As Andy says: "You're faster than the average woman. You incubate babies 10 days faster!"
Just like his big "Cissy" Carter, Charlie arrived exactly 10 days early, and we're very excited to meet him!
I began contractions Friday (10/16/09) around 4:30am, and again at 5am, 5:15am, 5:40am, and 6:15am. They lasted about 10 - 15 seconds each, and weren't painful, so I figured we were in for another Carter-like labor. So I went to school. I counted through the day and made sure everything was a go, knowing I would most likely not be back Monday.
Later in the afternoon, contractions began to grow longer and slightly more painful. Around 2:20pm, I went to check out the situation and found that the mucus plug was beginning to go. In a slight panic, I alerted my co-teacher RaeAnn and the 8th grade language department (who were all thrilled!), and my co-teacher Chris, who was teaching our Math 8 class (the kids were a buzz as I simply said, "I gotta go!"). Andy picked up Carter and met me at home. She stayed with Rory and Andy (and had a ball), as we headed to "pick up the baby."
We arrived at the downtown hospital around 3:45pm, and we were officially admitted at 4:20. At that point, I was 4cm dilated and in some pain. By 5:30, we had a room but no drugs, I was 7cm dilated, in need of an epidural and ready for the show!
Dr. Mintzer broke my water around 5:45, then we did the epidural (looking back, the epidural THEN the water breaking would have been smarter!!). They told Andy he could take a break as they administered the epidural ... and he almost missed the show! They said 15 minutes; he was back early, and I was holding back pushes. Amid pain and unhappiness (the epidural didn't fully kick in until I was about done), I pushed. A total of 5 pushes was all it took to bring little Charlie to the bright world.
He was born at 6:19pm, at a healthy 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and 20 and a quarter inches long. He immediately let out a wail, and I got to hold him while Andy cut his cord. We were both cleaned up, and the three of us became acquainted.
Andy brought a very curious Big Cissy to visit Saturday morning. When Carter entered, she had an interested but unsure look on her face. We situated her on the couch, and got her all cozy with her baby brother. She just watched him with awe, repeating, "Awww Baby" in a sweet, protective voice. She checked out his fingers and toes, and you could see her falling in love with him!
We did get an over-night stay Saturday, due to my A positive and Charlie's A negative blood types. He's also a tad high on the jaundice scale, so he gets to tan by the sunny window for a few days (lucky!).
We were both discharged Sunday morning, around 11am. We're happy to be home! The Bumsted's and Anderson's came to visit (thanks, guys!), and we've been generally lazy and snuggly otherwise, which is fine by all of us!
Without further ado, meet Charlie James Chalupa!
Charlie welcomed the world with a big ol' wail!
Two super-exhausted Chalupa's!
The proud papa
Meet the new man in my life
A wink and a smile??
Saturday October 17, 2009 ...
Big Cissy Carter comes to adore her baby brother
You're a lucky guy, Charlie! This Big Cissy will treat you right!
My babies!
Our little monkey!
One big, happy family
Sunday October 18, 2009 ...
... a little tummy time :)
Tummy with with Carter Kay
Everyone's working on their fitness now!
Just like his big "Cissy" Carter, Charlie arrived exactly 10 days early, and we're very excited to meet him!
I began contractions Friday (10/16/09) around 4:30am, and again at 5am, 5:15am, 5:40am, and 6:15am. They lasted about 10 - 15 seconds each, and weren't painful, so I figured we were in for another Carter-like labor. So I went to school. I counted through the day and made sure everything was a go, knowing I would most likely not be back Monday.
Later in the afternoon, contractions began to grow longer and slightly more painful. Around 2:20pm, I went to check out the situation and found that the mucus plug was beginning to go. In a slight panic, I alerted my co-teacher RaeAnn and the 8th grade language department (who were all thrilled!), and my co-teacher Chris, who was teaching our Math 8 class (the kids were a buzz as I simply said, "I gotta go!"). Andy picked up Carter and met me at home. She stayed with Rory and Andy (and had a ball), as we headed to "pick up the baby."
We arrived at the downtown hospital around 3:45pm, and we were officially admitted at 4:20. At that point, I was 4cm dilated and in some pain. By 5:30, we had a room but no drugs, I was 7cm dilated, in need of an epidural and ready for the show!
Dr. Mintzer broke my water around 5:45, then we did the epidural (looking back, the epidural THEN the water breaking would have been smarter!!). They told Andy he could take a break as they administered the epidural ... and he almost missed the show! They said 15 minutes; he was back early, and I was holding back pushes. Amid pain and unhappiness (the epidural didn't fully kick in until I was about done), I pushed. A total of 5 pushes was all it took to bring little Charlie to the bright world.
He was born at 6:19pm, at a healthy 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and 20 and a quarter inches long. He immediately let out a wail, and I got to hold him while Andy cut his cord. We were both cleaned up, and the three of us became acquainted.
Andy brought a very curious Big Cissy to visit Saturday morning. When Carter entered, she had an interested but unsure look on her face. We situated her on the couch, and got her all cozy with her baby brother. She just watched him with awe, repeating, "Awww Baby" in a sweet, protective voice. She checked out his fingers and toes, and you could see her falling in love with him!
We did get an over-night stay Saturday, due to my A positive and Charlie's A negative blood types. He's also a tad high on the jaundice scale, so he gets to tan by the sunny window for a few days (lucky!).
We were both discharged Sunday morning, around 11am. We're happy to be home! The Bumsted's and Anderson's came to visit (thanks, guys!), and we've been generally lazy and snuggly otherwise, which is fine by all of us!
Without further ado, meet Charlie James Chalupa!
Charlie welcomed the world with a big ol' wail!
Two super-exhausted Chalupa's!
The proud papa
Meet the new man in my life
A wink and a smile??
Saturday October 17, 2009 ...
Big Cissy Carter comes to adore her baby brother
You're a lucky guy, Charlie! This Big Cissy will treat you right!
My babies!
Our little monkey!
One big, happy family
Sunday October 18, 2009 ...
... a little tummy time :)
Tummy with with Carter Kay
Everyone's working on their fitness now!
We love baby brothers!!!