Holiday Posting

So I've done it again....

Another year has gone by. You are now 18 months old now...growing like a weed...saying more words that I can even translate...and stating your opinion more often than not!

Can you believe the baby from last year....is now this toddler?

I surely can't! 

Your daddy travels a lot for work now. On the road 2-5 days a week depending on the client and work involved. You miss him a lot, but are still a momma's boy to daddy's chagrin! :) You and I have our schedule...how things must go to fit it all in around my work schedule and bedtime. Things go a little crazy when Daddy is in town, but I try not to mind, because I know you two miss each other so much. We are so thankful for Daddy's work ethic and sacrifice for our family. We are very blessed!

Thanksgiving Part 2

Colin -

Your first Thanksgiving was a success. We spent 5 days in Crestview visiting both sets of grandparents. This is your longest trip away from home so far!

We spent Wednesday afternoon to Friday morning with your Grammy and Grandpa. We also saw your Uncle Jeremy, 1st Sgt., Mrs. Fox, Jen and Colby, JD, Nicky and Mo & Joe.

Then Friday afternoon to Sunday morning with your Grandmama and Granddaddy. And we saw your Aunt JoJo, Miss Ann, your great grandma and great uncle Marty, great Aunt Brenda, great Aunt Sandy and great Uncle Cary, Chris, Crystal, Corey, Sam, Allyson. 

Then we went to see Amanda (a friend from when mommy and daddy were in high school) and her son, Landon and ran into another friend, Laura.

Suffice it to say you were loved and hugged, squeezed and kissed and utterly worn out by the time we got home!

You did sit up by yourself one time at Grandmama and Granddaddy's and you are almost crawling now. So amazing to watch your little brain figure things out.

Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!

Thanksgiving

So I think we can make it official....I am a horrible blogger! It's been what...2 months since my last post? Oh well...luckily this is just for the fun of documenting what happens in our world...as time allows. ;o)

We are almost upon Colin's first Thanksgiving. I love fall and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We will be headed home to see our families and I can't wait for Colin to experience it all. Turkey & Dressing, family, Charlie Brown, giblets for the furry kids, card games and so much more!

Ok...so to recap some of the milestones since September:

First Tooth (and second!)

First Football Game (FSU vs Duke - Homecoming)

First Halloween (Scooby Doo)

First Foods (Banana, Bread, Avacado, Turkey, Chicken, Apple)

First Time Drinking from a Straw

First Trip to Florida Caverns

This little boy is such a blessing. I hate to see him grow up so fast, but I love to watch him learn! We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

Time Flies!

So it's been a month and a half since I've posted. Time sure does fly! And boy do you keep us busy, little man! This is a picture of your from this past weekend! Such a happy boy!

You have learned how to roll from your back to your stomach. And you have been trying for 3 days to roll from your stomach to your back, but haven't quite gotten it yet. You are learning so much!

Despite being sick all last week - you had pink eye and your 3 month growth spurt - all together! But we didn't even realize it until afterward. You were a little cranky, but that was it and completely understandable. You are such a great baby!

Since you were sick you got to stay home with Daddy for a week instead of going to daycare. I'm pretty sure you enjoyed it has much as he did. He is sooooooo in love with you! His eyes light up when he talks about you and he talks about you to everyone that will listen! And pictures....I thought  I liked to show you off...nope your Daddy has me beat! ;o) This makes my heart swell with happiness. <3

Speaking of love...you love your Daddy just as much as he loves you. You will "talk" with him for hours! And when he talks to you...you listen...and SMILE! I mean...look at the love in your eyes...all for your Daddy!

Now I know you love me...but I think he's your favorite right now. You are his Squirt and that's all that matters!

I LOVE YOU BOTH TO THE MOON AND BACK!

Day of Doom (or so I thought)!

(This post was supposed to be for Monday, July 23rd - oops!)

All I can say is I've been dreading this day...for more than one reason!

First of all - Jesse is in Arkansas until Friday night. :o(

But most of all - Colin started day care! :,o(

We got up super early this morning to get Jess to the airport by 5:30 AM. We didn't do so bad for our first morning up before the crack of dawn. (Luckily we don't have to be up and out the door this early on a normal basis...just up around this time.) After we dropped Jess off, we went to IHOP for breakfast and went to see Linda at my office to get a document notarized for daycare.

Then the dreadful part...dropping Colin off! *sob sob sob* (although I didn't cry as expected. YAY for mommy will power!)

So now that both of my favorite boys are gone what is a girl to do?

PEDICURE and CHIROPRACTOR! WHOOO! ;o) (oh and we can't forget pumping...my boobs almost popped without Colin around. hehe)

All in all the day went great. Colin did awesome. My feet are much smoother and my toes have a pretty pink hue. My back is feeling much better. Somehow I have to get used to carrying around Mr. Colin - who by the way now weighs 13 pounds 15 ounces. Mr. Chunky Monkey!

We are just missing daddy - tremendously!!!

First week alone - no daddy, no grandmas, no Aunt Jo - just Colin and Mommy. We got this!

Thumbs Up!

Colin - you started sucking your thumb today! Now you've pretty much always sucked on your hands and lately your whole fist has been appealing. I've tried a few times to put your thumb in your mouth alone but you wouldn't have it. Today though you found it all by yourself! I laid you down for a nap and you squirmed a bit then it happen. Whole fist, side of hand, then THUMB!  Below is the depiction of "the old way" (left) and you sucking your thumb for real (right)!

Wow...you are figuring out so much already. You amaze me!

-Momma

Colin's Birth Story

Colin's due date, May 20th, came and went with no sign of labor progressing. Colin was already expected to be a big baby so we scheduled induction for the 28th but were hoping for labor to start naturally. We all teased that Colin and I could share a birthday because my 29th birthday was on the 27th. No luck...Colin had his own plan!

My parents and sister came into town on my birthday and Jesse's parents, my Aunt Sandy and Uncle Cary came into town Monday. We all went to dinner at Longhorn to celebrate my birthday and Colin's upcoming arrival before Jesse and I went to the hospital. 

(5/28)When we got to the hospital at 6 PM, Leslee was already there waiting on us. (Leslee was my doula - check her out at www.boldbirth.com - I highly recommend her!) We got checked in and were escorted to the labor room. They showed us the room, started all the paperwork/medical history check and fetal monitoring. Then they started the IV (I was GBS positive so I required antibiotics during labor) and did a cervial check. No change from a week before (80% effaced, 1 cm dilated and station -3). Then first round of Cervidil was inserted and continuous fetal monitoring started for 2 hours.

We discussed a plan of action with Leslee and she left at 9 PM to spend the evening with her family and get some rest before my labor started. At 10 PM, I had a really hard contraction. Vitals and fetal monitoring continued through the night, but contractions did not.

(5/29) After breakfast the next morning, the Cervidil was removed and the cervical exam showed no changes. I had a visit by Dr. Dixon and Dr. Franz. At 9:15 AM, the second round of Cervidil was inserted and contractions started almost immediately (pre-labor type pains). Our families visited during the day.

The Cervidil was removed at 9:20 PM. Cervical check showed some change (80-90% effaced and 1-1.5 cm dilated).  We discussed with the nurses, who confirmed with the doctor, about waiting until the morning to start the Pitocin induction. Contractions continued and we decided to get some sleep.

(5/30) At 4:30 AM, I was told Pitocin would start at 6 AM. I freaked out. I was not ready to further induce labor yet. We said we would wait to see what was going on in the morning the night before. After calling Leslee, she recommended eating breakfast and calming down before proceeding. So Jesse went to the cafeteria and I was able to eat. At 8 AM, Dr. Dixon came to check on me. His cervical check showed I was 90% effaced and 2 cm dilated and Colin's head was way down (he did not give us a station). Progress!

Pitocin was started at 8:45 AM. At 11:30, Dr. Price broke my water by the direction of Dr. Dixon. Her cervical exam showed I was 90% effaced and 3 cm dilated. The notes I took stopped at 1 PM showing the Pitocin was upped to 10, so I'm assuming after this is when my labor really started. I do know the Pitocin was stopped at some point.

(5/31) Early the next morning, Jesse, Leslee, the nurse and my family all told me I was tensing up and needed to relax for my labor to progress. We had discussion of pain management and decided to go with Nubain first. Also, I was told my contractions needed to be hitting this magic number so Pitocin needed to start again. The Nubain did not touch the pain. I knew if the contractions had to become even stronger I wouldn't be able to cope, so I decided to get an epidural. Pitocin was stopped. I was given an epidural. Pitocin and continuous monitoring were started and I was turned every 30 minutes. Pitocin was continually bumped up. During the next couple of hours, monitoring showed progression, but the cervical exam did not; although there was some bloody show.

At 6 AM, Dr. Price checked in. Her cervical check showed no progression. I had been at 7-8 cm dilated, 80-90% effaced and +2 station for over 12 hours. She suggested I get a C-section at 7:30 so Dr. Dixon could be there. I called Jesse and we decided it was time for a C-section although I wanted to talk to Dr. Dixon. Over the next hour, I messaged Leslee and my family and talked to Dr. Dixon.

I was prepped for surgery. Jesse and Leslee arrived. Dr. Brickler and Dr. Dixon performed a C-section and Colin was born at 9:48 AM on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

Thanks to the support of my amazing husband, terrific doula, wonderful family Colin arrived a healthy 10 pounds, 11 ounces and was 22 inches long. 

My marvelous sister took these fabulous photos during my labor (check her out at www.lovabellephotography.com)!