Great Help

I have been blessed with great in-laws, I think that I've mentioned this before and if I haven't I should have. Last week my MIL came to stay with us a few nights - Justin was out of town one night so she came to be with me so that I wasn't alone for the night...HA who am I fooling, she came to be with Collier! Wow what big help she was. She not only stayed up with Collier at night when he chose to be wide awake at 1am but she helped me around the house a ton. I have to especially share the hard work that she and my mom put into our yard. Our front bushes had almost over taken the front of our house plus weeds had covered my front flower bed. The two of them jumped in and trimmed the bushes and weeded and planted my planter. It now looks so great and welcoming.

It was great to have extra helping hands, especially from a loving Grandmother who loves Collier so much. Collier certainly enjoyed his time with his Mela and I was so thankful to have that time with her and to have her help. Thanks Mela so much for being there for us!

One thing that I had never really thought much about when having children is the reaction of your parents and grandparents. You know that they all love you (as their child and grandchild) so much, but to see how they glow and to see their excitement and joy when they hold your child is so neat. I watch them all hold Collier and the love that flows from them is sweet and satisfying to a mother's soul. They are all so giddy over this child, it is such a sweet sight. I am thankful that Justin and I have such wonderful, loving, supportive and involved parents!

Growing Boy

Collier was 2 weeks as of yesterday and he is growing fast! I think that he has already changed quite a bit. We went to the doctor today and we are now weighing in at 7LB 8oz! I was very pleased and excited to hear how much he has gained. I actually went on Monday and weighed him and he was 6LB 15oz...so in a matter of 5 days he has really exceeded my expectations. I can really tell though that he is putting on the pounds as he has developed a double chin and is starting to thicken up a little in his legs and arms. He was so skinny, but we are certainly doing our best to change that and so far we have had success. According to the doctor everything is absolutely perfect - of course we already knew that but confirmation was great to hear. We go back in 6 weeks for a million (5) shots.

I love this little man more than I could ever imagine and he is such a joy to have and to hold in my arms. He is such a gift and I am thankful for him. He currently has his days and nights backwards - oops. So, our nights are awfully long. Justin has been a HUGE help in getting up and letting me get sleep after I nurse him and he seems to want to be awake in the wee hours of the morning. We are both tired but are hanging in there. We do hope to catch up on some sleep over the weekend. I am grateful to have such a sweet husband who has really been so much help and support - I love to see Justin holding and loving on Collier it really is a sweet site.

Friends are so great. I am thankful for all of our friends who have been so gracious and generous to bring us dinners and to stop by and visit with us. It is truly a blessing to be surrounded by so much love and support. I haven't had to think about dinner since I've been home and this is such a huge help! Not to mention all of the ladies that I've called asking various questions and seeking advise. We really have the greatest friends ever and I don't know what I would do with out everyone. Off to sneak in a quick nap before our sweet guest arrive to bring dinner!

I got this as an email and it seemed to be appropriate since I am NEWLY a mom and in honor of Mother's Day this weekend. I'm sure that many of you have already received it via email...

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.!
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .

One Week

Wow a week can really fly by and I know that we'll be saying this about months and years in our very near future. Everyone says it but it is very true! A week ago today we welcomed little Collier into our family with joy and thanksgiving. I admire him so much and love that he is here (I think that I've said this a thousand times) but to hold and love on him is so satisfying to the soul. I no longer have to wonder what looks like but can watch him all day long. I am thankful that God created him for our family and for Justin and I to raise and be pleasing to Him in our parenting.

Which brings me to my next topic...Parents...I am thankful that both Justin and I both have such supportive and loving parents. All that I want to be able to give to Collier we have been given through our parents. I am so appreciative for all of them. They were all here to welcome Collier into our family - yes at 1:00 in the morning they all rushed to the hospital to eagerly await his arrival. They dropped everything and drove up as soon as they heard that I was going to the hospital. They then proceeded to clean (deep clean) my entire house for us - Have I mentioned when my water broke that I was not at all prepared...no hospital bag was packed and certainly this house wasn't cleaned or ready for a new baby to arrive much less to have company. This was a huge help and it was so refreshing to walk into my house and that it was clean and straight - Thank you Mr. Randy and Mrs. Cher for all of your hard work! They also stayed several days and brought us meals in the hospital and were willing and wanting to be there for us. Mrs. Pam and Mr. Charles thank you for all that you do for us! Mom and Dad have been so helpful since we've been home. Mom has been here to help with Collier as we figure things out (how to bathe him) as well as being sure that we are able to get some sleep. I love that they drop by just to see Collier because they are passing our house on the way to or from home. It has been wonderful and especially all of the help last night when Justin was out of town. What would we do with out our precious parents who are here. I am thankful for them. I appreciate them and I most of all my love over flows for each and every one of them!

Oh I just love to see his sweet eyes open. Yesterday he slept almost all day and today he has had longer periods of being awake. I love to see him looking around and starting to see his surroundings. Nights are ok. He did go for a 4 hour stretch last night but then the rest of the night, specifically at 4am, he was fussy and not wanting to go back down after he had eaten. Justin and I both have napped today!!!


Isn't this a funny picture? I love the smiling expression and can you see his dimples? Oh so sweet...I just love this little one!

Settling In

We arrived home on Saturday afternoon and are doing our best to get settled into life with Collier. He has done really well and is nursing much better (thank you for all of the prayers - I really felt them) We had a little trouble with getting him to latch on or even seem interested but since we've been home he has done really well. I went today and weighted him and he has gained a half of an ounce. When we left the hospital he was down to 6LB, so I was very satisfied that he had not lost any more weight. We are doing pretty good at night getting at least one 3 hour stretch in between feedings. He is so sweet and I just love to have him in my arms. Oh what a sweet feeling!

Mom and i went to Babies R Us and Walmart this afternoon and Justin stayed home with Collier. Justin is such a sweet daddy and husband - he only called me once and was great the rest of the time. By the time we were done at those two places I was very tired and I actually missed him for the 3 hours that we were gone.

Brinkley also made it home today. She has been staying with Mom and Dad since Wednesday and I was so very glad to have her home today and tonight. She is very curious about Collier - especially when he cries and is wiggling. It will be interesting to see how she does tonight when he wakes up to eat. I have missed her to and am really glad that she is home. Thank you Mom and Dad for keeping her - I know that she was in the best care possible (she gets chicken and chicken broth on her food at each feeding...I wonder why she prefers to eat at Grammy's?)

I have so much to share and update, but for now I'm headed to bed. I'll try and catch up soon.
Thank you to everyone who has called, emailed and left sweet messages..I promise that I am getting them and appreciate your thoughts and prayers.