Easter Pictures

1st Birthday

Preston had a great first birthday. We actually had a little party with Chad's family when we returned from Europe. He enjoyed the cake but didn't eat a lot of it. It was a cute little party of which I would love to share some video, however, Chad left Lee in charge of the camera and he managed to hit the record button while the camera was pointing the floor. Therefore, just as we started to sing Happy Birthday, Lee hit the record button again, at that point turning the camera off and we missed the song, the cake, etc. I grieved a little for this, but I think I'll make it.

My parents came up to St. Louis for Preston's (and my dad's) birthday weekend. We went out to eat for my Dad's birthday. We got preston an Elmo cell phone, his first set of toy golf clubs, and a xylophone toy. He also got a slide for the backyard (from Lee, Kristy, Donna and Skipper see video below), a set of real kiddy golfclubs (mimi), a swimming pool (mamaw and papaw), a Breyer horse (Uncle Will), money from Pop and Mamaw Mary (which I've started putting away in piggy bank for when he's older) and lots of cute clothes. Enjoy the pics and some limited video below.

A Baby Story.

I wanted to post this around Preston's first birthday. I often think about the day he was born and although the details are still clear now, I know that with time they will fade. So, I better write it down... here goes.

I was 36.5 weeks pregnant and thinking "if this baby doesn't come soon, its just not fair that Kristy had Lily early and I'm going to have to go full term." Ha. I was really setting myself up to go 41 weeks. It was a Tuesday and I went to work that morning and gave my one hour physics talk for the year (on tomotherapy). I was relieved to get this out of the way and finished up my day in the clinic as usual. Chad and I had dinner and I did thirty minutes of step aerobics in front of the TV. I talked to Tonya on the phone saying "just a few more weeks left." Chad and I went to bed as usual at around 10:30.

At 1:30 I woke up with contractions. I had been having Braxton-Hicks contractions for a few weeks so I figured it was these again. After about 30minutes I realized they weren't going away and were probably getting worse. Since I was uncomfortable, I got up and started packing the baby bag (camera, Preston's going home outfit, blanket, cell phone charger, house shoes, clothes for me, facewash, make-up etc.) By 2:30, packing was complete and the contractions were getting pretty bad. No longer was I able to just walk around, I had to pause during them. This was the real deal. I woke Chad up and he got dressed, let Bean out, and we were on our way to hospital.

Barnes-Jewish hospital is only 6miles from the house. Chad drove normally (so no tickets for us). I was really starting to hurt by that point and was very nauseous with contractions. We got to the hospital around 3:00 AM. A security guard tried to stop us in the lobby and when I turned around with my big belly he just smiled and waved us on the elevator. I got checked in to triage and then got my ticket to Labor & Delivery.

Now lets not paint the rosiest picture here. This was the part of the journey that was not cool. I was getting so nauseous with every contraction...it was pretty miserable in combination with the pain. But it was the wierdest thing....as soon as the contraction subsided I felt like a million bucks. Completely normal, talkative, pain free and then boom, misery. In other words, I requested an epidural stat.

Chad and I settled in the room (he was in the recliner watching the Golf Channel). I was expecting a long day, so I decided I would take a nap. A few minutes later my doctor came and informed me "it's time to push." After 15 minutes of pushing, Preston Everett Perkins arrived at 9:43 a.m. Even though I had seen several ultrasounds the first thing I did was check that he was a boy. It all went to fast....I think we were both in shock. The doctor asked if Chad wanted to cut the cord and we both immediately said "No!" It was a wonderful day and I hope I never forget the details.