I did it...

I spent my first night away from Collier this weekend. Justin’s mom is in town to keep Collier for Justin and I to go to Lake Martin with friends for the night. I felt like I did good, well better than I thought that I would. I think knowing that he was in such good hands helped and when I did call to check in, he was being really good and sweet. I felt like it was a big hurdle to get over and I am proud of myself of doing it. I tried to prepare explain to Justin the anxious feelings that I may feel about being away from Collier for the night…not that I am worried about him being taken care of but more of my separation and being away from him overnight for the first time. I felt that he would need me and I wouldn’t be there for him. He didn’t of course and I am thankful.

We went to Lake Martin to go to AquaPalooza (concert series that Alan Jackson does at lakes around the country)– it was a blast! They set the stage up at kowaliga and you pulled your boat up to watch the concert. There must have been 5000 boats there. It was unbelievable and like nothing I have ever seen before. Boats just connected with each other and you could walk from boat to boat they were tied so close together. We anchored back a little further (couldn’t even see the stage) but thankfully they had huge screens that we could watch from. There were several other acts that played before Alan Jackson, so it was a full day of music. The weather was great and we stayed in the water a good bit to keep cool. After such a busy day I crashed around 11pm and slept so good – no nursing at 4am….although I did wake up at 6 about to bust and so I had to pump….but I went right back to sleep and slept another 3 hours. It was very nice but I did miss that sweet little man. I was very glad to make it home on Sunday and hold him.

Justin and I have always said we would willingly allowing grandparents to take our children for weekends and nights. I feel that it is very important to have time for each other as husband and wife. It was harder than I really thought that it was going to be. But then again to have some fun time with Justin was well worth it. One of the couples that was with us had a wave runner that they took and as we needed we could go back to the house to potty pump. I knew being on the boat for 10 hours would be a challenge for a nursing mom!!! So, Justin took me back to the house and it was so much fun. I felt like I was in high school again….It has been forever since I’ve ridden a wave runner and it is silly and hard to explain, but being on the back of the wave runner and jumping waves and driving fast and crazy just was so fun. Just the two of us with no other worries but to just be together. I am sure that my words are not making clear my feelings. But I felt so content with just being with my sweet husband. I am thankful for the time that we had and I am thankful that we were able to leave Collier and not have to worry about him. I don’t want to seem that we don’t have sweet time because Collier is here but it is different when a baby enters the family. I wouldn’t want to be any other way and I certainly couldn't be away from Collier very often but every now and then it is just needed. I love the new family that we have and I love Collier so much but to have all my energy to devote to Justin felt really good. Ok. Enough rambling, I hope you understand what I mean!

Crews'n

We spent another fabulous weekend at compass lake. We had my cousins come from Jacksonville - it was a full house and full of fun with special memories! My precious cousin and her husband have 4 beautiful kiddos and they all mean so much to me. The boys are still into wrestling, so there were several matches over the weekend. Little Emmi is quite the charmer and full of smiles. She is so tiny and full of spunk! All of the kids love Collier, which makes my heart melt, and they all had their turns and times to hold him. Corbin even asked if he would take him home because Emmi is so "feisty" too funny!

Collier has been in his crib for a week now and is still doing great. He had a rough night last night and couldn't seem to get settled, plus he woke up at midnight to eat. I watched the monitor from 2am-6am because he was grunting around and wake off and on. I decided to stay home and see if I could get some rest today and it has been good. Hoping that we will do better tonight. I am also trying something different with Collier's reflux meds (prevacid). Instead of giving a whole dose in the morning, I'm doing half in the morning and half at night. He was really spitting up bad in the mornings, so I'm going to try this and see if it makes a difference. He has done really well today with not much spit up. Thank you Lord!

He continues to get stronger and stronger. He is holding his head very well and is very smiley and full of coo's! Oh so sweet. He does bring me so much joy and sleepless nights love. I get teary sometimes just holding him because I love him so much! I wasn't prepared for this level of love...this also exemplifies the Love that God has for us! Simply amazing, especially with all of our flaws.

moving on up

Last night was Collier's first night in his crib. He has been in the bassinet next to our bed up to this point. I would have liked him to be in his crib sooner than now, but I worry about him spitting up and choking....But since he really likes to lay sprawled out (arms above head and legs wide apart) he isn't able to do that in the bassinet any more. Plus he has had a few really long sleep nights - two nights he slept 7 hours! WHOOA!!! although it was from 8pm-3am...I was still getting up to feed but I still got a good 5 hours that was AWESOME!

So, I decided that I would try it last night. I have the video monitor and I had the volume turned all the way up...in case of any chocking (I mostly worry about that after feeding him in the middle of the night). He did really great. I fed him at 10 and he went right to sleep and he woke up at 3:30 ready to eat. He did stir around at 12am and 1am...but I just watched him on the monitor and he went back to sleep. He also went back down after eating at 3:30....It was awesome and I felt really good about it. I pray that tonight will also be successful since I have to actually work tomorrow! I feel like we're getting closer and closer to a full night sleep.

Latest Stats

We went to the doctor yesterday for Collier's two month check up. We've been very curious over the past several weeks how much he weighs. We were expecting him to be around 10lb...that was my guess any way. Here are his stats:

Weight: 13LB - 75th percentile
Height: 22.5" - 50th percentile
Head: 15.5" - 50th percentile

We were very pleased with all of this and honestly SHOCKED at his fabulous weight gain! My little chunky monkey. We also changed his acid reflux medication. He spits up so much and this week we had two major things: First on Sunday he was in his swing and I think that he spit up 2 days worth of milk...it covered him completely and even puddled in the bottom of the swing. Then on Monday morning he started chocking and was arching his back and throwing his head backwards, when I picked him up spit up went everywhere and then he screamed really loud. It scared me and I am sure that it scared him. I really do hope and pray that this new medicine works better for him. Even with all of the spit up, he is still getting plenty of food and gaining weight.

Shots...yuck. He got four of them and he did ok for the first three and then the last one (which was muscular) he screamed so loud and wasn't happy about that one at all. He was sort of fussy through this morning and has been better this afternoon. Poor little man,I think that he was just not feeling like himself. Those bad ole shots. He has been great this afternoon and tonight.

Week in Pictures

Happy 60th!

We celebrated a big 60th birthday with my FIL this weekend at lake Eufaula. To Collier he is known at Papoo and one day Collier will get to join the guys in their fishing adventure, but this trip he had to stay with the girls inside since it was so hot. Next trip we will certainly be on the boat with the guys. Maybe we would have brought them better luck since they didn’t catch much of anything. It was a relaxing and fun weekend. Happy Birthday Papoo!

It has been great this week having my MIL in town to help since Justin is out of town. We’re looking forward to a long July 4th weekend. I’ll catch up with everyone next week.

Oh before I leave you I have to share a funny work story. For those of you who don’t know…I work for a technology company and with that I am the ONLY female…So the guys that I work with are all really great but are all very techy for the most part. These guys are some of the smartest people that I know and especially when it comes to computers, technology and networking they know it all! And then there is me… not so techy and very mommy at this point. I am of course pumping through the day and I try to be very respectful that they don’t want to see pumping pieces and breast milk all through the office, so I put the milk containers in a soft cooler in the refrigerator. Well. One of the guys came into my office this week and shared the following:

Tech: I finally discovered something this week
Me: oh yeah what (me thinking like I’m going to understand what you are about to say – he always talks way above my head)
Tech: for the past couple of days I thought that someone was putting their notebook in the refrigerator
Side note: when he says notebook he means laptop
Me: oh yeah with a BIG smile on my face
Tech: I thought that it was strange that someone would put their notebook in the frig but thought, ya know if that is what works for them ok. Strange, but ok
Me:yes, a laptop in the frig would be very strange
Tech: I finally realized today that it was your cooler for storage!!!
Me: laughing very hard.

Goes to show the mindset. I just thought that it was so funny…that he thought someone was actually putting their laptop in the frig. My cooler is black and does resemble a tiny laptop bag. Ha!


Wishing you a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

This week

Collier is 8 weeks today and I can hardly believe it! He brings more love and joy to my heart each and every day. I just adore this little man!

This week I started back to work. It has been ok, hard BUT ok. I really wanted to go back July 6th, but they wanted me back earlier. Plus, I'm starting a new job (same company new role) that I am a little unsure of. I know that it will work out, but still not quite sure about the transition. One already good part is that with the new role I was moved into an office, which gives me privacy and that makes life a little easier since I'm pumping through out the day. All that to say that I am quite tired but we are working hard to get into a routine and back to normal life....No more fun vacation time with my men!

Mom has been great and has brought Collier to me at work for the past two days so that I could nurse him. Today I went home for lunch to feed him. I have been a little concerned that once he started taking the bottle during the day that he would rather that than me....that would make me very sad. so he has only gotten two bottle each day and then I've nursed all the other times. So far so good...but I would appreciate your prayers on this as well. I really do want to nurse him as long as possible and would rather not get into formula, but I'm trusting that God already has a plan and know exactly how all of this will turn out. **I don't have anything against formula, I don't want to offend anyone...It is just important to me that he is getting all of the good stuff from me, plus the money savings is huge too. My cousin nursed all of her kids and I just thought that it was so sweet and have always wanted to do that!

I'm excited about the weekend for sure. I hope that you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend too.

Because he deserves it

Even though this post is a few days late my sweet husband deserves the recognition as we celebrated his first Father’s Day. Dad’s are really special and I am thankful for the blessing that we received in Collier. Justin is such a great dad and is so sweet with Collier. He is very helpful and willing to take Collier and even changes a ton of diapers throughout the day. When he is talking to Collier he gets in Collier’s face (really close) and I just love to see them nose to nose talking! Collier loves to be on Justin’s shoulder. Collier can be fussy and I can’t seem to settle him – Justin will put him on his shoulder and Collier will relax and usually go right to sleep…Daddy’s special touch seems to be just what he needs. I know that the two of them will have a many fun years ahead as they grow and bond together. Collier is lucky to have the love of such a wonderful Dad. I think that a part of my love of being a mom is to have the support of such a loving and helpful husband. My heart fills with joy to see Justin interact with Collier.

Justin and my Dad played an early round of golf on Sunday and then they watched the US Open in the afternoon. Mom and I cooked shrimp, flank steak, pesto potatoes, grilled squash and zucchini and a chocolate ice cream pie to top off our delicious dinner to honor our guys!

I have a lot to be thankful for in my dad as well. He is a constant help and support. He is willing to do anything for us (Chris and I and our families) and he believes that family comes first. I am thankful that he is a strong example of a Godly man and I am thankful that he is my Dad! Not to mention he loves his grandson. He gets so excited each time that he sees him and gets to hold him. It is really so sweet.

Catch up

We've been somewhat busy over the past week. We started out with a weekend in Dothan to celebrate Ashlyn's 2nd Birthday! It was so much fun at her birthday party - she had slip n slides and pools - the kids had a blast. She couldn't have been more happy, that girl loves the water! We spent some time with Justin's Dad and Cher and it was really great to have some extra time with them.

From there we headed to the lake for a few nights before Mom and I headed to Jacksonville. We went down to visit and see family and for Collier to get to meet all of our fun and crazy family (grandfather, aunts, uncles and lots and lots of cousin's). Both my mom and dad grew up in Jacksonville so we have so much family there - we love them and wish that we lived closer so that we could see them more often. But we did enjoy our visit and time. We headed back to the lake on Wednesday. Justin and I stayed at the lake from Wednesday through the weekend and had some friends come down for the weekend. Wow, it was amazing to have that time to relax at the lake and being back in Bham I am missing the lake greatly.

Now that I am back home, trying to get the house back in order, laundry, unpack and get Collier on somewhat of a schedule. I am sad to say that I have to go back to work next week. I had hoped to be out for another two weeks but the boss called and decided that I needed to come back sooner rather than later. I am very sad...matter of fact I cried after I met with him and he told me that. I am very thankful that Mom is going to be keeping Collier that will make life at work a little easier, but it is still not the same as being with him all day. I will miss him while I'm at work. I love this little man so much and I love being with him and holding and loving him day in and day out! I will appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this return to work. He still isn't sleeping all the way the way through the night - waking every 4 hours. I would appreciate your prayers on this as well. I will also take advice and thoughts too - I know that most of you are experienced mom's!!!

Little man is changing so much. He is getting bigger and bigger by the minute. its funny because he has lost most of the hair on top/front of his head but still has long and thick hair in the back. You would think that he is sleeping on his head (I promise that he isn't though). He looks an old man! I love to look at him and just watch him sleep. His expressions and coo's are way to cute for words! He loves to get in the bath tub and just relax. If he is cranky at night I will put him in the tub and he will just relax and lay there so content. But then he screams as I lather him with lotion. I just can't get enough of him.

Lake

We spent the last week at the lake. It was so wonderful and restful. Although it rained for the first 5 days - that didn't stop Ashlyn from playing in it and making the most of the rain. But we finally saw the happy sunshine peak its head through the clouds. We spent time with my brother, SIL and niece and we even got to visit with Justin's grandparents for them to meet Collier for the first time. It was great to spend time down there and relax. Not to mention my mom was a savior. She was so helpful with letting me sleep and taking Collier in the early morning hours after he had eaten. Which takes me back to my previous post about how wonderful parents are. Its amazing how fabulous sleep it! Here are a few pictures from the week.