Happy Birthday!

We checked in early Thursday a.m. at 6:00 a.m.

At 6:05 p.m. Lily Grace Collins, our piece of heaven was born. This is Chris cutting the cord.


Dr. Ricinger and Lily Grace who started crying immediately after entering her new world.




I was able to hold her for a few minutes.




Chris went with Lily Grace to be weighed and take a bath. She was "cold" so she was kept warm for 2 hours before she was given her bath.


Chris said she was calm though out the weight, measuring/checking entire body.








Tired but happy Mommy.


Proud Daddy!


Our sweet angel.

Last Sunday

I decided to take a picture of what I see when I look down towards my feet. This is it! I see my Lily Grace and that's all!


This is our last Sunday as a family of three! Hard to believe the last nine months have gone by so fast. As far as how I've been feeling, I'm getting more tired and standing for a period of time is uncomfortable.


I'm scheduled on Thursday at 6:00 a.m. for an induction. I don't know if I'll make it until then but I think I'm ready if I don't. This is silly me!

Almost

Lily Grace's room is almost complete. I thought making her lamp shade was the best way to go. I've looked for a lamp but really didn't see any that fit the style of the room. I decided it was best and cost a lot less to become crafty. This is the start of the lamp shade with style. I have to say the lamp shade turned out better than my hair style in this shot!


Another idea and I don't know if I'll have time to complete before Lily Grace arrives...I want to frame some of my flower pictures for her room. I want to include the title and meanings. So many pictures have been an inspiration from above. For example, this another shot I took of Chris Valentine flowers. I call this "God Alone". I've had to trust in God alone with my worries and concerns.

Nightmare

This morning I woke up around 4:00 a.m. from a nightmare. The nightmare took place in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit). I was located near a crib which was located toward the back one of the NICU rooms. ( The crib located in my nightmare was similar to where Cooper's crib had been located). Beside the crib, I was in rocking chair and holding a baby (I did this with Cooper). I looked up and saw around 4 or 5 doctors gathered around a crib located 3 or 4 cribs away from our crib. I knew they were making "the rounds". A nurse was reading off any updated information on the baby and then the doctors started to discuss the next steps necessary for the baby. I started to panic wondering what they were going to say about our baby. I woke up and thought why would I dream about that? I didn't even know I had a memory of watching the doctors.

After waking up, I thought about it and do remember. With Cooper, every morning a group of doctors would make the rounds: crib by crib. I remember this was major part of my day. I would wait to hear what the doctors had decided Cooper's plan was for the day. It was a day by day event for us. We were never told "tomorrow" you can take Cooper home. It was after the morning rounds with the doctors, they decided "today/now" we could take Cooper home. After hearing the news, I remember feeling, I couldn't get to the hospital fast enough.

This isn't the first nightmare I've had. But this one stuck with me today. Where to go from here? Well, I pass by this sign everyday. I took this picture Tuesday night and send it to co-worker/friend. Today when I saw it again, I had a moment sudden peace. I been remembering that moment tonight.

Update

Tuesday, Dr. Goode said baby's heartbeat was 150. (right where it should be). She also said I had dilated 1 1/2 centimeters. This was increase from the previous week. What does this mean? Anytime Lily Grace could be born. Dr. Goode also said,at this point, she could easily break my water. She also told me she would be on call this weekend if anything happened. Dr. Goode isn't my primary doctor, but I like her. Not knowing if Dr. Ricinger, my primary doctor, will be delivering has been a little stressful but I have to trust God has everything under control. Also, I'm praying for the doctor who will be seeing and touching our "piece of heaven". Yes, I believe babies are a "piece of heaven". Below is one of the flowers Chris gave for Valentine's Day. I call the flower: Piece of Heaven.

Happy Valentine's Day

Sunday night I drove to Winnsboro and had some pregnancy pictures taken. "Granny" took these with our camera. She will be editing her pictures she took with her fancy camera and then I'll add her pictures.


Its hard to believe the end is near! Tomorrow morning I have dr. Apt at 9:30. I'll find out how much I'm dilated and if there's a predication of a birth date!

Carlyn sent me her pics through email. This was taken when we first arrived at the Olive Garden. We had to wait awhile which we all wondered why since it was Thursday afternoon around 2:30. But we didn't have to wait too long.


Cooper's birthday was the same day and the thought was too sweet to include his balloon in the shower balloons.


The gift card for Target. I had a few minutes when we left the Olive Garden so went by Target and picked up a few baby things. I have to admit I'm feeling the nesting stage.


The girls. Some couldn't make it but send best wishes and love. Starting from the right side: Julie, Carlyn and Mary Jane. Starting from the left side: Sue, Catherine, Cathy and Diane.


All these girls and others that couldn't make it have played such a huge role in my life. I'm very blessed to work with a great group of women who are moms, wives and all friends.

Baby Shower

The girls at work gave me baby shower. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. Fortunately, I will be able to put some more pics up soon because of the girls had her camera. We ate at the Olive Garden and Catherine made this diaper cake. Instead of a gifts, I received a Target gift card. This will help fill-in what we need.


Too cute!