Sleeping Is What I Do Best

Have you ever seen such a cute sleeper? Cole is always doing something "sweet" with his hands when he sleeps. I love when he puts them under his chin or on his cheek, he looks like a little angel. When he is laid down on his own he always flings his arms above his head and streches. Most newborns still like to be all bundled up in a little ball but Cole loves to strech. I think he was just to squished in my belly and loves that he has room now!

One proud Daddy!

We Love our Grammy

We enjoyed having Steve's Mom up for a visit from California. With Cole coming a few days late we had a lot of time to visit and for Ty to get some good Grammy time in. I appreciate all of the help that she gave with getting ready for the baby and keeping Ty busy. (Or was is Ty keeping Grammy busy?) After we came home from the hospital Grammy had Cole every second that she could trying to suck up as much loves and kisses as she could before she had to head home. I can't imagine living so far away. My Mother is over here daily to see the boys and acts like she hasn't squeezed them in days when she gets her hands on them.

Coming Home

After a very stressful night we were very happy to here that we were able to take our little one home. So, while we did our last minute check out items and our last visitors left we piled, and barely fit, all of our stuff onto one of those hospital carts (most of you have used one before) and squeezed our baby boy into his car seat. They have to be so tight in there!

And we were on our way!

Ty loves being able to sit next to Cole and take care of him.

He is such a good big brother!

Ty's photography is getting pretty good don't you think.

Such a sweet picture.

This one is not so sweet!!!

What a silly boy!

Yay we're home!!!!

We are so happy to have our family all home together

Our stay at the NICU

Every new parents nightmare is to have to follow their newborn into the NICU. Colton was tested for low blood sugar because of his weight. He tested in the low forties and he should have been in the mid seventies. We had to supplement feeding with formula and make him eat every three hours whether we had to wake him up or not. We tried this for his first 15 hours or so with a blood test that required pricking his heal every time before he ate and a half hour after he ate. That is a lot of owies! Feeding would bring his levels up but they would always fall again. We had a warning a few hours before he was admitted to the NICU and everyone came up to see him. When we got down to our new spot we had a great nurse that was able to get Coles IV in in only a few minutes and was able to get his glucose drip started. Then they wrapped his little arm up with what seemed like a whole role of tape. Steve and I spent all evening in and out of that place with feedings every three hours. Cole was the largest baby in the NICU at that time. The nurses were used to dealing with these fragile little people who were barely hanging in there and it was a joy for them to come and "play" with such a healthy one. At his 9 o'clock feeding I noticed that Cole had bled on my shirt. The little stinker had yanked his IV out of his hand, ouch. Because of this the nurses had to get another IV into him. They spent what seemed like forever poking him in the hands, arms and even his ankle. They were going to try a vain in his little head next when they decided to consult the doctor first. The doctor decided to see if Cole had had the glucose drip long enough to stabilize him. It was a small risk, we could have had to start again from the beginning but we prayed and gave it a try. At midnight we said goodnight to our baby boy and got some much needed sleep. The nurses the next morning were so excited when we returned around 5 am to tell us he was holding in the mid sixties. We had made it through a horrible night and our prayers were answered when we were able to walk our baby back up to our room. We were actually able to leave the hospital that afternoon and take Cole home to his big brother.

Welcome Our Sweet Boy

Well, my due date of June 8th came and went and Cole decided that he wanted to stay a little while longer in his cozy home. My doctor scheduled an induction for Friday the 12th if I went that long, but I didn't think he would wait an extra four days. With my mother in law here and my family calling every few hours to see if "anything is happening" I definitely felt like a watched pot. Days came and went and before I knew it it was Friday. I was OK with not having to guess when I should head to the hospital and if they were going to send me back home or not. I was induced about 6pm on Friday and had my baby boy at 12:13 on Saturday morning. He came quickly once he was forced to. I was able to push him out in three contractions once I was fully dilated. He was a big boy, 9lb 13 oz and 22 1/2'' long. He looks so much like his big brother when he was born. We are so thankful to have had a healthy, adorable little man!

Colton Thomas Houben

A Mommy's first touch

A Daddy's first thoughts

A Big Brother's long awaited wish!

Cute tootsies and my first owie

I'm a big boy!

Cole and I had a wonderful doctor, Dr. Brodsky. She was great throughout my pregnancy and turned out to be a great catcher as well. I'm glad that she was able to make the delivery at all considering he was born so quickly.

Tyler got the movie Bolt from Grandma to watch while we were waiting for Colton. I think that was all he did the entire time.

Steve and I had my Mom, Sister and Grandma in the delivery room when Cole was born.

Shell was behind the camera the entire time.

My Grandma had never seen a birth in all her 88 years and I was happy to have her experience her first with Cole. They will always have that special bond between them now.

Grammy Jackie was supposed to be in the room for the delivery, but because Colton decided to come so quickly my Dad was not able to get to the hospital in time to watch Tyler. Grammy volunteered to take him out and I felt so bad that she did not get to see Cole's delivery.

Thank you Grammy!

I know that this is a silly picture of me and I usually wouldn't put it in but this was a priceless moment. Everyone was at the hospital until 3pm and the Big Brother just couldn't take the excitement anymore. And for me, yes I got a hogendaz ice cream bar to eat and it was delicious.

Getting Ready for Our Baby

With only 2 weeks to go Ty and I took the pile of new clothes that everyone had already gotten Colton and took off all of the tags so we could wash them. Ty took his little scissors and snipped each tag very carefully. It took us FOREVER. But it was a lot of fun. Here is Ty and I with one of the little hats on.

Shell came by and caught me using Colton as a mouse pad. It will be a great picture to show him when he gets older. I think you can even see my belly button poking out! :0)