WE'RE HOME!!

We were allowed to leave the hospital on Tuesday around lunchtime although we could have stayed an extra day if we needed to.... We were anxious to get home and I (Ashley) am feeling pretty good.... My recovery has definitely been different than I anticipated with having a c-section, but I'm well on the way to being back to normal... The delivery was very difficult and we encountered many "obstacles" along the way, but we're so thankful both Evan and I made it through with flying colors... Evan was posterior which meant that I had a lot of back pain during my labor and also meant that it made it even more difficult to dilate past 4 cm. Evan is a pretty stubborn little guy!! I also had to have 2 epidurals because the first one had a "faulty catheter" into my back which administered the medicine... It didn't have anything to do with how the anesthesiologist administered the epidural, but was unfortunately one of those very rare things which never happens... Unfortunately, the doctors and nurses couldn't determine what the problem was for a long time and I was feeling EVERY SINGLE contraction for awhile.... Needless to say, when the doctor starting talking about a c-section, I was ready to do whatever I had to do to get this little guy here and be done with the labor part of it!

We're slowly adjusting to life with a newborn and loving every minute of it. Drew has settled into being a daddy wonderfully and I'm loving watching him interact with Evan. We're just constantly in amazement at the beauty and miracle of life. God has blessed our little family richly... I've included some pictures that we've taken in the last couple of days and will try to update often.... Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.... We definitely felt them throughout our pregnancy and stay in the hospital... We look forward to seeing everyone soon and introducing them to our little munchkin :)


In the operatng room- Our first look at our little guy!
Sleeping so soundly- always with his hands up by his face :)
Isn't he just the cutest thing?
Meeting Grandma and Grandpa Ream for the first time!
Meeting Grandpa Brad and Uncle Cal for the first time!!
First time meeting Aunt Laura (Ream)!
He loves to smile!!
Our sleeping beauty :)
Ten tiny little toes!
Holding Daddy's hand!



Mommy and Daddy love me sooo much!!!


We're so blessed!
Going home from the hospital!!

Meet Evan Bradley Baker..

Evan Bradley Baker was born at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday morning. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 9 ounces and was 21.5 inches long.

Ashley was having contractions from the middle of the night on Thursday evening all the way through Saturday morning. After a long time in labor she only got to 4 cm dialated, so they decided to do a c-section. She went through a lot to get Evan here, but she did great and got him here safely. I'm sure Ashley will post more on her time at the hospital in the near future..

Here are some more pics..

Ashley looks great on the way to the hospital..
One of Evan's first pictures
Another one of Evan's first pictures


Evan is waving hello!

Prayers...

Well, we had a doctor's appointment this afternoon along with a non-stress test. If Baby Baker hasn't decided to make an appearance before Thursday (the 23rd), we go to the hospital at 6:00 pm on Thursday night for an induction. I will be receiving medicine throughout the night to soften my cervix and then they will start me on the petocin Friday morning to induce labor. Hopefully my labor will progress normally and we won't leave the hospital until Baby Baker has arrived, but my doctor warned me that there is a chance they will send me home Friday if I don't progress... If this would happen, we will go in a few days later and try the induction again.... The goal is to avoid c-section if at all possible.... So that's the plan.. My doctor is not too concerned with Baby Baker's size and he says both the baby and I are doing fine... So that's the plan....

Also, my (Ashley's) mom is going to be having back surgery sometime within the next few days or week (we'll know for sure tomorrow morning)... Unfortunately, the surgery she had less than a year ago was not overly successful and she is having more problems. She's been having some troubles for awhile now and went to see the surgeon today... He suggests surgery asap to try and prevent some pretty serious problems long-term. Needless to say, this has been kind of a shock for all of us. Mom was really hoping to be involved in the birth of her first grandchild and planning on spending some time at our house after he is born... It now looks like there is a chance she won't be able to be with me (or the baby) at the hospital and that we will be recuperating together at home after we both get out of the hospital. We're both taking this pretty hard as we are so close and really wanted to be able to be there for each other. We would appreciate all of your prayers as we embark on this next week. We know that God is in control, but sometimes it's hard to trust completely that He has a plan.... We will keep you posted on all the latest updates...

Still Waiting...

Just an update to let you know that Baby Baker hasn't arrived yet... Drew and I are just enjoying these last few days of "just the two of us", but anxiously anticipating the arrival of our new little one... We'll update the blog on Tuesday after our doctor's appointment to let you know the latest news!! Thanks for all your prayers... We feel so blessed to have such wonderful families and friends!

Update from Doctor's Appointment...

We have another week of waiting (that is, unless our little guy should decide to make his entrance before then).... The good news- Baby Baker is still passing all of the non-stress tests and his heart rate is still great.....The disappointing news- My doctor said that he just doesn't think I'm ready enough to induce labor this week. He is afraid that he will induce and then I won't progress and he'll either have to send me home or do a c-section (which we obviously don't want to happen)... He also said that he doesn't think that Baby Baker is as big as the ultrasound had predicted.... So we scheduled an appointment next Tuesday for another non-stress test and check-up and they will MOST LIKELY induce labor towards the end of next week if I haven't gone on my own by then... So that's the latest info for all of you who are wondering.... We'll keep you updated if anything changes!

35 Weeks....

OK, this is for all of you who have been asking for "pregnant pictures". This picture is from when I was just a little over 35 weeks pregnant..... Thursday (the 16th) will be 38 weeks... I don't think I've really gotten that much bigger in the last three weeks. We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow (Tuesday) to find out what the doctor wants to do about inducing me... We'd appreciate all your prayers this week! We'll keep everyone posted!

Starting the Countdown...

Well, we had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday along with an ultrasound and non-stress test... All tests are showing that Baby Baker is doing fine, but he's a little on the chunky side!! They estimated that he was around 8 pounds on Tuesday. So... we have another doctor's appointment on Tuesday (August 14th) and assuming I haven't gone into labor on my own by then, I will probably be induced towards the end of next week.... We don't want this little guy to get much bigger!! So we would appreciate all your prayers in this next week... I'm getting to the point where I'm very ready to meet our little guy and start this next chapter of our lives..

Nursery Pictures!

Hope you enjoy..
And because you know he's got to be ready for football season this fall...