Our Family

We all look a little rough, as this was taken the day Rivers was born. This is our first family photo!

Rivers' many faces (at least a few)

Very Sad

So Serious

Pirate Eye

Sleepy Baby

Peaceful

And here he is looking at Grammy and Mommy. I'm sure he was thinking, "You 2 are crazy!"

Rivers meets family and friends

Rivers meeting his Grammy for the first time!

Rivers and his Uncle Alex

Rivers and his Grandpa

Rivers with Justice and Laurie

Rivers, Jaime, and Patrick

Rivers with his Grandparents and Cousins, Wyatt and Savannah


And thank you to everyone who so generously sent us beautiful plants and flowers during our stay at the hospital!

Bringing home baby!

Here we are! A happy family, home from the hospital!

Rivers' first ride in the car seat. He slept right through it!

But he woke up and put on his serious face to meet his big brother Jasper, who was very excited and Marley, who was just unsure what to think.

We've been home from the hospital for 1 week now and so far so good! Its been difficult to find the time to blog- forgive me for my lack of posts. A big thank you to Laurie for posting for me while I was in the hospital! When Rivers is sleeping I try to be resting, showering, or catching up on email, but mostly resting. I'm recovering well, everyday I feel better, but I know I've still got a little ways to go before I'm back to my usual self. We went on our first walk last night- it was very short and I moved very slowly, but it was nice to get out of the house and try out our stroller from Alex. Jasper enjoyed having me and Rivers along as well and the stroller made for a nice stroll! Rivers was comfy and slept right through it.
Rivers is just wonderful and he's been a very good baby this past week. Of course, at this point in his little life all he does is sleep, eat, poop, eat, sleep, etc. He wakes himself up every 2-3 hours to eat and he is nursing like an old pro! I call him a little milk monster because he is so serious about eating! He does have his awake time too where he just kind of hangs out and looks around. So far we've found that he hates to be cold and loves to be outside (probably because its so warm out there). He also loves to be swaddled and cuddled. He makes the most serious faces that crack me up. And then he also has the sweetest smile that melts my heart! I love his little cry- its so pitiful and he makes the cutest little frown while he's doing it. He has truly been a joy and I've loved this past week with him despite being sore and exhausted. He had his first trip to the pediatrician this past Monday where they basically just checked his weight and umbilical cord. He was 7lbs. 12oz. at birth and had dropped down to 7lbs. 4oz. when we left the hospital, but was already back up to 7lbs. 9oz. at his appointment. I'm tellling ya- he's a little milk monster!
Jasper has been doing surprisingly well. I think having my mom here has helped- it gives him 1 more person who can shower him with love and attention. He has been very curious about his new little brother and comes over to sniff him a few times a day. When Rivers starts crying, he is right there to see what is wrong and to make sure that we are taking care of his little brother. I'm trying my best to include him and still find time to snuggle with him. The cats have also been curious, but cautious. They too come over to sniff him everyday, but if he makes the slightest movement they are gone! They're still hanging out with us and are happy to be rubbed on just as much as before but they make sure there is an escape route if necessary! I'm sure in time they will come around and then by that point, Rivers will start crawling! Little by little though, we're all settling in nicely.

Last Belly Picture!

I was so uncomfortable and just ready to get to the hospital, but the photographer in me wanted one last belly picture! This is me at 39 weeks, right before we walked out the door on our way to the hospital! Its crazy now to look at Rivers and think that he was all balled up inside of there!

Birth Story

Labor began on Wednesday July 16 at 6:00 in the morning. I woke up with contractions only lasting a few seconds and coming about 15 minutes apart. Jeremy went off to work at 8:30 and I had breakfast, swiffered the kitchen floor, and continued feeling contractions still only lasting a few seconds, but continuing to come every 10-15 minutes. Around 10:30 I decided to take a shower, which then turned into a bath and I stayed in the tub until noon. The contractions were continuing at about 8-10 minutes apart, growing a little stronger, but still only lasting a few seconds. I had lunch around 12:30 and noticed that the contractions were starting to last longer, about 1 minute or so each, but that I would go awhile with them at 8-10 minutes apart and then I would get a break of about 15-20 minutes without anything before the process would begin again. Around 2:00 I was growing increasingly uncomfortable and decided to get back in the bath tub. The contractions were now feeling stronger and consistently coming 10 minutes apart. Jeremy came home from work around 4:00 and my labor continued to progress. I again got back in the shower, which lead to another bath around 5:00. The contractions were now 8-10 minutes apart. Jeremy fixed dinner around 6:00 and I couldn’t eat anything. I was too uncomfortable. I told Jeremy he needed to start get everything together for the hospital. By 7:00 the contractions were 6-8 minutes apart and very strong. I was most comfortable standing, swaying my hips from side to side and having Jeremy rub my back while I was contracting. At 8:30 the car was packed and we were on our way to the hospital. We checked in and were taken to the triage area where the baby’s heart was monitored along with the contractions. They were by this time coming every 3-5 minutes and were so strong that they were actually going off the chart. Doctor Harris came in to check me and I was 4-5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. Rivers’ head was now at a +1 station in my pelvis. I was then moved to a labor and delivery room because all the LDRP (labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum) rooms were full. By this time it was about 10:00, my nurses came in and gave me an IV (took them 3 tries), started fluids, and again hooked me up to monitors. I received my epidural around 11:00 and we were able to relax, watch tv, and sleep a little bit. Doctor Harris came in to check me again around 12:30 and I was now 7 cm dilated. She decided to rupture my membranes at this time. I didn’t feel anything except a warm gush of fluid. Again, we continued to relax and wait. Around 1:30 we were moved to a LDRP room, where I had planned to be until checking out of the hospital. We again, relaxed and waited until I started feeling a lot of pressure. Around 3:30 am I began pushing. I pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed. The nurses asked me if I wanted a mirror to see and I said yes. I was amazingly able to see some hair on Rivers’ head. This was encouraging, but also frustrating because he was right there and I could see him, but he wasn’t coming out. I was exhausted and wondering how much longer I could continue. Doctor Harris suggested we try the vacuum and I was happy to have some help. After almost 3 hours of pushing and 2 failed attempts with the vacuum, she decided it was best to go ahead with a c-section. I was so tired and ready to have him out that I was just happy to have an end in sight. I was prepped for the surgery, which took about an hour and around 6:00 am Jeremy was brought into the operating room and it began. Jeremy watched the entire procedure. I couldn’t see anything but felt a tremendous amount of pressure, pulling, and tugging. I heard Doctor Harris say that she needed to push the baby back up through the birth canal. He was so low that she couldn’t get to his head. Finally, at 6:39 am on Thursday July 17, Rivers Owen was born. He came out yelling which was a wonderful sound. They took him over to a bassinet where he quieted down and they began to examine him. Jeremy heard one of the nurses say, breathe baby, which scared him to death and he began watching them. Luckily all was fine, Rivers was heathy and breathing well and Jeremy was able to cut the umbilical cord while I was being put back together and stitched up. Jeremy was then able to hold Rivers for the first time. I saw him briefly while in the operating room and gave him a kiss on the cheek, but I was so out of it from all the drugs and the surgery that I could barely even see straight. Rivers was taken to the nursery to be weighed, measured, and cleaned up where Jeremy was able to watch over him while I was still being stitched up. After the surgery I was taken back to the original labor and delivery room that I had started in to be monitored for the next hour and a half. Finally around 9:30 am I was wheeled in my bed to the nursery where I was able to hold my baby boy for the first time. It was only for a minute but it was the most wonderful feeling in the world. Next we were taken to our postpartum room, and shortly there after Rivers was brought in the room to join us for good. He remained in our room with us until we were discharged on Saturday July 19.

A journey to remember

Hello all, once again it is Laurie and Elizabeth doesn't know about this post :) For months all of you know I have been documenting Elizabeth and Jeremy on their journey to parenthood. Elizabeth knew I was going to be doing a slide show but toward the end of her pregnancy I enlisted Jeremy's help. I asked him to get me a copy of all of her images that she had taken and to help me out with some music. So the images you are going to see are a combination of pictures. Jeremy actually gave me 3 songs but my brain has ceased to function and I can't seem to get more than one song working.....WARNING: by the end you will be singing along or begging me to get rest. I know many of you are miles away so my hope is that this slide show may help you be here with them on their journey. So I will stop rambling and to see the slide show click here.

Welcome Rivers Owen Cayton

Hey everyone it's me again Laurie. I wanted to let you know Rivers, Elizabeth, and Jeremy are all doing very well. After an extremely long day they all rested well. I went to the hospital today to see Rivers and we did a quick little session for all to see. But before I post let me put all the details, he was 7lbs 12 ozs, 19 1/2 inches, and he was born at 6:39 am on Thursday July 17th. Okay now for the sweet pictures...

Almost Here

Hello everyone...it's Laurie and I told Elizabeth I would do a post so everyone could follow how she was. This post her and Jeremy during her labor, I'm sure each of you know she pushed for over 2 1/2 hours and finally early Thursday morning they took her for a c-section. Here are some of the images of her before they went in for the section...enjoy!!!

38 week belly

And I think it has grown yet again! Hard to say- maybe he's just positioned lower? Contractions and random pains have continued, but still not regular, just really uncomfortable. I feel HUGE and I'm ready for Laurie to come back so I can start walking and all the other old wives tales that are suppose to bring on labor. I'm counting on that full moon Friday!

Update

I had my weekly OB visit yesterday. All is well in preggo land! Blood pressure, pulse, urine, etc. And great news for me- I haven't gained anymore weight! YAY! The dr. said this is fine and a lot of people actually stop gaining weight or might even lose a couple pounds right before delivery. Rivers seems to be doing well- his heart is beating away as usual and he's still squirming around as usual. I would have thought he'd be moving less these days, running out of room and all, but he still manages to stretch and kick and twist all around! I have a feeling he's going to be a very active little boy! My dr. checked my cervix again- I'm 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced. Not a huge change from last week, but I have made progress, so that is good. Rivers' head is still at -1 station. So I feel like we'll be able to hold off on delivery until Laurie gets back from the Dominican Republic. Again, I'm having mixed emotions about this because I am SO ready to have this child! But I really do want Laurie there to capture it all for us.
I've been growing increasingly uncomfortable. Sitting, standing, laying down, walking, etc. Nothing feels good. I have lots of Braxton Hicks contractions throughout the day and night (these are practice contractions). Monday morning at 5am I was awakened by painful contractions that were causing my back to really hurt. These kept me up for a good hour or so before they stopped. I had horrible hip pain this past weekend. It kept waking me up at night- I'd be sleeping on one side until it hurt so bad, I'd flip over to the other side until that hurt. Even just walking made my hips hurt. I've also been having more sharp, shooting pains to the cervix. My dr. recommends that I walk as much as possible to help bring on labor. I walk Jasper every morning, but I'm not walking very far right now. As soon as Laurie is back though, you best believe I will be a walking fool! I am hoping the full moon on the 18th will help labor begin. Laurie will be at the beach that weekend doing pictures, but at least she will be somewhat nearby and not out of the country! So if I can just get through 1 more week...(like as if its up to me)!

37 weeks

We're full term now! YAY! Anyday, little Rivers...we're ready! The car seat is installed and the hospital bag is packed (for the most part)! So now the waiting begins... Anyone have any guesses as to what day he'll come?

Patrick & Jaime lending a hand!

You've all heard of the infamous Patrick, the tree painter! He and his fiance Jaime (they just got engaged in May and are planning a 2009 wedding) are very close friends of ours, as well as our neighbors. Anyway, when Patrick's mom heard about the tree he was painting she very sweetly thought to crochet us some little birds. Thank you, Linda Turner for so kindly thinking of us and little Rivers! I absolutely LOVE the birds and they really add to the tree and nursery! So Patrick and Jaime came over to hang a few for us and we also put a few in one of the wall cubes. I liked the thought of them having a little bird house! These came out awesome and with the ceiling fan going (as it always is) they even move a bit like they are really flying! Thanks so much for helping us make Rivers' room as cute as it is!

Finishing touches...

This weekend Jeremy and I worked on finishing up the nursery with just a few cute things. I still want to hang some pictures, but we got a lot checked off our "To Do" list. First Jeremy put up the tie backs for the curtains- not really a big deal but it lets so much more light into the room. He then painted a little horse coat hanger that I've had since I was a baby, as well as a shelf my parents had, but weren't using. He hung up the shelf and we decorated it with some cute gifts that we had received from the baby shower. (Thanks again to everyone!) I just LOVE how this came out! We also found some wall cubes at Michael's, so we painted those and got them hung as well. I love how these look also and they were perfect for what I had in mind! (Thanks Kathy and Kolleen for the Willow Tree figure- it fits perfectly in that cube!) It's the little things that really make the room and it is all coming together just adorably! This has really become my favorite room in the house- I like to just sit in there and look at it all from my comfy glider!

Nursery Pictures!

Looking into the nursery from the door.

Looking back from the window. Meet Zoey, she is so curious about all the changes in this room!

I wish I could have gotten a better picture, but anyway- the beautifully organized closet! Thanks to Aunt Joyce and Michelle, Larrin, & Lindsey Stewart for the awesome closet organizers (and bins)! They both fit perfectly in there side by side and made so much useful space with all the little shelves! I'm so glad I ended up with 2!

I finally remembered to borrow Laurie's wide angle lens so that I could get an overview picture of the nursery. I took these this past week and then we worked on the nursery some more this weekend. These pictures don't have the little finishing touches included but at least you can see how it is arranged.