Welcome Colton!

We are so glad and proud to introduce our son, Colton, to the blog world!  Neither Ross nor I knew what to expect of life or our feelings once he arrived - but it has been better than we ever could have imagined!  We love our "little buddy" (Daddy's nickname for Colt) or "little muffin" (Mommy's nickname for Colt) so much - and every day we love him more!

We are doing pretty well.  It is wonderful to be home as opposed to the hospital.  With this freedom, however, comes many questions.  No one qualified us to have a baby - there is so much to learn!  I am looking forward to our first visit to the pediatrician tomorrow, I will be asking many questions.

Somehow we are still functioning every day, despite getting very little sleep.  Colton seems to eat every hour, day and night, which means few opportunities for rest.

Time to wrap this up - a fussy baby required Mommy's arms and typing one-handed is too hard. :o)

Colton within the first few minutes of life.

A tiny, sweet baby - day 2.

Colton and Daddy get to know each other - day 2.

One of our first family pictures.

Mommy loves her little baby boy!

Colton Levingston Stowers: Coming SOON!

Well, tomorrow is the big day!  Our induction is scheduled for 6am.  I have spent this week trying to tie my life in a neat little bow so I don't have to worry about bills, insurance companies, phone calls, etc the first couple weeks of Colton's life here.  I have gotten a pedicure, gone on a nice date with my husband, and enjoyed time with friends at our last community group for at least a few weeks.  Finally, I have cleaned my house up (as clean as it is going to get anyway) so that when we bring Colton home for the first time he is welcomed to a nice, clean place.

We are so excited to meet Colt tomorrow but nervous, as well.  There are so many unknowns ahead - from labor and delivery, to all the changes our lives will inevitably undergo.

Please pray for us tomorrow and during the next few weeks!  Here are a few suggestions:

...that we would get into the hospital on time tomorrow (our time depends upon whether the hospital has beds available).

...that my labor would go smoothly and quickly.

...that Colton will be born healthy and strong.

...that we would lean on the Lord for strength and wisdom during the first few weeks of having a newborn at home, and that God would amply provide the peace, wisdom, and joy we need to get through new circumstances and exhaustion.

...that Ross and I would adjust quickly to how our lives change and continue to love each other well as parents.

Thank you so much for praying for us!

...And just for fun...

PREGNANCY JOURNAL IN PICTURES:

Me - Reminding myself of what I looked like pre-pregnancy!

My first pregnant picture - 17 weeks pregnant

25 weeks pregnant - still pretty small!

30 weeks pregnant - all of a sudden a belly popped out!

The final pregnancy picture - 39 weeks pregnant and about ready to pop!

When, O When, Will Baby Stowers Come?

I went to my 40 week doctors appointment today and thought I'd update you on what is going on in these last couple days before Baby Stowers is due!

After a somewhat painful exam (I'll spare you the details) the doctor told me that I'm progressing a little bit but that he would like to go ahead and schedule an induction for next week anyway.  Of course, the baby could be born any day now BUT if he decides my womb is just way too comfortable and he doesn't want to come out on his own....

I will be induced next Thursday, September 25th!!!

That's the plan right now.  Please pray that the little guy decides to come on his own and that, however labor begins, he is healthy and strong through the whole process.  Pray for Ross and me, too, that these last few days without the baby will be fun, relaxing, productive...whatever they need to be as we get ready for our worlds to be rocked!

7 Days...

Today marks the beginning of my 39th week of pregnancy!  The baby is due next Sunday, September 21st.  I have a feeling, though, that he'll take his time making his entrance.  I just do not feel like I'm about to go into labor!

Not too much interesting has been going on these past couple of weeks.  I am totally torn between relaxing as much as possible, since life will drastically change after the baby is born, and working like crazy to clean every crevice of my house since I know I won't do that in life post-baby.  I am erring on the side of relaxing.

Friday is my next doctor's appointment - two days before my due date.  At that appointment, assuming I haven't had the baby yet, the doctor would like to schedule an induction for the end of my 40th week (sometime around September 26 - 28th).  The way the doctor explained it, they do not like to let women go over 41 weeks of pregnancy anymore because of the health of the placenta.  He said that each week over 40 weeks the placenta starts deteriorating but that there is no way for them to tell how much - each woman is different.  While it might seem fine from the outside, the longer you go over 40 weeks the more likely the placenta will experience problems when under the stress of labor (which can increase risk for c-section).  

For most of my pregnancy I've been saying that I do not want to be induced (because the drugs they give you can increase the intensity of the contractions and make them come closer together, and, if it all stresses the baby out too much, you can end up with a c-section).  However, a few weeks ago I sort of let go of my hold on what I want labor to be like.  I realize that I have no control at all.  I could go into labor naturally, labor for 30 hours, and then end up needing a c-section anyway OR I could be induced and have a quick, smooth labor - or anything in between.  I actually am sort of liking the idea of induction at the moment: I would know the date Colton is going to be born, I could clean up my house, go on one more date with Ross as just the two of us, take a shower before going to the hospital, etc.  Not to bad of an idea to me!

Either way, this baby will be here this week or next...that is a weird thought!  Keep us in your prayers and we will keep you updated on how things go!

**Enjoy these pictures of the last of our set up for Baby Stowers.  I think, physically, we're ready!**

Ross putting our stroller together.  Don't let the (fake) smile fool you - he wasn't happy with the bad directions at this point.

Ross and Beau in the baby's room.  Beau is so nervous in there for some reason!

Me @ 39 weeks pregnant!

Me and Beau having a dance in the baby's room.

I just think all this stuff is so cute!  At least it's cute now - when there is no throw-up or poop on it!

We finally got our dresser/diaper changing area set up!  I will probably eventually add some pictures to the wall (don't worry, Jennifer!).