Carter is almost 2 months old

I never thought my life would change so much in the past 2 months as much as it has. Everyone says when you have a baby its a life changing experience I knew it would be but I didn't know how much. Let me start from the beginning (this being my first blog and all.) I found out I was pregnant at the end of August last year it was a surprise, but a very exciting one! It was scary at the beginning I had alot of bleeding and we (Jeff my husband and I) were afraid that I would miscarry. I had so many ultrasounds and each time we would go to the appointments we would expect the absolute worse, but each time we would hear that perfect fast heartbeat! Music to any expectant parents ears! Finally we came to realize that everything was going to be ok. Around week 13 my doctor asked if we wanted to do any of the genetic testing to check for Down Syndrome. We opted out because a) what are the chances (keep in mind I'm 26 you always here of women over 35 having babies with Down Syndrome) and b) I wouldn't do anything different if it came back positive. No matter what that was a life, a precious life and whatever was meant to be would happen. In November we found out the sex of the baby. Jeff and I just knew it was a girl, but to our surprise the Sonographer said "IT'S A BOY!" We both cried happy tears and grinned ear to ear! We were so excited...That very same day we picked out his name Carter Eli Montgomery. Of course I immediately started buying little boy clothes and picking out everything for his nursery.

February I had an amazing baby shower so many friends and family members showered me with so many great gifts for our little Carter. By March I was so over being pregnant...I was miserable I had the worse heartburn, I couldn't sleep, I was anxious and ready to meet my little boy. My due date was April 26th and around April 1st I was willing to try anything to get Carter here. So Thursday evening April 15th we went over to my in-laws to have dinner my Mother in-law Shelby decided to make Mexican (because of the old wives tale eating spicy foods will induce labor) I literally ate a gallon of crushed red pepper that night. Jeff and I got home around 10pm I got ready for bed and at 10:45 I started having contractions. Being my first pregnancy I wasn't sure if they were contractions or not but I was in awful pain. I went into the living room and called Shelby and told her exactly how I was feeling and sure enough she confirmed what I had thought CONTRACTIONS. They were about 20 minutes apart so technically I shouldn't be going to the hospital at this time. I was in so much pain getting sick with every other contraction. I could no longer take it about 3:45am I woke Jeff up and said "lets go!" We got to the hospital and I stayed in triage for about 4 hours I wouldn't dilate so they sent me home. As the morning progressed so did my pain I called the doctor and he told me to come in and he would check me...I got there and had dilated to 4cm he told me that I could be admitted and I could have that oh so wonderful invention the epidural!!! I was admitted into the hospital about 12:30pm on Friday April 16th got my epidural an hour later and I was in heaven! The nurse checked me around 4:30pm and I still had not dilated so she put me on my right side. An hour later I felt alot of pressure and sure enough I was 9 almost 10cm. I started pushing around 6:15 and 45 minutes later he was here!!! At 7:07pm weighing in at 7lbs.3oz. was my precious little boy Carter. As soon as he was delivered I could tell something was a little different (not bad different just different) and my doctor said I'm going to get his pediatrician to order a karyotype on Carter. Those of you who do not know what a karyotype is its a special blood test to check the chromosomes for Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome.) I looked at Jeff very calmly and said "he has Down Syndrome." You know it's funny I have read so many confessions about people whose baby was born with Down Syndrome about how devastated they were. Jeff and I wasn't upset at all in anyway! We were both just so happy that we had this beautiful, healthy tiny little miracle in our arms. That was our baby we created him and that's all that we cared about. We told our family and friends the news and everyone was so amazing...they all said the same thing "you must be blessed, God only gives those children to special parents." We both truly believe that.

Carter had to spend a few nights in the NICU because he stopped breathing for a few seconds the next day. All the nurses fell in love with him. It was so hard going home without him, but when we got to bring him home 3 days later we were so happy! My mother in-law Barbara stayed with us for 2 weeks to help in any way she could. It was so wonderful to have her here. Jeff and I had so many family and friends come by to see Carter. I have never felt so much love!

Remember I said that the epidural was the best invention ever? Well that was until I knew that Carter would need Early Intervention (The Infant/Toddler Program.) It helps babies that have disabilities or that were born premature catch up to all the other babies out there. They send Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, ect out to your home and work with your child in their natural environment. They truly are a godsend!

Now let me tell you a little bit about Carter...he is absolutely the most cutest thing I have ever seen!! He has his daddy's nose and feet, my mouth, our blue eyes, and every ones favorite thing his awesome hair its so thick for a baby and it sticks straight up on his head!! I must say my kid is ADORABLE! He makes the funniest faces, he is so aware and has been from day 1, he sleeps great for us, he eats well, and only cries when he is tired or hungry. He has so many nick-names already my favorites are toot and stinker because he is the gassiest baby I have ever known. He is so smart he started rolling over at 4 weeks old and he knew what he was doing! He can hold his head way up. Last week Lisa a woman with the child development agency came out and she was so impressed with little Carter, she could not believe how well he is doing. She said "not only am I impressed with his progress because he does have DS but just being a 1 1/2 month old baby he is amazing!"

Carter will be 2 months old on the 16th of this Month and I can't believe how much time flies. He has been such a blessing to all that know him, and has truly changed us for the best. I will be blogging about his progress and just all about him in general. Thanks for reading!

Kristin Montgomery