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.

God's Sweet Gift Arrived Early

Sweet Baby Collier arrived early this morning at 1:39am. He weighed in at 6lb 9oz and was 20" long. He is so sweet and Justin and I are so glad that he is here. We honestly couldn't believe that it was time...not at all ready...no hospital bag packed, no car seat installed, his little outfit that I had smocked for him is not yet put together. Oh well, God has a perfect timing. This all started yesterday when my water broke while I was napping (dr. told me to take it easy the rest of this week because my bloodpressure was high) I came to the hospital, they started potosin and 7 hours later little man was here.

It is such a miracle and such a blessing. He cried and screamed when he first arrived, so he has strong lungs but he hasn't used them much since his arrival. He has been very good today. We are tired and I'm about to crash so that I can get some sleep. I'll do my best to post more pictures tomorrow. Thank you all for all the prayers and thoughts for us during this time.

Who do you think that he looks like? I honestly can't tell, sometimes I see me other times I see Justin?

Amazing

We had a beautiful and fun weekend. First, God has blessed us greatly with beautiful warm weather. It is making me want to drive to the lake to sit still on the dock and just soak in the beauty of the weather and His creation. But Collier is keeping me here in Birmingham...well work too I guess!

Last week Justin and I went to our breastfeeding class and then on Saturday we had our labor and delivery class (6 hours worth). Both classes were good and certainly informative. I felt better after both of them and I am not sure how prepared that you can be for all that is ahead of us, but I do know that we have a little more knowledge about all of it. I have to tell you how great Justin was through both classes - both of which had lots of information, video's and pictures that he would rather have not seen - but he was amazing and involved. He is such a good man and is going to be an amazing Daddy. His level of support and involvement makes it even more exciting for me. Not sure if that makes a bit of sense or not....

People keep asking 'are you ready' and I keep responding that I am ready but I am not sure that I know what it is exactly that I am ready for. I know that I'm ready to meet Little Man and have him in our life - but the in between is the big unknown. I find extreme comfort that God already knows every detail of the in between time and I am relying on Him through this waiting period. He is such a faithful God, when I am not so faithful and am so undeserving. He has answered so many of my prayers though this pregnancy - I prayed that I would not be pregnant through the summer, I prayed that I wouldn't be too sick and that I would enjoy this pregnancy and sweet time. This has certainly been the case. I have enjoyed being pregnant and I really do love feeling him move around in me and know that this sweet baby is growing inside of me (what a miracle!) I am just now getting to the point that I am ready for him to arrive so that I can meet him face to face and so that I don't keep running into things with my big ole belly! I pray that God will give me a smooth and good delivery and that I will have this gift that He is entrusted us with exactly how He sees me fit to do. I trust in Him!

I head back to the Doctor on Wednesday. I have started to have my first Braxton Hicks contractions this week. Other than that, all is the same and I am just growing and growing and praying that he will not grow too much...like his daddy! I still feel really good so still no complaints here. I am wondering if my belly can get any bigger!

Tonight was our last CBS (Bible Study) meeting. It was a fabulous night filled with laughter and fellowship. We studied Job, Galatians and Hebrews and I just loved this study. I learned the most in Job and about persevering through situations and what it is to truly rely on God. Hebrews has been a great reminder of who Christ is and how He is our anchor and our refuge no matter what we are facing. Wow, it is amazing to have such a God who loves us and desires our relationship with Him. I feel that lately I've not been as focused on Him and I am working to redirect my thoughts and attention to Him so that He is my all in all. I was reminded a few weeks ago that we must die to self DAILY...not just from time to time but daily so that He can be the Lord of our life and in total control of what unfolds in our life - every minute of every day! I am thankful that He has called me by name and that I have heard Him calling me closer to Him. I will greatly miss meeting each week and will eagerly look forward to meeting again in the fall to study the minor prophets! If you're in Birmingham and looking for a fabulous bible study, let me know.

One Month

We are officially under 5 weeks and as of today we are one month away (according to the calendar - not the prego weeks). It is hard to believe that in such a short amount of time that we'll have a sweet baby in our family. As time draw nears I get more and more excited. I so often wonder what he will look like. I go back to the doctor tomorrow and on Saturday I'll be 36 weeks, which does put us at 4 weeks and counting! Tonight we are going to the lactation/nursing/breastfeeding class. Justin still hasn't figured out why he has to go, except for support. Not sure that he knows what he is supporting but he is going. Saturday we have our all day Labor and Delivery class at the hospital as well. Then, we'll be set and ready - we'll at least we'll feel like it with all of the info that we're taking in this week!

It is such a beautiful day and if it wasn't for work I would park my butt outside and sit in the sun all day. I did eat outside at lunch today and now its going to be hard to force myself back to work for the afternoon. Oh well.

On a totally different note. Our tomatoes and peppers are growing and I am so happy. I do love fresh veggi's especially when I can walk in my backyard and pick them. I see some early buds on the cherry tomato plant! Hooray.










I just had to include this one because she is so stink'n pretty!

Today I opened the house up and there is the most amazing breeze that is flowing through the house and it is so relaxing and peaceful. I was able to sleep in this morning after a long day yesterday.

Friday afternoon Mom and I drove to Dothan, we stayed with Chris, Amanda and Ashlyn on it was awesome to have this time to spend with them. I just can't get enough of sweet Ashlyn, she is growing up so fast - she is such a big girl. Talking more and more and is full of sweet love! She is precious and I tried to hide her in my bag to bring her home but her Mom and Dad wouldn't let us! Another fabulous thing about my stay with them is that I had a really cool reminder from God - they live outside of town and after dark I went to the car to get my bags and my breath was taken away by the stars! Wow, that is something that I truly miss by living in town...it was so refreshing to be taken back by the beauty and wonder of that sight. God is amazing and so vast, I was thankful to be reminded of his creation! Not having any city lights to distract your eyes from this beautiful site was really awesome!

Saturday was my baby shower in Dothan and it was so nice and so much fun. Justin and I are truly blessed to have such supportive family and friends. Everything was more than I expected my hostesses are so generous and sweet (especially since most of them had to travel!!) We got so many wonderful things and I feel like we are more and more ready for Collier's arrival. I have to give props to Amanda (SIL) be sure you check out her ADORABLE fruit flower arrangement that she made! How awesome it is! Well, that was just one of the many nice and yummy things that we had at the shower. Here are some of the pictures of the shower. Aren't we blessed?

I also wanted to ask for some prayers for Justin's grandfather (Pa) - he was put in the hospital on Saturday morning and they think it was a small stroke. He seems to be doing better but his blood pressure is still really high. We would really appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery, so that he can go home. He does not like being in the hospital, so please be praying for peace of mind while he is there.