Showered with Love

Dear Colin,

Last Sunday (Feb. 9), your Aunt Missy, Aunt Christy, and "Mama Terry" hosted a baby shower for us.  It was a beautiful party and I felt incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many people who care about you and me.  All of the guests were people I've known for years and who I consider life-long friends, which made the day so special.  

 

The two best friends that anybody ever had: your Aunt Missy and Aunt Christy

 

Melissa and her sweet mama, Mrs. Beth, who also helped with the shower.

My law school pals, including your future best friend and daycare buddy, Elaina

 

Vy and Baby Carlisle; You and Me
 

Sarah and Abby; You and Me (we are due three days apart!)  This picture will work perfectly for ya'lls future wedding slide show, haha!
 

Reunited and it feels so good!  Kayla and me.  I hope you become good friends with her boys.  Maybe you and Tyler will be future college roommates like we were?
 

Your Nana, your Mama, and You!

I hope you never take for granted the people who love you.  I know that's sometimes easier said than done.  But please know, life has very little meaning if you don't have people with whom to share it.  Some people swear they will never have kids or wonder why people want to bring children into a "world like this."  For your Dad and I, the answer is simple: we wanted to expand our family and we wanted our love to grow.  I think it's important for you to know that...for when you're feeling philosophical one day.

Love,

Mom

P.S.- I need to add that your Mamsie made the long drive from Dallas just to be here for the shower.  It meant so much to me not only that she was there, but that she went out of her way to come and help celebrate YOU.  She had to turn around and drive back home afterwards.  Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of her on my camera :( 

This and That at 35 Weeks

Dear Colin,

I am 35 weeks pregnant to date. Or, as I prefer to put it, 35 weeks and 5 days.  (But who's counting?)  I remember so clearly the day I found out I was pregnant.  I had taken two false negative tests the week before, but I KNEW they were wrong.  When I finally saw the little plus sign on the very last test I literally cried with joy.  I actually kept that test (in a ziplock) for a long time.  I was worried one day the plus sign would fade away and take you with it.  I found myself checking it anxiously every few days until I felt sure you were sticking around.  If you ever find yourself thinking that I'm crazy, please know that I was like this before you were born :)

Anyway, time certainly flies!  I truly cannot believe that you will be here in just a few weeks.  Today was our last appointment with Dr. Sayeed before we switch to weekly visits.  Here's the scoop:

Size of Baby: You are the size of honey dew melon and between 5-6 lbs.

Weight Gain: Let's just go with "quite a bit"

Maternity Clothes: I switched over to full-time maternity clothes at about 24 weeks, but at this point, even some of those feel uncomfortable.  Whenever I get home from work I immediately change into leggings and one of your Dad's undershirts.

Gender:  Still a boy!

Movement: Your movements feel much sharper now and almost painful.  I think you're running out of space in there.
Symptoms: When I went to bed one night I noticed that my feet and ankles were swollen.  Like, really, really swollen.  Like, I now have cankles and club feet. 

Sleep: I have to take a nap every day after work.  I'm tired ALL. THE. TIME.

What I Miss:  Right now, I feel like a big egg.  So, I'd say I miss NOT feeling like a big egg.

Cravings:  Ice cream!

Best Moment of the Week:  I had a baby shower on February 9, and it was so wonderful to see so many of my best friends-- some of whom I don't see that often.  We were very spoiled!

Other Things...

• Valentine's Day was this week!  Your Dad and I never do much for Valentine's Day, and this year we celebrated by getting tacos from the Dairy Queen drive-through.  It was totes romantic, as I'm sure you can imagine :)  However, he did get me two different bouquets of flowers and two boxes of chocolate covered strawberries from Dessert Gallery.  So, the day was a total "win" in my opinion.  

• Last week I was involved in a car collision and had to go to the ER to make sure we were okay.  It was a really scary and frustrating experience, but you are well-insulated in my belly and appear fine.  I did get an unexpected ultrasound, which I loved.  I also got to hear your heart beat on the monitor for a few hours, and got to hear you hiccup!  Your Nana was with me and felt you hiccup and move for the first time. 
• Dad and I went to our last class at Memorial Hermann this week.  We went to: prepared childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care.  I really wanted to go to all of these because I am a planner and felt I would be "less afraid" if I knew what to expect.  But now, I just feel overwhelmed with SO MUCH INFORMATION.  This does not even include the solicited (and unsolicited) advice I've received from friends and family (and busy bodies).  Surely caring for a baby is mostly common sense?  

I cannot believe you will be here in one month (or less)!  I'm excited.  I'm scared.  I'm curious.  Hmmm...everything feels a bit surreal.  I just hope I am ready when you get here!  I can't wait to kiss your checks!

Love,

Mom 

A Happy Surprise

Dear Colin,

Today was a fun day because all of our friends at work threw us a surprise baby shower!  I knew that the women in the office all pitched in to buy your pack and play, but I honestly had no clue we were in for such a treat!  In addition to the pack and play, you got some new onesies, books, grooming products, and lots of diapers.  I feel lucky that I work with such sweet people who are all so excited for your arrival.

Here's a picture of me-- getting completely surprised!  Sneaky Beverly (my legal assistant) told me she wanted to go out for lunch but needed to grab something from the training room first.  Little did I know that everyone from the office was inside waiting to party!  

All of the decorations were so cute!  In addition to opening presents, we also indulged in a fajita luncheon from La Cocina and played a few games.  The grandmothers of the group dominated the nursery rhyme games we played, but I was proud that I was familiar with most of them.

A few gifts:

Football Booties!

File Folders!

Which actually contained...your cute name!  The very talented Beverly made these just for you!  These will hang above your crib.

 

The pack and play!  (And I look huge!  Yikes!)

This week it has hit me more than ever how lucky you and I both are to be surrounded by people who genuinely care about us.  I hope you never take for granted that you are one loved little boy!  And I love you the most, of course :)

Love, 

Mom

I See You

Dear Colin,

At 31 weeks, your Dad and I decided to take some 3D ultrasound pictures of our little pea pod.  I thought it would be a really good bonding experience for us as parents-- and especially for your Dad who doesn't get to see or feel you move around the way that I do.  

I'm really glad we decided to do it!  I could lie in the doctor's office all day looking at your sweet face.  (That is, if you let me!  Apparently, you are pretty stubborn and move around quite a bit.  You don't really care to be bothered by the nurses or ultrasound techs.)

This is a picture of your face, and your little arms are wrapped up around your head.  Apparently, you are already head-down, and wrapped up in the fetal position with your back arched to my left side and your feet to my right-- kind of like an upside down "C" for Colin.  Clearly, you are a genius baby :)

I've had several people state that they think you look like your Dad, and I agree!  The ultrasound tech said you have a little bit of hair on the back of your head-- like a mullet.  But is it a brown mullet or a ginger mullet?  I can't wait to find out!  Your Dad and I both think you will have dark hair, and I think you will have dark hazel eyes.  But, I also felt very strongly that you were a girl for your first four months, so who knows???  

This was our last ultrasound.  It is hard to believe that the next time I see your face you will be in my arms!  We have about six weeks left to go.  

Some (childless) friends recently asked me if I am ready for you to get here.  In some ways I am, but in many ways I am not.  I feel ill-equipped.  How do you EVER get ready for the biggest challenge and the biggest blessing of your life?  I don't know how to be a mom, but I guess you and I will learn together.

I can't wait to meet you, but please keep on baking as long as you like.

Love,

Mom

Maternity Pictures

Dear Pea,

In early December, your Dad and I decided to get some maternity pictures made.  I had not planned on having maternity pictures because, honestly, I am not photogenic to begin with and I knew that an added 30+ lbs. and additional chins would not help that.  However, a friend told me about a new photographer who was trying to expand her portfolio and willing to do maternity pictures for free.  You can't pass up free...so I didn't :)    

The pictures were taken at Dewberry Farms, which has a huge Christmas tree farm in the winter.  It also has a lot of games, rides, and activities for kids.  Dad and I thought it was a pretty neat place, and I'm sure we'll visit there again one day when you're a little bit older. 

 I was about six months pregnant for these pictures and had a very noticeable bump.  Unfortunately, my little pot belly is hidden by my jacket in most of the pictures.  It was FRIGID the day of the pictures, and it was also extremely windy. 

Despite the miserable weather, I'm pretty happy with our little photo shoot.  In retrospect, I should have had your Nana do my hair and makeup.  I also should have worn a better fitting bra!  It is mostly sports bras these days for me.  (My friend Ashley made the little photo prop belt for the pictures.)  

At the end of the session, the photographer mentioned that these may be the last pictures your Dad and I have of just the two of us.  That comment made me sad because I recognize the truth in it.  We're excited to become a party of three (or five, if you include your fuzzy sisters) and are ready to expand our family, but life sure is going to change in a big, big way!   

This is my favorite picture from the photo shoot, even though we are not "tractor people." I love your Dad so much, and cannot wait to see him "in action" as a father. 

Love,

Mom

Wonderland

Dear Colin,

When your Dad and I found out you were on the way, we spent an entire evening just googling different crazy pregnancy symptoms.  What we discovered is that EVERYTHING is a pregnancy symptom.  The only thing we searched that did not turn up as a pregnancy indicator was "excessive hang nails."  Sadly, I cannot use my "delicate condition" as a reason to get extra manicures. 

Based on the past 32 weeks, I'm tentatively putting myself in the camp of people who enjoy being pregnant.   I have not had any morning sickness, excessive swelling, or stretch marks...yet!  My feet also have stayed the same size.  I was really worried they would go up a size and I would have to buy all new shoes (on second thought, maybe that wouldn't have been so bad!)    

Nevertheless, things with my body continue to get curiouser and curiouser every week.  Here are some of the symptoms I've experienced over the past seven months:

• Heart burn: I never had heart burn prior to pregnancy, but I imagined it would feel like burning around your...heart.  Instead, it feels like burning in the throat/esophagus and leaves me feeling slightly nauseous.  I get it almost every night, and EVERYTHING gives me heartburn these days except for water.   
• Sleeping: Sleeping is my favorite.  But it is hard to get comfortable these days since I feel so huge and awkward.  I have to sleep kind of sitting up and propped on three or four pillows.  Heartburn and having to pee 352 times a night also make sleep much more difficult.  This pregnancy effect has impacted your dad as well.  He cannot sleep because I have started snoring like jack hammer at night!  I don't feel too bad about it, though.  After all...he got me into this and needs to pay his dues as well :)  
• Bladder Control: This is gross, and I cannot believe I'm about to put it on the world wide web...but just about every time I sneeze or cough, I pee my pants a little.  This by far is the worst pregnancy symptom for me, and I am praying it goes away after delivery.  Also, if I change positions from sitting to standing or standing to lying too suddenly, I need to use the restroom immediately.  Luckily, your dad has a potty sense of humor and finds this hilarious rather than disgusting.
• Back Pain: Standing on my feet for too long (an hour or so) results in excruciating lower back pain that lasts the rest of the day-- and maybe even into the next day.  I am so grateful I have a desk job! Walking or sitting helps.  Frequent back rubs and pampering from your dad also helps. 
• Diabetes Scare: Right before Christmas I failed my glucose test for gestational diabetes and had to take the three hour follow-up test.  This was a really difficult time for me because I was so worried you would have complications at birth and later in life related to GD and that it would be my fault.  With the follow-up test, I had to fast for 12 hours and then give a blood sample.  After that blood sample, I had to drink a disgusting sugar drink and give three more blood samples every hour for three hours.  Thankfully, the follow-up test came back negative!  It was a scary time, though, that still gets me very emotional.  I didn't care so much about my health since it is pretty easily treatable, but I did not want to do anything that would harm you or your future or put you at a disadvantage.       

My body feels a little like a wonderland right now-- I never know what the next day or week will bring (just no stretch marks or varicose veins, please!)  I feel comfortable with my expanding belly because I know my body is doing exactly what it was meant to do.  All of these "symptoms" (yes, even peeing my pants!) are well worth having a desperately desired son-- You!  

Love,

Mom 

What's In A Name

Dear Pea,

I had the best of intentions, but have been extremely pathetic in keeping up with this blog.  I am going to try to do better, because we've had a lot of fun memories that I don't want to forget.

One of those memories is FINALLY picking a name for our little Pea :)  It was not an easy task, as your dad and I could not agree on anything!  Technically, we still haven't agreed on your name.  We just started calling you this around November and it stuck.  It's almost like you named yourself!  I have to admit, your name is not my favorite boys' name, but I do love it and could not imagine calling you anything else.

Your sweet name is...

COLIN MATTHEW SCOTT

I came across the name Colin in a baby name blog and thought it incorporated elements from other names we liked but couldn't quite commit to for whatever reason.  We looked at top boys' names in Texas from the Social Security website, and neither Colin nor Collin made the top 100 list.  This sold it for your dad, who wanted something unique but not "weird."   

Matthew, of course, is your dad's first name.  For me, it is extremely important that a middle name is a family name; and I wanted to honor your dad because he is my favorite person.  Cheesy, but true! 

I embroidered your name on your (expensive) baby blanket before your dad could change his mind :)  That was really risky and kind of sneaky, but I was ready for you to have a real name rather than just Pea or Wilder.

For fun, here are some of the other top contenders that we considered for your name.  Maybe one day you will have a little brother (or two) with one of these names:

• Jacob
• Issac
• Parker
• Landon
• Connor
• Andrew
• Declan

So far, we have received mostly positive comments about your name.  (And I completely understand why some people keep their baby's names secret.  People are not shy to share their opinions-- solicited or not!)  The only things that worry me are that people will misspell it as Collin (your dad thought that looked too much like a last name) or mispronounce it as "colon."  I'm sure you will have to deal with both of these issues a few times in your life, but hopefully they won't be too much of a problem.

I received one funny response after I told a co-worker your name. She asked, "But what are you going to call him?"  Ummm...what??  We're going to call you Colin, because that's your name!  And I think it's the perfect name for my Pea!

Love,

Mom