Colton Edward Betts: 10 month update

10 months!! Where has the time gone?!?  I haven't even started planning your 1st  birthday party and it will be here before we know it.  I know I say it each month but this has been such a fun month.  You are just so much more aware of your surroundings.  You are very curious and have actually started to play with your toys instead of just put everything in your mouth.  You are starting to gravitate to "boy" toys more like cars and trains.  It is so cute!! You love being around your friends and other little kids. I have noticed that you have started to follow the "bigger" kids more.  You always seem to want to know what everyone is up to.  This month you went back to daycare.  You have been great as always but haven't really wanted to nap much while you are there.  I think you are enjoying all the new kids at daycare and don't want to miss anything.  I miss spending our summer days together but have liked being back on a schedule.

10 month update

Size: You have not been weighed since your 9 month appointment.  My guess would be around 23 pounds.  I don't think you have gained that much more weight but I have noticed that you are getting taller and kind of thinning out as you grow.  You are starting to look like a toddler!

Food: As always you are such a good eater.  You eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  You eat anything we are eating that is soft enough for you to chew.  I typically breakfast is oatmeal and a fruit. Lunch consists of a meat or pasta, veggie, cheese, and sometimes a fruit.  Dinner is usually whatever we are having.   I do still give you a fruit and veggie pouch at least once a day.  I nurse you in the morning, when we get home from daycare, and at night.  You are also eating about 12-15 ounces of milk at daycare.  

Sleep: Still a great sleeper.  We have pushed your bedtime from 7:00-7:30 to 7:30-8:00.  You sleep until about 6:45-7 the next morning.  You still take two 1 1/2 naps during the day.  This is a little different now that you are back at daycare because you don't love taking your afternoon nap there yet.  You almost always make up for it with a 30 minute nap in the car on our way home.  

Teeth: Your top 4 teeth did come in all at the same time which was tons of fun.  I don't see any new teeth coming in now.
Words: You only said "Mama" for a couple weeks and now you are only saying "DaDa" You might not be actually talking with real words but you are constantly "talking".

Activity: You are quite the little mover.  Crawling everywhere, pulling yourself up on everything, you have climbed the stairs, you love to walk along the couch or with your walker.  You can stand on your own for a few seconds.  I know your first steps are not far away.  

Likes: baths, pup dogs, eating, moving, hearing your own voice.  You are pretty happy most of the time.  

Dislikes: still not much makes you unhappy.  Tired, hungry, or not being where Mommy is are about the only things that really upset you.

Colton Edward: 9 month update

I can't believe you are 9 months!! Where has the time gone. The monthly chalkboard sign doesn't last long during these pictures anymore. This summer has been the best and I think I will have a tougher time going back to work then when I went back after maternity leave.  Your little personality is so much fun! I am lucky to have a job where I get to have these large chunks of time off with you.  This month you got to meet your Uncle Matt and Aunt Amy for the first time.  You learned to sit up in your crib so we had to move the mattress down.  Daddy and I took our first trip away for the weekend without you this month.  I was a mess leaving you but you didn't even seem to notice.  You had a great time with Grandma and PaPa Lucht.  You slept great for them and were such a good boy.  Only a couple more weeks left of summer and I am going to soak up every bit of it.
9 month update

Size:

Weight: 22 lbs 11 oz (98th percentile)

Height:  30 1/2 inches (98th percentile)

Food: You LOVE to eat.  Summer has allowed us to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner together.  Which I love.  Breakfast consists of oatmeal cereal mixed with a fruit puree and some sort of fruit.  Bananas are your favorite.  For lunch you have a puree and puffs and anything I am eating that you can eat.  Dinner you pretty much have whatever we are having.  We have feed you hamburger, chicken, pork, and fish.  We haven't found anything that you won't eat.  The dogs have become very aware that lots of food is coming from your high chair so they are often found very close by during meal times.  You are still EBF but I am going to work on weening you from me during the day and only nurse you in the morning and at night.  I have enough of a freezer stock that I hope will last us to  your 1 year.  

Sleep:11-12 hours at night and two 1 1/2 hour naps during the day. You have been on a very set schedule this summer but you got a pretty bad cold that messed with your schedule the past couple weeks.  It is starting to get back to normal now.  You are still on the 2, 3, 4 schedule.  Take a morning nap 2 hours after waking, take an afternoon nap 3 hours after waking from your morning nap, and then going to bed 4 hours after waking from your afternoon nap.  Your bedtime has started to creep more towards 8pm than 7pm which works for me because it means you sleep in later.  

Teeth: Your two bottom teeth have come in and all 4 teeth on top have started to break through. Your teeth have totally changed your smile.  You have been a trooper so far with your teeth.  I know they bother you but it hasn't made you too cranky.
Words: You have recently started saying Da Da Da  and Mama.  I don't know if you know exactly what they mean but when you want something or are tired you always seem to cry "Mama"  You baby talk A LOT and make all kids of noises. I think you might be quite the talker.  

Activity: We have a crawler!! You aren't moving too fast yet but are able to get around.  You are starting to pull yourself up.  You can get to your knees and have only been able to pull yourself up completely a few times.  You love to play with anything that is not an actual toy.  Some of your favorites are dog toys, TV remote controls, and phones.  

Likes: Mommy, standing up and walking around the edge of our couch, playing with your group of new baby friends, and embarrassed to admit but you love to watch the BabyTV channel. 

Dislikes: tired, hungry, and when the dogs bark if someone comes to our front door. (It scares Mommy too).  Otherwise you are a pretty happy baby.

Colton Edward: 8 month update

The second I put the chalkboard sign down, he erased it.  He was SUPER excited to take pictures:)

You are growing up so fast!  It is amazing how much can change in such a short amount of time.  Mommy has definitely enjoyed being a SAHM this summer.  I enjoy every minute with you and love our little routine. It is fun to watch you play and learn new things every day.  You are one independent little guy.  You hate to have me feed you.  You want to do everything by yourself.  You eat better when I just let you feed yourself.  I still try and feed you but this is usually letting you hold the spoon while I guide it to your mouth.  You get so frustrated that you can't crawl.  I can tell you just want to move forward and can't quite figure out why it isn't working.  This can make you pretty upset at times.  I know you want to crawl but I don't know if Mommy is ready for you to start crawling.  I enjoy putting you on the floor and being able to go into the kitchen and not have to worry about you.  There is only a little over a month left of summer and I plan on soaking up every minute with you before heading back to work.  

8 month update

Size:

Weight: 21 pounds 6 ounces (83rd percentile)

Height:  29 inches (we think)  

Still wearing 12-18 months and even some 24 month clothes and size 3 diapers.  

Food: Food is going GREAT!! You love everything I give you.  You get so excited when I pull out the puffs container.  You love all the puree pouches even if it sounds like weird combinations to me.  Daddy loves giving you pieces of whatever we are having for dinner.  He wants so badly for you to be a good eater.  Still getting most of your meals breast feeding.  

Sleep: 11 hours at night.  Your sleeping schedule is like clock work.  You go to bed around 7pm and wake between 6:30-7am.  You take a morning nap 2 hours after waking (between 8:30-9) and sleep for 1 1/2 hours.  You take an afternoon nap 3 hours after waking from your morning nap (between 1:00-1:30) and sleep for another 1 1/2 hours.  It is nice to have a schedule to easily plan our day but I also will mix up our schedule if we have places to go.  

Hair: It is coming in thicker every day.  It is still light brown with a touch of red tones in it.  

Eyes: Still big, blue, and beautiful.  

Teeth: Your first tooth has finally started to come in.  It is one of the bottom front teeth.  It was a couple rough nights but a little pain medication helped.  

Activity: You want to crawl so badly and get so frustrated that you can't do it.  You are doing great at moving backwards, turning in circles, and rolling around.  Even if you can't crawl, you seem to manage to find a way to move across the room.  Baby proofing the house is in our near future.  

Likes: Mommy, bath time, Charlie and Sasha, playing with your toys

Dislikes: tired, hungry, and recently we have realized you get scared of new, loud noises.  Fireworks this year could be interesting.

Colton Edward: 7 month Update

I believe that we are the luckiest parents in the world. You are such a good little boy.  You are the sweetest, happiest baby.  We can sit you on the floor with your toys or in your Exersauser and  you will just play by yourself.  You continue to "talk" all the time but no words yet.  The dogs don't pay much attention to you but you always smile at them when they walk by.  I definitely think you and Sasha will be pals as you get older.  She takes more interest in you than Charlie and often comes over to give you a sniff or lays down close to you on the floor.  Summer break has officially started and I am so looking forward to spending more time with you!

7 month update

Size:

Weight and Height:  I haven't been to group to weigh you in a few weeks but will be going later this week.  

Still wearing 12-18 months and even some 24 month clothes and size 3 diapers.  I recently went through all your clothes and put away all the 9 month stuff.

Food: We have tried food again and it is going much better.  You liked the banana and pumpkin puree. I have also started giving you small bites of veggies that we are having for dinner.  You even enjoy chewing on Cheerios.  Nursing is still going well.  I am so thankful that I am able to keep up with you.  We have stopped warming up any bottles we give you and you seem to enjoy the cold milk.  It could be the hot weather or that it might feel good on your gums.  

Sleep: 10 hours.  I have started to move your bedtime from 7 to 7:30-8 in hopes that you will sleep later.  You wake between 5:45-6:15.  I would love for you to go back to sleeping in until 7am but I will take the early mornings since you continue to sleep through the night.   You take a morning nap around 9 and a afternoon nap around 1:30.  Each last about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  You also take a 45min - 1 hour nap around 4:30

Hair: One of my favorite things is when you run your hands through your hair when you are nursing.  I think it is the cutest thing.  

Eyes: You honestly have the most beautiful, big blue eyes with long lashes.  They ladies will love them one day.  

Activity: No crawling but still love to sit up.  You are constantly reaching for things when you are sitting up which causes you to end up on your stomach. You are getting better at learning to roll from your stomach to your back.  I often wake up in the morning to see you have rolled over onto your stomach in the middle of the night and instead of trying to roll back over you just sleep on your stomach.  

Likes: Mommy, kisses, playing with your toys

Dislikes: tired or hungry

Colton Edward: 6 months

This is seriously the best age!! You are curious about everything! You want to touch what ever you see.  You love to just sit and play with your toys.  It is so much fun to watch you.  You "talk" a lot but no words yet.  I say every day to Daddy that we lucked out in the baby department with you. You are such a happy, easy going little boy.  I am so looking forward to this summer when we can play all day, go swimming, and go to the park.  I can't say enough how much I love you!  

6 month update

Size:Weight: 20 pounds 4 ounces (98th percentile)

Height: 28 1/2 inches (98th percentile)

Head: 18 1/2 (100th percentile)

You are currently wearing 12-18 month and even some 24 month clothes and size 3 diapers.  

Food: We introduced purees at about 5 1/2 months.  We first tried sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and apple sauce but you didn't enjoy them at all.  I keep trying and you seem to be getting better.  We have started to try the baby lead weaning method which is us just letting you taste what we are eating and it seems to be going better.  You eat anywhere from 17-24 oz of breast milk at day care a day and nurse when you wake up, when we get home from day care, and right before bed.

Sleep: 10-12 hours.  You still go to bed at 7:00 and wake between 6am-7am.  You take a morning nap, afternoon nap, and late afternoon nap.  Your naps range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.  

Hair: It is growing longer everyday.  It is still a dark blond color and has hints of red when you are in the sunlight.  

Eyes: Still blue with beautifully, long eyelashes.  

Activity: No crawling but you are able to sit up unassisted.  You still love to jump in your Exersaucer  or doorway jumper.  If you are on your back you automatically roll over on your stomach but can't roll back over.  You grab for everything! It then goes directly to your mouth.  You love to just sit and play with your toys.

Likes: Mommy, playing with your toys, jumping, swinging.

Dislikes: Being hungry or tired.  

Colton Edward: 5 month update

This is by far the best month yet! You are so much fun to watch.  You are so much more aware of everything around you.  You watch the pup dogs play, look out the window in the car, watch every move daddy and I make.  You chew on EVERYTHING you can get your hands on.  I am pretty sure I see the first of your teeth coming in which might explain all the drooling and chewing this month.  Your laugh has to be the best sound I have ever heard.  It makes me laugh and smile every time.  No matter the day I have, your laughs make everything better.  You are such a good baby.  I am one lucky mama!

5 month update

Size:

Weight: 18 pounds 10 ounces (93rd percentile)

Height: 27 inches (94th percentile)

Head: 17.5 inches (90th percentile)

You are definitely a BIG boy! You are currently wearing 9-12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.  

Food: If you couldn't tell from your weight, you are a great eater.  You eat around 7am when you wake in the morning, have between 18-20 ounces at daycare, nurse around 5:30, and then your last feeding is right before bed at 7:00.  I am starting to prepare for your first foods next month!

Sleep: Since your 4 month birthday you have continued to sleep GREAT! You go to bed around 7pm and wake around 7am.  It is an understatement to say this has been life changing.  You went through a two week period where you were waking up crying after the first hour of sleeping.  I let you cry it out which was very stressful but we are finally back to normal.  You take a 1-2 hour nap in the morning, another 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon, and a 30 minute nap on our way home from daycare.  

Hair: Your hair continues to grow in and is brownish blonde

Eyes: Still blue with beautifully, long eyelashes.  

Activity: You have become VERY active.  You love to jump in your Exersaucer, door jumper, or standing on Mommy or Daddy.  You have only rolled completely over a few times but you love to just lay on your side.  You even have started to sleep on your side at night. You are such a talker and love hearing yourself talk.  You often lay in bed in the morning before I come and get you and just talk to yourself.  I love listening to you on the monitor.  

Likes: Jumping, talking, standing on my lap

Dislikes: Being hungry or tired.  

Mommy update: Spring Break was this month.  It was so much fun spending a whole week with you.  We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Lucht and you did such a good job sleeping in a different crib and room.  I was so proud.  Daddy has been traveling more this month which was very stressful for Mommy. I don't realize how much I depend on him until he is gone for a few days.  Other then that, I am just counting the days until summer vacation!

Colton Edward: 4 month update

You are such a growing boy! I love your cubby thighs and cheeks.  Your personality comes out more and more each day.  You love to hear yourself "talk" which Mommy and Daddy think is so cute.  You are getting closer and closer to rolling over completely.  You have done it once at daycare but never at home.  You love to grab and pull on everything.  You are so strong!  You still are such a happy baby and smile all the time at anyone who will show you attention.  

4 month update

Size: 17.9 pounds (87 percentile)

We go to the doctor for your 4 month check-up and shots in a couple weeks.  

You are currently wearing 6 month clothing but are transitioning to 9 month clothing right now. You are growing like a weed!!

Food: Still nursing.  For awhile there you were eating about 20 ounces a day at daycare but the past couple weeks you are eating 14-16 ounces.  I think it is because I am able to get in two feedings in the morning before heading to work.  I added a pumping session at 9pm because you are not needing to nurse as much at night. This is helping me stock our freezer with extra milk.  

Sleep: This has been a difficult month for sleeping.  For most of this month, you starting getting up multiple times at night to nurse which resulted in Mommy getting very little sleep.  There were many tears from Mommy because of the lack of sleep and frustration.  It didn't help on the weeks where Daddy was out of town.  You have also still been sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's room in the Pack-n-Play and had never slept in your own room.  On your 4 month birthday, I was ready for a good nights sleep and was ready to let you cry it out in your own room.  To my surprise you have slept GREAT in your own bed in your own room since then.  You are sleeping 8-10 hours straight which has been so great for Mommy.  You still go to bed between 7:00-7:30 each night.  You naps have become shorter (30-45minutes) but I am okay with that if you are sleeping better at night.  

Hair: Your hair continues to grow in and is brownish blonde

Eyes: Still blue with beautifully, long eyelashes.  

Likes: You love to sit in Mommy or Daddy's lap. 

Dislikes: Being hungry or tired.  

Mommy update: Mommy got a stomach virus right after parent teacher conferences and was unable to eat or drink anything for 4 days.  It was not how I wanted to spend my first long weekend with you since going back to work and was pretty upset about it.  Also since I was unable to eat or drink anything my milk supply dropped significantly.  I was able to nurse you while sick but was not able to pump enough milk for daycare.  I had to dip into our freezer supply.  It took exactly a week after I was symptom free to regain my supply.  Mommy has also had a rough month juggling being a working mom.  There have been many tears and feelings of guilt this month.  I am looking forward to a week off in a couple weeks for Spring Break.  

Colton Edward: 3 month update

This has definitely been my favorite month.  You are becoming so much fun! You love to smile, laugh, and "talk" to us.  You give me the biggest smile when you wake up in the morning and see me. I think that is my favorite thing so far.  You just seem to be the happiest baby.  We did have to deal with a little thrush at the beginning of the month but you took your medicine like a champ.  Mommy went back to work this month which was so much harder than I thought it would be.  I cried almost every morning when I had to leave you but every day got better.  The first week back to work Daddy stayed home with you.  I think it was the best thing for both of you.  You two really bonded that week together.  Daddy was definitely not ready for the week to end.  Daddy took you to your 2 month doctor's appointment where you got your first round of immunizations.  Daddy said you just cried when it was happening but did great afterwards.  The doctor said she was so impressed about how aware you were and how talkative you were.  I guess you followed her all around the exam room and kept smiling every time she talked to you.  You are such a little flirt!  Going to daycare hasn't even phased you.  It has definitely been harder on Mommy than you.  You are being such a good boy at daycare.  Ms. Colleen thinks you are the sweetest baby.  The other kiddos love you and think you are so cute!

You are becoming quite the little mover.  You kick your legs all the time which causes you to move all around.  Lately you have even been rolling over onto your side!  I don't know if Mommy is ready for you to grow up so fast.

I can't believe how fast you are growing but am looking forward to what this next month has in store for us.  

3 month update

Size: 2 weeks ago you weighed 15.1 pounds (91st percentile)

At 11 weeks you measured 24.5 inches long (86th percentile) You are such a big boy!

Don't know your exact head size but I know it is big

I stopped being in denial and finally switched you to 6 month clothes.  I cried as I put your newborn and 3 month clothes away.  I can't believe how much you have grown already.  

Food: Nursing is still going well.  I am pumping enough at work each day to give to daycare to use for the next day.  You are eating about 16-18 oz at daycare in 4 different sittings.  I am so thankful and happy that I have been able to nurse you with no issues.  

Sleep: My first week back to work you slept 8 hours ever night! I thought this might be the start of sleeping through the night but I wasn't so lucky.  You are back to waking 1-2 times a night but are getting better.  Long stretches of sleep are becoming more often then not and we have had a few more nights of 7-8 hours.  You are still sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's room in the Pack-n-Play.  You wake between 4am-5am and then I feed you before getting ready for work.  You fall back to sleep until 7am where we then get you dressed for the day.  At daycare you are taking two 45-60 minutes naps in the morning and one 2 hour nap in the afternoon.  I can't complain that you aren't sleeping through the night yet because I know it could be so much worse.  

Hair: You are continuing to loose your brown hair.  It is getting lighter and sometimes looks strawberry blonde in the light.   

Eyes: Still blue with beautifully, long eyelashes.  

Likes: You still fall right to sleep the second I put you in the car or the stroller.  You love to hang out on Daddy's lap and watch him play video games.  

Dislikes: Being hungry or tired.  That is about it.  You are pretty happy most of the time.  

Mommy update: I joined another support group for working moms that meets twice a month.  We have been once this month and liked it.  I miss my Wednesday morning group but am still in contact with a few of the Mommies.  Daddy went on his first work trip since I have been back to work and it was pretty hard being a single mom to a baby and two pup dog.   We were all happy to see Daddy when he got home.  

  

Colton Edward: 2 month update

We are defiantly getting more into a routine and Mommy is adjusting to this new life as a mom.  I never forced a feeding or nap schedule but when I started to track our day, I found out you created your own schedule.  This month we ventured out more and more to visit friends, Christmas shop, and take walks when it wasn't too cold. Mommy's best friend Lauren came to visit from California.  It was so nice of her to come all this way to see us.  You were such a good boy when we went out to dinner.  We go to our Mommy support group every Wednesday and we both enjoy getting out and meeting new people.  Because you don't sleep through the night I often had to take a nap during the day to make it through the evening but I am starting to get use to my new sleep schedule and rarely take a nap during the day.  This also means I (and Daddy) go to bed when you do to make sure we maximize our sleep during the night.

I am loving how more aware you are getting each day.  You laugh and smile more and more each day.  I love when you laugh when playing by yourself on the floor.  Your eyes follow daddy and I when we walk around and you often get a little upset when Mommy leaves the room.

I can't believe I only have 2 1/2 weeks left at home with you.  The time has flown by.  I am looking forward to our first Christmas as a family of 3 and can't wait to spend it with Grandma and Grandpa Lucht in Arkansas.

2 month update

Size: 13 lbs 8 oz Big boy!

0-3 month clothes and some 3-6 month 

Food: Nursing is still going well.  I do a transfer weight at our Mom's group and you take in about 4.5 oz.  I still try and feed you from a bottle once or twice a day to get you ready for day care.  During the day you nurse every 3 hours and are nursing at night mostly every 4 hours sometimes 5.  

Sleep: You are awake for the day between 7-8am. Depending on when you wake up, you take a 20-30 minute name between 8:30-9:30 each morning.  You sometimes take another 20-30 minute nap between 11:30-12:30 and then nap for about 1-2 hours around 2:30.  Bedtime is between 8 and 9.  You wake up during the night about every 4 hours.  The past week you starting going 6 hours from your last feeding before bed and then waking 4 hours after that.  I hope this means you will start to sleep even longer stretches soon

Hair: You are continuing to loose your light brown hair and it is growing back in blond.   

Eyes: Blue with beautifully, long eyelashes.  

Likes: Car rides, walks, being help, playing

Dislikes: Being hungry, when Mommy leaves the room.  

Mommy update: My tailbone injury is still bothering me but the pain is more manageable.  At my 6 week Drs. appointment she just told me I had to give it time to heal.  My pre-pregnancy clothes are starting to fit me a little better but hopefully I can get into a little better shape before heading back to work.  Otherwise I have no idea what I am going to wear for work.  

Colton Edward: 1 month update

Time has flown by! Your first week home Grandma Lucht stayed with us.  It was so nice to have both her and Daddy home so I could focus on only you and know they were taking care of everything else. Before we left the hospital, you became jaundice so we had to get your billirubin levels down.  They wanted us to stay another night but we opted to go home because it just felt right.  I am glad we did but we had to continue to monitor your levels with multiple visits to get your foot pricked for blood work and the UV bed for a couple days.  I also had to supplement your feedings with formula.  Needless to say it was very stressful around here.  I was super emotional, sleep deprived, and just constantly worried about you.  I felt like I couldn't really enjoy my time with you.  After a week, your levels were continually decreasing so could stop all the treatments and monitoring.

You had your first "photo shoot" at 6 days old. You were such a good boy and the photos were adorable!  Grandpa came on Friday to celebrate your first Halloween.  I love Halloween so I had two outfits for you.  During the day you were a skeleton and at night you were a koala.  I can't wait for the day when we actually get to go trick or treating with you.

Daddy went back to work after 4 weeks. I am so thankful that Daddy was able to stay home with us that long! Daddy going back to work also meant he took his first work trip since your birth. It was only 1 night away but we still missed him. I won't lie that I was a little jealous that Daddy was going to get some uninterrupted sleep.  Speaking of sleep, you are not a terrible sleeper but not great. You just want to eat every 2-4 hours. Those rare 4 hour stretches are amazing but most of the time it is every 3 hours. I can't complain because you are a newborn and you usually go right back to sleep after eating.  Luckily I am also someone who can go back to sleep quickly.

Charlie and Sasha are being a good big brother and sister.  Sasha loves to lay on the Boppy pillow with you and really is not affected by your crying.  Charlie runs into the room if you are crying to check on you.  He is constantly sniffing you and checking you out.

 

1 month update

Size: 11 lbs 1 oz (Mommy joined a Mom's support group so I get to weigh you every week) 

0-3 month clothes (you grew out of newborn sized clothes pretty quickly)

Food: You are exclusively breast feed.  I started to give you a bottle at least once a day with pumped milk and you take about 3 oz.  You nurse every 2-3 hours and sometimes 4 at night

Sleep: Bedtime is between 8 and 9.  You wake every 2-4 hours to nurse but go right back to sleep afterwards.  You are awake for the day between 7-8

Hair: Light brown but it is starting to grown in more blonde

Eyes: Blue

Likes: Car rides, walks, being held

Dislikes: Being hungry 

Mommy update: Recovery from labor has been the hardest part of this whole pregnancy.  I bruised/broke my tailbone during labor and it is so painful to sit and get up from standing. I am almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight but I am definitely more flabby then before.  I am also having a hard time finding clothes that fit me. My regular clothes don't quite fit and I don't have any maternity clothes for this colder weather.  Lots of yoga pants for me.  I also try to get out a couple times a week even if it is just to Target.  I feel so much better when I leave the house and be "normal".  

Colton's Birth Story

At my 39 week appointment I was 3 cm dilated so I wasn't sure if I would make it through my last week of work. I was very anxious the whole week thinking I would go into labor without having everything in place for my sub. I made it to Friday and my 40 week appointment to find out I had not progressed any. At that point I was ready to have this baby. My doctor decided to schedule my induction. We were scheduled to check into the hospital Wednesday night at 8pm and I was going to receive Cervidil in hope that it would kick start my labor and I would not have to be induced.  It was game 3 of the World Series so Jason and I hung out and watched the Royals. I finally received the Cervidil at 10pm and then was allowed a snack at midnight. I knew this would be my last meal for many hours so I made sure I stayed awake for my snack. I didn't sleep much that night for many reasons but mainly because I couldn't get comfortable with all the wires attached to me.

The next morning I had dilated to 5 cm but still no contractions. I was then given Pitocin at 7am. My doctor came around 9am and decided to break my water. The second she did that I immediately starting feeling the most intense contractions. I had decided to see how long I could go without getting an epidural but once my water broke the pain was unlike anything I had every felt. I was in tears and thought I would throw up from the pain. Once the epidural kicked in I felt immediate relief and fell right to sleep. It was the best sleep since getting to the hospital.

The rest of the day was a lot of waiting. I kept progressing but Colton did not want to move down. The other issue was that he was face down so starting around 2pm they put a "peanut" exercise ball between my legs as I laid on each side for about 30 minutes to hopefully get him to move down and move face up. Around 3:30 he had moved down but was still not completely face up. At that point it was time to start pushing. Even with the epidural I was still able to feel the pressure of the contractions so I knew when to start pushing. Even with all the pushing, Colton did not want to come out. I was becoming very exhausted and ready to meet my little man. At 5pm my doctor came to help coax Colton out. The next 30 minutes were the toughest but I wanted him out so bad. Finally at  5:30pm my precious baby boy was born. He weighed 8lbs 14 oz, was 21 1/2 inches long, and had a head circumference of 14 inches. He was a big, healthy boy!