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.  

  

Reflecting: 14 in 14

14. Favorite Quote

"He's not perfect. You aren't either and the two of you will never be perfect."

I love quotes so this is pretty hard for me.  Since 2014 was Jason and I's 1st year of marriage I would have to say one of my favorite quotes is the first line of a Bob Marley quote that we had read at our wedding ceremony.  With social media everywhere, it is easy to get caught up in thinking your relationship needs to be like everyone else's.  What we often forget is that we don't post the "bad" things in our lives.  You will argue, disagree, get mad at times but it doesn't mean your relationship is doomed.  This is real life.  It is how you handle these tough situations that make for a great relationship.

13. Favorite Article of Clothing

Leggings.  I especially love the fleece line ones for winter.  Leggings have also saved me from having to buy a whole new wardrobe as I work on losing my pregnancy weight.  

12. Favorite Movie

Gone Girl 

I LOVED the book and the movie was just as good. They did an amazing job of keeping the movie almost exactly like the book.

11. Favorite TV series

I have many favorite TV series but something new I started watching this year was The Blacklist.  

10. Favorite Restaurant

Tasty Thai 

Their Panang Curry is by far my favorite but I also love their Pad Thai 

9. Favorite New Thing You Tried

Pho

The owners of Tasty Thai opened a Pho restaurant next door, Big Bowl Pho, and I love it.  It is perfect for these cold winter days.  

8. Favorite Gift you Received

The gift of my son.  Life changing

7. Favorite Book

I love to read but I didn't read as much as I usually do.  I think it was mostly because I was pregnant for most of 2014 and this girl was in bed pretty early every night.  I was so tired most nights that I couldn't stay awake to read a few pages of a book.  With that said, I did read Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs and really like it.  I even got Jason the sequel for Christmas.  

6. Favorite Thing you Pinned

That is just too difficult.  I pin too many good things.  

5. Favorite Accomplishment

Giving birth to my beautiful, healthy son.  

4. Favorite Photo

Taken a few hours after meeting this little guy for the first time.  Love at first sight!

3. Favorite Memory

By far the birth of Colton

2. 2015 Goal

To become more active.  I have wanted to run a 5k for a while now but have never done it.  I am also needing to lose some of this pregnancy weight as well as some extra weight I was carrying before getting pregnant. 

1. One Little Word

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for.  A loving husband, beautiful home, a healthy baby, great parents, amazing friends, a job I love.  I could go on forever.  I need to remember all the great things in my life when I am having a bad day.  The good outnumbers the bad by far.

Bring on 2015!

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!

Getting Ready For Baby

I can't believe I have only 3 months until Colton is born!  He is definitely growing.  I feel like my belly gets bigger everyday and things are becoming more difficult to do.  We finally finished painting the babies room and are ready to start decorating.  

Jason finished the ceiling and painted the walls but I prepped the room and painted the trim.  I was definitely feeling it afterwards.  Painting has never made me that sore.  Putting the ceiling fan back up with Jason was also pretty difficult and would have been pretty entertaining to anyone watching us. 

I finished the 3rd piece (doggy picture) of my wall art.  I am very happy with how it turned out.  Having a Cricut is definitely worth every penny.  

Last weekend my parents came to visit so that my mom could go shopping at a couple consignment sales with me.  I am so thankful she was here because it was such an overwhelming experience.  Friday we went to the Just Between Friends Northland Sale and bought a few items.  It was pretty laid back and not crowded at all.  On Saturday we went to the Rhea Lana Sale and boy was that an experience.  I went Black Friday shopping one time in my life and this was pretty similar.  There were so many items and the second we walked in people were snatching up items right and left.  I was like a deer in headlights and had no idea where to begin.  The hottest item was the Mamaroo.  They are about $225 brand new and were being sold for $85!  Great deal but they were all gone in seconds and I didn't really want to get anywhere near that crowd.  Once the initial shock wore off, my mom and I finally got down to business and were able to find some good items.  

My cousin and his wife actually gave me the car seat and base so I found the stroller this weekend.  Not pictured is a pack-n-play my mom bought for their house.  I could have bought a ton of clothes but didn't want to go overboard and am waiting until after my baby shower to see what I actually need.  I am very happy with my purchases and the prices I paid.  I would highly recommend these sales to any new or expecting mom.  There are some great deals and so many of the items looked like they had never been used. I am actually considering going to the same sales in neighboring areas just to see what other items I can buy. Buying all these items just made the upcoming birth even more real.  Definitely scary but very exciting as well. Can't wait to meet little baby Colton!  

Pregnancy Update: 26 Weeks

How far along: 26 weeks
Total weight gain: I do not keep track.  I only get weighed at the doctor's office
Maternity clothes: Almost everything I wear
Stretch marks: None yet but I have started using Palmer's Cocoa Butter
Sleep: Sleeping great!
Exercise: Stretching everyday but not much exercise.  With the cool weather coming this week I am hoping to go for more walks
Miss anything: A nice, cold beer.
Movement: All the time! Thankfully he sleeps through the night.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I am lucky to have not had any sickness through this whole pregnancy
Looking forward to: Finishing the nursery
Nervous about: Going back to school and getting ready for a long-term sub.