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...