The latest

By request, here's a quick update. Hopefully I can fill in more details later:

We have moved. We've been in our new (rented) house for 2 weeks now. Moving is such a huge job. I could use another 2 weeks to recover.

We LOVE Carson City. It already feels like home to us. We've bought a year pass to the Nevada State Parks and have almost used it enough times to have it pay for itself. Lake Tahoe beckons us frequently. We are becoming fast friends. :)

Our house in Kentucky is still for sale. Any takers? Please?

Baby Bryce is stinking CUTE and is eight weeks old today. He started smiling last week. {heart melts}

Keith "starts work" on Monday. He's been to the office almost every day since we got here anyway for little training sessions or meeting different people. But he's seeing patients for the first time on Monday so I guess that will finally put him on the payroll? Either way, we are excited (and Keith might admit to a few nerves) about this new gig. They really seem to have their act together and have been cool so far. But as we learned the hard way last time, you can't really know until you roll up your sleeves and get to work. Hopefully it's all as good as it seems!

And as I write this, Keith is in charge of a medical aid station for the Tahoe 100 Endurance Run. He's hanging out at the lodge of a ski resort by the lake and is fixing blisters and taping feet for all the 50 and 100 mile runners tonight, hoping he doesn't have to use the defibrillators they gave him. Because really, do those things work better on the big toe or the heel? Let's hope he doesn't have to find out... :)

Hello....is this thing on?

So, wow. It's been quite a while since I've said anything here. We've had so much happen in the past 2 months that I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll take the easy way out and have my sister say some of it for me...here.

I was lucky enough to have her come visit us in Kentucky when Bryce was only one week old. She took some amazing newborn photos and we had such a blast. And the great thing is, since those pics were taken, I moved a whole lot closer to her and we've already been able to hang out again. Lucky me!!!

{{Love ya sista.}}

One week

I can't believe it's been a week already. I'm not sure if I slept most of the week away or if I've been in a sleepless daze. Either way, it's so fun having a newborn! I hate that this stage ends so fast.

So before I forget any details, I'm writing out the birth story. Hope it doesn't gross anyone out.

I went to my weekly doctor appointment on Friday morning at 8:30. (I've already said how tedious I think those weekly checkups are...) I was having a few cramps but, really, one day before my due date, everything feels cramped. Otherwise, I felt fine. I was fully expecting (grudgingly) to be pregnant for a few more days. I'm skipping a few details here...but basically during my appointment, I discovered that my water was broken. It wasn't much to speak of, but it was definitely broken. It could have been that way for days and I had no idea. Hey, he was a big baby. He made a pretty good drain stopper. :)

So anyway, my doctor wanted me at the hospital right away. I protested but she convinced me that it was a bad idea to hang around without any antibiotics, especially since we didn't know how long I had already been that way. I at least needed to go get an IV for awhile. And she meant, I needed to go straight to the hospital. Not stop at home and grab a bag or kiss my kids one more time or wait for Keith to get home so he could drive me there. She meant GO NOW.

I was pretty bugged. But Keith convinced me that I didn't want to get the doctor annoyed with me before any of the hard stuff began. I was really really planning on a totally natural birth this time so it's true, I needed some cooperation with the doc. I had bought a hypnobabies kit and had been studying up on all the techniques and listening to the preparation CD's and getting all psyched up about it. (So what if that makes me a hippie?) I had an epidural with Bennett and had the WORST recovery, which I attribute to the 4 hours of pushing and zero sensation in my body to have any idea what I was doing. With Leah, I started out with meds but they wore off as I hit transition so I did the last part on my own and my recovery was cake compared to the first time. And I really didn't think I could possibly grow a baby bigger than 9 lb 12 oz Leah so I figured it could only get easier.

Anyway, I got to the hospital and they put me on the IV antibiotic. I kinda thought that I would get a bag of IV fluid and then maybe I could go walk around for a couple hours to get things going on my own. I didn't realize how long it was going to take to get the full course of meds. Sheesh. And so I started on the slippery slope away from my natural birth. I finally agreed to let them put me on pitocin at 1:00 pm. I was barely dialated--only a one. But since my water had been broken for who knows how long, I couldn't hang out forever. They were anxious to get the baby out!

Here's where the day gets really boring. I was on pitocin for the rest of the day and into the night. Contractions every 2 minutes. The nurses thought I had a really high pain tolerance because the pitocin was cranked up as high as they dared to go. It wasn't exactly comfortable but I was so in my zone and still determined to avoid an epidural. I thought I was doing AWESOME. They didn't check my progress all that often because of the risk for infection but they finally did again just before midnight. I was maybe, barely, not quite 3 centimeters. Nooooooooo.........!! They thought maybe I could use a break since I'd been working through the contractions all day long without significant progress. So they put a little something in my IV to take the edge off so I could relax for an hour and see if that made a difference. Whew! I relaxed all right. In fact, my contractions stopped altogether. Keith told them that I reliably turn into a pumpkin at midnight and that's probably just my normal body reaction to the clock. Sure enough, the nurse checked the monitor and my contractions went dead at 12:10.

That's when the doctor decided it was time for some change. Without getting into any details, the doctor did a very VERY painful exam to push things along. Oh. my. goodness. When she was done, she said, "ok, you are 5 centimeters now". Oh the agony!!! Immediately I was in very active labor. The baby realized it was getting evicted. And since it was now 2 am, I was TOAST. There was no way on earth I was going to be able to keep up with this labor through the night. I totally don't function without sleep and I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to make it on my own at that point. Maybe if I hadn't already been on pitocin for 12 stupid hours...

So I cried uncle. The anesthesiologist was there in record time (considering that he was at home in bed) and the epidural became my friend. Finally at 2:30 am, I could relax. I was able to sleep for a while which made all the difference in the world. They checked me again sometime in the middle of the night and I wasn't quite a 7. So good that I was progressing, but still, so slow!!! Finally I was wide awake at 6:25 and feeling so uncomfortable. My legs were like tree trunks (such a gross feeling of helplessness) but I felt like I needed to shift around. I had kept myself upright all night long in hopes that gravity would do it's thing and help the baby descend. So after basically being in a sitting position for hours, I just felt like I needed to get some circulation going. Keith was dead asleep on the couch and my nurse told me she was coming back at 6:30 to check on me at the end of her shift. Those 5 minutes of waiting for her to come in were awful. When she came in I made Keith and the nurse roll me around a bit (did I mention that I hate that helpless feeling?) but I still felt so uncomfortable. My nurse didn't want to check me at first because she knew the nurse coming in for the next shift would want to take all those stats again in only a few minutes. But as I started talking about no relief from the pressure, she changed her mind.

Whoa! I was complete and the baby was LOW. And my doctor was sound asleep in the call room (she was so sweet--not even her weekend on call but offered to come in for my delivery. I think she thought I would go really fast since it was my third baby...she probably regretted being so nice once the sun went down). The next few minutes sound so much like the last few minutes of Leah's birth since it all happened so fast. People came rushing in and getting everything ready to go. Over the next couple of minutes, I swear I had a freight train bearing down. The pressure was crazy. I was breathing through each contraction because I could really feel it. It was a weird feeling to have feeling, but at the same time no feeling. (Darn epidural...)

At 7 am I started pushing. At 7:04, I had a baby! I loved hearing "It's a BOY!" I had the entire hospital floor on edge since they say they almost NEVER have "surprises".

I just love that crazy rush of emotion that happens when the wiggling newborn is put in my arms for the first time. Words are totally inadequate.

We love little Bryce so much. He's a great sleeper and he's so loved by Bennett and Leah. I do fear that Leah might smother him with kisses. She is constantly loving on him. She is going to be a great big sister. And Bennett loves having a brother!

First smile?


Is there anything sweeter?


How does that look for comfy? Believe it or not, I heard a lot of snoring come from that couch throughout the night. Add the sleeping baby though, and you could call it bliss.


Big brother and big sister loving on Bryce.

The baby is here!

IT'S A BOY!!!!!

And, he wasn't late. Born yesterday morning, right on his due date. Never mind the fact that it took the entire previous day in the hospital to actually make that happen, but, hey at least he wasn't late!!! We are so glad he's here.

Here's a sneak peak...more photos and details to come. We are so in LOVE!

Bryce Eldon Card
9 lbs 3 oz

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

I can't wait to kiss your chubby little cheeks and rock you to sleep all swaddled up tight like a baby burrito. I can't wait to find out if we need to open the pink box or the blue box (although, Grandma Card arrived this week and all she brought with her was pink!). I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of your big brother and sister as they meet you for the first time. And you won't believe what a softy your daddy is with a sweet new baby. Get ready to be spoiled!

But here's the thing: you are making me miserable. Holy smokes baby, come out! I am so big and uncomfortable. I just want to be able to bend over or tie my shoes or roll over in bed at night without needing help. I can promise you that you will be so loved and spoiled. Please, just come out. I realize that you are not actually "due" for two more days. But come on, if you are already 9 pounds, you don't need the old womb anymore. You will be able to take down any baby in the hospital nursery, guaranteed. Just come out!

Let's make a deal: you come out nice and easy and I'll totally give you mashed fruit BEFORE the peas and carrots. And, I'll even get you the baby cereal with fruit in it instead of the nasty plain stuff. Plus, milk is sooooooo good. You're gonna love it!! Come on out and see for yourself!!!

Please. Just. Please. (sigh)

Love and kisses,
Mommy

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

If you are going to be big, please be a boy. I don't want my kid sisters to be bigger than me. That would be trouble.

Thanks,
Bennett
(our itty bitty 7-pounder)

P.S. Come out!

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

Num out, nite now!

Kisses,
Leah


(Almost not the baby anymore!)

Baby

Not that we have one, mind you. Just the anticipation of one very soon.

Why are the last few days so stinkin hard? Why do all my babies insist on waiting until their due dates have passed before making their appearance? Why, for once, can't I have one just a couple days early??? And, why oh why are they getting so big??????????

I have 5 days until my due date. FIVE days. Five torturous days. The clock is on a serious countdown. It's worse than watching paint dry (which, incidentally, I have done a lot of lately).

I went to the doctor today and they did another thorough ultrasound to measure the baby just to see how scared I have to be for impending labor. Measurements are putting it at 9 pounds today. The ultrasound tech is guessing a margin of error will put it at 9 lbs 8 oz at birth.

I hurt already.

I did get some fun teaser pics though. This little stinker is gonna be CUTE!!!

Seriously, look at those cheeks already!!

Too much going on

Can life just slow down a bit? Or can I just have a few less major things happening at the same time? Sheesh.

I don't even know where to start....

We finally got our house up for sale. It's been a ridiculous ride over the last few weeks, since knowing that we were moving but having the house in shambles. We have been remodeling fools during the past month. We replaced all the moldings in the entire house, every wall in every room has been repainted (love you mom and dad for helping me so much!!!), new carpet, refinishing hardwood floors, laying tile, planting flowers, buying furniture, hanging pictures. For crying out loud, we finally moved in! Just in time to move out.

Of course, add to that the fact that I'm super pregnant. That has especially made all this work really, really fun. And, oh yeah, a few nights ago I broke my tooth (!!!) and have to get a freaking crown! Major dental work is especially awesome when you are 38 weeks pregnant.

So, we listed the house last week...I'm due to have a baby next week...we move at the end of next month...who knows if our house will be sold by then...no idea where we are going to live since there's a good chance we'll still be paying our mortgage....new job for Keith...new city....new baby...

My head hurts just thinking about it. And wow, I'm a complainer!

We will miss this house though. There's no way we'll live in such a cool place again. I mean, Lake Tahoe will no doubt be cool. But we'll never own a lake house again, that's for sure.

Anyone want to buy it?

Paaaartay!!!

Happy Birthday Keith! I love this guy....


Today probably won't rank as his best birthday ever (considering all the house fixing-selling-moving stress). So, here's Keith in happier times ('08), hanging out on the moon...uh, I mean Iceland.

Here's to many more adventures!!! Happy Birthday!!

The End of the Bohemian Experiment

It didn't work out for us. It was fun while it lasted--a blast actually--but we are pulling the plug.

So long nighttime bonfires.


Adios evening canoe rides... (sniff)


...to our secret lakeside bouldering spot...(sniff)



Farewell Diving Rock. (sniff, sniff)


Early morning yoga...mist rising from the cool water...breaking the perfect stillness with a cannonball. (sniff, sniff, SOB. Waaaaaa!)

Wow. Do I really live here? Am I dreaming? Are we nuts????




Ok, I'm over it.

Say helloooooo to our new lake.....


Lake Tahoe.

That's right peeps. The Cards are leaving Kentucky and moving to Lake Tahoe. Not a bad trade, I say.

The fact is, as much as we love our lakeside retreat and our bohemian lifestyle, Keith's job sucks. He's learned a lot in the two years we've been here, but mostly learned that it's definitely not the right fit for him and this is not the right job for the rest of his life. Lots of reasons...better told over a pile of treats and a beverage.

Keith is really excited about his new job. He'll be joining an group of orthopedic surgeons and will have a lot in common with them. It's a group of active guys with skiers, hikers, bikers and climbers among them.

So this summer we are headed West. We'll actually be living in Carson City, NV which is just "down the hill" (as locals say) from the lake. A short (and amazingly gorgeous) 20 minute drive will have us at the beach. And trust me, I plan to be there a LOT. We also plan to resurrect skiing in our lives (plans that were killed the moment we left Utah 10 years ago). Keith is already shopping for his new mountain bike and mapping out adventures to circumnavigate the Tahoe Rim Trail. And rock climbing at Lover's Leap? Oh yeah baby!

(Keith at the summit of the Leap last summer)

We were in Lake Tahoe for a week with my family last summer and had a blast. As we were driving down the mountain on our way home, I turned to Keith and said, "You have to get a job here!"

Funny how things turn out.

If you are one of the dozens of people that had plans to come see us when we moved here...you know what they say about snoozing and losing. You better either hustle or start planning your Tahoe vacation. Although, unless we come up with a couple cool million pretty fast, I doubt we'll ever be living the lakeside dream again. Sigh...

***By the way, all the gorgeous images (except the iphone shot of Keith) are courtesy of my amazing and talented sister. I can't wait to live so close to you sis!!!

I'm in trouble

I went to the doctor yesterday for my 32-week checkup. And first of all, I'm already sick of going to the doctor once a month. Now they want me to go every two weeks? Then weekly??? Oh please. I'm so over it. The baby looks healthy (thank goodness) and I feel great. I'm thinking of cancelling all the appointments and letting Keith take my blood pressure. And I'll step on the scale now and again for good measure. Geez people...I've already had two babies. Enough with being all careful. I'll just be sure to let them know when I'm in labor--how bout that? I'm spending more on the babysitter than I am to have the baby! (Yay for good insurance, but still....)

Anyway, my doctor does a thorough ultrasound at 32 weeks. Kinda fun to see the little monkey again. With my others I never got another ultrasound past 20 weeks.

The problem is....BIG baby. It measured in the 93rd percentile. A whopping 5 pounds already!!!! And I still have 8 weeks to go!

Granted, I've already had a big baby. Leah about broke the scale at 9 lbs 12 oz. But no one anticipated her being big since Bennett had been a lean 7 lbs 8 oz. I went into Leah's birth thinking I would have another skinny thing and everything would be a breeze. And then she was the biggest baby in the nursery. She never even fit into newborn clothes and I ended up giving away loads of things that ended up being too small. And even though her delivery actually turned out to be a breeze in the end, my anticipation of the event wasn't a big deal since I was expecting a pixie.

Now I have 8 weeks to freak out about delivering a toddler again.

Don't get me wrong--I can't wait to get my hands on some fat baby rolls. How can you not love cottage cheese thighs and back fat on a newborn??

It's just the anticipation of getting those chubby rolls down the old birth canal that makes me want to run and hide and pretend I'm not giving birth in 2 months.

Honestly, I've stayed very active during this pregnancy and gained a very healthy weight so far. I still go to the gym a few days a week for yoga and cycling. Is it possible to put a baby on a diet in utero???

Excuse me while I go freak out some more. But I think I might need some cookies to make me feel better....

Quote of the Day

"Mom, when you have a baby in your tummy, you just get fatter and fatter every day."

Thanks for being honest, Bennett. If he's thinking it, I'm sure everybody else is too. I really needed to hear that today.

Quote of the Day

From Bennett:

"Mom, I really know my numbers. I've known them for sixty-nine-eighty years!!"

The Reveal

So, I've probably dragged this on to the point that nobody cares. And my pictures are actually not that good....but here's the finished kitchen anyway!

Before:

After:


Before:

After:








Yahoo! Anyone want to come over for dinner??