Wehadababyitsagirl!

On September 1st at 11:55pm I awoke from a dream. But not just any dream...a dream that I was peeing myself. I sat up in bed and quickly realized that I had peed myself. So I waddled to the bathroom and noticed that fluid was still coming out. So that is when I put 2 and 2 together and yelled out to Joel, "I think my water just broke!" And he replied, "Ok honey!" and rolled over in bed. So I repeated myself' "JOEL I THINK MY WATER JUST BROKE!" Then he quickly jumped out of bed, turned on the light and said "what time is it? what color is the fluid? How much? Does it smell?" My heart was warmed to think he DID pay attention during our birthing classes!

So after we woke up and calmed from the excitement, we made a call to the doctor who told us to head to the hospital so they could check me to make sure my water did break. So that is what we did.

Once we were at the hospital and had confirmation that Lil' Em was on her way we decided to call Nanet and Paul Paul (Dixon's) to let them know to get on the road so they wouldn't miss our little angels arrival. Little did we know that it would be another 25 hours before she would make her grand appearance!

September 2nd was kinda a blur. We labored, played cards, called friends and family and waited and waited. After two epidural (the first one didn't work), two or so hours of pushing, and lots of prayer Lil' Emily Winabel Carter decided to come into the world on September 3rd at 1:19am!

Here are a few pictures that tell the story a little better than I could write!

quick jump to NYC

Last weekend we drove to NYC to see good friend's Meg, Gabe, Dakota and Fin (still in momma's Belly). We had to let our little ones meet while still in the belly.

Meg's girlfriends threw her a shower and it was so cute and fun. She has a lot of great women in her life.

Many of her friends have babies and all are so cute!

The beginning of baby time!

Joel and I got some practice time holding, burping and just loving on sweet little Cate!

They even dressed her up special to meet us!

She looked like she just melted into daddy's sholder.

Cate and daddy!

Sleeping babies are the best!

Sunday night Joel and I drove to NVA to visit with Micah, Sara and new baby Cate (Catherine Francis Corder). She is so beautiful and tiny. Sara and Micah look great and they are a beautiful family!

July 4th!

Dorothy came and spent the week with us and helped us celebrate the 4th! Good times hanging out in good ol' Kensington. The fireworks were surprisingly awesome and within walking distances of the house. A few couples from church and our neighbor hung out for a bit and watched the fireworks with us. Fun times!

this is our attempt at Zoolander faces! I look like i am blowing kisses or something! Silly me.

After church we hit up the thrift store and found cheesy shirts to wear. what you cant see in the picture is the mickey mouse on joels shirt and the matching eagles on Dorothy and my shirts. Dorothy is also sporting a star spangled head band! Dont be jealous ya'll!

My Baby Shower!!!

My dear sweet 9 months pregnant friend Sara, threw a beautiful shower for me in June! Friends and family came from the Maryland, Delaware area. It was so fun and I truely felt showered with love and lots of gifts. Thank you Sara for everything. My hubby has assisted with the pregnany by gaining sympathy weight, but I have official (by a lot) out grown him.
My sweet momma came all the way up from NC to help shower me! thank you Nanet.

This is sara and I hugging on our friend meg who couldnt be there! Meg you were truely missed we love you!

Guess who is 9 months prego and who is 6.5 months? hard isnt it?!

This is my bestest friend from the 4th grade, Nancy, and her precious daughter Morgan. They drove from DE to be at the shower and to equip the nursery with everything I could possibly need and want! Thanks ladies.

Me squishing Morgan!

Sara and I with the yummy beautiful cake made by her friend!

The CAKE. Almost too cute to eat.

A front shot of the bellies!

Memorial Day

Horseshoes in the backyard.

Oh yeah...and we celebrated our 5th Anniversary. My hubby bought me roses amidst the business of the weekend!

Charlotte and her daddy having a tea party with Pickles.

David sitting still...this is huge. I think I can count on one hand how many times I have seen David sit still. Thank you David and family for helping us out with the fence.

Charlotte and her momma! she is so big.

My neice Charlotte...taking a peek at the boys playing horseshoes.

The fence crew

Friends and family came from all over to help us over the Memorial Day weekend build a fence and break in our new deck! we decided to have a professional do the deck and then Joel and his "team" built an awesome fence. I have to admit that I didnt think they could build it and build iit so straight. when I returned home after spending a night with my sister-in-law and neice I was pleasantly surprised.