inching along...

Since the day Colin was born, everyone has commented on his super strong legs. Though he's nowhere near crawling, he can move himself along by pushing off of our hands (or whatever else is near). Here's a video of our little inchworm making his way across his mat, with Dad's help (at the end, you can hear Colin give himself a little shout out).

2 month appointment

Colin had his two month appointment today. He weighed in at 11 lbs 9 oz, his head measures 39 cm, and he is 23 inches long. He is in the 25th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for height.. he's going to be tall and thin like his parents - must be all those Scandinavian genes :) Dr. Caldwell said his weight gain was "perfect" and that he looks healthy. He also got his shots, which was rough on all of us. He calmed right down like a champ, but has been taking it out on me all afternoon. We are really lucky that Colin has never been a big crier ... but today I'm learning how much I've taken that for granted. My normally smiley baby has turned into this ...




But we're just happy to hear he's healthy and is growing well. Such a big boy!

Colin's first Christmas

We had a great first Christmas with Colin. Granted, he slept through most of it, but we had fun, Colin got lots of great presents, and his Grandma Pat and Grandpa Tommy were able to come spend the weekend with us. Here are some pictures from the Christmas weekend:

http://tinyurl.com/colinchristmas

Two months!!

Colin is 8 weeks old today! (his 2 month birthday is the day after christmas, so I figured I'd take his picture today.. same difference, right?).



so much bigger than his 1 month picture!

Such a trickster.

Colin has grown and changed so much, especially in the past couple of weeks.

He still has his beautiful blue eyes and is growing long, dark eyelashes (definitely got those from dad!)

He holds his head up almost perfectly when we carry him or hold him, and when he's on his belly he can push his whole upper body up on his arms. This kid is going to be crawling in no time!

The most fun is his smiles, which he gives us a ton of in the morning. I am still trying valiantly to get a picture of his full out smile, which is amazing, but seems impossible to catch on camera! So far I've only caught his little grins. When you see his full smile, it will melt your heart!

He is also starting to coo and make little babbles. We have the feeling that once he starts to talk, he may never stop!

In other two month developments, he has learned to spit his pacifier out with force - he has launched that thing out of his crib and across the floor before! (perhaps another woodwind musician?). He finally has started watching his mobiles go around, and will look at toys we show him. He can grab objects, especially strings and straps, and has figured out how to suck on his fists and fingers. And, he's sleeping 5 hours at a time at night - that may be our favorite development.

All that growing is hard work though.. good thing he's still small enough to conk out on my chest!

social butterfly

Colin had tons of visitors this weekend -



Mom's friend Tandra brought us lunch on Friday...



Grandpa Doug and Grandma Karen came to visit for the weekend...




Dorothy and Ellie stopped by for a playdate on Sunday...



Yeah, we switched babies...






Love at first sight!

Colin had a great time getting cuddled and loved by his grandparents this weekend. He even flashed Karen one of his first real smiles! But by Sunday afternoon, he was pooped and slept through his playdate while Ellie took advantage of all of his new toys. A big weekend for the little guy!

a day in the life...

It's hard to believe my maternity leave is more than half over. As frustrating as it can be being alone with a newborn all day, I'm going to miss it when I have to go back to work! And being home this time of year is so nice.. not having to deal with going out in the cold, and staying inside with the christmas tree lit up and carols on the radio (Colin and I spend hours dancing around the living room singing to carols - sometimes it's the only thing that quiets him down!) Here's some pictures of Colin's favorite daily activities...



After the first feeding of the morning, I'm awake and like to hang out on Mom's lap. Check out how I'm busting out of my newborn sleepers all of a sudden.



Then, we like to walk around the house and look at the lights and out the windows. Here I am checking out my first snowfall. I'm so impressed.



Sometimes Dad gets to sleep in because he stays up late trying to get me to bed. He has his hands full with the two of us.





Everyone loves to lay on Dad.






I like to catch some rays and nap. Remember when I was so tiny in this bouncer?




Then I like to "play" in my gym. My activity level rivals Mom's.




Checking out that handsome dude in the mirror.

This playing stuff is hard work. I think I'll nap instead. (truly mom's child!)

I like to end my day with some spa treatments. Check out that belly!

Rockin and rollin and whatnot...

Every time Colin plays on his play mat Uncle Adam gave him, he likes to roll off the mat to the side. Since he's on a pillow, it probably doesn't count as rolling over, but it's cute to watch anyway ...

pictures

Just a few pictures from thanksgiving weekend and this week...

http://tinyurl.com/colintgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was our first thanksgiving as a little family. It was hard not being home with our families, but we had a good day. We have so much to be thankful for this year.

Colin says Happy Thanksgiving!

One month!

Today is Colin's one month birthday!


Such a big boy!



Who, me?

Colin spent the weekend dressing like mom...



and dressing like dad...

(sadly for dad, he was not the Bears' good luck charm).

babies don't keep...

Someone said that the other day and it is so true. Colin already looks so different than when we took him home. This week he got to meet his future playmates, Sophie and Ellie, who were both born in August. They both seemed huge compared to Colin! While I got slightly jealous listening to their parents talking about 9 hour stretches of sleep at night and watching Ellie smile and coo at her Dad, at the same time it made me thankful he's still small enough to curl into a tiny ball on my chest to fall asleep. As hard as these weeks are, I know I will miss that later.


look how tall I am!

Overall we're doing well. The Hanson house has continued its streak of illness this week, since I have had a bad fever, but Mike has been great at staying up at night (and even getting Colin to sleep in his crib for hours at a time!) so that I can get sleep. This has been my first week at home with him while Mike works, with no parents here to help. So far, so good. He likes to nap most of the day, so I actually get some of the easiest hours (thus the blog update!)



Here's a link to pictures of week 3:




http://tinyurl.com/colinweek3

2 weeks old!!

Here we are on the way to the doctor's for our two week checkup. Colin weighed in at 6 lbs 14.5 oz this morning, just shy of regaining his birth weight. Dr. Caldwell said that with one more feeding, he'd meet his birthweight, so she's not worried. Otherwise, she said he looks great and reassured mom and dad we were doing a good job :)

Colin has had a week of milestones --

He met Grandma Pat (who read him his first book)

First attempts at tummy time (though it's more fun to just lay on your belly and look around)

First sponge baths, which we love

First walk around the neighborhood (note the look of rage on his face - I promise he enjoyed it)

His cord also fell off (no picture, I know you're disappointed) and we're slowly starting to take a pacifier. It's been the shortest and longest two weeks of mom's life!

Colin Dominick Hanson

Colin arrived at 1:03 pm on Monday, October 26, 2009, weighing 7 pounds even and measuring 20 1/4 inches. We already love him so much and can't imagine our lives without him.

We headed to the hospital around 9:30 and were taken to a room in labor and delivery, where I was put on monitors (Colin had nonstop hiccups that were hilarious on the monitors) and was prepped for surgery. We were all ready to go around 11 and I was starting to get really nervous, when I heard that our doctor was still in another surgery and it would be at least another hour. So we watched "The Price is Right" and tried to relax. Finally, around 12:30, I was taken into the operating room to get my spinal block. That was the worst part of the whole experience. Then they let Mike come in, and he sat near my head and held my hand. I just tried to look at Mike and relax - I wasn't even sure that the c-section had started! Then I heard people calling out body parts ("I see an arm!" etc) and then after a pause, Dr. Schafer announced, "1303" and I realized that was the time of his birth. There was a silence that seemed to go on forever and then suddenly the loudest, strongest little cry began to fill the operating room. I started to cry at the sound, though I still couldn't see him. The anesthisiologist asked me what his name was, and I said through tears, "Colin." They called Mike over to cut the cord. He ran back to me and I asked what the baby looked like. Mike said, "He's beautiful. He's got a lot of hair!" I couldn't believe it. I asked what color and Mike said, "dark ... kind of like a mullet!" Finally, Mike was able to bring him over to me so I could get a first look at his little face. He was so beautfiul and calm. We spent the rest of the day holding him and just staring at him in amazement.

We've been home for only a few days, but our lives are completely consumed with him. Here's a link to pictures of Colin's first week: http://tinyurl.com/yz68wap

the final countdown...

My last day of being pregnant! It is so hard to believe that tomorrow we will have a baby. It feels so surreal. We are trying to enjoy our last day of just being the two of us.. sleeping in, taking a nap, etc. But we are too excited/anxious to relax too much. I think it's hard to even imagine what it's going to be like, so its hard to believe this is really happening. It is almost a little sad. As much as I am ready to be done with all the discomforts (and to be able to get off the couch without assistance), I will miss feeling his kicks and hiccups, and watching my belly move around. It has taken forever and yet flown by at the same time. I know it will be wonderful to see him on the outside; I'm just not sure I'm ready to give up the time that's just the two of us together. I just can't even imagine what life will be like at this time tomorrow!

Hopefully everything will go well tomorrow and we'll have pictures of our new little guy to share soon!

Keep your head up (or not)...

So my 37 week picture is nearly a 38 week picture, but you get the idea...

And a rare bonus frontal shot.. Yes, I braved horizontal stripes. Not a pregnant woman's best friend.

At our appointment this week we confirmed that baby is still happily chilling with his head up. That's not going to work for us. He sometimes turns transverse (side to side) but can't seem to completely flip. So if he doesn't turn on his own (looking unlikely at this point, but possible) we will be looking at a c-section. We were pretty upset when this was presented to us, but in the end, I just want what is best and healthiest for him. So think good head down vibes and hopefully he'll get the message. (I think he's just being stubborn and trying to be different.. not sure where he would have gotten those traits).

The thought that he could be here SOON is unbelieveable to us. I think it just seems so surreal that we are both in a little bit of denial. I don't think it will seem real until it happens. Until then, we're just trying to enjoy our last alone time together (as much as is possible since I go to bed about 2 hours after I come home from work) and trying to imagine what our lives are going to be like soon. Can't wait to meet you, baby!

36 weeks (almost)

Ignore the glare on my face. We were leaving for childbirth class early on a Saturday. I'd rather be sleeping.

We had our second class this morning. One couple in our class was down the hall in L&D having their baby, so that made it all a lot more real! It's hard to believe he could be here so soon. I think we're in pretty good shape but I'm starting to really want to get everything ready in case he decides to show up early!

Tonight we are going out to celebrate Mike's birthday. It might be our last nice dinner out in Indy for a very long time!

waiting on the world to change...

Here we are at 34 weeks, and I can't believe it. It seems like our due date is so close but still so far away. Which leads me to swing between panic that nothing is done yet, and a feeling that it's too soon to do anything. Yesterday I woke up with a compulsive NEED to organize the nursery.. maybe this is the 'nesting' thing I keep hearing about. Anyway, we spent the morning organizing all of the clothes into bins by size (anyone who has seen my closet will find this particularly hilarious), hanging up the rest of the wall decorations, and putting the final touches on everything else.. so other than closet doors, the nursery is completely finished. However, the rest of the house looks like a toys 'r us. In our living room alone we have two carseats, two strollers, a swing, an exersaucer, and a pack 'n play. These all need to find homes and soon. But it's very exciting to be this close.. most of the major work is done, our last shower is this weekend and so is our first childbirth class.. so we can sit back and wait for the real fun to begin.

The results of nesting

Me and the squid, as Grandpa Lynn has taken to calling him...

32 weeks

On our way to our QC's shower...

Our first shower was this weekend and it was wonderful! Everyone was so generous and gave us so many nice things for the baby. Plus, we had our favorite Adolph's mexican food which was the highlight of the day! (Despite the rumor at the shower, however, his name will not be Adolph Hanson). Now we just have to figure out how to put together all of the baby gear and find a home for it! Thank you so much to all of our friends and family who made our shower wonderful!

spoiled rotten

So I have been mocked endlessly re: the cat/iphone app post. But look at this. This is what I'm dealing with. Someone is NOT going to want to give up his reserved lap spot...

31 weeks!

last weekend's project

Mike's mom and stepdad came to visit last weekend, and even though it was Ron's birthday, they were up for some manual labor. The end result is a new closet storage system - with lots of room for all the clothes, toys, games, and books the little guy will have. All of the shelves and racks can be moved and the wire bins slide out too. It will be so nice to have so much more storage! We are lucky to have such talented future grandparents!

The finished product - just needs doors now--

(yes, he already has more clothes than we do)...

our other little buddy....

Something's up with Truman. He's become increasingly belligerant and demanding (I know, how can we tell, right?) He doesn't obey us anymore. He cries constantly. Our neighbors who are due to have their first baby any day now said that their vet told them their cat definitely knew Sue Ellen was pregnant and that's why she was acting out. Whether Truman is that smart or not is up for debate, but he's definitely going to have an attitude adjustment in a couple of months. He's been pretty good about not going in the nursery (or sleeping in the crib), which is surprising. Hopefully he'll just ignore the baby for the most part. I downloaded an app which simulates a crying baby on my iphone. At first I just played it at him in the hopes he'd get accustomed to the sound (I would add, the first few times the sound was met with T putting his ears back like a feral cat and looking completely freaked out, not a good sign). This weekend, my friend Lynn "the cat whisperer" was in town and suggested giving him treats while I play it so that he associates the sound with good things. So we'll try that. Hopefully it doesn't result in the sound of a baby crying meaning I have to now feed two little guys at once.


Truman guards the upstairs hall (and entrance to the nursery)

still growing...

We've reached 29 weeks and baby is supposedly the size of a butternut squash. That's helpful. I can definitely tell he's had some growth spurts.. see below...

28 weeks

27 weeks

I am still feeling really good, but the belly is starting to get in the way and it's getting harder for me to move quickly.. or get up off the couch gracefully... I am just so excited to finally be in the third trimester. I can't believe that in only a few months we will get to meet our little buddy. I have had a hard time lately with worrying that he will be healthy and normal, so I just want the time to go by quickly so we can meet him. But I'm happy if he takes his sweet time and comes out fully cooked in November.

baby's latest photo shoot

We went for another ultrasound last week and Baby was showing off his acrobatic skills this time, putting his feet behind his head! The ultrasound tech was cracking up, as he put his hands behind his head and proceded to hit his feet with his hands (or vice versa!) If that's what he's doing when I can't feel him, I can't imagine what he's doing when I can feel him! She also caught a picture of him opening his mouth wide and we saw his little tongue. The pictures aren't the greatest since I'm without a scanner, but hopefully you can see what I'm talking about.