First attempt at feeding Ashton

We thought Ashton was ready for some real food but this attempt at feeding him turned into hours of gassy pain for our little precious! He has been back on the breast milk only diet since then. We have tried a few different foods but he hasn't taken to any yet so we will wait for a while longer.

Ashton Richmond Halsey

Welcome Baby Halsey. After 9 hours of natural labor (hurrah!) Ashton arrived in a rush. They said I was 8.5 cm and I had a ways to go but a few minutes later I knew it was time. The patient usually knows when it is time when there are no drugs! So I was right and out he popped at 8 lbs 12 oz and 21 inches long! He was born on Mom's birthday, May 17 at 0755 which I couldn't have asked for a better day.

I was so tempted to let the doctor induce me earlier that week, but I waited and am so glad I did! He had a perfectly round head since the pushing was so short. We hit it off right away and Ashton was asking to breast feed before he could even get properly cleaned up! Alex and Alli are in love with him and are big helpers. Andrew is fascinated by this new little baby, but he hasn't quite figured out what to
do with him other
than give the baby lots of
hugs. I have been so busy I have not had time to blog! So this is a few pics for now but there are a ton more to come when I can get a few minutes. With finals coming up it is extra hard to find time for everything!

Thanks for all the visits and calls this past week...and the food!
Love to everyone.

40 weeks and no baby.

No I have not had the baby yet.

People, I know you are excited, but calling and texting me everyday, asking if I had the baby yet, will not make it happen any sooner!!! I do appreciate your enthusiasm, and rest assured we will let you all know as soon as it happens. I have a OB appointment today. If there is any news I will let you know. Here are some pictures to tide y'all over. He has his hands on his face so it is a little hard to see but you can definitely tell he looks like a Halsey especially Drew. This was from the ultrasound 2 weeks ago which he was estimated to be 7lb 14 oz. Any guesses on how much he will way at birth?

Carrie

Alex's Birthday

Alex is turning 10!
Come hang out with us at Skate World
April 3rd
3-6pm.
RSVP so I can have a head count.

This chick kicks butt!! I had resigned myself to vote McCain even though I don't like his democratic kissy kissy politics. Every time he "reaches across the aisle" we get some crappy legislation like campaign finance reform (which abridges free speech). I am jazzed about his VP pick and now will go happily punch the ticket for McCain in November. I look forward to the VP debate, I hope she mops up the floor with Biden!!

Carrie

So I have been busy this Summer. My hospital opened a brand new campus in addition to the old one. It is huge and pretty and brand new and lots of new toys! It was pretty crazy though moving all the patients and starting at a new place with a few thousand of your closest friends. We have been open a month and are settling in to the new digs. Things have calmed down but every mom from Medford to Portland seems to want to deliver at the new hospital so we have been working a lot of overtime and long stretches. Yucky but the pay has been lovely.

JJ is in Cali.

Finally! JJ is back in the states for good. This is a pic of him the week before we moved from FL. In a few days he will be here at home and we can take all the new pics we want!!! He had to go back to his "home of record" which is where he enlisted, so our reunion is delayed a few days but as soon as his household goods arrive(and lots of presents for the kids and me) he will be on his way here. If the shipment arrives as planned then he should be here like Thursday. Yeah. I'd say I can't believe the two years has flown by but that would be a complete lie. This has been the worst 2 years and every hour has dragged by! Yeah! it is over.
Carrie

JJ will be home this month!

I can finally say that JJ is coming home "this month". After so many, many months apart this is such an exciting thing. We are just in a flurry here getting ready for Big Daddy to come home. One part of me wants everything to be perfect when he gets here and the other part of me just wants him to hurry up and get here so he can help with all this work! Thanks to all my family for supporting me and helping me through this last almost 2 years! I have felt like I was a single mom a lot of the time, but not often does a single mom have such a wonderful support group and family members willing to sacrifice to help out, like I have had this last couple of years. You guys are awesome. Hopefully I will never have to return this huge of a favor to anyone(I wouldn't wish this kinda crap on anyone.) But you know JJ and I will be there for y'all when you need us.

We will be having a welcome back party a week or two after JJ gets here to celebrate and to thank everyone.

Love
Carrie

2 more months!

Just 2 more months until JJ comes home!! We will know an exact date soon so I will keep you updated.