Happy Birthday Carter!

Hi Carter-

It's your Mom. Just like with your big sister, Maevy, you arrived a little late. Your original due date was April 20th, but you decided to make your appearance on April 26th. I just really wanted things to happen naturally and not have to evict you via induction. On Wednesday, April 25, Daddy made us a yummy dinner salad with seared Ahi Tuna and wasabi dressing. Dad and Mom watched the new Jim Gaffigan comedy special, and then I went to bed around 10:30pm. I noticed that you were moving a lot! while I tried to fall asleep. I had a few noticeable contractions, but figured they would go away soon.

Finally around midnight, I got up and told your Dad that I was having some contractions- around 10 minutes apart. After about 30 minutes, I decided to give our midwife a call. Almost a week earlier, the midwife had checked me and I had made some considerable amount of progress; so I (along with my doula, Theresa) thought if I did go into labor, it would be pretty fast. Since the contractions weren't 3 minutes apart yet, Soheyl, the midwife suggested I take a shower and a Tylenol PM. She said to call back if they got closer, but also thought they might go away. I said okay to the shower, but no to the Tylenol PM. These were not going away. I took a shower and within 15 minutes, the contractions were 1 minute and 1/2 apart. Daddy gathered all of Maevy's stuff together and dropped her off at a friend's house. I finished packing our bags, and called Theresa to let her know we would meet her at the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital at 1:15am, and by the time the midwife checked me I was already "in transition"- the hardest part of labor. I finally got to the labor & delivery room, and the anesthesiologist brought me the nitris oxide, something Vanderbilt had started offering the last year or so. It really help me calm down and get through those last few contractions. At around 3am, I started to push and you arrived at 3:36am. I don't think I really had a choice in the matter, since everything happened so fast, but I was so happy to have delivered you without any medical interventions- no IV, no epidural, nothing. You were nursed within 45 minutes of delivery and have been doing great since.

Daddy called and woke up your Grandma, Grandpa, M & Pop to let them know their first grandson had arrived. I moved to the post-partum room, and Daddy went with you to the nursery for your bath and shots. Meanwhile, I sent out your electronic birth announcement (via smart phone) to friends and family. Here's what we sent out-

We proudly welcome-

Carter Young Taylor
Born: April 26, 2012, 3:36am
Weight: 9lbs 1oz
Height: 21 1/2 inches



Both Mom and baby Carter are doing great. Maevy is still insisting his name is "Mousie" or "Carter-Mousie."

With love,

Amy & Ryan Taylor
Origins of his Name: Carter, an English name, is inspired by Ryan's favorite baseball player, Gary Carter. As a catcher in Little League, Ryan, grew up watching Gary play for the New York Mets and attended his Hall of Fame induction (with Amy) in 2003. Inducted as a Montreal Expo, Carter is also honored at Washington Nationals Park in their "Ring of Honor". Carter's middle name, Young, is his paternal grandmother's maiden name. Click here to learn more about Gary Carter or Young family history.

Oh did I mention you were over 9lbs?!! I figured you would be a little big since you had several extra days to cook, but 9lbs. Daddy said no one in the nursery that night was even close to your birth weight. My nurse said that if we had another baby, he/she would follow suit and jump up another lb to 10lbs. No thank you! And when your pediatrician came to visit you the next day, he just commenting that you were huge. No need to worry about a slight drop off in birth weight, because you had pounds to spare. I just hope it means you'll be a great eater and sleeper. :)

So that's your birth story- kind of fast and furious, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. Mommy, Daddy, and big sister Maevy love you so much, and we're glad you arrived happy and healthy. Looking forward to many more memories and stories to come...

Love, Mom