Day 2.

Today was a good day. We spent it at the hospital and will be here until tomorrow sometime. The breast feeding is going well thankfully. Carter was circumcised today. He survived and the nurse said he did really well.

I am feeling much better today. I am moving a little quicker and got to take a shower! Casey is doing well. He is being a good husband and Dad. He took a nap today with Carter right next to him. It was precious. My parents are on there way and will get here tomorrow. Lots of excitement.

He's here!!!!

Carter Michael Eldridge
Born: 11:01 AM (Pacific Time)
Weight: 6 pounds 12 ounces
Length: 19 3/4 inches

I woke up at 1:00 this morning to go the bathroom and experienced a gush of water. I was kind of unsure at the time but I started getting consistent pains. So we got up, put our last few things in our luggage, and headed out to the hospital. No traffic or construction so it was a nice drive. We got checked in an they confirmed that my water had broke. The fun began!!! I was only dilated to 1" so I took a walk for an hour which helped. At 6:00 AM I had dilated to 4" and by 10:00 I was dilated to 10". I pushed a few times and he was out!!! Everyone was commenting on my quick labor and how good of a job I did at pushing. :) (I am needy for affirmation.)

We are both doing well.

More details later....

37 weeks.

Today's baby appointment was a bit anti-climatic after last weeks. Apparently I haven't progressed really at all. Goodness. The doctor's reaction was completely different from the last one I saw. But we are all packed and ready to to go as a result which is good. :)

Poor husband.
He couldn't sleep last night.
I guess this is what 10 classes, a pregnant wife, the Cardinals, and working will do to a person.

Casey has completed

10 classes

with 4 student of the course awards!!!!!







I really like the end of phase Fridays. 7 more left.

The doctor also said that I have a pretty belly which of course I was very proud of. I also feel approval when they say your blood pressure is good, weight is good, etc.

I crave affirmation. I like to think I am doing a really good job of being pregnant.

I have issues.

***I went to the doctor today and learned that I am probably about 50% effaced but not dilated at all. The kid is way head down and pushing greatly on my bladder which explains why I feel he is coming out when I walk. The doctor guessed I would deliver early.....like around 38.5 weeks.

Yesterday I started going through our baby stash and getting it washed and ready.

In honor of being 36 weeks pregnant, here's a little bit of babyness. I don't think it gets much cuter.

We are STOCKED on newborn size onsies. :)

36 weeks.

click on picture and it will get bigger.

quick life update.

After a series of events these past few weeks, Casey has decided to quit his job and focus on school for the rest of our time here. IT"S SUPER EXCITING!!! I think it will be a good way to end this school year. He has the ability to double course and hang out with the kid and I more. It also means that his graduation will (hopefully) be pushed up until February 12th.

In the next few weeks, he will have his ASE testing and some additional testing with Porsche. He's a busy guy but is still loving going to school.

I have a baby appointment on Thursday and then I start going every week. I feel great other than being tired all of the time.

Those are the major highlights.

Today we toured the hospital where Baby Eldridge will be delivered. It's very nice. We got more and more excited. We were a little worried about the logistics of everything since we are new to Phoenix and have never had a kid before but now we know exactly where to go and what to do.

So in about a month we will be back (to the hospital) only leaving with a actual baby. :)

NOT EVIL JUST WRONG

babybelly.

babybelly.

Maybe more than anyone wants to see but I know my mom will like it. :)

35 weeks.

It's 7:56 pm and I am currently waiting for Casey to get out of class at 8:15 and make his way home. Another long day for him is done! Yay!

Saturday was a little rough. Casey was sick or his allergies caught up with him or something. Not sure. He didn't get a lot of sleep Thursday night so he probably just messed his system up. After resting all day Saturday, he got better despite the Cardinals game Saturday afternoon. He was a bit heartbroken but we all know how Casey is emotionally connected with them. :)

We had a good Sunday together. I didn't work so it was very refreshing to spend a WHOLE day together. We went to church and heard a really good sermon and good worship. Then we went to lunch, ran errands, and hung out at Uncle Tim's house. Fun stuff and good to be together. I think we like each other a little more when that happens. :) Kidding. A little. But really (not to complain) our current lifestyle is a little hard on our relationship. It's been a little stressful at times (understatement) and then you add in baby hormones and tiredness....not always a good combo. But we are making it and March is getting CLOSER. Praise God.

All I know is that on March 5th (hopefully) we are partying!!! Seriously.

I read a blog post from this cute couple on their blog and thought I would copy and share how Casey and I find ways to save money.

*Coupons. I love coupons and carry a coupon organizer in my purse everywhere we go. Our favorite coupon of all times are Red Robin birthday gifts. You get a free meal on your birthday AND we are not ashamed to say that we usually split it leaving us only a tip to pay for. With the bottomless fries, we both get plenty of food.

*Hair. Casey cuts his own hair. He has buzzed it for awhile but is now starting to grow it out. But before we got married, I bought him a hair cutting kit and he has used it ever since. I get my hair cut at beauty schools. It's way cheaper and I haven't had a bad experience yet. I have to admit that I miss Krystel (my hair dresser in St. Louis) but don't miss the bill.

*Waiting. I can think of 2 things on the top of my head where waiting proved to be the best move. For instance, Casey needed new, nice tennis shoes. He wanted Pumas but with their pricey price tag we were hesitant. Randomly we are at the mall and he finds Pumas he loves on sale for $30.00. You can't buy good shoes at Walmart...I don't think...for that. Another example, Casey and I have been contemplating getting a handgun (For safety reasons..) for the past month. Through working at an apartment complex, we were give the opportunity to get a nice handgun for $125.00. It's perfect for what we need it for and we could have spent a lot more. So we have learned that waiting and not making quick purchases saves us money. God provides.

*Envelope System. We started the envelope system shortly after getting to Arizona. We were on a budget before but using envelopes saved so much headache for us. It's nice because you know exactly what you can spend on what. It makes us intentional with our spending and makes us communicate with one another.

*Goodwill. We got a $12 changing table for Baby Eldridge. It's nice b/c if we decide we don't want to move it (say in March!!!!!) it's not a huge waste and it served it's purpose.

*Buying in Bulk. We like buying in bulk. It saves endless trips to the grocery store and it is usually cheaper. There are negatives to buying in bigger quantities so we have learned the things that we like buying there (VitaRain drinks) and things we don't.

*Redbox. I usually go searching for free codes on the web. It's fun to not pay anything.

*Gas. We found this gas station close to our apartment that always has the best price on gas.

*Credit Cards. We try not to even use our card but sometimes we do and always pay it off.
No interest.

*One car payment. Thankfully we only have one car payment and plan in the future to not have one at all but until then we are grateful for just one.

*Eating Out. We limit our eating out to once a week and it's usually on the weekends. We bring our meals to work and school.

I enjoy our thriftiness. It's quite satisfying to feel that you are in control of your spending and find ways to not spend a lot.

cutest baby boy stuff ever.

Deauville Collection from Baby Gap.

Things that The Eldridge's can't live without.

1. Water. Arizona has really bad water (makes sense since it's a desert) so you have to have filtered water here. There is too much calcium in the water and it's really hard. So weekly we take a trip to the grocery store and fill up our 10 gallon jugs.

2. Vitamin Waters. But we cheat and get the Kirkland Signature VitaRain waters. We actually like them better than the real Vitamin Waters and they have no calories and are only .49 per drink at Costco.

3. Vegetables. We love our vegetables. Every grocery trip we stalk up on the basics broccoli, carrots, celery, and lettuce. Casey's favorite snack is veggie dip and fresh cut veggies. I love it too because I eat a lot of salads.

4. Probiotics. Apparently I had way too many anti-biotics or something when I was younger b/c I can't miss a day without taking these. I LOVE THEM for many reasons. I have NEVER gotten sick since being on them. No cold. No allergies. Nothing. I take them in the form of GoodBelly or http://www.synergydrinks.com/synergy.html. Both a little pricey, but TOTALLY WORTH EVERY PENNY.

5. Our Apple labtop. We love it and couldn't survive without it. I have had it for 3/4 years now and have never had any problems with it. Zero.

6. IPOD. We really like listening to podcasts or books on tape. Casey is currently reading Arguing With Idiots with Glenn Beck. He can listen to it while working and making his day faster. I like listening to Mark Driscoll, Beth Moore, and Francis Chan.

7. The envelope system. We do really well with our budget. The envelope system works really well for us. It makes us communicate and make good decisions.

8. Redbox. We usually try to find a code online so we get free rentals.

9. Waiting. We have learned that we talk about things that we need and wait, God always provides a way. For instance, Casey needed new shoes and of course, he wanted Pumas but they are pretty pricey and it wasn't a necessity. But we just waited and eventually came upon a $30.00 pair on sale that he absolutely loves. Another example, Casey and I have recently been talking about getting a hand gun for safety. Of course, another expensive item. A few weeks later, one of the residents at the complex we live and work at, left his apartment abandoned with a bunch of stuff in it INCLUDING a perfect hand gun for our situation that we got to purchase for $125.00. I washed one of our cell phones and ruined it. So we needed a new one but we didn't want to have to extend our contract. We tried de-Sprinting one of our extra phones but it wouldn't work. We went home in July to St. Louis and my parents had saved a bunch of old cell phones which all worked. It just been interesting and we have learned to not make rash decisions and God has provided.

10.

33 weeks.

It's finally cooling down here and getting darker sooner at night. The change is very welcome!!! We have been waiting for it. It makes working outside for Casey a lot less miserable.

Casey finished his ninth class last night. Those nights are always exciting. His next class will be Manual Transmission. He has done very well in all of his classes and gotten all A's. (Not that that is the most important thing but it's still exciting.) He also has had perfect attendance. He said that he doesn't know anyone else with that. (It's important at UTI b/c they grade you on your professionalism and attendance as well as labs and tests.)

Casey's back is feeling a little better each day. Between his back and my growing belly, we are quite a picture. The Eldridge's don't move very quick these days.

The baby seems to be fine. He's moving lots. I like to bother and him and see if I can feel his foot or other body parts. Sometimes they are sticking out my side or way up by my lungs. I start going every two weeks to the doctor. My next appointment is this next upcoming week.

Those are the big highlights. If we didn't have school or baby to talk about, what would we blog about? :)

Have a good weekend!!!

We are a little behind on this week.