La Vita E Bella

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!!

I posted a new album titled "Labor and Delivery" in the right side bar. I'm also working on another one of pictures of Lucas. Keep your eyes peeled for new pictures. Enjoy!!

Getting into the Groove

No, your eyes are not deceiving you! I'm back and ready to write. I apologize for being so absent. I thought for sure that I'd be updating daily - I guess I underestimated the amount of time and energy that go into taking care of a newborn! We've been home for over a week now, and I can say that Trei and I are adjusting well. The last of the holiday company left on Friday - and it's been nice to have some down time. From the moment Lucas was born, we've been busy, busy, busy!! Between the visitors, Christmas at my parents, and spending 4 days with Trei's parents - our life has been non-stop. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed every moment of it - but it's nice to settle into a routine and get back to normal. Plus, I think I jumped into the full swing of things a little too soon. I've been feeling the effects of the delivery (and episiotomy) painfully lately. There hasn't been much time for recovery, so I'm making up for lost time. I wonder how long that will take?? Like I said, the transition home has been great. Lucas is an easy baby and is making my life easy. I'm breastfeeding full-time and he is hungry every 3-4 hours (sometimes even giving me a 5 or 6 hour break at night!). He is happy and alert for about an hour after each day time feeding and then sleeps until he's hungry again. At night, I get a break. He's down around 10ish, and then wakes only to eat before nodding off again. I can say I'm getting about 7-8 hours of sleep when all is said and done. Not too bad! Trei has been so helpful as well. He's the designated diaper changer and seems to get all the messy ones! (laughs). He always offers to help, and is very sensitive to me and if I need his attention. I'm so grateful for Trei. He is a wonderful husband, and a loving father. I am so blessed!!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Labor and Delivery!!

Well, I've been home for about 8 hours now. Leaving the hospital was an exciting thing...that is until we got to the car and I realized the wonderful nurses weren't actually going home with me. For a moment a sense of terror swept over my body, and then I looked at my husband (who's now a dad!) and my beautiful son and thought "This will be a piece of cake". Only time will tell if I'm right - but I have a feeling that the happiness and joy I'm feeling right now won't fade or disappear, just get stronger with each passing day. I cannot believe that he is ours. I stare at him in disbelief and cry over the amount of love and adoration I have for him. When he looks at me, my heart melts and I can't wait to snuggle him and kiss him and watch him sleep!! I am so much more in love than I ever thought possible (cliche, but true!). A beautiful combination of Trei and I, and the amazing love we share with eachother. We now have a little family. The start of a special bond that will forever be ours. I am in awe of the blessings that surround us and don't feel at all worthy of this gift. Lucas is so precious, and innocent, and dependent on me that I'm so overcome with emotion. I have to keep myself from crying half the time because my heart is full. Full of love for my husband and son. It's indescribable!!

HE'S HERE!!!!

I just got home from the hospital...a few more pictures are in the extended post - and I will write all about the birth later this evening.  Enjoy :)

39 Weeks, 5 Days....

Lot's of labor pains, still no baby. This has been the longest week of my life! I'll keep you all posted.

39 Weeks, 2 Days....

and still no sign of the baby. Ya know? Labor never lasts this long in the movies.

Baby Update

Well, I need to apologize to everyone who has called inquiring about how I'm doing and haven't received a call back. To be honest...I've been exhausted, and definitely not in the mood to chit chat - especially since there isn't a whole lot to tell!

I've been in "labor" since Monday at 4pm. My contractions have been very irregular though. I had 8 hours of contractions Monday from 4-12am. I got a break over night, and then most of the day yesterday. I had some here and there, but nothing major. Then last night around 10pm I started experiencing horrible back pain, cramping and nausea. Contractions started in around 1am, and were 2 minutes apart until this morning at 8am. I also had a pink tinged discharge this morning which is a first.  I was very uncomfortable last night - and almost went right to labor and delivery, but decided to wait it out since I had an appointment with my doctor at 8:45am this morning. When I went in, I was still very uncomfortable. However, I was only dialated 1 centimeter and 70% effaced. She agreed that I was in early stages of labor and sent me home to "wait it out". I was very disappointed that she didn't admit me, since I was MORE THAN READY TO GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!

Congratulations Collins Family!!

- December 10th - 6:15am - 8lbs, 12ozs -I talked to Janea this morning, and she and Lily are doing well. They will be discharged tomorrow morning. More pictures can be found on Janea's myspace page. I am thrilled for Janea and David. Lily is absolutely beautiful!

Same Old, Same Old!

Just returned from the doctors. Wish I could say there was something new to report of - but there's not. This whole pregnancy thing is really starting to lose it's excitement. I'm not going to lie - I walk into every single appointment with a glimmer of hope that something will have changed. Today proved to NOT be one of those days. Still 1 centimeter dilated and 50% effaced. All this torture - and not a single change. I'm not letting it get me down too much - because I could easily go into labor tonight - but it's still somewhat of a downer to be sent home without any exciting news.

She did however, schedule me to be induced Christmas night at 10pm if he hasn't come by then. Ha ha, HE BETTER BE HERE BY THEN! I might just break my own water before then. A hanger might work well, right?!? :)

Well, that's my post for the day.

Me