Meeting our sweet baby

I think this picture is absolutely amazing. We had the most awesome anesthesiologist, Bill Ragan, who took our camera and snapped all kinds of pictures in the OR, and made me feel more comfortable with having my belly sliced open. He was incredible, and snapped this picture, which makes me wonder if he's a photographer on the side???

Welcome to the World Cash McGee Collins!

I know, I'm a little late at posting this, but hey, I have a newborn. I hardly have time to eat and shower! So, welcome to the world Cash McGee Collins! He was born May 14, 2010, at 3:17 P.M., weighed 9 lbs 12 oz, and was 20 inches long. This picture is when we were in the recovery room just after my c-section.

Quote of the Day

Saw this on my Uncle Ted's facebook, and I just thought it was too good not to post.

"There is sometimes great pain in a close friendship. But, the investment in close friendship is worth it."

Happy Mother's Day...

 
A Newborn ' s Conversation with God 

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of  you." 
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." 
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel ' s love and be very happy." 
Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don ' t know the language?" 
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.." 
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" 
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray." 
"Who will protect me?" 
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."  
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." 
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you." 

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name." 

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom." 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Set free!!! Well, sort of....

I went to the doctor this week, and at 37 weeks, I was dilated 1 cm, 40% effaced, and have begun to have contractions (I can't feel them really though). Since I'm less than three weeks from my due date, Dr. Boxell said I could get up and about more, like move about around the house more (like I haven't already, now I just don't feel guilty when I run the vacuum), and go out and shop or to eat. However, she knows how stressful my job can be (thanks be to Susan for informing the nurse at the hospital when I was diagnosed with the preeclampsia), so I have not been released to return to work. I think the adjustment would be a bit much at this point anyway. So, on Friday I took it upon myself to go to the bank and to Kroger, and this time I didn't ride the cart. It was exhausting though. Then last night, despite the horrendous flooding around here, I ventured out to a restaurant for the first time in many many weeks. Clint and I went to Logan's with Nina and Vincent and it was tasty. I had Clint take this picture since the days are quite rare that I am not in pajamas and actually am wearing make-up. I am 37.5 weeks.

Just a little outing....

 

So since I've been on bedrest, as we all know I've had very limited activity. I have done more than I should, but in moderation. On this particular day, which was April 19, I got a little panicky because the carseat/stroller combo I had picked out at Babies R Us was suddenly out of stock, and Daddy had waited too long to buy it. So, I frantically searched for another one, and I found it (and $60 cheaper) at Target, and it's very similar. I was very picky with it because other than the baby furniture, it's the only gender neutral stuff I picked out really (I have high hopes that we will be able to reuse lots of this stuff in the event we have a girl one day). Anyway, the combo was in stock online, but not the pack and play, so I called our Target and they had them in stock, but only one combo and three pack and plays. I called Nina and told her to come get me because I had to go get them immediately.......yes, I'm not known for my patience as we all know. She thought it was the funniest thing that I rode the little motorized shopping cart around Target and had to take a picture. Of course I had to pose, despite the lack of make-up.  I am not ashamed.

 

Baby Shower at work 4-7-10

Cute cake

So glad I had my little helper, Alisha (Melissa's daughter) to help me since my movements were/are very limited these days!

Sherry did a fantastic job with everything

Ha, this is the only picture that Chris got of Nina, and she's just poking her head around my belly. I was 34 weeks and gigantic.