Perfect baby moments

I asked a good friend of mine to come to the hospital and capture some of the new baby moments that disappear all too quickly. I just got the pictures today and they made me cry. I can't believe how much my little boy has grown in only two short weeks. These are just a few of my favorites. I am so glad to have captured such a small moment in time. Steph, you are the best!

From my perspective

As I sat on the couch this morning this is what I saw.

Charlie was dead asleep on the floor and looked like he had been shot. Samuel stood motionless in the corner staring at his sleeping father for a good 20 minutes. On the fireplace you can see the line up of medication that we have been pumping into Sam. He has been fighitng off a 103 degree fever for several days now and has not been a happy camper.

A few minutes later I walked by to find Samuel on the floor with his daddy sound asleep.

The transition to a family of five has proven to be more difficult with a sick 2 year old. Sam has wanted to give the baby loves and it has been hard to discourage him not to touch the baby, but we don't want a sick new born on our hands either.

Let's just say it is a good thing that I was behind the camera on all of these pictures because I am not looking my best after several nights of 12, 2, and 5 o'clock feedings. Luckily grandma is on her way as I type. The extra hands will be much appreciated since Charlie heads back to work tomorrow morning.

Luckily, it is all worth it when I get to see this cute little face and kiss his fat cheeks. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that Sam gets better soon and the rest of us can stay healthy.

Welcome Logan!

It's official. Logan Charles is the name of our new little boy. I thought I would share a few more pictures of some special moments that we have had over the last two days.

This was right after the baby was born. Charlie did great in helping me through yet another difficult labor. I am lucky to have such an amazing husband.

Here is Logan with all his dark hair. I have never had a baby with hair and to have it super dark has taken some time to get used to but I love it.

Here is the crew of Carn's at the hospital. The kids got to come the next morning after an outing at Bob Evans for breakfast. They were all excited to come meet him and Samuel has done amazingly well. He says "baby" about 1 million times a day and loves to give him kisses and hand me his blanket and gets me diapers and wipes when I need them. Who would think that my 22 month old would be more helpful than my 6 year old!

Here is my number one helper. She called Logan "magnificent" when she first met him.

Morgan has loved her new little brother as well and asks to hold him any chance she can.


Here are my 3 boys! I never thought I would have 3 boys but I sure do love them and love seeing this picture with them all together.

My most favorite thing in the entire world is that new baby smell. This is me with my nose nuzzled up in his little neck breathing in my sweet new little boy. I am trying hard to enjoy all of these little moments that will be gone before I know it.

And now for the part that is sure to make me cry. My best friend flew in from Utah to help with my kids. I can't express in words how full my heart was to see her holding my new little boy just hours after his birth. I am so thankful to her for loving my kids as I would while I was away and for all of her amazing love and support.

To finish it all off I had one of the most special moments of my life in room number 7 during my hospital stay. All of my best girlfriends were in one room at the same time. I was literally surrounded by women who love and support me and give me strength when I feel I have none. They all took time out of their busy days finding help for their children to come and give me hugs, bring me flowers and yes...chocolate. Mostly they came to hold my little one and laugh with me. I can't think of a time where I felt more love in one room and where I felt more grateful for such amazing women in my life. This is a picture I will cherish forever.

Things at home are ok. We are getting settled in and I am nervous for my first unassisted night of baby watch. I will try and take some more pictures and post again soon. Logan is changing each day and has already added so much to our family.

Baby Boy Carn

Family & Friends!

I have once again blog-jacked Brook's blog, but this time it isn't for fun. It's because she is recovering from having our fifth baby.

He was born today at 5:50 pm after a long day of induction and pain medication. He was 7 lbs and 0 ounces, 19 inches long and is a perfect little baby boy. He has a full head of dark hair which is a first for us and he is doing very, very well. He has been amazingly quiet since he was born and likes to open and close his eyes, stretch his legs and stick out his tongue. Brook did fabulously and she is doing very well tonight, although she is very very sore. I made it through without passing out or having to be escorted to a chair by a nurse. Thats a first for me, although I did stand on my tiptoes for the last 30 minutes and I think Brook will have bruises on her leg where I held it.

We have no name for this baby yet. We have several ideas but really we don't have names we like, only names we don't hate. So far our list is Max, Jacob, Jackson, Ross, Matthew, Benjamin, and Wade. This one is killing us so if there are any votes, let us know. If you have any other candidates besides, Canoe, Elsa, and "John Shianco", please also submit them. We need help to pick a name sometime tomorrow.

Everyone picked the times they thought he would come. Don't even bother asking who won. Who always wins? I even have the evidence to prove it!

Here he is with his Jazz Hands!!!

Last Night

Tonight is most likely my last night of being pregnant...ever! I can say that this knowledge comes with many mixed emotions. While I am not totally sure we are "done" having kids yet, I am more sure than I have ever been.

As of tomorrow I will never feel those little hiccups and pokes again. I will never have the excitement of telling my husband that we are having a baby. Our family will be complete and I will will be on to a new phase in life. I have spent the last 10 years in that constant state of change and new arrivals. While I am excited to move on I will miss so many things about the last 10 years.

I can say I am a different woman than I was 10 years ago. Hopefully more patient and loving. My children have taught me so much and I love each one of them more than I ever thought was possible.

So...to my new little babe on the eve of your birth. I am excited to meet you and smell your little head and hold you in my arms. You are so lucky to be coming to a family of such wonderful brothers and sisters. I hope I can be a good mother to you and teach you all that you will need to know. I love you already and can't wait to look into your eyes for the first time.

I will post again soon hopefully with a name of our little boy and some pictures and hopefully with the good news that I was the first person ever that I know to get an epidural at this crazy hospital!