This weeks 'Perfect Picture' really isn't so much about the picture, but more about the event. Our church, YG (see link on side column), hold an annual social called Shindig. It's a Texas style party which includes 2-steppin', line dancing, country music (performed by our Praise Band...go Miguel!), barbecue food, praise music, snd fellowship. Last year was my first year to attend, and it was a success. So much so that we ran out of food in about 5 minutes! Praise God! I didn't think I was going to get to go this year b/c I didn't want to take Brennan b/c he's still so new, but it worked out in the end and I was able to go. It was an even bigger success this year...and there was plenty of food! Praise God again! It was an absolute blessing to be there and even if we show just one person Christ, it was all worth it!

Newborn Comparison

Colin - TOP Brennan - BOTTOM

Gratituesday

This week I want to share how grateful I am for my mother. We are both nurses, and on one of her days off each week, she watches Colin (and now Brennan after maternity leave) so I can work 1 day. She's such a giving person, and I'm so lucky to have her as a mother! She loves her grandchildren, and is always asking to babysit while DH and I go out.

To see what others are grateful for, visit: Heavenly Homemakers

Brennan's 2 Week Check-Up

Brennan had his 2 week check-up this morning (bright and early at 8:30...geez!). I am happy to say that he has finally started gaining weight! At his newborn appointment when he was 5 days old, he weighed 5 lbs. 14 oz. Today he was 6 lbs. 10 oz. Yay! He's now 19 1/2 inches long! He's finally out of his preemie diapers (Thank you so much Casey!), and soon he'll be out of preemie clothes. He's outgrown some already, but for the most part he still wears them. Brennan is quite the opposite of how Colin was. Colin was always in the 75-90% in height and weight. I don't remember exactly what Brennan is (I'll update that later) but it's somewhere in the 5-10%! I still can't believe how tiny he is!

Shindig '08

I didn't think that I was going to be able to go to Shindig (our churchs annual Texas style social) on Saturday night b/c I didn't feel comfortable bringing Brennan since he is still so 'new'. At the last minute my mom offered to watch the boys for me so I could go and spend some time with friends and Miguel. This year Miguel played the electric guitar, and he had been practicing for a couple of weeks, so I was excited to get to see the entire band playing all of the country songs! I'll have pictures a little later...I'm waiting on my MIL to upload her so I can grab them!

Rachael's 2nd Birthday party

Rachael definitely was a little Princess at her princess themed party on Saturday afternoon. She looked incredibly adorable, and her party was so much fun! The rest of the pictures are on my smugmug!

Picture Perfect Thursday

My perfect picture this week is of Colin. He went through a phase where he didn't want his picture taken, and now he loves it again...which I am happy about! Whenever he sees the camera, he lowers his head and scrunches up his face to say 'cheese'. He is such a goofball...if you look closely, you can see that he is wearing his Titi Bianca's shoes!

Gratituesday

This week I am grateful for the mothers group that I belong to. They are a really nice group of women, and the children are great too! When I found out that I had to be on bedrest near the end of my pregnancy, they organized to bring my family meals so I didn't have to worry about it. Now that I've had Brennan, they've organized to bring us meals again for a couple of weeks. They are so generous and kind, and I'm so blessed to be apart of such an awesome group!

To see what others are thankful for, visit: Heavenly Homemakers

1 Week Old

My little Brennan is 1 week old today. He is such a good baby. He barely cries...only when he's hungry. He's becoming a good sleeper to! Last night we fed and out him to bed at 10:00, and he woke up at 3:00 to eat and again at 7:30. Not too bad! I just can't get over how tiny he is!

Picture Perfect Thursday

This week my perfect picture is of my older son, Colin loving and kissing his new baby brother, Brennan. This was the first time that he saw him, and he was just so gentle and loving. I was really worried that he would be jealous but he was the exact opposite!

Gratituesday

This week I am grateful for my new bundle of joy, Brennan. He arrived Friday evening, and my husband and I are so happy he's here. We had a rough pregnancy which included pre-term labor and bedrest. We tried everything to keep him inside until it was safe to be born. 1 week and 5 days after releasing me from bedrest, he was born! He's so beautiful!

To see what others are grateful for, visit: Heavenly Home Makers

Welcome Baby Alyson!

Baby Alyson Kathleen Kolb was born today! Not only am I excited that my best friend finally got to meet her new bundle, but Brennan and Alyson are only 1 day apart.
We got them together for their 1st 'friends' photo shoot!
Congratulations to parents Casey & Chris and siblings Emma, Madison & Kaetlyn!

Brennan Miguel is Here!

Brennan Miguel made his entrance into the world at 6:25 pm. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 7 oz., and was 19 inches long.

Mom, baby and papi are doing great! We can't wait for everyone to meet him!

I'm in the process of uploading more pictures to my smugmug, so check back!

Birth Comparison

Colin - TOP Brennan- BOTTOM

I'm Officially in Labor

Well, the 'rough night' that I had last night was the beginnings of labor. I called the doctor at 8:00 and went into L&D at 10:00. I am currently 5-6cm dilated. My OB came down here and broke my water. Contractions are now 5 minutes apart, but I'm not in any pain yet! Yay!

Rough Night

I had a rough night last night. I woke up at 1:30 with contractions, and barely slept. It's now almost 10:00 and I'm still having contractions. They are getting stronger and Brennan isn't really moving as much as he normally does. I've called my doctor, and am waiting for a return call. Maybe this is it?

Colin's New Haircut

Just like his papi!

Picture Perfect Thursday

The picture that I am sharing this week is a photo of the cake from my baby shower. It's perfect to me because not only is it a beautiful cake that is celebrating the arrival of Brennan, but it also reminds me of all of the thoughtfulness, and hard work that my mom and sister put into the shower. It reminds me of everyone who came to celebrate with me, and it reminds me of how much I am loved.

Gratituesday

Today I am thankful for my loving husband. He's the best man that a woman could ask for. He is the most awesome father. He takes care of our needs and goes above and beyond to do so. He is honorable, dedicated, trustworthy, loving, caring, handsome, and the best friend I could ask for. He never gives up on me, even when I feel like giving up. He's a wonderful Christian, and I strive to be like him someday. He serves God in the music ministry at our church, and is very dedicated to it. I love him with all of my heart!

For more Gratituesday visit: Heavenly Homemakers

OB Appointment

I just got back from my weekly OB appointment. I am now 3cm dilated, & still 50% effaced. My OB was concerned b/c my fundal height is still measuring small, and she estimated that the baby only weighs between 5 1/2 - 6 pounds. She sent me for a sonogram, and the sono tech. measured the baby at 6lbs., 3oz. I went back and talked to my OB, and she seemed not to be concerned any longer. My next appointment is next Monday, but I am really really hoping to have Brennan before then. I am 37 weeks today!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside My Window... a rainy miserable day

I am thinking... that I hope I'm dilated further than last week

I am thankful for...my beautiful home to raise my children in

From the kitchen... dishes in the sink...but I'll get to them!

I am wearing... a blue NURSES t-shirt

I am creating... a baby in my belly?

I am going... to the OB's office this morning

I am reading... Nothing currently

I am hoping... To have a baby before Wednesday or after Friday

I am hearing... My washing machine

Around the house... Colin is still sleeping, Miguel is at work, and Dali is lazy by the back door

One of my favorite things... Cheesecake! I want some now!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Have a baby?

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is our home. The first home that Miguel and I purchased together. The home that we brought Colin home to. The home that we will bring Brennan home to. The home where many special memories took place. The home that I will never forget.

Another Night of Contractions...

Yesterday I felt great! Almost like I wasn't pregnant anymore. I went to bed last night...and woke up at 4:30 this morning with contractions. I timed them until 6:00, when I had to get up to go to work. They were every 4-6 minutes. It's now 8:30, I'm at work, and they haven't stopped. They are now 4-10 minutes apart, but I've been getting them for 4 hours. They don't really 'hurt', just more uncomfortable than anything.

Church

I went to church today for the first time in over a month. It was such a blessing, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I got there! We have such an awesome church family, and it was great to get to visit with them during lunch after service. Miguel was back to playing guitar after a short hiatus, and he felt blessed to be back as well!

Here's a link to YG Church

Wordle: Description of Me

Ugh...

Ok, so Brennan either needs to come already, or the contractions need to stop until he's ready to come. I had contractions on and of all day yesterday. Then in the evening they picked up a bit, and by midnight they were regular. I honestly thought it was 'time'. Miguel and I went to bed hoping to get a little sleep before heading to the hospital. I woke up at 2:00 and they were pretty strong...2-5 minutes apart. I decided to wait a bit longer before waking Miguel up. At 4:00, I got out of bed because I couldn't sleep any longer and was sick of just laying there. here it is 5:20, and they've stopped again!

I just wish that my uterus would make up it's mind already...

Picture Perfect Thursday

It's Picture Perfect Thursday again...and I'm late getting it up!

This picture is perfect to me because it's my family. My loving husband and my precious son. It's a special memory to me b/c we were on vacation in Puerto Rico, where my husband if from, and we had such a good time together!

Monday's OB Visit

Well, I forgot to post about how my OB appointment went on Monday. Nothing spectacular to report. I was officially cleared from bedrest. Yay! I'm super excited about that. I stopped taking the medication that was keeping the contractions gone, so I've been having irregular contractions since then. My OB checked my cervix and I am almost 3cm dilated, still 50% effaced, and baby is still at a -3 station. My fundal height did grow, so now it's measuring 34cm. It's still 2cm behind, but since there was growth, the OB was happy. At this point, my back is killing me, so I am ready for Mr. Brennan to make his grand appearance at any moment.

It's ironic...we did so much to keep him in when he wanted to come out early, and now that it's safe for him to come out, he doesn't want to. I think I know which of my children is going to be the stubborn one!