He's Gonna be a Great Big Brother

Three Looks of Crazy, Big Brother


This is his "This kid wears me out..." look...


This is the "The kid is crying again...and he's stinky" look...


This is the "I'm as cute as Colin, don't you want to love me?" look.

He's Good to Me...

As you already know, yesterday was not a good day for me. Today hasn't been much better, and I even took my medicine last night. But, luckily I have a great husband who stopped on his way home from work yesterday and bought me my medicine as well as a sunny treat...

Not a good day...

Sorry for missing yesterday, we had a big day...more on that later this week, or perhaps next week.

I ran out of my medicine last night, ran to the grocery store at 10:45 only to find they didn't have any. The next closest store that would carry it was a good 30 minute drive round trip, and I just didn't have the energy. Brad offered to go for me, but he had to be up early for work and he was just as tired. So I decided to risk it. And just as I thought, I'm not feeling so good today. I've been taking it easy, and just waiting for bed time!

Tomorrow is another day...

Where can I get...

Tums in bulk? I seem to go through them awfully fast lately.

23 Week Bump

You might be pregnant if...

For all those who know me, I'm not the type to cry easily and I certainly don't cry in front of people. I've always been that way, I've always had to be strong and independent and didn't want to show any signs of weakness.

Well, one day a few weeks ago I was driving up to meet Brad for lunch and pick up a few baby items at a nearby store. We were meeting somewhere I wasn't familiar with, so I was driving the car with the GPS in it, using it to guide me. Once I got to Uptown Dallas though, all the directions were so confusing, I got lost. No telling how many illegal turns I made! I called Brad, in a bit of a panic, and asked for help. He calms me down, tells me to go to his office (which I knew how to get to) and we'll drive together.

Brad gets off the phone with me, turns to his coworker, and says, "Now I know she's pregnant. A girl who never cries is crying because she's lost...2 blocks from my office."

Yeah, hormones are fun stuff.

Did you know...

The only part of a woman's body that is not changed (affected) by pregnancy is her EARS?

I believe it...

Sonogram 2

Today we had our second sonogram. It was very nice to be able to see Colin. The doctor said Colin and I look healthy and we are progressing normally. Colin weighed in today at 1 pound, 7 ounces. No wonder I can feel him move more and more each day, he's getting big!

We've been blessed with some really great doctors, always very pleasant and helpful and they both try to put us at ease as best they can. When the doctor asked what we planned to name him and we told him Colin, he informed us that Colins are predisposed to have a mean mischievous streak. Apparently he has a son named Colin who just turned 14 and "discovered his Mohawk." lol!

We're not scared, right Brad?

I was also given the good news that he would like me to stop taking my blood pressure medication I've been taking for 3 weeks, he doesn't feel it is necessary, so I am very happy about that. I didn't want to take it in the first place, but am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Colin and I are safe and healthy.

Thanks for all the prayers everyone!

22 Weeks

Each week I receive an e-mail update from a pregnancy Web site that tells me how Colin is developing that week in the womb. I also have a book that I read on a weekly basis that keeps me up to date on what to expect and how he's doing.

I am now in my 23rd week of this pregnancy and according to my weekly updates, Colin can now hear voices outside the womb. Up until now he could hear my voice and other sounds from inside only. One of the things that the updates recommended was choosing a book and reading it to Colin at night and that once he is born if you read the same book to him in his bedtime routine it will be soothing to him and help him go to sleep.

So, this past weekend Brad and I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up a few books. Brad chose some Dr. Seuss and Bernstein Bears books, while I picked up a few new ones and the classic, The Giving Tree. We came home and read through everyone of the books we bought and chose one called "Thats When I'm Happy." It's a cute story about a family of bears, from the perspective of the baby bear. Our plan is to read the book to Colin a few times a week at bedtime. We started last night, Brad read to Colin. It will be interesting to see if it really does work after Colin is born.

As for Colin, he is moving all the time now. Brad keeps trying to feel him move, but the little guy just doesn't want to cooperate. I start to feel him move, get Brad to immediately put his hand on my belly, and Colin stays still. I know Brad would be able to feel him because we were laying in bed this weekend and I had my hand just resting on my belly, Colin gave a good kick all of a sudden and I felt it on my hand. It's just a matter of catching him at the right time I guess, and him cooperating.

Tomorrow is our second sonogram, I'll post all about that tomorrow, and hopefully have some new pictures to share as well :)

Nursery: Day Five

The "Train" Train...it has a caboose and coal train on it, hence the name.

The "Rainbow" Train

One of the walls in the nursery. Here the 2 new things you see are 1) The step trash can, should come in handy when daddy is changing Colin. 2) the diaper bag sitting on the dresser. It's by OiOi, chocolate brown with blue piping and interior. It had a lot of handy features that I just loved.

Another view of the same wall.

Today is the last day of the nursery pictures. As I said, we have ordered the crib, it is scheduled to be here in November (I'm hoping it comes sooner!). Once it comes in, there maybe some rearranging of the room, we think it may be a little too big to go on the wall we originally planned for it to go on. I also have one last item to hang on the wall, it actually just came in the mail today and is a surprise for everyone.


Gramma's Train

We also wanted to thank you all once again for the love you shared with us in the painting of all the train pieces, we love them each, and know Colin will enjoy them even more!

Nursery: Day Four

The "Rainbow" Train

The "Original" Train (done by Mommy and Daddy)

This picture shows the bookcase, the lamp from Gramma, the oversized safety pin wall hanger, and the piggy bank from San Francisco.

Yesterday we had an appointment with the doctor to follow up on my blood pressure. I've been taking the medicine for 2 weeks now and taking my BP at home, it has always registered normal. It is only when I go into the doctors that it reads high, and he is finally recognizing this. So for now, all seems to be okay. We got to listen to Colin's heartbeat, it was 166 this time, so he stays pretty consistent, staying in the 150s to 160s range. This also blows the old wives tale out of the water. Apparently the boy's heart rates read below 140 and girls are supposed to be above 140. So, don't listen to this theory expecting mommies! The doctor also checked the fundal height ( to read more about the fundal height you can go to: http://www.birth.com.au/class.asp?class=6625&page=2#fundal) and it was 23 centimeters, which is right on.

And last, we have finished our registries at both Target and Babies R Us. So we now have all 3 registries completed, for those who have been requesting them.

Nursery: Day Three

The closet. We hung the curtain for easier access. The two things to the left are picture holders that I re-ribboned to match the room. They are originally from our wedding, you may remember them as holding your airline ticket that told you where to sit.

The chair, big and comfy. It is a glider and swivel chair. From Haverty's. I actually saw it a long time before we were even pregnant, and as soon as I saw it and sat in it I knew I wanted it for the baby's nursery. It was one of the first nursery purchases.

The changing area. On the dresser, directly below the cubby shelf, I will place the changing mat, the cubby shelf will hold the diapers, wipes, powder, etc. I also plan to hang some toys from the bottom of it to keep Colin occupied while Daddy changes him.

The "Miscellaneous" Train

The "Girl" Train

Nursery: Day Two

Exciting stuff, I know, the new ceiling fan. It works by remote control, so if I'm in the chair feeding Colin, I can operate without disturbance. It also has a dimmer, which is nice. You can also see how the trains are placed on the wall in the background.

The top of the armore will serve as the showcase for all of Colin's stuffed animals.

The "Dot" Train

The "Kids" Train

The clock we bought on vacation in San Francisco. The flowers may be a little girly, but the colors are perfect for the room.

Also, I forgot to mention yesterday that after many questions we have finally gotten a good start on our registering. If you look in the menu to the left you will see a Web site I have registered on for a few items, at Mom4life.com. Click on the link, it will take you to the site and the registry. On Sunday we also registered at Babies R Us too. By the end of the week we will have registered at Target as well, and hopefully have them all complete.

Nursery: Day One

This week I'm going to post a few pics of the nursery every day, including all the trains family and friends painted for Colin's room. We did finally get the crib ordered, but it was not in stock anywhere, so we were informed it will not be delivered until November. What on Earth takes so long for a crib? We have everything else completed at this point though.

As for me, I'm still pretty sick, and have started having some lower back pain as I start to pop more. The heartburn also seems to be getting worse, though I've learned a few tricks to deal with it better.

Colin is starting to have more noticeable movements as he gets bigger, I've felt a couple pretty good kicks, especially when Mommy and Daddy are poking around on him, he doesn't like to be disturbed apparently.

Our next doctor's appointment is on Wednesday, to check up on the blood pressure issue, so I'll give an update then.


The rug

Custom made curtain

The crib bedding (Pottery Barn)

The "Animal" Train

The "Boys" Train

Like Father Like Son 2

Another of Colin's new outfits from Corpus. Yeah, he'll take after his Daddy.

Like Father Like Son

One of Colin's new duds from Corpus.

As Promised...

This is the puppy Colin got. It's horrible you can't FEEL him through this Web site...he's so soft!

Is it possible?

We got back home tonight and almost as soon as we walked through the door, Colin was awake and kickin'. Could it be he knew he was home? I'll let you decide.

Spoiled Already

We are currently in Corpus Christi, visiting family. Yesterday Brad, his mom, aunt, grandma and I all went to Sams looking for a new computer for his aunt. We went roaming around the store and his mom found a giant stuffed lion she just had to get for Colin's room at her house. And right next to it was the softest, biggest stuffed puppy dog I'd ever seen. So now I just had to have it for Colin too.

The only snag was the minivan we drove 8 hours in was pretty stuffed, no one thought we'd have room. Then Brad's aunt pointed out that her husband would be up our way within the next few weeks and offered to have him bring them up when he came if they didn't fit in the minivan. So, Colin is now the proud new owner of 2 beautiful, large stuffed animals. Courtesy of Daddy (who had to be convinced to buy the puppy dog) and Gramma. I'll post a pic when we get back home tomorrow.

I've been feeling better, nausea wise, I've only been sick once since we've been on vacation. I've been taking my medicine for the blood pressure, and I have gotten dizzy twice when I'm not active, so we'll see what the doc says about that.

As for Colin, he's been pretty active. Especially at lunch today when Mommy had a Coke. I think he's a fan. Also, Daddy got to feel him last night, which he said was kinda "creepy". If I lay down on my back and you poke on my tummy you can feel Colin in there, though he isn't quite big enough to feel him move from the outside yet. We are guessing he's probably right at a pound now, and about 7 inches long from head to toe, assuming he's growing like he was prior to the sonogram.

Nursery

I'm going to post some pics soon, but I thought I'd give an update. We found some bedding we liked (after searching far and wide) at Pottery Barn Kids, ordered it and it came in yesterday. So, officially, the only thing we have left for the nursery is the crib itself, which we'll be ordering in the next week (but takes 4-8 weeks to get in). So stay posted, I'll get some really good photos up soon, including of all the trains you all painted for Colin!

20 week checkup

We had our routine 4 week check up with the doctor today. He's been concerned about my blood pressure the past few times and today it spiked quite high. I've never had issues with blood pressure, but it does run in my family. I'm always quite nervous when I go into the doctor's, so I chalked my high blood pressure up to that. I've been taking my BP at home, and I've never had any problems. So I've been wary of taking any medication, as the doctor had suggested. He sent me for a second opinion, and that doctor suggested not taking it because it can cause complications with the blood flow to my uterus, and the baby. He said as long as my BP didn't go any higher, not to worry about taking it.

So, now that it is higher, doctor number 1 wants me to try taking the medicine and come back in 2 weeks. I'm worried about it, I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place at this point. If I take the medicine, it could lower my BP too much and cause the slow down of blood to the uterus, if I don't take it, I run the risk of pre-term labor. So, we're going to trust the doctor and try taking the medicine for 2 weeks and going back. A week after that, we have another sonogram, so hopefully that will ease my mind as well.

Your prayers are welcome at this point.

As for little Colin, his heartbeat was nice and strong at 158 today. We'll know more about him in 3 weeks when we go back for the next sonogram.