New Additions to the Blog

Since this is our first baby, I can't claim to be an expert in parenting.  However, I have come to learn about what baby products I like and which ones I've discovered I can live without.  So I've decided that whenever I have one of these little epiphanies, I will post to the blog.  Hopefully this will be helpful to the mommies-to-be and those of you that already have little munchkins can comment and share words of wisdom.

Up first: The Miracle Bottle

I recently decided that I needed to increase my bottle supply.  After reading tons of reviews online, I decided to try the Born Free bottles.  They are fantastic!  The venting system really helped reduced gas and I could tell Cole was much more comfortable.  I bought the 9oz size, which I would recommend for those even with newborns and here's why: you're going to need the larger bottles eventually anyway, so you might as well buy one set instead of buying small bottles first and then buying the larger size later.  They sell different size nipples and are great for babies who are combo breast and bottle fed or for those who are switching from breast to bottle.  What's really great about these bottles, aside from the fact that they're BPA free, is that they can be converted to sippy cups later by adding handles and sippy tops.  This is fabulous considering how costly baby supplies are - you're dollar will go a long way because you'll get a lot of use out of these bottles.    For the pumpers out there, they sell an adapter that allows you to pump directly into these bottles! For more on Born Free, go to www.newbornfree.com

Great Product 2: The Pack 'n Play

A playard might seem like an obvious choice on any registry...and it should be.  I LOVE my Graco Pack 'n Play and can't imagine life without it.  We have a two story house.  Having this playard allows me to have a setup downstairs so that I don't have to go toting Cole up and down the stairs.  It has a bassinet for him to sleep in while he's little and, once he's bigger, he can play and sleep in the larger play pen.  It also has a changing station that holds just enough supplies.  The greatest part is the portability.  Cole is constantly going to the grandparents houses for visits.  For his extended stays, we just pack this up (in just a few seconds because its sooo easy to do) and head out the door.  From the day he was brought home Cole has always slept in his room in his crib.  However, I know a lot of new parents want baby in their room.  I think this is a great buy and could be used in this way instead of buying a bassinet.  Where a baby will soon outgrow the bassinet, this can grow with baby and is perfectly safe for baby to sleep in.  For more info and to see Graco's other products, go to www.gracobaby.com

Last but not least: The Fashionable But Useful Diaper Bag
I am absolutely in love with my Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper bag and clutch.  I have the boxy backpack which can be worn as either a messenger bag or a backpack.  Petunia offers a glazed finish which makes the bag easy to clean with a wet cloth.  Its big enough to fit all the necessities and then some!  Plus, they come in the most beautiful patterns and offer moms a stylish option to the traditional diaper bag.  Certainly worth every penny!  The clutch is great for quick errands where a full diaper bag is not necessary.  I have a picture of mine in the post about my baby shower.  For a better look, visit www.petuniapicklebottom.com

That's it for now.  Feel free to comment and share your own products and ideas!

Month 2

I can't believe Cole is already 2 months old. The time is just flying by! He is learning and growing so much every day. If you ask me, he is looking more and more like his daddy.


The past few weeks had some very special events for Cole. First, his first meeting with his Aunt Laura! They both were dying to meet each other. Laura stayed for almost a week and got lots of quality bonding time with Cole. He loved every minute of it! He even properly initiated her with a poopy diaper to change :)


The reason for Aunt Laura and Uncle Pete's visit to Las Vegas was to attend Stav and Kelly's wedding...so this month was also special because it marked Cole's first meeting with Stav and Kelly. Mom and Dad took the opportunity to have a night out alone to attend the wedding. Cole had a great time with the grandparents being completely spoiled.

It was so special for Laura, Pete, Stav, and Kelly to meet Cole because Brett and I have asked them to be Cole's godparents. We plan on having Cole baptized in a few months and we feel lucky that Cole has these great role models to guide him in life.

Here are Cole's stats from his 2 month doctor appointment: he weighed in at 12lbs 14 oz and was 23.5 inches long. The doctor said that puts him in the 75th percentile for both height and weight. She said he's progressing nicely in his development and that he'll probably be ready for some solid foods at 4 months (she said maybe even a little earlier since he's growing so well). This checkup also included about 6 vaccinations, and Cole handled them like a champ!

Now I'm just enjoying the time I have left before I have to go back to work :(

5 Weeks Old

Time is flying by! I can't believe Cole is already 5 weeks old. He had his check-up with the doctor today and he's growing like a weed! He's 10 lbs 15 oz and 21 1/4 inches long. At this rate we may have a Longhorn linebacker in the making after all :)

Its so exciting to see him learning and changing every day. He can hold his head up a little longer, he smiles, and is super wiggly. With as much fun as we're having with him, its going to be so hard to go back to work. It makes me sad to think my time with him is almost half way over. Its true, people should be paid to be stay at home parents! I just don't want to miss any firsts because I'm away at work - I want to be there for it all!

Slowly but surely I've been getting more used to going out with him and being more "relaxed" as a parent. It feels good to act like a normal person again! In a few weeks will be the first time we leave him with a babysitter (Abuelita Elsa) while we go to a wedding. I just know that I'll be thinking about him the whole time! Even though Cole will occupy our every thought, Brett and I are looking forward to the night out.

Speaking of things to look forward to...Aunt Laura is coming for a visit! Cole has been dying to meet his Aunt (and Uncle Pete, too). We're going to get to play all day!

So that's the latest update on Cole. So far things are going great!

Pictures Weeks 1-4

Cole dressed as Link from Zelda

Easter with Abuelita Elsa

Home from the hospital

Enjoying his jungle bouncer

Being a baby is exhausting

All cuddled up

Our house all decorated for our arrival from the hospital

Pictures 3-10-10

March 10,2010: The Big Day

Most of you already know, but Cole arrived Wednesday, March 10, 2010!

As soon as I have some time, I promise I will post lots of pictures. For now, here's the story of how little Cole got here.

Despite the fact that I wasn't really having steady contractions of any kind, I was dilating the week leading up to the 10th. Based on my progress, my doctor decided that we would induce labor. Brett and I got to the hospital at the very early time of 5am. We got settled in, I got my IV of petocin, and the journey began. I was already at nearly 5cm when we arrived, so the nurse told me I could have the epidural any time I wanted (and believe me, I had no plans of trying to do it naturally). My contractions went from a 3 on a scale of 10 to a 7 in no time. Needless to say I think I felt about 2 strong contractions and the epidural was ordered.

At first, I made really quick progress and word was I could deliver around noon. Then things slowed down. I was comfortable and took little naps, so I wasn't really bothered. I had gotten all the way to 9 cm but Cole wasn't moving down. In fact, he moved back up! So finally, at about 5pm, my doctor decided that we needed to do a c-section.

I had always told myself that I would let things happen as they needed to and would go along with what my doctor felt was best. I was surprised at how calm I was when the decision for the c-section was made, even though I hadn't planned on it at all. The most uncomfortable part for me was feeling numb from the neck down. I knew I was breathing, but I felt like I couldn't take deep breaths - which was a tad bit scary. The staff at the hospital was a dream. They kept reassuring me every step of the way.

Before I knew it I was being wheeled into the OR with Brett right by my side (and dressed like he was ready for a science experiment :) ). In what seemed like a heartbeat the c-section was underway and, all of a sudden, I heard a baby crying. Official time of delivery: 5:55pm. I could hear the doctors and nurses telling me that I had a beautiful baby boy. I have to admit I was a little out of it from the medicine and it wasn't fully registering what had just happened. I turned and got a peak at Cole before they whisked him away to clean and test him. Brett followed him to the nursery and the doctors began putting me back together. That seemed to be the longest part. I was shaky from the medicine and was just wanted to get in a comfy position and begin the recovery.

The doctor told me that Cole had turned on his side and that his head and shoulders were broad, just like his daddy. So in the end, I would have needed a c-section anyway. I still giggle every time I remember hearing the nurses say things like "look at all that hair!" and "he has a head just like his daddy!" At the end of the surgery I was wheeled to a recovery room. It took about 2 hours for me to regain feeling in my body with my feet, legs, and fingers last to come back to life.

Brett kept me company and we tried to be patient as we waited for our chance to hold Cole. He showed me the pictures he had taken and kept me posted on everything that was happening to Cole - his tests, first bath, etc. He also said we had the most visitors of anyone at the hospital! After what seemed like forever, I was taken to the private room where we would stay for the rest of our time in the hospital. All of our family was there waiting for me. It was about 10pm when they finally brought Cole in and I got to hold him and feed him. That's when it finally felt real! He spent time with everyone, which was fun to watch. So at the end of the day I had a beautiful 7lb 11 oz baby boy, 18.5''.

We stayed at the hospital until the 13th. The staff was absolutely amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. It was nice to bring Cole home and begin settling in.

So far, things have been going as well as I could have hoped. Cole is such a good baby and really isn't too fussy at all. He's on about a 4 hour feeding schedule, which makes me a very lucky mommy. He gets both breastfed and formula and is a healthy, happy baby. I had originally wanted to feed him exclusively, but so far he needs both. I've decided to take things day by day and not worry about it. All I care about is that he's well fed and healthy.

I have to thank our families and friends for all the help and support. I know its made my recovery and adjustment so much easier. Every now and then my hormones get the best of me and I have an emotional moment, but again, I have lots of support.

Most of all, I have to say that Brett is an amazing daddy. Not that I ever doubted him, but I am so impressed at how naturally its all come for him. He's so good with the baby and even better at dealing with me! He is the most amazing partner and husband. Our first wedding anniversary is coming up on March 21st. I have to say, I got the best little present ever in Cole!

35 weeks and counting...

I'm officially 35 weeks today and I have to say I'm getting quite anxious for Cole to get here. I've had a very easy pregnancy but things are definitely beginning to get a bit tight in the tummy hotel.

I know this might sound strange, but this baby thing is still very surreal. Its hard to wrap my head around the fact that little Cole is only inches below my skin looking like a perfectly normal baby (instead of the alien he feels like). At this point he could already have my nose or Brett's eyes...it blows me away to think about. Putting together all his gear and having all his baby stuff around the house is starting to make it much more real, but I still find myself looking at it and getting excited to use it instead of being able to picture my baby in it. I'm sure this qualifies me as needing therapy.

I have to admit that I'm starting to get nervous about adjusting to life with baby, but I'm trying to be optimistic that things will go smoothly. Is it as scary as I imagine it to be? Will I really think his boogers are cute instead of totally gross? How will I know what's wrong when he's crying?

At this point, the only other question swirling around my little head is: Isn't there something Ican do to make him come out sooner rather than later???