zzZZzz

Details of labor & Colter's birth are to come, but we are doing well- although totally sleep deprived. I pictured the hospital time to be filled with hours passed watching movies, reading, tv, filling in the baby book et. Somehow in about 48 hours all we seem to have accomplished is sleeping about 3 hours a night, getting 8 million different tips on breastfeeding- who knew there were so many different ideas?! - Wake him up at 2 hours and keep trying for 2 hours to feed him. He'll wake up on his own, just look for his cues. Wake him up every 3 hours. If he has a long feeding, you can count the end of feeding for the next start time. The time of the feeding starts when you start your feed. Confused? Yeah, me too. Don't worry, one thing we have accomplished is getting in some good snuggle time with the man. We are tired, but are so in love.

Colter is here!!

Colter Elijah was born this afternoon around 2:35 pm to two overjoyed parents!! Stats to come later. He is beautiful and healthy!

a pregnancy convo

There was a little boy in the lobby of my work waiting for an appointment. Here is a conversation I had with him.

boy: You have a kid in there.
me: You're right! How did you know?
boy: when you walked by, your belly was fat!
me: It is pretty big because it has a baby inside!
boy: is it a boy or girl?
me: it's a boy.
boy: What is his name?
me: Colter
boy: Colter. hmm. Do you want to know a good name?
me: sure!
boy: Michael.
me: is that your name?
boy: No. It's my uncles.

I just love how kids are so blunt!

Colter's moves

I guess this is what you do when you don't have kids yet.. make slideshows of your busy belly! It's so hard to believe we are going to see this little guy in a few days (most likely)

a hot date night w/ the hubby

When talking about Valentines day, the one thing I really wanted was to have a nice dinner at home with Ben. He offered to do the cooking and these days, it is a HUGEEEE treat to not have to think about a menu and stand on my feet to cook. I just have to brag for a little bit.. my man went through several cookbooks and online recipes to come up with a menu that was sooo tasty.

This is what he came up with.. I was so impressed!

The night was so special, filled with everything I love like sparkling cider, music, candles, and good company.

The cooking was slightly hilarious.. the smoke alarm went off no less than 6 times (apparently steak in the oven creates quite the smoke hazard), Ben singed the hairs off his knuckles, and we experienced the largest explosion from a frying pan we have ever seen. Ben ducked and covered and scrambled on the floor to throw the splatter screen on top. I am still finding sauce splatters in random spots! What a special date with my husby. I love you Benjamin. Thank you for continuing to pursue me.

twas the month of Colter's arrival

It was not long ago that I remember thinking that February was a long way off. It has been a whirlwind of months and here we are. We've keeping our calendar relatively full of fun things, but also leaving plenty of room for downtime to enjoy these last few days as a couple.

Here are a few things we've been up to!

a hike w/ the Heavilands to the Skagit wildlife area:

Lindsey's baby shower for baby Charlie:

A work shower (3 of us are preggo at the same time!)

A fun outing with Karissa to

Al Boccalino for a Cooking Class .. We happened to sit by a couple who has a Seattle date night blog, so here is their synopsis:

http://www.brettandmandydatenight.com/2011/02/wine-oh-yeah-and-italian-cooking-class.html

To Colter

My sweet Colter,

I have wanted to write you a letter for a while now. Sure, there is a section in your little baby book for a letter from mom and dad, but I also want to document my thoughts to you before you arrive and totally change our world.

It doesn’t seem that long ago when I took many pregnancy tests just to make sure that I was really seeing 2 pink lines. I couldn’t believe we had gotten pregnant so quickly. The desire in my heart to be a mom was so strong, I just couldn’t believe that you were really going to be a part of our lives! I knew almost instantly that you were a little boy. I don’t know why, but I could just feel it. Sure enough, that was confirmed when we bit into the cupcake to reveal the blue frosting inside.

I’ll never forget seeing you on the first ultrasound. Sure, you looked just like a gummy bear, but I started sobbing at the sight of such an incredible miracle. The next ultrasound was even more incredible, watching you yawn, hide your feet from the ultrasound tech, and put your hands in front of your face. Over these past 9 months I have come to know you and can’t wait to meet you outside of my belly. I hope I never forget the laughter and tears you have brought to your daddy and I as you poke out your butt and foot at the same time, leaving my belly in a really awkward shape. You have responded to my singing and music from an early age, and you always get a little riled up when your daddy gets close to talk to you. Feeling you move has to be one of the most incredible things about being pregnant and I could just sit and feel you all day, which is what Daddy and I do almost every night. We sit and watch you move and shake my belly before bed.

I spend a lot of time wondering about the baby, toddler, little boy, and man you will be. Will you love music? Will you love to sail like your daddy? Will you be outgoing or shy? I just can’t wait to meet the man that God has molded and known so well before you were even a thought in our minds.

I can't deny that I'm nervous, a little scared even. Unsure about how our lives will adjust and what rhythm our family will take. I have struggled with fear and anxiety about whether we are ready to take on a challenge as big as parenthood. But I rest at ease knowing you will fit perfectly into our sweet family. I don't deserve you, but here you are, a miraculous gift from God. I can’t wait for you to meet your cousins and other little buddies that are ready to play with you. We are so blessed by the community of people around us. We are so thankful to have these people who will lift us up as we walk into this journey of parenthood.

I must also mention what a blessing your Daddy is as well. Other than feeling life inside me, by far the best thing about being pregnant is sharing the experience with him. He's such a support, and he already loves you more than words. Almost every morning he asks “how’s the little man doin?” He kisses you goodbye every morning and usually talks to you before going to bed. He takes such good care of me, (if you only knew the number of projects he’s done in the past few months) -I'd never be able to do this without him. Watch him carefully, and he will show you what it means to be a man of God who loves his family fiercely.

It honestly feels like you were meant to be a part of our family all along. Can’t wait to hold you in just a few weeks sweet boy.

Love,

Your mom

Portland!

A couple weekends ago Ben and I went down to Portland for the weekend. We've wanted to explore Portland for quite some time, and were thankful to get away before this little bambino arrives in a couple of weeks.

The view of the city from Pittock Mansion:



The official start of my 9th month!



Finally made it inside voo doo donuts after 2 unsuccesful prior trips!



lunch at a popular food cart, wood fired pizza. Yum!


Check out those baby blues.. cutie.



down by the water front



lunch on Sunday at the grilled cheese mobile!



Ben is so mesmorized by the inside of the bus!

We loved Portland, just not the fact that the fire alarm went off at 6 am on Sunday at our hotel!

hilarrrrrrrrrrrrious

My sister sent me this and I have been laughing for about 20 minutes straight. Hopefully it will make you laugh too :)