcome to the world little baby Camden James Gebhardt! You were born at 4:07 pm on May 23RD. You weighed 8 pounds and 8 ounces! and were 20 inches long!