Date Night

I decided that it was time for Mommy and Daddy to have some alone time and go on a date night. While I love every second I can spend with Coleton and want to soak up as many moments with him as I can, I also realize the importance of Clif and I keeping our relationship strong. Plus I love every second I can spend with my sweet hubby. So off to Tsunami we went. We had a great time eating lots of sushi, which I had been craving for about 6 months, and even drank a couple of tasty Blue Moons. While we did find plenty of other things to talk about, I'll be honest and let on that we couldn't help but talk about our cute boy a little bit. However, Clif was the one who broke down first and texted to see how Coleton was doing without us... and he was just fine! BIG thanks to Gram and Granddaddy for taking care of our little man while we were out! Here are some cute pics we found on our camera when we got home...

Christmas and Snow

We've had the best Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve with Gram and Papa/Granddaddy/what's his name and Coleton got lots of goodies! Of course, he slept through the whole unwrapping presents thing so Daddy had to help him out. After that we headed over to the other Fordham resident and had lots of fun spending time with more family.

Christmas Day brought presents from Santa and Mommy and Daddy; Mommy helped open presents while Daddy helped with the stocking. We headed out to Lugoff for dinner with my family where we ate too much yummy food, exchanged gifts via the white elephant way, and spent time making memories. And of course, our sweet baby boy got even more goodies from the family.

This morning we woke up to a {somewhat} winter wonderland. So after breakfast everyone bundled up and we trooped outside to take a few pictures of Coleton's first snow experience. Thanks to Pops and Jan for the awesome outfit that kept our little man toasty, but we have to say that he looked a little like Ralphie's brother Randy in "A Christmas Story". So cute!

We are so blessed and thankful to spend the Holidays with our loved ones!

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

4 weeks

At 4 weeks, Coleton...

• is starting to coo and smile
• is losing his hair from front to back and sort of looks like an old man :)
• can lift and rotate his head while on his tummy
• enjoys his bouncy seat (thanks Aunt Keala!)
• weighs 7 lbs 14 ounces - gained 1 lb in 2 weeks!
• loves bath time but hates the cold that comes with getting out of the tub (who doesn't?)

• goes 2-3 hours between feedings during the day and ~4 hours at night
• loves looking at the lights on the Christmas tree
• appears to enjoy listening to Mommy sing Christmas hymns - or at least he doesn't complain
• sucks his fingers and hands more frequently

Hard to believe our little man is already a month old! Time is flying by! Daddy goes back to work next week so we will have to adjust our routine a little bit. It has been such a blessing to have him home with us this past month. Sending our love to everyone!!

First Bath

Coleton's cord stub finally fell off after 2 weeks so he was able to enjoy his first bath in his whale tub.

At least he appeared to enjoy it until he pooped in the tub :)

3 weeks

...and growing! We've only gained a little bit of weight since our last visit, but Dr. Cope isn't concerned yet so neither are we. Current weight (as of 11/29) is 6.15, with another weight check next week.

LOVE THIS LITTLE BOY!

Lessons learned...

Little lessons learned from Coleton (and it's only week 2):

1. Just when you thought it was time to change that dirty diaper, there's more to come! (and sometimes LOTS more!)
2. Breast feeding is a HUGE commitment, and sometimes I feel like a cow... but that's ok as long as my sweet baby boy is satisfied and growing.
3. Not all babies like bouncy seats and swings - maybe he'll learn to like them?
4. Reflux is a huge pain, especially when you weigh less than 7 pounds, and especially at 2 am
5. There's nothing like a good meal and a nap to ease crankiness

It's amazing how this sweet baby boy totally rules our world now, and we wouldn't have it any other way. I could literally hold him and kiss him all day! Clif and I tell each other everyday how blessed we are and how incredible it is to have Coleton. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We're very thankful for all of our family and all our blessings!

Such long arms and legs, like his Daddy!Sweet feet!

Now, off to feed my sweet piranha, again! ;)

Christmas Cards

Now that our little one has arrived, I am SO excited to start working on our Christmas cards, if I can stop kissing his sweet face long enough to work on them! As most of y'all know, I love doing photo cards and in the past have included our four legged children. This year of course, we'll be doing something different. I'll be using Shutterfly to create them; so keep an eye on your mailbox in December!

Check out Shutterfly sometime. Their photo books make awesome gifts!
Click here to learn how bloggers can get 50 free holiday photo cards!

Mommy and Daddy

We are so excited and proud to introduce our sweet baby boy.

Coleton Ross Fordham

November 11, 2010

2:56 pm

6 pounds, 12 ounces

20.25 inches

After being dilated 1 cm for about a month, I was admitted to the hospital the night of Nov. 10th and given medicine to prepare my cervix for induction. About 8 am the next day, I was started on pitocin to induce labor. Labor slowly progressed and my OB was able to break my water when I finally dilated to 2 cm. I quickly progressed to 5 cm and then things started getting crazy. Coleton was having a hard time with each contraction, as his heart rate dropped really low every time I had one. My nurses kept repositioning me and put me on oxygen in hopes of stabilizing Coleton. They even thought he may have been positioned on his cord. Although I had quickly progressed to 5 cm, it appeared I was not making further progress either. My OB quickly made the decision to do an emergency c-section and about 25 minutes later our precious boy arrived!

We are so thankful to have a healthy baby boy!! I have to admit that I was terrified hearing the nurses talk about his cord and about needing an emergency c-section. I have to give major kuddos to Clif - he was so calm and supportive throughout the labor process, sat next to me and held my hand during the surgery, and was nothing but optimistic. And we also have to give a huge thank you to my sister-in-law Tiffaney, who was also with me during the labor process (of course, they kicked her out during the surgery). She was a HUGE support system for both of us, especially me. She was a great reassurance throughout the whole process and encouraged and loved on me, especially when I began to stress. I could not have done it without the two of them!

Thank you also to our wonderful family who was there to celebrate Coleton's arrival! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful support system. More pictures coming soon! Love to you all!

Puppy Love

A couple weeks ago we decided that, before Coleton arrives, we needed to take care of our four-legged babies by giving them a place to roam and play. So, Clif and Kip (his Dad) went to work on completing a fence for our backyard! They spent about a day and half clearing the yard, digging holes and putting in posts, and then his cousin and uncle came over one day to help finish everything. It was quite a site watching the 4 Fordham males walk from one side of the yard to the other, all in a single file line from oldest to youngest, as they planned their next step! Too bad I didn't get a picture of that! We have a walk-through gait on one side, and a drive through gait on the long side of the yard.


The fence is awesome and we've already enjoyed it so much! Most importantly, Madison and Tanner LOVE it! It's so nice to take them out back and play ball, or just to let them roam. Thanks so much to Kip, Doug and Connor!

39 weeks 4 days...

and Coleton is content to stay where he is! Mommy and Daddy are getting impatient (as are several of you, I've noticed!), but are trying to wait on His timing. However, if the little groundhog doesn't arrive by next Thursday, he'll be kicked out! That's right... induction day is set for 11/11/10; I'll have to go into the hospital the night before and will be induced the next morning. But I'm still praying that little man decides to come before then!

Have a great weekend! I'll try to post some final belly pics, the finished nursery, etc over the next couple days.

Fall Fun

We've been taking a (short) break with the baby preparations to enjoy my favorite season.
Fall brings many wonderful things such as...

Starbucks' Toffee Mocha (decaf, no worries!)

Decorating outside in a happy Halloween theme, because I don't do scary

Carving pumpkins and enjoying pumpkin seeds

Of course, we can't leave out the state fair, flower festival at the new Farmer's Market,and Marble Slab's pumpkin cheesecake ice cream (try it with Reese cup - it won't disappoint!).

Happy Fall Everyone!

Baby Goodies :)

This weekend I had another fabulous shower, this time hosted by Keala, Aunt Lee, and Tiffaney. I had a wonderful time! We're so thankful for all the baby goodies that we got and we're putting the finishing touches on Coleton's nursery. Hard to believe that we're in our 36th week! Tomorrow we're headed to the fair to enjoy some yummy food. Hope everyone has a great and fun weekend. Love to you all!

Showers, football and such

What a week! I am so thankful that cooler weather is on the horizon!

My friends Katie and Tracey hosted a shower for me at Bonefish for all my work girlfriends last week. I had such a great time and enjoyed hanging out with the girls outside of work. I loved everything and have had so much fun putting things up in Coleton's nursery. Thanks to Juliet, Mary Holland, English, Liz, and especially Katie and Tracey for an awesome and fun shower!

I see pictures of myself sometimes and think who is THAT??

Coleton experienced his first Carolina game last weekend when the Gamecocks hosted Furman. Apparently, he LOVES "Sandstorm" as he moved like crazy when it was played in the stadium! It was so funny to feel and watch! As for me, I always love watching my Gamecocks in action, but I think for the rest of this pregnancy I will enjoy the games from the comfort of home :) Heat + steps + lots of bathroom trips and therefore more steps + bleachers for several hours = swollen feet and one tired preggers! But Clif and I had a great time at the game and are thankful we were able to attend at least 1 this season!

OB appointment this week went well. Coleton's heart beat sounded great again and my blood pressure and iron level are good. Clif worked hard last week on Coleton's dresser/changing table and it looks awesome! The nursery is coming along. Here we are at 33 weeks/5 days. Total weight gain so far is...

yeah right, did you really think I'd reveal that?? :)

Love to you all!

32 Weeks

Our last appointment was great and we're both growing well. My weight gain was a little more than usual, but I blame it on the high carb diet I had to eat for 3 days for the glucose test. :) Coleton's heartbeat sounded great at 136 beats per minute. It's always so awesome to hear it at every appointment! He is in the head down position, which is good news for D-day. Lately, he enjoys stretching out and I get to enjoy feeling his foot in my rib cage! I've finally scanned some ultrasound pictures, so enjoy!

March, 22, 2010 - just a Baby Bean!

April 26, 2010 -looking like a baby!

June 21, 2010

Happy Grandparent's Day to our grandparents and to Coleton's grands and great-grands!

Two years ago...

Clif and I were here:

It has been a fast and incredible 2 years! I am so blessed with a wonderful hubby! He makes me coffee in the mornings, sends me sweet emails at work when I'm having a rough day, cooks dinner most nights during the week without ever complaining, deals with my out of control pregnancy hormones, tells me everyday that I'm pretty (even though I question it with my ever expanding tummy) and how much he loves me. He is slow to anger, patient, quick to forgive and quick to apologize, and thoughtful. He has this uncanny ability to make me laugh everyday, even if in my stubbornness I'm trying hard to be frustrated! He is daily evidence of God's faithfulness and love. "On my own, I'm only half of what I could be... we are stitched together and what love has tethered, I could never undo." Clif, I love you and I am excitedly looking forward to seeing you fulfill your new role as Daddy! Happy Anniversary babe!

Now if only we could celebrate our anniversary with our honeymoon! Oh to be on our way to a fruity cocktail at the swim-up bar on the beach of Cancun! Ahh...

Is it Fall yet?

31 weeks today! I have so enjoyed the cooler temperatures this weekend and am looking forward to the even cooler weather that Fall brings. This week, baby weighs about 3.3 lbs and is about 16 inches long. He is about the size of:Coleton is definitely a mover and I love feeling him kick and do somersaults! However, I'm really starting to feel the effects of this growing boy taking up more and more space in my ever expanding tummy! Bending over is super difficult, getting comfortable and sleeping through the night is impossible, and going up and down the stairs without some shortness of breath just doesn't happen. But it will all be worth it in the end! We've started the process of selecting a pediatrician, have begun watching our labor/delivery class DVD (thanks Katie!) and are just trying to rest now for the sleepless nights ahead.

On a side note - how about those Gamecocks?! :)

30 Weeks

Here we are...30 weeks and growing.

We can't believe that in 10 weeks (or so) we"ll be holding our little guy! Medically wise, we're both doing great. I'm feeling tired and HOT, but nothing too bad. OB visits are now every 2 weeks; at my most recent visit, I didn't pass the glucose screening so was sent for the 3hr glucose tolerance test. After getting up at 5:30, chugging the sweet but flat fake orange soda, having blood drawn 4 times over 3 hours, and not eating for 12 hours... I passed my test! So no gestational diabetes for this girl. Yippee!! :)

Today Clif and I worked on the nursery. Coleton now has curtains, a book shelf (with a small collection of books and toys already started),

a few clothes, diapers for his sweet bottom, a Bumbo seat and swing (on loan from my friend Katie), a mattress in his crib (thank you Kip and Terry!),
and a few other essentials. It's a work in progress of course, as we still need his bedding, dresser/ changing table, glider, ottoman, and, well you get the gist! As promised, I'm working on posting ultrasound pictures. Stay tuned!

Welcome!

Hi everyone and welcome! We're so excited about the upcoming arrival of our baby boy!! I thought this blog would be the best way to keep everyone, near and far, updated about our growing family. I hope you'll visit frequently!

Coming soon: Ultrasound pictures and belly pics :)