Christmas 2009

 

First picture all together. What a special christmas. One I will never forget.

My Daddy and Me

This is Averi the first time I got to hold her in the hospital.

 

Waking Up to You

 

Seven Weeks of Life

Life is Good

Just about seven weeks after Averi was born she is growing and gathering her own little personality. Day by day our little pipsqueek continues to amaze us. As most of you know she battled through a bout of swine flu at about 3 weeks old. She is beginning to hold her head up by herself and can still let out a mighty little roar.

At seven weeks Carrie and I assume she is about 10 lbs. Her hair is beginning to lighten up and continue to grow. She is also beginning to koo and ahh. Especially around three in the morning, she likes to lay in her bassinet and chit chat with herself.

With that said she is not so much a morning person. She enjoys sleeping with her mom from 8am to noon or later in some cases. From about noon to 3 or 4 she likes to hang out and look around. We haven't figured out exactly what she is looking at but there is something on the wall that is super intriguing;) From about 4 to 6 she gets cranky!
All that said Carrie is headed back to school this upcoming week and bummed she has to leave baby girl. Carrie has been incredible to say the least, from being a wonderful mom to a wonderful wife I could not ask for much more.

As December approaches I look forward to my time with my baby girl. I get to spend three weeks with her and man is all hell going to break loose at the Barker household. It is a good thing she is not able to walk yet because Carrie would then have to take care of two children.
Family

One of the things most people notice with my family is the closeness and tight knit of even our extended family. We often have parties on the weekends, often times with nothing to celebrate, just to be together.

We got together with my whole family last weekend and it reminded me of how great it is to have a large family and one that is close.

I became mindful of my cousins and how I do not consider them cousins, more so as brothers and sisters. I became mindful of my aunts and uncles and how they are more fathers and mothers. Lastly I became mindful of my Grandpa and Nana and how lucky I am to still have them around. Likewise how fortunate I am to have Averi and Carrie share this with me.

"Baby Girl"

Well Worth the Wait

Is it Time?

I got a call today from Carrie while I was at work. She expressed calmly that I should come home "just in case". I asked her how she was feeling and said I am on the way. I shut down my computer and cleaned my area and left. On the way home I called my Mom and simply wanted to run by the symptoms Carrie was having, all the while my agenda was to see if I should panic, hurry or whatever. My Mom answered with, "is this it?!?!", I quickly replied with my question. I told her Carrie was having cramps that were inconsistent, my mom recounted her four pregnancies and said this was going to be it. With a great excitement in her voice she began to speak at an incredible rate, "I am coming, I gotta call so an so, are you sure,?!?"

I attempted to calm my Mom and she slowed slightly only at the suggestion that I call her as soon as I get home. A I continued to drive home, the 30 or so minute commute flew by. Thoughts ran rampant through my head and before I knew it I was home. I walked in the door and solemnly asked Carrie how she is feeling, she said "Good, off and on and inconsistent cramping" while trying to hold my excitement in, I inquired more and joked with her as I normally do.

We were scheduled to be induce the upcoming Friday and fully expecting nothing less. I jokes with her saying, "This is a juke this baby girl is putting on us."

Hee Hee Hee Hoooooo

As we sat in our living room, Carrie said hold on, she closed her eyes and began a deliberate set of breathing. I recalled the Cosby Show when Cliffs son in law, Elvin started breathing in rhythm with his wife and panic. Reality soon set in.

We called the doctor and made a visit to do a "labor check." The doctor checked Carrie and told us this child is on the way, however she is not quite ready yet and to go walk around for a few hours. At this point in time it was 2pm. We left the doctor and ran home and made sure we were ready. Carrie's contractions began to strengthen and intensify. She was no longer willing to wait to go in at this point.

At 445pm we called the doctor again and asked to come in, the doctor checked and said it is time to head to the hospital.

Waiting Game

We checked into the hospital, made it to our room and Carrie continued her contractions. I recalled the classed we went to for preparation for the birth. Carrie was a champ. She focused on her breathing which helped keep her mind off the pain or at least cope with the extreme pain she was in every so many minutes. The contractions were sporadic and not spaced consistent.

After 3 hours of deliberate breathing Carrie gave in to the extreme pain. By 8pm Carrie had about all shecould endure, she requested an epidural. The anesthesiologist came in, administered the meds and they kicked in within five minutes. Carrie was relieved to say the least.

Our nurse and doctor asked us to rest for a few hours and then she will come back in about four hours to re-check Carrie. At midnight the nurse checked Carrie again and the doctor would soon follow and asked us to wait about 2-3 more hours. As I laid on the makeshift convertible recliner bed, I would close my eyes only to see my mind going wild.

Go Time Baby

It was 4am and the nurse began to brief Carrie on the upcoming push fest. She gave me the low-down on what I will be doing during that time. My objective was to help hold Carrie's leg while she leaned forward to push.

The time came and Carrie began the 2 1/2 hour pain marathon. With each push progress was made. Averi began to drop further and further. The nurse asked if I wanted to see Averi's head. I was reluctant at first but soon gave in. I was in awww. She had so much hair from what I got to see and I had no idea it was all this real.

7.1 Pounds Lighter

At 633am baby Averi Elizabeth Barker made her way into the world. My initial thoughts were shock, relief, shock, disbelief, and to say the least more shock. I could not say a word, the doctor asked if I wanted to cut the cord, I replied with a head nod and proceeded. For the next 10 minutes Carrie and I said nothing and stared at Averi as she cried. The nurses cleaned her off, I kissed Carrie on her forehead, kissed my baby girl and for the first time in 15 minutes I uttered my first words, "I love you. She is beautiful. Good work Carrie."

I gazed in complete incredulity at this little tiny child that lay on my wife's chest. Carrie had the same look as I did. She looked at me then fixed her eyes on this little human we created.


Averi Elizabeth Barker
Born 6:33am, September 29, 2009
7.1 pounds
19.75 inches

Anticipating Christmas

Although due dates are just tentative dates in which is nothing more than a guideline, I cannot help but be a little disappointed my little girl has not arrived. While sitting at home I was reluctant to travel to Cheyenne for a family BBQ because I really wanted this to be the day, needless to say it was not. I had a feeling all day, however that was probably fabricated by my selfish thoughts.

Today is the official due date and the whole night I slept uneasy as I awaited Carrie to wake me and say "Let's go." For the past few nights, sleep has been at a premium, as nerves and anticipation overwhelm me.

When I am away from Carrie I constantly check my phone, even more so than my normal "Crackberry" habits. I walk with my phone in hand and check it with each step it seems.

I knew a month ago, this would happen. I knew I tell myself every year as Christmas approaches to slow down and savor the time. Three days before Christmas I want time to come to a complete halt, I do everything to help enable that and all of the sudden I am back at work, looking back at the previous year.

I know when this baby finally does arrive, the time will fly. I think about life in general and see that happen. It seems like just yesterday I was hitting my dad in the knee with a batted baseball, running from my Nana, sneaking my mom's brownies with my friend Brian, posing on the front lawn with my brothers and sister, going over to my aunt's and uncle's houses to play and on and on.

I imagine the same applies for this kid, who is choosing to maintain the status quo and further prolong my anticipation. I guess I can't blame her.