3 Month Pictures

Pictures are here:
I feel like the color got a little off when I scanned them because the whole reason I bought the really close up ones was to see his eye color, but you get the gist.

Summertime and the Livin is Easy...

Collin had his first beach day on father's day. You and daddy have not had the easiest first few months together, but I know he loves you more than he could ever express and would do anything for you. We spent father's day at Auntie Mimi and Uncle Kevin's house. It was your first time to the beach. You mostly just stayed in the shade with Granny where you were perfectly content. We did try your toes in the sand, which you seemed unsure of. Your brother and sister on the other hand had sand from head to toe. The day before father's day was Hannah's dance recital. You were absolutely amazing and slept in mommy's front pouch for over three hours of dancing while I ran back and forth changing Hannah. When you finally woke up, Hannah fed you backstage while I got her costumes put away and all her little friends just stood around staring at you. They all love you so much. I'm pretty sure all the girls go home and ask their mom's for baby brothers. You and Jack are both wonderful supportive dance brothers. Hannah loves to put you in the bumbo and then she practices and says you're her audience. I know Hannah will repay you someday by cheering louder than anyone at some of your games/activities.

Mother Knows Best

There is truly a special gift that God has given to mothers. It's a unique understanding of your children. A month ago I wrote about the really odd report from the doctor that Collin's head was greater than the 99% and that it had to be monitored to make sure there wasn't brain swelling. If you recall I went home and even called back asking them to double check because it just didn't seem accurate to me, but the nurse confirmed that yes it was greater than 99%. So being the rule follower I am I went back this week for our follow up. The doctor walks in, takes one look at the chart and starts apologizing. The nurse had entered the date wrong in the computer system. She had put the current date as both his DOB and the date which made it seem like he was just born with a two month old head. He felt so bad and apologized over and over. He returned our copay too. No harm done. So his head is right as it should be about 60% and my little Jack remains the title holder of the largest head. Collin is doing so well. He is super sweet and easy. He still wakes up a lot at night to eat (sometimes every 1 1 /2 hours) so this week we started a tiny bit of rice cereal for dinner. He really likes it and figured out the swallowing thing quickly. I don't think it's made any difference with the sleeping, but I'm glad he enjoys it.

Three Months

My sweet baby Collin, you are growing too fast. Three months already and learning new things each day. Recently you found your hands and you are so close to holding things. If we put something light in your hand you can do it, but not reaching quite yet on your own yet. You rolled over for the first time (belly to back) on June 9, the day before you turned three months. Jack and I were playing with you on the floor and you did it over and over again. You are making little cooing sounds and are very alert. You still love mommy, the swing, milk, and bath. I think you are a very good boy! You still wake up frequently at night to eat (4 oz. every 2-3 hours). You usually take 3 naps per day, but they aren't exactly scheduled yet. Your current nicknames include: Colly, Calls, Callipotomous- and Collin Giraffeee (jack made it up, but for some weird reason it has stuck-so random). Your brother and sister love you so much. Nothing is more fun than seeing them interact with you. Your eyes are still very blue and definitely your feature that people comment on the most. I took you to JC Penny for your 3 month pictures. I've learned over the past 6 years to have low expectations on picture days, but you were perfect. No crying. We were in and out of there in 20 minutes and you looked super cute. I will post them all once I get them. For now, here are a few current shots of you.

Good News

A few weeks ago, Collin went to his surgeon consult with Dr. Gibbs regarding his large umbilical hernia. Currently the hole is 5mm. We won't know for sure until it's size is monitored over the next three months, but the doctor appeared very optimistic that surgery would not be needed. As long as it's getting smaller, he should be okay. He said the real issue is cosmetic because there could be so much extra skin that the belly button just doesn't look right, but I think he will be okay.

2 Months

Happy 2 months little one. You are growing and learning and becoming sweeter with each passing day. I love you so much and want to keep you this tiny forever. You currently love being with Mommy, baths, tummy time, your swing, eating, and being entertained by Hannah and Jack. You do not like diaper changes or being left alone. You are starting to make sweet little sounds. You will smile, but make us work pretty hard for it. This month we have been working on getting three regular naps as opposed to dosing off whenever and also getting used to napping in your big crib. You actually seem to like your big bed particularly staring at the mobile. You will nap in there for about 45 minutes. You still have your big blue eyes and are ever so slowly getting a tiny amount of hair. We had your two month check up at our new pediatrician office yesterday. Mommy is trying to simplify life and I've been slowly changing all of our doctors to be closer to home. I really liked the new doctor (Dr. Tang) and his office. You did wonderful with your shots and barely cried then fell asleep immediately after. You are still my smallest baby at the two month mark weighing in at 11 1/2 lbs. (50%) and 22 inches (25%). I'm slightly confused by the next stat. Your head circumference is 38 cm. which they said is above the 99%. Not only that, but it is "so large" we have to come back every 4 weeks to measure it to make sure it is okay. I went home and looked at Hannah and Jack's records. Hannah's head at two months was exactly the same size 38 cm only her doctor wrote 50%. Jack's was actually larger at 40cm and the doctor called it 80%. You can see my confusion. I called the doctor this morning and shared the information I had found and asked for them to re check their chart to make sure there was not an error. They did and once again confirmed it is greater than the 99%. I am still left confused. All of my kids have large heads, but to be honest, just by looking I've always thought my Jack was the one with the giant head not Collin. Overall Collin is growing great. The doctor said he was very impressed with how strong he was and his ability to maintain head control. The doctor did hear a heart murmur which to a doctor "is very typical in babies," but to me is a very scary red flag for future heart problems like dad. I pray everyday that Hannah, Jack and Collin avoid the health issues Tim endures. One last somewhat concerning thing is that Collin has a very large umbilical hernia. These are fairly common and typically go away on their own, but Collin's is so abnormally large that he is sending him to a surgeon for a consult. That appointment is scheduled for later this month. It doesn't hurt him in anyway, but basically the intestines move in and out of it because the hole never closed. It is very large and it makes me feel sad. Sometimes I think you've gone potty, but really it's just the sound of the intestines moving in and out. Very very strange. You eat 4 oz every 3 hours and still wake up every 3 hours at night. You are a very good boy and I am so grateful to be your mommy. I think you are perfect little one and I love you very much.

Jesus Loves You

Today my little one was baptized at St. John's church in Orange. It's the same church Tim and I were married and where Hannah and Jack were baptized as well. I love how we have all stood in the same spot on important days in our lives. Both Hannah and Jack's baptismal days had some issue that caused stressed. Tim and I have made the comment that Satan might try anything to keep you from walking alongside Jesus. At Hannah's, she had an explosion of bright yellow all over her white dress minutes before the church service was beginning. On the morning of Jack's, Tim broke the sink faucet and water would not stop spraying all over our kitchen. Hannah also woke up sick that day. So leading up to today we were prepared. We were taking guesses what might happen. Fortunately nothing huge, but it did rain. Here's the amazing thing. Driving home, a beautiful rainbow filled the sky, reminding me of God's love and promise to us. A reminder that he is all powerful and has a perfect future planned out for each and every one of us. A future that includes a rainbow after every storm we may be faced with. I hope Collin always trusts in the Lord and turns to him with thanks in the good times and prayers in the storms and remember that his rainbow awaits.

Collin was so great during the service. Like most parents do during a baby baptism, I said a prayer he'd fall asleep. Well, that didn't happen. He was wide awake the whole time which made me nervous because I didn't want him to cry, but he was perfect, looking right at the pastor with his big blue eyes. Auntie Katie and Uncle Jeff are his God Parents and I have peace knowing they will pray for him and help guide him in his faith, all while being the fun loving auntie and uncle they are. Collin wore the same outfit that Tim wore 34 years ago and that Big Brother Jack wore 3 years ago. He looked so cute. After the service we celebrated with the whole group at Mimi's cafe. It was a wonderful day and my heart is full.




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