False Alarm

Dear Baby Do-rin (what your big brother calls you),

This past Friday we had a HUGE false alarm!  I honestly thought you were coming.  We had all the signs and symptoms of labor and so Mommy rushed out to the store because there were a few things that I didn't have for you that I really needed.  One, I needed a baby book.  I am so sorry to say that between caring for your brother and this move I haven't been as attentive to your needs as I would like to be.  I don't ever want you to feel like second fiddle simply because you were born second.  So, I went to 4 different stores to find you a baby book! 

Your brother also has developed a love for his old swaddle blankets so I bought you a set of your own.  His are bamboo and remind me of India where yours are muslin and have a cute jungle theme so there should never be any worries that they will get confused. 

Your brother also sleeps very well with a sound machine so I bought you the same one.  Even though you will be in our room for a while having you get used to the white noise will be great.

So, after a monumental shopping trip with contractions every 15 minutes and having to go the bathroom every 5 - I made the decision to call your Grandma Mary up to Maine.  Well - you are a little stinker because while Friday you continued to increase your contractions in both intensity and length by Saturday there were few and now there are none.  We walked and walked all day Saturday in an attempt to get things kick-started again but after a visit to the Chiropractor yesterday I learned you are not even engaged in my pelvis (silly baby - get down there!).  Of course, you might have spend some time down there but since the weekend you have retreated back into my abdomen and have been causing major heartburn and discomfort.  So I am to push on my upper abdomen and wear a little band to keep some pressure there in order to keep you from floating back up and causing me to vomit.

I really want to meet you Colin - you are seemingly every bit as stubborn as the rest of us and now at 39.5 weeks I'm not quite sure you are ready to come out.  No matter when you arrive or how stubborn you are please know we love you (and would love for you to come this weekend so you can trick or treat with us)!  Your brother is so excited to meet you and every day tells you to come play with him.  He loves spending time in your room and talking about all the things in the house that are yours.

Your clothes are washed, your bassinet is ready, your swing is up, your playgym is set up in the playroom - all we need is you!!! 

xoxo
Mom

39 weeks 6 days and READY

Dear Conor,

Tomorrow is your due date.  You have been such a good boy, already listening to your mom.  You let me finish my court cases, you let Grandpa Adam graduate, your dad got his "To-Do" list done (as did I) and we are so thankful that you are already minding our words.  But, now I'm hear to tell you that its ok for you to come out and meet us. 

At our doctor's appointment this past Friday (December 2) we talked about that fact that you were head down but you were not locked into the birth canal.  I have felt you move quite a bit and it's time for you to make your way to that spot - as much as I want to keep you safe and warm inside my belly - its time for you greet the world.

Why?  Because if this is going to be your first Christmas I really really want you to be able to participate in the jollyness of the season.  We want to take you to see Santa Claus, watch Christmas movies with you, we want to take you on a tour of all the decorated houses, and we want to have some time with you before the crazy days of Christmas Eve and Christmas actually get here.

So Conor, please listen to your mommy again and start making your way out!

xoxo
Mom

First Christmas

Dear Conor,

This past week I have been hard at work getting our family ready for Christmas.  As this will be your first Christmas you needed a stocking!

Many years ago I made a set of stockings for Grandma Mary.  A few years later I made a set for Grandma Janet.  But, I had never made a stocking set for our home.  With your impending arrival I decided to do just that (I have no idea what I was thinking - your mom is sometimes a little nutty!).  I started with your stocking and I just LOVE the way it turned out!

I picked a whimsical Santa Claus material for the body and then some fun polka dots (I just love polka dots) and Ho Ho fabric for the details.  I also found great embellishments that really bring the stocking to life.  I made it bigger than the ones I made for your Grandmothers because I just know you will always be a very good little boy and therefore Santa will have many things to stuff into your stocking.  I will never forget being 38 weeks pregnant and trying to sew - it was truly a sight to be seen.  I have also finished your Dad's stocking and will hopefully finish mine tonight.  I can't wait to see them all hanging together!

But, I am getting ahead of myself.  Here are the pictures of YOUR first stocking for your FIRST CHRISTMAS!

What fun trim!  I just love that it looks like the fur on Santa's hat!

Polka Dots and rick rac - you can't go wrong

A close up of the Santa fabric

I can't wait to see what Santa puts in your stocking for your First Christmas!

xoxo
Mom

Nursery Update - Week 39

Dear Conor,

Your nursery really looks amazing - I can't wait for you to see it.  Last night your Dad and I hung the curtain rod (it was difficult to find a curtain rod for your room given your window size and so many seemed very feminine) and your navy blue sailcloth curtains.  I decided to get the light block curtains so that I could darken your room when and if we ever needed to.  I am glad that I made this decision because the curtains hang beautifully with the heavier backing.

Curtains from Pottery Barn Kids

Well, what do you think of them?  I haven't decided if we will get curtain hooks to allow the curtains to be pulled back or if we will leave them hanging like this - only time will tell.

I also took advantage of black Friday deals and ordered your duvet cover.  It should be arriving shortly.  We saved $17 because shipping was free!  I made up the big bed in your room last night with the dust ruffle (navy), the sheets (light blue), and the winter blanket (tan) as well as the uncovered duvet and the quilt.  It looks so inviting - I want to sleep there!

Detail of Kasey Quilt - there is also a chocolate brown stripe that you do not see here.

Doesn't the bed look so soft and comfy??  I just need the duvet cover to arrive and to pick up two more pillows.  Your Dad thinks it needs a headboard and while I agree with him I know it will be hard to find something to fit with the ceiling being so low.  So, we will take our time :)

I also took some more pictures of the nursery portion of your room to remember what it looked like.

Your crib & whale toy basket

Your changing table and diaper bag

Detail on your quilt - Jackson from PBK

I love how everything in your room ties together so beautifully!  Your Dad and I are very proud of all the hard work that went into your room. 

We also ordered your monitor this week and we have decided to mount it above your crib on a shelf so now I have to locate shelving for each side of the window (both your Dad and I like symmetry).  But first I am waiting for the monitor to arrive so that I know what type of shelving would work best.

Your due date is only six days away so we are in the final moments of preparation - I can't wait to meet you little man!

xoxo
Mom