You guys, we had baby number two! As most of you know(since almost everyone is on social media) we welcomed Carter James Vitt into the world on Tuesday July 11 at 4:03 am. Carter came at 29 weeks and 5 days. Early!!! He weighed 3lbs 12oz and was 17 1/8 inches long. He arrived naturally, from start to finish, in 45 minutes. It was crazy! 

My water broke 5 days before I went into labor. I was admitted to the hospital and we all hoped I would just relax and hang out(at the hospital) for at least a few weeks. I felt good and confident I could cook this little guy a little longer. Obviously he had other plans! It all happened so fast that I was by myself when I had Carter. Jamie was home with Frances and he did not make it in time. I had great nurses to help me through it.

Because Carter was so early when I had him he was pretty much whisked away to the NICU. I was prepared for that going into this but it was still a bummer. Once Jamie arrived, he and I both went down to the NICU to see our little guy. I will say, nothing quite prepares you for what it’s like in the NICU and to have your baby be in the NICU. It is scary! They had to run many test on Carter being so early. One of which did not come back good. Carter came up positive for meningitis. The location of this was in his brain. This meant lots of things, none of which I will write about. We just took everything day by day, stayed positive, prayed and by Carter’s side as much as we could. After about 13 days of mostly scare we finally made it over the hump. Carter was responding to the antibiotics and test were finally coming back negative for further growth. 

Currently Carter is 3 weeks old today and still has 8 days left of his antibiotics. He looks so much better then he did, he’s gaining weight and eating lots of mommies milk! All good things. We have even started some breast introduction for him. There is no set date on when Carter will leave the NICU, my guess is at least late August.  Carter has made great progress and is definitely a fighter, but we have a ways to go. Continued positive thoughts and prayers are always welcome.

Emotionally I feel like I am doing well. Some days are better then others but everyday gets easier and easier in this world of the NICU. My mom is here helping us and my dad arrives today. Having help with Frances is the biggest help for us right now. Jamie is still working and my days are filled with hospital visits, tiny baby snuggles and lots of breast pumping. It all feels very weird to have had a baby but not have a baby at home. While I know our time will come to, I am trying to do a little nesting until we bring Carter home. Let’s just say I didn’t get anything ready for this baby.
P.S. I wrote this 7 days after he was born. Now he is 73 days old and I am finally getting to a post.  I will write more on his infection and what it all means. Thank you all for your love and support!