Saturday, December 20, 2008

We Made It!

After a VERY LONG day yesterday, we made it to Colorado!  My day yesterday started at 2am (Friday morning) when Colton woke up during the night.  I am so spoiled - he almost never wakes up - so I was annoyed.  I let him cough and cry for a few minutes to see if he'd put himself back to sleep but he didn't.  So I went in to his room to find that he was spitting up and half choking on it, scaring himself to death!  I felt so bad.  I held him and comforted him, and he went right back to sleep.

Until 6:15am.  He got up again!  What?!?  I fed him and put him back down, but there was no point in me going back to sleep as I was going to get up at 7am anyway.  I showered, ate breakfast, took care of Colton, ran errands, finished packing Colton and myself - all while my house was totally being destroyed by a crew of guys who were replacing our air conditioner.  Ahhhh!  Thankfully, though, everything got completed right at 4pm when we needed to leave for the airport.

Traveling with a baby is a whole new - and not wonderful - experience.  We had SO MANY BAGS and carry on's to take with us.  My bag was overweight and they charged me $125 to check it...on top of the $55 they charged us to check all our bags in the first place.  This was my first time flying since the airlines started ripping everyone off, not cool.  The airline workers were rude - or maybe I was just more tense because of the craziness of traveling with Colton.  When all was said and done, though, the flight went well.  Colton was perfect - awake and happy about half the time, sleeping the other half.  Thank the Lord!  Ross and I both looked at each other about 100 times after entering the airport and said, "I'm so tired.  This is so much harder than it used to be!"  We continued reassuring one another of this fact until we finally made it to our hotel, cared for an exhausted Colton, and fell asleep around 12am Colorado time.

Colton did sleep pretty well, considering the time change.  However, he started waking up at 5am (7am our time).  I let him fuss himself back to sleep, wake up, fuss back to sleep, over and over until 7am, though.  Now we're getting ready to rent our car, meet Jenn and Nate, and drive up to Winter Park!  The temperatures there are freezing - less than 10 degrees.  Ross loves it, and I do too, but I just hope my thinned Florida blood can take it.  Colton doesn't mind the cold at all because we have him bundled up in the most hilarious snow suit that keeps him nice and toasty.  I'll share some pictures of that with you soon.

Anyway, I guess that's it!  I'm looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my whole family who I rarely see since we're spread between Florida, Michigan, and Tennessee.  I'm looking forward to skiing (if my snow pants fit over my newly widened hips, and I don't die from thin air and being out of shape!).  I'm looking forward to a little break from taking care of Colton while my family fawns all over him! :o)  All in all, I am looking forward to a Merry Christmas.  I hope you are, too.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

'Tis the Season!

I LOVE the Christmas season!  I miss the cold weather that accompanied it when I lived up north - today the high here was 83 degrees...that's just wrong! - but I enjoy the beautiful decorations, the parties, the food, shopping for gifts for people I love, seeing family, etc.  The holidays are even more fun now with a little boy to dress up.  Enjoy some pics of our decorations and of Colton dressed for Christmas below.

OH!  And in other big news, Colton flipped over yesterday morning for the first time from his back to his tummy.  He seemed so proud of himself - smiling and giggling for a couple of minutes until he realized that he doesn't like laying on his tummy and got fussy. :)  We'll see how this flipping over thing goes, though, because today he started doing it during a nap.  He would flip over (while swaddled) then get mad and cry because he doesn't want to sleep on his tummy!  I feel bad because he's obviously tired but can't sleep well because of it.  We'll see how it goes tonight - I hope, for his sake and mine, that he doesn't flip over all night long and need to be rolled onto his back again!  Haha!

CHRISTMAS PICS:

Our tree - first year using a fake but we think it looks pretty good!

The wonderful nativity scene we got from my Grandparents - we love it!

Colton's Christmas photo shoot (done by Ross):
#1 - So serious
#2 - Little flirt
#3 - Big laugh
#4 - Coy smile
#5 - So sweet
#6 - Curious baby boy

Finally, Colton got to visit Santa and seemed to like him!  Gotta get in good with the Big Guy early. :)

Friday, December 5, 2008

Monday, December 1, 2008

Colton's Stats

Today we had Colton's 2 month doctor's appointment (though he is 9-1/2 weeks old).  It went so great!  The doctor seems to think he's just a great baby.  She was all prepared to teach me how to develop good sleeping habits for Colton like letting him fall asleep on his own (laying him down awake for naps or at night) and not picking him up right away when he makes noises in his sleep but, instead, letting him fall back to sleep if he needs to.  Well, we've been doing that all along and she thinks that's why he's such a good sleeper!  The last two weeks have been crazy - he falls asleep between 7 and 9pm, usually, sleeps until around 4am, then sleeps again until 7 or 8am!  Although I'm anxious for him to stop getting up at 4am I know I have a whole lot to be thankful for in terms of his sleeping habits.

Colton also got two shots today and he did so well!  He cried when he got them but had calmed himself before the nurse even left the room - she was amazed. :)  I'm so proud of my good little boy!

Finally Colton got weighed and measured again and the doctor seemed very happy with his growth.  I was happy, too, and am finally starting to be able to see him getting a little chubbier with my own eyes. :)

Weight: 11 pounds, 14 ounces (50th percentile)
Length: 25 inches (off the growth chart again!)
Head circumference: 40 centimeters (50th percentile)

Here are a couple pics of our big boy! :)
Hanging out in his stroller @ 8 weeks 

Naked time after a bath (I spared you the whole view) on his 9 week birthday

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

3 Weeks of Colton...

Ok, ok - I know I am very behind on uploading Colton pictures (for Mom and Connie, probably the only two people who really care).  However, I finally had time so here are a few from the past couple of weeks.

5 weeks old - comforting a slightly grumpy little guy.

As you can see, he was still grumpy.  I'm glad we finally got a good picture of his big pouty face, though!

6 weeks old - Aunt Grace came to visit!  So fun!


7 weeks old - getting so long, way bigger than his monkey pal.

...and looking super cute in one of his sweaters!  I'm so glad it's finally cool here!



So, that's about it!  
In some ways motherhood is becoming easier - we have a pretty good routine in place, Colton is usually not as fussy, I'm getting the hang of the constant feeding/diapering/holding deal.  In other ways, though, the longer I am a mom, the more difficult it's becoming.  Mainly I am realizing that being a "stay at home mom" is kind of a hard transition!  I'm still tired often and am often just stuck in the house.  With little change of scenery the feeding, diapering, playing, sleeping cycle gets old after awhile.  In some ways I just miss the freedom to go, do, and be spontaneous (if I ever was).
Don't get me wrong, I love having Colton here and most days enjoy it to the max.  I guess I'm just verbalizing that it's a big change.
And...abrupt ending.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Colton Videos...

Well, after about 3 hours of Ross working on this, we finally have two videos of Colton uploaded!  These are primarily to satisfy our families, who are desperate to see how he's growing, but anyone is welcome to check them out if you want! :)

Enjoy!

Colton "Talking"
Colton Stretching

Monday, November 10, 2008

A New Start

This past week has been full of extremes - great times and tough times!

Last Monday Colton had his doctor's appointment at which he got his second Hep-B shot.  From that night through Wednesday he literally screamed every moment that he wasn't eating or sleeping!  We tried to feed him extra, just in case he was hungry due to a growth spurt or something, we tried giving him gas medicine, we changed him tons of times...nothing helped!  Finally it hit me, maybe he was in pain from his shot.  So, one afternoon while I was changing his diaper I gently pressed on the area where he had the shot - and boy did he let me know it hurt!  He screamed a scream of pain and big alligator tears came streaming from his eyes.  So sad!  After Wednesday, Colton seemed to be doing much better - but I was exhausted!  It is amazing to me how two and a half hard days with a newborn can seem like an eternity and take such a physical toll.

On Thursday Colton and I both felt fine and Aunt Grace came for a visit!  Colton was so happy to meet her - he could really sense how much she loves babies. :)  Also on Thursday we started putting Colton on a "schedule."  Really it's just a daily routine - eat, play, sleep - in three hour chunks.  We don't hold tightly to a time for each activity but, instead, watch for his cues.  It seems to be working SO WELL!  I love having an idea of what my day will be like so that I can rest and still get things done, and Colton is responding really well.  He is napping better, is less fussy, and is smiling even more.  I can't believe I waited 6 weeks to put that into practice!

On a down note, though, on Friday I got another bad migraine that lasted to Sunday afternoon.  I literally did not get out of bed the whole time and could not even keep water down!  I get worried about that since I need calories and water for breast feeding so I am on the hunt to find a good solution for future migraines.  Also, I'm thankful it happened over a weekend so Ross was home all day to take care of Colton but I'm not sure what we would do if Ross was working!  More reason to find a solution...

The other fun thing this week is to see how Colton is developing.  He has started "talking" by making sweet baby coos.  He talks to me and Ross, he talks to his toys on his play-yard (which he finally acknowledges - another big development), and he talks to himself.  It's very cute.  I am going to try to get some video of it today or tomorrow so look for that in a future blog post.

That's about it - I'll be back soon with more pictures and, hopefully, some video!

Monday, November 3, 2008

This Week in Pictures

Many great things have happened this past week!  I have been getting tired of being at home 100% of the time and am enjoying getting out of the house more and spending time with our friends.  Below are pictures from just a few of the things we've done this week.

First, though, I want to update you on Colton's stats from his 1 month appointment (at 5.5-weeks-old).
WEIGHT: 10 pounds 3 ounces!  75th percentile.  I was so happy that he's growing so well!
HEIGHT: about 24 inches...he's so long he was off the growth chart!
HEAD: 39 centimenters, 75th percentile.

Now onto this week in pictures...
Aunt Jenn and Uncle Nate came to visit Colton!  It was such a fun time!





Our first trip back to church.  Colton looked so cute in his Polo outfit from Grandma!



We've been seeing more and more smiles!  The following is the chronological progression of this smile - from big to silly to "why the heck are you still acting stupid mommy?"






Before heading to our friend's Halloween party - Colton was a jack-o-latern, thanks to GiGi, and I was a frazzeled mom (only slightly exaggerated ;o)).




An afternoon at the park for UCF Cru's parents weekend gathering.



Thursday, October 23, 2008

Fun Week & 4 Week Pic

This week has been a fun week for Colton, Ross, and me.  It started last Sunday afternoon with Colton's first trip to the "pumpkin patch."  I put that in quotes because Florida really lacks good pumpkin patches.  This was more like a family farm/petting zoo with a few pumpkins set on the ground for you to buy...and they were overpriced!  That's ok, though - Colton needed to experience something fall-like in this year-round-summer state!

Then, on Tuesday, I had a major day out.  From late afternoon until evening I enjoyed a play date with four other moms and babies.  Then, Ross and I finally made it back to our beloved community group.  I was so nervous before going out that day - I had no idea how Colton or I would do for 10 hours out of our comfy, secure house - but I am so glad I did it all.  Being with friends again really refreshed me and talking with other young moms is such a blessing!

The most exciting part of the week, though, was a special developmental milestone Colton hit.  On Tuesday morning when I was changing his diaper, I noticed Colton's FIRST REAL SMILE!  I wasn't sure if I could believe my eyes but Wednesday he confirmed it, smiling at me over and over as we played.  Today he graced Ross with his first smile to him and blessed me with a few more, as well.  There is no feeling I've ever had like seeing my baby smile at me for the first time - I love it!

Besides that, we've been enjoying time at home as a family.  Every day we take pictures of the little things Colton does, and I've included some of them below for you to see.  Enjoy!

Colton @ the pumpkin patch, becoming one with the pumpkins.

Colton and me enjoying a nice afternoon.

Ross really wanted to put Colton on this pony...so he did.

Colton loves lifting his little head - and he is strong!  

But afterwards he needs a little rest.  Using that little neck is hard work!

Colton was so stylish looking when we went to our play date/community group thanks to the sweet outfit Aunt Grace bought him at H&M in Sweden!  Thanks Aunt Grace!

I meant to get pictures of Colton and I hanging out with our friends Tuesday, but I only remembered to take one.  This is Colton and Reese, our friend Gayle's daughter, on the way to the play date.

Colton sporting the first outfit he ever had - a cool onesie from Italy!  Ross and I bought it when we were there last spring for UCF's vision trip - I was 12 weeks pregnant.  Now, it fits him perfectly!

This is for my mom.  She asked me to get a picture of Colton smiling and this was the best I could do.  His smile bring joy to my soul!

Last - Colton on his 4 week birthday.  Getting cuter and longer every week!
*This onesie is a 3 month size!  Since last week he's been wearing them because before we know it he'll be too long to get his feet in the footies!



Sunday, October 19, 2008

3 Weeks Old!

Colton turned 3 weeks old on Thursday - 10/16/08!  Here are his 3 weeks pictures.

I love to sleep on Mommy's tummy - and Mommy loves it, too!

I might be growing quickly, but I'm still a little peanut!

We stole this idea from our friends, the Brewers, in Nashville - only we don't have a stuffed animal that is longer than Colton!  He's such a long guy!
*I chose this pic for the classic Colton face. :)*

Close up head shot

Sweet baby feet.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Rough Few Days...

Lots has been going on this past week, most of it not so great!  It all started last Friday when we took Colton to the doctor.  Don't worry - he checked out amazingly.  The thing that started it all, though, was that the doctor advised us to get some over the counter vitamin D drops to give Colton.  We started giving him those on Saturday or Sunday morning last week and noticed pretty quickly that Colton got MUCH more fussy than he had been.  It started Monday night when he started screaming from about 6pm - 10 or 11pm.  If he wasn't eating or being rocked constantly he was not a happy boy - it was so unusual for him!  That continued until Wednesday when he acted like that all day and evening!  It was horrible.  So, we stopped giving him those vitamins the past two days and he seems to be much closer to his old self again.  I am going to call the doctor's office on Monday but as far as I'm concerned, the vitamins are garbage!  

The other thing that has made the past few days pretty rough is that I got my first post-pregnancy migraine Thursday night.  I was totally out of the game yesterday with the headache and vomiting it caused.  Ross was amazing, though.  He kept Colton all day - just bringing him to me to eat - so that I could sleep.  Then, he chose to sleep on the couch in the living room with Colton next to him in his basket so that I could get as much sleep as possible during the night!  I still had a headache most of today (I'm just now starting to feel better) but I think Ross' help made it much easier for me to heal more quickly.  Migraines have always stunk, but having a migraine with a little baby in the house was so much more difficult!  Please pray that I don't get many more!

Other than that, not much is new.  Colton is now 3 weeks old (as of Thursday, Oct. 16).  He's getting bigger and bigger - it is amazing how much he has changed in these few short weeks!  We took some pictures to celebrate his birthday on Thursday and I will post those soon so that you can enjoy watching him grow and change along with us!  

Monday, October 13, 2008

Pics & Stats

Though we haven't left the house much, we have had an eventful week with little Colton.  Mark and Connie, Ross' parents, were here for about a week and we had fun with them.  They were a huge help around the house and it was fun watching them bond with Colton.  

While they were here, Colton turned 2 weeks old!  When he was born he was 21.5 inches long and weighed 8 pounds.  As of his appointment he was 22 inches long and 8 pounds 8 ounces! This is great news as a newborn is only expected to be back to his birthweight by 2 weeks.  It seems that he is a very healthy baby - praise God!

We are now on our own, without family here helping us, and enjoying learning what life is like as a family of three.  Having a newborn is such an adventure and we love it!

Grandy getting one of his first looks at Colton.

Connie giving Colton his second bath.

A rare sight - Colton all stretched out.  He's such a long baby!

Colton loves sleeping with his hands behind his head - so chill.

Daddy and Colton - two darn handsome men!

Three generations of "Levingston."  It's a family tradition to make that the middle name of the firstborn Stowers male - pictured here are generations 5, 6, & 7!

GiGi and Grandy with a very sleepy Colton.

"I can't believe my baby has a baby!" :)


P.S. - Sorry I didn't get these up sooner Aunt Linda! :)